Sanders on Clinton endorsement: 'We are not there at this moment'

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/07/bernie-sanders-clinton-endorsement-225019

While Vice President Joe Biden on Thursday recounted a conversation with Bernie Sanders in which he said the Vermont senator would endorse Hillary Clinton, Sanders himself declared later in the evening that he is "not there at this moment."

"Oh, I've talked to Bernie, Bernie's going to endorse her, this is going to work out," the vice president told NPR's Weekend Edition in an interview Thursday. "The Democrats are coalescing even before this occurs."

That conversation, Sanders told MSNBC's Chris Hayes, happened "I think it was three weeks ago."

"Look, on that issue, we are trying to work with Secretary Clinton's campaign on areas that we can agree on, where the people who supported me, we got about 12, 13 million votes, and what they want to see, whether it is on … moving toward making public colleges and universities tuition-free, or moving aggressively in terms of health care and moving toward a universal health care system, significantly expanding primary health care, those are the issues that we're working with Secretary Clinton on now and I hope we can be successful," Sanders explained.

Sanders reiterated that he will "do everything that I can to defeat Donald Trump" for "a variety of reasons."

"Number one, he's a pathological liar. That's not a good quality to have in a president," Sanders said. "Number two, he wants to give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the top two-tenths of one percent by repealing the estate tax. He thinks that climate change is a hoax. And most importantly, we cannot have a president who goes around insulting Mexicans, Latinos, Muslims, women and African-Americans. That's outrageous. So I'm going to do everything that I can to see that Donald Trump is defeated."

Asked whether doing "everything I can" would entail going to rallies and campaigning for Clinton like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sanders responded that his focus is on shaping the platform ahead of the full committee meeting next weekend in Orlando, Florida.

"We are working, as we speak, we are working with the Clinton campaign, trying to be able to come forward and say to my supporters out there, you know what, here's the progress that we have made," he said. "So I hope we can reach that goal. We are not there at this moment."

[tonyt53]

1. NPR has an interview with Biden on this weekend. Excerpts were played this morning.

Sanders was asked about Biden's statement, and Sanders said that Hillary has to adopt his positions first.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

2. Yeah this article is about the interview Sanders gave...

Unlike what some were saying here last night when it happened live, he did say that his conversation with Biden happened. So clearly Sanders intends to endorse once he has fought for the values of his supporters into the platform and he won't endorse a moment sooner.

[tonyt53]

102. Ain't gonna happen.

[JTFrog]

3. He is working hard to make himself irrelevant. nt

[metroins]

5. Pretty sure that already happened

(I agree with you)

Hillary brought out Warren, got people fired up, shifted a lot of people's views. Trump got crazier and then the Brexit actually happened.

The only people not endorsing Hillary by now are naderites.

Bernie Sanders is irrelevant and if/when he endorses, it will be forgotten within a matter of hours. He really missed his chance to enact a change and let Warren be a bigger person while diminishing himself.

He just doesn't matter.

[Cali_Democrat]

32. Yep. Warren made sure of that. nt

[SidDithers]

8. That happened when Warren jumped in with both feet...nt

Sid

[seabeyond]

12. Personally, I think it happened prior to Warren. Warren just made it that much more glaringly

Obvious.

I think after the blow out in Dc and him not immediately standing up was the blow.

[Cal33]

9. I think he is working hard to make sure that the next Democratic president will not be one

who will continue to maintain the status quo, but will definitely make changes so many
millions of the American people have been waiting for -- and for so long. He is spelling
out exactly what the American people are clamoring for. Examples: $15 minimum wage,
free tuition at public universities and colleges, moving forward towards universal health
care...etc...

Are the above irrelevant matters to you? They are of the utmost importance to the vast
majority of Americans.

[randome]

13. He is not 'working' toward anything right now.

These are important matters, no one is disputing that. He had his say. Others disagreed with him on how the platform should be worded. Politics is about working together as part of a team. When you're over-ruled, you don't ignore everyone else and go on about your way. Well, you can, but you're not going to get any further and you will, in fact, be ignored.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[seabeyond]

14. Over rules more than once, and from different avenues. Nt

[Cal33]

20. Yes. He is working hard to make sure that there will be no continuation of the status quo. Is

this so hard for you to see?

