What if Bernie endorses Hillary

[malaise]

tonight?

[flamingdem]

1. Thinking it will have the most impact at the convention

and that he's earned the right to use that power as he wishes. Bernie has ultimately helped Hillary and the Dems tremendously. So far he has been a loyal competitor.

[MADem]

7. I think it needs to be BEFORE the convention.

Generally speaking, those who have not endorsed the nominee don't even get a speaking slot at all. You've got to be On The Team in order to get on the schedule.

[flamingdem]

9. In that case he should

I can't see him doing anything that indicated party disunity. Then again I've been fairly non-partisan about Bernie and Hillary here. I think people project negative motives onto Bernie but he's solid in my opinion, he'll play a role in getting Hillary elected. I'm excited about how he's gotten a lot of young people into politics. There was not enough focus on that by the party. What he has done for the future is immeasurable.

[RichGirl]

24. It would create drama and show some class, if he endorsed AT the convention....

BEFORE the delegates vote.

[MADem]

25. He should show up in unity--not bring a bunch of

"torch and pitchfork" Bernie or Busters along, camping out nearby, all ready for chaos-creating.

It needs to happen before the convention. Otherwise, why even bother?

He's running out of relevance, IMO. Every day, his news coverage wanes, and if he doesn't start focusing his goals he is going to end up as simply a Trump punch line (Trump already takes pieces from his stump speech and incorporates them into his tweets, e.g. "the game is rigged" -- you google Trump and Sanders and you get a host of references; I'm sure BS doesn't endorse that association at all) and he runs the risk of letting his work during the campaign become a series of punch lines that Trump uses to try and goad Clinton.

As for drama, it is not his stage. He gave it a good effort, but he did not win. If he wants a dramatic entrance, showing up as a full-on, enthusiastic supporter with a cadre of his people who have 'done the pivot' is the way to do it. If he wants to be divisive, and do any of that "take it to the convention floor" stuff (WHO told him that was a good idea?) he will become like a toxic, bitter old uncle that no one wants to invite to Thanksgiving.

He needs to figure out what he's going to do--and soon. If he waits too long, it won't seem sincere.

His very legacy is on the line.

[pnwmom]

11. It's losing its impact every single day that he waits.

He becomes more and more irrelevant.

[flamingdem]

14. In the short term the case could be made

that he's yesterdays news.

However, he has succeeded in building a movement of young people who want to run for office. His impact is yuuge for the future of the Democratic party. The correct way to deal with Bernie is with total respect, in my opinion. From what I can see he isn't undermining the party and he'll be a yuuge help to Hillary's campaign in due time.

[jack_krass]

28. If he's so irrelevant then why are you and so many others talking about him?

In fact, scanning this forum I see more threads devoted to Bernie than to anyone else. So no, he's not irrelevant, despite your wishes that he was. I'd say he's more relevant than ever, and will stay so in the foreseeable future. I for one, welcome this.

[lapucelle]

2. I would have loved to see Senator Sanders

get off Air Force One with Hillary and the President today.

What a moment that would have been.

[MADem]

3. I think it's past the point of mattering much, in terms of polls, anyway.

Most Sanders people have moved on and understand she is our nominee.

The ones who haven't moved on will likely not vote for her anyway. They will stay home, vote for the Libertarian, or the Green. They might write Sanders in as a "protest" vote.

Their votes will not make a difference in the big picture.

Trump will continue to push his own party members away in revulsion; GOP women will quietly vote for HRC because they can't bear Trump's misogyny, and anyone without a stomach for ghastly bigotry will also make other plans.

There will be no laurel resting by the HRC camp between now and November; we will work hard, and we will prevail.

[calimary]

4. Indeed.

Seems to me he missed his chance. That train left the station at least two or three weeks ago.

[malaise]

5. You're right re the convention

She did include some of his demands today. Obama is rocking here

[WhiteTara]

30. There probably won't be any

laurel resting for the next 8 years, if we don't get a Democratic Congress.

[Arkansas Granny]

6. I think Bernie's endorsement, if/when it comes, will be anti-climactic.

Too little, too late.

[pandr32]

10. At least it would free the SS detail.

[merrily]

32. Secret Service ends when SS determines it's safe to end protection.

That may or may not coincide with the convention.

[pandr32]

45. That makes no sense

SS didn't decide Bernie Sanders needed protection in the first place. Sanders asked for it and it was granted because he was a major contender for POTUS. He will lose his SS protection the moment he concedes or when Hillary Clinton is formerly nominated at the convention which is going to happen, so what is Sanders waiting for at the cost of almost $40,000 per day to taxpayers?

[merrily]

49. There were indications that he was not safe.

He had private security before his campaign requested Secret Service protection. The request was reviewed by a committee of Congress--meaning mostly Republicans, and approved. SS protection always ends when SS determines it's safe to end it.

How much did you fret about Nancy Reagan's and Betty Ford's having SS protection until they died, as does every former first lady? Do you think Rosyln Carter has needed it for the last several decades? And no matter how safe SS thinks it is to end protection for former first ladies, it never ends until they die. How many news stories were/are there about that?

[pandr32]

50. They were FLOTUS--not a small state senator

And make no mistake. The moment Bernie officially concedes the SS detail will, too. Even if there are people that don't like him (growing by the day as he won't concede).

[merrily]

54. What does the title of FLOTUS have to do with danger? That's what SS protection is about,

danger, not job titles. Getting Secret Service protection is not like getting a bigger office or more assistants because of your job title.

