Has anyone ever considered that Bernie might hurt Ossoff

[rateyes]

in a GA red district, and that may be the reason for staying away?

[Hoyt]

1. Ossoff "ties" to Pelosi, Obama, etc., is the main attack from GOPers against Ossoff.

I don't think Sanders would help him much, but it's not Sanders' fault. It's the damn white wingers in that District who have voted for the likes of Tom Price, Newt Gingrich, etc., in the past.

[Demsrule86]

8. How about Sanders heading to Georgia...and visiting with Pres. Carter?

Do you think that is helpful? Timing is everything...he should have avoided Georgia if was going to ignore Ossoff.

[JI7]

15. carter isn't running for anything.

[Demsrule86]

30. There is an important house race at this very moment...Ossoff... You think going to Georgia and

ignoring the Democratic candidate is helpful? And if as some have opined, Ossoff asked him to stay away then why go to Georgia?

[JI7]

31. i don't think he was asked to stay away but i also don't think he needs to be there

If he isn't going to help much .

[Demsrule86]

53. It is in the middle of a run off...very important to Democrats...why risk this election? I

think the timing was really bad.

[MGKrebs]

62. There is no evidence that this has hurt Ossoff.

You are inventing a problem that probably doesn't exist. You are looking for a reason to ding Bernie. Bernie came, and he went. You think the Republicans are going to run an ad that says "Bernie came to Georgia and didn't see Ossoff"? They are trying to tie him to Pelosi and Warren and Sanders as it is because they think it will hurt Ossoff.

Give it up.

[Jim Beard]

63. What you said, I agree!

[Demsrule86]

72. No evidence it helped either.

[QC]

49. Unless they are on probation or parole, Americans are generally allowed

to move freely among the states.

We've never required "internal passports" in this country.

[Demsrule86]

52. But if one's goal is to elect Democrats to the House and stop Trump, is it wise...don't think so.

[QC]

61. Sending a self-identified socialist into Newt Gingrich country

to campaign for someone who is promoting himself as a middle-of-the-road type might not be a good idea.

[Demsrule86]

73. A simple...vote for Ossoff in order to save health care would have helped ...it could have been

helpful..going to Georgia and ignoring Ossoff was not helpful.

[Demsrule86]

2. He should have endorsed ...it would have made a difference to some in that district...

and they paint him with Sen. Sanders and what they consider the hard left anyway...I will never understand...Georgia is important...Nebraska Mayor's race? Not very much...all those hard feelings about abortion rights over a mayor's race.

[still_one]

6. You are right. This wasn't rocket science, and he could have easily endorsed both, and no one would

have thought twice about it, but the way he avoided coming out for Ossoff made this an issue, and the media grabbed it in a New York minute, to sow discord among Democrats, instead of putting focus on the issues where the candidates stand.

[Demsrule86]

7. And now he is down in Georgia with President Carter...completely ignoring Ossoff..that sends

a message...very disappointed.

[still_one]

14. What is going to kill us is the divisions, and those who intentionally or not act as vehicles to

sow those divisions are adding to what already is a very bad situation.

The media will sure push any divisions they can exploit, and I hope the Democrats wouldn't fall into that trap, though I am not too optimistic

As for this race, the polls I have seen are within the margin of error.

I was unaware that President Carter did not voice his support for Ossoff, and am very disappointed with that. I believe this district has been in republican control since Carter, so that would have been nice to have.

[Tom Rinaldo]

17. Good Lord

Ossoff has an Upscale Conservative Suburban district. It is a classic example of what used to be called an "Establishment Republican" stronghold. That is one of the reasons why Trump did much worse in that district than it's former Republican Congressman did. It is the type of district where people call Bernie a "Socialist" and by that they mean a "Commie". It is not the type district where Bernie gets called in to help. The Montana race is the type district where Bernie is considered an asset - and he is campaigning there. Bernie has endorsed Ossoff, so local leftists get that message. He isn't campaigning there though and I suspect that is by mutual agreement.

[ornotna]

23. Stop trying to inject logic and facts

Into a perfectly good agenda.

