Ed Rendell, Harold Ford suggest party might call on Biden to run if Bernie wins 1st 3 primaries.

[madfloridian]

Ed Rendell publicly suggests it's good Biden dropped out as he might be needed after March 1.

He suggests that it's a very good thing that the vice president will be available after the smoke clears on March 1 (which I gather is Super Tuesday).

I would like for someone with much knowledge of party primaries and general elections to please explain to me how the Democratic Party could just decide to run someone else against Bernie if he wins the 1st 3 primaries. I want a really good explanation because to me that would be simply outrageous.

AND if it turns out this is legally acceptable, is it morally acceptable? Is this really what party leaders want to do?

I can't find Rendell's words in text anywhere so I transcribed them from the video at MSNBC during an interview by Andrea Mitchell. This portion starts about 6 minutes in.

Debate tone contentious over issues, not personalities

Sunday night’s debate exemplified how tight the presidential race has become on the Democratic side, due mostly to a surge in support for Bernie Sanders. Former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell and MSNBC contributor Steve Schmidt discuss the debate’s biggest talking points. Duration: 7:37

Here is my take on the gist of their conversation.

Andrea Mitchell suggests if Hillary loses SC after losing NH and IA that the Democratic Party would start looking elsewhere. She suggests the only place to look would be the Vice President.

Ed Rendell replied like this: The VP by withdrawing by deciding not to run, held himself open to that contingency.

He goes to say that if Hillary Clinton has legal problems, he (Biden) is available.

He says if Hillary's legal problems continue, if Bernie wins SC on top of IA and NH it would mean a real race.

He further says they would have to see March 1 after the smoke clears. He says it's not likely to happen but it could be the eventuality and is certainly out there. By that I assume he means Biden would step in.

Harold Ford also spoke out on MSNBC about what might happen.

Instead of celebrating the rise of a new star, establishment Democrats are freaking out about the possibility of Bernie Sanders winning both Iowa and New Hampshire.

Case in point: former Tennessee congressman Harold Ford, Jr., who on MSNBC agreed with Joe Scarborough that establishment Dems could recruit John Kerry or Joe Biden to run if Bernie sweeps both early primary states.

SO...where are they going with this? Whose idea is it that Joe Biden is now free to step in if Bernie takes the 1st 3 states?

Do party leaders really think this is the way for the party to survive and thrive?

Or does it mean they've already gone down that road too far to change?

[WillyT]

1. It Means They Are Willing To Destroy The Party, In Order To Save It...

In Their Corrupt Little Minds.

The gravy train is trying to protect itself.

[arcane1]

8. "Good Heavens, we can't nominate someone with support of the people!!!!"

If they even TRY something like this, you'll have proof that the party cares nothing for you and I. Coproratists though and through.

[HereSince1628]

33. I think they'd expect the primaries to keep going on...

there would be process that produced some level of support from dem voters.

[Odin2005]

54. Their corporate masters are terrified of Bernie.

[Ferd Berfel]

60. exactly. And I dont want to see any more BS hypocritical threads trying to GUilt trip

Bernie people into supporting the Corporatist if Bernie doesn't win the Nomination.

[senz]

67. There's more to it than that.

Beyond guilt, there's also a threat, based on the TOS, that any DU member who advocates voting for anyone other than the winner of the Democratic nomination will be banned from DU. Some very good Bernie supporters have already been banned for suggesting (or appearing to suggest) that people write in Bernie's name in the GE. For that reason, those who enjoy commenting here should refrain from openly supporting anyone but the Democratic nominee.

I have seen some from a certain camp try to lure Bernie supporters into making statements that would get them banned.

So, if we enjoy commenting here, we must be careful what we say.

[CorporatistNation]

72. Hmmmm?

Let's wait and see what happens in the next three weeks before we get too out of sorts.... Maybe then if necessary the PTB can consider "installing" Harold Ford... Certainly one of the top Corporatist Third Way/DLC mouthpieces this nation has to offer.

[roguevalley]

68. if they do this they are headed because of the mood this time for a metaphorical noose and tree

I would hate to be the one who poses someone else because their puppet lost. Denying the win to the winners won't be the dumbest thing they've done but close to it.

