Bernie is running as a Dem because it's the most effective way to work for change

[Ken Burch]

Last edited Tue Mar 15, 2016, 12:52 PM - Edit history (1)

at this crucial moment in history.

The man has never been about "media attention" or ego. He's just trying to help make the country and the world we need.

Why is it so hard to accept that he has no cynical motives in this?

[djean111]

1. Anyone who challenges Hillary is automatically The Enemy.

This is what the Democratic Party has come to - the Hillary Party.

[kcr]

2. Yep. In fact, that's a charge that's easier to level at someone when they run 3rd party.

I don't get smearing him for this. It should be encouraged, especially if we want the party moving to the left.

[rhett o rick]

4. Those doing the smearing don't want the party to move left. They are happy with the pseudo-comfort

of Big Corporations taking good care of them. That's more important than solving any of the problems facing us.

[kcr]

6. I think that's part of it. It's really complicated as usual.

I think a lot of it is the comfort of stick with what you know. Because for so long, we've been presented with the lesser-of-two-evils dilemma thanks to our two party system. When we're finally actually presented with a candidate we can vote for, for some of us it's a thrilling jump at the chance, finally! It's hard to understand why it isn't like that for everyone. For some people I think it's like jumping off a cliff of uncertainty. Is he electable? What if people think he's a communist? What if this country isn't ready?

[rhett o rick]

7. They are comfortable with the status quo and able to ignore those around them

that are suffering. We are currently living in a corporate run Oligarchy and moving toward a fascistic state. The lesser of evils is moving us closer and closer.

[kcr]

10. It was. But Bernie is changing that.

More and more are jumping on board. The demographics are changing. The GOP is imploding. Things are getting better. The change is happening!

[Triana]

3. Politico - smarmy outfit that they are - put up a hit piece

which headlined that Bernie "ran on Dem ticket to get media attention!" -- and LEFT OUT the rest of the context of this story. Predictably. It was all of 2-3 paragraphs.

When he began the campaign, he clearly stated that he did not want to divide the Dem voters and end up with a Republican President: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2015/04/30/bernie_sanders_joins_2016_field_--_as_a_democrat_126448.html

Someone wisely pointed out that there were MULTIPLE reasons he chose to run as a Dem - media exposure being only ONE of them, an important context POLITICO chose to leave out...http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511492969#post11

So yea, hit piece by a slimebag outfit which left most of the story OUT and pushed an incendiary headline. Really, just typical media crap.

[rhett o rick]

5. Politico is a Third Way PoS. nm

[ConsiderThis_2016]

9. I'm sure David Brock has a few friends at politico...

He's a double agent, crooked guy.

[ConsiderThis_2016]

8. Ron Paul (R) TX14, switched from Libertarian party to republican party, for exactly the same reason

Exposure. How many people sell their homes (By Owner) vs using a Realtor? There is no secret to the selfishness of those whom will stop at nothing to retain control... in both parties.

[BernieforPres2016]

11. Funny that the Democratic Party had no trouble with Bernie caucusing with them for 25 years

If memory serves, Bernie created a Democratic majority in the Senate at one point by caucusing with them. But he doesn't know his place, nor does anybody else who would dare to run against Queen Hillary.

[renate]

16. exactly!

This was a practical decision (and a smart one), not a change of heart. The Democrats in the Senate have always been plenty happy to have him on our side, and by running as a Democrat and not a third-party nominee he won't split the general-election vote. The only people who don't automatically benefit from this decision are Hillary and the Republican nominee who would otherwise be guaranteed to win.

[All in it together]

12. Bernie should have media attention that has been lacking.

Donald Trump is running for media attention, it's like free advertisement for him and his companies.
Bernie has important things to say that deserve media attention and has had very little. He's in this race to win and make a difference with us. Running as a Democrat has put barriers up to his advancing his ideas, with DWS and Hillary controlling the party. Bernie didn't want to run in a third party which can split the vote and lead to Republicans winning.

[NCTraveler]

13. You are right on one point.

The Democratic Party is the vehicle for progressive change. It's a great time to be a democrat.

[Ken Burch]

17. It's A vehicle. And it's ONLY a vehicle if we nominate progressive candidates.

It can't be progressive to just say "you have to support the Democratic party unquestioningly and settle for whatever it's leaders will allow in the platform.

If the freedom movement had left it at that in the early Sixties, we'd still HAVE Jim Crow.

We need a progressive president and congress...and we EQUALLY need that president and congress to accept protest and grassroots activism as valid and to encourage the building of a longterm movement for social AND economic justice.

Winning elections is NOT enough.

[kstewart33]

26. So the Democratic Party is his 'vehicle.'

Tell that to the millions of people who have been Democrats for many years, in my case, decades. I'd wager not too many will appreciate their party being used for anyone's individual gain. Here today, gone tomorrow. Very classy, Bernie.

[Ken Burch]

27. Not for "his individual gain"-for the good of the people. n/t.

[NCTraveler]

14. Another kick.

This is huge and I knew the evolution would come. The Democratic Party is the progressives vehicle for change. Thanks for the op. Didn't think my day could get much better. I love this new line of thought from Sanders supporters and it's absolutely correct.

Love it!!!

[Ken Burch]

15. It's only a progressive vehicle for change if we avoid nominating centrists.

(note: this comment is NOT HRC-exclusive).

Centrists elected as Dems always work to limit or stop change.

And I didn't say that the ONLY way to work for change is to elect Dems.

Organizing movements for social and economic justice(causes that are NEVER at odds with each other, if if they are distinct) is equally important.

[kcr]

18. Not true.

Bernie clearly showed that progressive messages work. It would be such a shame to undo all of that and go back to the lesser of two evils song and dance while progressives flail away as 3rd party spoilers. You don't give up. You keep trying.

[Ken Burch]

21. I'm not calling for giving up OR going third-party.

Just saying that electing Democrats is not the only thing we should be doing.

[kcr]

22. I didn't think you were calling for third party

But I think I misread you a bit. I thought you meant that running progressives in the Dem party alone wouldn't be enough if we lost. Even when we lose, it helps move the party to the left. They have to compete.

[Ken Burch]

23. I didn't mean that we shouldn't run progressives. I'm sorry if I somehow conveyed that idea.

My bad for less-than-effective phrasing.

[joshcryer]

19. He's running as a Dem as to not spoil.

He could have easily pulled a Nader but he's a bigger man than that.

[TeeYiYi]

20. Every Bernie thread...

...needs this vid:

Thanks Segami.

TYY

BernieRocks

[anotherproletariat]

24. I am a Hillary supporter, but think that Bernie running in the primary only helped her campaign.

I think people who talk about him running as a Democrat are concerned that he won't be a loyal enough party member to step aside when it is in the best interest of the party. We'll see how it all plays out to see if their concerns are valid.

[kstewart33]

25. Because he's a damn carpetbagger.

How many days after November 3 will it be before Bernie leaves the Democratic Party? He will have used the party for his own interest, he's done, and so he drops out. I give him one week.

Meanwhile, he expects Democrats to vote him in as the leader of our party.

In your dreams, Bernie.