This can go two ways from here on out.

[DanTex]

1) Bernie at some point in the next month or so gracefully bows out, endorses Hillary, and begins unifying the party, campaigning alongside Hillary and against Trump.

2) Bernie drags it out to the convention, keeps raising money by misleading his supporters about his chances to win, and continues bashing Hillary in ways that can have no effect but to make a Trump presidency more likely.

Obviously, #1 is the best for everyone. Bernie, like every other politician, has an ego, and it won't be easy to let go, but he's a very smart man and he can read the writing. We'll see if he has it in him to place his country first. I think he does.

The problem is, it looks like his advisors, who IMO have done a great disservice to him during this campaign, are already pushing towards door #2. We've even heard talk of trying to turn pledged delegates that were elected by Hillary supporters. Fortunately, Hillary's going to win by a big enough margin that these kinds of tricks aren't going to work, but a Bernie campaign that is flailing and lashing out in anger could hurt us going into the General.


Either way, Hillary will be the nominee. The only question is whether Bernie wants to help team Hillary or team Trump.

[Warren Stupidity]

1. You mean he could behave as badly as Clinton did in '08?

Nah, he ain't that sort of person.

[AtomicKitten]

2. x 10000

[DanTex]

4. More or less. Although in the end Hillary came out very strongly for Obama once it was over.

But I'd rather not see a repeat of 2008. We have a candidate now, time to bring the party together.

[bobbobbins01]

93. Except Clinton was running on the same platform of nothing in 2008

Bernie not only is still viable, but he has very important issues he is bringing to light. Hillary was just waiting in the wings on the off chance someone decided to assassinate Obama...

[DanTex]

94. Hillary and Obama ran on basically the same platform in '08.

I was an Obama supporter and I think he's been great. I'd re-up for more, but he's already served two terms. I look forward to Hillary continuing the transformation progress he's made.

Bernie is no longer viable. His last hope was extinguished on Tuesday. Hillary is the nominee.

[bobbobbins01]

98. I'm glad you're just fine with the way things are going.

Meanwhile I can't afford the cost of health insurance and meds for my son who has fragile x syndrome and multiple daily seizures. Many of us need a president who is willing to fight for change. Business as usual means I have to choose between seizure meds or mortage payments. Glad things are hunky dory for you.

[upaloopa]

130. There is a repub House. No matter if Bernie or Hillary becomes president

the thing that can happen is an improvement in the ACA.

Bernie cannot help you by making single payer appear any time soon.

[MaggieD]

6. Hillary enthusiastically endorsed Obama.....

Asked her supporters to support him, and campaigned hard for him. He subsequently named her his SOS. So I don't know what you were watching in 2008, but you are badly mistaken.

You guys have a very vivid imagination when it comes to Hillary Clinton, that's for sure. You just make shit up out of whole cloth, it seems. SMH.

[Humanist_Activist]

17. She didn't do that until June, before that, the gloves were off. n/t

[JaneyVee]

20. He also didnt have a +324 delegate lead on her.

[JonLeibowitz]

73. She campaigned after she was mathematically eliminated.

[JaneyVee]

99. No she didnt. She stopped when Obama cashed in his superdels.

[JonLeibowitz]

103. ....4 days later....

[whatchamacallit]

8. Thread is won

[DanTex]

18. Primary is won.

[whatchamacallit]

27. Good

maybe you can find something more useful and dignified to do with your time.

[DanTex]

35. Celebrating is a good use of time. Joy is important in life.

[choie]

118. When the hell are you guys going to get it....

We have every right to vote for our candidate in the primary. This is a DEMOCRACY....the primaries end in June and that is when the Democrats will decide who our nominee will be. I will vote in New York's primary in April and I will vote for Sanders - whether he's behind by 1 delegate or 1000. That is the democratic process.

[DanTex]

120. Vote all you want, but the primary is decided. Hillary is the nominee.

[choie]

122. You can repeat it all you want...

primaries run until June. That ain't gonna change.

[DanTex]

124. You're right, it won't change. Hillary will win. She has won.

It's funny that now all Hillary haters have left is prolonging the inevitable. Hey, if it makes you happy...

[choie]

140. It does...thanks!

[vintx]

107. What, like she's not as bad this year?

Smears, lies... the usual from her team, but now aided by none other than Brock.

Shameless doesn't even scratch the surface

[Stuckinadeepredstate]

119. huh?

HRC originally had the lead in super delegates. Or are you referring to how she collected more popular votes than president Obama in the nomination process so kept going?

Regardless of all that, if she "behaved badly" in 08 why is sanders hanging around when he is even further behind where she ever was?

However she ultimately tirelessly campaigned for President Obama. Whether BS does that for her remains to be seen...

