Thank you Bernie for coming to WV tomorrow to fight the AHCA

[Tanuki]

I did not support Bernie in the primary but I will give credit where it is due. Shelley Moore Capito is considered to be one of the GOP senators who might realistically vote against the AHCA due to the disproportionately disastrous effects it would have on her constituents. It's a time for "all hands on deck," and I applaud Bernie for going to WV to hold a rally tomorrow.

https://m.facebook.com/events/1482631111828329

Don't Take Our Health Care with Senator Bernie Sanders
Public · Event · by Wood County Indivisible and 12 others

Sunday, June 25 at 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT

Municipal Auditorium, 224 Virginia Street East, Charleston, WV

[Demsrule86]

1. How does going to WVA help? Manchin is not voting for bill how about going to Ohio

Portman country.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

2. Why don't you try reading the OP.

Someone else said Pavlov would have a field day on DU.

[Demsrule86]

8. Damn another nasty reply...

But I am happy to hear Sen. Sanders is going to Pittsburgh and Columbus. I have no idea why people who clearly dislike DU come here...I enjoy DU...and think there are some really nice folks here...with some exceptions of course.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

10. Like I said, read the OP.

" Shelley Moore Capito is considered to be one of the GOP senators who might realistically vote against the AHCA due to the disproportionately disastrous effects it would have on her constituents"

[MoonRiver]

37. I think you should change one of your signature pics to PURRsisters.

Then it would be a triple edged pun.

And, yeah, mean people suck, especially on DU.

[Demsrule86]

38. That is a great idea thanks...I have three kitties and four dogs...

All but two were rescued by me or my children.

[SMC22307]

3. Maybe Nancy Pelosi can go to Ohio. Bernie's got West Virginia. (n/t)

[Demsrule86]

7. What a nasty reply...but as it turns out . Another nice poster told me he is going to

Columbus which is where Portman has his main office. Nancy's job is to run the House Democratic minority resistance and she has done a superb job...

[SMC22307]

15. This bill is a fucking disaster and we need all hands on deck.

Every Democrat better step up, Nancy included. Chuck. Keith. Tom. Hell, maybe Obama should go to Ohio... he carried the state twice.

[leftofcool]

18. Obama won't do much more than tweet.

And there is no reason why he should.

[SMC22307]

35. It's his legacy being destroyed...

you'd think he'd do more than tweet.

[chwaliszewski]

21. I don't see how these replies are being 'nasty'.

Me thinks thy sensitivity is a bit too high. I believe the point to all of these posts are that as crucial as it is to sink this horrible piece of legislation that the Republicans are trying to stuff this country's bum with, all Dems should be out doing something about it, current and past.

[Demsrule86]

41. Oh no they were Nasty.I merely asked an innocent question and it was just that.. no hidden meaning.

It is not the first time either. One poster, better informed than I, kindly informed me the GOP Senator (Capito) in WVA might be moved...very valuable information...she wasn't on lists of Senators to call, and when I post phone numbers again, I will add her. Also, I use twitter and Facebook. One poster had a very interesting video...watch it if you have time...it was amazing. We are all on the same side here or should be, and I just think it is too bad that some take it upon themselves to be unpleasant for no apparent reason. On topic, very pleased that Sen. Sanders is going to WVA, Pittsburgh and Ohio (Portman could be the vote that stops this mess but he has been bribed before). We need to fight this all the way...all hands on deck.

[Tanuki]

5. Actually, he is going to Columbus, Ohio earlier in the day tomorrow

and spoke in Pittsburgh today. I was only aware of his West Virginia appearance (because that is where I grew up) when I posted the OP.

https://m.facebook.com/events/124161418176951?acontext=%7B%22action_history%22%3A%22%5B%7B%5C%22surface%5C%22%3A%5C%22page%5C%22%2C%5C%22mechanism%5C%22%3A%5C%22main_list%5C%22%2C%5C%22extra_data%5C%22%3A%5B%5D%7D%5D%22%7D&aref=0

[Demsrule86]

6. That is good. Portman has said he won't vote for the bill but he just won

re-election and has been bribed before. Thanks!

[SMC22307]

16. Awesome. Bernie's a good man. (n/t)

[gratuitous]

4. Here's why this is good news

First, it turns people out to advocate for themselves, and stirs up a lot of local interest. Second, it gets the Democrats' message directly to West Virginians, without the filter of the national news, especially Fox. Third, every Democratic leader should talk to a local reporter give them footage and copy to fill their air time and column inches. Fourth, this encourages people in the area who are fighting the good fight, lets them know they aren't alone or forgotten.

