Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Democratic Primaries
Showing Original Post only (View all)The Liberal case against Bernie [View all]
The Liberal case against Berniehttps://www.thenation.com/article/bernie-sanders-electability-eric-alterman/
Senator Bernie Sanderss presidential candidacy poses a conundrum for progressives. Not since 1936, when Franklin Roosevelt said that he welcomed the hatred of corporate interests, has a serious presidential candidate offered so aggressive a challenge to the conservative powers that be. At the same time, however, a dangerous lunatic is president of the United States, and Sanders, of all the major Democratic contenders, is the one who will make Donald Trumps reelection most likely. Eight years of a Trump presidency could mean the end of meaningful democracy in the United States, along with many of the rights that women, minorities, immigrants, LGBTQ people, and others now take for granted.
Let me clarify: Ive been a fan and supporter of Sanders ever since he was elected mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in 1981. I was honored to be asked to testify before him in Congress years ago, and I voted for him in the New York presidential primary in 2016. I did so, however, not because I imagined he might win the nomination, but because I hoped that a strong showing by Sanders would help wake up Hillary Clinton to the importance of addressing economic inequality, and also to honor his brave criticism of Israels occupation of the West Bank.
I was wrong. Sanders turned so negative toward Clinton that it hurt her in the general election. Even though he campaigned for her after he lost the nomination, roughly 12 percent of Sanderss supporters switched to Trump, and enough of the rest supported Jill Steins kamikaze candidacy that it helped tip key states to Trump.
Let me clarify: Ive been a fan and supporter of Sanders ever since he was elected mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in 1981. I was honored to be asked to testify before him in Congress years ago, and I voted for him in the New York presidential primary in 2016. I did so, however, not because I imagined he might win the nomination, but because I hoped that a strong showing by Sanders would help wake up Hillary Clinton to the importance of addressing economic inequality, and also to honor his brave criticism of Israels occupation of the West Bank.
I was wrong. Sanders turned so negative toward Clinton that it hurt her in the general election. Even though he campaigned for her after he lost the nomination, roughly 12 percent of Sanderss supporters switched to Trump, and enough of the rest supported Jill Steins kamikaze candidacy that it helped tip key states to Trump.
My sentiments exactly. He was a toxic variable that played a crucial part in Cheetolinis rise to power, and I suspected from beginning of this season, and completely reinforced with all of the attacks we are seeing from his surrogates that a repeat is in play.
This election is too important for his purity games.
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
121 replies, 11156 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (71)
ReplyReply to this post
121 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
I'm sorry...converting 88% of your base to vote for someone else is pretty damn good...
TCJ70
Apr 2019
#112
I'm not saying he isn't liberal but the title claims a liberal case or argument
aikoaiko
Mar 2019
#8
He alluded, implied, and suggested that she was "corrupt" while at the same time
pnwmom
Mar 2019
#31
I saw a ton of negativity at the Texas state convention and the national convention
Gothmog
Apr 2019
#100
The negatives of the delivery and the constant harangue over the Democratic Party
peggysue2
Apr 2019
#97
And I'm sure it didn't help that Bernie didn't' do any campaigning for Hillary in July, or August,
pnwmom
Mar 2019
#32
The problem with anecdotal evidence is that it waries widely, representing all view points
Tom Rinaldo
Mar 2019
#48
It's a self-imposed hell. The good news is the door to that hell is open. You can leave at any time.
progressoid
Mar 2019
#57
"Google searches about WikiLeaks were particularly high in swing areas with large numbers
betsuni
Mar 2019
#64
Like every woman has learned - if you say something among men, it will be ignored
ehrnst
Mar 2019
#50
From the smallest church committee school board meetings to the national platform,
efhmc
Mar 2019
#66
According to some of you, Bernie just running is some terrible attack on the party
Kentonio
Mar 2019
#41
You're right, it is a pointless argument ... you see criticism of BS as bashing
SFnomad
Mar 2019
#85
You might want to take note ... you replied to my post. I didn't engage with you
SFnomad
Apr 2019
#89
This appears to be more of a case of "if the shoe fits," than people actually "insulting."
ehrnst
Mar 2019
#53
Honestly, I think everything will calm down significantly once Bernie bows out.
ecstatic
Apr 2019
#117