2016 Postmortem

Buzz Clik

(38,437 posts)

31. That quote epitomizes Sanders, the career politician.

Sun Jul 12, 2015, 01:17 PM

Jul 2015

If you actually take the time to sit and listen to Sanders, you recognize that, in the context of those controversial issues in which his stands are poorly defined, he is a master of sounding like he is saying something when he is saying nothing.

“I’m not a liberal. Never have been. I’m a progressive who mostly focuses on the working and middle class.” That is wonderfully appealing and sounds like everyone should love him ... until you start looking for the substance under the style.

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Sanders: I�m not a liberal. Never have been [View all] oberliner Jul 2015 OP

Sanders brings clarity to politics, including the difference between "liberal" and "progressive" leveymg Jul 2015 #1

Bernie is right. The liberal establishment became the neo-liberal establishment. Cheese Sandwich Jul 2015 #96

And the corporate PTB have been trying to coopt "progressive" as well... cascadiance Jul 2015 #185

Bernie goes beyond Nite Owl Jul 2015 #106

Except he specifically makes a point of labeling himself a progressive and not a liberal oberliner Jul 2015 #145

They only mean something because of what liberal/neo-liberal/DLC/Third Way has done to sabrina 1 Jul 2015 #153

Limousine Liberals And Corporations Have Become The Bane Of The Democratic Party cantbeserious Jul 2015 #2

Limousine Liberals? haikugal Jul 2015 #17

Do Your Research - The Term Represents Very Large Democratic Donors Without The Best Intentions cantbeserious Jul 2015 #21

So it doesn't trickle down...to liberals? nt haikugal Jul 2015 #25

Don't lose sleep over it DFW Jul 2015 #47

Exactly! mountain grammy Jul 2015 #61

Thanks mountain Grammy... haikugal Jul 2015 #85

I'm just not in gear for this... haikugal Jul 2015 #84

It's a Republican trope... DemocratSinceBirth Jul 2015 #93

Neither can we...we're lucky though because we have several haikugal Jul 2015 #99

"Limousine Liberal" is a Republican trope DemocratSinceBirth Jul 2015 #91

Thank you, we hear this shit around here often - good, if we can recognize it here, we can randys1 Jul 2015 #183

I offer a reference point DonCoquixote Jul 2015 #125

How rush Limbaugh of you! Limousine Liberals is a republican meme and it is rather telling you hrmjustin Jul 2015 #103

It is an ancient bit of spin and out of the modern argot kenfrequed Jul 2015 #164

They all know what it means. hrmjustin Jul 2015 #166

Most Republicans wouldn't use it these days kenfrequed Jul 2015 #167

I hear it used. The point is it is a gop meme and it was telling this poster used it. hrmjustin Jul 2015 #169

Well... kenfrequed Jul 2015 #171

I live in NYC. hrmjustin Jul 2015 #173

And... kenfrequed Jul 2015 #177

Bye. hrmjustin Jul 2015 #178

I have never heard this distinction before however... gordianot Jul 2015 #3

"...liberal?" "I prefer Progressive"... PoliticAverse Jul 2015 #4

The DLC co-opted the term. Wilms Jul 2015 #5

Yup. n/t progressoid Jul 2015 #9

If Socialist turns out to be popular, they'll take that too. Sort of like the Federalist Society yurbud Jul 2015 #181

same here! Fast Walker 52 Jul 2015 #18

His hero is Eugene Debs, a socialist who ran for Prez during the "Progressive Era" (1890 - 1920) virtualobserver Jul 2015 #48

Fine with me. Erich Bloodaxe BSN Jul 2015 #6

^This!^ SoapBox Jul 2015 #10

In other words, he's prioritizing economic issues over social issues. DanTex Jul 2015 #7

How is focusing on working people zentrum Jul 2015 #16

yes, they are inextricably intertwined Fast Walker 52 Jul 2015 #19

Racism/Sexism/Homophobia etc is not solved with a fat wallet. boston bean Jul 2015 #27

I might agree with you if safeinOhio Jul 2015 #33

Silly! War = jobs. L0oniX Jul 2015 #41

It's the go-to smear when there's nothing else. And it has zero facts to back it up n/t arcane1 Jul 2015 #80

His voting record on social issues is impeccable (except guns, but that's another conversation). DanTex Jul 2015 #128

