Will Bernie Send Grassroots Movement To Hillary If She's The Nominee?

[Gregorian]

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[giftedgirl77]

1. I hope not, that grassroot campaign is toxic.

[GreatGazoo]

13. "working-class and young people" are "toxic" ?!

[giftedgirl77]

14. Don't be coy.

[GreatGazoo]

21. I'm not a mind reader -- isn't that what you just said?

[bvf]

31. Sounds like yet another

organism arguing that Clinton could win the GE without any votes from Sanders supporters. At least one of them has said it outright already. I'm surprised that this one doesn't seem to have the nerve, what with nine hides and all.

[GreatGazoo]

37. there was a thread earlier claiming that the working-class and young people who support Sanders,

and those want and need their Social Security or who fear being bankrupted by medical expenses were displaying "privilege" by committing to Sanders. When Clinton's base is $100K+ incomes and her donors are billionaires who love the status quo....

I suppose if one likes Citizens United and establishment politics then indeed a grassroots movement is toxic.

[bvf]

59. Yep. More shit straight out of the Rove/Atwater playbook. n/t

[senz]

90. Thank you for mentioning

the hides. There have been some recently that -- it's like they're coming from a place of absolute negativity, it's like looking into a deep, miserable, hopelessly unhealthy abyss, something antithetical to life, and, for me, it's amazingly depressing. I guess the ones that are that bad should be put on ignore. Because it's just awful.

When I see a video of Bernie or a Bernie supporter like Rosario Dawson, I hear all the hope, the life, that seems to have fled this place, of late -- but it's nice to know it's still out there, still somewhere.

[litlbilly]

51. dont know what your are, but, gifted is not one of them

[giftedgirl77]

52. Shows what you know.

[Lazy Daisy]

54. And there it is.... again

My vote is not wanted or needed. Please proceed, because IF the time comes when we're all supposed to get in line for Hillary plenty of the Hillary supporters have given us our reason not to.

We're not wanted or needed.

[Bettie]

92. That's my thing too

They seem to think they can win without a significant portion of the party.

Maybe the thought is that if they go far enough to the Right, they'll get all the republicans to vote for her.

[ThePhilosopher04]

2. The movement has a life of its own ...

and Hillary ain't in it.

[BernieforPres2016]

6. I agree. I admire and respect Bernie but he doesn't control my vote.

Barring some unforseen miracle, like Hillary pledging in writing to push for several key Bernie planks including significant campaign finance reform and a single payer healthcare plan, there is no way I'm voting for her in the general election no matter what Bernie recommends. If you listen to Bernie in that interview, he doesn't trust Hillary to stick to anything she says in the campaign.

[CorporatistNation]

36. I Am Certain That Bernie Wants His Crew To Think For Themselves Should Such A Horrendous

situation come to pass. Bernie was very clear on this. What I believe he just said is that "The People" will not support and vote in favor of The Corporatist Wall Street Candidate. "think"

[GoneFishin]

16. Nope. Bernie doesn't control my vote.

[Maedhros]

3. I assume that he will - he's a good team player.

However, after the way the Party and Hillary's campaign slandered and disrespected him, I'd urge him not to.

[revbones]

9. Agreed.

I'd urge him not to as well.

If he isn't the nominee, the pipe dream would be for Trump to run as a 3rd party and create enough havoc for Bernie to rip the grassroots of the Democratic party away into a 4th candidacy as the real Democratic party.

At least it looks as though, if he isn't the nominee and they ask for him to support her that he would ask for some serious concessions back to the people for doing so.



For the jurors: No I'm not advocating for another party, just for the grass-roots of our own party in what appears to be a battle between grass-roots and establishment. It's also sad that I have to make qualifiers like that because I know someone will try to use it to justify an alert.

[Maedhros]

25. Bernie said he wouldn't run as a third-party candidate, and I take him at his word on that.

I suspect that once we're railroaded into taking on Hillary as our nominee, there may be some movement toward a third-party run by someone other than Bernie.

