2016 Postmortem
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The older, long-time DU community members may recall that a couple of weeks ago, I posted an OP here about how the successes of an insurgent campaign are measured very differently than those of an establishment campaign. Thus, despite the Clinton camps attempts to portray the Democratic primaries as a done deal, the truth is that the Sanders movement was actually in a great position.
After yesterdays results became known, Im confident that those participants in the Sanders revolution who have less experience in insurgencies appreciate the strength of Bernies campaign. Our friends in the Clinton camp may feign happiness with yesterdays results, but thats merely a part of their collective effort to convince themselves that their candidate is inevitable. What is most important today is that the general public is beginning to see the contest between Hillary and Bernie in a very different light.
This morning, I had a medical appointment. My doctor is a liberal, registered member of the republican party. Political anthropologists believe that species is facing extinction, due to climate change within their party. However, there actually are an estimated eight liberal republicans in the United States.
As my strategy at such appointments is to direct attention from my health issues, I use the tried and true tactic of asking, So what do you think about the primaries? Works like a charm.
He said that, for the first time, he can see a route to victory for Bernie. He believes that if Bernie can wing the nomination -- against the wishes of the Democratic establishment -- he would be favored to beat any of the remaining republican candidates. In theory, he said, he thinks Sanders is the best candidate of those running. More, his wife -- who he said is very conservative -- has begun watching the Democratic debates, because she finds Bernie to be interesting. Shes not supporting him, but also will not rule out voting for him in the national election. Yet neither of them would ever, under any circumstances, consider voting for Hillary
.not because she is a woman, not because she is a Democrat, but because they are among a larger group that views Hillary as representative of all that is corrupt in our political system.
This is the process that a strong insurgency takes. Its not a matter of winning each and every primary vote or caucus. Thats the establishments measure. Rather, it is to engage in specific battles, as part of the over-all conflict. The results of those battles changes the manner in which the public views the contest and its process. And as a result of that change, the strength of the Sanders revolution continues to build momentum.
Im off to visit a college in upstate New York, to talk to some student activists about the Sanders revolution. I should be back this evening, to continue this discussion. Im hoping some of the Sanders movement here will respond to a couple of questions:
First, are you feeling confident today? And second, in the context of a non-establishment insurgent campaign, are you ready to rumble? (Tonights debate will definitely be a rumble!)
We are in a great position now. Take time to enjoy it. For what we are taking part in now, at this strange and dangerous time in our nations history, is a campaign unlike any previous campaign in America. A lot of the credit goes to Bernie Sanders. And a lot of it goes to people like you. I thank you for that.
Peace,
H2O Man