Bernie Sanders records video announcing 2020 campaign

[JoeOtterbein]

(Disclaimer: the Politico writer is the poster's daughter.)

Bernie Sanders, inching closer to a second bid for the White House, has recorded a campaign video in which he says he is running for president in 2020, according to two people familiar with the spot.

It’s the latest sign the independent senator, the runner-up in the 2016 contest for the Democratic nomination, is nearing a presidential announcement.

snip

It is unclear when, or even whether, the Sanders video will be released. It’s possible that Sanders could launch a 2020 campaign with an exploratory committee and then formally declare his candidacy later, a route other presidential candidates, such as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, have taken.

Sarah Ford, a spokeswoman for Sanders, did not respond to a request for comment about the video.

https://www.politico.com/story/2019/02/16/bernie-sanders-2020-1173339

[Garrett78]

1. No path to victory. Not going to be VP or in the cabinet. No need to boost public profile.

But whatever.

[madville]

12. Maybe he'll team up as Schultz's VP for an independent run

Guarantee Trump a general election victory, anything is possible. I'm joking of course.

[CentralMass]

178. Realclearpolitics has him in 2nd place behind Biden in the latest tracking.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2020/president/us/2020_democratic_presidential_nomination-6730.html#polls

[Garrett78]

184. Name recognition. Polls, including the hypothetical matchup ones, are meaningless at this point.

The 2016 primary was over by Super Tuesday, even though it was tailor-made for Sanders. He was in a 1-on-1 race against a polarizing Clinton, so he was *the* alternative for all those who had been conditioned to hate Hillary. He won't be so fortunate in 2020.

He probably won't even win New Hampshire this time around. He probably won't come in 2nd in Iowa. He's fortunate in that we start with 2 states that don't remotely reflect our electorate, but that won't save him.

After New Hampshire, the primary schedule becomes very unfavorable for Sanders. Have you looked at the schedule?

On top of all that, there will be fewer caucuses in 2020.

[Joe941]

2. I'll support him.

[Snotcicles]

3. Me too. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

13. Me three!!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[trueblue2007]

18. I WON'T.

[kennetha]

20. I would oppose him with every fiber of my being!

[grantcart]

27. +1

[aidbo]

46. What if he's the Democratic nominee though?

[NurseJackie]

60. He won't be. Don't worry.

[Gothmog]

114. Without support from African. AMERICAN voters, this cannot happen

I am confident that sanders will not be the nominee

[Adrahil]

47. Agreed.

I’d vote for him if he won the nom, but until then, not only no, but FUCK no.

[wryter2000]

65. I am totally with you

There's no way this is about anything other than his ego. He can't possibly hope to win. He can only get Trump re-elected.

At this point, I'd vote for a gerbil if it was the Dem nominee.

[Empowerer]

117. And this time, he can't claim it's to try to push Dems to be more progressive

since there are very progressive candidates running who are also actually Democrats.

[kstewart33]

122. Yes.

With other qualified candidates promoting some of the things that Bern promotes, he'll have trouble differentiating himself from the pack.

[DemKittyNC]

52. Agreed!

[jrthin]

64. Me too!!!!!

[Kahuna7]

108. +1 nt

[Lucid Dreamer]

119. Ditto. Will not vote for a socialist. n/t

[Runningdawg]

142. Same. I will ONLY vote for him if he is the Democratic nominee.

If he decides to run as an Independent, we can all kiss our asses goodbye, Trump wins and we will have voted in our last election.

[Gothmog]

148. A large number of actual members of the Democratic Party have long memories

We will not forget pr forgive sanders efforts to elect trump

[pandr32]

151. Me as well

[Stuart G]

166. So would I...Ralph Nader cost Gore the election....Bush winning the election resulted in

the "Iraq War" That one cost approximately 175,000 their lives. How does that sound?

Bernie can take his shit and take a walk. We don't want any excuse for Trump to win again. Yes, if Bernie runs and Biden runs too, then Bernie will take votes from Biden, just like Nader took from Gore.

If that happens, or thinking that can happen, means Bernie stays out. Ok, if he runs as a Democrat and looses after a couple of primaries..and then supports the nominee and does not run as an independent, well that is ok. But Bernie loosing as a Democrat and running after that as an independent is not OK. Time will tell.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

176. I'll support Bernie with every fiber of my being!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[Doremus]

179. Me 4. nt

[NightWatcher]

4. Is he running for the Democratic Nomination?

[still_one]

5. No doubt when it is convenient

[Doremus]

180. Just as convenient as when he votes with the Dems (which is far more than many Dems do) nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

14. No doubt... only way I'll vote for him.

[trueblue2007]

19. bernie is NOT A DEMOCRAT!!! if he changes just to run .... that is just opportunistic.

[NightWatcher]

22. And dishonest and manipulative and .....

[NurseJackie]

62. I expect better. Loyalty.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

132. Bernie's more of a Democrat than most Democrats based on his voting record.

[betsuni]

175. Then why does he call the party "ideologically bankrupt"?

You'd think that if Democrats are wealthy elites beholden to Wall St. and Big Banks and lobbyists who don't care about the working and middle class as he says, he wouldn't vote the way they do.