[Enthusiast]

94. First and foremost they are interested in protecting the interests of the

insurance industry, the pharmaceutical industries and others. It's as if the interests of the people don't mean a thing. And the truth is, the interests of the people no longer much matter.

When we talk about the influence of money in elections and legislation we know it isn't just rhetoric, it is real. This is a real and direct threat to democracy. This is the greatest threat to American democracy since the Fascists of the WWII era.

Essentially we have lost our democracy and those MSNBC TV personalities don't seem to recognize it is something they shouldn't publicly admit on TV. But they did admit it.

[KoKo]

98. That Commercial Free Media Event for a Ranting Sarah Pailin endorsing Trump

last night on three cable channels (MSNBC/CNN and FAUX) exposed what is going on. Trump's introduction and Palin's rambling, incoherent endorsement went on without interruption through Chris Matthew's Show and beyond. I think it was well over an hour of free airtime and is a disgraceful example of how rigged our MSM is for the power interests.

[socialist_n_TN]

102. Both of these posts are saying the same thing AND........

saying what Trotskyists have been saying for years. BOTH of the political parties in this country support the bourgeoisie. And you don't get much more bourgeois than Big Pharma, big Insurance, really big anything. '

[Enthusiast]

104. Yes. It's one disgraceful example. It is non stop biased coverage. Pathetic.

[JeffHead]

2. Establishment Democrats made it more than obvious.

Anyone but Bernie. Bernie will destroy their business model and they are scared shitless.

[Odin2005]

58. Bernie needs to watch his back.

I'm reminded of the reformers Tiberius and Gaius Gracchus in the ancient Roman republic, who were both murdered by the Powers That Be because they tried to push through land reform and halt the growth of the numbers of landless poor. Their murders unleashed the wave if violence that destroyed the republic.

[CorporatistNation]

73. I Am Certain That Bernie and Supporters Recall One Paul Wellstone....

I am a HUGE proponent of Commercial Aviation!

[ChiciB1]

106. I Can't Tell You How Many, Many Times I've Tried To

make this very same point! What OUR so-called Democratic Party seems to be doing is something that comes very close Anarchy. We already find ourselves being called an Oligarchy, so if they keep this up... well YOU decide what you want to call it.

I for one am getting REALLY, REALLY, REALLY fed up with our Democratic Party! I've been upset for so long now, but it seems the PANIC is pushing some to do and say things that are nothing more than DISGRACEFUL!

Almost seems they don't really believe in DEMOCRACY!!!! I've never in my many, many years as a Democrat seen ANYTHING like this.

[IllinoisBrenel]

3. State Ballots

Some of the states' ballots have already reached their deadline! How could the Democrats recruit another candidate? And I believe if that happens, it could damage the Democratic Party!

[jwirr]

16. My guess is that there is some kind of loop-hole that will

allow them to override with the super-delegates.

I wonder if they think they can win in the GE without us?

[daleanime]

78. I hate to say it, but I have to wonder....

if TPTB would rather lose to a republican then to Bernie.

[jwirr]

103. I think many of them would - he is planning to turn the

tide around into another direction and they have worked since raygun for our global empire and to end the New Deal.

In one way I kind of feel excited about this attitude. Apparently THEY think he will be able to do exactly that if elected. Gives me more confidence that we can turn it around.

[DJ13]

63. Is there some nechanism the party could use to challenge the nomination in the convention?

Something like challenging Bernie's delegates on the first ballot to throw the nomination open for further ballots?

[Samantha]

65. A brokered convention

That is what the Republicans are whispering about doing to stop Trump. I don't think they care for Cruz either.

Sam

[DhhD]

109. Adelson is flying Abbott out to Las Vegas. Is the GOP grooming the GOP Convention? Abbott

recently called on 33 states to set up a state constitution convention so as to over ride laws of the Supreme Court and the U.S. Constitution. Greg Abbott is the newly elected, in 2014, Governor of Texas.

Who else is being viewed?

[katsy]

4. And they would insult primary voters why?

So, the democratic PTB think their base is too stupid to vote correctly? Oi this isn't going to end well for anyone.

These insiders should stay out of the public sphere.

[99th_Monkey]

15. Our Self-appointed "Party Elders" need a nominee who's willing "to play ball"

as in play along with the 3rd-Way sell-out to our Corporatist Oligarchy.