[MaggieD]

3. Yep

But the problem is he is not a Democrat and never has been one. And throughout this process he has seemed intent on tearing down the Democratic party as much as he can, which is a very stupid strategy if the object is to get Dems to vote for him.

Nevertheless, I think we will find out what kind of man Bernie really is very soon. I hope he doesn't disappoint me.

[bkkyosemite]

5. There ya go again MaggieD...He has not!

[MaggieD]

10. It's well documented

http://www.businessinsider.com/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-obama-criticism-2016-2

Plus, didn't you watch any of those debates you all insisted on? Seems not.

[pat_k]

7. I reject your characterization of the consequences of staying in.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12511507143

[DanTex]

12. His chances of winning, small as the were, are now gone.

Whatever statement he was trying to make, he's made it. Now is the time to put another Dem in the White House, and defeat Trump.

Dragging along with an increasingly futile and desperate campaign (e.g. trying to convert pledged delegates) is not going to get his message out any further. If anything, it will hurt it.

[pat_k]

49. Ultimately, it will just have to play out.

If you read my post, it should be clear that I disagree. But I do not claim to be a fortune teller. I see more potential for benefit than harm. You do not. Let's leave it at that.

[JonLeibowitz]

76. The longer he stays in, the further left he keeps Hillary who is desperate to shift to the center.

He needs to stay in the race until the convention.

[DanTex]

79. Who cares? What matters is beating Trump.

[riversedge]

81. SPOT ON!

[JonLeibowitz]

87. I care. And since I am a Bernie supporter and you are not, your "thoughts" carry very little weight.

[geek tragedy]

9. There will be a Third Way (see what I did there?):

He runs an honorable and issues-oriented campaign until people have had a chance to vote for him in all 50 states.

Then, if as expected he is behind, he does the right thing and endorses.

[DanTex]

14. I wouldn't have a problem with that as long as he runs a positive campaign and

holds back from the attacks on Hillary that he's been making with increasing intensity over the last few months. At this point, those attacks help nobody except for Trump.

I also see a slight ethical problem with continuing to solicit donations from working people by misleading them about his chances of winning. I guess there is a certain amount of "caveat emptor", but still, sending out fundraising emails saying that his path to the nomination is on track is flatly dishonest.

[geek tragedy]

25. I think we've heard the last of his gimmicky argument re: transcripts.

People are adults and they can do math--if they have such blind faith in a politician that they fork over money without thinking for themselves, meh.

[agracie]

43. Truth is not gimmiky.

[polly7]

29. Truth isn't an attack - except for those who wallow in perpetual victimhood. nt.

[SoCalMusicLover]

53. Are You Kidding??????

Poor Wittle Hillary. The criticism by Mr. Sanders is rough on her. All these attacks, how can she survive?

If you think that Bernie's attacks are vicious, you better make a batch of popcorn.

Trump is going to make Bernie look like Mother Theresa. The next few months will leave the Clinton supporters WISH it was Bernie she was running against in November.

Bernie brought up Benghazi merely to say that he was Never going to bring it up. Bernie brought up the e-mails, only to say he would not attack her on that.

I'm sure Trumpie will follow these same rules, and won't hit below the belt.

[DanTex]

54. Actually, it's Poor Wittle America, if Trump wins.

You're right, Trump is going to attack Hillary mercilessly, and unfairly. All the more reason that Bernie needs to get on board now, not later, and train his fire on Trump, not Hillary.

It's not a game anymore. Bernie's made his point. But now it's time to do the right thing for the country.

[Arazi]

71. I donate because I want to keep his message out front. My $ is doing exactly what I want

it to do with Bernie.

What would be unethical is for Bernie to give up and stop his campaign and give up the media attention his message needs

[Skwmom]

85. If she can't handle the truth from Bernie she won't be able to handle the attacks from Trump. n/t

[DanTex]

88. Obviously, she has more than "handled" Bernie's "truth".

[dragonfly301]

115. Seriously

I also see a slight ethical problem with continuing to solicit donations from working people by misleading them about his chances of winning. I guess there is a certain amount of "caveat emptor", but still, sending out fundraising emails saying that his path to the nomination is on track is flatly dishonest.

As opposed to Hillary who finished her 08 campaign 25 million dollars in debt and had others (Bill) send out fundraising solicitations for years? Her debt was paid off in 2013.

[DanTex]

117. That's the Bernie supporter procedure. Deflect.

[Cleita]

11. #1 gives us a choice of Hillary and Satan, whichever Republican nominee fits the hooves.

