Sen. Sanders is living in Fantasyland.

[jenmito]

He was on CNN talking about how Obama "caved" and he (Sanders) said the Senate CAN get 60 votes to pass a bill without tax cuts for the rich. His rationale? He got over 600 calls in one day from his constituents unhappy about the "deal" so he KNOWS he can not only get every Dem., but a handful of REPUBS. to vote yes.

Gloria Borger pointed out that he lives in Vermont so it's not surprising about all the phone calls, AND that votes were already taken in the Senate and they both FAILED, only getting 53 votes from the Dems. Sanders insisted that he COULD get those votes with enough pressure on the Repubs. He's dreaming.

[Dinger]

1. I Respectfully Disagree (nt)

[Ikonoklast]

73. Show me where the votes are in the Senate. Please show me.

Give me the names, and the numbers.


You can't, and no matter how many times you click your heels together and wish it was so, neither can Bernie Sanders.


This is all theater for the gullible.


You can disagree all you want, but reality will not change for you.

[jenmito]

83. Thank you for the reality check. Don't expect a response, though. n/t

[Skittles]

2. Bernie (I) is more of a Democrat than Obama will EVER be

at least Bernie would FUCKING TRY

[dkf]

4. Hey I'm sure he is welcome to try rounding up votes on his own.

You'd think he would have tried before he talked to 8 hours straight.

[Skittles]

7. it's not the first speech he has given

[dkf]

14. The amazing thing is he couldn't get more funds for his health clinic idea.

That made so much sense yet the funding was infinitesimal compared to the subsidy just to provide health insurance without health care for those who can't afford it.

[jenmito]

15. Bernie ie a self-described socialist. n/t

[Skittles]

32. STILL more of a Democrat than Obama

he actually believes in WE THE PEOPLE

[CakeGrrl]

38. That's lovely. Let's see him rustle up those 60 votes. n/t

[Name removed]

49. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[CakeGrrl]

59. WTF are you talking about?

Sanders is a member of the SENATE. The President is in the EXECUTIVE BRANCH, not the LEGISLATIVE.

And Sanders is making the claim that HE can persuade the voters. What's your problem?

Who's got their hands on a funny substance here? I know Sanders sounds just like some of you, but that does not make him right or any closer to a realistic solution.

[Name removed]

60. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[jenmito]

44. "WE THE PEOPLE" is a mantra of the teabaggers. So? He still won't get 60 votes. n/t

[Union Scribe]

86. You're ceding "We the people" to the teabaggers?

By your logic Obama shouldn't wear a flag pin since the teabaggers wave the flag.

[jenmito]

100. No...

just pointing out that "We the people" IS a mantra of the teabaggers. Funny s/he'd use that line to attack Obama.

Please stop acting like you know me.

[Skittles]

105. clue for you

WE THE PEOPLE did not originate with TEABAGGERS

[Phx_Dem]

91. Democrats are not socialists. And if you think they are, you should

join the tea party.

[golfguru]

106. Right on

Some people will not be happy unless Obama declares the same thing.

[Phx_Dem]

90. No, he's an socialist and a registered Independent. And I'm very happy that Obama is

not.

[Name removed]

93. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Lucinda]

3. I'd rather support a crazy man who tries than one who doesn't.

Maybe he can get them. Ya never know.

[4dsc]

46. Say it again..

I'd rather support a crazy man who tries than one who doesn't.

[mtnsnake]

5. Bernie Sanders is much more articulate and realistic than what your post gives him credit for. nt

[Bryn]

6. I stand by Bernie

I watched him all day yesterday. He was great! What a shame when one doesn't appreciate what he had done for us the people.

[sasha031]

8. have you been living a cave the past few day?

Sanders 'Filibusters' Tax Deal as Key Senate Democrats Join Revolt


Sanders was, however, sending a powerful signal about the fight to come.
Then, on Friday, eight Senate Democrats told Majority Leader Harry Reid that they want to amend the deal to cap tax breaks for the rich and protect Social Security.
In a letter circulated by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley and Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu, the senators said: "We have grave misgivings about the recent tax agreement. We hope that the Senate can improve on it. We look forward to working with you to ensure a vote on our amendment to strengthen Social Security in lieu of bonus tax cuts for people who are doing quite well."
Read more: http://www.thenation.com/blog/157038/sanders-filibuster...

[sasha031]

18. there are several other Senators that are standing with Bernie

Brown, Franken, Landeau, damn, I can't find the rest of the names...

He was #1 for tweets yesterday and today.

Bernie Sanders is a hero!:applause:

as far as calls, he got 1000's of calls

as far is Vermont! is there something wrong with you...

because I can assure you , there is nothing wrong with Vermont!