And thus far the ones who push social issues over TM99 Jul 2015 #152

Exactly so n/t zentrum Jul 2015 #136

And no one without a Hillary avatar has ever made the claim that they are Scootaloo Jul 2015 #35

Uh, yeah they do in supporting Bernie by stating that boston bean Jul 2015 #39

Lets just go with his voting record. safeinOhio Jul 2015 #53

Let's go with what he has said. Those votes don't mean boston bean Jul 2015 #56

At least he was never a safeinOhio Jul 2015 #76

LOL, that's always a good retort when you got nothing else. nt boston bean Jul 2015 #82

Thank you, that is safeinOhio Jul 2015 #101

Bernie has called issues of black social justice collectively Admiral Loinpresser Jul 2015 #138

Oh my gods kenfrequed Jul 2015 #176

I have your editorialized interpretation, but no direct quotes. Scootaloo Jul 2015 #70

"Camp Windsock" - Ohmigod. Love it! kath Jul 2015 #75

I don't know if I did or not Scootaloo Jul 2015 #77

Camp Windsock hootinholler Jul 2015 #158

Bernie is a socialist heaven05 Jul 2015 #81

You say "Bernie is a socialist race is way down on their priority list"... AOR Jul 2015 #117

laughable? heaven05 Jul 2015 #133

Again, institutionalized racism... AOR Jul 2015 #147

that's saying something heaven05 Jul 2015 #175

Nice post heavens... AOR Jul 2015 #206

"The Left" hasn't had any realy power in like 40 years kenfrequed Jul 2015 #182

not really heaven05 Jul 2015 #196

"We'll have one that will be able to quiet the noise and effectively represent ALL people on ALL Number23 Jul 2015 #150

I guess I should have said heaven05 Jul 2015 #159

Damnation! Number23 Jul 2015 #208

I got your candidate right here randys1 Jul 2015 #188

boston bean, Bernie began fighting for civil rights back in the 1960s. senz Jul 2015 #121

SOS heaven05 Jul 2015 #137

I think its time is finally coming, heaven05. I don't know what Bernie has done "lately" on that senz Jul 2015 #154

and I truly hope heaven05 Jul 2015 #157

Well, if it's any consolation, your "distant hope" of 50+ years is the same hope senz Jul 2015 #179

He never said they were AgingAmerican Jul 2015 #55

Read the OP. boston bean Jul 2015 #57

Your interpretation of what he said is crap AgingAmerican Jul 2015 #62

Ah, nope... I created no strawman. nt boston bean Jul 2015 #64

Where did you read Bernie feels we have overcome racism because a black president was elected? Enthusiast Jul 2015 #66

Here you go: boston bean Jul 2015 #72

The country overcame racism to elect Obama. That is a fact. Enthusiast Jul 2015 #87

No that is not what he said, you are moving around sentence parts boston bean Jul 2015 #95

We both know what Bernie meant. I have repeated his actual meaning. Enthusiast Jul 2015 #102

I don't need to twist myself into knots in trying to read the simple statement. boston bean Jul 2015 #105

Nah, you're just willfully misinterpreting what he said. TiberiusB Jul 2015 #146

We fight against Racism/Sexism/Homophobia... AOR Jul 2015 #110

It is not I who focuses on one more than the other. boston bean Jul 2015 #111

I'm not really talking about Hillary vs Bernie... AOR Jul 2015 #120

And.... boston bean Jul 2015 #126

This is what Sanders is saying Boston Bean... AOR Jul 2015 #130

Bernie's an intelligent man. He would never say, senz Jul 2015 #123

Sanders thinks racism is over? Hmmm, interesting...completely false, but interesting... TiberiusB Jul 2015 #132

Bernie would never say ... zentrum Jul 2015 #135

False choice fallacy kenfrequed Jul 2015 #170

Actually, it is. Fawke Em Jul 2015 #184

What would disappoint them? Demit Jul 2015 #29

People who are making no attempt to understand that most people of color uponit7771 Jul 2015 #67

The ones who aren't part of the 48 million Americans living in poverty need to stop playing victim. ClassWarriorKY Jul 2015 #73

Now that's BS nt heaven05 Jul 2015 #86

Complete bullshit, but some folks cant see that, and they may sincerely believe what randys1 Jul 2015 #189

If you're going for a strength in numbers argument then you should be worried bettyellen Jul 2015 #88