If he were a Democratic insider, that is what would he would do from party pressure. Since he isn't, he won't. That is why we like him and will support him to the end. It will be #2 because Bernie has promised his supporters he will take it to the convention. We want him to and we like giving him money. We know if Hillary beats him he will do something good with the money.

[Warren DeMontague]

13. I suspect it will be somewhere in the middle.

The folks who have been eager to make him go away so we could hit fast forward on the inevitability will not get their wish.

However, as the primaries continue i suspect he will adapt to any changing realities. Which might include fewer critiques of Hillary versus more direct raising of issues of mutual importance and drawing contrasts with the GOP.

A blowout of the level of rubio losing his home state? Yeah, that would be justification to drop out.

But sanders is still competitive, albeit far less so. And many of us havent had a chance to vote yet. There is no big hurry.

[DanTex]

16. I'd settle for something in the middle, as long as it involved less attacks on Hillary.

Running a strictly positive and issue-oriented campaign, rather than talking about Hillary's Goldman speeches and SuperPACs and all that, could actually be a good segue into endorsing her. Get his message out, soften his anti-Hillary stuff, and train his fire more on Trump.

Problem is, I don't think that's what his advisors have in mind.

[Warren DeMontague]

21. I could levy a lot of criticism at each candidate's advisors, for different reasons.

But I believe Bernie Sanders is a man of very high integrity, who is smart and understands the stakes and the realities.

He's not Ralph Nader.

[DanTex]

24. I'm with you there.

[John Poet]

15. Just in case something happens to Hillary,

Bernie has to stay in the race!



She might be indicted.

[Cleita]

19. ...

I have been hearing that and from Dem inside sources. I volunteer at our hdqts.

[Warren DeMontague]

22. I hope that doesnt happen, but if it did I suspect we'd see a rapid entrance of someone like Biden

No way would the party apparatus just hand it over to Bernie by default.

[John Poet]

42. They wouldn't want to, but they'd have to start

from super-delegates alone. Neither Hillary nor the party could dictate what Hillary's pledged delegates might do, and Sanders would be left with the largest block of delegates backing an active candidate.

A good argument can be made that to "substitute" a candidate such as Biden who did not earn votes in any primaries at all, would be a disaster for the party in the general election-- the candidate of a "backroom deal". It certainly wouldn't be satisfactory to most of the Sanders supporters.

[Warren DeMontague]

46. The possibility of some FBI shoe dropping between now and November keeps me up nights

I think she is gonna be the nominee, for better or worse, so i really hope her supporters are right when they say there is no "there" there.

[agracie]

51. Hoping Biden would not agree to "step in".

[madville]

23. Or have a health problem

It's his best interest to stay in, there are several scenarios where she is forced to bow out and he should maintain presence in the process.

[Thinkingabout]

153. Bernie might be indicited because of his fund raising is not by the rules, he has until tomorrow to

clean up his fund list and get the over payments out.

[cosmicone]

26. They want their unicorn no matter how long it takes

because they are certain there is a unicorn at the end of the revolutionary road.

Unicorn believers only care about the unicorn and they cannot be taught that there is no such thing as a unicorn.

[Warren DeMontague]

33. I bet you're a hoot at parties.

That charm offensive is really attractive!

[cosmicone]

37. I take a bow n/t

[virtualobserver]

38. No, we don't want what Hillary is offerring

If Bernie reels off 7 or 8 wins in a row now....it will change the conversation.

[Ken Burch]

28. "This can go two ways"?

We're taking political advice from Saul Goodman now?

[Warren DeMontague]

34. S'all Good, Man.

[NCTraveler]

104. .

[Kalidurga]

30. Nah Hillary has to drop out.

[gcomeau]

31. We have very different ideas of what is "best for everyone".

Throwing support behind a Democratic party lurch to the right doesn't fit the definition by any stretch of my imagination.

[DanTex]

41. I'm assuming some basic common ground, e.g., we don't want President Trump.

[gcomeau]

57. And you're missing the forest for the trees.

Ignoring the long term rightward trajectory of the party that will leave us all screwed no matter what if it isn't stopped because every single election you're in panic mode about the GOP being worse. But they're always going to be worse. Because every time the Dems move right the GOP is moving right too.

FFS, look what has happened in just the last 8 years:

http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2008

http://www.politicalcompass.org/uselection2016

At some point you have to say enough and insist on left. Because as long as you keep rewarding them with support no matter *what* they do they're just going to keep marching the same way.

And given that this year the party establishment *explicitly* went on the attack against liberal policies. Trashed Single Payer. Stood there applauding while Clinton attacked the very foundation of the progressive social safety net as "free stuff". FUCK. THEM. This isn't just "the nominee isn't left enough". This is "the nominee is actively hostile to the left".

