Poll: For Sanders Supporters ONLY: What should Bernie do now?

[democrattotheend]

Last edited Wed Jun 8, 2016, 08:22 PM - Edit history (1)

I have seen a lot of mixed opinions from my comrades here today, so I figured I would take a poll to see where everyone stands.

Please, no Hillary supporters voting in this. You can comment but don't vote.

This poll just deals with his public stance. It doesn't get into the technicalities of suspending versus ending the campaign, releasing delegates, etc.

If there is another option you think I should add let me know.

112 votes, 8 passes | Time left: Unlimited
	Concede now and endorse Hillary
	10 (9%)
	Concede after the DC primary on 6/14 and endorse Hillary
	17 (15%)
	Concede now or after DC but not endorse Hillary
	1 (1%)
	Take the fight all the way to the convention, and never endorse Hillary
	72 (64%)
	Take the fight to the convention, but endorse Hillary if he loses there
	12 (11%)
	8 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[bigwillq]

1. Concede somewhere between DC and the convention

And then endorse Hillary Clinton.

[raging moderate]

2. Yes, this sounds good.

I like this idea.

[One Black Sheep]

3. Do what he has said, take it all the way to the convention!

baby.

[atomingai]

4. Warhawk = no endorsement. Period.

take it to the convention.

[grasswire]

5. I see some Hillary supporters have voted here. nt

[atomingai]

6. That's called gloating.

[TheCowsCameHome]

9. No, just being sore winners.

[democrattotheend]

18. Do you want to post this for me in the Bernie forum?

They banned me back in April because one of the moderators thought I was too negative about his chances. Even though I was saying the same things as one of the other moderators.

[One Black Sheep]

10. If you and others know who the Hillary supporters are, just remove them from the poll

count. It is easy to do, if you know how to calculate percentages.

[xloadiex]

42. I was just going to say

obviously some can't read.

[joshcryer]

80. I support both.

Got a problem?

[HereSince1628]

7. Sanders must use his convention delegates to press changes in the process

He's not likely to have similar influence any time soon.

[msongs]

8. should be in the sanders group. if its in GDP anybody is eligible to post nt

[democrattotheend]

14. They banned me from the Sanders group after New York

Because one of the moderators decided I was too "negative" because I was more realistic than some about his chances at that point.

[joshcryer]

81. Oh, yes, the most hate filled group on DU...

...bans people for being negative, about their own hatefulness.

[RufusTFirefly]

11. I chose Option 4 but my version is more nuanced

It is important for Bernie and his supporters to continue a positive, aggressive fight for the goals that he stressed during the campaign.

I think the best that Bernie can do is to encourage everyone to keep fighting and striving to reach those goals in whatever way they think is best.

To endorse someone whose views are absolutely antithetical to his own would be a great shame. I hope he won't abandon a lifetime of fighting for social and economic justice in a single speech. But he's a politician and is in a very tricky spot. I think that Bernie's up to the rhetorical challenge, although I'm almost certain that whatever he says will be deliberately twisted or inadvertently misinterpreted by people who lack an aptitude for nuance.

One of my favorite examples was the speech that Mario Cuomo gave in 1992, where it might at first have appeared as though he was celebrating the dubious victory of Gulf War I, when in fact in a stunning piece of rhetorical jujitsu, he transformed the image of military parades into a call for social justice. It was masterful!

[pangaia]

83. My governor!!

[TwilightZone]

12. If you only want Sanders supporters, post it in the Sanders group.

There are a lot of people who aren't supporters of either candidate on this site who are just as likely to vote in it as some Clinton supporters. Probably more likely, actually.

I realize that not everyone goes to the group, but posting it in GDP is basically asking for it to be manipulated.

[democrattotheend]

21. Will you be so kind as to post it there for me?

One of the moderators banned me in April because I said that he was unlikely to win after NY.

[TwilightZone]

28. Sorry, I wasn't aware that you couldn't post there.

My bad. Actually, on second thought, I forgot - I do recall you noting that in another thread.

Pretty sure I wouldn't be welcome there, so I won't be able to honor your request. I guess the best compromise is the one another poster suggested - take out any obvious trolls and recalculate.

