Bernie Sanders coming to Detroit to deliver opening-night speech at Women's Convention

[demmiblue]

Source: The Detroit Free Press

The Women's Convention will feel the Bern later this month, when Bernie Sanders visits Detroit to address more than 3,000 women and progressive activists as they get ready for the 2018 midterm elections.

The senator from Vermont, an independent who challenged Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic presidential nomination, is to address the crowd the evening of Oct. 27, on the first day of a three-day convention organized by the Women's March.

...

He was the right choice to be a headliner for the first national Women's Convention in 40 years, said Tamika Mallory, co-founder of Women's March, because Sanders knows how to mobilize a new generation of activists.

"I think that right now, no one can deny that Bernie Sanders is probably one of the most powerful U.S. senators ... on progressive issues, women’s issues, mobilizing millennials. He is really in line with the principles of the Women's March," Mallory told the Free Press in an exclusive interview Wednesday night.

Read more: http://www.freep.com/story/news/2017/10/12/bernie-sanders-speech-womens-convention/756532001/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Voltaire2]

1. Senator Sanders is a tireless warrior.

I am amazed at what he has been doing since November's disaster.

[keen observer]

2. Kamala Harris would have been a better choice

to speak to women's issues

[ehrnst]

3. +1000 (nt)

[DURHAM D]

4. How 1950s...

I can think of several WOMEN who would be a better choice.

[Tom Rinaldo]

6. I think that, in the 21st century, a women's organization should be able to decide for themselves

who they choose to invite to speak to them.

[DURHAM D]

7. Of course you do Tom. nt

[KPN]

10. Now this is a legitimate +1000!

Exactly!

Ironic this stuff comes from those who complain about "purists".

[LiberalLovinLug]

17. Ironic to the 10th degree

[LanternWaste]

39. No one is arguing otherwise.

No one is arguing otherwise.

Unless of course, you believe arguing a particular choice is wrong or inaccurate or even thoughtless is the same as arguing choice should be denied... which seems a rather irrational jump to a conclusion.

[deurbano]

14. And he's particularly polarizing in this case. My daughter is going to the convention and was not

happy to hear this was the choice, even though she started as a Sanders supporter in the primary. She's actually rethinking whether she wants to go.

[LisaM]

15. I hope she makes her feelings known.

I'll be in Michigan that weekend, as luck would have it.

[deurbano]

25. My daughter is not a member of DU, but I can guarantee that she is a lot more progressive

than “the real world." (For that matter, so is DU.) She did become a “hardcore Clinton supporter,” volunteering hours every day in the general, entering data with her one good finger. (She’s quadriplegic with a speech disability.) But as I said, she started out for Sanders. We met him in the late 1990s at a book signing in Berkeley because we were fans when few outside of Vermont knew who he was, and she even got a photo with him which she later posted on FB at the beginning of the primary. (My daughter and I lived in VT when she was a young child, and I had followed Sanders' political career with interest after voting for him during one of his unsuccessful bids for governor; we were excited when he decided to run for president.) In order not to refight the primaries (and I would include the convention), I won’t go into the reasons Sanders lost my daughter’s support (and sometimes respect), but she is not alone in that reaction, and there are other progressives like my daughter (and me!) who feel that way. I don't get why the guy who lost the primary to the first women nominee of a major party would be the person chosen for this role at this particular
convention... except my daughter says she thinks it was mainly organized by people who supported Sanders in the primary?

[Old Vet]

36. There you go starting your bullshit, Iam a man and a woman is a no-brainer to lead this.....

And your just trying to start shit with that Clinton/Sanders debate again. Some like myself have had enough threads ruined by this in-fighting.