Actions have consequences. And enough is enough. I WILL NOT reward what they are doing. If Clinton is the nominee I walk. Period.

[DanTex]

59. No, I'm pretty sure president Trump qualifies as a "forest".

We've made a lot of progress under Obama, I want to see it continued rather than reversed. If you're willing to sacrifice the future of the country to Trump for some pointless ideological crusade, then you're the one missing the forest. And also missing the trees.

[gcomeau]

69. Nope. 4 -8 years.

Very bad. Great big fucking redwood.

But not as bad as decade after decade of the only two viable parties in the United states BOTH marching right right right right right. Today's Democratic party is damn near Reagan's Republicans on a lot of issues for fuck's sake. We're better on social but economically? FUCKED.

Want to imagine where we are in another 30 years if a stop isn't put to this? Care to imagine what it's going to be like when we have Democratic presidential nominee Trump Jr. running telling us all about how we have to double the size of his daddy's wall and everyone is telling us we have to support him because Republican presidential nominee "Lunatic McCrazypants" cannot be allowed to have the White House and build his immigrant hunting robot soldiers!!!!!!! See... building the wall is protecting them, it's the lesser of two evils!


No. No Fucking More. DONE.


If Clinton is the nominee there is precisely a 0% chance of my support. None. Zip.

[pdsimdars]

32. Stop whining, get over it, it's a race and Bernie and his supporters are not quitters

Your other points are all in your imagination (and are all Hillary-bot talking points)

[DanTex]

40. The race is over, everyone knows this.

[Bleacher Creature]

36. Things might start to snowball for him.

Despite what he tells his supporters, he's not a viable candidate anymore. Money will inevitably slow, crowds will dwindle, and results will get worse.

At some point, it won't really be a choice anymore.

[Still In Wisconsin]

50. It's done. We're done.

All continuing will do now is waste my time and money.

[restorefreedom]

39. #3. he closes the delegste lead with thirty states still,left to vote

and her lead being only about 10% of the needed delegates, and they are close to tied in the convention or he overtakes her.

not high odds, but not zero either.

its not as inevitable as many would like to believe...

[DanTex]

44. Right. Or maybe Hillary gets abducted by aliens.

[restorefreedom]

48. or gets indicted for running a pay to play scheme out of the sos office

or mishandling classified info. that investigation is still ongoing, and i doubt the government is
paying 150 fbi agents to pick their noses.

[DanTex]

52. I'm sticking with the aliens, but good luck with that.

[restorefreedom]

86. aliens it is! nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

45. I prefer #2. Because it is the best way of putting his country first.

Hopefully, he will choose to help neither Hillary or Trump by sticking to his principles and doing what's right for the country and the world.

"In matters of conscience, the law of the majority has no place" -Gandhi

[Bleacher Creature]

67. What a disgusting thing to say!

And to couch it as if it's a principled stance is worse!

This caricature of Clinton needs to stop. As a supporter, I'll be the first to admit that she's taken some positions for political reasons that have made me uncomfortable. But I also believe that she's a progressive at heart. And the differences between her and Bernie are nothing compared to the gaping chasm that separates them both from Trump, Cruz, etc. Bernie himself has said that numerous times.

If he were to withhold his support based on marginal differences with her (especially when you compare their voting records in the Senate), it would be seen as indirectly helping Trump. Fortunately, I think Bernie has more sense than some of his supporters.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

74. I think voting for the slaughter in Iraq for "political reasons" was more than a little disgusting.

And, if nothing else, makes her unfit to hold public office.

And, I don't consider that vote a "marginal difference".

But, principles and consciences differ.

[Still In Wisconsin]

47. Agreed. It's done.

I say this as someone who has contributed heavily (financially and volunteer time) to Bernie's campaign. You won and we lost. Big time. Now it's time for a nice long vacation from politics for Bernie and his supporters. He can spend the convention trout fishing in Vermont now. I'll be doing the same in Wisconsin.

[highprincipleswork]

55. The real question is whether Hillary will lead in any way from the Progressive stance she borrowed

from Bernie.

Or will she spin to the right, losing the opportunity to get Bernie supporters more fully and more realistically on her side, and courting the same Republican votes that are so unlikely to turn to her, and turning off Independents as well.

[hrmjustin]

56. I think Sanders will drop out after he loses NY and the April 26th states.

[hallio]

58. without mentioning the 3rd pretty obvious option

of Bernie winning !!!

[DanTex]

60. LOL.

[hallio]

62. better laugh

than cry

[DanTex]

64. I agree. That's why I'm laughing.

[hallio]

65. let's see who

laughs last

[DanTex]

66. I'll ruin the suspense... it will be Hillary.

[OrwellwasRight]

61. "best for everyone"

Thank God my hero Eugene V. Debs never did "what's best for everyone." The country wouldn't be what it is today if he had sat down and shut up like so many people told him to do.

