7000 Sanders Fans Have Signed Up To Run For Public Office, THIS Is What A Revolution Looks Like

[G_j]

http://nbcpolitics.org/7000-sanders-fans-have-signed-up-to-run-for-public-office-this-is-what-a-revolution-looks-like/

Supporters of the progressive presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders, have taken heed to his words and signed up to run for public office. Almost 7,000 people have signed up just 24 hours after the speech Sanders made during a press release that was featured during a segment of Rachel Maddow on Friday.

In that speech, Sanders urged his supporters to take matters into their own hands in regards to the unfair disadvantage Sanders and his supporters feel he has faced during the 2016 election. This disadvantage includes being completely ignored by network media outlets like MSNBC, who cut off Bernie’s Speech just after he began speaking.

Sanders said this to his supporters:

“WE NEED TO START ENGAGING AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL IN AN UNPRECEDENTED WAY. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS HELPED US MAKE POLITICAL HISTORY DURING THIS LAST YEAR. THESE ARE PEOPLE DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF OUR COUNTRY, AND ABOUT THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES. NOW, WE NEED MANY OF THEM TO START RUNNING FOR SCHOOL BOARDS, CITY COUNCILS, COUNTY COMMISSIONS, STATE LEGISLATURES, AND GOVERNORSHIPS. STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS MAKE ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT DECISIONS AND WE CANNOT ALLOW RIGHT-WING REPUBLICANS TO INCREASINGLY CONTROL THEM.”

“I HOPE VERY MUCH THAT MANY OF YOU WATCHING TONIGHT ARE PREPARED TO ENGAGE AT THAT LEVEL. PLEASE GO TO MY WEBSITE AT BERNIESANDERS.COM/WIN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW YOU CAN EFFECTIVELY RUN FOR OFFICE OR GET INVOLVED IN POLITICS AT THE LOCAL OR STATE LEVEL. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT WITH THE ENERGY, AND ENTHUSIASM, OUR CAMPAIGN HAS SHOWN THAT WE CAN WIN SIGNIFICANT NUMBERS OF LOCAL AND STATE ELECTIONS IF PEOPLE ARE PREPARED TO BECOME INVOLVED. I ALSO HOPE THAT PEOPLE WILL GIVE SERIOUS THOUGHT TO RUNNING FOR STATEWIDE OFFICES AND THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS. WE NEED NEW BLOOD IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS, AND YOU ARE THAT NEW BLOOD.”

In just 24 hours, at least 6,700 of Sanders’ supporters have done exactly what he has asked by filling out the form on his website that gets them started in the process of running for various branches of public office. This is the first time in history that a presidential candidate has moved a group of Americans to the point that they would begin political careers simply because a candidate asked them to.

..more...

[arcane1]

1. The success of our democracy depends on engaged, educated, and involved citizens.

[swhisper1]

29. thank you, seems we have triggered the debby-downers down the page. Keep up the enthusisam

arcane1

[Orsino]

42. Yeah. I'll stress again that Sanders didn't start the revolution...

...but he has helped accelerate and publicize it.

[tonyt53]

2. Are they registering with a party or independents?

[votesparks]

35. You would have to ask each one

NM

[Sheepshank]

40. As a Dem, if I dont' recognize the name/platform, and they list "I" next to their name.....

...I would not vote for them.

[whatthehey]

3. That's the idea

And remember it's not just candidates but the thankless drudgery of showing up for party committee meetings that makes a difference. The Tea Party loons essentially remade the Republicans in their own image within a decade by monopolizing the volunteers and committees who chose the candidates.

[arcane1]

4. And they have been busy in local politics for years now, with a good head start.

Time for progressives to catch up!!

[mcar]

5. That's good news

and exactly what this nation needs.

[villager]

6. Surely this can be snarkily dismissed?

Can't have "bottom up" organizing in today's Democratic Party!

[MineralMan]

7. That's excellent. We need more progressives to file for offices at

all levels. If they do so smartly, they won't be competing with popular Democrats who already hold offices, but going after vulnerable Republicans, especially at the local and state level. Trying to primary a Democratic incumbent is almost always a waste of time, but building a solid reputation at a lower level is the key to moving up to House and Senate seats.