[seabeyond]

21. And the majority disagree with Sanders regardless how you try to preface

Last edited Fri Jul 1, 2016, 12:24 PM - Edit history (2)

the argument.

[randome]

23. He does not get to dictate anything to the DNC.

He made his case and because of his success during the Primary, he made some progress. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by further petulance. Is this so hard for you to see?
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[annavictorious]

55. 24 years in Congress cast perfectly as the crazy uncle.

Sanders is the status quo.

I hope that the Democrat Dr. Dean runs against him for senate.

[Cal33]

68. The majority of the American people are for Sanders. Politicians are politicians, and

most people are sick and tired of them and the status quo they advocate. That's why
both Dems. and Repubs. have been leaving their respective parties by the millions in
recent years. The last I read, Independents make up 43%, Democrats 30%, and
Republicans 26%. And the quitting rate is continuing to grow.

When the Independents reach 50+%, I just wonder in which way the political scene is
going to turn. Change there will be!

[kerry-is-my-prez]

91. Used to be for him but he's messing things up for the Dem Party and helping Trump. The race is

too close to be screwing around fighting about a platform - something that is not even enforceable. If Bernie is really serious about change, then do it when it counts - when it comes to congressional races and bills in congress. He's blown a lot of his influence.

[Cal33]

96. As far as the General Election is concerned, Trump is beyond help. Nobody can help him, least

Last edited Sat Jul 2, 2016, 03:32 PM - Edit history (1)

of all, himself. The people who are for him are types like the Tea Partiers, and similar nuts. Trump
has no chance of winning.

Sanders is trying to extract as many concessions as possible, all for the benefit of the
American Middle Classes and the Poor. You don't see that? He is fighting against the status quo.

[seabeyond]

92. No, the majority of the American people are not for sanders. He lost. How do you come up with that

statement? The majority went for Clinton, then I do not know who came in next, Trump or Sanders.

[Cal33]

97. That was for the Primaries. We are now talking about the General Election,

where everybody will be allowed to vote. Sanders has been the front runner, and has
always been ahead of all candidates - both Republicans and Democrats - since the
summer of 2015. You didn't know this? Just look up the old polls.

[seabeyond]

98. Ah. I do not count the chickens before they hatch. It isn't productive and often not correct.

[qazplm]

59. sure ok he's trying to do that

point of some folks is, he ain't goin about it in a very good or effective way.

[Cal33]

71. The politicians don't think so, but the majority of the people do. That is why he

is the only one with a positive favorability rating. Does this make sense to you?

It's about time that politicians learned to listen to the people for a change. They
are supposed to serve us - not the other way around!

[LongtimeAZDem]

4. His endorsement is largely irrelevant at this point (nt)

[99th_Monkey]

36. If Sanders' endorsement is so "irrelevant", why are Hillary supporters being so surly about it?

If it was so irrelevant, it would be more like "Meh" with none of the nasty hostility.

[JudyM]

39. He's only conditionally irrelevant. Depends which of the 2 prongs is under discussion at the moment.

1 prong: "he lost," ergo nothing he says, does or wants is of any import
2nd prong: he is duty-bound to "heel" precisely tailoring his steps to "the party's" best interests (as defined by...hmm). Failure to heel proves that he is actually not a dem. but an egomaniac.

[99th_Monkey]

51. Very well said JudyM. Very well said.

did I mention your post is very well said?

[JudyM]

63. Ha, yes. Yes you did. Thank you but I wish it weren't the truth.

[LongtimeAZDem]

41. Because he could have been relevant, if he had shown some class. Its just sad. (nt)

[99th_Monkey]

43. I agree Bernie could have been relevant

if the M$M had given him 1/2 the coverage they gave Trump, but they didn't;
and he's doing exactly what he needs to do to advance his policies as far as
possible.

