Okay, I just got back from voting in the Michigan primary. I honestly did not know who I was going

[catbyte]

to vote for when I walked in there this morning. I sat there for a second, then went with my heart instead of my head and voted for...


Bernie.


I just don't trust Hillary enough to vote for her in the primary. If she is our nominee, I will vote for her in November, but I haven't trusted her ever since the way she answered a question in one of the debates that really irritated me. It was the one about she being a "political outsider" and she gave some lame rationale that she WAS, in fact, an outsider because she was a woman running for president. Seriously? Give me a break. That one disingenuous answer soured me on her candidacy. Just be honest, Hillary. She is the ultimate insider. Embrace it. Run with it. Just don't think the voters are stupid, and she insulted my intelligence with her answer.

BTW, my precinct was pretty busy. I live in the Grand Rapids area, so most of the people were probably voting in the Republican primary, but it was nice to see a decent turnout.

[Schema Thing]

1. Thank you!

[notadmblnd]

2. I'm going to finish my coffee and then I'm going to get dressed and

run down the street to vote for Bernie also. I don't think Clinton is fooling anyone here in Michigan. We'll know later though.

[artislife]

5. Thank you and thank Catbyte for getting out there

And voting!!

[Lizzie Poppet]

3. My compliments.

[bkkyosemite]

4. What does MI use to vote with machines or?

[navarth]

14. I fed my ballot into a Diebold machine this morning.

I would like to see a readout saying I voted for Bernie. I just don't trust those machines...not since 2000.

[PyaarRevolution]

18. Yeah I've said I doubt the primary results that aren't paper.

Regardless of whether Bernie won or not.

[FrodosPet]

72. They are paper ballots, counted by a machine

You darken the little oval next to the candidate's name.

So there IS a re-countable paper trail, unlike the touch screens.

[elljay]

37. Diebold?

You probably just voted for George Bush! Sorry!

[navarth]

59. that's what I mean.

[merrily]

97. LOL!

[catbyte]

17. I'm not sure about the rest of the state, but in Kent Co. we fill out paper ballots

that we feed into a counting machine. At least there's still a paper trail here.

[Stevepol]

50. The paper trail is useless unless there's a provision for audits.

Beth Clarkson has noted problems with both the LA and OK primaries, that probably indicate that votes were taken away from Bernie and Trump (in LA).

She has written an open letter to Bernie strongly suggesting that he demand an audit of those states where votes are counted on the electronic voting machines and there's paper for an audit or recount. Here is her open letter:

http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=aa64e1b3819716e3e24805728&id=ee5b3be297&e=5b5f1d1a41

And here's her comment on the LA results:

http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=aa64e1b3819716e3e24805728&id=ae68bf61ff&e=5b5f1d1a41

Both MA and MI use opti-scan machines but they have paper for audits. Bernie should by all means demand an audit in those states and if called for a complete recount -- whether he wins or loses in MI.

I'm pretty sure there's nobody among the Bernie campaign upper echelon who is even aware of this possibility and I personally don't think Bernie has a chance in those states where the vote is counted on the voting machines unless it's a very large margin of victory. The voting machine companies have it down to a science by now. If the race is close, the Repubs always win. If it's a blowout, either the Repubs or the Dems win depending on who has the blowout.

[cwydro]

6. I voted early in NC yesterday.

I voted for Hillary.

[Bubzer]

11. And that's relevent to the Michigan primary how?

[retrowire]

31. essentially cwydro is marking their territory

and giving the OP the middle finger because they feel threatened by the OP.

[Bubzer]

44. I'm not surprised. Hillary has all kinds of weaknesses. They have to compensate somehow.

[cwydro]

48. Not at all.

What an odd interpretation.

Project much?

The OP stated how they voted in their primary; I simply stated how I voted in mine.

[retrowire]

57. and what illicited that defensive response from you? lol

I don't necessarily feel the urge to post in pro Hillary threads, "well I'm voting for Bernie" XD

[cwydro]

60. Oh dear, dearie me.

Are Bernie supporters that sensitive that other DUers cannot post in a "Bernie thread?"

This is a discussion board hon; I can post anywhere I want. You should stay in your protected group if you can't handle different points of view.

I welcome a good primary season. Two good candidates will bring out the best for our party. Sorry you don't feel the same.

There, there now. It'll all be over soon.

[retrowire]

61. gr8 b8 m8 but 2 l8 4 teh h8 lol nt

[cwydro]

63. Lol.

I think I learned that in 4th grade.