[WoonTars]

25. Right? Stop being sensible!!!

[Demsrule86]

28. It could demoralize progressive voters...and it wouldn't need to be many either...

Why go to Georgia? Sen. Sander's presence reminds voters of all the things they don't like about progressives and he reminds people who like him that he refused to endorse Ossoff...I have to say; I don't agree with you about an endorsement; I think it might have helped...but assume you are correct. Sen. Sander's presence in Georgia could cause Ossoff damage...if Sen. Sanders was not prepared to endorse than he should not have gone to Georgia...and Sen. Sanders endorsed in a similar situation in Montana but not in Georgia. I don't get it; I want Democrats to win back the House.

[ornotna]

34. You don't seem demoralized

You've been pushing this nonsense fast and furious on this thread alone. Like I said above, agenda.

[Demsrule86]

37. I am never demoralized. I vote Democratic (no exceptions) in every election.. used to write

Democrats in when I lived in Georgia as Democrats are not always on the ballot, But I am a yellow dog Democrat...and those in Georgia six are not...as for 'nonsense'...it is my opinion that by not endorsing Ossoff and by then heading down to Georgia...Sen. Sanders hurts Ossoff's chances. My goal is to elect Democrats, take back the house (the Senate would be ice too) and save millions of Americans from Trump. I really don't care about individuals at the moment...my only concern is winning.

[MGKrebs]

64. It's your opinion. We get it. Let it go.

We've all seen your 1000 posts on this. Maybe in the next survey they can ask Dems "When Bernie came to town and didn't visit Ossoff did it make you change your vote to Handel" and see what happens.

[MGKrebs]

65. If your are so much a Democrat why are you so interested in

an independent endorsing Ossoff?
Has Angus King endorsed Ossoff? Maybe you better keep track of his movements too in case he gets too close to Georgia.

[Demsrule86]

68. Ossoff is running for a house seat...we need the house...anything that threatens his chances is

terrible...his could be the deciding vote in health care

[Demsrule86]

69. Sen. Sanders made a point of endorsing Mello who was not progressive and said he had no knowledge

of Ossoff...that could hurt/ some out reach...Mello was unimportant nationally...Ossoff is important. As for King, he stays out of the limelight and does not endorse anyone.

[MGKrebs]

66. Well hopefully the John Lewis and Hank Johnson endorsements

will keep most from being demoralized.
For anyone who that's not enough liberal cred for then I suspect they were just going to find some excuse to not vote for Jon anyway.

[Demsrule86]

71. Sen. Sanders could have done more for this very important race in my opinion.

And going to Georgia...well not helpful.

[Demsrule86]

24. If that is true...then Sen . Sanders could have helped by postponing his Georgia trip.

I am not saying I agree with your analysis either...but no matter what, I think it was a bad move.

[brush]

40. When did he endorse Ossoff? He declined to during that "all important" mayoral race in Nebraska...

which is why this became a divisive issue. He should have just endorsed Ossoff then when asked instead of questioning his progressive credentials.

If he has since endorsed Ossoff I sure haven't heard.

[brooklynite]

9. "I hate what Trump and the GOP has done, but Sanders didn't endorse so I'll stay home"?

You really think there are people like that in the district?

[Demsrule86]

32. It doesn't work that way...the voters become demoralized and stay home.

We have seen it in many elections...2000, 2004, 2010 and 2016...to highlight a few. It is not a logical decision but an emotional decision...take 16, by any logic, progressives should have crawled across broken glass to vote against Trump...if only for the courts...where we could see a two person Republican majority by fall, but by all accounts some didn't...an emotional decision not base on facts.

[brooklynite]

36. If the outcome of the 2016 election didn't resolve people's inclination to stay home...

...I don't think an endorsement by Bernie Sanders will have much impact.

[Demsrule86]

38. It is a combination issue...the lack of an endorsement and the visit to Georgia

could hurt Ossoff's chances.

[Exilednight]

42. It's a phony issue. There's absolutely zero imperical evidence to back

Up your statement. It's conjecture at best and willful ignorance worst.

[Demsrule86]

44. Excuse me? First of all I never said it was a fact only an opinion.

As for empirical evidence...how could there be any? So...I think that the whole thing was a bad idea...that is my opinion and if we lose Georgia...I will always wonder what if...

