2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Ultimately, the media rigged the election [View all]Yurovsky
(2,064 posts)I had a problem with HRC's emails, the possibility of shady dealings between the State Department and the Clinton Foundation, her connections to Wall Street & corporate big wigs, her support for corporate prisons to incarcerate the "super-predators", her calling the shots at the DNC to the detriment of her primary opponents, the presumption that it was simply "her turn" and lesser Democrats should step aside... I am what became labeled as a "Bernie Bro", and was attacked by many as being everything that I know I am not ("misogynist" and "closet republican" come to mind...). And yet, despite being anti-corporate and wanting to push for Jill Stein, I knew that living in a swing state made my vote far more important than it might have been had I lived in CA or NY. So I told my conscience to go to hell and voted for a candidate that I truly did not support (HRC) because I was concerned that the Orange Menace might actually win my state...
Well, Orange Julius Caesar did win my state, and won the election thanks to our antiquated Electoral College. And I don't feel good bout it. I don't believe I did anything to harm Hillary's chances, I just supported someone else in the primaries. And some of my worst fears/concerns have been validated (the DWS emails regarding taking Bernie out, Donna Brazile providing Team Hillary with debate questions before the fact, etc.). That doesn't mean I'm glad Hillary lost, because in fact I'm pissed off like millions of other people. But I do still hold firm in my belief that Bernie could have beaten Trump, and beaten him badly. It's my opinion, and I'm entitled to it, right or wrong.
If any good can come from this, I hope it is that we need to ensure that all voices are given an equal chance to be heard during the primaries, and that the DNC doesn't put their thumb on the scale in favor of one candidate over others. I hope that progressive voices speak up and speak out, and steer the party in a more progressive, less corporate direction. All of those Trump voters who had voted Obam in 2008 & 2012 will looking for real change in 4 years, and either they will vote Democrat or stay home. We need to give them a reason - and hope - to come to the polls and vote Democrat in 2020. Who it will be, I don't know. I want new blood, and I want diverse choices - gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, young/old, - and I want progressive policies to be presented & implemented.
I've held my tongue for months in accordance with DU guidelines. I've been a team player. But in my heart, I knew I was right all along. I wish I wasn't (WRT electability of HRC vs Trump). But I'm willing to work for a better tomorrow. I hope everyone else is.