The 2020 Democratic Purity Olympics Are Already Underway

[workinclasszero]

The 2020 Democratic Purity Olympics Are Already Underway
The Bernie Sanders supporters attacking Kamala Harris are itching to refight 2016 and demand a level of purity that, lo and behold, only one candidate can possibly attain.
Michael Tomasky 08.08.17 1:00 AM ET

Wouldn’t you know it, on the very delicious-to-watch week that Republicans start jumping off the leaky Trump frigate, some Democrats began testing attacks on one of their own, possible 2020 presidential contender Kamala Harris.

The charge, leveled by a few folks on the left, including one member of the Democratic Party Unity Commission (!), is the usual one: that Harris is a corporate stooge in the mold of you-know-who and if the Democrats are even thinking about nominating her, the dis-unity commission will get to work sabotaging her.

But these attacks have the feel of something else. They have the feel of a group of people, most or all of them Bernie Sanders supporters, itching to refight 2016 and demand a level of purity that lo and behold only one candidate can possibly attain.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/the-2020-democratic-purity-olympics-are-already-under-way

[tonyt53]

1. I registered as a Democrat because the Party was all inclusive. Seems that some don't like that.

I was in the first group of 18 y/o's that got to vote. I have always said that if a candidate agrees with me on every position that there is no way in hell I'd ever vote for them. They would be nuts.

Some, and you described them perfectly, aren't okay with a person being "pro-choice", which lets each individual decide for themselves what they feel is best. Now they have gone to a term called "pro-abortion", which is purity test if I have ever seen one. And that one candidate - they can kiss my ass. Didn't like them then, and don't like them now. Neither do most Democrats.

[jrthin]

2. All I have to say is, get ready for Prez. Pence.

Those seeking purity have brought us George W. Bush, and the present WH occupant.

[uppityperson]

3. Is "purity" the dividing insult this year?

[David__77]

16. It is. It's extreme factionalism.

...which is ironic.

[awesomerwb1]

4. It's sad really.

By dividing the party, ironic considering some call themselves independents, they will/might be complicit in allowing the GOP to consolidate power.

I'll take a "corporate stooge" Democrat over anyone, including any independent. Enjoy your fucked up future, your dirty air, your shitty economy, the persecution of others, your high interest student loans, and your loss of rights.

If you're too blind to see that right now it should be everyone versus the "GOP" monstruosity, you deserve Trump, then Pence and a far right supreme court for decades.

[Blue_Tires]

5. Meanwhile the clock is ticking on the 2018 midterms

And that remains by far the best and most direct way to fight the Trump Junta, but it's not a sexy magic bullet and will take real work to pull off so liberals by and large will ignore it until the last fuckin' minute

[Heartstrings]

10. RANDY BRYCE, ANDY GRONIK and PAUL SOGLIN

I keep posting ops on our opponents to Ryan and Walker here in Wisconsin and they're either basically ignored or I receive negativity. Specifically Ryan's major opponent (at this time...), Randy Bryce should have everyone's attention and support to get Ryan out! That will impact everyone, everywhere!

If we're supposed to be mindful of the midterms, where's the support for these fine candidates?

[Me.]

6. Apparently Laurence Tribe & Others Agree With you

“Laurence Tribe
Sanders is now going after @KamalaHarris exactly the way he once went after @elizabethforma! At long last, Senator, have you NO shame?”

Link to tweet

Why Bernie Sanders Supporters Have Been Going After Kamala Harris on Twitter

“Last month, Democratic donors began to eye and even outright declare for California Sen. Kamala Harris, California’s former attorney general who is currently a fierce advocate for health care, women’s rights, and criminal justice reform. But over the past week, a report about hostility toward Harris from Bernie Sanders supporters began to circulate on Twitter with mixed responses.” Cont.

https://www.mediaite.com/online/why-bernie-sanders-supporters-have-been-going-after-kamala-harris-on-twitter/

[David__77]

11. He's lying.

https://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2017/08/why-is-harvard-professor-laurence-tribe-lying-abou.html

[Me.]

12. Cooper & Greenwald!

Thanks anyway, I'll stick with Tribe

[David__77]

15. Forgot those two. I'm just talking about Tribe's own tweets.

He admits he's got nothing in the tweets shown at that link.

[Omaha Steve]

13. Post this on it's own

Send me a link. I'll give it an R!!!

[BeyondGeography]

7. I really don't see the Bernie crowd pushing this conflict

Not on this board at least. For every post questioning Harris' cred for 2020 here, there are at least four or five questioning the Democratic bona fides of anyone not on board coming from her supporters. It does feel like a rehash of the 2016 primary but Tomasky gets the dynamic wrong, IMO.

[Foamfollower]

8. I have a single purity test for the primaries.

Is the candidate a Russian apologist and/or a Putin poodle?

That's the one test I have.

No more traitors who sell out the United States to Russia in the White House. Doing that once was bad enough. Twice and we're through as a free nation.

[Weekend Warrior]

9. " only one candidate can possibly attain. "

I've yet to see that candidate.

[Orsino]

14. Well, the linked story at least links to a story...

...that identifies and quotes one purported Sanders supporter on the subject. But that's pretty thin.

[jpljr77]

17. Big tent party means big tent party.

This is a massive and wonderfully diverse country, and the Democratic party is the most diverse political party in it. And never forget that diversity includes diversity in thoughts, opinions, and policy preferences.

[Initech]

18. And that's why we lost 2016.

We can't keep fighting the same battles - we need a clear message and a clear strategy. The pukes had it in 2016. We were still fighting Hillary Vs Bernie, and all the other crap we had to, and still endure. We need to band together, come up with a clear and concise message and platform, and not keep fighting each other, or we'll lose 2018 and 2020.