Bernie-backed progressive Andrew Gillum will face a Trump-styled Republican in Florida's governor's

[Voltaire2]

Florida's high-stakes gubernatorial race will be fought between a progressive Democrat vying to become the state's first black chief executive and a Republican congressman closely allied with President Donald Trump.

In a late primary season shocker, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum defeated the front runner, former Rep. Gwen Graham, who had led in the polls for most of the campaign. He emerged from a field of five competitive candidates, in which he was the only non-millionaire and only supporter of "Medicare for all" single-payer health care, to become the state's first black gubernatorial nominee.

"The point has never been lost on me that my name on the ballot is simply a vessel, is simply the name,' Gillum told a raucous crowd of supporters in Tallahassee on Tuesday night. "But what is underneath that name are all the issues that we care so deeply about."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/28/politics/andrew-gillum-ron-desantis-florida-governor-race/index.html

[OKNancy]

1. Gillum picked as Hillary Clinton delegate

https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2016/05/22/gillum-delegate-hillary-clinton/84740118/

[Voltaire2]

2. Lulzd.

[NCTraveler]

6. What does lulzd mean? Nt

[LexVegas]

11. It means "I got pwned and now I'm playing it off". nt

[betsuni]

22. Good one.

[SunSeeker]

29. Yep. nt

[SidDithers]

49. +1...nt

Sid

[George II]

64. Bazinga!

[NurseJackie]

82. And...

[Voltaire2]

130. In this case it means predictable but nevertheless amusing.

[NCTraveler]

131. So it's case by case.

I'm going to imagine it means "spot on" in that case.

Some other things make a lot more sense knowing you define things differently for each use.

ADWCCD <- That means thanks for telling me I'm spot on.

[Voltaire2]

141. It is a pretty flexible word.

[NCTraveler]

142. I wasn't aware it was a word. That's why I asked.

A couple of minutes ago it meant "spot on NCTrravler".

Now when I read it it says "Go Democrats!"

[RockaFowler]

4. And he spoke at the convention

So happy I voted for him yesterday!

[ehrnst]

9. She is an inspiration, and mentor to so many who go on to political office.

Randall Woodfin is another.

She still keeps on making a difference.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

103. Did his "mentor" endorse him in this race?

[ehrnst]

108. She's only directly endorsing three candidates.

But I must admit, Sanders certainly is getting over his distaste for big money from out of state big donors, endorsing a candidate that got at least $1M from billionaire Tom Steyer & $500K from Soros.

Maybe that's why he waited so long to endorse Gillum - at least until he was picking up in the polls.

But Sanders got on board with Soros and sons beneficiary Tom Perriello very quickly, so he must have decided it's not a deal breaker for progressive candidates.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

111. All that to say no? Lol.

[ehrnst]

117. Yes. Lol.

I sense you are not pleased with the reply to the question you asked.

[LisaM]

120. All that to say no because she knows her endorsement would be perceived negatively.

It's unfair and it's unfortunate, but HRC is smart enough to know when to stay in the background. Unlike some politicians, she has the capacity to do exactly that.

[ehrnst]

137. Yep. She is about supporting the goal, even if it doesn't bring the recognition

It's actually a very female style of accomplishing things, and she got so much done doing it. I think that it was why so many were suspicious about why she got so much support from her peers, and thought that she must have gotten it through corrupt means.

I mean why else would so many in Washington who worked with her through the years agree that she was better than any man who thought he was qualified? (cue the whining about her "unfairly working inside the Beltway for years.&quot

Like the old saw, "she must have slept her way to the top," she was suspect from day one for wanting to be a leader.

She has people skills, leadership talent and emotional intelligence. In order to portray her as "corrupt" opponents made those skills "sinister."

And now that same political savvy is being mischaracterized when she does what so many want her to do - go away - as neglect.

Damned if she does, and damned if she doesn't.

Meanwhile she works behind the scenes, doing what she always did. Making things work for the better, and getting money and resources to where they need to be.

And the legacy of the young, talented black politicians that campaigned with and for her in 2016, especially those who she gave the spotlight to at the DNC are coming into their own. Their OWN hard work got them the victories.

Her endorsement came when it counted - before the polls showed that they were winning. She saw the potential, and gave them a voice in front of the whole nation, while others focused on screaming, protesting and booing John Lewis of all people.

Hillary won that, that too, but not for herself. I think she had a glass of wine, and called them when they won.

The black Democratic women who surged out to vote for Gillum were the ones who came out for Hillary in 2016.

[pnwmom]

150. Why would she? Both Gillum and Graham were delegates for Hillary.

She would have been happy to see either one win.

[Tiggeroshii]

132. Remember that time he endorsed Clinton?

...he hasnt had a problem with it since 2016

[progressoid]

14. Maybe if she had picked him as a running mate,

she'd have won FL

[JI7]

20. the people that voted for him had voted for her also

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

63. Maybe if she had picked Bernie... oh nevermind.

[MrsCoffee]

73. Yeah, I know I would pick an angry dude who told me I wasn't qualified for the job to be

my second in command.

Maybe if Bernie...

Oh nevermind.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

77. Yeah, well, better to be President, as I always say.

[lapucelle]

153. What do you mean? N/T

[progressoid]

84. Yup. n/t

[lunamagica]

94. You can't honestly believe Sandrs would have been a good VP choice. The man is and has never

been a team player. He wants to always be the leader. He would have never played a supporting, secondary role to Hillary. He would have given new meaning to the phrase "going rouge"

Picking an unpredictable lose cannon for the second most visible role in the campaign would have been pure insanity

[dubyadiprecession]

58. Bernie backed a Hillary delegate?

Who wooda thunk it!

