Democratic Primaries

cynatnite

(31,011 posts) Thu May 9, 2019, 08:57 PM May 2019

Why Bernie wins his senate races... [View all]

A longtime independent, Sanders has sought the Democratic nomination since he first ran for the Senate in 2006, in order to prevent another candidate from taking the ballot line. Each time he has declined the nomination upon winning it. His staff made clear from the start of this year's campaign that this time would be no different.

https://www.sevendaysvt.com/OffMessage/archives/2018/08/21/bernie-sanders-declines-democratic-senatorial-nomination

Bernie also ran as an Independent for the senate and he's running as a Dem for the presidency.

I've known about these tactics for a while and it's always bothered me. He doesn't want an opponent, especially a real Dem. He essentially locks the competition out. It strikes me as opportunistic and feels a bit dirty. Plus it feels like he changes his stripes as a matter of convenience.

I just know I don't like it and I will not be supporting Bernie at all because of this.

I'm leaning towards Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. I like them both a lot and they'd be a strong ticket together, IMO.

But definitely no Bernie Sanders.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden

107 replies

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Why Bernie wins his senate races... [View all] cynatnite May 2019 OP

He did same for many, if not all, of his House campaigns. George II May 2019 #1

I knew about the senate, not the house. Thanks. n/t cynatnite May 2019 #2

Not true. Dems ran someone against him in 6 of his 8 House elections. thesquanderer May 2019 #8

There are no strong popular democrats in Vermont except for Howard Dean. Blue_true May 2019 #3

If he's going to be a Dem, then be a Dem... cynatnite May 2019 #4

I see your point. I am not disagreeing with you. nt Blue_true May 2019 #10

It is cynical and manipulative. In my opinion "working the system" is less impressive than NurseJackie May 2019 #24

A whole lotta people aren't okay with that. kstewart33 May 2019 #63

Except he's had the same liberal, progressive stances his entire career Lordquinton May 2019 #94

I'm okay with that. Bernie's caucused with Senate Democrats all these years & deserves our gratitude InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #101

But it shows that he won't be able to unite a party blue cat May 2019 #104

Just the opposite is true. Bernie can unite our party, as he's shown... InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #105

Leahy? NT WeekiWater May 2019 #5

He is already seated. I was referring to a new face. nt Blue_true May 2019 #11

Yes. That is partly the reason why Vermont is the only state that's never sent a woman to Congress KitSileya May 2019 #19

The massive hypocrisy and Hortensis May 2019 #27

Vermont is one of the whitest most rural states in the country. Blue_true May 2019 #95

Sure. Where Democrats get a long-time lock on government, Hortensis May 2019 #97

What you do not day. The Republican is a moderate who was a popular incumben karynnj May 2019 #106

Why Would There Be Me. May 2019 #56

He wins because the people vote for him. dogman May 2019 #6

Yes, because he doesn't allow a Dem opponent... cynatnite May 2019 #7

Here is what I read. dogman May 2019 #9

Democrats have learned that it's not worth running "against" him.... George II May 2019 #14

What's more.. tonedevil May 2019 #40

A three way race in VT, where there are many GOP, would likely split the Dem vote enough to give ehrnst May 2019 #70

And, so it goes. /nt tonedevil May 2019 #72

Very lucky beneficiary of that situation, from his very first run for Senate.(nt) ehrnst May 2019 #91

He didn't even bother to show up for the scheduled debate with his Democratic opponent last year.... George II May 2019 #16

How does he not "allow" a Democratic opponent? Hassin Bin Sober May 2019 #17

Bingo. Bernie identifies as an independent because of his convictions regarding our two party KPN May 2019 #61

He runs as a Democrat because of the money and the media exposure. He said so. ehrnst May 2019 #68

Well duh. You are right though. I neglected KPN May 2019 #86

The Democratic Party in Vermont clears the primary field for him. ehrnst May 2019 #66

He wins because he precludes the possibility of a Democratic opponent. George II May 2019 #12

I spent many years living in Vermont and that's not quite correct Indygram May 2019 #21

Sounds popular to me. dogman May 2019 #23

He's known and not widely disliked Indygram May 2019 #25

is that why Sanders didn't do anything to support the Democratic Governor that tried to get Single JI7 May 2019 #31

I am not familiar with Vermont politics in recent years Indygram May 2019 #42

I've noticed that Sanders refuses to talk at all about GreenMountain Care, even ehrnst May 2019 #44

As per the OP, the Democratic Party clears the field for him in the VT Senate primaries. ehrnst May 2019 #39

I don't see how... tonedevil May 2019 #13

It is... but, why let that stop a good opportunity to bash Bernie. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #37

Talking about how the Democratic party helps Bernie's win every Senate campaign is "bashing" him? ehrnst May 2019 #46

Implying there is something shady... tonedevil May 2019 #49

Saying that one has their own view on that partnership isn't "bashing" ehrnst May 2019 #52

