Clinton and the DNC Are Not Just Colluding — They’re Changing the Rules for Superdelegates

[silvershadow]

Clinton and the DNC Are Not Just Colluding — They’re Changing the Rules for Superdelegates

05/09/2016 07:07 pm ET

Seth Abramson
Assistant Professor of English at University of New Hampshire; Series Co-Editor, Best American Experimental Writing

The award for most deliberate and egregious burying of a lead has just been handed out.

It goes to NBC News, for a story entitled, “Bernie Sanders Makes Things Awkward for Hillary Clinton’s DNC Takeover.”

Put aside for a moment that the story’s central premise is the uncritical repetition of a nonsense: the idea that a major-party convention can’t — as in literally cannot be — planned without a nominee being declared at least a month and a half in advance. We know that’s untrue because, up until a week ago, that’s exactly what the GOP was (with minimal public grousing by RNC Chair Reince Priebus) planning to do.

More importantly, in the context of Democratic National Committee rules — which, as DNC officials Luis Miranda and Debbie Wasserman Schultz have both explained to the media repeatedly, dictate that super-delegates cannot be tallied until July — there can be no doubt about which sentence in the above-cited NBC News story is the most important. It’s this one, about what the Clinton campaign and the DNC have been up to since April (more than three months prior to the Party’s late-July convention):

much more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/seth-abramson/clinton-and-the-dnc-are-not-just-colluding----theyre-changing-the-rules-for-superdelegates_b_9876274.html
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Pretty much outlines it

[pacalo]

1. Good read.

Calling Clinton a hypocrite on the issue of super-delegates would be unkind; it would be more accurate to say that, on the subject of super-delegates, as on so many other subjects, there is no evidence that Clinton has any core principles whatsoever.

[silvershadow]

5. She really doesn't, and it is as transparent as glass. nt

[cui bono]

15. "as on so many other subjects, there is no evidence that Clinton has any core principles whatsoever"

Ain't that the truth.

Makes you wonder how people who pay attention to politics can support her. Not a surprise to hear that they buy followers and pay for internet trolls.

.

[misterhighwasted]

2. HAA. So says the Independent, socialist, democratic socialist , democrat, Independent..

Why wouldn't the Dem Party be supporting the only Dem in the race? Bernies been a Dem for like 6 months?
Its their Party. They can do whatever they want with the rules. And just WHO is bernie sanders to tell the Dem Party what to do within their own Party?
If ya can't stand the heat....

[roguevalley]

3. then she won't need independent votes in the general. Good. She won't get them. Bernie is an

American running as a dem. HRC has only been a dem since 1968. I'm sure you're good with that. Bernie has been an independent since he was born and worked with the dems. Hillary was a republican from birth and a dem when it was convenient.

[misterhighwasted]

6. Haaahaa..omg Hillary was born a Republican..like she had a choice as a baby..

Haa. Thats really a stretch..apologies for lmao but, really?

Ok let me correct this:
 "So says the Independent, socialist, democratic socialist , democrat, Independent, American.

You don't even have an argument.

Just give it up.

[Feeling the Bern]

8. Wow, just arrogance and aloofness. Explain away that HRC:

was a proud Goldwater Girl,
was on the Wal-mart BOD,
voted for the Iraq War, supported DOMA/DADT,
loves her some Kissinger and Nancy Reagan,
uses racist language like "super predators" to describe black people,
supported welfare "reform" pushed by Newt Gingrich,
gets endorsements from Cheney and the Kochs,
and is now actively trying to get Bush's donors on her side.

Explain those. . .don't worry. I have a lot more of her "Democratic" positions and beliefs that would make real Democrats, and not DINOs, Blue Dogs or Statist supporting corportists happy.

2016: They year the Democratic Party took off the facade and truly embraced its center/right backbone again.

[misterhighwasted]

21. Lol. First it was a fight over who was the REAL PROGRESSIVE. , Now its a fight over

who is the most REAL DEM!

I'll stick with my Dem Party & the Great Progressive Senator Paul Wellstone, RIP.

HERE:
This is why I doubt bernie sanders' claims of being what he says he is.

Have at it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1107124800

[Feeling the Bern]

23. Since I have no desire to waste my time with someone as smug as you, have at this

Clinton Campaign to Republican Donors: Hillary Shares Your Values

Late last week, Politico reported that Clinton operatives have initiated efforts to "peel off establishment Republicans who might otherwise grudgingly support Trump," demonstrating their eagerness to win over big money donors previously wedded to the conservative establishment.

Specifically, Clinton supporters have been targeting the donor base of Jeb Bush, whose main super PAC raised a striking $121 million, much of it before the race for the Republican nomination began to heat up. We know how that ended.

But the Clinton camp sees opportunity lying in the rubble of the former Florida governor's failed campaign.