[SkyDancer]

89. Randall Woodfin says hello

It's not like this is new

[ehrnst]

114. And one who took big money from out of state billionaires.

Who wooda thunk it?

[workinclasszero]

81. Hillary knew he was a good guy a long time ago!

[lillypaddle]

163. Please stop identifying him

as "Bernie backed."


Mr. Weeks
@MrDane1982


Andrew Gillum just made it clear on Don Lemon that by no means is he affiliated with Bernie Sanders! He took that endorsement he made it very clear he was a Hillary Clinton supporter, delegate, vice presidential contender. Stop giving credit to a white man for a black man hard.
3:04 PM - Aug 29, 2018

5,010

1,853 people are talking about this

Sorry, OKNancy, this post was meant in response to the OP.

[Vinca]

3. An interesting race and should give us an indication if being far left can out-Trump Trump.

When you think about it, Trump cherry picked a few far left things to run on, including saying everyone should be able to get healthcare. It was all bullshit, of course. The most important thing is to get out the vote!

[NCTraveler]

5. So sad that a bunch of Bros from outside of Florida...

Are going to make this about Sanders when it has nothing to do with him. Some just can’t get over their deity complex. They will allow the for profit media to drag them around by their little noses as they stoke division where none exists.

You know what Sanders didn’t to and could never do? Win a primary in Florida. Now they will try to live vicariously through someone who has little to do with Sanders. But someone’s gotta give the white man credit.

[oberliner]

7. Do you think Bernie's endorsement had any impact at all?

[NCTraveler]

8. It gives a candidate a burst of money.

That always helps. Outside of money, it has very little influence.

[seaglass]

12. Gillum was also supported by a "dark money" super PAC, Soros and Steyer. Not 27.00 donations. n/t

[NCTraveler]

15. I'm all for it.

He is not a Bro.

[seaglass]

18. I'd vote for him if I lived in FL. n/t

[JI7]

21. there is going to be a lot of ugly ass shit so we need the money

until we can change the system we need to work with what we have.

otherwise it will just be handing them victory.

[seaglass]

24. I agree. n/t

[SunSeeker]

32. He was also supported by Jeff Greene.

He benefited from being chosen by the progressive wing of the party’s most generous benefactors ― including billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros ― as well as from a barrage of negative ads against Graham by billionaire Jeff Greene.
Greene wound up finishing fourth in the five-way pack, but he spent $10 million on ads attacking Graham ― more than she spent on television on her own behalf.

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5b856016e4b0162f471cb9e9


But ultimately what put Gillum over the top was African American women, and Bernie did not deliver those votes to Gillum, neither did any "dark money."

[seaglass]

35. Everyone is taking credit this morning for his win. That should say something - that it takes

everyone working together. I'm done with the infighting over who gets to claim him. I hope he wins.

[lunamagica]

99. And Sanders is OK with that?

[Cha]

149. ..

lol El Sayed tried to bring down Gretchen Whitmer with that one.. and BS' crowd was all aghast at Sharice for taking money from Emily's List.

That's the last time that shite's gonna fly.. and not very well then.

seaglass

[Uncle Joe]

72. Andrew does and Bernie did more than endorse, he campaigned for Gillum.

(snip)

"It's no secret we haven't won the money war," he said. "It's prohibited us from getting on their TV screens…It's a way to get my candidacy into the mix and the news," especially with people who might still be unaware he is a candidate.

Gillum added Sanders' camp reached out to him, after he completed a questionnaire for Our Revolution and received the endorsement of the group. We "got outreach from Sen. Sanders' office… we didn't actually reach out to them, they reached out to us."

After meeting with some of his advisors, he had a phone call with Sanders, and two weeks after that, Sanders called back: "I'd like to help."

Having a high-profile surrogate come to the state like this and spend a day "campaigning across the (Interstate-4) corridor with me… the timing couldn't be any better," he said.

https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/17/bernie-sanders-andrew-gillum-can-transform-florida-politically/

The 2016 candidate for president and progressive Democrat gave his endorsement of Gillum on Twitter. He’s the most prominent political name yet to pick Gillum in the run-up to the Aug. 28 primary.

“I’m proud to endorse Tallahassee Mayor @andrewgillum in his race for governor of Florida,” Sander’s confirmed Twitter account posted.

“It’s an honor to have Senator Bernie Sanders’ endorsement in this campaign,” Gillum responded in a statement. “He has been an unapologetic fighter for everyday working people standing up to the special interests. From Medicare-for-All, to a $15 minimum wage, his ideas and platform have become the Democratic Party’s north star on economic justice for those who need it most.”

(snip)

Polls show Gillum behind in the polls for the Democratic nomination to former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, ex-Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine and South Florida billionaire Jeff Greene.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-bernie-sanders-andrew-gillum-20180801-story.html

[Voltaire2]

128. The obvious upset and denial is amusing.

[Uncle Joe]

138. It's fascinating

[progressoid]

10. the white man?

Talk about stoking division where none exists.

[NCTraveler]

17. Exactly.

Shocking how credit for his win is being snatched by others.

[progressoid]

19. Oops

Link to tweet

[BeyondGeography]

26. Bernie and Gillum display grace and gratitude

Yawn.

DU thread titles drawn from pot-stirring headlines mean so much more.

[NCTraveler]

30. The guy is class.

Not sure why that’s an oops moment. He thanks people.

[progressoid]

38. I agree. He is class.

And notice how Bernie didn't take credit. He just congratulated Gillum. Class.

