Bernie still sees Democrats as the adversary.

[DCBob]

He comes off like he barely tolerates Democrats only because the other party is so horrible. This is basically a team sport.. he needs to pick a team and support it or else he is going to do more harm than good.

[bravenak]

1. He fights us like we ruined America

He never fights Republicans that hard. Glad we did NOT nominate him

[DCBob]

2. No kidding.. its like its more our fault than the stupid Republicans.

pathetic.

[Armstead]

93. I don't know what you have against reform

He is trying to reinvigorate the political system by encouraging people to get involved.

I don't know why people would have a problem with that, unless you want a moribund r political party that never changes or adapts and has no core principles..

[DCBob]

97. Bernie is now doing more harm than good.

Its time to endorse Hillary and attack Trump.

[SpareribSP]

107. Proof?

He is attacking Trump and from what I've seen people have felt invigorated by the primary.

[Armstead]

116. That's just a meaningless formality....he has already said as much

This campaign is about defeating Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president. After centuries of racism, sexism and discrimination of all forms in our country we do not need a major party candidate who makes bigotry the cornerstone of his campaign. We cannot have a president who insults Mexicans and Latinos, Muslims, women and African-Americans. We cannot have a president who, in the midst of so much income and wealth inequality, wants to give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the very rich. We cannot have a president who, despite all of the scientific evidence, believes that climate change is a hoax.

The major political task that we face in the next five months is to make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly. And I personally intend to begin my role in that process in a very short period of time.

[kerry-is-my-prez]

110. He is driving many people away too though. He should inspire and encourage instead..

[booley]

112. who has he driven away?

And how has he driven them away?

[Armstead]

113. Driving people away how?

He's basically doing what he has done through the campaign, which worked pretty well. He is pushing to represent the values and goals he expressed.

He's not out there attacking Clinton. He said he "knows the math" and he said his main focus is on defeating Trump.

At some point in the near future he will say the actual words "I support Secretary Clinton for President." Maybe that will placate make people who think the Kabuki Dance is important.

But he is also focused on the goals he said he would focus on when he started out. He -- and WE -- are nervous that those will be stifled in the "unity" of the party -- He does not want to see them tucked away in the closet again, and neither do the millions who support him.

[NWCorona]

31. More like, he thinks the party has moved to far to the right and I agree.

That said, I think his message his message would resonate more with the party elite if he was a democratic for a longer period of time longer.

[SusanCalvin]

39. Just curious. Whom do you define as "us"?

Hey, Brave - serious question, not snark.

[bravenak]

119. The Democratic party

Especially the parts who did not vote for him. The parts he thinks are too conservative or 'confederate' as some called it. I noticed he wants to end closed primaries because they keep folks out but has no problem with caucuses, which are the most disenfranchising process, and my demographic is hardly represented there at all. But we show up in FORCE to those closed primaries he hates.
He wants to dilute the power of the groups that did not vote for him. This is not about the party.
I know exactly what this is because it is aimed at folks like me who prefer for Democrats to pick our own nominee free from republican hijinks or independent swing voters games.

Whose power would be blunted in the democratic party if we do as he wants? I'm not psychic but my predictions are spot the hell on. I am not in love with either candidate or their policies. But I knew from jump that he lacked a black pov on his team to tell him how bad this shit sounds to us. We know the little ways folks use to quiet our voices. Regardless of his intentions that will be the effect. Intentions mean jack to me.

[SusanCalvin]

121. Thanks.

Gotta sleep now, but love and respect you lots. Reply in the AM.

[bravenak]

122. Okay, goodnight

[SusanCalvin]

142. Yeah, I do agree.

As I've always said, I wish you had the ear of Team Bernie.

[dubyadiprecession]

88. You know, I don't believe Trump and Sanders have ever been photographed together...

They might be the same person wearing different costumes, but with each character still acting as outrageous as the other.

[booley]

114. Sure you want to go there

Becuase I recall seeing a nice pic of Trump and the Clintons being VERY friendly with each other.

BTW I am finding it a bit ironic that you call Sander's "outrageous" and have FDR as your avatar

[geek tragedy]

3. and no, his lip service to defeating Trump isn't worth a single $27 donation nt

[Armstead]

102. I guess you'd rather he say "It doesn't matter who wins the election"

Just because he is not kissing her ring, doesn't mean he is not going to work as hard as he can to support her election.

This doesn't sound like "lip service." It's not sycophancy, but so what? The message is quite clear.

This campaign is about defeating Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president. After centuries of racism, sexism and discrimination of all forms in our country we do not need a major party candidate who makes bigotry the cornerstone of his campaign. We cannot have a president who insults Mexicans and Latinos, Muslims, women and African-Americans. We cannot have a president who, in the midst of so much income and wealth inequality, wants to give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the very rich. We cannot have a president who, despite all of the scientific evidence, believes that climate change is a hoax.

The major political task that we face in the next five months is to make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly. And I personally intend to begin my role in that process in a very short period of time.

[arcane1]

4. The DNC sees progressives as the adversary.

Seems fair.

[DCBob]

7. Bullshit.

Progressives and moderates and in-between work together all the time.