[revbones]

26. Well, I'm hoping he's had a bit of an awakening because of the mistreatment from the DNC

Whether that would justify it in such a pipe dream scenario, I can't say.

[Maedhros]

27. The aftermath of this election will tell us a lot about the Democratic rank-and-file.

Namely, it will tell us if they actually have any values or convictions and if they have the courage to adhere to them.

I suspect they will go right back to covering their ears, shutting their eyes and keeping their mouths shut.

[John Poet]

67. Only their mouths have been open. Most of them

never opened their eyes or uncovered their ears, so it seems.

[Autumn Colors]

29. I don't think he envisioned the amount of support he's had, though

People do "evolve" ... or so we've been told.

[jwirr]

42. What I would like to see him do is turn his talents to the

down ticket candidates in order to secure a majority in the Senate especially those who supported him. Also in the House. I think this would further out movement and help hold the power regardless who wins the WH.

[fun n serious]

15. I think it went both ways with the slander allegation more on y'all's part nt

[revbones]

4. Wow.

Just wow. Bernie rocks.

[hack89]

5. He is a Democrat, isn't he? Of course he will? Nt

[MisterP]

7. grassroots movements can't be SENT

[sadoldgirl]

8. +1000

[Vattel]

17. exactly

[GoneFishin]

20. You are correct. It cannot.

[MisterP]

24. they still think it's just a bunch of people who really like Sanders because of who he is

or what he promises for the election cycle; that the support can just be transferred like an old Chevy

[Autumn Colors]

33. I think they're going to get a big surprise in Nov

When they compare the voter turnout and number of votes for downticket dems with lack of votes for the Dem. party nominee. I think many will choose to either write in Bernie, vote for Jill Stein, or leave the Presidential line blank.

[MisterP]

38. they're already preblaming "Sanders or Bust"

like the millions they've driven off are at fault and not their perfect DWS who handed both houses over to the GOP while screaming how it's the voters' fault they're not excited by nothing

[Bjornsdotter]

68. Yep

...and it goes between it's just a few people who won't vote Hillary and it's enough people that Trump would be elected.

They can't decide which it is and the argument changes every thread.

[MisterP]

72. yeah, they preblamed AND promised 80 Senate seats in '14

they're long used to contradiction

[Karma13612]

23. thank you!

Bernie will encourage us to work together but he can't exactly direct us all to do something.

If anything, it's up to Hillary (if she is the nominee) to show that she wants the collaboration with a much more progressive group than her voters are.

[bunnies]

43. They don't fucking get it.

They don't think the same way we do. I need to just leave it at that. I'm too ornery tonight.

[haikugal]

55. They think everything will return to 'normal'.....

[Bjornsdotter]

65. And we are toxic

[MisterP]

66. we're crabgrass and dandelions on the invite-only clubhouse lawn

all the concrete and Monsanto chemistry won't keep us down

[timmymoff]

80. The local grassroots organization for Bernie

that I worked with are now in the process of either taking over the local democratic party, or at the very least, offering support if Hillary is the nominee, but only with assurances they will help us hold her feet to the fire regarding her upwards of 15 evolutions since she started campaigning. We may remain as our own group, we may work on common issues, or we may just use their bylaws against them and take over the local party. Third wayers, the revolution may not show completely at the ballot box, but it will damn sure show itself in a more progressive democratic party.

[PowerToThePeople]

10. He can't.

We think for ourselves.

We have all, as individuals, chosen to rally behind Sanders' message. If his campaign is ended, we will all decide for ourselves what to do going forward.

[djean111]

11. Can't be sent.

Won't go.

[ibegurpard]

12. Fucking ridiculous

People are supporting Bernie because of what he says and his history of standing behind what he says. They're not going to just migrate if he gives the word.

[Mnpaul]

18. It is obvious

That the authoritarian wing of the party doesn't understand this.