[NCTraveler]

40. Why wouldn't he congratulate him.

Just strange that you think he might not have. Didn’t know it was a point of contention. Just like Gillum was going to respond in a classy manner.

This is how petty the dividers have gotten. They have nothing else.

[progressoid]

44. "This is how petty the dividers have gotten."

This whole sub-thread about division was literally started by you. This whole thing could have been a nice win for Democrats but instead you had to pick at that two year old Bernie scab.

[ms liberty]

124. So much this. Thanks for saying it. n/t

[StuckInTexas]

127. This!

+1000

There are a few posters who just can't let go of 2016 and they inadvertently end up gas lighting the rest of us, with a steady stream of dividing posts while bemoaning viewpoints they do not agree with as being divisive. It's exhausting to read this board sometimes.

We all need to never forget that the fascists that make up the GOP and their base in this country are the true enemy.

[ehrnst]

147. Perhaps you haven't seen the fundraiser that Sanders is doing...

He's taking credit, and using it to raise money.

I am writing to tell you that last night was an extraordinary and historic night for our political revolution.

In Florida, Andrew Gillum took on virtually the entire political and financial establishment of the state. No one thought he had a chance — not just at the start of the campaign, but as recently as a few weeks ago. But while his opponents had the money, Andrew had the people. He ran a grassroots campaign that forcefully spoke directly to the needs of working families, and last night Andrew won.

You are going to love Andrew Gillum. When I traveled to Florida to campaign for him recently, I left full of hope for progressives in that state. And he did not let us down.

Andrew has never backed down from a fight. And that includes beating the NRA and standing up against xenophobic politicians. He campaigned on ideas like Medicare for all, raising the minimum wage, investments in sustainable energy, and making sure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share. He will be a governor who represents all the people, and not just the 1 percent.

The truth is, everywhere progressives are running, progressives are winning. It was not just Andrew Gillum who won last night, but both progressive candidates we endorsed in competitive state legislative primaries won as well. We are transforming the Democratic Party — like we saw last weekend when the DNC voted overwhelmingly to eliminate superdelegate votes in the presidential nominating process — and we are transforming the nation.

That is the political revolution.

Election Day is right around the corner, and Andrew Gillum starts at a financial disadvantage once again. So it’s important we stand with him today, especially when he spent almost everything he raised to win a primary against two well-financed opponents. So I have to ask:

Can you split a very important donation between Andrew Gillum’s campaign and my work supporting and rallying for progressive candidates like Andrew all across the country? He needs our help. I would not ask if it wasn’t so important.

If you've saved payment info with ActBlue Express, your donation will automatically be split between Andrew Gillum and Bernie Sanders

Kamala Harris, on the other hand, is fighting back against RW attacks on Gillum, while Sanders raising money for his own campaign.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2018/8/29/1791934/-FL-Gov-Sen-Kamala-Harris-D-CA-Refuses-To-Let-Trump-Attack-Andrew-Gillum-D

[progressoid]

148. OMG! Such a scandal!!

Gosh, I wonder if any other candidates coordinate shared fundraising. Let's see...


Well here's one that splits donations between Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/warrenharris

Is Harris taking advantage of Warren or is Warren taking advantage of Harris? Inquiring minds want to know!


And what's going on here? Donations split three ways among Harris, Russ Feingold, & Ted Strickland? That seems awfully fishy. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/warrensept15


This one is just plain weird. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/demwomeneoq

Support Democratic Women

Automatically split a contribution among these six outstanding women candidates!

Tammy Baldwin (WI-Sen)

Heidi Heitkamp (ND-Sen)

Mazie Hirono (HI-Sen)

Claire McCaskill (MO-Sen)

Elizabeth Warren (MA-Sen)

Chuck Schumer (NY-Sen)

Schumer is an outstanding woman candidate?


Schumer's gender confusion notwithstanding, it seems that lots of campaigns help each other fund raise. The horror.


Edited to add that the link from Kamala Harris's email ALSO wants you to split your donation between Harris and Gillum.

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/kdh-180829-gillum?addr1=&akid=266.8095.eW24gR&city=Los%20Angeles&email=sam.sero%40gmail.com&employer=&firstname=&lastname=&occupation=&phone=&rd=1&refcode=em180829-full&state=CA&t=8&zip=90034

NOTE: Your contribution will be divided evenly between Andrew Gillum and Kamala Harris

[ehrnst]

154. Nice try at deflection.

The text that I bolded in the fundraising email is in response to your claim that he "simply congratulated him" and "didn't take credit."

I pointed out that Kamala Harris is defending him from attacks, which Sanders is not doing while fundraising.

Is that clearer?

[progressoid]

157. Oh, I see.

So even though in your two sentence comment, you twice mention Sanders making money off of this, that's not the point of your post. OK. That's probably best since it's a common practice for politicians to help each other raise funds. Also, friends of Bernie are the top contributors to Gillum through ActBlue so far. $158,000 as of today.
https://secure.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/48054


So this is about Bernie taking credit. Hmmm. Interestingly, if one bolds other parts of the email, it celebrates and supports Andrew.

I am writing to tell you that last night was an extraordinary and historic night for our political revolution.

In Florida, Andrew Gillum took on virtually the entire political and financial establishment of the state. No one thought he had a chance — not just at the start of the campaign, but as recently as a few weeks ago. But while his opponents had the money, Andrew had the people. He ran a grassroots campaign that forcefully spoke directly to the needs of working families, and last night Andrew won.

You are going to love Andrew Gillum. When I traveled to Florida to campaign for him recently, I left full of hope for progressives in that state. And he did not let us down.