You have a nice day now. I've got some gardening to get to, and it's a beautiful day here in NC.

[retrowire]

64. You learned the gr8 b8 m8 meme in 4th grade?

Either...

A: You're around 12 years old now.

B: You're lying.

So, I'm either talking to a child or a liar. XD

Did you already vote for Hillary in our beautiful state? Oh you did?

Well me and my family are all voting Bernie on the 15th. <was that statement necessary for me to tell you?

[Juicy_Bellows]

70. To be fair, I learned 80085 in fourth grade. ;)

[retrowire]

71. Well of course. nt

[cwydro]

87. Good lord man.

Chill out.

I'm neither a child nor a liar.

I find it very sad that you have such hate for another Democratic candidate.

How did the job work out with the chicken thing?

[retrowire]

88. i got a job better than that just in the nick of time!

what does our conversation have to do with an assumed hatred of Hillary?

and what does it have to do with my career opportunities?

how was gardening? <now THATS on topic.

[AlbertCat]

46. I voted early in NC yesterday.

I voted early in NC on Thursday. I voted for Sanders.

What's your point?

[cwydro]

49. No point.

The OP stated how they voted.

I stated how I voted.

Not sure why some have a problem with that.

Somehow I think if I posted that I voted for Sanders, I would have received radically different comments.

[monicaangela]

54. Just be glad you're on a thread talking about Bernie

If you were on a Clinton thread your comment would probably be hidden and you would probably be barred from the thread.

[southerncrone]

89. Yes. Like I was 2 days ago. Oh well, closed people never progress.

[monicaangela]

90. Welcome to the club!

It appears our numbers are growing! Excellent!

[Dont call me Shirley]

68. If anyone posted a post in the HC group saying they voted for Bernie they would be instantly banned.

[PonyUp]

74. My vote for Bernie in NC cancelled yours out yesterday. So there.

I saw you posted this in a MICHIGAN thread before I logged in, so I just had to take you off ignore and respond. Back to ignore for you!

[Faux pas]

7. Kicketty Kickin'

[dchill]

8. K&R&Thank You, catbyte!

[Punkingal]

9. Thank you for voting!

And thank you for voting for Bernie, too.

[Baitball Blogger]

10. What a crazy world we live in.

We all know the corrupting power of these corporate donations, the public outrage is increasing to end them, and, yet, if Hillary wins, our country will have voted in a candidate who is beholden to those donations.

[elljay]

38. And watch for her VP selection

I predict she will nominate a Latino who is also beholden to the corporations in an attempt to lock in the Third Way Democrats for the next presidency. They are not going to surrender their power easily.

[Amimnoch]

12. Respect for you and your vote and your involvement in the process.

Of course, by my avatar, I'm in the Hillary camp. I think because she is the insider, and looking at how the next congress is shaping up an insider is more like to gain progress than idealism will she's the better choice for now.

I, for one, will not criticize for your convictions.

[A Simple Game]

21. You are betting the Republicans will accept a woman President, and especially

Hillary, better than they accepted a Black President. Even knowing that they have hated Hillary for decades, and she named Republicans as her number one enemy, you still think she has what it takes to win them over. Interesting.

My thinking is that the only person they would hate more than Hillary would be a Black Muslim Woman as President.

[Plucketeer]

26. HOW MANY years in congress... (right up to this very day)

and Bernie's NOT an "insider"??? Maybe (I) stands for insider. "Insider" to me - suggests someone privvy to things I'm not. We (the people) PAY their salaries. If I'm payin', I've a right to be knowin'. Not trusting to someone else.

Of course, your vote - your choice.

[Snotcicles]

13. Good on you catbyte, you did the right thing. You let your conscience be your guide. nt

[navarth]

15. +1.

[Kip Humphrey]

16. Thank you for voting for Bernie!

[Logical]

19. Thank you! I also do not trust her. Nt

[salinsky]

20. The truth in one tweet ...

"I will vote for her in November,"

[Plucketeer]

22. Even tho I grew up in Michigan

I've been away long enough to know I can't advise you to look to your heart for guidance. I can, however, ask that you look into the heart of this nation. Look into it and see just WHO (of the two to choose from) has selfless ambitions for EVERY SINGLE SOUL within our nation's borders - every one.
Who's worth multiple MILLIONS - who's worth a few hundred thousand - and how do you feel those fortunes might place them in society? If you can answer that last question - objectively - then the candidate to select is easy.