[DanTex]

19. Of course he will. And most will vote for Hillary except for a small number of idiots who

will try and fail to help Trump get elected.

[Kelvin Mace]

28. IF HRC is the "best" candidate

then why wouldn't she get elected? If she fails to get elected then it seems to me the fault will be that the Dems put up a bad candidate.

Sorry, not going to take the blame for that.

[DanTex]

32. Who said she wouldn't get elected? I think she will, and the markets have her at 70% now.

I think a few far-lefties will try a Naderite sabotage in order to get Trump elected, but I don't think it will work. Bernie will bring most of his supporters on board.

[Kelvin Mace]

34. I don't know where you get your ideas

about liberals, but I am guessing its trolls on the Internet.

Bernie can "bring" nothing, since he doesn't "own" anyone. He can support HRC's campaign himself, he might even ask that we support her, but he can't "bring" and votes.

[DanTex]

35. By being a liberal. And, yeah, he can bring his supporters over. He'll endorse her and campaign

for her. Like I said, a few whack jobs from his supporters will try and get Trump elected, but the bulk of his supporters will vote for Hillary.

[Atmosk]

57. Why would an endorsement matter?

Who in there right mind decides who to vote for based on what endorsements they receive?

Even if people like that exist, then why would anyone care who Bernie endorses? I voted for sanders because I genuinely believe in the ideas he's expressing and because I believe in the vision of America he is projecting. If another candidate comes along who has contrary views then the ones I know are right, then it doesn't matter if he begged me personally to vote for them, I wouldn't. Bernie himself isn't at all important in all this, its the ideas he is putting forth that matters.

[DanTex]

58. Lots of people do. Particularly Bernie supporters, who hang on every word the man says.

His campaigning for her will help unify the party for Nov.

[Atmosk]

64. Your wrongheaded

A) Sanders supporters actually believe in and support the progressive ideas he is expressing. Twenty-to-thirty year old's aren't interested in the guy in the same way that people are interested in sports or entertainment celebrities, the mere notion is ludicrous. If he were to endorse Hillary Clinton or Dick Chaney or some other person who doesn't possess the beliefs and values that are important to progressives then his endorsement won't sway them towards that person.

B) He might endorse her, but I doubt he'll actively campaign for her. I mean he just said that he won't endorse her unless they concede to a list of demands, what do you think it'd take to get him out on the campaign trail?

C) If you want to unify the party then it'll take alot more then lip service, solid progressive commitments are necessary to hold even a fraction of the support he has drummed up. I fear that HRC will make the mistake of attempting to court moderate republicans during the general by supporting conservative positions, which will cause her to lose 100% of whatever support does carry over.

[DanTex]

69. We'll see. Hillary bashers have been wrong about basically everything this campaign.

So now that they're all promising that Bernie fans are going to help Trump win, I don't give them much credibility. They seem more hateful of Hillary than anything else.

[senz]

91. Oh yeah, like we don't have our own thoughts, values, goals, beliefs,

we're just "stuff" that can be transferred without will or feeling.

Wow.

You know, DanTex, there's a BIG BIG difference between Hillary and Bernie.

Night. and. day.

[timmymoff]

70. I'm tired of referencing nader as a spoiler

Want to know who the spoiler was in the 2000 election? It was Al Gore. He earned the loss with his shitty "me too" campaign. Democrats acting like republicans( Hillary) deserve to lose, but blaming Nader for Gore running the shittiest campaign up until now is not even realistic. Gore had nearly if not over 200,000 democrats vote for Bush in Florida. he lost both his home state and the state of the two term president. This is what you conservadems do not ever look into is why and how things happen. This is why the dems are as fractured as the republicans. It isn't Sanders who caused it, but years of democratic neglect and rushing to be just like the damn republicans. I am voting for a liberal for president so if Bernie doesn't win, it ain't looking good for the third way.

[DanTex]

71. Well, that's what he was, and Bernie knows it, which is why he is going to send his

support to Hillary when he drops out.

