'We need to elect a Democratic Congress and president' - Bernie Sanders

[Eric J in MN]

"We now have the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party....If we are going to transform America and create a government which works for all and not just the 1 percent we need to elect candidates who will fight for these principles."

"We need to elect a Democratic Congress and president and make certain that the language in the Democratic platform is translated into law. We must ensure that progress for working families in America does not end on the pages of the Democratic platform but becomes reality,” Sanders said.

The Platform Committee...adopted an amendment focused on criminal justice reform which calls for an investigation by the Department of Justice to investigate all shootings involving police officers.

The platform that will be submitted at the Democratic National Convention later this month in Philadelphia also would support Congress putting a price on carbon and methane to discourage continued use of fossil fuels that are causing severe climate change. The platform also says lawmakers must consider the impact on the climate in all federal decisions and invest heavily in wind and solar power rather than natural gas.


https://berniesanders.com/democrats-adopt-progressive-platform-party-history/

[Metric System]

1. "We now have the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party" For emphasis.

[mdbl]

33. I disagree.

It may be the most progressive platform for people born after 1985.

[realmirage]

2. Fake progressives, Trump trolls, and those who like to make their vote completely irrelevant (Stein)

won't be too happy with this article

[Hortensis]

18. Yes, but no matter. He's calling for electing Democrats

and many others still listen to him. Remember the more than 80%. It's not over until the ballet is submitted.

[randome]

3. Well, if it's that important, Mr. Sanders, why not become part of the solution?

Instead of operating on the sidelines with the fake identity of an 'Independent'.

I really don't get it. He votes with the Democrats and he says the Democratic Party is the only solution. But he won't lead by example by joining up, except temporarily for the chance to run for President -which is another admission that Independents can't win.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[Eric J in MN]

8. Sanders' Senate seat used to belong to Jim Jeffords

...who switched to Independent shortly after being re-elected as a Republican.

Maybe Sanders felt that was unfair to voters and so he shouldn't switch party-affiliation mid-term.

I expect Sanders to run as a Democrat in 2018.

[auntpurl]

11. I read here on DU he's already re-registered as an Independent for the Senate

Not sure though.

[Eric J in MN]

13. His filing document for 2018

...says Independent but that could just be a reference to his current status. I think that if the VT Democratic Party nominates him in 2018, he'll accept.

[politicaljunkie41910]

23. He tried to say during his interview with Wolf Blitzer the other day, that you can't even register

with a party affiliation in Vermont but he stopped in his tracks and said that "You can't even register in Vermont..... I always chose the Democratic Ballot." But we know that is not true because the lone Congressional member from Vermont, Peter Welch is a Democrat with a "D" not an "I" and the other Senator is Patrick Leahy, also a Democrat with a "D" not an "I".

[Eric J in MN]

24. There is no party registration in 22 states including Vermont (and Minnesota).

Peter Welch and Patrick Leahy are listed in roll call votes as "D-VT" because they accepted the Democratic nomination when they ran for office. Sanders didn't accept the Democratic nomination the last time he ran for Senate. I predict he will in 2018.

[randome]

16. He's made some conflicting statements regarding that. But you have a valid point.

[hr][font color="blue"][center]A ton of bricks, a ton of feathers, it's still gonna hurt.[/center][/font][hr]

[secondwind]

27. He is a Vermonter.. He is very independent.

[OwlinAZ]

32. Trump supporter?

[TheProgressive]

4. I would add 'progressive' in that sentence...

[secondwind]

28. Yes!

[Native]

5. Glad to see this! I hope he plans on working his ass off to get Dems elected.

Regardless of all the times he's pissed me off, I truly appreciate what he has accomplished this primary season. And I really feel that he has not become irrelevant as many here on DU seem to feel. I've been a Hillary supporter from the very beginning, but I contributed to Bernie's campaign in the beginning because I wanted to see the party move more to the left. I'm glad that it worked, and I'm glad I won't have to vote for Bernie. But I do believe that Bernie can and hopefully will be instrumental in getting the younger voters to the polls to make sure we take back Congress. I really think he can energize his base to do this, and I'm glad Hillary's campaign kept him relevant and made concessions to keep him in the mix. We have a real chance for a sea change, and I firmly believe that with Bernie on our side, we will be more likely to reach our goal. The man may be egotistical (but aren't most politicians) and he may be overly stubborn, but with that stubbornness and energy firmly in Hillary's camp, I think we have a good chance.