[Scruffy1]

42. That is another reason to stay out of it.

Maybe in another 4 or five years we will be able to discuss the -18 election debacle rationally. Until then there is just too many looking for a fight, not a discussion. Personally I think they made a good choice, but then it's really none of my business and criticizeing is just carping. It was their choice, not mine. I think the reason was to draw more attention and support for progressives and younger people, who lean toward Bernie. We really need to quit looking back and look forward. I do know if we keep doing the same thing we will get the same results. One lesson that should have been learned a long time ago is that many voters do not vote rationally. If you can't appeal to emotion you are going to lose. This applies to all elections In the age aof media sound bites and blathering talking heads. The message has to be able to rise above the noise.

[GaryCnf]

5. Tamika Mallory

is what community activism is about.

She is a voice for women's rights, a voice against gun violence and a voice against our racist criminal justice system.

[WhiteTara]

8. He's what women need?

Right.

[KPN]

11. Guess they want someone who speaks with authenticity

and will draw a crowd.

[barbtries]

12. i consider myself very strongly feminist

for about 45-50 years now, and just can't get riled up about this.
to me womens liberation always represented everybody's liberation, the way to break out of destructive roles and all live our lives in the best way for us. in a letter my son gave me the greatest compliment when he wrote that i raised my sons to be feminists. 2 of my sons marched with us in DC in January.
Men can be extremely effective women's advocates. anyway on twitter i read that he "co opted" the convention, but google brought me to a page where the organizer gave her reasons for choosing him. so i don't know. just my 2 cents.

[Sunlei]

16. Bernie keeps on trucking! Many interviews and lots of invites all over USA. Love to see

interviews with Him and Hillary about current affairs.

[LiberalLovinLug]

18. Bernie is our friend and ally

"I think that right now, no one can deny that Bernie Sanders is probably one of the most powerful U.S. senators ... on progressive issues, women’s issues, mobilizing millennials. He is really in line with the principles of the Women's March,"

Democrats in Washington see this. Kamala Harris is a close ally on issues with him as well as other Democratic women. But on DU we have this grumpy group that is still fighting the primaries, (even though they won which is doubley bizzare)

Some have convinced themselves that if only Sanders had never existed. Or just chosen not to run. Or failing that, just chose to bow out earlier...then Hillary would have swept to power.

In fact I would contend she would have done worse. She would have faced all the Russian and GOP assaults on her own. Case in point, even Sanders running against her, scolded the press about obsessing about "her damn emails". Hillary, though no fault of her own, was seen as a cold bureaucrat without much stage presence, also someone that, once again through no fault of her own, was seen as damaged goods due to relentless fake news about her for years. And that would have been the only face of the Democratic party. I don't think the GOP or Putin for that matter was prepared for Sanders. They had no dirt. And the SOCIALIST! bogeyman meme just didn't catch on. So he was free to extol the advantages of voting Democrat. And he did it in a loud, populist, full arena kind of way. He drew many more, including young people into the party......many whom then voted for Hillary.

The Democrats as a party owe Bernie a yuuuuuuuuge debt of gratitude for all the work he has done and continues to do. And for this purpose, Sanders speaking will raise the profile of the event, as he is such a popular politician. Also, isn't it important that its NOT always women talking to women on women's issues? That its important for others, specifically other men, to see a "bro" stand with women and their concerns?

I just find all the irrational hatred tiring.

[snooper2]

19. Lol

[LiberalLovinLug]

20. You forgot the ROLFL smiley. Its much more dramatic.

I thought that was the MO of those in here that can't argue back and think laughing out loud will cover up that uncomfortable fact.

[Jim Lane]

21. I, too, "just find all the irrational hatred tiring" -- though I would add "predictable"

Before I even clicked on this thread, I could have pretty much written most of the hostile posts, just on the basis of the headline.

[LiberalLovinLug]

23. Yup

I think its important to the party and to DU in general, to point this divisive behaviour out when it happens. Unfortunately some find it amusing.

[R B Garr]

35. The Our Revolution methods are what is divisive.

I notice the desperate attempts to copy the "divisive" narrative. Claims of splitting the party are what is divisive. Not worshipping one man is not what is divisive. Nice try, though, but Fail.

