Should Bernie run in 2020?

[tomhagen]

He has my vote for sure

[Lucca2]

1. No

I see him as an elder statesman who can guide policy but he is not my choice for President. And at this point, I see no one yet.

[olegramps]

42. I think the No's have it. I agree.

The fact of the matter is that his position on tariffs was in reality in agreement with Trump. His run just accentuated opposition to Clinton with unrealistic promises. The bull that they were going to roll back the wave of automation and globalism to the good ole days when a high school drop out could get a good paying job on the assembly line is long gone and not coming back.

What we are facing is a need for a massive retraining program to meet the new demands that intensive automation and artificial intelligence present and which are going forward and can not be stopped. Trump and Sanders sold the suckers a bag of unadulterated crap. Just like both Obama and Clinton said those jobs are gone and not coming back. The low skill assembly jobs that left due to lower wages will be in the same jeopardy. It is going to a one of the biggest transformations that the world has ever seen. The major corporations are using the money they got from the tax rip off to buy back stock and have announced major layoffs for the coming year. Their explanation: Automation. These include even Wells Fargo that is using automation to replace thousands of clerical jobs. The robots are coming big time and we are not ready. All we have is a pack of broken down political hacks who are totally incapable of even understanding the situation let alone provide solutions. Just what we need is some old hacks running the government. We need young educated people who grasp the situation and provide the young people hope for a future.

[maddiemom]

76. Hillary was crucified for suggesting this reality.

She just didn't handle it judiciously.

[trueblue2007]

62. No, He isn't even a Democrat. Bernie had his chance. Don't rehash the election.

[justie18]

74. Exactly!

Couldn't agree more. He also waited way too long to concede, contributing to a very contentious convention which did not bode well for the General Election. Poor looser.

[Linda Ed]

69. What about

Beto?

[Jarqui]

2. I like him and supported him in 2016 but no

Time to pass the baton to the younger generation

[BlueCaliDem]

3. I don't want a 2nd tRUmp term, so no. eom

[Doitnow]

50. And what evidence do you have that Bernie would be continuing

Dump's policies? Ridiculous!

[cab67]

110. He wouldn't.

But he wouldn't win the election. Hence, four more years of the Orange One, assuming he isn't forced out of office one way or another.

[samnsara]

4. i didnt like him then i dont like him now..so NOPE!

[TheCowsCameHome]

5. No, too old.

Nobody over 70.

Let's get some new blood in the game.

Sorry.

[OhZone]

6. Hell no! nt

[onit2day]

7. Yes, he has my vote.He represents what a president should be

Even if he doesn't get the nomination he will make the entire venture more progressive for the entire party. A great candidate on any ticket and let us not forget according to all the polls he would have beaten Trump by a far greater margin than any other candidate uniting dems, independents and republicans. He made single payer a national agenda as well as free public college and income equality. He's an honest man of the people so he's good for what we all want with a tremendous energy level. But it's a long way off and I will wait till we have actual candidates to choose between. But yeah, he should run.

[George II]

27. He would NOT have beaten trump, there is no concrete evidence that he would have. In order....

....to determine that he would have had to run against trump, he didn't.

[guruoo]

57. He went from nothing to serious opponent virtually overnight.

Seemed like the more flack he took, the more popular he became.

[onit2day]

61. Nor is there "concrete evidence" that he would 'not' have

The polls did however show that he would have. This idea around here that any candidate that loses in the primary is somehow divisive in the general because so many supported their primary run blows apart the whole reason for having primaries.

[LiberalLovinLug]

95. You have too much common sense for some in here

No one can prove it of course, but the polls all pointed to a Sanders victory over Trump.

He would have had the vast majority of Democrat's votes. Many holding their noses, as some did to vote for Hillary last GE.

He would have had the majority of Independents. Instead that majority went to Trump.

He would have had at least a few Republican votes. Those who were voting for Trump only because they had been poisoned by decades long smear campaigns and Russian social media trolling against Hillary.

He would have had many new voters, more young people making the effort.

He would have stolen a lot of votes from Jill Stein and the Greens, as he was even courted at one point to run instead of Jill, being respected by those in that party.



And of course he would have taken with him a House majority and maybe even the Senate, as the fallout.