I will say that it's an interesting poll, and I'm kind of curious how it ends up over time. We make a lot of assumptions around here, and it'll be interesting to see if some of them are way off-base or not.

[boston bean]

13. As soon as possible, he should suspend. Not only for Hillary, but really for himself and his ideas.

[HERVEPA]

38. Yes, I'm sure you're concerned for him and his ideas.

[boston bean]

39. I am. The goals are the same as Hillary's. So of course I care about them.

What I didn't appreciate was Bernie attempt to make Hillary's wins illegitimate, by saying every time she won the process was rigged.

[HERVEPA]

43. The goals are not even close to the same. (I will of course have to vote for Hillary anyhow)

[boston bean]

44. nice to know you will vote for her.

[HERVEPA]

46. Of course. I'm not stupid. Will not be able to bring myself to work for or donate to her though.

[boston bean]

47. I'm not stupid either. If Bernie had won of course I would have voted for him.

[morningfog]

48. I don't believe you.

[HERVEPA]

49. Really? You must have read her posts.

[boston bean]

53. You obviously haven't read all of mine.

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1255066

I would never ever be stupid enough to vote for trump, green, or sit out, or write in, or down ballot vote. I would vote for Bernie.

[HERVEPA]

55. Yeh, I know. But your anti-Bernie posts were extremely ugly.

[boston bean]

57. LOL.. ok

[boston bean]

50. I don't care whether you believe me or not.

[jack_krass]

82. ALL-THE-WAY-TO-THE-CONVENTION!!!! GO BERNIE GO!!!!!!!....

Bernie sticking around is pissing off all the right people and I like it. It gives me some solace.

They want to worship their queen in peace, and pretent she is benevalent, non corrupt, and peaceful*.
Bernie keeps (directly, or indirectly) remindig them that she is NOT these things* and they hate him for it and rage against him.

Guess what, Bernie isnt gonna shut up before or after the convention, or after the election either. You will not, can not shut him or us up.

*intended as constructive criticism.

[Joe the Revelator]

16. Suspend after DC, hold on to his delegates, fight for the platform

(and see what shakes out with FBI) but keep his delegates in his pocket for now. They are currency. No need to endorse anyone right now.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

91. Suspend after DC, and forget the platform.

I don't expect Hillary to do anything with the platform, except laugh. And act as though the platform were wiped clean.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

17. Question: why post this in GD: P instead of Bernie group?

Since you want Bernie supporters only.

[RufusTFirefly]

24. Perhaps democrattotheend was relying on the honor system

Also, a lot of people who are not part of the Bernie or Hillary Groups are apt to skip over such threads as a matter of course.

This thread has more general exposure. Besides, I think it would be prudent for Hillary supporters to pay attention.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

69. Fair enough

I just figured if one didn't want HRC supporters posting, the Bernie group made more sense.

[bigwillq]

26. I'm a Bernie Supporter that is banned from the Bernie group

Not sure if I could still vote in polls or not but I know I wouldn't be able to comment. Glad it was posted in GDP

[raging moderate]

30. Yeah, me too.

Last edited Thu Jun 9, 2016, 06:48 AM - Edit history (2)

Over a clumsy effort at a joke. At least, I THINK that is what prompted it. I was never told. I guess I should never try to post late at night. Oh, well. Anyway, I can still read the Bernie Sanders forum.

[democrattotheend]

35. Glad to know it wasn't just me

I asked several times to be reinstated but the mod who banned me was really rude.

[morningfog]

52. Same here.

[democrattotheend]

32. If you are a Bernie supporter go ahead and vote

Even if you support Hillary as of yesterday.

I am glad to know I am not the only one who was banned. I am really annoyed about it. I asked several times to be reinstated but the mod who banned me was really rude, saying I "should have thought about it" before posting that Bernie didn't have a great chance after NY.

[bigwillq]

34. I voted in this poll

Not sure if I would have been able to if it was posted in the Bernie Sanders group.

[democrattotheend]

36. Ah, gotcha

I misunderstood.