[cantbeserious]

23. Thank You For Sharing This Good News

eom

[Zorra]

24. No matter the outcome of the primary, you'll be glad that you made this wise choice

a year from now.

[blondie58]

25. Awesome!!

I am ready for a Woman President- just not Hillary. She is a Multimillionaire And doesn't understand us little People.

I have Been waiting for Bernie my entire life! He is this generations FDR.
We caucused in CO and Voted him in!

[elljay]

42. I don't have a problem

with her being a multimillionaire, because I would greatly love it if we could all be that fortunate. My problem is with HOW she became a multimillionaire and the way she is portraying that. Taking millions from Wall Street, lobbyists, and multinationals and then insisting that she will not be influenced by the money is laughable. She could easily allay my concerns by releasing her transcripts, but refuses to do so, which is very telling.

Looking forward to voting for Bernie in California!

[Salviati]

27. Sounds like you went with your heart AND your head.

[FailureToCommunicate]

28. Thanks for voting!

And thanks for making up your mind to vote for ideals that we all, as Democrats, should embrace, rather than settling for the status quo and incremental progress (assuming that a Republican congress would allow any more progress under a President they hate as much or more than Obama)

[retrowire]

29. Bernie is a vote from the head you know?

his goals and direction are more pragmatic than people let on

[safeinOhio]

30. The last time I voted in Michigan was 8 years ago. Great to be back..

So, I got up early today and hiked the quarter mile to the poll and voted and then hiked home. Great work out, I can still feel the bern.

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

32. Just got back home after voting for Bernie....

Low turnout here though. I was only number 90. Never before voting in my precint was I that low and I haven't ever missed a vote. Of course my dear wife was number 89.
But then again we had no other things to vote for here.

[dragonfly301]

33. Thank you guys for voting for Bernie!

My primary is not until late April - I want my vote to matter.

[Coincidence]

34. Listen to your heart, Bernie's calling for you. nt

[KansDem]

35. "Listen to your heart, Bernie's calling for you"

[ybbor]

36. I also just voted...

Still feeling the Bern!

I'm hoping the good weather will get the people to the polls. If it does, I feel good for the good senator's chances her in the Great Lakes state.

Very proud to have cast my vote for the best candidate in my lifetime.

[kgnu_fan]

39. Heart has its own wisdom. Follow it. Great report!!!

[ananda]

40. I used my head and voted for Sanders!

My heart follows him too.

[Trust Buster]

41. I'm voting in Ohio next Tuesday and I'm voting Hillary.

[monicaangela]

91. Oh great

I'll be able to compete with your vote...I'm voting for Bernie.

[saidsimplesimon]

43. K&R, Thank you for supporting Senator Sanders.

I was thinking on my way home from the dentist (crowns shot, implants the only option, ugh) about how the vote would go in Michigan.
Fmr. Secty. Clinton's lead, while double digits, can be overcome. If, as Senator Sanders says the turnout is "hhuge" by those voting for the future, not the past.

Grand Rapids has been red since my first memories of Amway, Gov. Romney and Gerald Ford.

[Gamecock Lefty]

45. So you don't trust Hillary yet . . .

you didn’t honestly know who you were going to vote for today until you got to the voting booth???

No disrespect, but I’ll call bunk on that! This appears to me (I could be wrong, though) to be just to be another anti-Hillary thread with a “look at me voting for Bernie” gotcha moment.

But this makes me suspect Bernie even more. You don’t trust Hillary yet couldn’t make a decision on Bernie until the last minute. Hmm . . .

[catbyte]

56. And you would be dead wrong. I haven't really cared for Hillary Clinton since 1991 with her

snotty, condescending, defensive and brittle responses to reporters questions about being FLOTUS. Granted, many of their questions were asinine, but the way she handled them didn't sit well with me. I also didn't care for the way she tried ramming through "her" health care plans back in 1993-94. It was arrogant and condescending. I still suspect her vote to authorize the use of force in Iraq was a political calculation she made to appear like she was tough enough to send our troops to war if she was ever CIC, and was not a passionate response to 9/11 as a Senator from New York. Even I knew by then that Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11--why didn't she? I said I would vote for her in the general if she's the nominee because there is a huge difference between Democrats and Republicans. I merely said that I didn't vote for her in the primary because I question her motives. However, the danger to the planet should a Republican be elected president far outweighs any problems I have with Clinton.