I would appreciate it if you could spare the insults...I do not appreciate being called ignorant...I don't expect that from DU folks...everyone has a right to an opinion...I don't begrudge you your opinion although I don't disagree. You should delete the insult.

[Exilednight]

46. Show me where you used the word opinion in post #38, the

Post I responded to, and I will gladly retract my statement and apologize.

Until then, I stand by my statement.

[Demsrule86]

54. That statement can not be proven...it is obviously an opinion..

I don't care if you apologize, and I don't give a damn whether you missed the fact that we have mostly opinions here. And I don't label my posts in general... However, I am civil and I expect others to be civil as well during our conversations:agree or disagree. Honestly, it is not worth further discussion Do as you wish...I can ignore you. You would be my first and only...Have a nice day.

[Exilednight]

41. Mayors are far more important than Congressman.

Take education as an example. On average, a local community receives 10% of the school budget from federal funding. A typical state funds 45% with the other 45% coming from local taxes.

The federal government has very little input on how those dollars are spent. The state typically legislates which text books are authorized to use and your local government picks from the state approved list.

Republicans have packed local governments, state governments and school boards with right wing nuts, and they're dictating how your children are taught.

You wanna save the arts? Elect a mayor and school board member who will promote them. No congressman is going to do this.

But keep believing that a congressman is more important, but don't be surprised as more policies are eroded.

[LeftInTX]

45. It depends on the city

Also larger cities tend to run liberal.

[Exilednight]

47. Large cities are outnumbered by small town by 1000 to 1.

(I know that number is not real, but you get the idea)

Illinois, for example, really only has two urban areas big enough to call cities: obviously Chicago, and Peoria being the other. The number of elected officials in small towns outnumber the cities by very large margins.

This is where the GOP chose to make concentrate the their efforts, and it's worked.

[Demsrule86]

60. Not this year....there is nothing more important than taking back the House with Trump in office.

The federal government just took health care away from 24 million people if it passes the Senate and old people will be tossed out of nursing homes,people will die (some in Nebraska)...I call that an effect...also huge tax cuts...privatization of roads...ah no. The house and the Senate are important every year but this year in particular...we can shut Trump down if we take either...we can stop his SCOTUS appointments if we get the Senate. As for education...the GOP are trying to end public education...we can stop them but not by winning a Mayoral race.

[bettyellen]

56. Even a generic anti- Trump endorsement - we need more Dems in congress.

Would have been enough. But the side eye comment about maybe not being progressive enough? WTF?

[Demsrule86]

57. That is so true...and when you consider Mello's record on the environment , it is inexplicable.

We are lectured that we can't get a progressive in Nebraska but then told that Ossoff is not progressive enough for red Georgia?

[bettyellen]

58. I think it's about faction building. Using the DNC as a tool, again.

[Demsrule86]

75. Maybe...but he could never win a 2020 primary...he must see that.

And why risk helping Trump?

[bettyellen]

77. Well Trump isn't nearly as bad for white male citizens- the sense

Of urgency that POC and women feel is just not there. I think he could run again, the ego is there, the stubbornness to stay on this one path and not validate any other Dem POV. It's partisan in my eyes. Fracturing the party, trying to hold it hostage again.

[Demsrule86]

78. I hope for he doesn't for the good of the country.

[vi5]

3. The people for whom that (or any progressive Dem) would be a negative...

..are 1) Never going to vote for anyone with a D after their name anyway, and 2) are already politically mobilized and going to come out to vote for the Republican candidate.

We need to start paying as much attention to mobilizing the votes of people who aren't already inclined to vote and stop obsessing over the people are are already inclined to vote the other way and are going to do so no matter what.

There is very little "middle" ground anymore, and wasting our time obsessing over that non-existent mushy middle and not offending them is costing us more than it is gaining.

[nikibatts]

4. Yes!

[LexVegas]

5. Perhaps, but they love guns down there.

[JTFrog]

10. Lol. Any contortion necessary to fit the cognitive dissonance, eh? And if that were true,

then maybe Bernie isn't the best person to lead an outreach effort for the Democratic Party and their candidates.

Just sayin....