He needs to be able to look his supporters in the eye when he endorses, because
he's got integrity and wants to give a convincing endorsement when he gives it.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

46. Beautiful Post...

The exact truth!

[99th_Monkey]

48. Thanks GeorgiaPeanuts.

[brush]

77. He coulda been a contender. He coulda been somebody.

[Lazy Daisy]

60. And the continued press

of is he or isn't he. If Bernie were irrelevant people wouldn't jump into thread after thread to announce he is. If Bernie were irrelevant we wouldn't see it questioned daily.

The fact that people still feel the need to push back shows he is doing a good job.

When people walk away from somebody they don't announce it, they don't still talk about the person, they don't push back. They just don't care and they walk away. That's not what's happening here.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

93. The people on DU and other progressive or liberal wonks are the only ones who care at this point.

Mainly, a lot of us here are disappointed in him, some are angry because we expected better from him. I think he is acting irrationally and selfishly. We thought he was going to be more of a help to the Dem Party. I truly expected much more of him and that's what sticks in my craw.

[NCTraveler]

6. Elizabeth Warren filled his shoes.

He really played his hand poorly. He cannot fill Warrens shoes in the same manner she fills his. EW was/is the prize. She was even the first choice of almost all Sanders supporters.

[Cal33]

15. I think Bernie ran only after it became sure that Elizabeth was not running. Furthermore,

if Elizabeth did run, Bernie would have been supporting her 100%.

I was one of those supporting Elizabeth before I switched to Bernie.
To me, their political points of view are so very similar. They are
both working for the benefit of ALL the American people. Any
differences between them are irrelevant.

[randome]

16. But they're working separately instead of together.

Sanders seems to have always gone it alone and that's why he had exactly one endorsement from the Senate. It wasn't Warren.

Warren is a smarter Sanders.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[99th_Monkey]

49. Bernie & Elizabeth seem to "get" one another just fine, and are strong allies

yet strategically it's sometimes awkward for them to be any more transparently
"in league" .. because their bond is already too self-evident.

Bernie's candidacy -- her declining to make an endorsement -- is just such a case.

[still_one]

7. Sanders was on Chris Hayes, and did not deny VP Joe Biden's claim that he would endorse

the presumptive democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton.

In fact, during that interview, Bernie expressed respect and admiration for Hillary.

I believe that Joe let the cat out of the bag, and the report was correct, Bernie did tell Biden he would endorse Hillary, and I think he will.

[seabeyond]

10. I no longer want his endorsement. I think now, his endorsement hurts, literally will hurt Clinton.

I would like for Clinton to say publicly that she is good with Sanders never endorsing..... She is good with where things are, and the strength in where she stands.

[99th_Monkey]

40. You can't really believe that.

Or if you do, you yourself are in a distinctly tiny minority ... speaking of
irrelevant.

Sanders rocked the national establishment's boat, big-time, and if he'd
gotten 1/2 the coverage in M$M that Trump did, he would have beat Hillary.

That fact is not lost on most observers. Because Bernie has integrity, he
needs to be able to look his supporters in the eye, to say convincingly that
he supports Hillary's nomination. He's doing his best to get as close to that
goal as possible.

What is so difficult to understand about that?

[seabeyond]

44. I do believe it. Sanders has made his endorsement toxic and insulting. Which is just wrong.

Why would anyone do that.

[99th_Monkey]

45. Why would anyone be such a sore winner?

.. as to begrudge Bernie his just due?

[seabeyond]

50. Sanders is not the one due.

[99th_Monkey]

54. So much for Intra-party collegiality.

Look, Hillary and Bernie BOTH conspired to make history with their highly spirited and competitive
Primary race, a race that could easily and graceful end finally at the convention in Philly, where (by
definition) is WHEN the actual Democratic Nominee is selected. ...Not after the last
state's primary.

And certainly not when petulant Hillary supporters loudly demand it; because they've been demanding
that ever since Bernie announced.