[timmymoff]

73. How did nader's 9000 votes

take the Florida election from gore when 200,000 democrats voted for Bush? That's who those of you who support the establishment want to blame, but factual data suggests otherwise. The loss of the two state's are something you also chose to overlook. Inability to learn from mistakes and be democrats is what is harming the party. I'm pretty sure you guys do not want to lose even 1% of the Bernie supporters, but the number is more than likely as high as 20% from the reactions I read here.

[DanTex]

74. Umm, because with those votes, Gore wins.

[timmymoff]

75. Ummmm

200,000 democrats.. ummm 200,000 democrats voted Bush. I am quite sure 200,000 democrats is much higher than 9000 Nader votes . I repeat for those who are awful freaking slow, 200,000 > 9,000

[DanTex]

78. Without Nader siphoning off votes, Gore wins. It's not complicated.

[timmymoff]

86. so 200,000 crossover votes is actually smaller than 9,000 nader votes, now I get it.

[Bettie]

93. Actually

Gore did win.

Without those 9000 votes.

However, the SC gave the election to Bush.

[Avalon Sparks]

89. For those of you that don't stick your head out from this board much...

It's my understanding you can't say you won't vote for Hillary if Bernie doesn't win the prime. Or you'll be banned from DU.

I read the comment streams on Facebook on posts from articles from the WSJ and Huff Post.
I'd say it's about 1 out of every 15 supporters for Bernie that say they will vote for Hillary, the rest are saying a big No. Those are the only two new sites on my FB stream though, but some of the articles have thousands of comments. In particular lately, the WSJ has posted at least two articles from Hillary supporters describing why Bernie voters need to vote for her and others describing why Bernie should drop out. There's At least one pro Hillary article a day and that's where I see all the comments.

[Atmosk]

79. It was the supreme courts fault

So blame the presidents who made those appointments I guess?

[Avalon Sparks]

85. Conservadems! Love it!

FreepingDems works too!

[Logical]

60. I'll vote for her for one reason, she is better than any GOP idiot. Not because she is worthy. nt

[DanTex]

61. That's good enough.

[Orangepeel]

22. I hope he sends his campaign cash to progressive down ticket races

The majority of Sanders' primary voters will vote for the Democratic nominee. To those who won't, well, I hope they channel some of their enthusiasm and desire for political revolution to local and state elections, where it will make a difference in the near and longer terms.

[jwirr]

46. We already are. Many of Bernie's supporters are actively

working for the politicians who had enough courage to support him.

Our movement is for the long haul not just to win the WH.

[democrattotheend]

81. That's my plan (although I will also support Hillary if she wins)

If Hillary is the nominee I will phone bank for her and will probably vote for her (if I lived in a swing state, I wouldn't even consider not voting for her), but I decided that I will probably devote whatever limited financial resources I have to give to progressive down-ballot candidates. This is not because I hate Hillary - I don't. It is because I feel that my small contributions would have more impact in support of candidates who raise most of their money from small donors.

[morningfog]

30. He can't send anyone anywhere.

The question is can Hillary win them over and how.

[Luciferous]

40. Haven't you heard? We're supposed to shut up and fall in line.

She's not trying to win them over...

[ibegurpard]

45. yes

This is the correct response to this garbage. I understand it's incomprehensible to the average political fanboi however.

[Luciferous]

39. He could certainly try, but she's not getting my vote!

[Ed Suspicious]

41. He doesn't have that kind of power.

This movement is bigger than Bernie.

[sadoldgirl]

44. HRC supporters keep on dreaming about

some kind of transfer, it seems.

There is a reason why independents are called just
that. They have no allegiance to any party, and
they make up ~40% of the electorate.

Secondly, from the beginning of Bernie's run it
became clear that ~14 - 15% of registered dems
would refuse to support her.

Bernie is no magician, nor is he a pastor of a flock
of obedient sheep.