[Jenny_92808]

40. Excellent post 99th_Monkey! I wish there was a like button.

You put it in a nut shell and what you said is exactly right, imo. This is very disappointing that they want to find a loophole to overturn the will of the people.

[99th_Monkey]

43. Thank you! nt

[CorporatistNation]

74. "Playing Ball" IS ENTIRELY WHAT ... this IS ALL About!

AS A CANDIDATE FOR U.S. HOUSE IN 2006, a Big Pharma Lobbyist by the name of Ken Freeman made me the offer: _____ if you're willing to work with play ball with the pharmaceutical industry, we'll get you all the contributions you need... I replied, well if I do the same thing as my Republican opponent where would my credibility be? That was the last I heard from him....

I did not "play ball." Neither does Bernie so we must all remain vigilant. Dirty tricks from this bunch are never far away.

("Accidents" happen!)

[99th_Monkey]

82. I had a similar experience with the Chamber of Commerce

I was Exec, Director of a neighborhood-based community development group, and they wanted
me to come 'endorse' some lame-ass idea, and do it publicly at a glitzy PR event, and I declined.

He called the Chair of my Board of Directors, and attempted to get me fired, for not "playing ball"
with the PTB. Fortunately my board chair wasn't having it, and told him to fuck off (paraphrased).
But this shit happens all the time, and it needs to be stood-up to, and I feel so fortunate that
Bernie is in this race, and in it to win.

I don't know what your 'accidents' happen comment is supposed to mean, but think it's a little
creepy.

[earthside]

5. Rendell and Ford are even more Republican-leaning than Hillary.

Anyone who would seriously give their musings any weight ought to have their head examined.

Rendell is the DNC co-chair who was one of the first to tell President-elect Gore to give-up.
I can't stand that guy.

[madfloridian]

9. If they are misspeaking...then let a party leader say so. Send someone out to counter.

[99th_Monkey]

44. +10 n/t

[Mnpaul]

50. Just look at his wiki

for Gramm, Leach, Bliley
for the Iraq war
"pro life"
against gay marriage
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Ford,_Jr.

[Enthusiast]

96. I do not like him even a tiny bit.

[Enthusiast]

95. "I can't stand that guy." Me too.

[UglyGreed]

6. Party of the people???

[Ed Suspicious]

7. The fissure caused by that will decimate the democratic party.

[madfloridian]

100. It would be devastating.

[TM99]

10. If the Party elite are so blind and stupid

that they actually push for this to occur, they have lost not only the General Election but local and state elections for decades to come.

The DNC accepted Sanders as a Democrat. He has the supposed full blessing of the Party to run and win. If it was a big con, then the Party has fucked up royally.

If this does occur, all bets are off, and Sanders should run an independent campaign at that point. He promised to play by the rules and not be a 'spoiler'. But if the DNC is going to turn around and break the rules, well fuck that. And if he does not run or can't as an independent, then it is over.

There are not enough registered Democrats who support Clinton who will just easily jump to Biden or Kerry. Those registered Democrats who support Sanders will jump ship completely. Very few independents will even come out to vote, and if they do, hell I know I will vote third party.

Trump, Rubio, whoever, will win in a landslide, and the GOP will control all branches of the Federal government as well as most State ones as well. As I said, it will take decades for the Democratic Party to recover, if they ever do. The establishment Dems in their arrogance and stupidity will cut off their noses to spite their faces. They deserve the negative consequences of that which they are sowing.

[arcane1]

11. And the "party over principle" jackasses will blame "liberals" again. n/t

[TM99]

28. And this time we will proudly

put our middle fingers in their faces and tell them to fuck off!

They will have caused this, not the progressive liberals on the left. They, the fucking 'centrists', the 'pragmatic moderates', the New Dems, and it will be all of their own doing.

[draa]

30. The Big Con is our political process in general.

The same process that allows people like Palin and Bachman to have a voice. Or even worse, Donald Trump. But marginalizes people like Bernie Sanders. It's all fixed.

No one in Washington is serious anymore. About anything. Kill a few people, steal more lives, protect more crooks, that's all they do. The entire process is a Big Con.

[TM99]

99. Indeed!

One giant grift. It is a big club, we ain't in it. It is amazing that a man like Sanders is even being allowed to run.