When looked at from this perspective, one wonders who is jeopardizing Democratic unity and harmony,
and who isn't.

On Edit: Case in point: the TPP. When campaigning Hillary said she now opposed it. Is it so unreasonable
to allow Bernie to get that in the Dem Platform .. based on Hillary's own latest public statements?

[seabeyond]

57. I made my point in my first post. Reiterated my point in the second post.

Sanders endorsement has become more of a harm than worth, IMO.

[Lord Magus]

67. Yes it is unreasonable.

It's unreasonable to think that the Democratic Party platform would contain an anti-Obama plank, which is what Bernie's TPP proposal would be. It's also unreasonable to insist that Hillary's victory doesn't really count until the convention.

[Lord Magus]

65. I find it offensive the way you keep minimizing Hillary's victory.

With your declaration that Bernie would've so "obviously" beat her if only the media had helped him out a little. (As if the media didn't provide him with plenty of help via their relentlessly negative coverage of Hillary.)

And where's the integrity in retroactively placing conditions on his support of the nominee? Where's the integrity in refusing to even concede that Hillary won at all? That last bit is what has truly offended me about Bernie's conduct after the primary voting ended. Why is it like pulling teeth just to get him to congratulate his opponent on her historic victory?

[Orsino]

11. Everybody is so hungry for that sound bite that they keep asking a question he's already answered.

Sanders has said his campaign for the nomination ends in Philly. We can read between the lines. Let's calm the fuck down.

[99th_Monkey]

80. Really.

Especially the calm the fuck down part.

Apparently some feel compelled to continue their non-stop insults and attacks on Bernie ..
and for doing what exactly? For doing exactly what he said he's doing from the beginning,
i.e. to fight for every last vote and delegate and to take that fight to Philly via the platform
committee.

[MaggieD]

17. He's irrelevant now

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

18. Doesn't appear to be that way to me

And his 45% of the Primary electorate would and will continue to say otherwise I am sure. Bernie ain't going away, he will continue to lead his movement he has built nationally.

[lunamagica]

24. Sorry, but most of those Sanders voters have already switched to Hillary

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

25. What does that have to do with my comment?

Sanders supporters still support the movement he has built, which includes voting for Clinton just as Sanders himself has said he will do.

edit: Do you think his movement is about creating a spite vote to ruin Hillary's election chance? His movement is about pushing a progressive platform and agenda through government.

[lunamagica]

30. It sounded to me like you said that 45% of Sanders voters were his leverage to get what he wants

But most of the people have moved on, without his endorsement. He has no leverage, and no power to impose his platform to her.

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

33. I am saying he has 45% of the pledged delegates and he intends to fight...

...for a progressive platform on the floor of the convention, if necessary.

[MaggieD]

28. LOL - may I inject some reality?

We have the most liberal nominee in your lifetime. Bonus - she has a history of effectiveness and she knows how to kick republican ass because she has been doing it for a very long time.

The only difference between their platforms and policy positions is that hers are more realistic and without the insults and no compromise style anger added.

Bernie IS going away as you will soon see. He could have had more leverage, but he blew it. He refused his seat at the table because it wasn't the HEAD of the table. Clinton and Warren will be taking up the mantle and Bernie will be nothing more than a footnote (which is sad for him - but of his own doing).

[lancer78]

35. The most liberal nominee in our lifetimes?

Don't make me laugh.

[MaggieD]

69. Absolutely

And McGovern? Puhleese. He wasn't so much liberal as just pathetic.

[lancer78]

79. He is still

considered the most liberal nominee ever. I doubt he would say "We came, we saw, he died".

[MaggieD]

87. He also couldn't bust enough chops...

.... To accomplish much or get elected president. I want a liberal who can kick ass and not just tilt at windmills.

[John Poet]

58. Some of us were alive back in 1972...

so NO, Hillary is not "the most liberal nominee" of our lifetimes.

[mcar]

73. +1000!

[Cal33]

22. Some of you people who are on the side of the winners of the Democratic Primaries, seem to

be continuing to rub it in that they have won. This is the wrong way of unifying the Democrats.
It would be wise to stop it.

