Huff Post: Hillary Sputters, Sanders Rocks

[Binkie The Clown]

Hillary Clinton went full throttle in her debate with Bernie Sanders last night. She tried her very best to emulate the passion and authenticity of her opponent.

But therein lies the rub. Hillary tried to be authentic. She gave it her all. What she does not seem to understand is that if you are truly authentic, you don't have to try -- and if you are trying, you are ipso facto not being authentic. It looks as though that is a distinction that, at her age, she will never grasp.

Sanders does not try to be authentic. He doesn't have to try. Authenticity is what he does, spontaneously, like breathing. He can't help it. It's in his psychological DNA.

Read all about it

[retrowire]

1. I love this part.

So the choice between Clinton and Sanders does not in the end boil down to a choice between policy proposals. It boils down to character. Who do you trust? Who is merely trying to speak from the heart and the gut, and who is actually doing so? And in that contest, Sanders wins in a landslide.

[snot]

4. Actually, that's a part I can't agree with.

Sorry, can't agree to that point. I object on principle to electing people based on their personality; rings too much of voting for W. because you think you'd enjoy having a beer with him.

There are two considerations: what are their positions on the issues? Trump or Cruz may sincerely believe in their policy proposals, but I'm not going to vote for them. The other consideration is, do you trust them to carry out their promises? Here, sincerety does matter. But it doesn't mean that policy doesn't.

[retrowire]

6. Did you read the article?

It's not about selecting a candidate on personality alone.

What the article is saying, is it has essentially become that in this race, because Hillary and Bernie's proposals are both, for the most part good. So it comes down to whether or not you trust or like the candidate.

Let's say these two policy perspectives were articulated by each candidate in writing, but divorced from the personality of the individual who articulated them. Who would win this policy debate among committed Democrats? Probably it would be a close call.

[bvar22]

59. Lets take a look at the Policy Differences between Hillary & Bernie:

* Sanders has supported gay rights since 40 years ago. Clinton and Republicans have not.

* Sanders wants to end the prohibition of marijuana. Clinton & The Republicans do not.

* Sanders wants to end the death penalty. Clinton and Th Republicans do not.

* Sanders wants to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Clinton and the Republicans do not.

* Sanders wants to break up the biggest banks. Clinton and The Republicans do not.

* Sanders voted against the Wall Street bailout. Clinton and the Republicans (and too many "Democrats) did not.

* Sanders introduced legislation to overturn Citizens United. Clinton and The Republicans did not.

* Sanders refuses to accept money from super PACs. Clinton and the Republicans do not.

* Sanders supports a single-payer healthcare system. Clinton and The Republicans do not.

* Sanders refrains from waging personal attacks for political gains. Clinton and The Republicans do not.

* Sanders considers climate change our nation's biggest threat. Clinton and The Republicans do not.

* Sanders opposed the Keystone XL Pipeline since day one. Clinton and the Republicans do not.

* Sanders voted against the Patriot Act. Clinton and the Republicans did not.

* Sanders voted against the war in Iraq. Clinton and The Republicans did not.

* Sanders wants to Raise (or eliminate) the CAP on FICA deductions. Clinton and the Republicans do not.

* Sanders opposes unrestricted "Free Trade". Clinton and the Republican do not.


Hillary sure seems to agree with Republicans a lot.
I don't,
that is why I am a Democrat, and voting for a Democrat....Bernie!

Trying to sell Hillary as the same on policy as Bernie is complete BS.

[retrowire]

60. agreed, the article has a blatant bias about that.

I see that, but I'm only explaining the article to folks.

[Ino]

62. bookmarking this post! (nt)

[bvar22]

64. Thank You.

Those are just a few differences.
The list could be easily be expanded.

[Babel_17]

65. Yes, character is distinct from personality

So the choice between Clinton and Sanders does not in the end boil down to a choice between policy proposals. It boils down to character. Who do you trust? Who is merely trying to speak from the heart and the gut, and who is actually doing so? And in that contest, Sanders wins in a landslide.

Con men often have great personalities, they can make the cops arresting them laugh as they snap shut the handcuffs.

[cannabis_flower]

7. And that's where Hillary fails..

I just can't' believe her when she says she is going to fight Wall Street.

[840high]

9. I've gotten to the point

where I don't believe anything she says.

[pangaia]

25. I turned it off at about 9:45.

I just could NOT look at or listen to her any longer.

[Still In Wisconsin]

11. You would have to be an imbecile to believe that Hillary will do anything but coddle Wall Street

They are her biggest backers.

[CharlotteVale]

37. +100000

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

53. You got it... as they say, never bite the hand that feeds you.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[trueblue2007]

19. HILLARY DID NOT FAIL. She was awesome.

[cannabis_flower]

23. She failed..to convince me

To convince me (and many fence-sitters and Sanders supporters) that she will work for the people and not Wall Street.

[trueblue2007]

30. FOLKS, take off the blinders.

[cui bono]

31. We aren't the ones wearing them. n/t

[cannabis_flower]

33. Yes

You should.

[jwirr]

43. We have. She came out of this debate as the "No we cannot."

candidate. - that is not a win.

[Duckfan]

46. She was awsome all right....

Awsome at making shit up about Bernie.

The insincerity was clear. Just saw replay on YT

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

52. Hillary is very good at tryin to lie about Bernie... just lousy at not getting caught.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

51. Hillary did tell 'em "to cut it out," so, technically I guess, she's willing to fight Wall Street.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2016!!!

[SheilaT]

8. I think there is a somewhat subtle point being made here.

It's not asking people to elect a candidate based on their personality alone. It's suggesting that people assess the authenticity of a candidate, and that candidate's stand on issues, and decide from there.