But us primary Sanders supporters, the vast majority, had to swallow those hopes and and get behind Hillary. Too bad the actual supporters of the winner of the primaries, can't be at least as respectful and polite to those Sanders supporters who, if they had joined them, would be enjoying two years of Democratic rule, and two more SCOTUS appointments.

[George II]

103. Well we'll never know, he wasn't our nominee.

[rpannier]

109. I may disagree with you on whether he could have beaten the douchenfuhrer

But you are very correct on he wasn't our nominee.
She should be president

[cab67]

111. The polls said the same thing about Hillary Clinton.

[Kahuna7]

101. Exactly. He was never vetted. The gop would have smeared him as a communist..

there's a youtube video of trump saying he would love to run against Bernie, the communist.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. Well said!!

[tecelote]

59. As you said "Even if he doesn't get the nomination he will make the entire venture more progressive"

Totally agree. Great point.

Bernie woke America up. I doubt he'll get nominated but I sure hope he runs because he's a great influence on our political discussions.

[jalan48]

8. Why not? It's about issues anyway and Bernie offers his own ideas about what the country needs.

Let the voters decide.

[Eliot Rosewater]

10. So if he does NOT run as a Democrat, you still support his running?

[jalan48]

15. I think anyone can run in the primary.

[Eliot Rosewater]

23. Which primary? Democratic primary?

I dont think I understand.

you do know a 3rd party run by someone like him would almost guarantee the con winning, right?

Thus his excuse to run as a democrat but NOT becoming one, either way it is problematic, is it not?

[jalan48]

33. Not at all. You're confusing the primary with the general election.

[Eliot Rosewater]

68. So you are possibly going to support a NON democrat in the primary?

[jalan48]

89. Why make this personal?

[Eliot Rosewater]

90. Why not answer my question? I am not kidding around, either.

I dont understand the idea that NON democrats, if that is what you are saying, are to be considered.

I dont think it is interesting or a joke, I think it is a nightmare and not what this place is about.

Maybe I misunderstood, you mean any DEMOCRAT who runs can be considered in the primary? Yeah, I agree with that. That position would be in standing as to why we are all here.

[jalan48]

91. Good for you! I think if we focus on issues and not personalities we will have fewer problems.

[Eliot Rosewater]

93. Right, so if a candidate does NOT support a higher minimum wage or Medicare for all

but is the NOMINEE?

[jalan48]

94. I think we were originally talking about the primaries. Let's see who runs and debate the issues!

[Eliot Rosewater]

96. So there are 3 candidates in the 2020 election.

One is a con and doesn't support a damn thing that is good for anyone other than rich people.

One supports medicare for all, one doesn't and the one who doesn't is the Democrat.

Who do you vote for?

Not a trap, not going to report you if you dont support the dem, I am hoping to make a point that if not understood might mean the end of the United States.

[jalan48]

97. We just went through this. It's a no brainer. We have to support the Party nominee.

The primaries are the time to chose those people and talk about the differences in policies and issues. Fair and open primaries will help bring more voters on board.

[George II]

26. If it's a Democratic primary only declared Democrats can run.

[guruoo]

52. So all he'd have to do is declare as a Democrat? nt

[George II]

53. That's not all, he'd also have to comply with the rules of the Democratic Party....

....which have been recently updated.

[guruoo]

64. Way too earily nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

36. Now there's a concept... are you suggesting democracy?!

[jalan48]

38. OMG!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

40. IKR!!

[Eliot Rosewater]

70. I thought this board was for ONLY Democrats? Please confirm your position on that!

It was considered "democracy" when W won and Trump won.

But on this board I thought we were ONLY Interested in electing ONLY democrats.

No?

[onit2day]

58. Thom Hartmann warns that corporate dems are using media to say

the progressive dems are not what the democratic party really wants despite all the evidence to the contrary. I've been a dem since birth and have always thought the democratic party was the party of the people not wealthy corporate donors which is why Thom Perez, president of the DNC has said only those candidates whose major donations come from multiple small donations should participate in the debates. I see the democratic party moving away from mega corporate donors , the banksters, wall street and fossil fuel donors which began on steroids with Pres. Clinton and back to multiple small donors like what has driven the progressive candidates recently. One thought, you can't claim to want something and then attack those trying to get it for you. The Democratic party remains the party of the people, the working class, the poor and the elderly. Makes me wonder: Is Skinner et al corporate conservadems or progressives?...or cannot be so easily classified lol.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

9. No.

I supported him in the 2016 primaries but he's accumulated too much baggage. He's not the right person this time.

