Prediction: Bernie concedes tonight

[morningfog]

I predict he will concede the race to Hillary and give a rousing and gracious speech. He'll have some 45% of the delegates at the convention, he will continue to have influence on the party. He will take it to the republicans and trump.

In my opinion, tonight would be the point to maximize his popularity and influence. I would have advised him to stay in until now and I would advise him to concede tonight with the last big night of voting.

He's run a great campaign, but far from flawless. I still think he and his team were surprised at how well received his message is. He has served the party well and we are fortunate that he joined the Dems for this run.

[Vattel]

1. I don't think he was well-prepared to counter the Clinton campaigns lies and distortions.

[morningfog]

3. Agreed.

[NurseJackie]

7. A successful candidate (and President) would have been prepared for anything.

[Vattel]

10. I agree, he should have been prepared

[Fast Walker 52]

14. it's not his style. His message about policies was his campaign, which is why we loved him

[Vattel]

21. I see you rpoint, but being able to counteract Clinton's sleaziness wouldn't have required

him to be sleazy too. He just needed to be more effective in exposing the distortions for what they were. To be fair, though, because the MSM was constantly pushing the Clinton campaign's narratives, Bernie had an uphill climb.

[anigbrowl]

72. True, but a President's job is also to run things nt

[Fast Walker 52]

73. yep, and in that sense, he wasn't quite ready for the job

*sigh*

[tex-wyo-dem]

24. A successful candidate wouldn't have done something as stupid as...

Have a private off-the-grid email server that could still destroy her campaign and bring the whole Dem party down with her.

Her hubris and incredibly bad judgement are terrible qualities for a president.

[grossproffit]

12. Yet, Clinton was prepared for his campaigns lies and distortions.

[BobbyDrake]

18. Biggest lie of 2016 Dem primary: Bernie Sanders, "We want to run a positive campaign..."

"...on the issues." *Runs a negative campaign based on speech transcripts, guilt-by-association, and misread Washington Post headlines*

[LonePirate]

52. Try again. She barely acknowledged his existence in the campaign except in debates.

Clinton won the campaign based on a far superior ground game and campaign organization. She got out the vote which is something Bernie did not do. Bernie did not lose it due to her attacks against him, which were few and far between.

[Vattel]

76. She won for a lot of reasons. She and her campaign and her surrogates and supporters

did plenty of attacking. You may have missed it if you weren't paying attention.

[Duval]

54. He's an honest man, and likely didn't imagine the nastiness.

[msongs]

67. could you share some of the lies and distortions for us? nt

[Vattel]

75. I could, but if you aren't aware of any by now, then you are beyond reach.

Cue snide reply about your not being surprised I can't back up what I said.

[NWCorona]

2. Nope

[CrowCityDem]

4. Since CA doesn't close until 11 in the East...

and we won't have a call until early in the morning, I don't see it happening. Bernie will wait until he can give a speech the whole country will be watching. Doing it in the middle of the night in the major news market would be trying to bury it.

[WI_DEM]

5. No, I don't think he will tonight. He will eventually

and probably prior to the convention.

[NCTraveler]

6. There is a good chance his clout will begin to deminish after this evening.

He has amassed an impressive amount of clout and needs to wield it wisely. That is why I believe he has been doing what he has for the last month. He fully knows how political clout works and that it can be here today and gone tomorrow.

[calguy]

41. In case you didn't notice,

his "clout" ended quite some time ago. Hillary hasn't even mentioned his name in her speeches for weeks now. The rest of the party has moved on to GE mode. Bernie's clout is about as strong as a flea biting an elephant's ass.

[NCTraveler]

49. I strongly disagree with that. nt.

[geek tragedy]

8. I think he'll wait a day or two, tonight will be about thanking his supporters

and giving them reason to be hopeful and remain engaged.

Conceding for Hillary can wait a 24 hour news cycle or two.

[Democrats Ascendant]

42. I think this is right...

..and also fair to his supporters. I'd honestly feel betrayed if he did such a quick turn around on me. I think he'll wait till Friday or Monday, or so.

[dana_b]

9. No way

After the media and some Supers basically calling the race - that isn't democracy! That's an oligarchy. And Bernie will not stand behind it. No way. If he DID cave tonight, I would feel so angry and betrayed.

I think some of you don't quite "get" Bernie sometimes. This isn't about the Democrats and protecting the status quo. This is about the American people --all of us. It's not even about his position in the party. He's the guy who stands and rants for hours to an empty congress. He doesn't have to do it but he does, for us.

[morningfog]

13. The voting will end tonight. And HIllary will have secured a majority of the pledged delegates

based on the voters. Democracy would be going with the candidate who received the most votes. Flipping by relying on supers would be undemocratic.

[dana_b]

33. Undemocratic?! Are you SERIOUSLY trying to make that case??

Nvm - I have nothing in common with you.

[morningfog]

59. You think that super delegates having any say is democratic? Really?

[Puglover]

77. I do.

I'm from fucking Minnesota which if you are not aware went for Bernie in a big way.