Andrew has never backed down from a fight. And that includes beating the NRA and standing up against xenophobic politicians. He campaigned on ideas like Medicare for all, raising the minimum wage, investments in sustainable energy, and making sure the wealthiest corporations pay their fair share. He will be a governor who represents all the people, and not just the 1 percent.

The truth is, everywhere progressives are running, progressives are winning. It was not just Andrew Gillum who won last night, but both progressive candidates we endorsed in competitive state legislative primaries won as well. We are transforming the Democratic Party — like we saw last weekend when the DNC voted overwhelmingly to eliminate superdelegate votes in the presidential nominating process — and we are transforming the nation.

That is the political revolution.

Election Day is right around the corner, and Andrew Gillum starts at a financial disadvantage once again. So it’s important we stand with him today, especially when he spent almost everything he raised to win a primary against two well-financed opponents. So I have to ask:

Can you split a very important donation between Andrew Gillum’s campaign and my work supporting and rallying for progressive candidates like Andrew all across the country? He needs our help. I would not ask if it wasn’t so important.

If you've saved payment info with ActBlue Express, your donation will automatically be split between Andrew Gillum and Bernie Sanders

[ehrnst]

158. Yeah, Bernie is taking credit, and raising money from it.

Like I said.

That concept seems to bother you - or at least people commenting on it does, while it doesn't surprise me.

Bernie is a savvy career politician. To pretend that he isn't, and doesn't take credit for any and all success that he possibly can, and strike while the iron is hot for a fundraising opportunity is to deny what politicians do.

All politicians, no exceptions.

Especially those that have been on the Hill as long as Sanders. Especially during a re-election year, and VERY much so when one is going to run for POTUS.

I think there are times when it can appear more self-serving than others, but that doesn't change the nature of the politics. One is always making sure that the image is meticulously maintained.

[progressoid]

159. No, it doesn't bother me. Hence my original post mocking this as a scandal.

[ehrnst]

160. You certainly seems very serious and put out in your responses to me for pointing out

what he actually did, which was to take credit for a political win, and turn it into a fundraising opportunity.

[progressoid]

161. Serious and put out? Really?

There's a whole lotta snark in this response. Guess I gotta work on my lightheartedness.

At least we both agree that this is just politicians being politicians. No big deal.

Now I have to get back to work. Later I have to clean up our guest room for the Dem field organizer who is staying at our house for the next month. Then a doctor's appt. Cut down a dead tree. Canvasing on Saturday. Martin O'Malley coming to town on Sunday. County Democratic Party Labor day picnic on Monday. It's going to be a busy weekend. See ya later!

[ehrnst]

162. You too! Good to get out and support Dems, especially this year.

[SunSeeker]

36. He was reponding to Bernie's congratulatory tweet to him, so he was being gracious.

What put Gillum over the top was African American women, and Bernie did not deliver those votes.

[ehrnst]

13. One wonders how a black politican can get even elected to office in the South without the help

of a Senator from Vermont nowadays....

See also: Randall Woodfin.

https://www.birminghamtimes.com/2016/07/hillarys-team-in-alabama-ready-for-next-weeks-democratic-convention/

[oberliner]

25. Gillum literally just tweeted that he could not have won without Sanders

[ehrnst]

28. It looks as though Hillary has pulled Bernie to the left

in terms of what he has dismissed at times as "identity politics."

Gillum stated on CNN, "This was a win for the Barack Obama wing of the party, the Hillary Clinton wing of the party and the Bernie Sanders wing of the party."

That's something that he learned from Hillary that will serve him well. The ability to unite, not divide.

And it's good to see that Sanders has learned enough to endorse someone as "progressive" who campaigned for Hillary, as well as being a Hillary delegate who spoke at the establishment Convention in 2016.

It's good seeing Bernie evolve.

[betsuni]

33. This is true. It's good seeing Bernie evolve.

[SunSeeker]

48. No progressive politician should use the derisive term "identity politics."

Use of that term dismisses important gender/race issues and is divisive.

[ehrnst]

52. Any politician that does use it signals that social justice issues are not as

important or valid as other issues. Reducing it to "politics" is like reducing Choice to a "social" issue reducing it to something that it's not, which is a health care and economic issue.

It's similar to politicians on the right when they use the term "the politics of envy" or "takers" when they talk about issues of race, gender and poverty.

[NCTraveler]

31. He gave him a necessary burst of money.

I can’t imagine anyone being shocked that a class act like Gillum would thank him for being a cash cow.

[SunSeeker]

39. That is Gillum's gracious way of responding to Bernie's congratulatory tweet.

Every smart politician tells all his supporters he couldn't have done it without them.

[ehrnst]

41. On CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing..... ....the Hillary Clinton wing,

and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

He's not giving BS sole credit.

[SunSeeker]

43. Some people sure want to give Bernie sole credit.

And that is not helping Gillum's chances against DeSantis.

[ehrnst]

45. Indeed. Florida is not known for an embrace of "socialism."

Quite the opposite. The schools and roads there are evidence of that.

The further away he gets from the term "socialist," the better his message will be recieved.

He's way, way more like Hillary than Bernie - especially in demeanor.

[SunSeeker]

65. Thing is, single payer is not socialism.

Ask Canada or Denmark, or any other major country with single payer --- they are all thriving market economies, not socialist. Single payer is just a logical and efficient way to regulate medical care, by cutting out the leaches that are health insurance companies. The business of medicine is still in private hands in those countries.

[ehrnst]

68. I'm talking about the Republicans and the people of Florida's definition of the word "socialism."

Not mine.