There's plenty of room for these new candidates in every state. They'll have my support, as long as they're not trying to unseat someone who is already working toward progressive goals.

[Scootaloo]

8. I fully support running primaries against incumbents

Elected office is not a lifetime appointment, and treating occupied seats as sacrosanct is unhealthy for progressivism. Especially with the mind-crippling idea that progressivism is defined exclusively by party membership.

A popular, strong progressive will probably not be challenged in a primary by other progressives. A faltering or bad progressive will be. A conservative should be.

[MineralMan]

9. Anyone can run against anyone. I don't care if they try

to unseat incumbents, but it's almost always a waste of time. Since I'm involved in district level conventions as a delegate, I see people trying to run against popular legislators all the time. There's always someone challenging, every election. For it to work, there has to be a serious flaw with the incumbent. I'll give you an example from my state senate district:

We elected a Democratic state senator in 2008 to replace one who was retiring. He seemed like a good candidate and got elected. The district DFL convention endorsed him. Sadly, he turned out not to be a friend of labor and voted with the Republicans on most labor-related issues.

So, when he ran again in 2012, he was challenged at the convention by two opponents. We didn't endorse any of them, including the incumbent. Knowing the result of not getting the convention endorsement, he withdrew and the two challengers were in our primary election. The one who won that primary was elected in November. He did both by fielding a serious door-to-door campaign. I was part of that campaign. He's been in office for four years, and got the district convention's overwhelming endorsement this year. He will return to office.

On the other hand, our House representative is a fine progressive woman. Every two years, Democratic challengers appear to run in the primary against her. They lose each time. She's popular in her district, has the support of a strong majority of voters. Running against her is a stupid idea, and won't work. I disagree with her on a couple of issues, but nobody has come forward with the ability to unseat her, and it's unlikely that they will.

No candidate or office-holder is perfect. But, challenging incumbents who have the support of their constituents is a fool's game. It's better to find a different office, especially if you are just starting out in politics, like most of those who responded to Bernie's call are. There's a process. It's not written in stone, but it's a process that plays out over and over again.

[Scootaloo]

10. I already granted that

But, challenging incumbents who have the support of their constituents is a fool's game.

Duh. 'Course the whole point is to convince people that you're the better option. And you can't do that without making the effort.

[MineralMan]

11. OK. I'm just suggesting that these enterprising new politicos

use their brains, rather than their idealism, to choose races to enter. There's lots of disappointment to be found on election day. It's better to win a lower office than lose a big one. Then, you can prove yourself and move up the next time. That's just how it works. The voters are smarter than people think, really, especially in local and state races.

[swhisper1]

14. at this time, the door is open to anti establishment

typically yes, but not this or next cycle

[MineralMan]

21. At this time, it's too late to enter races seriously.

Filing dates have passed already in many jurisdictions, and there's the matter of planning a campaign and lining up volunteers and contributors. Too late this year.

Two years from now, maybe. Start planning now for then. It's never too early, but soon too late.

[swhisper1]

26. no, no , no it is never too late for school boards, mayor, commissioners, governors, community

postings, judgeships, lawyers, it go on and on. Bernie does not start at high offices. The revolution has to start at the basic level. Boards have openings all the time, The cure of our ills start in every home, every school, every library, every Sierra Club meeting, every meeting where there is discussion. Girl scouts, parent/teacher meetings, churches, there is no limit to influencing the apathetic to take a stand. The ignored, the voiceless masses.

You dont understand that your Hillary cannot get legislation thru the congress because they are crooked or afraid, or they too are sheep of the smarter carpetbaggers, manipulators. It has to start from the people, from the teens of today, the parents sick of fighting the system. The empty nesters who have time to run for office, any office, to better their kids future.

To hell with partys and congress. They dont fight for us, we aren't heard. We have to tar and feather them and replace them

[swhisper1]

30. thank you Scoo

[Chathamization]

33. Indeed. We just had three candidates successfully do that here and it will considerably improve

the government in the upcoming session. Trying to unseat an incumbent in a primary is hardly a waste of time.

Now, someone who's just started paying to attention to politics over the last few months probably isn't going to immediately win against entrenched incumbents, but the same is true for their chances of immediately defeating Republicans.

