Democratic Primaries

Hekate

(100,133 posts)

118. Just rename it, for God's sake. Did FDR go around calling himself a socialist? I don't think so....

Mon Apr 1, 2019, 06:07 PM

Apr 2019

He just got on with the many jobs at hand and called himself a Democrat. LBJ didn't call himself anything but a Democrat either, yet he got a lot done and would have done more if he hadn't gotten mired in the quicksand that was Vietnam.

How hard would that be for Dems in 2019 and 2020? State the policies, clearly and loudly, over and over. Don't let the media bait you. Don't let outliers name the agenda and insist it must be called by an unpopular name.

We don't need the headline you suggested, really, but we do need to move around Bernie, who has proven to call himself a Democrat only when it suits him, and otherwise spends his time criticizing Dems a lot more than Repubs.

If I were running for anything I think I would pretty much refuse to discuss Bernie at all with the media, except to say "Bernie's certainly passionate, but most of his ideas have been part of the Democratic platform for a long time, so there's no need to get into a discussion of definitions. We are Dems. We always have been. We'll be glad to discuss our policies, and you can ask Senator Sanders about his."

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

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

119 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

How to Stop the "Socialist" Meme [View all] kennetha Mar 2019 OP

Almost all our candidates want Medicare for all IronLionZion Mar 2019 #1

left does not equal socialist. kennetha Mar 2019 #2

Amen to that. comradebillyboy Mar 2019 #6

+1. nt Honeycombe8 Mar 2019 #63

Rep. John Conyers first introduced the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act (HR 676) in 2003. lapucelle Mar 2019 #57

Bullshit irresistable Mar 2019 #3

But they were not Socialists kennetha Mar 2019 #4

There is a difference between a Socialist and a Democratic Socialist. democrank Mar 2019 #7

One comes to power though the bullet the other through the ballot. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #9

Bernie is being a dishonest demagogue kennetha Mar 2019 #12

He thinks he can get away with it when there are numerous videos and Kahuna7 Mar 2019 #103

Sanders policies are mainstream Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #111

Dressing on a salad of weeds forklift Mar 2019 #28

There is some video out there that others have posted which may successfully paint him as a Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #29

Praising Castro's Cuba. Praising the USSR kennetha Mar 2019 #55

1950s McCarthyism doesn't wash anymore outside of the far right Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #59

I have three kids...they (and me) supported him in 16. This time we won't. Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #75

McCarthyism was the false accusation radius777 Mar 2019 #84

The Twitter Trumpers and their their videos Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #58

Are you saying the videos are fake? Kahuna7 Mar 2019 #105

Twitter Trumpers make youtube videos of various clips taken wildly out of context Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #107

Believe that if you want. The videos I've seen are from reliable sources... Kahuna7 Mar 2019 #108

Go on Twitter and see for yourself if you don't believe me Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #109

I could do it right this minute. nt Kahuna7 Mar 2019 #104

In case you didn't notice, Bernie is a Democratic Socialist, not an "avowed" Socialist... irresistable Mar 2019 #8

democratic socialists are socialists. kennetha Mar 2019 #11

Give me some examples of things that Bernie is campaigning on that are socialist. irresistable Mar 2019 #13

He's playing a bait and switch game. kennetha Mar 2019 #16

so you can't give me any examples? irresistable Mar 2019 #18

did you read any of that. kennetha Mar 2019 #19

"bait-and-switch" is your viewpoint. irresistable Mar 2019 #20

He may not want to sell off Amtrak. David__77 Mar 2019 #39

Strawman argument. Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #69

Apples and oranges Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #112

When you have to explain the KIND of Socialist he is, you've already lost... brooklynite Mar 2019 #41

We will see. irresistable Mar 2019 #44

That is what I think too. Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #76

Especially w/40 years worth of questionable radius777 Mar 2019 #83

But your point was that not nominating a socialist would stop the meme. whopis01 Mar 2019 #46

Dead end voters who believed Obama and Clinton were really socialists were already lost to us. DemocratSinceBirth Mar 2019 #49

So you agree that the OP was incorrect. whopis01 Mar 2019 #72

I'm not concerned... DemocratSinceBirth Mar 2019 #74

I understand. I was merely responding to the OP whopis01 Mar 2019 #82

Not even Third Way will run that headline. David__77 Mar 2019 #5

No. We are a liberal Democratic party. CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #10

I disagree. There are socialists in the house caucus. David__77 Mar 2019 #15

I wouldn't vote for a socialist. first of all they won't win a general. And secondly Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #30

Even if that socialist was the democratic nominee? David__77 Mar 2019 #33

yes it does. kennetha Mar 2019 #37

The US constitution in no way prevents government from owning or controlling means of production. David__77 Mar 2019 #38

yes it does. try nationalizing all private property and see what happens. kennetha Mar 2019 #47

That's quite another matter. David__77 Mar 2019 #61

what do you think it is for the state to "own" the means of production? kennetha Mar 2019 #68

There would be mass revolt, let them try it. radius777 Mar 2019 #86

As I have stated I will vote for Sen. Sanders who is the only socialist running in 20 ...nice try. Demsrule86 Mar 2019 #42