This is false on its face uponit7771 Jul 2015 #148

the post I replied to said "people who value social issues" would be disappointed. Demit Jul 2015 #118

Except he isn't AgingAmerican Jul 2015 #51

Of course he is, and denying that might make you feel better here at DU but it sure as HELL randys1 Jul 2015 #190

It isn't an either/or proposition AgingAmerican Jul 2015 #193

Good. There are 48 million people in this country living in poverty. ClassWarriorKY Jul 2015 #68

If a person is disallowed legal protections due to sexual orientation, they don't get to "play uppityperson Jul 2015 #74

Economic issues didn't take a backseat because of those court battles. ClassWarriorKY Jul 2015 #78

Who is saying economics should take a "backseat to their pet issues"? uppityperson Jul 2015 #83

Pet issues? Wow, like denying civil rights or murdering Black kids for jaywalking? randys1 Jul 2015 #191

please, leave MLK out of your heaven05 Jul 2015 #192

If you had a dollar for each time a white person (assume that poster is white) misuses randys1 Jul 2015 #199

hah!!! heaven05 Jul 2015 #203

Amen!! uponit7771 Jul 2015 #71

Do you have any evidence to back up your terrible accusation? rhett o rick Jul 2015 #134

Umm, yeah, the whole article, starting with "I'm not a liberal". DanTex Jul 2015 #187

"The whole article" isn't very specific. "I'm not a liberal" doesn't mean a thing rhett o rick Jul 2015 #198

It's a question of priorities, not a question of stances. DanTex Jul 2015 #201

In 2007 HRC said she preferred being called a progressive than a liberal. rhett o rick Jul 2015 #204

I call bullshit. kenfrequed Jul 2015 #165

Missing the point, AGAIN. Do you want Bernie in the WH in 2 yrs, yes or no? randys1 Jul 2015 #195

Uhm... right kenfrequed Jul 2015 #200

"I�m not a liberal." BumRushDaShow Jul 2015 #8

I think that was flamingdem Jul 2015 #12

He fits the definition Mnpaul Jul 2015 #49

^^^ THIS. MH1 Jul 2015 #14

Now watch what you say.... Marty McGraw Jul 2015 #65

In 2007 HRC said she preferred being called a progressive than a liberal. nm rhett o rick Jul 2015 #202

Do you see a "Hillary" avatar or signature in my profile? BumRushDaShow Jul 2015 #205

Apparently I misunderstood your comment. nm rhett o rick Jul 2015 #207

Whatever. I'm a liberal, progressive, environmentalist, non-interventionist, anarchist, etc. cheapdate Jul 2015 #11

Indeed-- same here. I would like to hear Sanders' definition of what a liberal is. Fast Walker 52 Jul 2015 #23

Well, one thing I've found is that among my leftist friends cheapdate Jul 2015 #108

yes, thanks Fast Walker 52 Jul 2015 #131

Bernie's votes against the Brady Bill and for the PLCAA were certainly not liberal nor progressive. SunSeeker Jul 2015 #13

then there is this safeinOhio Jul 2015 #37

Bernie has a D- rating with the NRA. A passing grade, no? SunSeeker Jul 2015 #109

Sanders voted against the Brady bill and voted to deny Amerians the right to suit gun manufaturers. Agnosticsherbet Jul 2015 #127

LOL! I can't think of a word that describes Sanders less than "pandering." Demit Jul 2015 #38

What "conviction" would lead you to vote against the Brady Bill? SunSeeker Jul 2015 #116

Well, I didn't know either so I looked it up for you. Demit Jul 2015 #119

Seriously, you're linking to Daily Caller? SunSeeker Jul 2015 #124

If there's wrong information in those sources, please correct me. Demit Jul 2015 #140

So it's "belligerent" to point out you cited the Daily Caller? SunSeeker Jul 2015 #141

No, it's because you are becoming increasingly unpleasant. Demit Jul 2015 #142

This is the Primaries forum, not the Bernie Sanders Group. SunSeeker Jul 2015 #143

No, he's not a liberal. He's a democratic socialist. To the left of liberals. Comrade Grumpy Jul 2015 #15

Ok, so I have to redefine everything now? haikugal Jul 2015 #22

He's never been a Democrat either..... BooScout Jul 2015 #20

Clinton would never do that, right? haikugal Jul 2015 #24

Right, like carpetbagging. A means to an end. thesquanderer Jul 2015 #54

Actually, he gave his reasons jeff47 Jul 2015 #160

Right. Like I said, a means to an end. It's not a criticism. (n/t) thesquanderer Jul 2015 #162