[LiberalLovinLug]

43. Interesting that Democrats in Washington appreciate his efforts and work with him

And also the American people appreciate him as he tops polls as the most popular politician.

Yet on DU we still have folks like yourself that just cannot stomach the man. A man that is working tirelessly, at his age, to fight against Trump, work with Democrats, and to promote a platform of positive progressive change. And yet he's not accepted. He is a Sneech without a star.

An example of divisive posts is ones that exaggerate why people like myself support all his hard work. Calling it "worshiping". Because we applaud his efforts. News Flash: Politicians are in a public job. Paid for by working people. It is important, even imperative that they go on TV as guests, and make speeches in front of crowds, when given the opportunity. If what they say catches wind, they are applauded and become popular. That is how it works.

Your welcome.

[R B Garr]

44. The continued efforts to elevate yourselves because you worship one Senator

from a small state is what is divisive and also sadly amusing. "Appreciating his efforts" has only been going on since 2015. Before that he wasn't spoken of, really -- he even said himself he had to run as a Democrat to get the media attention. I'm from California, and I like my Senators. It's a good thing to like Democrats. Nothing wrong it, and anyone who can tolerate Trump in office just to make a purity statement is hardly a "progressive."

Winning elections is also proof that you are "applauded and become popular." That's how it works. That's the ultimate poll. Not some obscure poll where people are pitted against folks like Newt Gingrich.

Trying to split the party is what is divisive. Not liking the divisive ways of one politician is not what is divisive. I see you keep trying to turn the tables but keep failing.

[LiberalLovinLug]

47. I guess Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris and others must really think he's God

Because they actually work with him!

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/09/13/us/sanders-medicare-for-all-plan-support.html

One-Third of Democratic Senators
Support Bernie Sanders’s Single-Payer Plan

I'm just a lowly peon. Maybe He'll appreciate me more after I finish this 40 foot marble statue of Him, but ....cough,....the marble dust is getting to me.

[R B Garr]

48. Sigh. I don't see Warren's or Harris's supporters berating people because they don't

worship them or demand absolute fealty to anything they say, whether abstract, damaging to the Democratic party or otherwise.

I fully expect Senators to work together. I'm sure Sanders will support California's new bill to show his taxes if he wants to campaign in my state.

[Pugster]

24. Is he gonna mansplain?

Is this the end of the term?

[LonePirate]

26. A man is the headliner at the Womens Convention? Hmmm... that seems odd.

[dubyadiprecession]

27. A man speaking at a women's convention?

Then what is the point of a women's convention?

[all american girl]

28. Not sure why an actual woman couldn't headline a woman's convention

We have so many awesome women, why do this....this is a problem that some women have, revert to a man to tell us about our experiences...not cool.

[Me.]

30. Right, Because Women Can't Possibly Speak For Themselves

[Voltaire2]

31. There are around 40 people speaking.

Two of them are men.

[Me.]

32. And The Headliner?

No woman able to handle that? This is, after all, a women event.

[Beacool]

33. Seriously???

Why is he the opening night speaker, as opposed to a woman of note? He could be a speaker, but the opening night headliner???

[disillusioned73]

34. K&R..

keep up the great work Bernie - haters gonna hate..

[Old Vet]

40. Really, Hate, You have to go there.....................

[disillusioned73]

41. Yeah, when the default position of some (small %)

is to criticise and/ or smear anything remotely positive from a certain politicain - yes, that is the textbook definition..

or they r trolls trying to divide any unified front going forward.. probably a mixture of both though IMO

[Owl]

46. Exactly.

[TomCADem]

45. The Group Could Not Find A Qualified Female Speaker, So They Chose...

...someone who called one of the most qualified Presidential candidates in history unqualified? Is he going to give tips on how to deal with men who interrupt and speak over women in conversation?