You will? Ok. David__77 Mar 2019 #43

To folks under 40 it's a good thing Mr Tibbs Mar 2019 #113

The way to stop it is to start talking about DURHAM D Mar 2019 #14

And no health care for us. roody Mar 2019 #17

Sometimes you need socialists to save capitalism from itself. TheRealNorth Mar 2019 #21

HAHAHAHAHA...*deep breath*...HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! You think it'll stop...n/t TCJ70 Mar 2019 #22

Electing Sanders plays into it. kennetha Mar 2019 #24

Thanks for revealing what this OP is actually about... TCJ70 Mar 2019 #32

Best way to deserve the label 'socialist' kennetha Mar 2019 #36

Telling Bernie supporters to get their own Party...brilliant strategy. irresistable Mar 2019 #45

what you think it would be better to let them hijack ours for the cause of socialism? kennetha Mar 2019 #48

You have yet to provide me with an example of a policy that he is running on that is socialist. irresistable Mar 2019 #66

Head in the Sanders much? kennetha Mar 2019 #67

You didn't explain it....you just typed the WORDS "bait and switch" irresistable Mar 2019 #70

No shit. demmiblue Mar 2019 #25

If you look at their reply to me you can see what this is actually about... TCJ70 Mar 2019 #34

It is not a boogeyman forklift Mar 2019 #64

When Bill Nelson is called a socialist that's a slight hint toward 2020 Awsi Dooger Mar 2019 #23

I like that OP nt forklift Mar 2019 #26

So folks associate "security" with "social" greymattermom Mar 2019 #27

I agree Gothmog Mar 2019 #31

I only support DEMOCRATS! NurseJackie Mar 2019 #35

I'm sorry; a simple, sensible argument like that will never catch on... brooklynite Mar 2019 #40

I will defend universal health care. I will defend a livable wage. DemocratSinceBirth Mar 2019 #50

aside from the fact that this would not stop the meme KayF Mar 2019 #51

When, not if, Bernie is defeated and withdraws from race kennetha Mar 2019 #53

I would count on him being defeated. However, "withdrawal" after defeat CrossingTheRubicon Mar 2019 #54

True kennetha Mar 2019 #56

Bingo! This is the absolute last distraction we need right now, R B Garr Mar 2019 #71

This message was self-deleted by its author kennetha Mar 2019 #52

I'll happily support the so-called "...Socialism of the Socialist Bernie Sanders." Devil Child Mar 2019 #60

Me too. David__77 Mar 2019 #62

Electability is my main criterion Gothmog Mar 2019 #65

still have to contend with this.. Inkfreak Mar 2019 #73

Electability is my main criterion Gothmog Mar 2019 #77

Same here redstateblues Mar 2019 #78

Yeah lets not be progressive? HopeAgain Mar 2019 #79

What you can't be a progressive without being socialist? kennetha Mar 2019 #80

I can be progressive without being controlled on what HopeAgain Mar 2019 #81

ever hear of a false dilemma? kennetha Mar 2019 #85

A false dilemma HopeAgain Mar 2019 #88

Wait, are you embracing the socialist label? Is that what you're suggesting? kennetha Mar 2019 #89

I have no problem with the word "socialism" HopeAgain Mar 2019 #91

the social democracies of Europe are NOT socialist kennetha Mar 2019 #94

Calling people ignorant HopeAgain Mar 2019 #96

Please... Even moderate Dems are smeared as "socialist" Blue_Tires Mar 2019 #87

But that's obviously a losing game. kennetha Mar 2019 #90

Look, while I hope Sanders and his cult lose and lose badly Blue_Tires Mar 2019 #92

you're missing my point. kennetha Mar 2019 #93

Reactionaries in the 1860s called freeing the slaves socialist and accused Lincoln of being a Red Starry Messenger Mar 2019 #95

Opinion: The myth of ideology, and why Democrats' energy isn't all on the left Gothmog Mar 2019 #97

Simple. Defeat BS. NurseJackie Mar 2019 #98

Economic models point to a Trump blowout in 2020. But a faltering economy or giant scandal could cha Gothmog Mar 2019 #99

Or how about we not give in to Republican scare tactics Cuthbert Allgood Mar 2019 #100

The problem is thinking that socialism is the problem. guillaumeb Mar 2019 #101

Duh. Especially one with scores of videos and writings Kahuna7 Mar 2019 #102

This message was self-deleted by its author Politicub Mar 2019 #106

Trump's Economic Team Pushes 'Socialism' Theme Gothmog Mar 2019 #110

Trump plans to hit Democrats on "socialism" but faces own vulnerabilities Gothmog Mar 2019 #114

Best thread of the entire Month of March! Thank you! NurseJackie Mar 2019 #115

If the economy is strong, trump can win Gothmog Mar 2019 #116

Washington Post-'Electability' and 'Bernie' don't belong in the same sentence Gothmog Apr 2019 #117

Just rename it, for God's sake. Did FDR go around calling himself a socialist? I don't think so.... Hekate Apr 2019 #118

If sanders is the nominee, trump wins Gothmog Apr 2019 #119