[raging moderate]

37. The mod who banned me did not have the courtesy to reply.

In fact, I am only guessing what the reason must be.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

67. Really????

First, I've known you as a DUer for a long time, and I have problems envisioning what they did to ban you.

True story: I asked them to ban me, and they wouldn't. Go figure?

OK...your answer makes sense. I can buy that.

[bigwillq]

88. I told a user "Bye, Felicia" in that user's "I've leaving DU" thread

I say Bye Felicia whenever someone posts they are leaving DU.

It's just a joke.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

90. LOL!

[raging moderate]

96. Oh, you beast, you!

(Attention, everybody: this is just a joke!)

[HERVEPA]

51. Not all Bernie supporters (or DU'ers in general) join groups.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

66. You don't have to join

Hell, I've posted in the Bernie Group. I asked them to throw me out and they wouldn't,

[HERVEPA]

68. or post in

[Lizzie Poppet]

71. Not all Bernie supporters visit that group.

I don't, for example.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

72. I'm curious. Why not?

I post a lot in GD: P, but I enjoy going to Hillaryland to enjoy some rah-rah/yay team posts. I would suppose Sanders supporters like to do that as well.

[Lizzie Poppet]

73. Just not my thing, I guess.

Never gave it a lot of thought...just haven't been inclined.

[Algernon Moncrieff]

74. Fair enough

[LostOne4Ever]

19. Fight to the convention then endorse Clinton afterwards as the nominee. I didn't see that option nt

[Barack_America]

23. Yeah. Where is this option?

[democrattotheend]

33. I added it

Good idea

[democrattotheend]

25. Ok, I will add that

[LostOne4Ever]

31. Thank you very much ;). Nt

[RobertEarl]

20. Bernie speaks for me

I know he will go to the convention and Bern it up!

We need all new heads of the party. That won't happen if Bernie quits.

We need a strong progressive platform. Ditto the above.

We need more democracy, not the reduced portions which we have been served by the party.

There being no one else who is a leading democracy person, we should all get behind Bernie and keep pushing!

[HassleCat]

22. But then.

After he concedes and endorses Hillary, and helps her get elected, he should explore facilitating an uprising within the party, an effort to reclaim our party for progressive ideals. If that doesn't work, perhaps it's time for a Progressive Party, or a bipartisan Progressive Movement similar to that of the late 1800s and early 1900s.

[RazBerryBeret]

27. it's Definitely time for a Progressive Party

Bernie has proven that.

[TwilightZone]

29. We already have several progressive parties.

Democratic Socialists, for example. Cornell West is a member.

[Old Union Guy]

40. Take the fight to the convention ...

... because a lot can happen between now and then.

But be a gracious loser and endorse Hillary if she is the nominee.

[gollygee]

41. Either the first or the second

The longer he stays in it, the less popular he will be, and the less influence he will have, so I'm leaning for the first - get out of it now, endorse Hillary, keep as much influence as he can.

[democrattotheend]

56. I voted for the second, but I see your point

I voted for the second mainly because I think it's cool that he's campaigning in DC outside the Northwest Corridor, where few politicians bother to go. But I agree that if he waits too long he will have less influence.

[TrueDemVA]

45. Keep fighting

Why endorse someone that believes and supports so many things that are not progressive. She supports fracking, private prisons, regime change/war, tax breaks for the wealthy and she is against single payer and tuition free college. To hell with that.

If she wants to get support for Bernie and his supporters, she needs to stop supprting republican ideals. That's not happening, so why the fuck should he help her.

[TheFarseer]

54. Concede now

You've made your point and turns out no one gives a shit about corruption or middle class jobs. Not much he can do about it now. The best he can hope for is Hillary smiles and nods at him and does whatever the hell she wants when he leaves the room.

[RufusTFirefly]

58. How fitting that even this poll is the target of voter fraud!

And from the usual suspects.

[99Forever]

65. +1

[Pastiche423]

106. +2

[Marrah_G]

59. I am torn between the last two, so I passed

I think he should fight to the convention and then follow his heart. he should support her if her supports her and he shouldn't if he doesn't. I want HONEST politicians. Ones not afraid to say what they really think and feel.

