The Trouble With Bernie Sanders

[Cali_Democrat]

The trouble with Bernie
BY MICKEY HIRTEN
Oct. 7 2015 11:18 AM

Here's my problem with Bernie Sanders. With few exceptions, I agree with his positions on issues. But I don't like him or his political temperament. He'd be an awful president.

I followed him carefully when I was editor of the Burlington Free Press in Vermont. Sanders was the state's sole congressman, lived in Burlington, and would periodically visit with the newspaper's editors and publisher.

Considering that the Free Press' editorial positions were very liberal, reflecting the nature of a very liberal Vermont community, one might think that meetings with Sanders were cordial, even celebratory.

They weren't. Sanders was always full of himself: pious, self-righteous and utterly humorless. Burdened by the cross of his socialist crusade, he was a scold whose counter-culture moralizing appealed to the state's liberal sensibilities as well as its conservatives, who embraced his gun ownership stance, his defense of individual rights, an antipathy toward big corporations and, generally speaking, his stick-it-to-them approach to politics.

<...>

I'm not alone in my opinions about Sanders. Chris Graf, long-time Associated Press bureau chief in Vermont, in an article published Sept. 30 in Theweek.com, had this to say about the senator.

“Bernie has no social skills, no sense of humor, and he's quick to boil over. He's the most unpolitical person in politics I've ever come across,” Graf said. Others who have covered Sanders agree.

Read more:

http://lansingcitypulse.com/article-12189-The-trouble-with-Bernie.html

[rsmith6621]

1. And Maybe....

....................just maybe! That is the person that America needs. We dont need a polished politician like Obama and Hillary are. We need a true person who speak from the gut for the heart of America.


At least with Bernie we know what to expect. Hillary on the other hand is a Trojan Horse.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. From the article:

<...>
I agree with his positions on issues. But I don't like him or his political temperament. He'd be an awful president.
<...>
Sanders was always full of himself: pious, self-righteous and utterly humorless.
<...>
“Bernie has no social skills, no sense of humor, and he's quick to boil over.

I'm sorry, but I don't want a President with that kind of temperament. The President is someone who has to work with other people. Also keep in mind that the President is the one with the nuclear codes.

Even-keeled is best IMO.

[Fawke Em]

9. So you're voting for O'Malley, then?

Because HRC is certainly NOT even-keeled.

[djean111]

13. I am more worried about Hillary using those codes, in order to prove she is "tough", a Maggie

Thatcher. And I am also worried about someone who would tell a pretty detailed little story about being under sniper fire - ducking, running, not being welcomed by greeters or whatever - when none of that happened, and not only was that particular event sniper-free, but so was her entire trip. Recorded for all to see. I don't want that person answering the phone a 3 am. Seriously, what if she gets confused or "only human" again?

[rsmith6621]

14. Then Vote For Hillary or Trump

And live in constant deception or a clown show. Hillary does not represent my honest best interest. She is changing her position more as the race goes on.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

19. Marco Rubio seems to be an even-keeled sort of idiot. Maybe we should all vote for him instead.

Or maybe we should ignore your daily "blogger sez Bernie's a jerk" posts.

[roguevalley]

90. I would rather have a man with passion and a mission than the

usual sagging bag of shit we have now just about everywhere. So someone's little feewings got hurt on a newspaper. Waa. Give me an old time dem which he is, and that is not only part of his charm but its flummoxing others who never saw one before over, everyone else. A charmer with a forked tongue, someone who is slick and 'nice' ... no. Give me an old time dem with fire, passion, focus. This article does nothing for me.

George Bush and Cheney had codes and nothing in their cankered souls but they spread war everywhere. No thanks. by the way, he's not unstable. "Also keep in mind that the President is the one with the nuclear codes'. You forget, he was the one running who didn't vote for war. Nice try though making him sound unstable.

[Cali_Democrat]

98. You're a DUer I have a lot of respect for

You make sense, but I'm worried about Bernie. Not only when it comes to his ability to win, but I'm not sure he's been properly vetted.