Actually, I don't have to justify my decision-making process to you or to anyone else, and I was not asking for your opinion. So you can take your little anti-Hillary conspiracy theories and stuff them in a sack, dear. Have a nice day.

[karynnj]

62. I see no reason to doubt the OP

I would guess that there might be many people in his/her position. The powers that be, in the party and in the media, have spent the last several years making the case that HRC will be President and that she is uniquely qualified to do. It is true that she has a unique resume. It is also true that the ONLY alternative is Bernie Sanders, a 74 year old independent Senator. Even here in Burlington Vt, I think there were few at his announcement who really thought he had a real chance to actually beat HRC.

But... two things have become apparent. 1) That while their is a large group of people who have been behind HRC from day one, there are many who really would have preferred another choice. Remember this is not the first time that the media and party tried to give her the nomination on a silver platter. In both 2008 and this year, you could describe the decision as a 2 step (one step for many) process - HRC or non HRC, then for the non-HRC, pick a candidate. This year, I would guess that many who preferred NOT HRC, might have had some doubts that Bernie was not main stream enough. Some of those - likely returned to Clinton. Some like the OP, might have been forced to actually chose on election day -- and he went with his heart and gut.

2) Over the last half year, many Democrats - especially as their primary neared, actually listened to more than sound bites from Bernie. They might also have seen why he is the Senator with the highest approval rating - beating the next one, his fellow Senator, Pat Leahy, by a dozen points. What more are seeing is that he is a decent, caring man, willing to actually listen. They also may have realized that his social democratic ideology is one that helped America in a somewhat similar time -- the new deal. Most of what he advocates for is a modern version of that. What has happened as people hear more, is that he becomes more acceptable - even though many are likely surprised that they have come to that position. Either as President would be constrained by Congress - who do you think could better speak to the country to create a grassroots demand that things be done?

What he has had to do is to make many people see that he COULD be a very good President. Any President will have experts for every single subject they need to make decisions on. However, consider that HRC has a huge team of people, who served in other Democratic administrations creating her plans and proposals - yet we have seen so many of her proposals morph to become Bernie lite proposals. Pretty impressive for the challenger. What we know of HRC - look at both her campaigns and her time as SoS - is that she is most comfortable relying on a very small group of advisers that she is comfortable with. Now, I KNOW Burlington mayor is lots smaller, but the reputation is that he opened government encouraging opinions from everyone. This is a personality difference that is not likely to change. I have always thought that a model of a President who is comfortable bringing experts with all different POVs to discuss with him .. and themselves - what decision should be made.

The biggest difference in them as President might be how they would act on foreign policy, where a President has the most unilateral power. Now, I KNOW HRC was SoS. I also know - because she told us - she is more interventionist and hawkish than Obama. Bernie is LESS interventionist, but on ISIS and Syria - 2 of the biggest issues, he is actually more in line with what Obama and Obama's better SoS, than with HRC. For the President, it won't be how many world leaders he/she knows or the facts they can cite off the top of their head, but the vision of how their vision of the world. Having read DU for over a decade, I can say with complete confidence that I am correct, that the majority of this board is against regime change - just like Bernie.

At yesterday's FOX debate, HRC gave a well reasoned answer on Libya, that greatly disturbed me. I actually had believed when they went in it was - as the UN resolution said - to set up a no fly zone to prevent the killing of people in Benghazi. I was stunned when this quickly morphed to the US and our allies becoming the air force of the rebels and the ONLY side flying. I never knew then that there were overtures to negotiate sent out by Ghadafi as things progressed. Her answer, articulate as it was, made me even less happy.

[mylye2222]

67. The powers are planting Hillary' inevitability almost

Almost sincd Bill and her leaved the WH.
First, she was almost given her Senate NY seat.
Second step., it was in 2004 when Clintonistas showed little support of K/E campaign, in order to position her on track for 2008.
Then, after losing to Obama she managed to get Stqte Dept.
As soon as she left her tenure, Inevitability Sang began to be replayed towards now...

The Magic of being part of a Popular Family...

[ChiciB1]

47. THANK YOU SO MUCH! n/t

[wordpix]

51. thank you! All we need is a battle of the billionaires, Trump v. Hillary

She is not the person to stand up to the billionaire$ since she is one herself.

[pat_k]

52. Thank you! (nt)

[Aerows]

53. I voted for Bernie today, too

but in the other M state - Mississippi. He seems to do well with those of us who live in M states! MN, ME, hopefully MI and MS, too!