Indeed, Jeb Bush, along his father and brother, have vowed not to back the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald Trump. Assuming no third party candidate emerges to soak up the fundraising dollars of former Bush backers, Clinton is positioning herself as the deserving recipient.

DINO! DINO! DINO! DINO! And it was written 5/9/16

But to HRC supporters, we're good sharing Republican values.

[Ford_Prefect]

32. Wellstone would be turning in his grave to hear you support the great war hawk and sophist.

[Feeling the Bern]

44. Thank you. Democrats have shifted and swing waaay to the right this election season

So much so I can honestly say that I am not leaving the Democrats, they left me when they became Center/Right Republican Lite.

I will support individual Democrats, but nothing to the Party ever again (not like I gave to the Party since Howard Dean was DNC Chair. Now that DINO Schultz is in charge, definitely not).

[blondie58]

28. One thing i have a problem withy Hillary

Is that she is one of the 1%, with her net worth of $45 million. How can a politician amass so much Wealth? Those Speeches must be amazing.

[tomm2thumbs]

18. I don't hear these words spoken in her teenager voice, or her 'just born' voice

[misterhighwasted]

22. And likewise, I don't hear Bernie's Progressive Voice spoken here either:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1107124800

Question: How can bernie be so strongly AGAINST toxic Fracking, and yet fight so strongly, against Progressive Senator Wellstone FOR toxic Radioactive Waste Dumping in a poor community in Texas.
Tell me why one is worse than the other.
He voted to kill the Wellstone Ammendment that would have kept this community safe from toxic radioactive waste.

This is why I do not believe anything Sanders says.
And this is all I needed.
Which is worse. Fracking toxins spread on a community of people and their environment, or Radioactive Waste dumped on a community of people and their environment.

And you wonder why people do not trust the claims of bernies stump speeches.
This is a good start.

Time to trash this thread.

[tomm2thumbs]

25. context

The low-level nuclear waste would include "items such as scrap metal and worker’s gloves… as well as medical gloves used in radiation treatments at hospitals," according to the Bangor Daily News.

https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/105/hr629

[Feeling the Bern]

45. Don't. This poster is looking for a flame war. The smugness and dismissiveness of this poster's

words shows that there is no reasoning.

One of the many reasons I am glad I am not there in the States anymore. Someone hears a sound byte they like or watches something on the TV and they instantly feel they are experts in public policy, economics, history, sociology and governmental affairs. And to back up their new found expertise, they only look for "evidence" that supports their position, countering position be damned.

The poster even said they saw no evidence of Bernie's progressive past. That right there should end the conversation.

[tomm2thumbs]

47. true enough

and when one is comparing that with voting to start a war in Iraq, the contrast is undeniable

[Feeling the Bern]

46. How much are you getting paid by Brock and the HRC campaign to post this drivel?

[silvershadow]

4. For one reason, just 6 months in as a Democrat he is more of the FDR Union Labor

Democrat than she EVER has been in her entire life, including now.

[misterhighwasted]

10. FDR despised references to socialism.

Btw ask people who have lived under socialism.
Its not what bernie wants you to believe. Its oppressive.
Yes, we noticed that as soon as bernie was called out on the oppressive conditions of socialist rule, he quickly claimed to be a democratic socialist...
Doesn't sound as Bad when you soften it with a D in front of it.
I honestly can't keep up with what his political identity is anymore.
But he's bernie & he can be whatever he wants to be whenever he wants to be it.


Nite!

[silvershadow]

11. I will defer to my own judgement, especially after that nonsense. nt

[Human101948]

29. "Ask people who have lived under socialism?"

You mean those people in Norway and Denmark and Iceland who are so miserable?

In the 2015 World Happiness Report, published this week by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, Switzerland was named the world’s happiest country. The Nordic countries of Iceland, Denmark and Norway rounded out the top four, while Canada placed fifth. The U.S. was ranked 15th in the report.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/24/happiest-countries-in-the-world-2015_n_7138002.html

Those "socialist" countries? They're happy!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/5/10/729747/-

Man, you sure do sound like a Republican when you say things like that.

[20score]

7. Thanks for that completely reprehensible opinion.

[Lazy Daisy]

9. Do you realize

Your statement makes the Democratic Party sound very unwelcoming?


Who is Bernie Sanders you ask? He is the voice of millions of people who have had enough.
And that voice is getting louder and louder.

Be dismissive all you like, it won't stop whats happening to the party. In fact it will accelerate it.

[misterhighwasted]

13. Sure, but Hillary is the voice of Millions more people than bernie..even.

Thats why she'll be our first woman President in Nov.
Thanks .
Have a nice night.