[NowSam]

63. I say drag it out

I want to vote for my candidate. I have been waiting for Bernie my whole life. Clinton supporters: Why not just let us vote and then when the primary is over and we have a candidate for the party we can see where we go from there. I predict that if Bernie wins the nomination the people will win the White house. If the other candidate wins then I will invest in Bottled water since the fracking frackers will continue unabated in ruining the world's water. I will also invest in for profit prisons because that would continue under the other candidate. I might then invest in some bio tech and big pharma because under the TPP patents will never expire and drug prices and medicines will soar in price. Of course I might also have no money to invest and have to declare bankruptcy. Too bad the students loan debt would continue to be ineligible for discharge through bankruptcy and their enslavement will continue. Should we invest in munitions since perpetual war would be on the Horizon.

We are at a critical juncture in history. I want to vote for the good guy.

BERNIE OR BUST!

[Trust Buster]

68. If he wishes to have a significant role at the convention, he should lean towards #1.

A New York loss seems to be the right timing to me too.

[DanTex]

70. Yeah, a NY loss could be a good moment to pull out. It's a little over a month away, but still

plenty of time before the convention to mend fences. I don't expect him to drop out in the next week or two when he's got so many friendly states coming up. I just hope he drops the Hillary bashing stuff pretty soon.

[Trust Buster]

75. Agreed. No more debates.

[JonLeibowitz]

84. Haha! You don't want to see Hillary challenged or have to actually debate the issues.

Remind me again -- when was the last time Clinton held a press conference and addressed issues that reporters raised?

[Trust Buster]

95. No reason for Sanders to keep attacking Hillary.

Sanders might need debates but Hillary is on a glide path now. No benefit to future debates on her part.

[JonLeibowitz]

97. What is good for the country and good for Hillary Clinton rarely align.

This is no exception to that.

[Trust Buster]

102. Sanders lost, there is no exception to that. No more debates.

[JonLeibowitz]

105. What is wrong with debates where we see how our candidates stand on the issues?

And at least you are honest with the "No more debates" rallying cry -- that's been your biggest boon this entire cycle, a corrupt national party determined to prop up the pro-corporate candidate.

[Trust Buster]

111. Hillary has nothing to gain by butting heads with Sanders any further. She's pivoting to the general

[Arazi]

72. #3 Bernie stays in and keeps fighting for his message

And keeps getting the truth out there

[orpupilofnature57]

89. + 1000000000000 !!!!!!!!!!!

More than a Candidate, an Educator, a watchdog and the only person from our government who held an in depth conference on the bank failure of Greece and how it directly related to us in the future .

[Skwmom]

77. To put his country first he needs to continue fighting against our corrupt govt bought and paid for

by the 1%. You are asking him to put party before country while the Democrats attack him for not being a Democrat.

[DanTex]

82. I'm asking him to put country before ego.

[grasswire]

91. You think Bernie is running for ego?

You must have him confused with the other candidate. Seriously.

[DanTex]

96. He's certainly not running to win at this point. I don't see any other reason for

him to postpone endorsing Hillary. Do you?

[Arazi]

138. Yes to ensure his message continues to stay out front

and that his movement continues



All the way baby!

[HooptieWagon]

78. Bernie might as well stay in...you never know what may happen in June.

Could even be an indictment.

[riversedge]

80. No matter what Bernie does. Hillary IS TAKING IT ALL THE WAY TO THE WH

:large

[NCTraveler]

112. That is the message.

I love what you share!!!

[shireen]

83. If Hillary wins, Bernie will endorse her and campaign for her

Because he's a decent guy.
The majority of Bernie supporters will vote for Hillary because we understand what's at stake.

But Bernie will decide when to bow out.

This has nothing to do with his ego. This is about sending a strong message to the democratic party that has drifted too far right.

He is not misleading his supporters. He has been very clear about his goal from the beginning: to lead a revolution. That's going to happen whether he gets elected or not.

There's much more to Bernie's campaign than becoming president. Anyone who doesn't see that has not been paying attention.

[grasswire]

90. Or Hillary could drop out now....

...considering the position she is in with the investigations of her actions, from which a criminal referral may spring.

[DanTex]

92. Or maybe she gets struck by lightning...

[Hiraeth]

100. Anyone who is suggesting NOT letting the democratic process play out like in '08 with

Obama and Hillary is going on my ignore list. Welcome to ignore. You should have been there long ago.

[DanTex]

106. I'm suggesting Bernie drop out in the next month or so and endorse Hillary.

Not sure if you're familiar with the primary process, but candidates drop out early all the time once they realize they have no path to victory. It has nothing to do with disenfranchisement.