[swhisper1]

13. if the incumbent is a bluedog, run against him . progressives over 3rd-wayers, dont be intimidated

by bad dem incumbants.

[MineralMan]

20. So, which Democratic incumbents are you talking about in your own area?

Who are these "bluedogs?" Give us their states and districts. Tell us who's running against them. Give us specifics so we can act on real information, rather than just broad statements. Thanks.

[swhisper1]

16. alot of '' popular'' dem incumbents are bought----so get rid of them, flush the vermin

[MineralMan]

18. Are they? How do you know that?

I know my own incumbent legislators. They're popular, and none of them are "bought." Al Franken, Amy Klobuchar, Betty McCollum, and my state House member and Senator. I know them. I've talked to them. I've helped get them elected with my time.

So, which ones are "bought?" How about your own legislators? Are they Democrats? Are they "bought," whatever that means?

You're wielding a very broad brush with your statement. Show me some evidence in specific cases, and I'll listen. But please don't lump my representatives into your "bought" group. Name people you think are "bought." People you know. People for whom you can demonstrate the truth of your statement.

That'd be great.

[swhisper1]

25. I did not say all, did I.They do exist within the leadership of both partys and downline as well

and I do blame them for our country 's suffering. If you want to think all or most are valid democrats, and yours are, then believe what you wish. I have lived in many states and each is different, and most had at least one really crooked democrat. I want those rotten apples tossed. I live with reality and fact, not blind loyalty to a party that is in serious trouble with its members. Just because our members are better than Republican members does not make it right to discourage progressives from challanging crooked dems. Maybe you dont realize that is what your posts are saying, but it sure comes across that way

[HarmonyRockets]

12. Just to be clear,

did they sign up to run for office or did they sign up at his website to receive more information?

[swhisper1]

15. if 10% follow through, that is a huge success, and the movement will support their

campaigns

[HarmonyRockets]

24. So 700 of them?

I won't be holding my breath.

[Hiraeth]

41. good.

No one asked you to.

[Tarc]

17. The lessons of the primary still have not been learned

Large rallies did not translate into a large amount of votes. Signing some form saying "I wanna run for something" is completely meaningless unless we know where and what they plan to run in. Perhaps 200 of these people are from the same precinct. Perhaps another 300 are in the reddest of red districts.

This is is silly "look at the big number" reporting, with very little substance.

[lunatica]

19. Just throw cold water on it

What a solution.

[G_j]

22. Perhaps, perhaps..

perhaps you choose to find nothing positive in this, because you don't want to.

[swhisper1]

31. thank you G. I really am fed up with the "can't" people

[forjusticethunders]

32. Both of you are missing the point sigh

Tarc: Just the fact that they're signing up is a positive because it represents energy and engagement, which is something that is always needed.

Everyone else: Energy and engagement is necessary but not sufficient - there's a process and a way to do it, and doing it in the most effective way, in order to channel that energy constructively requires organization to not only maximize successes, but to minimize the impact of inevitable failure. Bernie isn't as bad at it as Trump is, but he's no Obama. Also it's important that said energy and enthusiasm isn't dampened by relatively mild criticism.

[G_j]

38. I think many of us are aware of

what is involved. I'm not sure why you would think otherwise.

[insta8er]

23. Yes we can't...

[swhisper1]

28. Oh my, such negativity. You have not bothered to educate yourself about the revolution

at all. I guess progress must be stopped.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

34. I wish we could stop disparaging Democrats who would like to make a difference.

They won't all follow through--this is known. But some will, and at this site, we support those Democrats who are trying to make positive changes. Join us.

[Tarc]

37. If any of them actually register and run as Democrats, sure

We'll have to wait and see.

[jack_krass]

36. Your concern is noted. Thank.you.

[LongtimeAZDem]

27. I wish them well, but they better have thick skins

We saw a lot of "the other side said mean things" complaints during the primaries. Anyone that sensitive will be eaten alive by a real political race.

[G_j]

39. Somehow,

I don't think these people are the ones you are referring to.

[vintx]

43. I think Bernie's candidacy made it clear

that there is a lot more support for populist policy positions than conventional wisdom previously suggested. It seems to me that this knowledge has given hope to people who were formerly cynical about the possibility of change.

It's great to see so many people have decided to take initiative this way.