[Lazy Daisy]

20. No, she's the voice of millions more

People who identify as Democrats. You know, people like Kim Davis. But nice try.
And yes, she will probably be the first woman president in Nov. Shame it couldn't be a woman of substance.

Y'all enjoy your evening.

[Feeling the Bern]

12. So what you're basically saying is an FDR liberal is not welcome in the Party

and neither are Bernie's supporters who might be Democrats (or Independents or Republicans) as well as Independents that make up 35-40% of the electorate.

Good luck winning an election telling half the Democratic Party and all Independents to go fuck themselves.

This Election we have a DINO (HRC) who:
was a proud Goldwater Girl,
was on the Wal-mart BOD,
voted for the Iraq War, supported DOMA/DADT,
loves her some Kissinger and Nancy Reagan,
uses racist language like "super predators" to describe black people,
supported welfare "reform" pushed by Newt Gingrich,
gets endorsements from Cheney and the Kochs,
and is not actively trying to get Bush's donors on her side.

Running against a Fascist toadstool in Trump.

Excuse me, but to quote South Park, choosing between a Giant Douche or a Turd Sandwich is not much of a choice.

[erlewyne]

16. I do not belong to the DNC

I am a democrat!

[Feeling the Bern]

24. And this election, I'm registering Independent. I dislike this hard right swing of the Democratic

Party.

Principles over Party everyday, all day.

[Chicago1980]

17. What's being said,

Is that that person shouldn't think that the party they've been a member of for 5 minutes to cow tow to their demands after never having participated within the actual group before.

FDR didn't switch parties and then say, 'hey, now this is what I want'...

So what if Clinton was a Goldwater Girl, 50 YEARS AGO... Tom Hartmann passed out literature for Goldwater too, you going to call him a DINO too?

Was Walmart back then what it was today? Wasn't that like 20 years ago?

A lot of people supported DADT/DOMA back in the 90's. President Obama himself said his stance on gay marriage evolved.

She's apologized for the Iraq vote and she was hammered on that 8 years ago when President Obama ran against and beat her.

I'm black and I'm not offended by the 'super predator' comment.

She didn't get an 'endorsement' from Cheney or the Koch's, so don't lie about that. They never said "they'd vote for her".

Your rhetoric is beyond absurd.

[mdbl]

27. WTF is this 5 minute nonsense?

Sanders has voted with the Dem party on almost everything and yes Charles Koch said he would rather vote for HRC than Trump, that's as close an endorsement as you can get.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hillary-clinton-president-gop-pick-charles-koch/story?id=38622141

Being a member of the Democratic Party hasn't been a plus for the average worker since Reagan became president because the DLC/DNC/DCCC has been emulating him ever since. So just keep voting for that trajectory, you're almost there!

[erlewyne]

31. Thank-you

Thank-you very much

[nxylas]

14. Quite. What do these peasants think this is, a democracy?

The peoples' choices in November will be decided for them by the party elites, just as the Founding Fathers intended.

[That Guy 888]

26. I'm pretty sure the collusion has been going on since immediately prior to her deciding to run.

More importantly, in the context of Democratic National Committee rules — which, as DNC officials Luis Miranda and Debbie Wasserman Schultz have both explained to the media repeatedly, dictate that super-delegates cannot be tallied until July — there can be no doubt about which sentence in the above-cited NBC News story is the most important. It’s this one, about what the Clinton campaign and the DNC have been up to since April (more than three months prior to the Party’s late-July convention):

Back-channel conversations have already begun between Clinton’s campaign and the DNC about what role the party will play in the general election. These discussions are happening out of sight for now to avoid the appearance of collusion before the party has formally selected a nominee.

Where does this information appear in the article? In the very last sentence, of course.

Off-topic: Tim Kaine as VP? No ticket balance then? One's a neocon and the other is "a Moderate Populist Conservative".

Tim Kaine is a Moderate Populist Conservative.

according to http://www.ontheissues.org/Tim_Kaine.htm

Promote abstinence; ban partial-birth abortion
I will reduce abortion in Virginia by enforcing current Virginia restrictions, passing an enforceable ban on partial-birth abortion, ensuring women’s access to health care (including legal contraception), and promoting abstinence-focused education and adoption. We should reduce abortion in this manner, rather than by criminalizing women and doctors.
Source: Campaign website www.kaine2005.org, “Issues” , Nov 8, 2005

I have a faith-based opposition to abortion
I have a faith-based opposition to abortion. As governor, I will work in good faith to reduce abortions by:

Enforcing the current Virginia restrictions on abortion and passing an enforceable ban on partial birth abortion that protects the life and health of the mother;
Fighting teen pregnancy through abstinence-focused education;
Ensuring women’s access to health care (including legal contraception) and economic opportunity; and
Promoting adoption as an alternative for women facing unwanted pregnancies.