[LongtimeAZDem]

26. Oh, give it a rest

Sanders supporters are happy to keep saying, "you can't win without us!"

Both sides are doing it, both sides will keep doing it, and finger-pointing is just childish, IMO.

[Cal33]

27. OKay. I'm all for both sides stopping it.

[LongtimeAZDem]

31. Nobody is going to stop; each side will find some post that lets them say "they won't quit it!"

Just deal with it. Seriously.

Otherwise, it just sounds like kids squabbling in the back seat.

[MaggieD]

29. Honestly I would have NOTHING to say about it if.....

We didn't have to keep hearing from Bernie supporters about his demands and how much she needs him. Silly. His peeps need to give it a rest.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

94. Yep. He's acting like a diva.

[99th_Monkey]

42. If Bernie is so "irrelevant", why does anyone give a flying fuck whether he endorses or not?

This whole "Bernie is now irrelevant" meme is very tiresome.

[bvf]

61. Lots of truth there. n/t

[MaggieD]

70. I think most of us don't give a "flying fuck" at this point

At least this is what I see IRL, on FB, and among other discussion groups I frequent. Hence, the judgment that he has become irrelevant.

[99th_Monkey]

81. You've failed to answer the simple question: If you don't give a "flying fuck" then ..

why do you clearly have your panties in a bunch about what Bernie does or says.

Still waiting ...

[MaggieD]

88. I enjoy my candidate winning....

And I'm not opposed to letting you know why she won and he didn't IF you're going to keep insisting we pretend he won when he lost.

Does that clear it up for you?

Also, I'm quoting you about the "flying fuck" part. That's why I put it in quotes. Those are your words - not mine.

[99th_Monkey]

89. No one is asking you to "pretend Bernie won". That's ridiculous on its face.

I (and others) are asking that Bernie be given some respect for the historic campaign
he waged, against all the odds, against all conventional wisdom ... by any metric, it was
a phenomenal campaign that nearly succeeded in securing him the nomination.

Plus, any honest observer would admit that he started out behind, as Hillary had been
campaigning for years when he announced, securing mega-donors and Super Delegates
way ahead of the normal curve. Bernie was playing catch-up from the get-go, and things
were trending in his direction, which just didn't happen quite fast enough to over come
Hillary.

Bernie has earned his place at the convention, not as the "winner" but as a formidable
opponent who nearly won.

Is that so difficult for you to understand? Really?

[MaggieD]

90. That's how I see these kind of posts

Especially since they seem to be pretty much completely revisionist history.

Also, Bernie didn't "nearly win" - he lost by a very large margin in a two person race.

[uponit7771]

75. Cause he's not keeping his word in doing "everything" to make sure tRump loses

[99th_Monkey]

82. Bernie will kiss Hillary's ring when he's damned good and ready to

All these unseemly "demands" that he do it on their time-table are disrespectful of
his campaign and his delegates and his millions of supporters.

[uponit7771]

85. Keeping his word = "kiss her ring"!? Really?! Come on man, that's not called for...

.. and he lost the primary.

Tell me this, how do you think people look at someone who loses like he did (badly) in the long run?

[99th_Monkey]

86. Bernie is fighting the good fight, and is far from being "irrelevant"

He has said from day fucking one, that he's going to fight for every vote (ok that's done),
and every delegate (that's done too, unless something unforeseen happens) and for his
policies to be included in the platform (that's still in play as we speak).

Being patient and respectful about how/when Bernie concedes will actually help things
move along more harmoniously and smoothly than petulant "demands" and insults.

[seabeyond]

95. Sanders is dissing ALL Democrats, Clinton and taking credit where not due. That doesn't get respect

[99th_Monkey]

99. Some will never give Bernie respect, even when it's fully earned.

Some have never respected Bernie, and never will, regardless of how he comports himself.
Some cannot even continence their candidate "winning" with any graciousness or style.

Nope. The arrogance and nastiness is non-stop, and apparently knows no bounds.