Look, were on the same team. I don't want us to nominate someone who just isn't ready. I know the article I posted will cause consternation, but this has to be done.

If Bernie does win the nomination, I will fight for him against the GOP. But we need to make sure it's all out there before the convention. If he's someone with a quick temper, that's a problem!

[Dustlawyer]

105. Kind of funny, Bernie has reached accross the aisle numerous times and worked with

Republicans, while Hillary is so HATED by them they would never work with her unless it was to pass another Wall Street BJ.

Another baseless attack. Try sticking to issues.

[Anansi1171]

127. To which heart of America are you referring?-nt

[dmosh42]

2. Wow! A terrible thing having a serious person representing us. Maybe he should be joking around,....

looking for bribes and ass-kissers fromhe media? WTF!

[HooptieWagon]

3. Can't find a positive message on Clinton?

I agree, it's pretty hard to post support for her positions when she keeps flip-flopping around. Makes it hard to trust her, even aside from her self-aggrandize get lies like coming under sniper fire in Bosnia. Then of course there's her war-mongering, including her support of dropping cluster bombs on children. And her "difficult and imperial" attitude towards her Secret Service detail. Yea, a grumpy old grandpa who's consistent and honest looks pretty good to me, and millions of others. I can see why Hillary supporters are so desperate.

[jeff47]

10. Well, we are talking about someone who doesn't know about the pic in their own sig.

Obama is brushing off attacks....from Clinton's 2008 campaign. The same sort of attacks they post every single day against Sanders.

So "style over substance" is not exactly surprising.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Why are you folks so obsessed with my sig pic?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=655523

[jeff47]

27. Because your use of it is a perfect example of your style-over-substance leanings. (nt)

[Cali_Democrat]

31. LOL...clearly it's touching a nerve. nt

[jeff47]

35. Nah, I wouldn't be laughing at you if it was. (nt)

[Cali_Democrat]

37. ...

[Fawke Em]

118. Yep. The nerve in my funny bone.

We really think it's Hillaryous.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

5. Opinions vary, now don't they?

[1StrongBlackMan]

48. I know this question will be seen as furthering the attack/smear; but ...

Have you seen any commentary that has described anyone having a positive working relationship with Bernie?

Like it or not, our current system of government and most systems of governance are based in comity and relationships.

[AtomicKitten]

55. This kind of comity we can do without: Bill Clinton conspires with Paul Ryan on Medicare cuts.

TYT weighs in:

[1StrongBlackMan]

59. Agreed ... But what does that have to do with what I posted? n/t

[AtomicKitten]

66. This.

... our current system of government and most systems of governance are based in comity and relationships.

Just saying comity & relationships in Congress aren't necessarily a good thing particularly when it comes to the so-called "entitlements." Birds of a feather and all that. The social safety net used to be sacrosanct among Democrats, but the rise of the Third Way/New Democrats changed that.

[1StrongBlackMan]

68. Psst ... Bill Clinton isn't running for office. n/t

[AtomicKitten]

72. Uh huh. Weird talking to you, as usual <nt>

[LondonReign2]

74. Bill isn't, but Chimpy's "sister-in-law" is

[1StrongBlackMan]

76. Who would that be? n/t

[Time_Lord]

80. Here is your clue.

Chimpy Z. McCokespoon's "sister-in-law"

[Art_from_Ark]

95. Not to mention Henry Kissinger's protege

"We came, we saw, he died" sounds like it came straight out of Henry K.'s playbook for Salvador Allende.

[LondonReign2]

100. That would be...

George W. Bush: Hillary Clinton is like ‘my sister-in-law’

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2014/12/05/george-w-bush-hillary-clinton-is-like-my-sister-in-law/

[1StrongBlackMan]

101. Sorry I asked ... I should have looked and saw who I was asking ...

and just known.

[LondonReign2]

102. Sorry I gave you the answer

I should have looked and seen who I was responding to and just known.

Aren't passive-aggressive put downs so much fun?? And so mature? It sure is fun, when confronted with evidence, to ignore it and simply attack the other person. Seems to be a pattern.