[jwirr]

12. You do realize that is only going to make us more angry with

the establishment. They have been pushing us out since 1980. I don't care how "good" their establishment candidate is I am not going to vote for them. The DNC and all their minions are not going to get away with playing dirty. ENOUGH.

[daleanime]

80. +1

[votesparks]

13. Establishment Democrats (and Republicans) have a deep seeded hatred of thing called

Democracy.

[99th_Monkey]

14. Such a stupid move would fully expose the Democratic Party to be thoroughly corrupt-to-the-core

Democratic my ass.

[2pooped2pop]

17. A republican win is preferred over Bernie to them

Bernie would change the game and they can't have that.

[arcane1]

21. Sad but true n/t

[Cassiopeia]

18. I don't even understand how that would work.

First, some states have already passed their filling deadline. Would they make a special exception for Biden?

For it to even have a shot, Hillary would need to drop out right away, otherwise Biden and Hillary would just doom each other. I don't see Hillary giving in just like she wouldn't in 08 when it was clear she had been defeated by Obama.

This may be some dream by TPTB, but I just don't see how it could even work except in Bernie's favor.

Finally, I don't see Biden playing that game.

[madfloridian]

19. Agree about Biden...I don't think he would let himself be used that way.

[appalachiablue]

52. I'm not sure this change would be to get Biden or Kerry elected, but to prevent Bernie

from being selected. Maybe they're ok with a Repub., same establishment. Biden was so sincere sounding and favorable about Bernie in the CNN interview with Gloria Borger recently. And he's been deliberating about entering for months with wife Jill saying he really wanted to do it a couple weeks ago.

Something is going on. It's strange that a political party's former Chair, Rendell and Blue Dog Harold Ford are talking this way publically. There was something like this on JoeSquint and Mika a week or so ago-Ford it was, saying Bernie was a self-described soshialist 4 times. ~

[madfloridian]

55. "Something is going on" Yes, it is.

[madfloridian]

20. We need other party leaders speaking out on this. We need denials.

It is way past time stuff like this stopped.

[Gregorian]

22. When America is tired of recessions, and wars, and inequality, they'll decide to to what's right.

I just hope it's now while we have the chance.

[MissDeeds]

23. If Bernie wins the first few primaries

and the party recruits another candidate to undermine his candidacy, I can see two things happening: 1) people will leave the Democratic Party in droves and 2) there will be a massive push by Sanders' supporters to have him break his vow and run as an independent/third party candidate.

If the party treats him in such a manner, all bets are off, as it should be.

[madfloridian]

25. You make some good points.

[kenfrequed]

77. Naw

You can't wheel out a new candidate after three states have voted. It just wouldn't work. Hillary would have to endorse the person and pass on her organization which would start to fall apart.

A couple of the suspended campaigns like Webb and Chafee would restart and try to grab for scraps. O'Malley would end up grabbing up a bit of it and suddenly have money thrown his way.

Anyone that Ford and company push would be roundly laughed off unless it was Biden. And it is NOT going to be Biden ("It's never twins&quot .

Bernie would have momentum and a machine that would razor 5% of Hillary's former supporters to start with and that would be more than enough. With her gone and with momentum it would take just too much very organized crazy crap to knock him off his game.

Anyone that has seriously looked at this comes to the same point.


Of course recent news stories might force this issue a bit.

[toshiba783]

24. This doesn't make any sense

Hypothetically, if Hillary can't beat Bernie then neither will Gore or Biden - especially when the race is half over and Bernie would already have a big head start with delegates.

Did something happen between the Clinton campaign and Rendell?

[madfloridian]

26. You are right. It makes no sense. We need a party leader to refute it now.

[HereSince1628]

35. More likely Rendell hears rumors before we do...

the news about more classified documents found on HRC's private server may have been known to him. Among his circle of -in the knows- they may have tossed around the likelihood of charges being brought.

It's also possible, since Petraeus is under a threat of being demoted post-hoc, that Petraeus' buddies in the CIA are using this to pressure Ash Carter not to mess with him. If they bring down Petraeus they pretty much are obliged to treat HRC's "transgressions" more seriously

I'm not in the know at all, but I suspect their is a handful of tinfoil that can be twisted into several party hats around this.

[Renew Deal]

27. I wouldn't listen to anything Ford says.

Does he even have a role in the party anymore? He's a clueless nobody.