[seabeyond]

100. It is your opinion he earned that respect, and others disagree with you.

[brooklynite]

19. ...and when it comes to the Convention, he won't be "there" either...

...other than his seat in the Vermont Delegation and his hotel room at the Wyndham Garden Airport.

[David__77]

34. I don't think that will happen.

I think that Sanders will enthusiastically endorse Clinton and he will speak. I certainly could be wrong!

I don't think the optics of Sanders on the floor of the convention with his ~1800 sign-waving delegates would be very good.

[Jester Messiah]

37. He's happy to dis-endorse Trump.

That's about as far as it goes, and it isn't difficult to deduce why.

[ericson00]

38. Sour grapes. Now is the time for all good Democrats to come to the aid of the Party

and endorse Hillary. The end.

[Politicalboi]

52. Good

July 25th has NOT arrived yet. Tomorrow may put us another place.

[MFM008]

53. Hope he enjoys the speaking slot

Right before the gavel comes down after midnight.

[Lil Missy]

56. Please don't Bernie. We wouldn't want you to hurt yourself. n/t

[Bill USA]

62. I said some weeks ago that I wondered if BS was going to go Nader on us... not necessarily meaning a

campaign as an independent but just indulging in a ego-trip at the expense of the Democratic party ... and possibly the country.

Looks like he's going to do what I was afraid he would. It may not matter though. HRC is gaining strength daily.

[musicblind]

64. I think "we are not there at this moment" is a good thing

because I think that his endorsement will have a much greater effect if he saves it for right after the Republican convention.

The Republican convention always gives their nominee a boost in the polls. Imagine if the Monday after, Sanders announces an enthusiastic endorsement of Hillary Clinton. It would take the wind out of their sails for a full news week and it would set up the democratic convention nicely.

I think he is being strategic, much like Warren was. Warren timed her endorsement to come right after Trump got his nomination clinching boost. I think Sanders will time his endorsement accordingly. Either right after the republican convention or during the Democratic national convention.

Just my opinion.

[okasha]

72. I think the announcement that the FBI

has found no evidence of wrongdoing is being saved to squelch the Republican convention.

I also think that may be what B. Clinton and the AG really talked about on the tarmac.

[onecaliberal]

83. Sanders will endorse when the platform moves left to protect

Working people, poor, children, elderly, students, veterans. Not before or until then.

[SidDithers]

66. Does anyone think that if the situation were reversed...

And Bernie had, by some miracle, won more pledged delegates, and had over 500 endorsements from unpledged delegates, Clinton would be withholding her endorsement?

I certainly don't.

Sid

[uponit7771]

76. +1, she didn't... she quickly endorsed Obama

[bettyellen]

103. I think she would be openly mocked.

[bravenak]

74. That's cool. EDUB's endorsement is way way more important

Most of us do not give a care if he ever endorses Hillary. At all. Not a big deal. Means nada, nothing, zip, zero, insignificant in the general, we will beat trump with the army we have not the army we wanted. If certain sections of the primary electorate want to let Trump win then we will make up for it with other voters and endorsements.
At this point I am expecting endorsements to come in from Republicans and that will help us defeat Trump. Those endorsements will be critical in moving moderates and sane Republicans away from Trump and towards Hillary. I think many Republicans for Hillary will remain Democrats after the GE.

With Elizabeth Warren, Obama, the true democratic base, anti kkk republicans, etc, I think we will win handily without his endorsement. My only fear is that it will make his movement stagnate and kill off all hope of a resurge of the left when the party gets flooded with Republicans against Trump.
I think this holding out of an endorsement makes moderates and middle road republicans more important in the general than they need to be ever.

[RandySF]

78. Everyone just walk away

And let him work this out of his system.

[99th_Monkey]

84. +100 ... thank you.

that is a very wise and respectful sentiment, which gives me some hope that others
will listen and allow Sanders to handle this transition in partnership with Clinton
with some breathing room and some dignity.

[chillfactor]

101. well....

just when is "this moment" going to come?