[jenmito]

20. No. I am well aware of Sanders' non-filibuster.

And Harry Reid will hold another vote on the bill that will pass. Sanders and the others who think they will magically get the votes for THEIR (failed) version of the bill won't be enough to stop it, so they can move on to DADT repeal, the DREAM Act, the START treaty, etc.

[Donnachaidh]

50. so he should have gone to the same Parties our commander in chief

went to?

Bernie knew there was a job he had to do -- and didn't blow off the middle class in order to sip champagne while Rome burned. :eyes:

[jenmito]

56. Obama is the President. He has MANY things to do...

he doesn't just represent the people of one state. And the reason he went with the compromise is so the middle class would NOT be left without their ta cuts, unemployment benefits, etc.

[NorthCarolina]

9. The intended attack dog, David Gergen, failed miserably. Bernie showed him up

by standing his ground. It appears poor Wolfie had to cut the segment short since Bernie was not cooperating in their attempt to take him down.

[Hardrada]

13. Gergen? Is that old vampire still alive?

[NorthCarolina]

22. Apparently they pulled him out to attempt to shill for the DLC position.

He's obviously a little rusty though.

[Capn Sunshine]

74. DLC???? REALLY?

when did THEY weigh in on this, and why do people continue to ascribe such magical power to them?
Or is "DLC" just shorthand for "I don't agree"?

[polmaven]

63. What makes you think Blitzer

"cut the segment short"? The way I saw it, he simply came to the end of the time allowed, and had to stop Sanders from ranting on further.

[sasha031]

10. Cult status, fundraising effort for Sanders

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I) wasn't just the toast of Twitter during his Friday floor monologue against President Obama's tax deal with the GOP, but also inspired a website that sprung up in his honor.
much more
http://thehill.com/blogs/twitter-room/other-news/133219-cult-status-fundraising-effort-for-sanders

[KT2000]

11. Going with Bernie!

For crap sake - he is the only one who is even trying. This business if giving up before you start gets us going nowhere but backwards.
Even if he does not get the votes - he will have tried which is more than I can say about some others.

[napi21]

12. I dunno about that. I lisened to most of his speach yeterday & he made

some ver compelling arguments. I think he's much more persuasive than y\Harry Reid is and i think he has more friends in the Senate than Harry does. We'll see.

[dkf]

17. Well he has 4 Dems to convince first then Lieberman then a couple of Republicans.

Good Luck to him.

[John Q. Citizen]

16. I bet he knows far more what he's talking about than you do.

Keep an open mind and watch and learn.

[jenmito]

24. If he gets 60 votes,

I'll eat a large crow.

[Name removed]

29. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[John Q. Citizen]

He got a lot more than 60 votes so you better start chewing.

[jenmito]

35. So when's the vote happening?

[John Q. Citizen]

43. It already happened He was reelected in a landslide, and then there's the

Greatest Page where he's doing a lot better than 60 votes as well.
And many more than 60 Dems in the House voted not to bring the Republican/Obabma backroom bill to the floor. The Repos and the President says it can't be changed in the slightest.

my Repio Congressman is too chicken shit to even say what his position is, and my two Dem Senators are mute on the issue with their fingers in the wind apparently.

[jenmito]

45. As you know, I mean 60 votes in the Senate. n/t

[John Q. Citizen]

47. he doesn't need 60 senate votes to stop this. It can be stopped in the house.

since the house has refused the deal as currently written, and the President and the Reppos say take it or leave it.

The house left it.

My bet is that it can indeed be changed, But we will see. If it can't, it's dead


And 40 votes would stop it in the Senate, at any rate.

[polmaven]

66. His claim was the

he could get 60 votes in the Senate to pass this bill without the $250k tax cut and without the estate tax break. It was not a matter of 60 votes to stop it.

[John Q. Citizen]

68. His claim was if the Repos tried to stand firm, the public would demand

that they fold, and they would fold.

I believe Senator Sanders

[polmaven]

70. Based on 800 phone calls

from his own supporters. How many of those phone calls do you suppose were from Republicans?

[jenmito]

79. His claim was that he could get 60 votes, which would be including "a handful of Republicans."

That's living in Fantasyland.

[zulchzulu]

80. We're talking Senate votes, not votes at the Ben and Jerry's in Burlington... n/t

[catgirl]

103. So how is Fantasyland?

He got far more than 60 votes? We have a middle-class only tax deal then?

[AllyCat]

19. Not sure the Senate Dems even TRIED to get 60 votes.

If the Dems actually got out there and showed some spine, and made the media report, they could show the American people that its the Repubs trying to screw the unemployed, the poor, and the middle class.

And like others here have said, Sanders doing the right thing doesn't make him "living in Fantasyland".