Yes he is. Just of a different era. Dawgs Jul 2015 #26

No he isn't.... BooScout Jul 2015 #32

That's a feature, not a bug. Maedhros Jul 2015 #90

If they are so impotent then why..... BooScout Jul 2015 #122

Simple. We have a flawed system. Dawgs Jul 2015 #156

Very true... I'm sorry, but Democrats don't leave social justice out of the equation. boston bean Jul 2015 #28

I don't think Bernie leaves it out either. nt haikugal Jul 2015 #89

He tells you his focus. Are you calling Bernie a liar? nt boston bean Jul 2015 #92

I have a difference of opinion... haikugal Jul 2015 #98

That is not what Bernie Sanders is saying. boston bean Jul 2015 #100

If he is looking at things from a class perspective he certainly is in agreement with me... haikugal Jul 2015 #104

Even if true, look at his motives, please. Do you see a man who wants to gain power randys1 Jul 2015 #197

Excellent Response Bernie, unfortunately Media Robots never understood the term "Liberal". 2banon Jul 2015 #30

That quote epitomizes Sanders, the career politician. Buzz Clik Jul 2015 #31

Yup, and like any politician, he knows how to pick his battles. SunSeeker Jul 2015 #112

Good post. Very informative. Thanks. Buzz Clik Jul 2015 #113

Won't matter to some, though shenmue Jul 2015 #151

Whatever he calls himself, his views mostly align with mine neverforget Jul 2015 #34

Because labels are everything... L0oniX Jul 2015 #36

Bernie has labeled himself. nt boston bean Jul 2015 #42

You just made my point. Thanks for playing. L0oniX Jul 2015 #44

Ok, your point was what, again? nt boston bean Jul 2015 #46

Let him label himself a Obama Care hater.... See how that makes no difference uponit7771 Jul 2015 #69

Of course. Everyone who wants single payer is an Obama care hater. L0oniX Jul 2015 #163

Red herring, no one is talking about single payer, labels DO matter ... call yourself... uponit7771 Jul 2015 #168

You brought up Obama Care. Bernie is for universal health care. L0oniX Jul 2015 #172

Count me in................... turbinetree Jul 2015 #40

I think Sanders thinks of "liberals" in the sense Phil Ochs did JenniferJuniper Jul 2015 #43

I think he thinks of "liberals" in the sense artislife Jul 2015 #59

"I really don't care what he calls himself, I call him a godsend." kath Jul 2015 #79

Here is what I call him, Anti-Fascist. safeinOhio Jul 2015 #45

Agree! Little Star Jul 2015 #63

He should run on that! Anti-fascism is HUGH right now. n/t Buzz Clik Jul 2015 #114

Fine...if you're running to be leader of the too cool for school club BeyondGeography Jul 2015 #50

I am a life long liberal and Democrat which focus on the working and middle class. Thinkingabout Jul 2015 #52

That explains his stand on guns...it's not supposed to be liberal. Sheepshank Jul 2015 #58

He sure votes like one.. DCBob Jul 2015 #60

The terms "liberal" and "progressive" LWolf Jul 2015 #94

Good. IMO, "Liberal" is no longer enough demwing Jul 2015 #97

Progressive populist sounds like the best description yet DFW Jul 2015 #107

He'd better have greater appeal than that, or this will be a fast flameout. Buzz Clik Jul 2015 #115

Thanks for your concern demwing Jul 2015 #149

My pleasure. Buzz Clik Jul 2015 #155

Kick & Recommended. William769 Jul 2015 #129

liberals under the Sanders campaign bus bigtree Jul 2015 #139

I don't think so. LWolf Jul 2015 #180

Nope he's made an academic distinction I make often nadinbrzezinski Jul 2015 #194

In the words of Carlin, leave symbols to the symbol minded. raouldukelives Jul 2015 #144

You're doing it wrong, Bernie whatchamacallit Jul 2015 #161

he means "liberal" in the narrower sense that the rest of the world uses it not anyone to left of yurbud Jul 2015 #174

Bernie should emphasize "populist"... That term would be very hard for corporatists to try to steal cascadiance Jul 2015 #186