[OutNow]

60. option 6 - Take it to the streets

This campaign is not about becoming President of the United States. It is about changing the priorities of our country. It is about living in a country where we all have a say, not just the 1%. How in the world do you think supporting a candidate with Superpacs helps to achieve the objectives that Bernie has expressed?

There is a difference between Trump and Clinton because there are differences between the members of the 1% about how to rule the rest of us. The 1% is not homogeneous. Some billionaires believe the way to continue to rule is to smash any opposition. Other billionaires believe the way to continue to rule is to give the rest of us a few crumbs. That is why, for example, some company owners fight against any attempt of their workers to form a union, while others support or remain neutral towards organized labor.

Change never comes from the top down. It comes from the bottom up. These movements for change are not based on electoral politics. They are based on the participation of the masses of people. In every speech Bernie covers this topic using examples of the civil rights movement, the labor movement, the gay movement, the woman's movement.

We have a lot of work to do to achieve the goals that Bernie popularized in his campaign and we have gained many many new adherents. Let's get started.

And BTW - this is not a Ralph Nader position. On election day I will be voting for Clinton. But our work to change society must continue regardless of the one day when we vote.

[quaker bill]

62. I agree

We need to win and win big, but that will not be enough.

You are correct that the current system was intentionally saved by the creation of social benefits and safety nets. They were the reason we had fewer riots in the great depression and largely avoided them in the great recession.

These are the crumbs grudgingly given while being told "we can't afford" to give more. Bernie pointed out the bovine excrement in all this, which is why he had my vote, and why I am amazed he got this close.

Even if we win and win big, the pressure will need to remain, and perhaps grow.

[quaker bill]

61. endorse after the DC primary.

I am no Hillary fan, but am far less a Donald fan. I would like some good stuff in the platform and a favorable VP pick, sure, but mostly want to see Trump beaten, badly. I do not mean by 3%, I mean McGovern style beaten. Something north of 400 EV would make me smile. The entire line of thought that got the Donald nominated needs to end up in the trashbin of history. A near miss will not accomplish that, taking the Whitehouse and both houses of congress might flush this out of our system.

Hillary isn't getting this sort of thing done on her own. As even she says, she "is not a natural born politician". This is an "all hands on deck" sort of election, where Hillary needs everybody, including Bernie pulling their weight and throwing their punches.

[andym]

63. Cut a deal to maximize the influence of progressives on Clinton

I'm not sure the best path for that; probably insist that the VP be a staunch progressive in tune with Bernie's ideas, if not Bernie himself and also that the VP would have the President's ear and be allowed to speak on topics of the VP's choosing.

[Trajan]

64. If she is the ultimate nominee

Then, gracefully concede .. But:

Bernie has a gift, and he should stay in the political spotlight, perhaps by starting a 'Progressive Voters League', or something along those lines, for the purpose of:

Letting everyone know that progressives are watching every move of the Democratic Party.

Every tax break given to their billionaire campaign underwriters ...

Every sweetheart deal and every plum position given to a crony or political acolyte ...

Every giveaway of the commons through robbing regular folks while bestowing great wealth on their banker buddies ...

Every dishonest action ... Every graft filled agreement ... Every corrupt treaty ...

Make them toe the line .. one step outside? .. Pound them .. Flay them publicly using the social media megaphone ...

If they continue to act as Republicans, then ... Break away ... The Progressive Voters League becomes a De facto political party ...

So ... Just so every one is clear - I am not advising that we 'break away from the Democratic Party' ... I'm advising that we STAY in the party, and keep a eagle eye in their every move ... We'll be their Jeremiah, lambasting their sinfulness ...

If they continue to fuck over regular working families (as they have over the last two decades), then

THEN we will be ready to step into the breach, break away from the corrupt Democratic Party, and take them down within the electorate, using the ballot ...

The Democratic Party can alter whatever party rules they like - it won't affect antibody outside of the Democratic Party ... We remove the ability to change or alter voter status (what kind of party would deny their own members the ability to vote? .. Only a party led by assholes would do that)

We regain our power by cutting them off from controlling our ability to vote ...

Personally, I am of the belief that Bernie would win a three way race ... Absolutely ... But, if he says he won't do it, then I take him at his word ...