I hope other Democrats find their way to Charleston for this. And that they go back from time to time until next November.

[Demsrule86]

9. Manchin is voting against the bill and I doubt anything will move the GOP Senator from WVA.

There are areas where we have a chance...Ohio, Pennsylvania ET AL...and I was happy to hear Sen. Sanders was hitting both Ohio and Pennsylvania.

[Tanuki]

11. Shelley Moore Capito cares about keeping her job. She is getting more pushback on this

than she bargained for. The video clip of constituents who came to her DC office is rather compelling.

https://mobile.twitter.com/AdamParkhomenko/status/877972190213292032

[Demsrule86]

13. That would be great...we only need what three?

[Demsrule86]

14. Thanks for the video...it was really touching.

It seemed as if they were getting through to her.

[George II]

12. Yawn.

[NurseJackie]

17. Truly.

Ho hum.

[George II]

20. Um huh.....

[NurseJackie]

24. Or...

... she watched the cat, and yawns are contagious.

[dgauss]

25. You might be over playing your hand here.

Even those who favored Clinton over Sanders in the primaries, and who may have developed the sort of animus towards Sanders that can arise in intensely felt political battles - even those folks may begin to wonder about your motivations.

Sanders is out there trying to prevent a horrific bill from passing and you're trying to dismiss that effort. Why?

[leftofcool]

27. And you might do a bit of real research on Sanders before making accusations.

[chwaliszewski]

31. It sounds to me like they have done their research.

[dgauss]

33. If you have research on Sanders that would enlighten those who support his efforts, please share it.

[chwaliszewski]

32. I was thinking the same thing.

[George II]

36. Why isn't he back in Washington lobbying some of the undecided Senators? They're the ones....

....who ultimately could prevent a horrific bill from passing.

[Tom Rinaldo]

40. Are you seriously suggesting that Democratic Senators should hole up in D.C. to be effective?

Do you think that there are any movable Republican Senators who are more likely to be swayed to vote against Trump/Deathcare by a few more conversations with a member of the Senate Democratic caucus than they would be by a few thousand more phone calls from their constituent voter?

There are only 100 Senators, and they get to spend a lot of time around each other year in and year out. They already have plenty of time to exchange views, but Democratic Senators from different states do not represent a threat to Republican Senators. Angry voters at home do.

[George II]

43. I never said that nor suggested that. BUT, we have a big vote coming up in four days....

...and it's going to be very close. Talking to a few people in West Virginia isn't going to accomplish anything. It's not like him being in West Virginia will change the vote of either of their Senators.

[Tom Rinaldo]

44. He'll be there for that vote.

and we all know it will be close. West Virginia borders on Ohio, as you know, and he is hitting Ohio on this trip also, so it's not like he's going way out of his way to speak there. And D.C. is pretty damn close to West Virginia too so I'm sure he won't be late returning to the Senate.

Why can't you just appreciate it when Sanders is doing something positive? He is attacking Trump, right? And Capito is not a 100% lock to vote for Trumpcare - close to that maybe but not 100%. You know the difference between it passing or not could come down to a group of about 6 senators that Capito fits into. There are a few more obvious potential votes against Trumpcare that are feeling a lot of heat now about becoming that deciding vote that prevents the "Obamacare Repeal". That makes it hard for them to hold the line against this disaster of a bill. But if a few more Republican Senators talk among themselves and all come out against it, so that it is 4 or 5 votes short of passage instead of one vote short - there becomes more safety in numbers for them. So maybe a few thousand phone calls generated from a rally in WV could make a difference.

But even if Capito is beyond reach it still makes sense to go to West Virginia and hammer Republicans on a hot issue that hurts them with the voters there. Opportunities like this must be seized upon if we ever hope to have 51 Senate Democrats again, let alone 60. We may not pick up Capitos seat, but alienating swing voters from the Republican Party now may be what it takes to retain the seat Manchin holds in the future, and that could decide who becomes Majority leader in a future Senate.

This is an effective use of Bernie's time I expect that clips from his WV speech will also be aired in media markets far from WV. Is it that you think that would be a bad thing?

