so should Sanders invite a few Trump protestors on stage/give them mic?

[zazen]

They've probably already thought of this so I'm not spoiling the surprise, but it seems to me that quietly inviting at least a few of them to come up to the mic and answer questions, and listen to them raving on primetime, might do even more damage to Trump's fascist movement than they realize.

Can you imagine one of those camouflage flag-decorated loons screaming at Bernie while he quietly asks the person a few targeted questions?

He can ask his Secret Service to bring the person a mic and have them ask a question or voice their concerns if the person refuses to come on stage.

[Duckhunter935]

1. Sure

[Funtatlaguy]

2. Why not

Would get some media

[Kip Humphrey]

3. The Don(ald) will never send his supporters to Bernie's rallies because they would leave

FEELING THE BERN!

[zazen]

4. "since Trump is too afraid to debate me we welcome chance to debate with his supporter"

Trump pulled out of a Fox debate with Sanders, since a batterer will always storm out of the room if he's actually going to be held accountable, which is what will happen when Sanders wipes the floor with him.

Sanders has integrity AND he is a tough native Brooklyn street-talker who can verbally undercut another guy with the best of them. He doesn't treat Hillary that way because he's a gentleman and also because Hillary, though IMO corrupt, isn't a raving insult-spewing, hate-filled lunatic.

I hope Sanders responds to Trump's "threat" to send supporters to "BERRRRR-NEEEEE's" rally (notice how Trump is mocking his very name, as if that's answer enough) by saying, "Sure. Evidently Trump is too afraid to discuss his racist positions and pathological lying with me face to face, so if he's got to incite his supporters to do his work for him, then we're happy to initiate a discussion with them on in the issues."

[JFKDem62]

5. No, he should take the high road and not escalate any further.

Trump and his tactics are very dangerous and anyone who gets in the gutter with him is going to
be in trouble. Bernie has the high ground on morality, wisdom and judgment, and should demonstrate it.

[zazen]

7. but they WILL start going to Bernie's rallies. Count on it. What should he do?

I just want us to have a conversation about it.

Trump like any batterer is trying to pick proactively pick a fight with the person he perceives to be a threat.

What should happen if his supporters crash Bernie's rallies and outshout him? What is "the high road" in this case?

[JFKDem62]

12. A conversation about this topic is an extremely good idea, it is critical right now.

Not only for the safety of our young people, but for America, and also for Bernie's campaign.

I am old enough to remember the 60's and make no mistake, this can end very very badly.

Yes we know that Trump wants to take on Bernie for the obvious reason, he sees Bernie as a threat, I agree.

Also Trump likes to make enemies of anyone who does not give him adoration and accolades, then seeks
revenge, which he enjoys immensely. He is a master at manipulating others into the gutter with him, and
it is a win for Trump and a loss for the others (i.e. Rubio).

Not only is Trump a con man, but narcissistic and sadistic.

Bernie needs to sit down with trusted advisers and develop a carefully thought out strategy right now
concerning Trump. Bernie has the maturity, wisdom and moral compass to handle Trump.
And there is no need to reinvent the wheel. He can look at how Obama has comported himself
through out his campaigns and tenure at the WH. Obama is without doubt the most skilled politician of my
lifetime, brilliant, no drama, sophisticated and a master at side stepping manipulations.

[JFKDem62]

19. GOP would love a Trump/Bernie feud. Keeps their boys clean ahead of convention.

They are hoping for a brokered convention and trying to line that up.

[gklagan]

11. um..

IMHO engagement is the high road. ignoring or otherwise excluding folks is a sure fire road to escalation. Its a move that would show real leadership.

[Kittycat]

28. Agreed

Offer them a front row seat, even. Or maybe like the children's nursery at church where they're forced to listen and watch, but no one can hear them (kidding). I agree with engagement in general. Obama has been known to do the same thing to an extent. At least trying to understand what their complaint was and answering it, or telling them how to redirect their anger.