[Doremus]

181. Are you saying you prefer Bernie caucus with the (R)s? Just for the record. nt

[trueblue2007]

185. HE trashs the Democratic Party as much as Trump, no doubt

[Doremus]

186. He votes with the Dems more than some actual Dems.

Candidates run for office, each party holds a primary during which the candidates tell us why we should pick them over their competitors and then we vote for the candidate we want to run against the other party.

This is how our Democratic process works. Do you want to change it? Perhaps something a little less competitive? Want the parties to select our candidates for us? What...?

[Baltimike]

172. this

to speak NOTHING of the Russian BOTS that sought to divide our party on his behalf

[Clash City Rocker]

30. While trashing the Democratic Party more than Trump, no doubt

[Seasider]

6. Might too little too late

I think Bernie knows deep down that if he does run again, he probably won't be the underdog rock star candidate he was in 2016. Outside of the guys on TYT network, I don't know anyone pumped and excited about him running again.

[question everything]

7. I do hope that Democrats will finally conclude that he is not a Democrat

never been a Democrat, has actively campaigned against Democratic candidates - not his opponents - and wished for a primary challenge to Obama in 2012.

Now that we have so many Democrats running for president, we need to just tell him good bye.

[NurseJackie]

71. He has such contempt for our party...

... I cannot abide by that from anyone.

[theophilus]

8. I wish he wouldn't. I see no purpose for him stirring these things

up again. There are many progressive/liberal dems in the running. Bernie adds nothing and will possibly cause problems. I am afraid his goals are less than honorable. It is a tragic thing when people put their own desires ahead of the good of others. If that is not the case here, I apologize. Oh, and if he does not put out his tax returns he should not be allowed to run in anything other than Vermont's senate race, and maybe not even that, imo.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

150. "Bernie adds nothing"?! LOL, that's why every serious declared candidate so far has adopted the same

progressive agenda that Bernie popularized during his 2016 run for president, which btw, at the time, was highly criticized by some. Let's see how serious those candidates are about their new found positions if and when Bernie, the originalist, enters the race and holds their feet to the fire.

[Apollyonus]

9. Fool me once ... etc. nt

[snowybirdie]

10. I think ole Bernie

has missed the boat. Too many real Democrats have beat him to it. And didn't the party change rules about who can and cannot run as a democrat?

[still_one]

11. no doubt he will conveniently become a Democrat again, but hopefully with California moving their

primary up to Super Tuesday, and our Senator Kamila Harris in the race, and Biden, who I expect to announce, along with the other DEMOCRATS will pretty much determine our nominee by Super Tuesday

[Garrett78]

35. Even if the race isn't decided by Super Tuesday, as it was in 2016, Sanders won't be in the running.

He probably won't even win New Hampshire, and it's all downhill after that. He has no path to victory.

I get why he ran in 2016, though he should have dropped out much sooner. But aside from ego, I don't know why he would run in 2020.

[still_one]

39. His base argues that it is to push his issues

[Garrett78]

45. He's done that. And Democrats, generally speaking, have the same positions.

Where Sanders fails is in bashing identity politics in one breath and then talking about the white working class in the next breath. He has a fundamental misunderstanding of the relationship between social justice and economic justice.

And he's constantly sticking his foot in his mouth.

He has absolutely no path to victory.

[still_one]

50. I agree

[comradebillyboy]

57. No path to victory? I hope you are right.

[Garrett78]

82. If you look at the primary schedule, it gets really rough for Sanders after New Hampshire.

And there's a good chance Sanders won't even win New Hampshire this time around.

[wryter2000]

67. Yes, and

His supporters will start belly-aching about how he was cheated. They'll be reinforced by Russians, and we'll have 2016 all over again.

[Gothmog]

149. It appears that sanders latest poorly reviewed book is not selling

It seems that sanders needs to do something to boost book sales

[stopbush]

15. Sanders is last year's news. No way he can compete with the Ds who have already announced.

I would not be surprised if the REAL Ds in the field raised a stink if the DNC contemplated letting him run again as a D. Besides his making life difficult for HRC, he did not hold up his end of the bargain - he did not raise money for other D candidates as he promised he would.

[backabby-blue]

16. HARD PASS nt

[QC]

17. MEANIE!!!!!

[peggysue2]

21. NO!

Bernie is not a Dem nor is this 2016. The Senator from Vermont should find another way to burnish his ego and wallet. And why would he jump in when Elizabeth Warren, a perfectly sound progressive, is running this cycle?

[Garrett78]

37. And I'll point out that Kamala's voting record is almost identical to Warren's.

[peggysue2]

40. I like them both and . . .

they have a far better chance of actually winning the 2020 election than does a Sanders' redux.

[aikoaiko]

87. Except that Warren has 6 years to KH's 2 years.

Which is to say there isn't a lot of data.

[Stellar]

101. Kamala appears to be the chosen one...

she is the only one CNN gave a town hall. Why didn't they give one for Warren or any of the others? I was receiving emails for Senator Harris before I even knew who she was.

[Empowerer]

118. Do you know that they weren't offered one?

It could be part of their campaign's strategy not to do that kind of event at this stage.

I don't know either way, but I'm not going to assume there's some kind of media conspiracy against the other candidates without more information.