I would listen to Rendell. He ran the party for a while and is in touch with it.

Could it be done? Yes. And it has been done before.

I don't know how they get anyone to step in after SC. SC is on 2/27. March 1 has 11 states and 2 territories voting. It could be over by then. There is no room for anyone to step in unless the race is close and one of the big 2 drop out. And that assumes the party doesn't revolt and elect Bernie.

It's up to Bernie to win this thing no matter the competition. But it's not practical to add candidates.

The only scenario I see someone new jumping in is if something goes bad between the end of the primaries and the convention.

[madfloridian]

29. I say they should try it.

It might be time for these differences to show up so clearly.

It might mean a general election loss this time but the party will have taken a stand which will define it forever.

[enough]

36. I stopped listening to Ed Rendell when he said Al Gore should not fight for his election

about midnight on election night 2000.

[tularetom]

31. LOL, Clinton's support is a mile wide and an inch deep

The party elders who have been talking her up since 07 are ready to throw her overboard if she loses the first primaries.

Sucks to be her, after years of it being "her turn" they're scheming behind her back to dump her.

[Ed Suspicious]

90. Quite the endorsement, isn't it?

[Salviati]

32. My guess is that it isn't so much the fact that Bernie might win that has folks like Ford freaking..

It's the possibility that it might realistically turn into a Sanders vs. Trump election. If it had turned out to be Sanders vs. Bush, I think that there would have been a lot of unforced errors on team Democrat. But they know how much of a dumpster fire a Trump presidency would be, hence the freakout.

[Kall]

79. No

They're worried that Sanders can win and actually start the revolution. The likes of Rahm Emmanuel, Ed Rendell, and Harold Ford will have no further influence in his - our - Democratic Party.

Oh, and Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who tried to garnish $300,000 wooden hamburger Hillary Clinton enough for us to swallow her, will not be controlling anything anymore.

[Maedhros]

34. And they wonder why Party membership is declining...[n/t]

[starroute]

37. Something like this scenario happened in 2004

By the late summer, the centrists were terrified of Howard Dean. There was talk that Hillary might enter the race then instead of waiting for 2008 as had been planned before Bush's popularity started to fade. But that didn't happen -- and instead Dean was discredited and Kerry soared to the lead.

I don't remember the exact details at this point -- I only know about the Hillary rumors because I ran across that the other day -- but I do recall posting here at the time that they'd been willing to have Dean run as long as they thought there was no chance of beating Bush and that swapping Kerry in meant the party insiders thought they had a clear path to victory.

Of course, that didn't happen either...

[madfloridian]

41. The DLC held a press conference then. So far no press conference YET.

Just public announcements by two former DLC/DNC leaders.

That's how it begins.

[stevenleser]

38. I would be happy to endorse such a move if the contingency happens and it was possible. It isnt...

far too many states have already passed their deadlines for signing up to be in the primary or caucus.

There is no rule that would allow him to back into the primaries at that point.

Unless Biden has signed up for the primaries in those states and met all the filing requirements, he is out those delegates. You can't compete for the nomination if you get zero delegates in half the states.

[Chemisse]

39. How ironic that both parties are facing a similar crisis.

Where the establishment of each party may be horrified at what the people vote, and may counteract by pulling a new candidate out of the hat.

[FlatBaroque]

45. That is NOT a coincidence.

This is the most anti-establishment I have ever seen the mood of the country, and I was around when for Nixon.

[Chemisse]

46. Strange days, indeed. n/t

[Renew Deal]

51. No need to be horrified at the republican situation.

But for republicans, Trump very clearly represents their base and their voter's views on race, religion, immigration, limited freedom, etc.

[Warren DeMontague]

42. I know who they can "turn to" if Sanders starts winning!

Crazy idea, i know.

[Jefferson23]

47. My guess is Bernie would not be surprised if they did that to him, despite

how Bernie polls against all Republicans in the race.

If there was any doubt about preserving the status quo, it would
be resolved by those actions.

[demwing]

48. It means they have just shat in their collective undies

PANIC IN THE DNC!!!

[Nyan]

49. If they keep this up, they're gonna end up with party fraction afterwards.

That is, after Bernie wins the DEMOCRATIC primary.