[1StrongBlackMan]

104. Whatever. n/t

[LondonReign2]

106. Sorry about the facts. They would like to apoloigize.

[1StrongBlackMan]

107. Whatever. n/t

[LondonReign2]

108. No really, I'm sorry about reality. How can reality and I make it up to you?

[1StrongBlackMan]

110. Here ... Let's save some time ...

I'm going to respond, "Whatever" to whatever grown up, non-"passive aggressive" sh!t you post. K?

[LondonReign2]

111. And I'll keep posting the facts, and when the facts show you are wrong you can say

"whatever" as much as you'd like.

[1StrongBlackMan]

112. Whatever. n/t

[LondonReign2]

115. Whenever I am confronted with facts I don't like and can't refute,

I find it is best to try to dismiss them by making a personal attack on the poster. Don't you?

[1StrongBlackMan]

116. Whatever. n/t

[LondonReign2]

134. Age appropriate

<a href="http://photobucket.com/images/whatever%20gif" target="_blank"><img src="" border="0" alt="whatever gif photo: whatever.gif"/></a>

[1StrongBlackMan]

135. Whatever. n/t

[ebayfool]

136. That was stunning!

I'm gobsmacked - he just put it right out there and Ryan was not surprised one bit.

Quickly working my way to pissed!

[Rilgin]

56. Lets see

I do not know him personally. However, until the current race, I have never heard a negative public word about his character or personality. Almost universally democratic talking heads, interviewed politicians and commentators have been respectful towards him and have seemed to like him. This is not proof that the current attacks are just attacks but its some evidence.

For more positive evidence that he works with others. He was a co-founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It grew from Six to Seventy Members according to Wikipedia. Thus clearly he is able to work and relate to some others and his association with this caucus did not send others heading for the hills.

[1StrongBlackMan]

62. That doesn't answer my question ...

not saying something bad about someone is not attestation to a positive relationship.

For more positive evidence that he works with others. He was a co-founder of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. It grew from Six to Seventy Members according to Wikipedia. Thus clearly he is able to work and relate to some others and his association with this caucus did not send others heading for the hills.

You mean the Progressive Caucus that only one of its membership has come out to endorse him ... that would suggest that they like his positions but not the delivery.

[Rilgin]

63. It could suggest that

However, none of these have said that they can not work with him or that he does not have good relationships with them.

It also does answer your question. It is not proof but is pretty good evidence that he does not get along badly with others. Till this campaign have you ever heard a negative word about Bernie's character and we do know that he was one of six co-founders of a big caucus and has worked on numerous bills with others. Since even people who know him might not in fact know his inner characer, this is evidence that he at least does not have negative relations with others. I think although not proof (as if such a thing could exist) it addresses the point of your question. Further on the other side, I have seen numerous commentators, pundits, democrats, say for years (all the way up to this election), how much they love Bernie.

My most cynical thoughts are that it is also an actual endorsement of his desire for a better politics. Most of these politicans probably correctly recognise that if they endorse Bernie, Hillary will remember and add to some form of informal black list but if they endorse Bernie, he wont. As politicians they are probably wise to endorse Hillary early.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

64. I find your closing argument to be complete fantasy.

The present climate in Washington is anything but comity or relationships.

It's been that way for a while now so I'm not sure what alternate reality you are visiting us from.

...but welcome nonetheless.

In addition, I would rather have a straight shooter for president, that is percieved by the corrupt establishment as hard-nosed...or principaled in the real world, that a faur weather politician who evolves to suit their, or their corporate backers, own needs.

[1StrongBlackMan]

65. This ...

The present climate in Washington is anything but comity or relationships.

Is my point ... so the answer is NOT introducing another comity/relationship-challenged player.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

73. Bullshit. You can return to your alternate reality any time you wish.

[1StrongBlackMan]

75. Okay. Thank you.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

77. You're welcome. Any time I can point the way for you.

[1StrongBlackMan]

78. If you can really say/think the advances we have seen ...

Since 2008, could have come about without coming and relationships ... then, I don't know what to say, and will happily leave you to your "reality."