[loyalsister]

11. Ossoff may have asked him to stay away

The last thing a congressional candidate in MO would want is a visit from Obama, either Clinton, Sanders, or any other former candidate that lost MO. Liberal candidates might not want a visit from McCaskill.
Outrage with no information from behind the scenes is just silly.

[demmiblue]

16. +1

Also, perpetual outrage is not good for one's health.

[Demsrule86]

29. There is no evidence that is true...

And if so than why go to Georgia at all...hardly staying away.

[bettyellen]

59. And perhaps Mello would have been better off if he did?

[Starry Messenger]

12. I thought Bernard was universally loved and he would bring in all the indies

non-voters, youth, and a path of roses would follow. And birds.

[obamanut2012]

33. lolz

[La Lioness Priyanka]

51. And a revolution

[JI7]

13. it's not that red anymore. Ossoff is running on a pro choice agenda

Including federal funds for abortions.

But i agree that he won't necessarily help being there but he should still say something positive about ossoff if asked.

[Tom Rinaldo]

20. Yes and yes

I's more of an establishment Republican stronghold type district. There are still a fair number of Betty Ford type Republicans left in those ranks: Socially moderate, fiscally conservative. Ossoff can pick off some of those voters, plus turn our our base, to go over the top.

I agree with you on both counts regarding Sanders and that district. He is saying positive things about Ossoff:

"Let me be very clear. It is imperative that Jon Ossoff be elected congressman from Georgia’s 6th District and that Democrats take back the U.S. House. I applaud the energy and grassroots activism in Jon’s campaign. His victory would be an important step forward in fighting back against Trump’s reactionary agenda."
http://eeuunews.com/index.php/2017/04/22/read-bernie-sanders-endorses-democrat-jon-ossoff-in-statement/

[JI7]

21. he said that after he got criticized but that's pretty Much

What he should continue to say if asked. I don't think he needs to do much more besides that.

[Tom Rinaldo]

22. We see it the same n/t

[Phentex]

18. It wouldn't hurt but it won't help...

SO many people here in GA never even heard of Sanders before the election. I kid you not. Now they associate him with being a "liberal" as was recently mentioned in a Handel ad. That's not going to help Ossoff but it won't hurt him either because he is running ads pertaining to ISSUES and not labels.

[JI7]

19. Ossoff is only running in one district and it's one of the best educated districts in the country

It's one reason ossoff is doing as well as he is. I'm sure they heard of Sanders but i agree he probably wouldn't help much.

[Phentex]

26. Educated doesn't mean they are political...

especially here. Certainly they have heard of him NOW because of the Presidential election but not necessarily before. I guess you could argue that the majority did but I remember people asking who he was and where he came from, not even realizing how long he'd been in politics. The same can be said of Ossoff. How much did people know about him before the ad blitz?

[JI7]

27. what you say would be true of most of the country

[Demsrule86]

35. So maybe he should not have gone to Georgia...

[Ace Rothstein]

39. Why?

It is a big state of which 90% of the population won't even be participating in the special Congressional election. Stop being outraged by every thing Bernie says or does, it is tiring.

[moondust]

43. Yes, many times.

Ossoff's apparently wealthy district may not be too keen on Bernie's more "socialistic" ideas. "First do no harm" may also apply to politics.

[QC]

48. The point is not to make sense, but to shit on Bernie at every opportunity,

no matter how laughably desperate a reach it requires.

Honestly, a small but very loud and persistent crew here hates him more than they hate Trump.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

50. Lol. I think he may hurt much more than osoff

But that hasn't made him stay away from other red districts

[MGKrebs]

67. And your point?

Are you saying he is purposely trying to hurt Ossoff?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

74. No, no reading of what I wrote implied that

[bettyellen]

55. Ditto for Mello. But no one seems to talk about that. I get them supporting congress now but red

State mayors with sketchy positions? I don't get it.

[Quixote1818]

70. Yes, that is the reason. The campaign against him was for being Too Progressive

[redstatebluegirl]

76. Yes, he might. A lot of people feel about him like I do.

It is not in Ossoff's best interest to have him promote him. His people don't always show up to vote, the answer the polls, bu they don't show up when it matters.