[ProSense]

21. The Senate failed to pass two such plans last Saturday.

If Senator Sanders believes this to be the case, the Senate needs to get on it right away, and pass this plan.

[jenmito]

28. I know...

Sanders acts as if those votes never happened.

[Laelth]

23. And what would it hurt to try?

I am sick of alleged Democrats who refuse to even try to get anything progressive done because "the votes just aren't there." At least Senator Sanders is willing to try.

-Laelth

[sasha031]

25. Amen

:)

[jenmito]

30. It WOULDN'T hurt if they didn't care about passing the DADT repeal, etc. n/t

[gateley]

39. Well said. And I agree. nt

[Mass]

54. Excellent.\nt

[polmaven]

67. They ALREADY TRIED!

IT failed!!!!!!!! The votes just were not there!

[catgirl]

104. A little too late don't ya think?

If he was so passionate about this bill, he would've gotten the votes when it MATTERED. It failed to pass. We didn't hear him talking
about it then. We didn't see him meeting with fellow senators to get their votes then. We didn't see those so-called 60 votes then.
WTF is he doing? Trying to beat Ralph Nader in the" whose got the most useless hot air" contest? Notice how Nader just emerged
from the fog? Wow. Just, wow.

[nevergiveup]

26. Bernie would be on my top 5 list of favorite U.S. Senators

but on this issue at this particular moment his reality index is a little fragmented. There are not 60 votes in the senate for a bill without tax cuts for the rich. It is a sad reality but it is a reality.

[democrank]

27. What I care about is that Bernie Sanders ALWAYS stands for

the little guy, day in and day out. He never lets them down. Folks can call him whatever they want, criticize his every word, but none of that matters because Bernie never gives up. He has always been on the side of those in need and he`s a fierce advocate for veterans. I have a lot of respect for the guy.

[avaistheone1]

31. The concept of having a black president was Fantasyland too.

:kick:

[jenmito]

33. He ran and people voted and he won. The Senators spoke and gave speeches on not voting

for tax cuts for the wealthy, they voted on it, and they lost.

[gateley]

41. But (and I admit I'm looking for the glass half full) that was before

it received so much notice as his Filibernie did.

I won't give up hoping until the vote's a done deal.

[ladjf]

34. He has dared to "dream". I doubt that he really believes that he

could get the votes necessary. But, if ones substitutes the concept that it might be possible, then it is well worth eight hours of persuasion. He is not, IMO, in "fantasy land". He is in cheerleader land and is doing a great job of it.

Thanks Senator for your efforts and your meaningful speech that in itself was worth the 8 hrs. The
transcript of your speech, as recorded in the Congressional Record will be a political science standard, studied for years in our Universities.

[jenmito]

37. Well, he has the luxury to give 8 hour speeches. Obama is the President and has a lot of things

to deal with.

[Donnachaidh]

51. yeah -- that party he blew out of the presser was so very much more important to do

Give it a rest.

He's partying while the real representatives are trying to save our necks.

[ladjf]

52. Personally, I haven't seen very much success from whatever he

has been busy working on. He seemed to have left the Congress without guidance during most of his term. And he has had the luxury of making hundreds of speeches all over the Country that haven't helped us in the recent election or the Congressional endeavors.

[jenmito]

57. Then you're not looking. He has accomplished many landmark achievements

despite the opposition of the Repubs. and Conservadems.

[ladjf]

61. Yes, I've been "looking". I had high hopes for Obama. But, as

report after report came out over the two years that were moves that I couldn't agree with, I lost faith in him as our leader. You haven't. So, that's where we stand on this discussion.

[golddigger]

64. Yeah, like Co-President Clinton to speak for him.

[jenmito]

81. That was a brilliant move. If Bill Clinton endorses OBAMA'S tax deal, that shows

just how good the deal IS. Dems. angry at Obama may well listen to Bill Clinton and rethink their opposition. And Obama's obviously confident enough to bring in Bill despite knowing there'd be criticism from people like you.

[frylock]

71. do you think obama enjoyed those holiday parties?

it's hard work. even bush said that. you remember him?

[jenmito]

82. I'm sure he did. If you're comparing Obama's schedule to Bush's, you're not

paying attention. Obama works infinitely harder than Bush. :eyes:

[gateley]

36. We'll see. I wouldn't be surprised either way - I've never seen so

much "activity" around an issue.

He WAS the leading trend (or whatever they call it) on Twitter, and that's certainly more than 600 people, and it received national news coverage.

You just never know. :shrug:

Is it scheduled for a vote on Monday?

[jenmito]

42. If the Dems. who voted no even on the bill raising the cut-off on the tax cuts to $1 million

changed their votes because Sanders gave an extra-long speech, I'd be shocked.