[fierywoman]

54. Agreed. And as a 67 year old I'll say: we need someone younger.

[sarge43]

78. I also supported him. Agree and he'll be 79 in 2020. That's too old for that 24/7 job.

I say this as someone within a month of 76 years old.

I also believe it's time for the young to step up.

[elmac]

11. The only thing that bothers me is the age thing which really isn't that big a deal

if he won the primary he would need to pick a strong progressive VP, hopefully a women. There are dream team possibilities but who knows.

[Magoo48]

12. No, he and the other old folks should gracefully bow out.

[apcalc]

13. No. IMO His role will be only divisive again. POC will not vote for him .

[tazkcmo]

14. No

But he certainly has a right to just like the rest of us.

[handmade34]

16. NO...

No, no, no, no, no.............

[murielm99]

18. No.

Destructive. Divisive.

No. Just no.

[hopeforchange2008]

19. he totally should if he wants to /nt

[Fullduplexxx]

20. Omg no and i cant elaborate for 90 days

[mainstreetonce]

21. No

His interference just splits the party.

[katmondoo]

22. absolutely NOT

[MontanaMama]

24. No.

Just no.

[George II]

25. No.

[redstatebluegirl]

28. Hell no!

[ZeroSomeBrains]

29. I love Bernie's stances on most of the issues

The gun issue is something he needs to workon. I'm a democratic voter so I will vote for whoever is the nominee. With that said he would be high on my list but for the moment Warren seems like my top choice.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

41. Funny you should mention Elizabeth... I'll take them both, in any order!!

Elizabeth & Bernie / Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[ZeroSomeBrains]

45. I would love either combo there

[CousinIT]

30. No. His time has passed. n/t

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

43. His time had passed? Good one! Meanwhile potential 2020 hopefuls are taking up the issues

that have been at the forefront of his messaging. Go figure!!

[Doitnow]

55. When I listen to those "hopefuls" I hear Bernie talking. He had the

message(s) of what most people in this country want a long time ago, then, and now. He has been beating the same drum for a long time because all the issues remain the same ones. And they still. Need. Addressing. Bernie is not splitting Americans. He's reminding them what the democratic ideals are and challenging them to act. This is not the time for some newcomer to come from nowhere. I want to know where they've been and what they've been DOING. In other words, what is their RECORD?

Go Bernie!

[mjvpi]

87. Well said

[MrScorpio]

31. Oh, Gawd, no.

[solara]

32. No way nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

37. Abso-fuckin-lutely!! Go Bernie!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[elmac]

39. Just be careful about the 3rd way in the party running ads against all progressives

they are already running them against Bernie

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

44. Gee, I wonder who's funding those ads?!

[sheshe2]

98. What ads?

I asked elmac who you just posted to. I asked for a link to the ads and they didn't respond. There is a very large thread and again posters were asked to link to them and they did not. I tried to google them myself and came up with nothing. I find this troubling.

Please link to the attack ads that you are all talking about, including Bernie. I am beginning to believe there is no such thing.

[bahrbearian]

46. Follow the money

?1386110745

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

48. I'm shocked!!

[McKim]

113. Excellent Information!

Thank you so much for this excellent information.

[sheshe2]

84. Do you have a link to those ads?

I would like to see them for myself. There is a very long thread about 'said' ads yet no one seems able to produce them. Thanks.

[pandr32]

47. No way!

Ditto for his wife--just in case she is considering it.

[Bev54]

49. NO

[RHMerriman]

51. No thank you

No thank you.

Elder statesman, and a committee chair after the Democrats take back control of the Senate? Yes.

Presidential candidate? No.

[Gothmog]

56. No

[lapucelle]

60. No. N/T

[sheshe2]

63. No. n/t

[Tikki]

65. No...

Tikki

[jrthin]

66. No!!!!!! nt

[Linda Ed]

67. No

He is too old ...he went thru it once and we don't need a repeat performance. JMHO He is needed to help gather the young people and get them to run like he did,,it worked and was a great contribution.