Klobuchar and Franken of course for Clinton. I suppose however that is just super duper democratic in your book.

[one_voice]

35. This...

Democracy would be going with the candidate who received the most votes. Flipping by relying on supers would be undemocratic.

is what keeps going through my mind. That is the bottom line. At least that's what makes sense to me.

[KingCharlemagne]

84. I hope he runs third party. Between Reagan Dems defecting to the Trumpenfuhrer and his 45%

staying with him, he might actually win.

Of course, he's too decent to do this, since he generally keeps his word.

[Fast Walker 52]

11. I would echo that... continuing after tonight (unless it is HUGE night for him)

is counter-productive and he's better than that

[Txbluedog]

15. Not tonight...

I think he needs to wait until the Cali results are clear, I don't much like him but he deserves to be able to speak when a majority of the country is awake and can hear his message first hand.

[cynatnite]

16. I think Hillary would need to win hands down in California...

If it's close and she wins, I'm not convinced he'll do it tonight. Maybe this week...at least I hope.

If she wins by 5 points or more, the chances of it happening tonight are better than average, IMO.

If he wins...well, it'll go to the convention despite the fact that she'll be the presumptive nominee no matter what.

Either way, I hope when he eventually concedes, it's done with honor, dignity and ends with him supporting her in the general.

[DCBob]

17. I think it will be tomorrow in Vermont.

Probably mid-late afternoon so west coast can watch/hear it as well.

[Maru Kitteh]

69. Most people do go home to make these announcements.

You're probably right, but I wouldn't be shocked to see it tonight.

He wouldn't have to drag the media around and deal with people camped out at his house. He never seemed to enjoy it much and I think he's totally OVER all of that kind of attention now.

[peggysue2]

19. My hope as well

Here's hoping your prediction is correct. If not tonight then tomorrow, Democrats will see the beginning of a healing, as well as hear the acknowledgement that the primary season is over after a hard and spirited race.

And now we fight, together.

[Robbins]

23. Nope

There is no healing.time for dems who supported bernie to leave.No place for us.

Bill CLinton,DWS,and dvaid brock for starters would all have to go away for any healing.not going to happen.

who is left in democratic party who didn't push progressives under bus to support corporist neocon CLinton.and clintons don't want
us in party.they made that clear.

there is no fighting with clintons.they only care about themselves and top 1%

[tex-wyo-dem]

28. +1

[Duval]

56. +2

[calguy]

44. OK then

just don't let the door hit you in the a$$.
It was nice not knowing you.

[RoccoR5955]

20. Bernie shall not concede until Philly!

Mark my words.

[Demsrule86]

57. Sure he will

There is no path...the supers sent Bernie a message yesterday...we don't care if you win California...we are with her. She won by all measures.

[laserhaas]

22. I wouldnt hold my breath

If I were you

[k8conant]

25. I think Bernie must stay in the race until the convention votes;

there is no reason to leave before it's over.

Besides, the AP may be sitting on more "news" about the candidates.

[pdsimdars]

26. Man are you ever out of touch. What utter nonsense. Are you visiting Disney World?

[desmiller]

27. Jesus, morningfog. Talk about lack of faith.

[Hiraeth]

29. drank the kool-aid, they did.

[LibDemAlways]

30. There will be no rousing speeches by Bernie in favor of Hillary

Clinton -- ever. If the DNC even lets him speak at the convention -big if - he will tell his supporters to make up their own minds and then go back to fighting the good fight in the Senate. It would be extremely disappointing to his supporters and very uncharacteristic of him to exhibit any enthusiasm for a neocon who opposes so many of the principles he stands for.

And, no, he will not concede anything tonight, except perhaps that the DNC and media are so low as to unsuccessfully try to suppress the vote. Shameful.

[tonyt53]

32. He will then expose himself for what he is, all for Bernie or not at all.

[rateyes]

31. I think you haven't been paying attention. It is

Going to be a contested convention.

[dana_b]

37. this person is in denial and thinks

that this was a democratic election. Head in the sand.

[valerief]

34. Welcome to my Forever Ignored Club for not knowing a thing about Bernie. nt

[dana_b]

38. +1

[LibDemAlways]

40. I fear that my ignored list is about to crash the site.

Between the obnoxious gloaters and paid trolls it numbers in the hundreds. On a thread last night with close to 100 posts, I could only see about 10.

[valerief]

43. Mine must be over 500 now. I haven't counted recently. I think a lot of us

are fed up with paid posters.

[Lizzie Poppet]

51. c. 325 here

Too lazy to do a full count any more... =P

[JoePhilly]

45. Sanders supporters now attacking each other.

[valerief]

47. Really?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12512136396

[TwilightZone]

58. I know that this may come as a shock, but some people actually appreciate *both* of our candidates.

It is possible to be a Sanders supporter and still agree that Hillary Clinton being the nominee of a major party is an accomplishment. In the real world, there are plenty of them.