[Garrett78]

137. Klobuchar has 1 coming up, and we don't know if others have declined.

That format doesn't work for everyone. Kamala thrives in that setting.

It's just interesting that Bernie fans love Warren but hate Harris.

[INdemo]

155. Not so I like Klobuchar and I tell ya what when there are those

that try to put her down for being difficult to work for than that to me shows Republicans are afraid of her. Even Joy Reid is a Kamala Harris fan and yes she has put Amy Klobuchar down on her show.

[Garrett78]

161. I didn't say anything about not liking Klobuchar.

There are many Bernie fans who love Warren but hate Harris, even though their voting records are identical.

[INdemo]

164. Ok...

[musicblind]

89. He could do so much more for his issues by endorsing

someone like Warren or Harris.

[Little Star]

23. Just go away Bernie.

[helpisontheway]

24. 🙄nt

[honest.abe]

25. No more Bernie.

[RandySF]

26. No comment

[NastyRiffraff]

28. Nope

It won't work this time, Bernie. You're old news. And not good news.

[MuseRider]

29. I would be happy to give him

my primary vote again, maybe.

Oh, by the way, did y'all know he is not a Democrat? If the Dems let him in will you all finally realize it is not the party leaders that hate him? I do not know what they will do but the hate is reserved for those not in party leadership. I am certain whatever happens has already been worked out, after all they include him in everything else.

We have a lot of good people. I would prefer he do what he is doing now. I will give him my primary vote, maybe. I need him to get honest with the taxes issue. I would still rather vote for someone younger. My preference is young, female and not NOT white. The status quo is doing us no good, time to try something else.

[Apollyonus]

127. What about his tax returns?

Only two candidates have played games about releasing tax returns since 1970.

One of them is Trump. Another - Bernie. Don't you wonder if he is hiding something?

[MuseRider]

130. Perhaps if you read the entire post, it really was not too long,

you would see that I mentioned that.

Good grief, not only does he bring out the anger in people is he now making your heads hurt so badly that you can't see well enough to read the whole thing?

[Apollyonus]

131. He only sent two pages of a 2014 return

He has not supplied the older returns nor has he disclosed any subsequent returns.

Just the 1040's 2 pages is not very revealing ... there are other forms and schedules.

Again, what is he hiding?

[MuseRider]

134. WTH?

Why are you posting this to me? Did you not read after my last post to you and see that his taxes are a concern of mine?

Here, I will make it easy for you since it must be really hard for you to read a post by someone who still sees the good in the message he is putting out to the public.

Quote from my post:

"We have a lot of good people. I would prefer he do what he is doing now. I will give him my primary vote, maybe. I need him to get honest with the taxes issue. I would still rather vote for someone younger. My preference is young, female and not NOT white. The status quo is doing us no good, time to try something else."

Sentence #4:

"I need him to get honest with the taxes issue."

Does this help you?

[Apollyonus]

140. Very much. Thank you kindly. nt

[lapucelle]

31. I can't wait to hear BS answer debate questions about the allegations of sexual violence

and a culture of misogyny on his last campaign.

And the missed Russia sanctions vote.

And his taxes.

[Gothmog]

115. Those will be interesting questions

[riverine]

32. Bernie Supporters at Reddit

https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/comments/ap5zb4/bernie2020/

Please - Trump must go and Democrats don't want your "help".

[aikoaiko]

94. Some Democrats do want Bernie's help. I'm one of them.

[Apollyonus]

125. What help?

[aikoaiko]

154. He helps us voice more lefter positions.

And I believe that the wonderful result of 2018 was a combination of inspiration from HRC’s and Bernies’ failed campaigns.

[Apollyonus]

157. Cool story bro n/t

[Gothmog]

33. I really want to see sanders' tax returns

[Apollyonus]

51. Abssolutely

Only TWO candidates have refused to release tax returns since 1970. Only TWO.

We know why Trump didn't ....

[Gothmog]

63. To get on the ballot in Maryland, sanders will have to release tax reurns

[Garrett78]

95. I can't imagine he'll still be in the race on April 28. 2016 was tailor-made for Sanders.

2020 won't be. He probably won't even win New Hampshire. It's downhill after that.

[Gothmog]

96. The filing deadline for Maryland will be long before the primary date

The Maryland ballot access law will require release of tax returns when a candidate files I wonder if sanders will skip Maryland in order to keep his tax returns from being disclosed

[Garrett78]

97. Good point. When is the deadline, I wonder.

[Midwestern Democrat]

113. Is that true? The last I heard the Maryland State Senate passed that bill, but the House never even

brought it up for a vote, much less passing it and sending it the Governor to sign in to law. I think this bill simply died in the last legislative session - I'm not seeing any news reports to suggest otherwise.

[Gothmog]

183. This bill was signed

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

34. Meh

With all due respect he's yesterday's news.

[stonecutter357]

36. lol !

[KitSileya]

38. So he's saying that none of the ones who've already declared are any good?

After all, he said he'd only decide to run if no one good stepped up. So Harris, Klobuchar, Gillibrand, Booker et al are not good enough. Gee, I wonder why? Only old white men need apply, I guess.