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

81. Like the wall street bailout without any real reform?

How about TPP?

Great strides there and all.


Hey, I believe that you dropped these...

[ancianita]

113. No, but he's worked with Ron Paul to pass an "Audit the Fed" thing...I think...

http://pdafund.com/component/k2/item/70-25-things-you-may-not-know-about-bernie-sanders

Bernie Sanders is the only one running who has voted against NAFTA, voted against CAFTA, voted against Permanent Normal Trade Relations status for China...And, of course, he is currently helping lead the fight against Fast Track & against the TPP.

Senator Sanders was one of the very first to respond with a Constitutional Amendment to roll back the awful Citizens United decision by the Roberts Supreme Court.

When you think about it, if Bernie has been the only right vote cast on certain key bills, it stands to reason that he would usually stand alone.

In that sense his past votes prove that he's got vision and guts, which, to me, are more positive leadership qualities than the "working with" rule, which tends to promote hive mindedness around DC. Even if his being "not positive" is a concern, that label should never mean that his relationships are necessarily negative. Working relationships are goal-oriented, and not relationships in the back-slapping sense that many would like.

Perhaps it's all that "comity and relationships" that's the problem with our current government.

[GitRDun]

131. Here is the one discussion I've seen on your question

Discussion of working with Bernie:

His reputation -- reinforced by his firebrand speeches, rumpled suits and Dr. Emmett Brown hair -- is that of an uncompromising ideologue. And he often plays the part. He's been virulently opposed to Trade Promotion Authority for years and has an unbending view of Social Security: it should be expanded, not cut. This past week, he indicated on "Meet The Press" that he'd support a bill reforming the NSA's bulk data collection program, even if he thought it didn't go far enough. Days later, he voted against it.

But those who work with him in Congress see Sanders differently. Miller called him a "realist" whose inability to play coy was refreshing.

"He is very open and honest as he goes through the process," Miller said. "You know where Bernie is coming from."

Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), who helped write the Senate version of the VA reform bill, praised Sanders for having the gumption to drop F-bombs one minute and counteroffers the next.

"Negotiating with Bernie was not a usual experience, because he is very passionate and he and I are both very strong-willed people and we spend a lot of time banging our fists on the table and having the occasional four-letter word," McCain said. "But at the end of the day, Bernie was result-oriented."

Not a bad review of working with him, all in all...

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/04/bernie-sanders-2016_n_7514328.html

[Fawke Em]

6. BTW, Sanders gave Mr. Hirten an honest answer.

He said he didn't feel it was his role.

So, yes, Mr. Hirten, you were badgering him.

He gave you an answer. You just didn't like the answer he gave.

[GitRDun]

132. I think that author has sour grapes

I thought what you posted when I read it....the guy badgered him and he eventually told him f-off.

I think most people are a mixed bag when it comes to working with them.

I don't find these articles helpful about BS or HRC.

[djean111]

7. Why would I care about some editor's personal dislike of Bernie's manner? Enough to switch my

support? Does not compute.

Here is the important thing to me about Bernie - he does not pander. All the things that Stephen Leser said about Hillary, in 2008 - I do not think she has changed one iota. I don't want that for president.

He is not a proponent of a "more muscular foreign policy (otherwise known as our kids' boots on the ground)", he does not want to increase H-1B visas, he does not advocate for fracking, I sincerely doubt he would not want us to stop using cluster bombs. He is not in Wall Street's vest pocket.

I cannot comprehend backing a candidate who is FOR all of that, but (arguably) has more social skills.
If being POTUS was the equivalent of being the Monarch of England, I could this guy's point. But it is not.

So, really, this is simple - don't vote for him. That's all anyone has to do, if they don't like him. Vote for Hillary. But to expect others to change their support just because of someone's personal dislike of Bernie - not going to happen.

[whatchamacallit]

8. Style over substance...

Thanks for tossing another turd into the punch bowl.