[George II]

45. So how many Senate votes is he changing while in West Virginia and Ohio?

[Tom Rinaldo]

46. You've been on DU for awhile

You know how often we here push flooding congressional switchboards with phone calls about key pieces of legislation. You know that every once in awhile, not usually but sometimes, it actually makes a difference.

We are the ones who change the votes of Senators, us and other constituents, not a Senator seated at a desk next to another Senator who manages to catch their ear during a lull in floor debate.

And you also know the value of political rallies, where high profile speeches are delivered. Yes a few minds can get changed at them but more important than that, they solidify people's resolve and spur some people to action. Have you completely written off Portman's vote on Trumpcare, for example? That strikes me as foolish if you have, even if the odds are against him opposing it.

But my reply to you above that you are replying to now spoke to matters beyond the Trumpcare vote. It spoke to sticking it to Republicans when we can. Now is an ideal time to do so when he spotlight is on what they are doing to the health care that West Virginians count on. Maybe it won't change a Senate vote, but maybe it can help lay groundwork for Democrats picking up one Congressional seat in WV in 2018. Strike while the iron is hot. It's tactical.

[George II]

49. No matter how many phone calls are drummed up between now and Thursday, no Senate votes....

....in either West Virginia or Ohio are going to be changed. More would be accomplished by talking to one's peers in the Senate in the next four days. There is a huge effort going on right now by the republican leadership to change votes and keep what they have. We need our people around those Senators to try to keep the few republican votes we have.

On the other hand, my two Senators aren't going around the country making speeches, they're doing their jobs either in our state or in Washington. The two Senators in neighboring New York aren't touring the country making speeches, they're doing their jobs in New York and Washington.

THAT is what we need this week, not another barnstorming tour to tell us what's wrong with us.

[elleng]

52. THANKS, Tom. Happy to see you here

(tho later.)

I'm leaving this 'discussion;' life's hard enough.

[leftofcool]

19. Is he hawking a new book?

[chwaliszewski]

22. No, I think he cares for the well being of the country.

Try not to make your projected disdain for his seeming genuine efforts too obvious. Some people might mistake that for bitterness. I mean that to anyone else who does not think Bernie is being sincere. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. I think he actually gives a shit about us and is trying to help.

[leftofcool]

26. Some of us are well aware of his actual agenda

Some of us could actually see it a long time ago.

[Gravitycollapse]

29. You're being paranoid.

[chwaliszewski]

30. And what exactly would his actual agenda be?

I can't wait to read your response.

[KTM]

34. Spell it out

This nonsense is getting old. You got something to say, say it.

[George II]

55. Indeed.

[Trial_By_Fire]

56. Yes, Sanders agenda is simple...

We the people, for the people, by the people...

Sanders agenda is making the 99% healthy and prosperous.

[msongs]

23. good for him all available democrats and surrogates should be doing the same kind of thing nt

[still_one]

28. Sounds good, and I hope he convinces Capito, though I am skeptical about West Virgina

[Tom Rinaldo]

42. It will be a tough pull

but this is how it starts The battle needs to be engaged. If Republican politicians keep getting exposed to their base for voting against their interests, somewhere down the road we may win a critical vote in the Senate on an important issue by one or two key votes. It may not be this time with Capito, but they can't be given a free ride. Not under our Constitutional system that gives two Senators to every state, regardless of population. We have to make a few more Senators at least somewhat vulnerable to the genuine needs of the people.

It doesn't take all of that much time for someone like Sanders to drop into WV to make one high profile speech. It's worth it. I'm glad he's going to Ohio also though.

[ileus]

39. Wonder if he'll tour CAMC while he's there.

[Trial_By_Fire]

47. Just imagine if Sanders was president...

We would already have Medicare for All in the legislative pipeline...

[Tanuki]

48. Not with a GOP-controlled House and Senate. Maybe as long as you are

"just imagining" you can "just imagine" that we have legislators who would approve a Democratic president's rightful Supreme Court nominee, much less Medicare for All.

[Chevy]

51. Just imagine if Bloomberg would of run as an independent

against Trump and Sanders...........

[George II]

53. No. With republican majorities in both houses that wouldn't even make it to committee.

[Trial_By_Fire]

54. Obviously...

[gulliver]

50. Of course he wouldn't have to do it if Hillary were President

Sanders wrote a check to liberals that his bank account can't back up, unfortunately. This bill is going to pass. Sanders being against it will only give cover to conservatives who want to vote for it.