Democratic voters never had any say in the DLC taking over the party. THEY stole the party. And THEY are gonna have to go set up their own party and argue with the wing-nut party about abortion for the next 50 fucking years while destroying the country together with them. Crash the economy once again. Why the fuck not? They'll still be showering with Wall Street cash STOLEN from taxpayers.

[Odin2005]

53. The Establishment fuckers are getting desperate.

If they could get away with killing Sanders like The Gracchi were killed in Ancient Rome they would.

[Codeine]

56. This is nonsense,

and one would have to be an idiot to think it would ever happen.

[last1standing]

57. A party that disrespects the will of its members has lost it's purpose.

The establishment of the Democratic Party has become morally bankrupt and corrupted by monied interests. They are actively talking about subverting the will of the people in order to hold on to the reigns of power.

[snoringvoter]

59. Here's a problem for the bigwigs

The deadline has already passed.

Right-wing type of thinking. These people are why the Democratic Party infrastructure needs cleaning.

[FloriTexan]

61. Kick! WTF?

I mean really. WTF. That move would most certainly move Bernie to run as an independent and I think that would split, if not end, the party. They can't be serious? Can they? It sends an undeniable message that if the nominee is not Hillary then it won't be anyone else and is wholly an insult to everyone opposed to Hillary.

[madfloridian]

62. Good point about the effects of such an action.

My first thought was that they can't be serious, but I should have realized this is the first step on the way to what they did to Dean in 04.

[immoderate]

84. I think they are fantasizing out loud. They get paid for that.

By the time it's apparent that Bernie is 'running the table' there will be no one in position to overtake him.

Harold Ford is a totally unsavory person.

--imm

[virtualobserver]

64. Hillary didn't want to give up in 2008 when Obama had clinched the nomination

She sure as hell wouldn't simply give up and let Biden run in her place..

She isn't going to be indicted.

[bigtree]

66. this is the real 'establishment'

...even willing to step on Hillary to defend their turf.

[madfloridian]

69. I think you may be right. They would step on both candidates....

if things don't suit them.

They've done it before.

[meforbernie]

70. He has ran in several Presidential primaries and never rounded up in the top 3 candidates

Why do elites think Biden is such a threat to anyone they don't like. It is like hitting someone with a pillow.

[Samantha]

71. What I hope we do if this in fact happens is

we work twice as hard to increase Bernie's numbers. If we manage to get him elected (and I believe we certainly can), WE PUSH THE THIRD WAY PEOPLE OUT. We do not leave the Democratic party. We do what people in Washington do when one is out of favor -- IGNORE them. Don't call them, don't socialize, edge them out like we did the DLC (because that is who these people were formerly).

The DLC was brazen enough in 2004 to put a article in The Washington Post telling Al Gore not to run again. He had been in town and was trying to get a feel for another run, and suddenly this article appears right on the front page of the Post. They were arrogant enough to say while they did not choose the candidate the party decided to run, they had a lot of influence over who that person would be, and it would not be Al Gore. Can you imagine that? Not only did they want to send him a message, they chose to do it in a manner that publicly was intended to humiliate him. Kind of like Rendell telling Andrea Mitchell openly in a segment he knew would be aired the party intended to have someone else to jump into the race if Sanders prevailed in the first three contests.

These people making these noises are Third-Way types and they are doing exactly what the DLC did in 2004 -- taking it upon themselves to decide who is the right type of person to sit in the White House representing the party since we, the people, are obviously too stupid to make that decision.

And the reason they so disliked Al Gore was they thought he lost BECAUSE HE RAN A POPULIST CAMPAIGN.

If you are tempted to say we need to embrace them and all get along, the problem with that is YOU CANNOT TURN YOUR BACK ON THE THIRD WAY TYPE. None of these people should get cabinet positions or advisory positions.

Martin O'Malley, however, should get something very worthwhile, maybe Vice President if Elizabeth Warren does not take it.

They (the Third Way types) are not Democrats, and they do not belong in the Democratic party. We do embrace classic Democratic values, and we DO belong here.

Sam

[Ed Suspicious]

91. Nice post.

[kenfrequed]

75. If this occurs I think it might be a bit too late.

I mean, if this happens it really would be kind of tricky wheeling out a candidate without an organization after missing the first three primary states?

Harold Ford is talking out of his ass.