[Kalidurga]

6. I think this would be a great move.

We are not afraid of speech. The outrage over Donald's remarks are not about being outraged over his speech which is terrible. But, his inciting and encouraging violence which his supporters carried out.

[ghostsinthemachine]

8. I thought of that the other day

Give them some kind of metaphorical soapbox. Then tell them thanks and then tell them how they are wrong. Or how on the things there is agreement on, gtell them how Trump is wrong and Bernie is right.

But how do you stage manage that? Sign up in lobby? Screening? Time? Rules?

It would be tough to pull off I think.

[zazen]

10. yeah--you're right. Hard to predict, but I'm sure they're considering this.

I like the idea of inviting some to maybe a planned (slightly) forum where their concerns are heard, he explains his position, etc.

At least doing that once would "show how it's done" and provide a stark contrast to our American junior Mussolini.

They'll still keep disrupting, but at least the first few responses could be civil and direct, and emphasize that Bernie is talking to them in part because Trump is AFRAID to debate him. Bullies hate being called out on their cowardice.

[ghostsinthemachine]

13. Like playing with fire

Could run off the rails pretty quickly. Or any of about a brazillion other metaphors.

[noretreatnosurrender]

29. Cooling the Fire

No, like fighting a fire with water not more fire.

[RoccoR5955]

9. I think that if tRump supporters came to a Bernie rally

and actually listened, they would be converted!

[agracie]

15. They are not coming to listen.

[agracie]

14. No. Just no. That would only add to the media circus.

[zazen]

16. _when_ Trump supporters disrupt Bernie's next rally, what should he do?

It's not if, but when.

Will they be escorted out and arrested?

What should Bernie's approach be?

[RoccoR5955]

17. Tell them to sit down and listen.

Then they will be converted to Bernie supporters.

[HereSince1628]

18. First, tell them they are welcome if they aren't disruptive, 2nd repeat that

If they continue to be disruptive,

third, ask them to leave

[winter is coming]

21. +1. Give them a warning, and then escort them from the premises.

There's no need to arrest them unless they break the law.

[agracie]

22. Let security handle it.

[agracie]

23. That's a whopper of a favor. What's in it for Trump ?

[truegrit44]

25. very interesting theory n/t

[warrprayer]

27. Perfect Post

You have nailed it.

[noretreatnosurrender]

26. Yes

I said the same thing in two other threads.

One of my comments:

I posted in another thread like this that I think when they do come, and they will, that Bernie should bring them up to the microphone and let them talk. He can then have a dialogue with them. Even if they are totally belligerent and won't have a dialogue it will clearly show how Bernie wants to unite people not divide them. He'll have an opportunity to show fanning the flames of bigotry and encouraging mob violence are not what true leaders do in America and that he is the alternative to the Trump hate that is consuming the Republican party. There will be plenty of anti-establishment Republicans who will be swayed by this because a lot of them aren't comfortable with Trump but they don't like the Republican establishment either.

[winter is coming]

34. What happens when they refuse to leave the stage?

Assuming the Secret Service would even let them up there in the first place.

What happens when one of them tries to attack Bernie?

[noretreatnosurrender]

35. Good to think about all possibilities

You are right to think about that.

There is plenty of security if someone refuses to leave after having been given an opportunity to speak. As someone else said you can also take a mic to the protester. They don't necessarily have to be on stage. The point is give them a chance to talk. What they do with that opportunity is on them. I trust Bernie to have the right instincts on what to do and if the campaign decides to do this I trust that they will think about all of the possibilities like you are trying to do.

[dana_b]

32. No. They are welcome to attend and listen

just like we are. If they have a PEACEFUL protest like the college students did the other day, I'll bet that Bernie would understand that. But people don't go to a Bernie rally to listen to pro Trump propaganda. No.

Like you said, they would scream and act like loons.

[merrily]

33. No.