[Adrahil]

126. Well, ya know they are only running on being women or POC....

.... only Bernie has any actual ideas, ya know. <sigh>

[KitSileya]

145. Yeah, because their detailed policies, practical solutions, and in-depth knowledge

are trumped by slogans like "break up the banks" (with no idea how) and "millionaires and billionaires" (while being the former).

[oasis]

41. Bernie will get to the bottom of Trump's tax return concealment.

I hope he will state that as his first order of business.

[BannonsLiver]

44. Not concealing his own would be a great start.

[Apollyonus]

54. lulz nt

[GemDigger]

42. Whoopie... /s nt

[Gothmog]

43. The rules have changed and now sanders will have to join the party if he wants to run

Under the old rules, there was never a requirement for sanders to join the party https://medium.com/@blairdurkee/scorched-earth-politics-bernie-sanders-and-the-dishonest-campaign-that-gave-us-trump-eb0bc82ab2c1

When rumors of his candidacy began to spread in early 2015, some discussion took place over whether Sanders could even run as a Democrat. As it turned out, there was no rule that required Democratic candidates to be registered with the party. He could run as a Democrat and maintain his affiliation as an Independent at the same time. But it wasn’t the rules that made his decision a curiosity. It was his long and well-documented history of spurning and castigating the Democratic Party. He had run against Democrats in his home state of Vermont and very openly expressed his disgust with the party, going so far as to call it “ideologically bankrupt.” He often affirmed his belief that “you don’t change the system from within the Democratic Party” and, in 1990, even declared that it would be “hypocritical” for him to run as a Democrat based on the things he had said.

The new DNC rules hopefully will fix this issue. The new DNC rule will force sanders to actually join the party and force sanders to campaign as a member of the party

Link to tweet

In addition, new ballot access laws will require sanders to release five or ten years of tax returns.

[Vinca]

48. Or it will cause him to run as an Indie, split the vote and we're stuck with Trump.

Jill Stein on steroids.

[LongtimeAZDem]

53. Anyone who votes for an independent deserves Trump.

[Vinca]

85. That's nice, but it also means we're stuck with Trump.

[LongtimeAZDem]

90. That's why we need to get out the vote for the real Democrats

[Vinca]

105. Most of us will, but Bernie is a far bigger threat to split the vote than the Starbucks guy.

I agree with that rule, by the way, and I hope he doesn't run . . . but good luck convincing his diehard fan base. I'm really worried.

[Garrett78]

138. Sanders isn't going to run as a 3rd party candidate.

He's misguided, not evil or stupid. But he could have an adverse effect just the same.

I can't imagine he'll be able to stick around for as long as he did in 2016. He may not even win New Hampshire.

[Apollyonus]

55. His legacy would then remain as a spoiler .. forever nt

[Gothmog]

61. Nader is still hated for his efforts to give W the 2000 election

Last edited Sat Feb 16, 2019, 07:27 PM - Edit history (1)

[wryter2000]

68. I know I still hate him

"No difference between the parties," huh? He couldn't possibly have believed that.

[Gothmog]

83. Nader was rove's puppet

I will never forgive nader Rove funded Nader in 2000 and 2004 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eric-zuesse/ralph-nader-was-indispens_b_4235065.html

Furthermore, Karl Rove and the Republican Party knew this, and so they nurtured and crucially assisted Nader’s campaigns, both in 2000 and in 2004. On 27 October 2000, the AP’s Laura Meckler headlined “GOP Group To Air Pro-Nader TV Ads.” She opened: “Hoping to boost Ralph Nader in states where he is threatening to hurt Al Gore, a Republican group is launching TV ads featuring Nader attacking the vice president [Mr. Gore]. ... ‘Al Gore is suffering from election year delusion if he thinks his record on the environment is anything to be proud of,’ Nader says [in the commercial]. An announcer interjects: ‘What’s Al Gore’s real record?’ Nader says: ‘Eight years of principles betrayed and promises broken.’” Meckler’s report continued: “A spokeswoman for the Green Party nominee said that his campaign had no control over what other organizations do with Nader’s speeches.” Bush’s people - the group sponsoring this particular ad happened to be the Republican Leadership Council - knew exactly what they were doing, even though the liberal suckers who voted so carelessly for Ralph Nader obviously did not. Anyone who drives a car the way those liberal fools voted, faces charges of criminal negligence, at the very least. But this time, the entire nation crashed as a result; not merely a single car.....

On July 9th, the San Francisco Chronicle headlined “GOP Doners Funding Nader: Bush Supporters Give Independent’s Bid a Financial Lift,” and reported that the Nader campaign “has received a recent windfall of contributions from deep-pocketed Republicans with a history of big contributions to the party,” according to “an analysis of federal records.” Perhaps these contributors were Ambassador Egan’s other friends. Mr. Egan’s wife was now listed among the Nader contributors. Another listed was “Nijad Fares, a Houston businessman, who donated $200,000 to the Bush inaugural committee and who donated $2,000 each to the Nader effort and the Bush campaign this year.” Furthermore, Ari Berman reported 7 October 2004 at the Nation, under “Swift Boat Veterans for Nader,” that some major right-wing funders of a Republican smear campaign against Senator John Kerry’s Vietnam service contributed also $13,500 to the Nader campaign, and that “the Republican Party of Michigan gathered ninety percent of Nader’s signatures in their state” (90%!) to place Nader on the ballot so Bush could win that swing state’s 17 electoral votes. Clearly, the word had gone out to Bush’s big contributors: Help Ralphie boy! In fact, on 15 September 2005, John DiStaso of the Manchester Union-Leader, reported that, “A year ago, as the Presidential general election campaign raged in battleground state New Hampshire, consumer advocate Ralph Nader found his way onto the ballot, with the help of veteran Republican strategist David Carney and the Carney-owned Norway Hill Associates consulting firm.”