Your point about W is a good one. I was always appalled that anyone would think he'd be a good President because he was the guy they'd like to have a beer with. First off, I can't imagine spending two minutes with that smarmy creep. And I'll add that I personally think Bill Clinton would be a terrific guy to have a beer with, but back when I voted for him I did so because I thought he was the better candidate and that he would do things that were worthwhile for this country. And so it goes. We each are going to have different opinions about which politician we might want to have a drink with, but that shouldn't ever enter into our decision about who to vote for.

Yes, policy does matter. Someone who thinks Hillary's policies are better should be voting for her. Those who prefer Bernie's should vote for him. But you should also take into consideration that person's past history on policy, and how much you believe that candidate will try very hard to put in place his or her announced policies.

[demwing]

17. "I can't imagine spending two minutes with that smarmy creep."

[CharlotteVale]

38. It's beyond creepy they are friends.

[roguevalley]

47. they call each other brother and his parents call him son. That alone is enough to cancel my vote

[redwitch]

10. There's personality. And there's character.

Add ability and experience to character and you have your candidate. I have chosen Bernie Sanders as my primary choice. Character counts as 75% of my grading system.

[mdbl]

54. Don't want to have a beer with Bernie

I just want him to veto all the bullsh$% that will be presented by Eddie Munster and the ghouls in congress.

[Duval]

2. K&R. Thanks for the OP and the link.

[Plucketeer]

3. Excellent, Binkie

And SO true.

[AzDar]

12. Hillary is a LIAR. How *anyone* can trust that shape-shifter is beyond me...

[CharlotteVale]

39. The only thing she can be trusted on is looking out for Wall St.

[totodeinhere]

49. Only those who have drunk the kool aid will trust her.

She has been around so long, too long, that anyone with an open mind knows she is a fraud.

[lob1]

13. When Bernie speaks, I hear authenticity. When Hillary talks,

I hear strategy.

[Punkingal]

14. Bingo!

[Nyan]

44. Every sentence reeks of political calculation.

Her bringing up Obama was supposed to be a good strategy. Only, she did it so much (because she's desperate) that it backfired.

[Fast Walker 52]

15. this was certainly my impression

and personally, I find her tough voice very flat and annoying.

[JDPriestly]

16. K&R millions of times.

[JDPriestly]

18. K&R a million times.

But for me, Sanders' stances on the issues are what wins the day. His character is excellent, but even if he were caught in a mistake or a lie, I would vote for him because he does stand tall for LGBT rights, for workers' rights, for equality and an end to police brutality, for changing our justice system, for investing in our environment, for all the wonderful things he stands taller on than Hillary does.

Yes. Character counts. But Bernie's stands on the issues win the day.

So what if not everything can be achieved. We need to have ideals, goals and dreams, and we need to set our sights high. That is what a great person, a great nation does.

Don't settle for second best. Aim for the greatest. Even if you don't make it, you will reach higher than you would if you just compromised from the get-go.

[robbob]

20. Who coined that great one liner:

"Sincerity is key to making it in Hollywood. If you can fake that, you've got it made."?

[nxylas]

21. I think it was Tony Curtis

I thought of that quote too.

[SheilaT]

22. I've also seen it attributed to

George Burns.

[Eleanors38]

29. "In confusion there is profit" -- Curtis, "Operation Petticoat."

[mikehiggins]

32. I think it was Laurance Olivier (SP?) n/t

[Metric System]

24. That's a blogger offering his opinion.

[Perogie]

35. So is this. What's your point?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1024896

[safeinOhio]

26. I love them both, but I hate

Republicans.

[HockeyTown4Ever]

27. Hillary sputters to a 25 pont lead?

Wow, sounds like it's all over but the shouting....

What's up with this?

http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/poll-clinton-holds-25-point-national-lead-over-sanders-n498071?utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link

[HubertHeaver]

34. It was a 63 point lead, so,

yeah, that's sputtering.

[Motown_Johnny]

42. National polls are meaningless at this point.

Even the state polls are less meaningful than they usually are.

These early states are unpredictable and can break late. They also tend to shape the race, depending on the outcome.

We have 2 weeks to Iowa. It is best to not obsess over every poll. The voters will begin to make their wishes know fairly soon.

Once that happens, those are the only numbers that will really count. Then, after the early 4 are done, we can look at national and state by state polls again.


But since you bring up that 25 point lead:

[MisterP]

58. we were here when they said "Clinton has a 40-point lead: it's all over"

then "Clinton has a 35-point lead: it's all over"
"Clinton has a 30-point lead: it's all over"
"Clinton has a 25-point lead: it's all over"
"Clinton has a 20-point lead: it's all over"
"Clinton has a 2-point lead: it's all over"

[morningfog]

61. 12 point, nationally, now.

[Eleanors38]

28. She really fulminated and passioned all over & all she got was a stinking gun.

[Nyan]

36. I do think though she put on her best game

Last edited Mon Jan 18, 2016, 09:58 PM - Edit history (1)

what's interesting is that it wasn't enough.

[phleshdef]

40. I was proud of all 3 but Bernie rocked it for sure.

[WillyT]

41. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[Thespian2]

45. K & R!!!

[jalan48]

48. Hillary doesn't inspire much passion. She's the female equivalent of Walter Mondale.

Keep the no-doz handy when she gives a big speech.

[chervilant]

50. Do, or do not.

There is no try.

[Enthusiast]

55. K&R! I would love to see this receive hundreds of recommendations!

[billhicks76]

56. Her Eyes Are Beady...Worse Than GW Bush

She is a snake in the grass. It pains me to believe that but I'm not blind.

[Babel_17]

63. Pithy

The spotlight is on, full force. That's what happens when a race is close, and very important to the American people. Primary voters will have a lot to think about.