[Hiraeth]

169. Not sure if you are familiar with Ignore but, welcome to it. I have work to do.

[DanTex]

170. Umm, you already said you were ignoring me last post. LOL.

[DCBob]

101. I actually think Bernie should hang on until the convention.

As long as he focuses his ire on the GOP and Trump. We need his message and his people.

[EdwardBernays]

108. Lol

Bernie wants to help America not team Hillary.

[DanTex]

110. As of yesterday, helping America and helping Hillary are synonymous.

[EdwardBernays]

113. No

They're not.

Helping elect someone who's wildly dishonest and corrupt is never the right thing to do for America.

What you're doing is parroting what Paul Begala said, that the Hillary GE slogan will be Fear.

But you can't scare me into voting for Hillary. Or Trump. Or anyone I think is awful and will do harm to America.

[DanTex]

114. Yes. They are. There are two choices. Hillary and Trump.

Hillary is the good choice. Trump is the bad choice. It's not complicated.

[EdwardBernays]

116. No

Say it all you want but it won't make it true.

I won't vote for either. If America only gives me two brands of shit to choose from I'll choose neither.

The DNC will have no one but themselves to blame.

I won't vote for a crook out of fear of an asshole.

There's a third choice and tens of thousands of real progressives and liberals that don't support dishonesty and corruption will make that choice if Hillary is that candidate.

[DanTex]

121. Hey, throw away your vote if you want.

Bernie will be able to convince most of his supporters of how foolish that is, but I'm sure there will be some holdouts that do something dumb like write-in or vote green. So be it. It happens every time.

If you want to be on the side of progress, you're welcome to join team Hillary, as Bernie will do soon. Otherwise, enjoy irrelevance.

[EdwardBernays]

125. most

but here's the thing

- Hillary doesn't excite young people
- or many progressives
- or independents

She's a scandal generating machine, she's an awful campaigner, and her favourability and trustworthy numbers are only going one direction. She's also not driving people to the polls in record numbers, by any stretch of the imagination. Or to her rallies. She can't even get a lot of people to donate to her campaign. She's completely uninspiring to most people.

Trump's numbers are still going up. He's getting a LOT of support from independents, and people that want an outsider. He has no shortage of money, and beats the media at their own game.

In places like OH and FL if hundreds of people don't vote because they don't like the way Hillary has repeatedly shit on Bernie, she could easily lose. And probably will.

IT's not about national polls, it's about winning specific areas of specific states. She needs all the help she can get, and is instead making more and more enemies every single day with her dishonesty and lies.

All those POC in southern states won't help her in Ohio. Or Pennsylvania.

And Hillary isn't the side of progressive... That's one of the most laughable things I've seen on DU... and that's saying something...

She's on the side of corporations, and banks and lobbyists for weapons companies. She's on the side of coups and dodgy foreign policy blunders. She's on the side of pay to play politics and fake populist blather.

I hope to god you don't actually believe she stands for progress, because man, you're gonna be in for a shock if she wins - which she probably won't.

[DanTex]

126. Yeah, she's not the perfect candidate. I wish Obama had a twin. But he doesn't.

So we have Hillary. And we need her to win. Because if not, we get Trump.

It's not complicated.

[EdwardBernays]

127. you're right

It's simple, vote for Hillary and you're gonna get Trump.

Vote for a real progressive and you'll get Bernie.

But no, there's nothing anyone can say that will make tens of thousands of liberals support Hillary and her dishonesty and corruption.

That ship sailed years ago...

God knows I don's want Trump, but that's not enough to make me sell out my morality.

[DanTex]

128. Bernie has no chance. He's done. He's been thoroughly rejected by the Democratic electorate.

It's Hillary versus Trump.

Yes, I get that there will be a few of nutjobs who decide to write in their cousin or vote green or do something else idiotic. That happens every year. Mostly privileged white males who want to "send a message" to "the system."

Meanwhile, back on planet earth, progressives, including Bernie Sanders, will be working hard to elect Hillary and defeat Trump.

[EdwardBernays]

133. lol

a few nut jobs... you're delusional if you think that's what's happening, or you just haven't been paying attention...

Bernie is feeling the Trump fear, but many many progressive aren't gonna vote out of fear.

Anyway, either she'll get elected and America will be damaged or trump will be elected and America will be damaged... hardly a choice worth making... so I won't... I'll vote for someone I don't think is a crook or I'll stay home.. as will many thousands of others.

[DanTex]

139. Call me delusional if you want, but my candidate just won the primary.

Needless to say, I have a different opinion on who is suffering from delusions.

