2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: I'm under 45 and he can count me OUT of this 'revolution' [View all]calimary
(81,220 posts)Not only that there was no endorsement, but he barely mentioned her, except to say he'd had a meeting with her and that they disagreed on some things but agreed on other things. Period. That was IT. No acknowledgement that she won, no even begrudging congratulations, which would have added a really classy note to his speech. There was no conciliatory reach-out to those of us in the Hillary camp who also worked hard and volunteered and donated and voted (because if he REALLY wants a political revolution that moves the massive numbers of voters needed to force meaningful change, he is going to need us Hillary people whether he wants to admit that or not). And yes I realize it was billed as a speech specifically to his supporters, which also meant it was not inclusive nor was it intended to be.
Bernie Sanders could be the ultimate leader in unifying our party behind the REAL goal ahead - which is keeping the White House in Democratic hands. But he doesn't seem interested in that. Fact is, we DO have to unite. But I didn't feel as though he was speaking to someone like me, at all. And forgive me, but his speech tonight did sound an awful lot like all his other speeches throughout the campaign, with the familiar litany of complaints about everything gone wrong.
The problem, objectively as of now, is that the clock is ticking on the amount of leverage he can wield as a Senator, and as leader of this political revolution he still envisions. The longer he holds out, the more it will begin to reinforce what Barney Frank warned awhile back - that Bernie isn't a team player. The longer he holds out, the more he risks looking like he's simply in denial at best, or a sore loser at worst. The longer he holds out, the greater likelihood that he'll start building a reputation for poor-sportsmanship. That will squander whatever clout he's earned in all this time, and frustrate whatever changes he wants to see implemented. It shouldn't be his fate to wind up looking like a fool, but I'm afraid that's where he seems bent on heading. He's spent a LOT of years in politics and public service. This shouldn't be how his career ends.
What bothered me most was the follow-up report featuring the small gathering of Bernie supporters for a watch party in a diner here in L.A. Two young women were interviewed. They both in all seriousness told the reporter they were still holding out hope that Bernie would be the nominee. I don't think it's right to keep supporters' hopes up like that, when the door is closed, Hillary has steadily gained in important endorsements including those from some of Bernie's own super delegates, and there's NOT likely to be any indictment or other intervention to take her out of action. Hell, the FBI hasn't even called to talk to her in all this time. You'd think if there was something afoot in that department, that there's been enough investigation time to have them swarming her by now.
I was hoping for better from him. Perhaps we'll see that part of him in a few more days?