[daleanime]

76. If so he's the third democratic leader to publicly discuss the idea...

[merrily]

81. John Kerry would lose the general worse than he lost in 2004. Don't know about Biden.

In any event, any gambit of this kind will cost the party dearly. It's one thing to focus dissatisfaction with favoritism/corruption at DWS, who was a Clinton national campaign co-chair in 2008 and is SUPPOSED to be neutral in this primary. It's another to send in a designated hitter at this stage of the primary

If these men wanted to run for President, why didn't they? Or was the plan for 2016 exactly what it's been looking like since 2012--leaving the field clear for Hillary? If people start to realize how badly we get manipulated by the oligarchs, I don't know if the country will be the same again, let alone the Democratic Party.

Tread cautiously, Democratic bigwigs and other oligarchs and beware of unintended consequences. Obviously, you're not too good at spotting unintended consequences in advance, so be very, very careful.

[deathrind]

83. I will vote for whoever gets the nomination...

But if Bernie does win a primary or the primaries and the party pulls in Biden as the OP suggest, it would throw the Democratic Party into an unrecoverable tail spin.

[jfern]

85. LOL, the establishment really has no idea what they're doing

The sooner these clowns are out of power, the better.

[tishaLA]

86. Political suicide

and tone-deafness. If the people decide they want Sanders to be the Party's nominee, inserting a last minute "me, too" candidate would be terrible.

I doubt it would come to that, though, and I think Pres Obama is smart enough to convince VP Biden of the folly of this, were the scenario to play out as MSNBC has scripted.

[Meldread]

87. This is utter nonsense. They are both idiots.

Harold Ford, Jr. has long been a DINO. So it's not shocking that he would be willing to blow the party apart.

The most likely scenario, if Bernie wins the nomination, and it becomes clear that he can't win in the general election, is that there will be a fight at the convention. Hillary will control most if not all of the Super Delegates. Not to mention that she'd fight another war of attrition with Bernie like she did with Obama in 2008.

...and honestly, quite frankly, I think Bernie would step aside if he thought Hillary could steal the convention from him. He may try and extract some promises from Hillary, and would likely be placed as her VP on the ticket. That's likely the type of deal that would be made for the sake of party unity. That's how this ends if things go ugly. Bernie isn't really the type of guy that would want to fight dirty (Clinton has no such compunctions), and he would also value a Democratic victory over the Republicans more so than him becoming President.

[Fearless]

88. Biden won't run. The entire meme is moot.

[Ichingcarpenter]

89. I suspect these two guys knew exactly what they were doing

Before hand when they threw this turd of an idea out to the public airwaves.

Now the question is why?

1. A political ploy to the public to say that Biden is better than Sanders?

2. A warning to Hillary?

3. A knowledge of what is to come for Hillary's FBI thing?

4. Now both of these guys are front men for their corporate masters so I feel
that behind the scene something is stirring and the real masters of the oligarchy are worried

We all know that this was a shit idea but why did they promote time to it?

[AgingAmerican]

92. Bernie threatens the corporate goose

That lays the golden eggs

[Hoyt]

93. Well, yeah, they MIGHT do that but not very likely, thank god. If Sanders wins, we support him.

[Warren Stupidity]

97. Maybe the corporate fuck-knobs could run a Romney-Biden fusion ticket.

[napi21]

101. I think Biden would say NO! He's resigned to not running, and it was a hard decision for him.

At this late date, I don't think he'd want to get into that mess anymore.

[rosesaylavee]

105. They do that and they can expect a complete collapse of Dem Party membership

Why would I ever want to be party to that behavior. I am already on the verge of switching to 'Independent' now just because of DWS's leadership issues.

[madfloridian]

107. I have had similar thoughts..

about becoming independent. I don't think the party as it is now would even care. Now that's sad.

[glinda]

108. He will loose.

[madfloridian]

110. Sounds like Biden's on board now with his criticism of socialism.

[ecstatic]

111. That's silly. Don't believe everything you read. nt

[madfloridian]

112. Nothing silly about it. They are actually talking about doing it....out loud.

Have you noticed it doesn't bother them that they might be alienating so many in the party?

I can only conclude they don't care, and they don't care if we vote or not.

[madfloridian]

113. Now include Bloomberg running as an indy.

If Bernie would be bad for America, I could understand such fear and outrage from the party leaders....but he would be good for America.