What Bernie Sanders needs to learn from Jesse Jackson

[mia]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/mar/21/bernie-sanders-learn-jesse-jackson-joy-reid

Despite being routed in the latest round of primaries, the Bernie Sanders campaign insists it will continue all the way to the Democratic national convention in July. Still, the long odds, and the greater than 300-pledged-delegate gap separating him from frontrunner Hillary Clinton, suggests the campaign would be wise to begin thinking about its endgame; something President Obama apparently alluded to in a private meeting with donors....

For five years his distance from the funders, the managers, the mediators and the consultants who manipulate the Democratic party and legitimize its candidates has allowed Jackson to do unimaginable things and say unspeakable words – about race, about class, about equality and, indeed, about democracy. To an extent that may be unique in presidential elections in this century, he derives his power from the people.

Similarly, Sanders is running against the political establishment and calling for a fundamental restructuring of the social compact; grounded by premium-free healthcare and free public college, funded by steep tax hikes on the rich and across-the-board surcharges and fueled by what he’s calling a “political revolution”. In many ways, Sanders is the Jesse Jackson of young, mostly white, liberals, just as Jackson appealed to a young, mostly black left....

But platform changes could be within reach; perhaps on a $15-an-hour minimum wage (v Clinton’s graduated, “$12-to-$15-an hour over time” approach), stricter Wall Street reform, or a fundamental rethinking of free trade. Sanders’ ideas on taxes, healthcare and breaking up the big banks would likely be a tougher sell, but particularly if his campaign ends on a high note, without fatally damaging Clinton’s prospects in November, Bernie Sanders will be in a position to see his ideas gain a foothold Philadelphia.

[brooklynite]

1. In all seriousness, what is the value of the Platform?

It's a relic of decades ago; no candidate pays attention to it if it's inconsistent with their own policy positions, and no voter reads it to make a choice between political parties.

[Kip Humphrey]

2. There is no doubt that Hillary will ignore the party platform. Bill did.

[brooklynite]

3. as did President Obama, Michael Dukakis, Walter Mondale, President Carter...

[Bluenorthwest]

4. Of course you know how the Platform is created and you know that

the Platform serves as a starting place for minority issues seeking majority attention. An example would be the time Howard Dean was saying the Party was opposed to marriage equality and I said 'Mr Chairman, your own Party Platform has a plank supporting marriage equality' to which he said 'no it doesn't' but there is an actual Platform and he had to admit he was wrong.

It also serves as a record of the time and a tracking of our progress. At this link, for example, Americans can read the Democratic Party Platform of the year 1940, with World War looming and fascism rising....
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=29597

[mia]

6. Thanks for the link.

I attended the 2004 Democratic Party platform committee meeting in Miami Beach. I worked the registration table and was free most of the time to attend the events. It was a very interesting experience, but I don't pretend to know about the inner workings of the decision making process.

[mia]

7. So Obama didn't pay attention to the 2008 Platform?

RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE

Preamble

We come together at a defining moment in the history of our nation – the nation that led the 20th Century, built a thriving middle class, defeated fascism and communism, and provided bountiful opportunity to many. We Democrats have a special commitment to this promise of America. We believe that every American, whatever their background or station in life, should have the chance to get a good education, to work at a good job with good wages, to raise and provide for a family, to live in safe surroundings, and to retire with dignity and security. We believe that quality and affordable health care is a basic right. We believe that each succeeding generation should have the opportunity, through hard work, service and sacrifice, to enjoy a brighter future than the last.

But today, we are at a crossroads. As we meet, we are in the sixth year of a two-front war. Our economy is struggling. Our planet is in peril.

A great nation now demands that its leaders abandon the politics of partisan division and find creative solutions to promote the common good. A people that prizes candor, accountability, and fairness insists that a government of the people must level with them and champion the interests of all American families. A land of historic resourcefulness has lost its patience with elected officials who have failed to lead.

It is time for a change. We can do better.

And so, Democrats – through the most open platform process in history – are reaching out today to Republicans, Independents, and all Americans who hunger for a new direction a reason to hope. Today, at a defining moment in our history, the Democratic Party resolves to renew America's promise.

Over the past eight years, our nation's leaders have failed us. Sometimes they invited calamity, rushing us into an ill-considered war in Iraq. But other times, when calamity arrived in the form of hurricanes or financial storms, they sat back, doing too little too late, and too poorly. The list of failures of this Administration is historic.

The American Dream is at risk. Incomes are down and foreclosures are up. Millions of our fellow citizens have no health insurance while families working longer hours are pressed for time to care for their children and aging parents. Gas and home heating costs are squeezing seniors and working families alike. We are less secure and less respected in the world. After September 11, we could have built the foundation for a new American century, but instead we instigated an unnecessary war in Iraq before finishing a necessary war in Afghanistan. Careless policies, inept stewardship and the broken politics of this Administration have taken their toll on our economy, our security and our reputation....

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=78283
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=78283

[CalvinballPro]

5. That all sounds like a job for Congress. Without Congress, you get nothing. Retake Congress.

Congress. CongressCongressCongress.

CONGRESS.

Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress
Congress

Clear enough yet?

[cosmicone]

8. Sanders will be another footnote to the list of "also ran" n/t

[Land Shark]

9. Thanks