Too often politicians are interested in scoring political points, rather than in reducing the number of abortions. Many of the legislative proposals introduced in the General Assembly, like the ones to require unnecessary building standards for doctor’s offices that perform abortions, are just political grandstanding. They encourage division and lawsuits rather than contributing to the goal of reducing abortions.

So much for supporting a woman's right to choose.

Strongly supports the Second Amendment
Tim Kaine strongly supports the Second Amendment. As the next Governor of Virginia, he will not propose any new gun laws. Instead Tim Kaine will guarantee strict enforcement of our existing criminal laws. He will also expand the use of such enforcement strategies as Project Exile that target criminals who use guns rather than law-abiding gun owners.
Source: Campaign website www.kaine2005.org, “Issues” , Nov 8, 2005

And Annie Oakley has a gun-toting friend.

So Clinton is appealing to Sanders supporters and liberals by pivoting hard right, and floating a "Joe Lieberman" conserva-dem as VP. Wonder if Rahm Emanuel will announce it, telling liberals once again what he thinks of our ideas.

[leftofcool]

30. OMG! Democrats want a Democrat to be our nominee!

[zalinda]

33. You mean like all these people?

All former Republicans who turned Democrat to run for office.

2000 – Scott Heidepriem, South Dakota State Senator
2000 – Dean Johnson, Minnesota State Senator
2002 – Ray Nagin, later Mayor of New Orleans (2002–2010)
2002 – D. G. Anderson, former Hawaii State Senator
2003 – Teresa Heinz Kerry
2005 – Tim Mahoney, later U.S. Representative for Florida (2007–2009)
2006 – James Webb, former United States Secretary of the Navy (1987–1988), later U.S. Senator from Virginia (2007–2013)
2006 – Charles Barkley, former NBA basketball player, in anticipation of running for Governor of Alabama in 2014
2007 – Mike Gabbard, Hawaii State Senator Tulsi's father
2011 – Patrick Murphy, later served as U.S. Representative from Florida (2013–present)

How about Democrat to Republican to Democrat


2003 – Tommy Dickerson, Mississippi State Senator.[108]
2003 – Johnny Ford, Alabama State Representative.[109][110]
2010 – Arlen Specter, U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania (1981–2011)
2010 – Jim Bradford, South Dakota State Representative
2014 – Parker Griffith, former U.S. Representative from Alabama (2009–2011)
2015 – Artur Davis, former U.S. Representative from Alabama (2003–2011)


Grow up. If someone says they are a Democrat the party accepts them, unless they threaten the rise of Hillary.


Z

[silvershadow]

34. Thanks for the reality check! I know that is probably just a partial list,

but it points out the absurdity of so many arguments.

[MisterP]

35. and no matter who wins in Philly there's going to be so much coming out about the DNC

scummy tricks in both September and December 2016--we have to remember that for all the scandals we see so far (from the Victory Fund to the "hack&quot that's just what's leaked out so far; the anticipated admissions and revelations, once the primary and GE are no longer obliging people to stay mum, will be devastating to the party

[silvershadow]

37. And, at the moment that camp has their heads in the sand, pretending it all isn't

going on and talked about right out in the open. As if. This is turing out to be one epic primary so far...and it could be devastating to the whole of the party. You are SO correct in your assessment it hurts.

[MisterP]

40. their attitude's been "if you bring it up, it's YOU causing the problem"

as for the superdelegates and other party honchos, I think they're starting to realize that if they give the nomination to the candidate ruthlessly pressuring them they're going to be sharply punished for letting it get to this point

the DNC's lost 13 Senators and 69 Reps, and while the party's ruling class may be okay with blaming the voters and keeping out the left and indys, they don't want to go down lashed to the ship

[silvershadow]

42. Isn't that the absolute truth?

[elleng]

36. 'Back-channel conversations have already begun between Clinton’s campaign and the DNC

about what role the party will play in the general election. These discussions are happening out of sight for now to avoid the appearance of collusion before the party has formally selected a nominee.'

[silvershadow]

39. Well I already assumed that...it is obvious to me that the entirety of how this was going

to go down was planned in concert, from jump. The euphemism "back-channel" is just that- a meaningless euphemism. They basically just admitted what is really going on, with a little PR/media spin.

[elleng]

41. Right, and PRE-jump,

as she/they twisted arms to garner super-delegates ages ago.

[silvershadow]

43. Yeah, wasn't that a trip? Gathering supers and even announcing it,

SO extraordinarily early, and then becoming the self-appointed presumptuous nominee just galled me. I knew damn well Bernie was cranking up for a run, and they did too. The whole way she played coy and then just suddenly tried to make a preemptive move was just completely transparent to me, anyway. The actual race started long before any of this. They both knew it, honestly...

[emsimon33]

48. Well, as a friend noted, when you can't win on merit...