[Motown_Johnny]

11. He isn't running for Prom King

Screw the popularity contest. Vote on the issues.

[1StrongBlackMan]

50. The ability to work with others, is not a matter of participating in a popularity contest ...

Have you seen any commentary that has described anyone having a positive working relationship with Bernie?

Like it or not, our current system of government and most systems of governance are based in comity and relationships.

[Motown_Johnny]

69. It is just more BS from Clinton supporters.

Three weeks ago he was being attacked as a "Pacifist".

Ten days ago he was to much of a militarist.

Now he is hard to work with.

Next he will be a push over.



We have not heard any commentary about positive working relationships with Bernie because that is the norm. Only the unusual is news worthy.

[pangaia]

109. I just heard that a lot of people are talking about

Bernie being a pushover.

[JEFF9K]

12. I tried to get a picture of him smiling.

I tried to get a picture of him smiling for a video I was making. Taking pictures off the TV screen during an interview, there wasn't a single smile. The best I could do was a non-angry shot which I Gimped to turn up the corners of his mouth.

[djean111]

17. Try for a screenshot of his interview with Larry Wilmore. Actually laughing!

You must not have tried very heard, methinks. Took me 30 seconds to find it.
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/olhzfp/the-nightly-show-with-larry-wilmore-soul-food-sit-down---bernie-sanders

[deutsey]

47. What a grim, humorless crank

[JEFF9K]

84. My strategy in getting shots for my videos is to watch a TV interview and take pics of the screen.

As it turned out, I got a rather funny shot, although not smiling, that I was able to use.

Here is a link to the video, if you are interested:

[roguevalley]

91. must be running out of slag if his 'lack of social skills' (which belies his

election over and over with what? 71% of the vote) is what is passing for DON'T VOTE FOR HIM! now. when has anyone you know won over and over with that vote? And how can you dispute the phenom he has become? We aren't dumb. We will go with him. Thanks.

[Autumn]

20. Try Google.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Bernie+sanders+pictures+smiling&es_sm=93&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CCgQ7AlqFQoTCNeyxYDwtcgCFUtaiAodJwgBeg&biw=1440&bih=809#tbm=isch&q=Photos+of+Bernie+Sanders+smiling

[ornotna]

22. Guess you didn't try hard enough

https://www.google.com/search?q=bernie+sanders&newwindow=1&biw=1920&bih=1026&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0CAgQ_AUoA2oVChMI0omI2_C1yAIVkDweCh0_jww7#newwindow=1&tbm=isch&q=bernie+sanders+smile

[840high]

82. Maybe he didn't like you.

[ibegurpard]

16. sounds good

[kenfrequed]

18. Nonsense.

This isn't an editorial. It is a list of whining, personalized, pile of insults masquerading as being relevant. It barely event touches on the issues and seems more designed to act like the kind of thing you would find on a useless blog. Throw as much mud as you can and see if anything sticks.

[99Forever]

21. Mickey who?

Like I give a flying fuck what some nobody cheapshot artist "thinks."

[MineralMan]

24. Odd. I feel that way often, too,

as I read DU during primary season.

[99Forever]

26. Strange you would say so.

Have you met Mr Kettle?

[azmom]

23. Don't forget about his

Messy hair. Can't have that. Angry socialist with messy hair. Scary stuff. Be scared, very scared. Oh, I almost forgot he goes tie less a lot of the time. LOL

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

25. Differences of opinion are what make horse races. Mark Twain

And, make primary races that aren't the usual tweedle dum vs tweedle dee a helluva lot more interesting.

[cherokeeprogressive]

28. Y.A.W.N.

[bowens43]

29. blah blah blah

[Capt. Obvious]

30. At the rate you're going

I expect a Geocities link by dinner.

[Myrina]

32. I can think of a few more with "temperaments" like that ...

Abraham Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt come to mind.

[Armstead]

40. Bill Clinton (although he does have charm), LBJ

[roguevalley]

92. yeah. I remember George Stepanopolous who used to get all bill's tirades

was mentioned once as Bill's 'battered wife'. I have never forgotten that remark.