The POTUS tweet, for example.

[SunSeeker]

69. Yes, I know. The GOP is already painting Gillum as a Venezuela style socialist.

It is going to be a tough fight, so we all need to get behind Gillum. Folks claiming he is Bernie's candidate are not helping build the unity we need, and they're not helping Gillum.

[ehrnst]

70. "Socialist" is a dog whistle that replaced "communist" for

the John Birch Society Republicans, to describe a candidate that is "going to take all your money and give it to lazy, drug using brown people."

[uponit7771]

55. Good for him, sounds like a smart guy to embrace them all collectively

[ehrnst]

57. Yes - Despite efforts by others to make his nomination a divisive wedge in the party. (nt)

[lunamagica]

95. In response to a Sanders tweet. It wasn't the bros whjo gave the win to Gillum. It was black voters

especially women. They couln't care less what Sanders think.

[mcar]

46. It's making me so angry

Gillum ran a great campaign but, to some, it's all about Bernie.

Here's a list of everyone who endorsed him. https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211066659

[Skidmore]

54. +1

Gillum put together his coalition. A young black Democrat put together a successful campaign, took his message to the people, and an old white man from another state needs be given credit for it. Gillum deserves more credit on his own.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

62. Of course, AG deserves most of the credit as the candidate who won with a progressive message...

but, Bernie doesn't deserve to be bashed all the time either for reasons I'll never understand. How can a progressive victory like this one divide us?!?! WTF!!! Unite NOW and let's send these racist pig Rethuglicans packing!!! (smdh)

[Skidmore]

71. What needs

to happen is that the insistence that Sanders be given credit for someone else's work for standing next to someone, also divisive. Other Congressional Dems endorsed too. We need strong Democratic candidates who are not locked in the perception that they area front for someone else, especially someone who is not a Democrat. Gillum is a good candidate on his own.

[progressoid]

80. Who is insisting that Sanders be given credit?

[Mariana]

121. It's a lie. No one is insisting that Sanders be given credit. nt.

[sellitman]

91. Sanity!

I thank you! The Hillary-Bernie hatred on this site is disgusting.

We have waaaaaaay bigger fish to fry.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

105. You can say that again!!

[mcar]

98. Who is bashing Bernie here?

I see posters giving Gillum the credit he deserves.

[KPN]

106. +1! But get ready for a full frontal man.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

112. Also ready for "full nudal frontity," as Archie Bunker would say... hahahaha!

[KPN]

116. Lol!

[SidDithers]

60. +1...nt

Sid

[ehrnst]

66. The DNC and Hillary gave him the national spotlight at the convention.

He may have been forgotten by many who were distracted by and promoting division, but the rest of the nation paid attention.

I'm glad that this candidate - along with Woodfin and Abrams, is part of Hillary's legacy to the party and the nation.

[progressoid]

83. That's a great list.

But let's be honest, if Hillary or Obama had endorsed him, the headlines would have highlighted their endorsement as well. Something like, "Clinton's candidate to battle Trump's candidate" or some such headline.

[lunamagica]

97. I know! This victory belongs to Gillum. A long-time, true Democrat. And it was DEMOCRATIC voters

who took him there, not outsiders, and certainly not the bros

[Uncle Joe]

50. "Nothing?"

Bernie Sanders makes campaign stump with Andrew Gillum ahead of primary election

When Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders took the stage at a Tampa rally Friday morning to campaign for Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum’s bid for governor, he got right down to business.

“To make sure Florida moves in a different direction — a progressive direction — we need to make him the next governor in the state,” Sanders told a crowd of about 2,500 people.

(snip)

Gillum, the mayor of Tallahassee, is facing four wealthy and serious contenders and is currently second-to-last in the primary race, according to the most recent public polling.

(snip)

Gillum, the only African-American in the race, is championing proposals that would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour in the state, “healthcare for all,” restoring voting rights to felons and making the Sunshine State a leader for solar energy.

(snip)

https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/politics/2018/08/17/sanders-campaigns-gillum-ahead-primary-election/1018484002/

(snip)

"It's no secret we haven't won the money war," he said. "It's prohibited us from getting on their TV screens…It's a way to get my candidacy into the mix and the news," especially with people who might still be unaware he is a candidate.

Gillum added Sanders' camp reached out to him, after he completed a questionnaire for Our Revolution and received the endorsement of the group. We "got outreach from Sen. Sanders' office… we didn't actually reach out to them, they reached out to us."

After meeting with some of his advisors, he had a phone call with Sanders, and two weeks after that, Sanders called back: "I'd like to help."

Having a high-profile surrogate come to the state like this and spend a day "campaigning across the (Interstate-4) corridor with me… the timing couldn't be any better," he said.

https://www.tampabay.com/florida-politics/buzz/2018/08/17/bernie-sanders-andrew-gillum-can-transform-florida-politically/

[QC]

79. Gillum disagrees with you.

It's long past time to let go of 2016.

[KPN]

109. Awesome post! Thank you for bringing

accurate perspective into this ridiculous environment.

[ehrnst]

122. I think the big donations from out of state billionaires helped as well

Which leads me to believe that Bernie may be evolving on that, since it's not been a dealbreaker for him endorsing state level office seekers, like Gillum and Perriello.

[Mariana]

123. Who cares what Gillum thinks about it?

What the fuck does he know?