It is also possible for Clinton supporters to approve of what Sanders has brought to the discussion, particularly early in the campaign. Count me as one of them.

[morningfog]

60. Yes. Really. I guess you don't do nuance and critical thought. Your problem not mine.

[Demsrule86]

36. I think he might too. nt

[Maru Kitteh]

39. Tonight or tomorrow. I'm VERY glad he was in this race. I like a fair number of

his agenda items and believe he will do the most obvious, honerable things to advance his ideas and contributions. We're all better off working together to achieve those goals.

[beachbum bob]

46. i sure hope he goes out in a classy manner

otherwise he will be remembered as the "sore loser"....and diminish his influence for sure

[Jester Messiah]

48. I have a prediction too.

Trump will be the first candidate in history to receive a post-convention bounce from his opponent's nomination.

[Lizzie Poppet]

50. To sum up his reason to stay a declared candidate in three letters:

F.B.I.

[morningfog]

62. There is that. But, his delegates are pledged and he could still be nominated.

[arely staircase]

53. I have no doubt he will energetically campaign for the ticket. The sooner the better. nt

[Fly by night]

55. Prediction -- sun sets in the east this evening.

[Orsino]

61. He's already promised to campaign all the way to Philly.

He has repeated that promise, and said no matter what.

He has gotten to name some of the platform committe, but I think he's fighting for much more than that. Conceding would be a very conventional thing to do, but his is not a conventional campaign.

The point of continuing to the convention would be to win more concessions to a progressive agenda. Some would say that he would only enrage the Establishment candidate thereby, but I think we're in uncharted territory with a diehard progressive and a presumptive nominee who isn't a six-year-old. I think it's going to go on, and it will baffle people accustomed to the same old Democrats we've seen in the modern era.

[marions ghost]

64. I hope you're right

Carry on to the convention, Bernie!

[bigwillq]

63. Not sure about tonight but he will soon (nt)

[herding cats]

65. Not tonight.

He won't do it tonight, it would be glaringly unfair to his supporters.

He'll give his supporters his appreciation tonight for their work and for being a part of the process. He'll encourage them to keep fighting for what they believe to be the right things, and he'll encourage them by saying he's not giving up on his fight for what he believes to be right.

In a few more days after that, I won't be surprised to see him concede, suspend his campaign, and begin working toward getting his supporters to the polls in November. But, that won't happen tonight.

[ancianita]

66. Probably. He'll need time to prepare a powerful convention speech to help Hill unite party voters.

Everything you say is true.

It was a great campaign that gave national attention and respect to progressive goals.

The party and its leaders should be grateful to him for expanding its brand, and hopefully, its work.

[pdsimdars]

68. Exactly, no Hillary supporter needs to wast their time voting today. She already has enough

delegates to get the nomination. There is no reason to take the time voting. Why do it? She already has it. It just wastes your time to vote. Get a bottle of wine and celebrate.

[gollygee]

70. I agree with absolutely everything you've written here.

He's done a great job - not perfect, but great overall. He's certainly done much better than anyone expected, and if he'd done a few things differently he might have won. But it's over and it isn't helping him or anyone to drag things out. If he keeps goin when it's obvious it's over, he's going to lose supporters and influence.

[brooklynite]

71. Not a chance...

...You give a positive speech for your fans, and then go home to "reassess"

[eastwestdem]

74. I don't think he can. He pledged to let everyone vote. The earliest he could conceed and still

be considered a man of his word is next Tuesday.

[warrprayer]

78. ...

[MyNameGoesHere]

79. Nope tomorrow in Vermont where he started.

And it will be Glorious!

[restorefreedom]

80. not a snowball's chance. nt

[beachbumbob]

81. If he doesn't...proves beyond shadow of doubt the man has no class

[democrattotheend]

83. So I guess Hillary has no class either

Considering she not only waited 4 days after the 2008 primaries were over to concede, but also had a long conversation with John McCain the night Obama locked up the nomination and spent the 4 days lobbying superdelegates to see if she had a chance at winning if she took it to the convention. Oh yeah, and gave a speech the night of the last primary that sounded more like a victory speech.

[democrattotheend]

82. If so, he'd be a lot more gracious than Hillary

Who waited 4 days to concede and delivered what sounded more like a victory speech the night of the last primaries.

That said, I agree with you, and I am glad to see I am not the only Bernie supporter who feels this way. I want him to go out on a high note, not become relegated to a Kucinich-like footnote.

[FSogol]

85. You are correct, tonight or tomorrow. Kudos to Sanders for pushing the issues further

left.

[CreekDog]

86. So much for that

[CobaltBlue]

87. morningfog—I have this to say…

You were wrong.

[Sheepshank]

88. There appears to be a bit of a melt down with the op today

Transparency page is not pretty.

[pdsimdars]

89. Oops! Fantasy usually doesn't fare too well in reality.

[JesterCS]

90. Whoops :) n/t