I missed an opportunity to chat with Senator Sanadors regarding his supporters
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I just missed an opportunity to talk to Senator Bernie Sanders for brunch with Bernie on Thom Hartman. I am an undecided voter for the first time in my life. I wanted to address to the Senator some concerns about how his supporters are attacking black people who support the Black Lives Matter movement. I didn't get a chance to get on the air with him and Danielle god bless her tried to get me to stay on to talk to Thom Hartman about it. I supposed I could have but I wanted to bring it to Senator Sander's attention personally. Maybe I made a mistake with that, maybe I didn't but I am going to keep trying to reach out to the Senator and let him know that his supporters are not doing him any favors by silencing our voice. Anyway I got to get back to work, these novels are not going to write themselves. Ciao for now
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I hate to be cynical, but I think on some level the ... exclusion (??) - not the best word, perhaps "disregard" is better -- of voters of color by the Sanders camp is calculated, if not deliberate. There is no small percentage of gun enthusiasts and libertarians who regard Sanders as preferable to, say, Jeb!, and would vote for Sanders if it came down to a Jeb v. Bernie contest. That said, these very people who constitute a certain, if not core, but supporting pillar, of his campaign may well become less enthusiastic if the crowds become "too" colorful.
I think their strategy is to play the "Where the hell else you gonna go?" card. In short, should Sanders by some oddball quirk (and it would have to be that, I just don't think he has the support of the party at all) get the nomination, it is at THAT point that the Olive Branch (along with that "What the hell else you gonna do--vote for that GOP assclown?" message) will be extended to those of us who feel marginalized by the Sanders campaign.
Right now, they think this shit is working for them, which is why they play it like they do. They're getting big white crowds of smug people bellowing, and that's a good look for them to garner a little publicity, even if they can't grow that support in key battleground states. Cheering pale throngs in states that will go red in the general just don't help--save to garner a little press. If you can't move 'em in the blue and battleground states, you aren't a winner.
They'll pivot eventually ("Oh, look--BLACK people!! What can we do for YOU, hmmm?"
--but I think they've got too many white people on their executive staff, and they don't realize they've maybe, for some folks, already waited too long. Too many deep cuts, too many insults, too many purposeful comments to disregard real pain, particularly WRT #BLM issues, too many "back of the hand" plays.
I think a lot of people --not just of color, but women of all shades and people with some degree of political sophistication and nuance--just won't stand in line for four hours to vote for this guy--and we know that, in some neighborhoods, that's what it takes--sometimes even longer. I think a lot of people won't fill their gas tank and drive people back and forth to the polls all day. I think a lot of people won't go round to the shut ins and help them with the absentee voter process. Why? Because the effect will be the same. A candidate who can't get a single member of Congress to say "I endorse you" is not going to be an effective cheerleader for legislation OR appropriations. As we all know, appropriations start in the House--and with the resignation of the Weeping Boner, the House is going to tilt to the RIGHT--the conservatives, in effect, have won, and have driven off the orange drunkard. "President Sanders" isn't going to get a dime out of that crew. All of those Pie in the Sky ideas he's been throwing around? Those rich people won't stand still while he picks their pockets. There won't be any reallocation of defense money to pay for "free college" or any of his other pipe dreams. He'll have no choice but to throw those under the bus. Welcome to Gridlock. Again.
I think what many Democrats will choose to do is throw their money and effort into trying to take back Congress, and let the GOP have the Presidency. If that happens, it will be a long, miserable eight years out in the wilderness for people who used to congregate here regularly. This place is like a ghost town, to the point where, apparently, some of the most vociferous Bernie prizefighters are wandering around the internet looking for places where the disaffected have landed, in order to harass them from afar.
I guess expecting those guys to "Get a life" is too much to hope for, but it does speak to the shortage of ideas in their idol's campaign, that a "Lord of the Flies" hunt-em-down tactic seems like a good idea.
I don't know why anyone still comes here.
I think a lot of people --not just of color, but women of all shades and people with some degree of political sophistication and nuance--just won't stand in line for four hours to vote for this guy
I am pretty uninspired by all of the Dem candidates, to be honest. I think we have all been spoiled rotten by Obama. If there was a way I could vote for him a third time, I'd wait four hours to vote for him. I sure as hell would.
A candidate who can't get a single member of Congress to say "I endorse you" is not going to be an effective cheerleader for legislation OR appropriations.
His fans ignore that point at every call. Even if Sanders racked up every Congressional endorsement given to Dems at this point, would he be able go past Hillary?? When even the members of the CBC and Progressive Caucus don't endorse you, what exactly does that mean?? Doesn't that mean something to these people?? This whole "but the people support him!" doesn't seem to be born out in polls beyond New Hampshire.
with the resignation of the Weeping Boner
Anybody else think it's weird that he resigned just HOURS after meeting the Pope???!! Do you think the Pope got to him?? I am imagining that scene with Galadriel in Lord of the Rings when she gets in Frodo's head when they first meet in Lothlorien.
Those rich people won't stand still while he picks their pockets. There won't be any reallocation of defense money to pay for "free college" or any of his other pipe dreams. He'll have no choice but to throw those under the bus.
If those rich people had any sense of integrity, that's exactly what they'd do. And they'd chip in themselves to help him pay for free college. But we know that's not going to happen.
I guess expecting those guys to "Get a life" is too much to hope for, but it does speak to the shortage of ideas in their idol's campaign, that a "Lord of the Flies" hunt-em-down tactic seems like a good idea.
Yep, I agree completely on this bit. They couldn't get black folks on board so we've been chased around and hounded for months. And now he's added Cornell to the mix. 
I have no doubt that will be front and center on the epitaph of this campaign.
I think since he is gaining more name recognition, he'll be even more available.
What are you writing about?? Can you give the tiniest little preview??
I'm also interested if as a writer, you have ever been to a writer's retreat?? I just saw one advertized that's being held in a Danish castle! With yoga every morning. That would be one hell of a way to get the creative juices flowing. 