[KPN]

104. So sad that post number 5 makes this about

Bernie by bashing Bernie supporters for posts that hadn’t even happened. Sigh!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

110. BEYOND sad... the Bernie bashing schtick, perpetuating disunity, is getting old.

[KPN]

115. It sucks and is particularly damaging the

party’s ability to grow, esp. among millennials in my opinion (based on many discussions and beers with members of that cohort the past several years). But have faith and optimism, progressive power is growing and I believe will prevail — in the party and the nation.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

133. I DO have faith & optimism exactly BECAUSE progressive candidates are catchin fire like never before

Are we allowed to give Bernie even a smidgen of credit for bringing progressive issues to the forefront and making it advantageous to advocate for them? (That was a rhetorical question.)

[ehrnst]

16. Between him and Randall Woodfin Hillary Clinton campaign alumni

are making the Blue wave a bit less white.

And it's good to see that Senator Sanders has come around to seeing that those who worked for and supported HRC in 2016 are indeed in touch with progressives in the U.S.

He was on a list of her potential VP picks.

[HAB911]

23. Let's get it on!

[Uncle Joe]

67. ...

[Demsrule86]

27. I pray that he gets elected,but I fear he won't. A liberal would have been tough enough

But a person of color who is also a liberal in Florida? I have lived there...won't happen in my opinion...sincerely hope I am wrong. We need to consider electability in primary voting...50 state strategy works. I fear we have ceded the state to more four years of GOP governance.

[progressoid]

37. Obama won Florida twice.

[Demsrule86]

75. Different time...and Scott won Florida twice also.

We have a shot...at a state that has become increasingly red. I sincerely hope we win. But I don't know if that will happen...rolling the dice.

[bearsfootball516]

56. Florida has tried to run centrists in this spot before. We always lose.

Maybe Gillum will win, maybe he won't. But one thing was clear last night. Gillum drove minority vote through the roof and brings a ton of energy and hope. You mentioned a person of color not being able to win Florida...remember 2008 and 2012.

Wasn't there another charismatic, African American man who basically came out of nowhere and took Florida by storm?

[Demsrule86]

74. This was an opportunity unlike other times...and Crist ran...he was not a good candidate and

a former Republican. A moderate could win disaffected Trump voters this years...I hope he can win...sent money.

[zipplewrath]

126. Even if he doesn't

The voter participation he could generate could have effects down ticket, especially in local races.

[redstatebluegirl]

76. I do too.

With Trump rallying the racists around the country and especially in the south with his "violence" dog whistles I don't see how this can happen. I would warn people to not pay attention to the polls, they have not be accurate since people won't tell someone on the phone they are racists, but they will vote like they are when nobody is looking.

[zentrum]

34. And another Bernie-backed

...candidate wins! This, plus the DNC stopping the superdelegate approach. Plus, Medicare for all is being talked about more and mainstreamed as an idea. Bernie is having a good effect.

[ehrnst]

42. He was a Hillary delegate and campaigned for her.

I think that his support for her campaign alumni Gillum and Randall Woodfin, as progressive, Bernie is evolving in his understanding of how progressive HRC really was and is.

That would be good for Bernie.

Certainly Gillum embraces HRC's generous and positive message of reaching out and including people, rather than shouting and finger wagging.

[mcar]

47. Gillum is much more in HRC's mold!

[zentrum]

53. You bet!

[zentrum]

59. As they all did

...in the general, Bernie included. Everyone did what they could to turn out the vote for HRC after the primary.

This particular upset is seen primarily as a current Bernie action, because he stumped and rallied for Gillum in this election.

And Gillum certainly ran to the left of the centrist Democrat, Graham.

Do you know which candidate Hillary backed in this actual primary?

[ehrnst]

61. I would credit Gillum more than anyone.

And I certainly give the DNC and HRC credit for giving him the national spotlight at the convention in 2016.

That may have be an impetus for all of these people and orgs to get behind him.

From the nominee's website: https://andrewgillum.com/2018/08/latest-endorsements/

The Gillum for Governor campaign has been endorsed by:

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders
U.S. Rep. Alcee L. Hastings
U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson
U.S. Rep. Luis Gutierrez
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro
Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax
Former Florida Democratic Party Chair Bob Poe
Former Florida Democratic Party Allison Tant
Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Aramis Ayala
Florida Senator Perry Thurston
Florida Senator Bobby Powell
Florida Senator Randolph Bracy
Florida Rep. and Democratic Whip Joseph Abruzzo
Florida Rep. Loranne Ausley
Florida Rep. Ramon Alexander
Florida Rep. Shevrin Jones
Florida Rep. Al Jacquet
Florida Rep. Patrick Henry
Florida Rep. Kamia Brown
Florida Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith
Former Florida Senator Tony Hill
Former Florida Rep. Mia Jones
Palm Beach County Tax Collector Anne Gannon
Broward County Property Appraiser Marty Kiar
Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan
Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness
Broward County Commissioner Barbara Sharief
Palm Beach County Commissioner Mack Bernard
Osceola County Commissioner Viviana Janer
Volusia County County Council Member At-Large Joyce M. Cusack
Orange County Commissioner Emily Bonilla
Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller
Former Miami-Dade County Commissioner Betty T. Ferguson
Hillsborough County School Board Vice-Chair Tammy Shamburger
Miami-Dade School Board Member Dr. Steve Gallon, III
Birmingham, AL Mayor Randall Woodfin
Miramar Mayor Wayne Messam
Miramar Vice Mayor Yvette Colbourne
Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe
Lauderdale Lakes Mayor Hazelle P. Rogers
West Park Mayor Eric Jones
Belle Glade Mayor Steve Wilson
Dania Beach Mayor Tamara James
Mayor of Daytona Beach Derrick Henry
Mayor of Palatka Terrill Hill
Greenacres Mayor Joel Flores
Pahokee Mayor Keith W. Babb Jr.
South Bay Mayor Joe Kyles
West Park Vice Mayor Brian Johnson
Opa Locka Vice Mayor Joseph Kelley
Florida City Vice Mayor RS Shiver
St. Petersburg Council Vice Chair Lisa Wheeler Bowman
Orlando Commissioner Regina Hill
Former Tampa City Council Chair Gwen Miller
Florida City Commissioner Sharon Butler
Gainesville Commissioner Harvey Ward
Gainesville Commissioner Adrian Hayes Santos
Gainesville Commissioner David Arreola
Fort Myers Councilwoman Teresa Watkins Brown
Riviera Beach Commissioner Tonya Davis Johnson
West Park Commissioner Felicia Brunson
Belle Glade Commissioner Johnny Burroughs
Panama City Commissioner Kenneth Brown
North Bay Village Commissioner Andreana Jackson
Lauderhill Commissioner Ken Thurston
Lauderdale Lakes Commissioner Sandra Davey
Dania Beach Commissioner Bobbie Grace
Broward County School Board Member Rosalind Osgood
Lake Worth City Commissioner Omari Hardy
Orange City City Council Member Evelyn D. Robinson
Daytona Beach City Commissioner Paula R. Reed
Daytona Beach City Commissioner Dannette Henry
DeLand City Commissioner Jessica Davis
North Miami Councilman Phillippe Bien-Aime
Miami Gardens Vice Mayor Dr. Erhabor Ighodaro
Miami Gardens Councilman David Williams Jr.
Miami Gardens Councilwoman Lisa C. Davis
Opa-Locka City Commissioner Matthew Pigatt
Belle Glade Commissioner Johnny Burroughs Jr.
Hollywood City Commissioner Dick Blattner
Kissimmee City Commissioner Angela Eady
Sarasota City Commissioner Shelli Freeland-Eddie
Former Tallahassee City Commissioner / Obama Administration Ambassador Allan Katz
Pahokee City Commissioner Benny L. Everett III
Pahokee City Commissioner Clara Murvin
Collective PAC
Color of Change
Indivisible
Democracy for America (DFA)
Opportunity First
People for the American Way (PFAW) Next Up Victory Fund
Our Revolution
Empowering Engaged Muslim Americans (Emgage USA)
Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate Distinction
Muslims for Democracy and Fairness PAC
National environmental leader Bill McKibben and 350 Action
Working Families Party (WFP)
Progressive Change Campaign Committee (PCCC)
Organize Florida
New Florida Majority
Women’s March Florida
National Nurses Union (NNU)
Democratic Black Caucus of Florida (DBCF)
NextGen America & Democratic activist Tom Steyer
Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida (DECF)
Recommended by the Dolphin Democrats
Florida Immigrant Coalition
Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida (DPCF)
Indivisible Action Tampa Bay (IATB)
TV producer Norman Lear
NBA Legend Grant Hill
Miami radio host and community leader Papa Keith from 103.5 The Beat

[zentrum]

85. So true. They all played

...a part. Though I think Graham was the mainstream Dem candidate. And for this reason, Graham was the expected winner.

But it's only Bernie, a national candidate, who stumped for him. This means that the perception---and media perception is hugely important (as I'm sure you know)---is that this is a Bernie driven win. And an upset of the polls and the expectation. Like Ocasio-Cortez was.

[ehrnst]

86. Why do you think that Sanders was among the last people to endorse him?

He came on August 1.

Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax came on July 19, and the vast majority of endorsements came before July.

I ask because so many people are crediting Sanders with the win, but he waited until after all of these other organizations, and people much more well known to Florida residents had already endorsed him.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11067115

Do you think that might be due to Sanders waiting to see if he was likely to win?

https://andrewgillum.com/2018/07/gillums-straw-poll-victories-endorsements-show-growing-momentum-gov-race/

[zentrum]

140. Ironically enough...

....just today, I heard my local affiliate of NPR report what an upset the Gillum win was , in terms of expected outcome. They said they didn't know "what was the bigger story"---how Gillum won, or how he upset all the polls which had Graham winning. So I don't think there was anything to "wait for" in terms of a "likely win". Everyone thought he was unlikely to win.

Are you saying HRC endorsed him over Graham? Or was she silent for this primary?

NPR also talked about how Gillum and the Black community in Florida begged HRC and the DNC to help them organize Black voters for a good turnout in 2016 and how they were ignored. Just telling you the story as reported on the NPR show today.

So, no I don't think Bernie waited until it was "safe" to endorse. He endorsed and helped out in time to help Gillum win.

[ehrnst]

145. The endorsement came after Gillum reported this in Mid July:

In the past week, Gillum has secured impactful endorsements from across the state, including Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Aramis Ayala, the Florida Immigrant Coalition (their first ever gubernatorial endorsement), the Democratic Progressive Caucus of Florida, and Virginia Lt. Governor Justin Fairfax, the second-ever African-American elected statewide in that state.

That was before Sanders decided to endorse.

I didn't hear the NPR story. Can you link to it?

Are you saying HRC endorsed him over Graham? Or was she silent for this primary?

Not sure where you got this - are you confusing me with another poster? Or are you mistaking "many endorsers who were well known and influential in Florida" with HRC? No - I'm talking about this list:

https://andrewgillum.com/2018/08/latest-endorsements/

Is that clearer?