[druidity33]

75. He was darned close in MA too. nt.

[laruemtt]

55. Thank you!

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

58. You know, if I could give any advice at all to ALL politicians, it would be that.

"Embrace it. Run with it."

I think a lot of voters value that more in a politician than just about anything else. A politician who actually believes what they say, and says what they believe. Who embraces who they are, what life has made of them, and doesn't go around making excuses or trying to pretend they're something they aren't. If every politician did that, I think America would actually see rising voting rates again.

[yellowcanine]

65. Outsider/insider status is way overrated imo.

Sanders certainly can't claim to be an outsider. Sanders has been a congressman and a senator. The worst candidates are actually the outsiders. Think about it. Trump, Carson.....

Claiming to be an outsider because she is a woman doesn't make her dishonest. Just makes her wrong in your eyes - and mine. But I can actually see the point she is getting at, however awkwardly. All of the Presidents have been men. A woman does bring a different perspective.

[MariaThinks]

66. i honestly don't think that someone who doesn't trust hillary would be undecided.

after supporting Bernie all this time, I'm thinking I'll just support Hillary.

[highprincipleswork]

69. BRAVO!

[itsrobert]

73. I am going to vote in CA Primary

I will be voting for Hillary.

Bernie is a one note candidate.

[FighttheFuture]

76. How is voting for Bernie not going with your head, also? He is the smart and human choice!

[catbyte]

80. That was probably the wrong choice of words. Conventional wisdom, perhaps?

[bvar22]

77. I have a question.

You say you really weren't sure who you would vote for until you entered the booth.

My Question:
If you had met Bill Clinton (wearing a Hillary Pin) at the door, and he had shaken your hand, would that have influenced you to vote for Hillary?

[catbyte]

79. No

[notadmblnd]

78. I just got back home this afternoon

I got five other people to vote for Sanders. Three were African Americans. I did not solicit their votes, they called me.

[Motown_Johnny]

81. I voted around 1:00 today, then went back to work.

I was ballot #80 in my precinct so it looks like it may be a pretty good turnout for a primary. There was a steady flow of people in and out of the polling location.


The weather sure was good.

[thereismore]

82. Thank you! Huge! Made my day so far!

[warrprayer]

83. Kick

And rec

[LS_Editor]

84. Thank you.

[YourAMIGO]

85. Alright!!!

Thank you you did good.

[shanti]

86. Thank you! n/t

[JGug1]

92. Bernie, Not Hillary

I know exactly what you mean, catbyte but my disappointment in her comes not so much from not trusting her because I really do believe very strongly that from Whitewater to Benghai to the email nonsense, she has been attacked because the right is so afraid of her. She commented that they were nice to her when she wasn't running.......What disappointed me so much was how ruthlessly she went after Bernie. The fact is that she DID lie when she said that Bernie had voted against the auto bail out. When I saw the original post on DU I commented that he hadn't denied what she said and the truth is that he didn't deny it. Frankly, I think he was floored. Later, today, I found the truth. Sanders voted for the plan Barack Obama originated to bail out the auto companies. that plan was voted down but later it was rolled into the plan to bail out the banks.That was something that Bernie couldn't vote for and he didn't. He didn't oppose saving the auto companies. He opposed bailing out the thugs who caused the horrific recession. I do not think Bernie can catch Hillary Clinton and I hope he doesn't because I think if he is the candidate the Hammer and Sickle will come out That and anything else the right can come up with and it will be far worse than what Hillary did. I don't think he has as good a chance to win as she does. This is going to be the dirtiest campaign in history. She can play with the toughest of them.

[Ken Burch]

93. You will not regret it. Thank you. n/t.

[pacalo]

94. Thank you, catbyte.

[dvan]

95. 2 guys in a bar

So I'm having a beer with two conservative "gentlemen" in a local bar (Austin, Texas)...
They start talking about how "easy it is to vote, and it should be harder to vote. There should be a test you have to pass..."
That wasn't necessarily that shocking (I grew up in Texas, so I know the deal). I just started thinking-- that is probably the prevailing sentiment amongst republicans everywhere, not just here in Texas.
Meanwhile, I'm thinking that it should be a national holiday on voting day.

1 man 1 vote: as long as you vote like us!

[uppityperson]

96. Welcome to DU and I agree, a national voting holiday would be really nice

[John Poet]

98. And aren't you really happy NOW

that you voted for Bernie?

[pablo_marmol]

99. WOOP WOOP WOOP! Great decision!!