Yeah, I've paid attention. The same people who for months have been predicting that Bernie was going to win are now predicting that Trump will beat Hillary. Evidently they've never read "the boy who cried wolf."

And some of these nuts are even claiming they will vote third party in order to help throw the General Election to Trump. All to spite Hillary.

It's not hard figuring out which side of this argument is detached from reality.

[EdwardBernays]

144. double lol

- They didn't just win the primary; I know you Clintonites have a unique relationship with the truth, but even still...

- I never predicted Bernie would win, though I have been saying that people like you sound an awful lot like everyone in the GOP who said Trump would never win, for months... how's that working out?

- Thinking it's about spite is hilarious... voting for a crook is spiting America... we're voting for someone honest to NOT spite America.

This isn't a game, you guys are screwing over America, and high-fiving each other about it... it's awful, but at this point it's what decent people expect out of Hillary supporters...

Finally, the entire establishment, who've been benefiting for the same endemic corruption as Hillary, have done everything in their power to help Hillary, and it's working, because that get's their mouths in the trough... no big surprise there... and dear god man, if you've been paying attention to politics for more than a week you know how easy it is to get people to vote against their own self interests... in fact you're actively helping someone that will damage your country... people are easily manipulated, and even think the person doing it is super awesome... but the fact of the matter is, you're screwing us all.... you might not get this now, but you will at some point I'm sure... and by then it'll be way too late... for all of us..

[DanTex]

146. Actually, yes, she just won. It's over. 300+ delegates. Bernie's done.

Any day now, the Bernie cavalry is going to show up! LOL. Nope.

The only people "screwing America" as you put it, are people who either vote for Trump or refuse to vote for Hillary because of whatever idiotic rationale they come up with. If you can't tell that Hillary is 1000X better than Trump, then you are delusional. End of story.

[EdwardBernays]

152. No

The difference is you're thinking that people have to choose one of two forms of shit. That thinking is wrecking America and has been for decades.

Neither party is putting someone forward worth a vote. I won't vote out of fear or cynicism. Fuck that.

America survived Reagan (I believe his wife was on the forefront of fighting AIDs - lol), Nixon (he sure had a great Sec of State didn't he?) and two Bushes (aren't we glad we voted for Jr's war in Iraq), it'll survive Trump. And maybe then the DNC will be so crushed by people disgusted with their corruption that a real progressive will get a shot. Who knows. If that does happen they'll have my vote.

Until then, no thanks. And no fear mongering or false narratives will change my mind.

[DanTex]

156. "Two forms of shit." LOL. Fortunately, the people who think that kind of nonsense have just

gotten resoundingly crushed in the Democratic primaries.

If you can't tell that Hillary is tons better than Trump, than I can't help you. Maybe you'll wake up when Bernie endorses Hillary. Or maybe not.

I'm guessing you are privileged enough to not suffer personally from a Trump presidency, hence your blithe dismissal of the real harm that comes to millions of people from a Republican presidency. Yeah, you'll survive. Others won't, but I guess that doesn't matter so much to you.

[marew]

134. Truer words were never spoken! n/t

[riversedge]

132. YES

[beachbumbob]

109. I don't believe sanders will dishonor America and make it easy for trump

No matter how upset many of is supporters are at the moment....

[Doctor_J]

123. The system, including Hillary, is as corrupt as it was yesterday. Supporting someone who will

Accelerate the country's move toward corporate fascism would be a kick in the teeth to his supporters.

[vdogg]

129. I don't think he has to bow out

Hillary didn't bow out. As long as his intent isn't to do irreparable harm to her, I hope he stays. The fact that Hillary has a challenger is the only reason the media pays any attention to us. Without Bernie it'll be all trump all the time (more so than it already is) and we won't be able to get our message out at all.

[Politicalboi]

131. We need her to drop out

Go to her FBI meetings and lie her ass off as usual. Bernie can't hurt her chances, she does that just fine. She's a pathological LIAR and should be indicted ASAP! The truth is the ONLY thing that hurts the Queen. It's your fault you can't see that. We are not coming together to support the one who cheated us. She may be alright being married to one, but it's not alright with me.

[riversedge]

137. Hillary is taking her campaign ALL THE WAY TO THE WH & you should be ashamed

of yourself for talking about a Democratic presidential candidate like that.

[Logical]

135. Dan, here you go again....

"continues bashing Hillary", so Hillary should never be bashed? Really?

I want Bernie to stay in the race and try to push Hillary left.

She is so fake and morphs into what ever she thinks people want.

[DanTex]

141. It's Hillary vs Trump. Bashing Hillary helps Trump. It's not complicated.

[Logical]

142. So you think there is some magic bashing Bernie does that Trump will not do? You realize.....

Trump and the whole GOP will bash Hillary 100 times more than Bernie.