But you might be thinking of discussion of HRC's endorsement of him in 2016 as a Democratic leader when she gave him the spotlight for a national audience at the Democratic National Convention, along with Stacy Abrams. And Gillum did hire Brendan McPhillips who was the political director for Hillary for America in Pennsylvania in 2017, when he had issues raising money. From the looks of it, that did solve that issue. And his communications director was Diane Wasserman Shultz's press secretary.

But still, it's interesting that Sanders waited until August, the last endorser. Maybe he was hesitant to endorse someone that had endorsed his opponent, or perhaps it was because Gillum took large donations from out-of-state billionaires. Or that Gillum's communications director was Debbie Wasserman Shultz's press secretary.

That didn't stop Sanders from endorsing Tom Perriello in VA for the governor's race, however, so I figured that wasn't an issue for Bernie anymore.


Perhaps Hillary has pulled Sanders to the left on social justice issues. That's a possibility.

[Snotcicles]

51. yep I see nothing but pluses. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

143. Bernie is leading the Democratic Party in the right direction... good for him, good for the Party!!

[awesomerwb1]

78. So Bernie reached out to him.....

So if Bernie comes out and "endorses" someone last minute and the candidate wins....it's all because of Bernie?

Got it. Gonna reach out to Bernie and ask him for next week's lottery numbers.

[progressoid]

87. I must have missed that part of the article that said it's all because of Bernie.

Other than the headline and a paragraph, not much was said about Sanders.

[awesomerwb1]

88. The comments. Humor.

Hope I didn't offend you bro.

[progressoid]

90. Not offended.

Nonplussed.

[lunamagica]

92. Gillum endorsed Hillary in Match '16

Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum finally laid his 2016 cards on the table, endorsing Hillary Clinton for president less than 30 days out from Florida’s March 15 primary.

“Hillary Clinton has put forward an agenda focused on moving our nation forward – and building on the tremendous progress made by President Obama. Her experience and legacy of leadership speak to the kind of purpose-driven President she will be, and the kind of commander in chief the American people deserve,” said Gillum in a prepared statement.

“As a Mayor, I understand the importance of bringing real and pragmatic solutions to the issues that face our communities. Hillary Clinton has put forward innovative ideas focused on making college more affordable, raising incomes for working families, restoring balance and fairness to our criminal justice system, and addressing issues of climate change,” said the first-term Democratic mayor and former city commissioner.

“Hillary Clinton is the change-maker this nation needs. I believe she stands first and foremost for American progress, and I know she’ll make a real difference in the lives of the people in Florida and all over the country.”

http://floridapolitics.com/archives/202564-andrew-gillum-backs-hillary-clinton

[ismnotwasm]

93. It wasn't Bernie although he helped

It was the Black community coming out for this guy. White people need to give credit where it belongs

[George II]

96. I wonder why he isn't billed as Tom Steyer-backed progressive Andrew Gillum? After all....

....Steyer put $500,000 of his own money into the race.

[ehrnst]

101. And Soros gave twice that. (nt)

[JustAnotherGen]

155. See erhnst below

I think it was actually $1 Million each - Soros and Steyer.

[George II]

156. Thanks, they both were very generous and instrumental in the win.

[ehrnst]

100. He also had the backing of $1M from billionaire Tom Steyer & $500K from Soros.

Which did help.

[LisaM]

102. Gillum seems like a great candidate. Can we stop aligning him with people determined

to divide the party?

Why isn't he called "Hillary supporter" Gillum, or even just Tallahassee mayor, or one of many of other things we could use? (Or even just refer to him as a hardworking Dem who's worked his way up?)

Hillary is supporting plenty of candidates, but she obviously doesn't feel the need to slap her name on everyone she endorses. This is really, really bugging me. Let's judge the guys on his policies and his resume and his obvious connection with voters. The Florida governor race is not about Bernie Sanders.

[ehrnst]

113. Or even just a really talented young candidate who worked hard for it?

Like Woodfin and Abrams?

[LisaM]

118. Yes, exactly, I was trying to allude to that in my examples.

One thing Trump and Bernie have in common is they just seem to want their names out there for everything. Wouldn't it be nice if we could just get rid of this d*** wagging contest and talk about issues, and achievements, and actual plans?

[ehrnst]

119. Politics. (nt)

[Eliot Rosewater]

139. AA women are going to soon have some power in this country, look out for GOOD things

to come.

[Mariana]

125. I don't know what "we" you're talking about.

Gregory Krieg wrote this piece. CNN published it. No telling who wrote the headline.

[Voltaire2]

129. Apparently I wrote the headline.

One of literally dozens this morning noting exactly the same thing that apparently didn’t just happen.

[JCanete]

146. That's a fair point. Its actually pretty interesting that cases like this and the Ocasio-Cortez

upset have generated such mainstream press presented as "Sanders wins." Maybe that has become a newsworthy framing because Sanders is such a household name now and still popular that the mention comes with clicks. I don't think the article or its emphasis on naming Sanders is the problem per se. I do worry about how posting via title in the general discussion forum comes across, especially given our painful couple years of history here at DU.

[JCanete]

136. Not a fan of the OP any more than I am of your response to it. Can we stop being determined to

divide the party by taking very interpretive shots at candidates that many here appreciate?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

144. Some just can't help themselves... sad, but true.

[comradebillyboy]

107. The sun came up this morning, I credit Bernie Sanders.

[JCanete]

135. Yeay, before Sanders there was no Bern. That's scripture. nt

[JCanete]

134. I appreciate your passion for Sanders policies and activism, but I don't know what a thread like

this is intended to do. Gillum seems to have a range of support, and thank God, there seems to be a tentative sense of unity here on DU around this candidate, which is a nice temporary relief from the daily infighting.