Bernie Sanders 'political revolution' comes to Allentown

[Hassin Bin Sober]

Bernie Sanders 'political revolution' comes to Allentown

http://www.mcall.com/news/elections/mc-nws-pa-7-bernie-sanders-visits-allentown-20180503-story.html

Espousing themes of economic equality and social justice, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders brought his “political revolution” to Allentown Saturday to rally Democrats behind community organizer Greg Edwards in the Lehigh Valley’s high-profile congressional race.

Sanders, who shared the stage at a packed Miller Symphony Hall with Edwards, vouched for the congressional hopeful’s commitment to “progressive” policies such as universal health care, debt-free education and a higher minimum wage.

Sanders urged the audience to vote in the May 15 primary and reach across the aisle to those who supported Republican President Donald Trump. He said many Trump voters are hurting, too, because they cannot afford health care and are having a tough time making ends meet.

“When ordinary people stand up and fight back, there is nothing that will stop us,” Sanders yelled to an applauding crowd, raising his fist into the air.

Sanders, an Independent senator from Vermont and one-time presidential hopeful, spoke about 35 minutes in support of Edwards, a left-leaning pastor competing against five others for the Democratic nomination in the 7th Congressional District, which covers Lehigh, Northampton and southern Monroe counties.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

1. Just no quit in Bernie... the guy is like the Energizer Bunny, with the energy of politicians

half his age.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. I think the next election should be settled by foot race

[guillaumeb]

3. Recommended.

Pushing a progressive agenda and trying to broaden the base.

[meow2u3]

5. This district is largely moderate; a progressive would be a long shot

Last edited Tue May 8, 2018, 09:11 PM - Edit history (3)

I live in the Lehigh Valley and observed that the new PA CD-7 is Dem leaning but moderate. In fact, Morganelli, a moderate in the mold of Bob Casey, is leading in the polls

You have to elect candidates who fit the demographics of their district or else we'll end up stuck with repunks even crazier than teabaggers and Trumpanzees. Nominate a progressive in the Lehigh Valley, elect a repuke.

[guillaumeb]

8. Demographics can change.

Agreed? So, critically so, it is also about broadening the dialogue.

[Blue_true]

15. And pies CAN fall out of trees one day.

But the only sure way to eat pie is for one to be baked in the real world.

Why can't demographics change with a democrat holding office? Far more likely to change with a democrat in office than a republican.

[George II]

11. Exactly - elect candidates that fit the district. That's what Conor Lamb is. Some didn't like...

...the fact that he's not a "progressive", but I'll take a Representative that I agree with 75% of the time on the issues who can win than run one I agree with 100% of the time on the issues and see a republican win.

[Hortensis]

14. Of 6 Democrats, 4 are obviously progressive liberals, and

1 is a questionable oddity who reportedly wanted to work for Trump and won't be winning anything.

Greg Edwards is the other 1, running as a capital-P Progressive with Sanders' endorsement.

Edwards' record doesn't stand out as more genuinely progressive, but he did set himself off by attacking the DCCC. Apparently they did the usual thing parties do of trying to persuade people to run for various open offices instead of competing against each other for fewer and losing. He was free to just courteously say no to running for the state senate, as people normally do, but instead he said no and ran to cry foul and racism to the press. I guess these days that would identify him clearly enough as a capital-P Progressive instead of a progressive, even if Sanders didn't endorse him.

Edwards is reportedly ahead, with the most money so far. If that were my district I want a better choice among the 4 progressive liberal Democrats, but vote for the most likely to win. If Edwards is the nominee, though, I'll be curious to see if he tacks more toward the center after differentiating himself and drawing in the dissident left with this stunt.

[mvd]

6. I think a progressive economic message should play well here

Really point out how Trump has never been for the working/middle classes.

[bettyellen]

7. Well it'll be a bit of a test case to see how bigoted the area has remained...

[guillaumeb]

9. I agree.

Trump is a thief. That is all anyone really needs to know. Or should know.

[leftofcool]

4. Reach across the aisle to bigots and enablers of bigots?

I don't think so, Bernie. But, you proceed.

[Hortensis]

10. Well, Our Revolution candidate's failing in the WV Democratic primary,

by a really large margin -- but with only part of the vote counted.

WV is the Republicans' biggest hope to hold the senate. Why? Well, a big part of it is "Our Revolution's" attempt to defeat our blue dog Democratic incumbent, Joe Manchin, by running a far-left candidate in a strongly conservative state.

The GOP has been praying Our Revolution will help them keep control of the senate by sending a misfit candidate to the general election whom theirs can beat handily.

I wouldn't vote for this woman for treasurer of a book club after this run. Note, though she ran a Sanders-type campaign and People for B Sanders etcetera endorsed her, I see no indication that Sanders himself was so foolish as to try to sabotage Senator Manchin's reelection.

[George II]

12. Looks like final numbers are in, Manchin won with 67%

[Hortensis]

13. Hope the Repubs are as worried as we're happy

right now. Excellent job by WV's Democratic voters.

November 6...

[Uncle Joe]

16. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Hassin Bin Sober