And, of course, the size of the state is irrelevant to anything, per the Framers. S

o, you've cited two factors that could not be more irrelevant to the need for Social Service protection. His office was shot at and the building where his staffers were staying was ransacked. That's why his campaign requested Secret Service protection, not simply because he was a candidate. He was a candidate for a long time before his campaign requested protection and only four of the entire Republican field got protection. It's about being in danger as a result of being a federal candidate or a federal official, not simply being a candidate.

I've already said that the Secret Service determination that danger no longer exists may coincide with the convention, so what is your point?



Stop fighting the primary.

[WhiteTara]

36. For being a frugal man with his money, he is very

spendy with ours.

[840high]

38. Not his decision. SS decides.

[WhiteTara]

41. When he's no longer a "candidate" he

immediately loses his SS detail.

[pandr32]

46. Precisely!

[stopbush]

8. After Pres Obama's rousing endorsement of Hillary at today's rally in NC

Sanders' endorsement would mean almost nothing.

The big D political guns are on the hustings showing the UNITY we need to win in a landslide this fall. Sanders' endorsement will be given begrudgingly, at best. How will that stack up against the glowing passion Obama exhibited for Hillary today? No comparison.

[rock]

12. Bernie is irrelevant

And has long passed the point where his opinion IS relevant. So to answer your question: nothing.

[obamanut2012]

13. You have to know when to hold 'em, and know when to fold 'em

Bernie held onto his cards too long. Warren, Obama, Biden, O'Malley, etal made his hand unimportant imo.

[flamingdem]

15. Don't forget what Bernie has done for the party

Can the others say the same thing?

He's rallied millions to get engaged and defined the party as more progressive, thank goodness for that imo.

Now some 10000 supporters are going to run for office due to his efforts. That is massive. Thus, he needs to be treated with respect and his supporters need to feel included .. unless you want a third party, a more progressive party popping up. Better to integrate Bernie and Co.

[malaise]

17. +1,000

Wish I could rec

[flamingdem]

19. Whew

Thanks Malaise

[840high]

39. ...!100++++

[Autumn]

16. If he endoeses Hillary tonight then he endorses Hillary tonight.

If he doesn't then he doesn't.

[seabeckind]

18. It's only important to those who think it's important

For those who don't think it's important, it's not.

What difference does it make?

[Autumn]

20. It makes no difference other than some Hillary supporters feel

that he needs he needs to.

[Blue_Tires]

21. Never happen...

He'd risk being called a "sellout" by his own people

[roamer65]

22. Best for him just to stay away and not endorse. N/t.

[mcar]

23. I don't think it matters anymore

I really think he missed his chance. President Obama gave a barn burner of a speech endorsing Hillary today, Elizabeth Warren has been wonderful on the trail. Sanders can't compete with that.

He lost. He's had some success with the platform and good for him. He had a very good primary campaign and'good on him and his movement.

But his insistence on not endorsing has gotten old. And,IMHO, has rendered him far less effective and influential.

He should have endorsed several weeks ago. Not too many people care at this point.

[MADem]

27. After saying on video that he is going to vote for her,

withholding a formal endorsement for much longer might be seen as a bit petty.

http://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2016-election/bernie-sanders-says-he-will-vote-hillary-clinton-n598251

[WhiteTara]

37. A bit?

you might say that.

[giftedgirl77]

26. Could care less if he ever endorses her.

just want him to stop acting like he is anything other than the runner up.

[Mike Nelson]

29. I hope not...

...the moment has passed. Best to do it at the Democratic Convention. This is the time it can be done with some media attention and excitement.

[MaggieD]

31. I don't think it matters at this point

I have a fair number of Bernie fans on my FB feed and every one of them is already a convert to Clinton. Bernie let his ego get the best of him and now he is irrelevant. Plus a lot of his supporters seem to think he is looking pretty foolish right now. He blew it, IMO.

[dflprincess]

34. "Converted" to Hillary or,

like myself and the Bernie supporters I know, just resigned to the idea that if we don't want Trump to be president we will have to vote for her?

[Logical]

42. Many don't get that, we still want Bernie, but trump needs to lose. Nt

[LoverOfLiberty]

33. He won't

He doesn't like her and would never be able to bring himself to endorse her. I think she is pretty ok with that. He's gotten out of Clinton the most she will offer and he has become irrelevant in respect to the 2016 presidential election.

[jamese777]

35. Bernie has a lot to lose

He's the ranking member on the Senate Budget Committee and he could becme Chair if the Dems gain the majority. A failure to endorse the party's nominee at least at the Convention, should she become president, could result in him losing his ranking member/chair position.

[840high]

40. I would hope no one is vindictive.

[AgadorSparticus]

43. Honestly, I think he has waited so long, it really doesn't matter one bit.

The political scene has moved on without him.

[The Second Stone]

44. What if unicorns swallowed rainbow bubble gum and then farted?

Would rainbows come out of the unicorn asses? Sanders isn't going to endorse Hillary Clinton. Get over it. Unless it strokes his ego, he isn't going to participate.

[pandr32]

47. Interesting

Does swallowed gum cause farting in general, or just with unicorns?

[The Second Stone]

48. Only bubble gum, and yes it does. Come to my house sometime and

watch me blow bubble gum into bubbles out my butt. It's fascinating. Stinky, but fascinating.

Skittles, smell the rainbow!

[Bluenorthwest]

52. Vaudeville isn't dead, that's just how it smells!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_P%C3%A9tomane

[liberal N proud]

51. At this point?

Who cares.

[emulatorloo]

53. He will endorse next Tuesday, from what I'm hearing.

Bernie confirmed an endorsement's coming last night on Chris Hayes.