2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Why I DON'T support Bernie for President [View all]charliea
(260 posts)I'm not a member of the Democratic party, I'm not poor (or rich). I'm an invisible old hetero white guy.
Let's lay some ground rules: I will not vote for any of the lunatics vying for the Republican nomination, or as I've called it to friends 'the billionaire sweepstakes', and I will vote for the eventual Democratic nominee.
I don't know these elitist Bernie supporters you mention, but then I only know the people I communicate with personally (I don't use social media sites, except to follow one person on Tumblr) and even my more conservative friends think he's a breath of fresh air. Other than that I'm more interested in what the candidates say, and I like what he's saying. Since, as you say, he's not a Democrat I think its a plus in his favor as that whole party has edged rightward for the last 25 years (yes I got to watch in dismay). To me it's like Howard Dean and his 'I'm from the democratic wing of the Democratic party', speech. Exciting. I especially like that he's pledged not to run as an independent in the general election.
And if 'company they keep', is a factor Ms. Clinton has gotten a lot of support from Wall Street, defense contractors, etc. all of which give me pause also Clinton voted for the Iraq war and Sanders didn't, that's still a biggie to me.
Let's put it this way, I live in Oregon, a very late primary state, and if the decision is still undecided between the Democratic candidates when it comes time for my state's primary I'll join the party for the first time in my life just to vote for him.