Thank you, Bernie!

[Eric J in MN]

9. It's a question of funding.

I don't think he has enough campaign funds to tour America from now to November.

If an organization offers the funding, I think he'll do it.

Such an organization could be the DNC, DSCC, DCCC, or Clinton campaign.

[Native]

12. They'd be crazy not to fund it. I simply can't see that not happening. Hill is too smart for that.

But if they didn't, I know I'd kick in whatever I could scrounge up, and I supported Hillary! If I'd contribute, wouldn't his supporters? This has really got to happen! And one thing I've noticed about Hill's campaign, they don't take anything for granted, and I can't see them NOT taking advantage of whatever Bernie can contribute. Also contrary to popular opinion here, I'm convinced Hillary will have a position for him after all is said and done. Once he's endorsed her and started to work for her election, there will certainly be appreciation (as I'm sure there is already) for what he's brought to the table (besides the baggage), and it will be formally acknowledged. Unity is the name of the game. Hillary recognizes that. Obama reached out to her in '08. She's going to do the same for Bernie.

[white_wolf]

14. What position do you think she'd offer?

I don't think VP is a good fit for him, but possibly Secretary of Labor? Though I'd hate to lose him in the Senate.

[Native]

15. I haven't given it much thought, but I think that would make a great post after he endorses.

And in light of his success with the platform, I have a feeling his endorsement is going to be very genuine and very enthusiastic. Can't wait to see it!

As far as losing him in the Senate, what's to lose? He'd certainly be replaced by a Democrat, and I'm sure they'd be able to find a true progressive to replace him. He has talent, but he has never been known to play well with others or compromise much. A true Dem might be more advantageous, and Bernie's vision might be more instrumental & of more value in a cabinet position. I think Hill could use and would appreciate an opinion that's in her face from time to time.

What do you think would be some good positions for Bernie?

And isn't she creating something to deal with climate change? That would take a true warrior.

[Maru Kitteh]

22. I think the Senate is going to be pretty solid D

He may be offered any number of positions. I trust he'll go where he believes he can do the most good.

And just for the record, even I would send him contributions if those were used in the US to go and campaign for both Hillary and down-ticket Dems.

[pnwmom]

6. Thank you, Bernie! I'm looking forward to Tuesday. n/t

[mcar]

7. I couldn't agree more, Sen Sanders

[Thinkingabout]

10. It has been about electing down ticket Democrats for a long time and the reason

For fund raising for those candidates.

[L. Coyote]

17. Next stop on the Bernie Bus, overthrow the Republican Congress. I told you so long ago.

Real revolutions don't just fold up and go away after the first battle! We have the numbers on our side, we just need to go to the polls in November.

55 districts to flip in a Democratic wave election

[Eric J in MN]

19. Maybe the DCCC should fund a Sanders tour. NT

NT

[Orsino]

26. The movement was here before Sanders was a candidate.

It is the reason he became a candidate.

[Warren DeMontague]

20. He is right, of course.

[Maru Kitteh]

21. Excellent! Does anyone know if Tuesday endorsement has been moved or still on?

The President will be going to Dallas on Tuesday, and I didn't know if perhaps Clinton/Sanders might move the event to keep it from getting buried that news day & allow more complete attention on the President and the tragedies of last week.

I was thinking maybe they would move it to Weds or Thurs?

On the other hand, these kinds of event now happen with such stunning regularity, if we wait till Weds or Thurs we could very well be mourning something entirely new by then.

[NurseJackie]

25. I don't know. It's difficult to predict what may happen. I have my doubts.

[bigwillq]

29. K and R (nt)

[TalkingDog]

30. Too bad that won't happen until at least 2020

Or... will that be 2018? Who knows, I've stopped counting.

[Eric J in MN]

31. We have a good chance of taking back the Senate with this year's elections.

I don't know when we'll have a good chance of taking back the House.