Youre SO right, just hafta READ the OP to know it's not all about the Democratic Party helpin Bernie InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #67

It's like when I don't understand why some keep posting the same post, word for word, ehrnst May 2019 #83

The fact is that the Vermont Democratic Party would prefer to see him elected over a republican... George II May 2019 #41

I guess... tonedevil May 2019 #47

Considering the three-way race up there, I guess it's better to have a quasi-Democrat than.... George II May 2019 #51

That's pretty much how I see it too. /nt tonedevil May 2019 #62

Bingo Me. May 2019 #59

I thought it was sleazy when I first read about it. He's like a squatter in the Democratic Party. catbyte May 2019 #15

It is a weasly strategy LibFarmer May 2019 #18

Win three primaries for one seat? dogman May 2019 #22

Again... the Democratic party clears the primary field for him in VT. ehrnst May 2019 #45

Good.. thank you for this Cha May 2019 #20

K&R stonecutter357 May 2019 #26

What a joke of a thread watoos May 2019 #28

I've seen a variation of this OP dozens of times... for what purpose?! InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #33

Talking about how the Democratic Party helps his senate campaign is "tearing him down?" ehrnst May 2019 #50

If he's so popular, then he should easily beat Democratic and Republican Senate challengers. W_HAMILTON May 2019 #69

I have an extreme dislike of BS, and want to see him defeated asap Amimnoch May 2019 #29

For the most part, Vermonters vote on issues, not party. democrank May 2019 #30

Well said Democrank. rgbecker May 2019 #32

Yes, and Bernie's broad appeal to Democrats AND Independents based on InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #35

Winning a Democratic primary is the best indicator of the strongest POTUS candidate.(nt) ehrnst May 2019 #54

I agree, and Biden lost BADLY in TWO prior primary contests. That's not to say he couldn't win InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #71

The voters always decide who the nominee is. ehrnst May 2019 #73

Yes voters do get to decide who any election winner is, under normal circumstances. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #79

All of the modern Democratic primaries have been "normal circumstances." I'm sure if you knew of any ehrnst May 2019 #82

Didn't say they weren't "normal circumstances," but, then why would any candidate NOT want that? InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #84

What primary wasn't "normal circumstances?" ehrnst May 2019 #85

Love it. Sort of gas light him with strange questions about "normal circumstances." rgbecker May 2019 #87

.... ehrnst May 2019 #88

"Sort of gas light him with strange questions"...say what? Glad you enjoy that poster's gaslighting. InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #92

LMFAO!! I specifically noted that i DIDN'T say that... yet you keep claiming I did. Too funny!! InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #89

Now we're back to "I never said that!" when you get cornered by a logical rebuttal. ehrnst May 2019 #90

You certainly have a vivid imagination, I'll give you that! You keep repeating somethin I NEVER SAID InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #93

Project much? ehrnst May 2019 #107

Yes, I've even seen some say they'd rather see Bernie run as an Independent in the general election InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #34

Who is "demanding loyalty?" (nt) ehrnst May 2019 #48

A part-timer with full-time benefits dalton99a May 2019 #36

Seems like an argument for term limits. Who's with me? MH1 May 2019 #38

"I might make this a separate post in GD later." Good idea. nt GemDigger May 2019 #60

If you do that, then all the newbies would have to rely on lobbyists to get them up to speed. ehrnst May 2019 #65

That's a good counter-argument. But I still don't like the system as it is. Also, Senate seats MH1 May 2019 #75

The job is complicated by the nature of the work. Like it or not, it won't get simpler. ehrnst May 2019 #80

K&R for visibility lunamagica May 2019 #43

I can't tell... Tribalceltic May 2019 #53

Bernie is playing by the rules as they are written. Laelth May 2019 #55

He's known the rules his whole long career. He was a Superdelegate, after all. ehrnst May 2019 #57

I agree. Not positive. n/t Laelth May 2019 #77

How Are The Rules Written To Allow This Election After Election Me. May 2019 #58

It varies by state, but yes. Laelth May 2019 #76

Pen To Paper Me. May 2019 #81

Yep, and that's certainly splitting hairs. kstewart33 May 2019 #64

I knew what you meant, but thanks for the qualifier. n/t Laelth May 2019 #78

Tired of the same old BS. we can do it May 2019 #74

I like this about Bernie and does the VT Dem Party... aikoaiko May 2019 #96

He runs in and wins the Democratic primary. Voltaire2 May 2019 #98

Yes, I've seen variations of this OP dozens of times...it serves no purpose to keep regurgitating it InAbLuEsTaTe May 2019 #100

I'm no Bernie fan, but, what this does is prevent a Repub winning with like 35-40% Tarc May 2019 #99

Bernie wins because he is a Senator from Vermont and he represents his constituents there well. Freethinker65 May 2019 #102

In a way... Mike Nelson May 2019 #103