[Android3.14]

33. The problem with Bernie Sanders is he exposes the hypocrisy of Hillary Clinton

[tularetom]

86. Yeah, without even trying

Like Harry Truman, he doesn't give her hell, he just tells the truth and her supporters think its hell.

[Vinca]

34. It sounds like somebody didn't get the story they were looking for.

Bernie has social skills like anyone else and a great sense of humor (he's a regular at a cow milking contest in Brattleboro). I've followed his career - first as a Vermont resident and now from across the river - and met him on a couple of occasions. The only thing I've noticed about Bernie that people may not like is that he will look them in the eye and tell them a hard truth whether they want to hear it or not.

[wendylaroux]

39. Ahhh.. I love him even more

sounds like my whole family

[emulatorloo]

36. Cali-Democrat, this is gossip These stories by disgruntled staffers or pissed off reporters

are meaningless. If you've ever been in a position of authority, you know there is always a handful of people on your team who just don't like you and will misinterpret your every move.

For one thing, I don't know Bernie personally but he is not humorless. I have never seen a politician as able to talk about complex issues in a plain-spoken manner, never pious or self-righteous.

This doesn't help Hillary get the nomination. Nor do the gossipy smears on Hillary help get Bernie the nomination.

[Boomer]

38. Horror!

>> “Bernie has no social skills, no sense of humor, and he's quick to boil over. He's the most unpolitical person in politics I've ever come across,” Graf said. Others who have covered Sanders agree. <<

I can live with this. Trying to schmooze with the Republican party is a distraction and hasn't worked for Obama.

If Bernie becomes the next president, his win sends a warning shot across the bow of both Republicans and Democrats. Start working for the 99% or GTFO.

[wendylaroux]

41. Yes sir!!!! BOOM!!!

[redstateblues]

53. Warning shots? Like "I'll throw a temper tantrum If you don't

pass this law" I'm sure they would be quaking in their boots! The bully pulpit is highly over rated

[WorseBeforeBetter]

87. Why overrated? Because Obama refuses to use it?

Past presidents have used it to great effect. I imagine Bernie would, too.

[roguevalley]

93. the bully pulpit is the only thing that matters but since you probably have

never lived long enough to see a dem do that I can understand your confusion. GO, BERNIE!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

120. Was this meant for #53?

Maybe they haven't lived long enough to see it in action. But they've lived long enough to read a few books or watch a Ken Burns documentary.

[roguevalley]

124. it was drop downs kill me :D

[WorseBeforeBetter]

128. That's a wee bit harsh!

[roguevalley]

133. snicker. Your smilie is adorable. I feel awesome today. My mom

would be 84 today. Hugs to all. Now go hug your mamas.

[enid602]

42. bern

No wonder the repubs snd conservative press have given him a free pass this far. They'll slaughter him if he gets the nomination.

[Cali_Democrat]

43. Yep.

They want to run against Bernie.

[roguevalley]

126. their latest delusion

[ish of the hammer]

44. so for you it's personality over policies?

KIND OF SHALLOW.
but it's America, and even tea baggers get to vote for whatever reason and for who ever they want to.
good enough for me.

[restorefreedom]

45. this crap again?

do we now have to resurrect the thread about Hillary and her temper from former Secret Service agents? Give me a break. Bernie is a practical idealist and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. Good for him. I think he's got the right kind of temperament to cut through all the bullshit and maybe actually get something done to help people in this country, even if the description above is true, and I have my suspicions about that.

[thesquanderer]

46. This post reminds me of another one...

Did you see this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251657896

So okay, they're ostensibly both capable of telling someone to f*ck off.

I'm sure you can find people who will attest to either one of them being pleasant or unpleasant people.

Will anyone really choose a candidate over any of this stuff?

[WorseBeforeBetter]

88. You're on a board where a vocal minority claims to not support Sanders...

because of... wait for it... his supporters. Who the hell knows what other silliness they'll glom onto.