Your post makes no sense.

[DanTex]

143. It's more damaging when it comes from a fellow Democrat. Obviously.

[Logical]

145. No, that is not really true. Do you care if Trump bashes Cruz? I don't. nt

[DanTex]

148. Yes, it is. I like when Trump bashes Cruz. I especially like when other GOPers bash Trump, because

all the things that they say about Trump will turn into ads against him. You see, everyone expects Dems to bash Reps and vice-versa. But when people from the same party do the bashing, it raises more eyebrows.

[Logical]

149. Hillary has many flaws. I am proud of Bernie calling her out. She is a corporate dem. nt

[DanTex]

150. Bernie has many flaws too. But we've had our primary. It's over. Hillary won.

Now it's time to join forces and defeat the GOP.

[Logical]

151. She wins when she gets voted for at the convention. Until then Bernie needs to call her out. I am...

sending him $50 a week to keep him in there until the convention.

If he can move Hillary 10% left I am happy with that.

[DanTex]

154. She's already won. It's over.

Spend your money on lottery tickets instead.

[Logical]

155. She won? Link to the announcement. I missed it. nt

[DanTex]

159. Oh, you missed the Tuesday results?

[Logical]

161. There are 2,308 delegates still to win. You wanting it does not mean it is true. nt

[DanTex]

162. Mathematically, it's over. Hate to break it to you. 300+ delegate lead.

[Logical]

165. It is not over officially and you know it but won't admit it. But keep wishing. nt

[DanTex]

166. Not officially, but for all practical purposes, it's Hillary. You'll see.

[Logical]

167. You are probably right! But that is no reason for Bernie to keep keeping her liberal. nt

[workinclasszero]

136. +1

K&R

[Turin_C3PO]

147. Idk

I'm reluctant to say that anyone should drop out before every state has voted. I think he can still add to the discussion in a positive way and help keep certain issues on the front burner.

Also, I don't think his or Hillary's campaign has been bashing the other at all. This is a very positive primary for the most part. Now some supporters, on either side, can be a little over the top.

[Betty Karlson]

157. If Clinton manages to win the nomination, what will doom the GE chances is the candidate Clinton.

Bernie Sanders is not responsable for het likability - she is.

He is not responsible for her toxically negative coattails - she is

He is not responsible for burning every bridge with the eft - her campaign did that

And I could go on and on.

This party loyalty nonsense is both premature and highly annoying.

[DanTex]

160. Predictions from people who were convinced that Bernie was going to win are worthless.

Of course, if you really are worried about the GE, the thing to do is help us GOTV for Clinton. Glad to have you on board!

[Betty Karlson]

163. Don't be offensive. I am not on board.

I will support Sanders for as long as he lets me.

[grntuscarora]

158. Bullshit.

The general will start AFTER the convention. The idea that the "flailing and lashing out in anger" of Bernie's campaign will "hurt us going into the General" is crap spewed by Hillary fans. Many Dems in many states HAVE NOT YET HAD THEIR CHANCE TO VOTE!

This type of OP is a really sleazy attempt at voter suppression, imo.

[Betty Karlson]

164. ^THIS! ^

[mia]

168. Scenario #3

Last edited Thu Mar 17, 2016, 12:09 AM - Edit history (1)

Sanders stays in and the remaining right leaning voters decide to look toward the light instead of at Trump or Clinton.
If Bernie gives in to expectations such as yours it will deny the right of the remaining voters to speak their voices and help shape the direction of our country.

[Alfresco]

171. The low road or the high road, which will Bernie take?

[Gothmog]

172. Give it time

Thing will work themselves out.

I believe that Sanders being in the race is helping Clinton and so I am glad to be patient

[MineralMan]

173. It's probably too early for that.

I don't expect it. I think some in his campaign are floating ideas, like trying to switch delegates' positions that are not at all well thought out. Most likely, they're speaking for themselves, rather than for Bernie in that. There are almost certainly discussions about the campaign going on between Sanders and his campaign leaders right now.

What he will eventually decide to do is hard to guess. I'll be watching how doggedly he campaigns from now forward. If he begins making fewer appearances and holding fewer rallies, that would probably mean that he's accepted an inevitable result.

Either way, when he does withdraw or loses at the convention, assuming either happens, he'll endorse Hillary's candidacy. That endorsement, if he does not become the nominee, is certain. Any of his followers who doubt that clearly do not understand Senator Sanders very well at all.

Following the convention, there will be ample time to pull the party together and ensure that a Republican won't be in the White House, except as a guest, starting in 2017. With few exceptions, we'll all be working toward that goal, I'm certain.