The vote on Monday is on the bill Obama outlined. We'll see if Sanders is able to filibuster it.

[Hardrada]

58. I pray he can!

Let God arise and scatter His enemies!

[gateley]

88. I'm thinking maybe increased input from constituents, but I think conventional

wisdom is that it will go through as Obama presented it. I'm pissed I'll be working because I know DU will be jumpin'! :hi:

[tekisui]

40. Keep up the fight, Sen. Sanders!

:applause:

[polichick]

69. [phone]

[Rosa Luxemburg]

48. Fighting 'til the bitter end

I think it's worth fighting regardless of whether you have the votes. GOP should be put in a corner on the taxes - however the media aren't on our side. We need to fight the GOP. I can see what is happening.

[Dokkie]

53. I have to agree

Sanders, god bless his heart is simply living in la la land on this issue cos theres no way in the world hes going to get 50 votes for tax cut for the middle class especially now after the sales job by Obama and Clinton

[Mass]

55. Got to love how the MSM is so true when you agree and so sold to the GOP when you disagree

For Sanders, I am happy somebody did something, and talked about poverty. This deal is horrible. It may end passing, but nobody should be proud of it. So, I welcome anybody who will try to do something.

Sorry if he does not fit your purity test.

[CakeGrrl]

62. The Senate votes aren't a fiction of the MSM.

And someone should have been talking about poverty LONG before Sanders.

How many Dems are in Congress right now?

No one likes having to deal with Republicans. And despite the groupthink opinion here, the President does not like the upper incomes continuing with a tax cut.

But that's going to be the reality until the Dems REGAIN control of the House and could ever manage to achieve the Democratic supermajority in the Senate that LBJ had the luxury of 'influencing'.

[Mass]

65. Some people speak about poverty. Generally, those are those who oppose the deal.

And rarely the president. I know the president does not like that, but neither the Senate not the president have been fighting against it. This is true as well, so I am sorry the OP seems to think Sanders is wrong and Gloria Borger is right. I will bookmark this thread for the next time he is unhappy of Borger's treatment of Obama, though I guess I will then be in agreement that Borger is a hack.

[philly_bob]

72. Sanders speech may have changed the political landscape...

as well as mirror complaints from both progressive left and tea-partiers.

Or maybe I'm dreaming...

[harun]

92. You are not dreaming. It is a big deal.

[Name removed]

75. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[budkin]

76. Wrong.

[jenmito]

84. Thanks for the intelligent response.

[Thrill]

77. Ben Nelson would never vote for that shit

Wake Up Bernie

[jenmito]

85. Not only would Ben Nelson vote for it,

but a "handful of Republicans" would, too, in Bernie's world.

[zulchzulu]

78. I love Bernie, but where has he been in the last couple years?

He can get the 60 votes AND some Republicans?

REALLY?

How in the f&ck is he going to do in a lame duck session that's a couple weeks away what should have been f&cking done two years ago? 60 votes for a bill that takes away the millionaire bailout that has already been voted down with some Democrats joining in?

Pass me what you're smoking, Bernie. Er... um... never mind...

[bigwillq]

87. I don't think he has the votes.

But I applaud his efforts. Thank you, Senator. :thumbsup:

[Phx_Dem]

89. He certainly is consider the Senate voted NO on middle-class

tax cuts only. He has been living under a rock for the past two years if he thinks Republicans will allow that vote to happen.

[RBInMaine]

94. And anyone who agrees with him is in fantasyland too. He and they should no better.

[catgirl]

95. So why the hell didn't he then?

I love how people puff up their chests AFTER they failed, claiming they can change it now- now that's it's too late.
They (the current senators) FAILED the american people and now blame Obama. Classic.

[jenmito]

96. Very good question...

and thanks for pointing out the facts.

[apocalypsehow]

97. I was confused as to what significance he thought the "600 phone calls" were to getting Senate votes

Was it kinda a "as Vermont goes, so goes the nation" moment? That's all I can figure.

Admire a person standing on their principles, but the Senator is wrong on this one. The votes simply weren't there.

[jenmito]

99. Thank you!

I'm surprised so many DUers don't SEE that.

[catgirl]

102. I guarantee the 600 calls weren't all from Vermont

There were posts on DU with his phone # asking people to call him in support of flllibisting the tax deal.

[thelordofhell]

98. Because Bernie's done such a good job getting 60+ Senate votes before

:sarcasm:

Sorry Senator, you couldn't get the votes when far better bills were in the Senate. If you bothered to deliver 60+ votes before, we wouldn't have had a compromise bill in the first place, but keep on with the "fauxabuster" because you're upset that the President has to carry your water.

[jenmito]

101. Exactly...

and he could've also given his long speech right after the vote failed to get any more than 53 votes.