It was obvious, based upon the 2000 election results, that a dollar contributed to Nader in the 2004 contest would probably be a more effective way to achieve a Bush win against Kerry in the U.S. Presidential election than were perhaps even ten dollars contributed to Bush. This was a way of peeling crucial votes off from Bush’s real opponent - votes that otherwise would have gone to the Democrat. That’s why the smartest Republican money in the 2004 Presidential election was actually going to Nader, even more so than to Bush himself: these indirect Bush contributions provided by far the biggest bang for the right-wing buck.

[NurseJackie]

70. As are his supporters. I hate them all.

[Gothmog]

79. Same here

[Gothmog]

59. That would kill his book sales

[Apollyonus]

49. yawn nt

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

56. Bernie is all about Bernie. Stay in the Senate.

I have no doubt that if he doesn't win the primary, which I'm sure he won't, he'll run as an independent. Pisses me off.

[Apollyonus]

66. And ... while losing the primary

he will smear the other good candidates with memes like

Establishment Democrat
Corporate Democrat
Corrupt Democrat
Pay to Play Democrat
Unlikeable Democrat
Cold Democrat
Wall Street Democrat

etc. etc.

and AFTER losing, he will claim it was rigged against him and that he was deprived of his rightful win.

I don't want Yogi Berra's famous saying about Déjà vu......

[honest.abe]

84. Exactly.

It could happen again.. God forbid.

[Kahuna7]

109. You nailed him. He will also continue to run/campaign

for himself along side the party nominee in an effort to dilute the nominee's message.

[Apollyonus]

121. +1000 nt

[Gothmog]

163. And attacks on real Democrats like Congressman John Lewis

The attacks on Congressman Lewis will come back and be used against sanders

[BlueStater]

58. Oh for fucks sake.

Go away.

[roody]

69. I have a $100 donation ready for the day he announces. eom

[SamKnause]

72. I love Bernie !!!

[NurseJackie]

74. Do you agree with someone who says that...

Do you agree with someone who says that the Democratic party is corrupt and ideologically bankrupt?

[Chemisse]

77. Nothing says 'vote for Dems' like bashing the entire Dem Party!

Bernie is the last person we need joining the race.

[NurseJackie]

81. You're absolutely correct! It serves no good purpose for anyone...

Nothing says 'vote for Dems' like bashing the entire Dem Party!

You're absolutely correct! It serves no good purpose for anyone to bash the party by saying that Democrats are "feeble" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure".

Only someone who truly hates the Democratic party would go to such efforts to denigrate us by saying that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that the Democratic party is the "party of the elite".

It only benefits the GOP when someone repeats the lie that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." Things like that only create distrust and suspicion, and that weakens the party.

I will only support a candidate who supports the party... someone who inspires and elevates the party... someone who lifts us up, not someone who tears us down. I'll only support someone who STICKS with the party through thick and thin, in good times and bad... not someone who's here today and gone tomorrow. Loyalty means a lot to me.

We have such an abundance of riches to draw from in the DEMOCRATIC party... people who are LOYAL to the party and to other Democrats. Those are the ones that energize me!

Enough of the negativity and lies and attacks and smears that denigrate real Democrats and the Democratic party!

[PTWB]

73. I love Bernie but I'm concerned he would swap back to Independent once elected

What is to prevent him from doing that?

[NurseJackie]

75. Nothing. Nothing at all.

[Kurt V.]

76. Sanders altered the conversation. we see that through our 2020 candidates.

i say job well done, now let others lead.

[Darson]

78. Which Sanders is More Destructive?

OR



Neither of them is a Democrat. And, as the saying goes, "If you're not part of the solution....."

[Apollyonus]

124. +1000 nt

[jalan48]

80. Win or lose Bernie has been a big reason the Democratic Party is moving in the right direction.

[grossproffit]

86. Nope. Thank you, next.

[aikoaiko]

88. I welcome Bernie as much as anyone at this point.

Polls show him to be a contender at this point.

I still think the young guns will lead us in 2020, but Bernie did a lot of good for Democrats in 2016 even though he didn't win.

And just a reminder to those who say to Bernie that he should go away -- you're in effect telling Bernie supporters to go away, too.

And that would be a disaster for Democrats.

[Stellar]

104. hear, hear!

But in the end I will ALWAYS vote BLUE and not be so upset that I would throw my vote away on a third party like others have done .

[aikoaiko]

153. Same here.

[NurseJackie]

143. Oh brother! GMAFB! Nobody is saying that.

And just a reminder to those who say to Bernie that he should go away -- you're in effect telling Bernie supporters to go away, too.