[roguevalley]

94. they decried the source of the hillary fuck you remark but glide

to the pearlie gates with this. No consistency.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

123. That's why so few take them seriously.

And if there's one thing this board does well, it's call out bullshit. A shining example is that vocal minority who absolutely trashed Hillary in 2008 (attacking her character, not criticizing policy). Magically, in 2015, all is forgiven! Who do they think is buying this crap, other than their buddies at their sad little website?

[hifiguy]

49. The issues are the only things that matters to me.

And that is why I support Bernie unreservedly.

[Gothmog]

51. Great article

[BeyondGeography]

52. These are fair criticisms and real impediments if he were ever to make it out of the primaries

but he won't.

[workinclasszero]

54. I wonder if Bernie will lose his temper at the debates

[99Forever]

71. I suggest that you and all Camp Weathervane members...

... hold your breath waiting for that to happen.

[tularetom]

57. Yeah, what kind of politician is he anyway?

Why doesn't he just tell us what we want to hear, in vague terms that he can't get pinned down on, and then after he gets elected he can do whatever the fuck he wants.

That's what everybody else in the presidential race is doing. It's what happened with pretty much every president in the past 30 years. Bernie Sanders should do it too.

[99Forever]

70. ^^^THIS!^^^

In horror of your perfect response:

[840high]

83. +1

[mmonk]

58. And?

[Cali_Democrat]

60. Having a President who is quick to boil over is not a good thing. nt

[dsc]

61. this is absurd

He isn't running for prom king. A case can be made that some people skills are necessary but he doesn't need to be the most well liked human on the planet to be President.

[AgingAmerican]

67. There is no trouble with Bernie Sanders

That is your dilemma.

[peacebird]

79. I want a president who is serious about the issues, and Bernie is best on the issues I care about

I trust him because he has been on these issues for years, whereas Hillary "evolves"

[GoneOffShore]

85. Thanks for your concern.

This is really getting old.

[Armstead]

89. The Trouble is he's running against Clinton

That's his real sin.

If he hadn't chosen to do the he'd be back to being Democrat's favorite "idealist"

[romanic]

96. ...

[IMG][/IMG]

[SunSeeker]

97. K & R

[treestar]

99. Explains why he can't even join a party

Yeah, be above all that, but it won't get you any legislation.

[roguevalley]

125. insert cookie here

[72DejaVu]

103. That Mr. Hirtan doesn't like Bernie is apparently not relevant

However, the fact that Maureen Dowd hates Hilary is something that is of utmost importance for some reason.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

117. Cali_Democrat has put a Hurtin on us all. nt

[WorseBeforeBetter]

121. I haven't paid attention to MoDo in, I'm guessing, a decade.

So, yeah, not of utmost importance... at all.

[72DejaVu]

122. A wise choice

On that, we can agree.

[in_cog_ni_to]

114. From Kelly, the current Director of the VermontProgressive Party and FORMER BERNIE STAFFER:

Her comment from the comments section of this hit piece:

Speaking as the current Director of the Vermont Progressive Party (and former Bernie staffer), Bernie has done a great deal to mentor, support, and bring up other Progressives in state politics over the years. I can't speak to his relationship to our Party in 1991 (because I was 9), but some of the Progressive Party's star players (like Sen. Anthony Pollina, Rep. Chris Pearson, Rep. Susan Davis, Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman & Rep. Diana Gonzalez-- just to name a few) have Bernie to thank for helping them get their start in politics. Perhaps we shouldn't be relying on characterizations of Bernie's temperament from 20 years ago? I don't know about you, but I know I've changed a lot in 20 years too. Bernie has mellowed with age and experience in the public sphere, but what's important is his message and values remain the same.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

119. "He's the most unpolitical person in politics..." Sounds like a helluva good reason to vote for him

[cantbeserious]

129. Ever More Attacks On Bernie And Supporters - So Sad To See Democrats Suckered By These Tactics

eom

[no_hypocrisy]

130. One could have criticized Harry S Truman for the same social deficiencies.

And I think he worked out pretty well.