It's good that Joe Rogan endorsed Bernie. Now we have to organize.

[DanTex]

Really good article by Michael Brooks and Ben Burgis. Not familiar with Burgis, but I am with Michael Brooks, who is fantastic. Lots of good stuff but I'll quote the paragraphs that get to the heart of the "controversy". Boldface is added.

https://www.jacobinmag.com/2020/01/its-good-that-joe-rogan-endorsed-bernie-now-we-have-to-organize

...
Joe Rogan has some views on trans issues that anyone on the Left should oppose. Unfortunately, at least half the country holds similar views. The issue isn’t whether Bernie Sanders should compromise with such positions. As a matter of principle, he can’t and shouldn’t do that. The question is whether the best way to build a movement that appeals to rather than alienating the tens of millions of Americans who have reactionary views on at least some issues is to moralistically condemn them for those views or whether it’s to welcome them in an open and compassionate way while continuing to educate them, and while sticking to our own principles.

As a matter of real-world power, it’s also worth noting that the person Rogan said he is probably going to vote for is the most pro-trans candidate in the race. Sanders was a pioneer in the support of trans rights and he hasn’t changed course. Despite the ideological flaws Rogan has on these questions, the material meaning of his announced intention to vote for Sanders is that he plans to help empower a candidate who wants medical transitions to be paid for by the only insurance program that will continue to exist after the enactment of Medicare for All.

Anyone who’s serious about changing the world has to think hard about what compromises they might be willing to make in order to achieve power. This issue has preoccupied organizers for as long as struggles for justice have existed. It’s one thing for people operating in good faith to disagree with each other about those questions. It’s quite another to denounce Sanders for “touting” an endorsement which required no such compromises.

Sanders supporter Mark Pocan, one of the few openly LGBT members of Congress, put this point particularly sharply in his remarks about the controversy. He said, “I usually find that you win elections when more people support you.”
...

[dubyadiprecession]

1. Is joe Rogan a force to be reckoned with?

Where does the leave Susan Sarandon in the Berniesphere?

[brooklynite]

2. It would be helpful to put a Jacobin cite at the start of the OP so we some of us can save time.

[DanTex]

4. Thanks, done. I didn't think about people reading on phones or whatever.

[booley]

3. This seems to be the consensus among many who dont' really care for Joe Rogan

Morally...

Tactically...

Apparently, some trans people who really dislike rogan think this is a good thing

There's a common thread. Sanders didn't descend to meet Rogan halfway. Rogan went to Sanders.

[LanternWaste]

5. The only common thread is the consistent rationalizations

that Rogan's endorsement is something other than what it is.

I get it... it's a bad look and a hard stink to get rid of. But accepting the reality of the situation is a fine first step in doing so.

Good luck!