2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumThank goodness these primaries are winding down. I am going into general election mode.
Hillary Clinton was not my first choice for President. She wasn't even my second choice. Hell, she wasn't even on my short list. In fact, every opportunity that I have had, I have voted against the Clinton third way legacy.
However, I am willing to turn over a new leaf. Barring any unforeseen events, Hillary Clinton is likely going to be our nominee. I will always support the Democratic Nominee, even if it is a Clinton. I am already preparing to go out to begin fund raising and begin volunteering.
I want to thank Bernie Sanders for a well fought primary campaign, and thank him for making Hillary position herself more toward the left. She has now made promises that are on the record that we can hold her accountable too once she is in the White House.
I hope that we can move past the division of the primary season, and turn our attention toward the general election. Regardless of where we stood in the primaries, one thing is certain: We must unite to stop Donald Trump and secure Obama's legacy as the first African American President of the United States.
bkkyosemite
(5,792 posts)until Convention thank you.
onecaliberal
(32,878 posts)peacebird
(14,195 posts)believes for one second that Hillary HAS actually moved left. She parrots Warren & Sanders positions to pander to progressives and she WILL pivot HARD RIGHT for the general. She is a neocon warhawk.
tokenlib
(4,186 posts)Meldread
(4,213 posts)She has a record as a third way / DLC Democrat. Do I expect her to shift toward the right for the general election? Yes. However, she has made promises in the primaries that she can be held accountable for once she is in the White House. Obama made promises to repeal DADT, but he started to inch away from them. That is when we hit him hard and forced him to act. This is how DADT ended. The same will be done about Hillary, particularly when it comes to immigration.
If Hillary, in her first term, decides that she wants to govern as a traditional DLC Democrat, rather than at least maintain Obama's center-left legacy, or if she decides she wants to dart hard right--we will have our chance for vengeance in four years. It is still possible to primary an incumbent President.
That is our leverage. If she wants a second term, then she has to stay on the straight and narrow. To make sure she does, we need to begin looking for a candidate to run in 2020 or in 2024. Someone with a strong record of actually being a real liberal.
onecaliberal
(32,878 posts)People can't even really spell out her policy because she a fucking etch a sketch. I simply do not trust her to do the right thing, or to even care about people.
4 more wars, 4 more wars, 4 more wars...
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)Jeebuz, my 18 year old will be voting in her first ever election in April, and I'd frankly like to be able to say to her with a straight face, "Your vote is important, and counts for something."
If you'd like to explain to her that's the nomination is a done deal, and she might as well sit in her dorm room and dream of 2020, then **** it all, and**** you!
Meldread
(4,213 posts)If you want your vote to matter a hellva lot, then relocate to New Hampshire, South Carolina, or Iowa.
I'm all down for changing how the primary system works, as well as ditching the electoral college.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)An OP that attempts to stifle voter turnout is ABSOLUTELY deserving of anger.
And your suggestion that voters relocate to different primary states is, as you are well aware, ludicrous.
Meldread
(4,213 posts)I was simply stating a fact: We have a likely Democratic Nominee now. As a result, I am moving into general election mode.
My post was inspired by the changes and shifts already happening here at DU. In case you were unaware.
Your hostility is neither desired nor warranted. As for my suggestion to relocate to a different primary state, as another poster has told you, this is how the primaries work. THIS IS HOW THEY HAVE ALWAYS WORKED IN THE MODERN POLITICAL ERA!
Yes, I think the system sucks. It meant that my vote for Howard Dean was useless in 2004. I still went out and voted for him over John Kerry.
My state has already voted this election season, so that is behind me now. I have nothing left to do but pivot toward the general election. Since it is pretty clear that Hillary Clinton is going to be the nominee now, it is pointless to try and rip her apart.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)And if you really don't care how your OP reads to new, young Democratic voters, then I would suggest you're not really interested in the future health and vibrancy of the party.
Meldread
(4,213 posts)grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)Turn it from the health of the party to me.
There's a name for that kind of side-stepping.
MadBadger
(24,089 posts)Her vote counts just as much as anybody else's does, but the earlier the vote is cast, the more important it is. It has always been that way. Iowa, NH are the most important votes and everything after that in whatever order. It isnt fair, but it is the system we have.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)You do, of course, realize that what you wrote makes no sense.
MadBadger
(24,089 posts)But the earlier the vote, the greater impact it has on momentum, money coming in, press. Otherwise, everybody would still be in the race now instead of 22 candidates becoming 5.
It's pretty clear actually.
grntuscarora
(1,249 posts)To the establishment I have no doubt it makes complete sense.
Early voting= more PAC money= more Press=greater impact, blah, blah. IT'S HOW IT WORKS, DUMMIES!
I will show this thread to my 18 year old, and I'm pretty sure of how your post will be received.
MadBadger
(24,089 posts)Money doesnt always equal PAC money
gcomeau
(5,764 posts)I want to thank Bernie Sanders for a well fought primary campaign, and thank him for making Hillary position herself more toward the left.
Have you completely lost your mind?
Trashing single Payer is "more towards the left"? More towards the left from what starting point?
Trashing the entire foundational principle underlying the progressive social safety net using the GOP frame of it being nothing but giving people "free stuff" stated with dripping condescension is "more towards the left"?
What primary are you watching? She declared war on the left. She knew she couldn't beat Sanders as a progressive so she trashed progressivism to discredit him instead.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)ain't that the truth? Drove a spike thru Sanders and the horse he rode in on.
Now it's time for some kumbayah...................................................................................................................................................................
MisterP
(23,730 posts)anyone else see that coming?
bobbobbins01
(1,681 posts)So we know you're full of it.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)Of course he's only 4 so he really believes no one can see what he's trying to do
Autumn
(45,120 posts)Or are you????