Hi All -- I'm not usually super involved politically, but have found myself totally intrigued by the Bernie Sanders campaign -- and am even going to the massive grassroots organizing event tomorrow (Wed). Anyone else here into the Bern? Would love to chat about why you like him -- as well as if you don't. Best, M.
I like him, but he has no chance at the nomination. That isn't even because he's not well-liked or something, but because he's not a Democrat. The party machinery would never, ever let an outsider like him have the nomination. The nomination process is designed specifically to prevent it.
Of course he has no chance, but I like the fact that he has been able to bring some issues more to the front. I don't know that Hillary would have addressed economic inequality as early as she did without him in the field. I've been wondering, though, does his relative success so far mean that "socialist" has lost some of its power as a scare word in the US? Or is he still too much of a "fringe" figure for people to notice and/or make an issue of it?
It's not much of an issue at the moment because Sanders has got no chance of getting the nomination. If by some miracle he were to have a chance at getting it, Hillary's campaign would absolutely play it up to sway moderates (who support longstanding socialist programs like Medicare, just as long as you don't call them that), and then the Republicans would make a huge stink out of it if he got the nomination. I mean, look at what they did with Obama; you'd think he was the spiritual successor to Karl Marx according to Republicans, and he's a center-right capitalist who has basically let Wall Street off the hook. As far as the OP's question goes, I like Sanders, both as a person and as a politician. He's the candidate that aligns most closely with my views. He's refreshingly devoid of political polish and the filters and talking points most politicians run their responses through, which is why you can rarely get a straight, non-circular, non-sidestepping answer out of them. He's blunt and to the point, but without being an asshole with his bluntness like Donald Trump is. He's sometimes a little too concerned with economic reform (which is a hugely important issue, mind you) over social equality and civil rights, although admittedly they're all interrelated issues. It's not that he doesn't care about minorities facing injustice at the hands of law enforcement or support gay rights, for instance, it's just that he doesn't prioritize them as highly as economic reform. Which is his prerogative, of course, it just can come off a little cold and callous sometimes. But, as said, he has no chance of securing the nomination versus the Hillary Clinton juggernaut, but I like that he's there to drag the conversation back to the Left from Hillary's typical center-right policy positions (she's to the right of Obama) and keep her on her toes a bit rather than allow her to get too complacent.
I think he's still too "fringe" for people to even bother. While I like many of his ideas, I know that he hasn't a snowball's chance in hell of getting the nomination. Still, it would be nice if more candidates like him could get more attention. Let's face it: most voters don't research candidates at all. They go merely with the candidates that the media serves up to them on a silver platter.
I definitely think the term "socialist" has been de-fanged. When Obama was running they used that term to paint him as a radical. With Obama turning out to be rather centrist, the scare tactic of labeling someone "socialist" just doesn't hold as much water.
Calling someone a "socialist" doesn't have the effect it used to, mainly because Republicans abused the term so much it doesn't mean anything as an insult anymore. But good luck having other politicians (besides Sanders) advertise themselves as such.
I very much thought the same thing, but then I started to follow the HUGE rallies he's been able to organize -- and in RED states: 11,000 in Phoenix, 5,200 in Houston, 8,000 in Dallas and then 4,000 in Louisiana. Plus, tonight, over 100,000 supporters (at over 3,000 locations) all over the country will be doing a livestream with Sanders to discuss the grassroots movement. This is the largest online gathering EVER. Bottom line is, I'm really starting to think he can do this. I guess the big question is why is the mainstream media not covering this? If ANY other candidate were drawing these kinds of crowds (and no one has come even close) it would be dominating the news cycle. What do you think?
He's not my cup of tea but I agree with you on the horrible media coverage. Right now the media is fixated on the stupid crap that keeps coming out of Donald Trump's mouth while ignoring every other candidate in the field. The only way to know anything about them is to visit their websites or follow their moves on social media. The American media cares more about creating controversy than covering hard news and its sad.
SO agree with you on this point. The biggest tragedy here is that our mass media system all but destroys any chance for an articulate, thoughtful public debate on policy positions -- and ENCOURAGES the crazies to run on nothing more than personality and vitriol. Just another reason why I am leaning more and more toward the Bern. He won't accept PAC money, and refuses to run attack ads or attack candidates personally. He will only discuss the issues.
I'm for Sanders, whether that means I'm for him pulling Clinton and the issues in general to the left, or if it means that I'm casting my vote for him in the general eventually. Sad to say, I'll be casting my vote for the Democrat this time even if it means holding my nose to vote for Hillary - the potential effect of the outcome of this election on the SCOTUS is too important to do anything else. Even sadder to say, it doesn't matter how I vote: I'll vote blue and it will count as red, because I live in South Carolina, an all-for-one electoral state that WILL go red. (The exception to the above regarding my vote would be if a surprising independent like Jon Stewart with a serious chance of winning got on the ballot. Or if hell froze over - just as likely. )
I'm pulling for Sanders and I hope he can gain some more ground. I just do *not* want Hillary to get the Democratic nod though, sadly, I think that's what is going to happen which.... Oy.
I am, and have been, more aligned with Hillary Clinton than any other candidate. While I support (and voted for Obama twice), I voted for Hillary in the 2008 primary. Surprisingly, our state of North Carolina went with Obama.
Governor Walker is an embarrassment to my adopted state and essentially the textbook definition of a paper suit. I can't wait for him to get destroyed in the primary debates.
Yada yada refreshing. I'd vote for him if it makes it to the NC primary and even in the general, but the only way he wins the White House is if Trump take his 20% of the GOP with him and even then Sanders would barely win (maybe 270 to 268...his populist message resonates well in the flyovers) Eh, Hillary vs. Bush vs. Trump could make SC squeak by as a blue state.
I just got back from the HUGE online networking event (over 100,000 people where connecting) and am now convinced more than ever before that he can do this. I have never seen such passion for a candidate before (Obama is close) -- but based on my experiece, I'm no longer buying into the "he's unelectable/Hilary has this in the bag" narrative. I am on kind of a high with the sense of empowerment I got meeting so many like-minded individuals. I heartily recommend checking out Sanders events in your area if you feel strongly about him. The movement is just getting started so there's plenty of ways to volunteer.
See my response to USS TRIUMPHANT. I don't think there is an inevitability about Hillary any more. Not after what I witnessed tonight or during this past week.