Oh brother! GMAFB! Nobody is saying that.

And that would be a disaster for Democrats.

This is a threat I've heard before. Is this a veiled suggestion that "Bernie supporters" will "go away" if Bernie isn't welcomed or chosen as the Democratic nominee? And if that IS what's being suggested here (that Bernie followers will withhold their vote when they "go away'') well... I have to say, that's not a very flattering thing for anyone to say or presume (or threaten) that they'll do.

All I'm trying to say is that it's very insulting for anyone to automatically presume that Bernie supporters would resort to that type of pettiness and sour-grape vindictiveness.

What I'm hearing you say is an expression of your belief that "without Bernie at the top of the ticket" these voters would not support the Democratic nominee. So I'm wondering, what good purpose does it serve? Why go there?

[aikoaiko]

152. There are plenty of people telling Bernie to go away

We see that in this very thread. But none of them follow their anti-Bernie messages with a welcome of Bernie supporters.

I am not saying that Bernie needs to be our chosen one or even on the ticket or in the cabinet (or else). That’s not my goal.

I think most Bernie supporters want the chance to welcomed as anyone else with good left of GOP ideas to run.

What I want is for DUers to welcome candidates, given their opinions on the candidates stances, and then let the primaries do their jobs. And I get it, Bernie has said many things in ways that trouble those who are concerned with social justice issues. Sometimes even me.

I’ll vote for the Democratic nominee no matter what. But I think we can avoid some of the problems of 2016 if “Go Away, Bernie” isn’t a thing.

Maybe there are too many hurt feelings for that to happen, but I’m just talking out loud.

[NurseJackie]

156. Nobody is chasing away Bernie supporters.

There are plenty of people telling Bernie to go away

Nobody is chasing away Bernie supporters.

I think most Bernie supporters want the chance to welcomed as anyone else

I think that mature individuals are perfectly capable of not taking things personally, and of understanding that rejection of a politicians divisive rhetoric does not mean that they themselves are not "welcomed".

as anyone else with good left of GOP ideas to run

Well, there's where we part ways. I am STRONGLY OPPOSED to the smears and attacks and lies and divisive rhetoric about Democrats and the Democratic party.

It's simply NOT TRUE that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" or that Democrats are "feeble".

There is NOTHING AT ALL that's "left of GOP" for anyone to claim that Democrats are "corrupt" or that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure".

Maybe there are too many hurt feelings for that to happen, but I’m just talking out loud.

You're right about that. There is much distrust and it certainly doesn't help to heal wounds and unite people when someone tells LIES such as the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that the Democratic party is the "party of the elite".

There's even a DU rule that says it's not permitted to argue that there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans." But some politicians are cheered and praised when those false statements are made. Why? What good purpose does it serve?

I can assure you that it does NOTHING to strengthen the party. It does nothing to heal old wounds. It only creates further division and distrust.

All I'm saying is that the smears and lies about Democrats are completely unnecessary and they harm and weaken the party. Anything that weakens the Democratic party only serves to benefit Russia. Therefore, in my opinion, intentionally dividing and tarnishing the Democratic party is MUCH WORSE than any "go away, Bernie" message that may hurt someone's ego.

I think it's perfectly reasonable for me to assert that the appeal and strength of the Democratic party is much more important than the feelings of one man or one woman.

[aikoaiko]

165. What I'm talking about has nothing to do with Bernie's feelings

It’s about voters and the messages we send them.

[NurseJackie]

167. Neither was I.

165. What I'm talking about has nothing to do with Bernie's feelings
It’s about voters and the messages we send them.

Neither was I. All I'm saying is, by and large, those voters being referring to are NOT petty and selfish, and they ARE mature enough to understand that righteous criticism of Bernie isn't a personal attack against them.

Although you've been very careful and have not come right out and said the words directly, I get the impression that there may be lingering doubts about their maturity or integrity. In a way, it almost (but not quite) reminds me of the veiled threats of the past where a certain segment swore not to support anyone but. But that really wouldn't serve any good purpose.

All I'm saying is, at this juncture, I believe differently and I have hope that those individuals will do the right thing rather than to indulge their vanities and egos.

It’s about voters and the messages we send them.

And as a quick follow-up to that point. I do believe that it's a mistake for anyone to send ANY message to the voters that falsely suggests that the Democrats or the Democratic party is "corrupt" or "ideologically bankrupt" or "the party of the one percent" or "the party of the elite" or that "there's no difference" between the parties or that we are "owned by Wall Street".

Those are the false and dangerous messages that weaken and divide our party and those LIES need to stop. I'll continue to speak out against those lies and smears until the day I die (or until the lies come to an end).

[LongtimeAZDem]

91. He has been a parasite on the Democratic party; he deserves no more help from us.

He uses our resources to advance his agenda, while attacking us and our candidates; he is powerless in the Senate without us, yet takes credit for our successes.

[David__77]

92. I think it would be great if he runs!

I think it would have a positive impact.

[NurseJackie]

93. What's positive about having anyone falsely claim there's "no difference"

I think it would have a positive impact.