The party fucked us royally ... They have fucked ME for the last time ...

One false step, and the Democratic Party should lose their standing as the party of working families ... And I'm being generous ...

They have already lost our trust ...

I'm with you all beyond this election ....

Help regular families, or get rolled out of Dodge ...

I'm a Democrat still, for now ... We'll see how long that lasts ...

[Howler]

70. Where is the option

To run as an independant?

[Lord Magus]

85. The same place as that option is in reality.

It doesn't exist.

[Cheese Sandwich]

75. Doesn't matter.

There's no material question here. It's just symbolism at stake.

[midnight]

76. Thanks for letting me vote.

[imagine2015]

77. This poll is a good way to "cleanse" DU of progressives who won't endorse Hillary.

Is that its purpose?

[jack_krass]

78. ALL THE WAY TO THE CONVENTION!!!!

[chillfactor]

79. concede after DC and support Hillary...

Bernie is going to get clobbered in DC which consists mostly of minorities who support Hillary.

[Beacool]

84. Pray tell, take the fight to the convention and do precisely what there????

[Fuddnik]

103. Fight.

[yourout]

86. stay in at least until the FBI report drops.

[Warren DeMontague]

87. Once the voting is over, concede and endorse.

He participated in the process, and she is the victor of that process. Play by the rules and do the right thing.

[Pastiche423]

107. Why?

She din't play by the rules, nor did she do the right thing.

[Warren DeMontague]

108. Because there is no point.

We can argue it until the cows come home, but she's gonna be the nominee. So the question is what next.

[Vinca]

89. I hate the idea of concession, but it's got to be done at some point.

The supers are not going to switch unless the FBI shakes things up and Bernie doesn't want to piss off the party elites too much if he wants to be the pinch hitter. My fear is she drops out and they draft Biden.

[Lil Missy]

92. If you want only Sandrs supporters to vote, put it in the Sanders Group. n/t

[democrattotheend]

94. I can't

They banned me, and apparently several other committed supporters here.

[Skwmom]

93. He will undercut his movement if he embraces what he is fighting against.

[Orsino]

95. The same thing he's already doing, as promised.

Plan to show up at the convention with as many like-minded delegates as he can, and win as many concessions there as he can.

As new and strange as such a scheme may sound to DUers, I don't know why we keep expecting Sanders to change course.

[Hiraeth]

97. Obama said he wants Hillary running scared.

[democrattotheend]

98. When did he say that?

Today, or 8 years ago?

[Hiraeth]

104. Today but I am on my phone now and can't search or link-

Saw it on msnbc from his interview with Bernie

[panader0]

99. Bernie is playing his hand the best way he can.

At this point, his hand cannot win, but he can exert strong leverage in the form of an
endorsement, and urging his followers to back HRC. The leverage should buy planks in the Democratic
platform that his supporters voted for. I am extremely proud of the effort and strength of this man.
He awoke a spirit in so many and won 2/5 of the vote against a pre-ordained candidate.
Bernie will hold out for the most progressive concessions he can get from HRC.

[democrattotheend]

105. I don't much care about planks in the platform

It's just a platform, and it has little to no effect on how elected Democrats govern.

I would rather see him use his leverage either for reforms to the primary system and/or for actual policy concessions.

[yurbud]

100. I'm torn between the last and second to last. Also, a couple of options are missing...

like a third party run, or the most likely one: stay in the Democratic Party and continue to change it from within.

[democrattotheend]

109. He's already ruled out a third party run

And even if he hadn't, I believe it would be against the rules here to advocate for it.

The other option you suggested is not mutually exclusive with any of the others. I am assuming he will stay in the party one way or the other. He has said as much.

[pengu]

101. Inide run

[zipplewrath]

102. Concede and work towards changing the party

He can give the whole "...better than Trump" speech.
He should coordinate (negotiate) the announcement with her and arrange for speech time at the convention, and make it clear he intends to advocate for rule changes with his delegates votes.
He should also begin working with individual congressional and senatorial candidates to help move the party left. He has a fund raising network to tap. He should coordinate these efforts with Warren and help raise money for them and help them get the publicity they'll need to compete and win.