[Mike Nelson]

71. He is...

…running... or is it pre-running? In any case, I hope he changes his mind. I'd like to see Bernie support the Democratic nominee and secure a nice Senate chair position!

[maddiemom]

72. No. I voted for Bernie in the last primary, but had no problem supporting Hillary later.

The Repugnicans never had to gin up all they would have used against Bernie had he been the 2016 candidate. It probably would have been uglier than what was used against Hillary. I realize Biden is only about a year younger than Bernie, but he's obviously in much better physical shape. His being a little more laid back surely has always made him the most underrated contender in politics. The man has dealt with some real tragedies in his personal life and remained centered personally and politically. The V.P. debate in which he took the (now realized) much overrated Ryan to the cleaners was beautiful. Biden is not necessarily the answer, but he's truly a more desirable candidate than Bernie, who tends to project the "angry old man" these days. And we need to give the newcomers some more thought and time.

[recentevents]

73. Damn right he should

He's still a powerful voice.

[barbtries]

75. No

i voted for him once but that was the last time.

[shanny]

77. Yes.

[Power 2 the People]

79. Enthusiastic YES!!!

[aikoaiko]

80. I know Bernie. I like Bernie. I wish Bernie had better speaking points on social justice issues

If I had to vote today, I'd vote for Bernie, but I'm completely open to someone else who can be even better.

[brandnewday2009]

81. No

[earthshine]

82. I support Bernie. Perhaps, after the debates, I'll choose someone else, but as of now ... nt

[NurseJackie]

83. Abso-fucking-lutely NO!!

Too many people feel the same way about him as I do for him to be successful. Trump could easily defeat him, in my opinion.

[2naSalit]

85. Nope.

[doc03]

86. NO nt

[lamp_shade]

88. No. There's not a presidential bone in his body. nt

[YessirAtsaFact]

92. No

[northoftheborder]

99. No.

[Kahuna7]

100. Nyet. nt

[TimeToGo]

102. No, I'm afraid

[guillaumeb]

104. Yes.

There was a reason that so many Democrats voted for Sanders.

[spin]

105. Yes.

[flibbitygiblets]

106. No,

Please for the love of god, stop asking.

[SergeStorms]

107. If he wants to change his registration to 'Democrat', sure.....fine.

Taking Democrat's money as an Independent - although he's caucused with Democrats for quite awhile - is somewhat disingenuous on Bernie's part. That's just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.

[LakeArenal]

108. No Bernie. His moment is well past.

[cab67]

112. Has Bernie actually accomplished anything substantive?

Other than running a campaign?

I'm serious about this. He says a lot of things I agree with, but what is his track record when it comes to turning any of it into legislation?

This is an important question. I don't want someone who says the right things, but stands no chance whatsoever of having more than a rhetorical impact on the country - and I'm fairly sure that's all we'd have with him.

(I'm not trying to re-litigate the previous election. I'm thinking about 2020 here. Anyone we throw against Trump shouldn't just say things we like - he or she should have a demonstrated ability to actually change policy.)

[McKim]

114. Sander's Ideas Must be Upheld!

I would vote for anyone who echoes Sander’s ideas, and not some fake pretty face who is “trendy”.

[cab67]

116. Ideas are all well and good.

They don't help anyone if they don't actually become policy. That was my point - Sanders says lots of things I really like, but if it goes no further than that, a Sanders administration would be a failure. And I see little evidence that, throughout his long years of public service, the good things he says have turned into legislation.

[Doitnow]

120. You haven't been looking very hard.

[cab67]

121. Actually, I have.

His accomplishments are rather thin compared with his soaring rhetoric, at least on the national stage.

[chwaliszewski]

115. Let the voters decide.

[TomCADem]

117. No. I Want a Democrat to Win the Presidency.

nt

[BootinUp]

118. .

Epic thread.

[Mazeltov Cocktail]

119. No...I am voting for a Democrat.

[Ruby the Liberal]

122. Adding another NO to the pile

[Haggis for Breakfast]

123. Under NO circumstances would I vote for another Ralph Nader.

[MortSahlFan]

124. YES

He's the only one who could beat Trump.