What's positive about having anyone falsely claim there's "no difference" between Democrats and the GOP? Where is the "positive impact" when someone says that the Democratic party is "the party of the elite" or "the party of the one percent"?

All I'm saying is that these types of smears and attacks on Democrats and the Democratic party are not the kind of things that actually motivate people to vote for Democrats. It also causes distrust and suspicion and that weakens the party. I believe that anything which weakens the party only benefits the GOP and Trump and Russia.

I'm just not seeing that as having a "positive impact".

[betsuni]

98. It is not good enough to say, 'Hey, I'm an independent senator, runner-up in the 2016 contest for

the Democratic nomination, vote for me.' Votes must be earned. Feet must be held to the fire about things.

[Stellar]

99. I love Bernie and he is my first choice.

No more corporate democrats for me, unless they are the last one standing.

[betsuni]

100. Who are "corporate Democrats"?

Are you saying they are corrupt? What is the evidence of this?

[Bernardo de La Paz]

120. Poster is using a divisive slam. . . . nt

[Cha]

168. Sorry, BS is too divisive.. I want to Win..

We need someone who is inclusive and will bring people together from all over the Country. That's how Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic Party made the Blue Wave happen.. so we at least have a Democratic Victory in the House.. And, we have a Fighting Chance against the Fascism that is taking over our country.

[NurseJackie]

170. Mahalo!

It's clear to me that he'll have difficulty connecting with women and people of color. We've seen this already in the past and this year too. I think it's important that a politician should learn from their mistakes.

[Cha]

173. Yes, We Want to WIN!! Another BLUE WAVE!!!

[pnwmom]

102. He's had two years to get his tax returns together. So when will he release them? n/t

[betsuni]

103. I don't understand this:

Jane Sanders: We'll Release Full Tax Returns When They Are Due

[NurseJackie]

133. I dislike her a lot...

I don't understand this:

I dislike her a lot with the way she gives abrupt responses in an effort to stem the continued questioning about their tax returns. Although abrupt, it lacks specifics in information and in commitment to follow-through. One can tell that she's uncomfortable with the line of questioning. The interviewer is solemn and direct by asking questions that the voters are interested in, and which we deserve to hear direct and honest responses... and she's laughing-it-off and being dismissive, as if it's not important at all... as if we're all being silly for wanting to honesty and transparency from political candidates.

There are other things about her that bother me, but I don't know if she qualifies as a Democratic figure and the various protections from criticism that comes with such a designation... so I'll just leave it at that for now.

[padah513]

106. Reality check. AOC is going to endorse him

He knows that, we all know that. Then what?

[kstewart33]

123. I'm not sure that will matter much.

AOC is going strong with progressives now. But a year is a very long time in politics.

[PubliusEnigma]

129. What has AOC accomplished, again?!? Oh, right. She got elected. And then??

[Stellar]

159. I'd give her more than one month to show what she can accomplish. nt

[rainin]

107. Supported him. Then supported Hillary. Will not support him this time.

We have too many outstanding candidates. I'm sending a small donation to all my favorites to boost their unique donation count.

I hope he runs as a democrat and steps out if he isn't a frontrunner.

[Autumn]

110. Bernie's a contender and I'm good with him running again.

Always happy to hear him talking about the problems we face

[NurseJackie]

135. Are you "happy to hear him talking about"...

Always happy to hear him talking about the problems we face

Are you "happy to hear him talking about" divisive smears of how the Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt" and Democrats are "feeble".

Do you agree with the claim that Democrats are "corrupt" and that the Democratic party is an "absolute failure"? -- I certainly don't agree with it... so I'm wondering how this can be "music to your ears".

I'm good with him running again.

Are you also "good with him" making false accusations that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that the Democratic party is the "party of the elite".

All I'm trying to say here is that these things are divisive and do not encourage others to vote for Democrats, or to support the Democratic party. It doesn't encourage volunteerism, participation, or donors.

Things like that serve no good purpose at all. What it actually does it create distrust and division and that weakens the party. It destroys the party's resolve and unity. A disunited party is a weak party, and that ONLY serves to benefit the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

That's not music to my years. We can do better. We need a candidate who can unite us... and he's not the one.

[Autumn]

136. Here's a difference Jackie. I listen to what he says, not out of context snippets. As long as Bernie

is a Democratic ally and support for him is allowed by the admins here I will support him.

[NurseJackie]

139. Oh it's very clear what he's saying, Autumn.

As long as Bernie
is a Democratic ally and support for him is allowed by the admins here I will support him.

Oh it's very clear what he's saying, Autumn. Those things are divisive and cause a great deal of suspicion and distrust. That's not the kind of behavior and rhetoric that I'd expect from an ally, or from someone who had the best interests of the party in mind.

I listen to what he says as well. Once again, all I'm saying is that things like that only serve to divide and weaken the party and at the same time, to benefit the GOP. What good purpose does it serve?

[Garrett78]

141. I don't take issue with you liking him but he has no shot at getting nominated.

He's fortunate in that we always lead with 2 states that don't remotely reflect the diversity of our electorate, but in a large field with others from New England, Sanders has no path to victory.

2016 was tailor-made for Sanders. He was *the* alternative to a polarizing frontrunner. That won't be the situation in 2020.