But let's be kind the her supporters and let them
dream on. Otherwise they just get mad at the
Bernie supporters before she loses the GE.

[Marr]

47. Hillary will never have a grass roots movement on her side.

It's not an advantage that can be gifted, like the advantages she receives from the party and business establishments. Sanders supporters may well vote for her in the general if she wins the primary, but they'll never be enthusiastic about it.

[Jefferson23]

48. Excellent response...very good. What we do as a movement depends on us should he lose

the nomination. Isn't it great how he thinks, I am not sure Clinton
supporters get that about him..it is not about him....and that seems
lost to them.

[pat_k]

49. "If I can't make it, we want to completely revitalize the Democratic Party..."

Sounds pretty damn good to me.

(With the caveat that he's "in it to WIN.&quot

[Jefferson23]

50. Even if he could, what makes you think she wants anything even close to resembling a

political movement? The movement is not really his to give to anyone.

[jfern]

53. Nope. They'll hopefully show up to help elect Teachout to Congress.

But don't count on them doing much for Hillary.

[HassleCat]

56. Not his to send.

The very definition of "grassroots" means it is not controlled by a traditional, established organization, not subject to hierarchy and chain of command, not a commodity to be traded. Sanders, assuming he does not get the nomination, will ask his supporters to vote for Clinton. But he cannot transfer the enthusiasm and activism because those things were not motivated in the ordinary Democratic Party way, certainly not in the way our party has sought to motivate voters for the last 30 years. So, no, the "bern" will not burn as hot for Clinton. Unless she picks up on some of Sanders' issues and makes definite commitments to clearly defined positions, she will inherit very little movement.

[dana_b]

62. We are NOT transferable

Bernie is our leader at the moment but if he doesn't win, we are not some package deal. Most of us are indys and those who aren't are not your "stay in line" type Dems. We aren't in this for the politician. We are in it for the issues and for the well being of ourselves and our friends/families. We follow our beliefs and if a politician does not go along with them, we will not follow him/her. It's that simple.

Hillary would need to earn our loyalty and that time has come and gone.

[CoffeeCat]

63. I love this answer

and it underscores so well--that Bernie is for "We The People."

Bernie wants to know that the Democratic party will do for real people. Not just the 1 percent and "the cocktail circuit."

That is exactly the right way to respond to these types of "Will you instruct your supporters to unify?" questions.

Quit asking Bernie to do things for you. That's not the right question. The question should be for the Democratic party--What in the hell are you going to do for "We The People"?

We are not a commodity that can be swapped or traded. Anyone trying to broker that kind of ridiculous manipulation with Bernie, has absolutely no idea what is happening both in the Democratic party and in the country--and within each of us. We are not for sale. We are done with establishment bullshit politicians who have been purchased by the corporations. We are done with the corruption.

The jig is up.

[Califonz]

76. Uhhh...

[bbgrunt]

83. Uhhh.....

[Jenny_92808]

88. Hillary does not stand

for us. Instead she stands for the upper 1%. That appears to be ok with you.

[bbgrunt]

94. Uhhh..

You've got me on the wrong side of this argument. I think you wanted to say
that to the poster before me.

[Jenny_92808]

95. You are right.

I am so sorry.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

77. So are you saying

Bernie Sanders can't think for themselves and will only act if he tells them to.

[Onlooker]

82. He'll almost certainly encourage them to support the nominee ...

... otherwise, all that's left for them is negative influence (electing Trump).

Some of them won't vote for Hillary not matter what, but they will simply be irrelevant or, worse, be guilty of enabling the evil that Donald Trump and the Republicans commit.

[Jenny_92808]

84. Will Hillary Send Grassroots Movement To Bernie If He's The Nominee?

Hmmmmmm! I think Bernie is going to win. Hillary states were front loaded, now just watch the Bernie state tromp her.

[RiverLover]

87. No.

She is the antithesis of our "movement". He'll have to get in line if he loses, but for us it's just beginning.