[Autumn]

144. There are several others who have no shot at getting nominated. I'm stiill good with

them running also. No it won't be the same situation, but I won't say anyone has no path to victory. No one knows what the future holds.

[NurseJackie]

146. But, we can make some fairly accurate educated guesses using common sense.

No one knows what the future holds.

That's very true, nobody knows. But, we can make some fairly accurate educated guesses using common sense.

There are several others who have no shot at getting nominated.

But in their favor, those 2nd-tier candidates aren't saying that Democrats are "do-nothings" and they aren't saying that the Democratic party "doesn't care about climate change."

Also in their favor, even though the lesser-known and underfunded candidates aren't likely to be nominated, I view it as a very positive thing that they don't make divisive claims about how Democrats "focus too much" on diversity.

I'm very glad to see that those "underdog" candidates do not resort to petty lies about the Democratic party, and they they don't make divisive claims that the Democrats who "are very big into diversity" aren't "particularly sympathetic" to the working class.

Instead, what these first-time candidates are doing is BUILDING UP the Democratic party and CREATING EXCITEMENT for the Democratic party. They don't need to tear down the party in order to make themselves look good. Honestly now, what good purpose does that serve?

All I'm saying is that even though "there are several others who have no shot at getting nominated" ... at least they aren't bitter about it and they don't use divisive rhetoric to tarnish the brand of the Democratic Party or to make false suggestions that both parties are the same.

[Garrett78]

158. Some run to be considered for VP or a cabinet post. Or to boost their public profile.

Sanders won't be VP or in the cabinet. And he doesn't need to boost his public profile.

If you look at the schedule, you can be pretty sure it'll be all downhill after New Hampshire for Sanders.

[Autumn]

160. It doesn't matter if it's all downhill after New Hampshire for Sanders. As far as I'm concerned

as a Democratic ally his voice matters, every voice matters on our side.

[NurseJackie]

162. Allies are supposed to be supportive.

as a Democratic ally his voice matters

Allies are supposed to be supportive. Can anyone explain how it's supportive for anyone to claim that the Democratic party is the "party of the elite" or that the Democratic party is "an absolute failure". What good purpose does that serve?

every voice matters on our side

All I'm saying is that I have an entirely different interpretation of what "on our side" means... and the constant denigration and attacks and smears of Democrats and the Democratic party isn't the behavior I'd expect from anyone who's actually "on our side".

It certainly doesn't promote unity and healing of past divisions. In fact, it's clear to me that when anyone says these things (or defends these things) it only serves to weaken the party and to cause suspicion and distrust.

And, as always... the only one who benefits from a divided and weakened Democratic party is the GOP, and Trump, and Russia.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

111. The Second Time Around

[UniteFightBack]

112. I like Bernie just fine...but just like last time he ain't getting my vote in a DEMOCRATIC primary.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

116. I'm So Excited

[PubliusEnigma]

128. Time to fade away now, Bernie.

[Scurrilous]

147. He got clobbered in Florida during the 2016 primary:

Hillary Clinton 64.4%

Bernie Sanders 33.3%

Other 2.3%

This time around he'll be neck and neck with 'Other.'

[WeekiWater]

169. I would respect this so much more had he worked to get Clinton elected. NT

[Hortensis]

171. And all the Democrats with her. We were a shoo-in for control of the senate!

And, amazingly, increasingly control of the house appeared possible. For sure, the numbers would have been close, either way, giving us much more power in the house, and control of both chambers was possible.

It was ALL lost. 3/4 of his primary voters were solid Democrats who always absolutely intended to vote Democrat. They are us.

But his rest, that other quarter who believed what he, plus the Republicans and Russia in overlapping themes, told them: 12% voted for TRUMP. 2% refused to vote because they believed what he'd told them about Democrats. The rest voted third party -- how many because they believed his "reform"-style stories that Democrats were corrupt and just a variation on Republicans and how many who just couldn't do Trump, I don't know. But we were watching him and his remaining following, and we know he didn't try a fraction of what he could have.

[Hortensis]

174. I'm tired of clicking off Sanders, don't want more. How about Ralph Nader instead?!

Sure, he's 84 and Sanders is 77, but no worry that either could win and, specifically to the point here, they're both proven spoilers for those who like that.

Nader wouldn't disappear for months at a time, we wouldn't lose any of the vital POC bloc to him either, and he's as Twitter-savvy as Sanders and Trump. Having checked his feed, I'm sure he'll work just as hard at throwing power to the right by undermining confidence in Democrats during a critical election as he ever did.

Why run a copycat when you can redo the last surviving original? Nostalgia!

"I start with the premise that the function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers. Your best teacher is your last mistake." ~ Ralph Nader

Oh, no, no, no, no, no! Not the last mistake, Mr. Nader.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

177. I like Bernie Sanders, but time to give the next genreration the baton.....

Bernie, as with Hillary, and even Joe Biden, can be a BIG help to the up and coming leaders in the Democratic Party.

[Doremus]

182. Hopefully he'll push the party left again this time, as he did in 2016.

I think it's the only reason he's running again. To push us further left and throw back the curtain on the flaws of "centrist" ideology.

Go Bernie!