[TheKentuckian]

11. On what the conservatives dictate

[DCBob]

17. On what is doable and practical and worthwhile.

[booley]

115. as defined by conservatives

Social Security was pretty radical and opposed by Conservatives

as was Medicare.

And breaking up the trusts. And about fifty other Democratic accomplishments I could name

the ACA itself was considered impossible by conservatives. )or did you forget that 34 democrats voted against it?)

Sorry, but if we listened to conservatives over what was "doable" the Democrats wouldn't have a single major accomplishment to their name.

[SusanCalvin]

12. In the best of all possible worlds.

https://m.

[arcane1]

16. Obama "worked together" with republicans to continue producing and selling cluster bombs.

And he "worked together" with republicans to get fast track trade authority.

There is always someone to be found who will "work together" with their oppressors.

[DCBob]

18. His signature legislation, the ACA, was full cooperation of all wings of the party.

[arcane1]

20. And written by the Heritage Foundation, and lobbied by insurance companies.

Thank you for proving my point.

[DCBob]

21. Its the most progressive legislation we have seen passed in decades.

[arcane1]

24. Again proving my point.

I'm starting to think your posts are intended as satire.

[arcane1]

29. Typical, predictable deflection when one can't defend conservative policy.

And every time, acting like it's something clever.

Most adults see through it.

[LuvLoogie]

81. and voted for by Bernie.

[SusanCalvin]

25. Not the public option wing.

I distinctly recall that being shut out from the git go. Even as a consideration.

[DCBob]

27. It wasnt possible.. even Bernie admits that.

[arcane1]

34. Because the two parties "worked together" to make it impossible n/t

[SusanCalvin]

35. It may not have been possible (in some people's opinion)

But that doesn't mean it should have been preemptively taken off the table.

One never knows.

Bernie's good proof of that.

[SusanCalvin]

8. Yep. nt

[geek tragedy]

13. Which is why a progressive union official is now heading up its operations

for the general election.

[SusanCalvin]

28. Which one? I seriously ask for information.

I notice the AFL-CIO took its sweet time. And I sure don't blame them for endorsing her over Trump, needless, I hope, to say.

[geek tragedy]

33. Brandon Davis, the SEIU's political officer, is taking over the DNC's operations

for the general election campaign.

[SusanCalvin]

38. Thanks for the info.

What other realistic choice do they have? I thank them.

[sufrommich]

14. He's not speaking for anyone but a group of die-hard PUMAs now.nt

[SusanCalvin]

74. I don't put myself in that category. nt

[Recursion]

70. The DNC treats progressives as one part of the party's coalition, which is true

I realize that may seem adversarial if you feel entitled to the entire party, though.

[arcane1]

75. Yes, the part called "fucking retards" and "the professional left"

I don't know why those terms bother people and make them feel excluded

[Lil Missy]

87. Just Bernie.

[sufrommich]

5. Or we could just ignore him. nt

[SusanCalvin]

9. Feel free. nt

[TheCowsCameHome]

23. No you couldn't.

[Raster]

80. You may try. No you couldn't. The Hillarians are in full "panties-in-a-bunch" state...

Bernie is not doing what you want him to and when you want him to do it, and how you want him to do it. TRAGIC!

SERIOUSLY, it's like one big fucking overgrown high school here, and the pompons and cheerleaders are just aghast that someone is not supporting the football team like they think they should.

There are Clinton posters on this board who seem to make it their personal calling in life to make sure everyone does exactly what THEY think should be done. This isn't Lockstep High School.

[SusanCalvin]

85. .

[BootinUp]

6. That sums it up nicely. nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

10. Labels, labels, labels. Team sport? Anyone for pom-poms and loyalty oaths? Yay!!

[DCBob]

15. Well that certainly would be better than what Bernie is promoting.

Its time to unite and work together to defeat the GOP.

[SusanCalvin]

19. I can get behind that. - BUT

I'm still disgusted/amused at how they try to pretend Trump is not exactly what they wrought.

Mmmmm, but - I don't see how "what Bernie is promoting" is not that - defeating the GOP.

[TheKentuckian]

22. That seems a reasonable position so if that is the way he sounds it is pitch perfect.

And you folks looking at it as a sport is no small part of the reason why.

[BootinUp]

41. Its not at all reasonable he has no strength in Congress to back his proposals. nt

[TheKentuckian]

131. That further supports the position rather than negating it.

[BootinUp]

135. No, it reveals it to be non-actionable, and not popular enough to win a GE.

Losing the primary has shown the exact same thing.

[floppyboo]

30. I'm a Varsity athlete, and know a little about team sports

Players have different strengths, and if your team is going to be successful, you make sure they're playing the right position. Bernie is fighting for the future of the team. That's a mighty important position. DCBob - you should go down to your local rec hall and sign up for the first team that will let you in.

[DCBob]

32. Bernie is trashing the team.

He seems to have no interest in being a team player.

[floppyboo]

43. I don't think your coach feels the same way.

You'd probably get a time out for propagating that attitude. And then again, there's the coach here at DU, who could very well bench you on Monday.

[randome]

44. Except he isn't the fucking quarterback!

[floppyboo]

49. Good. Glad to see you understand metaphors.

And not every sport is football.

[randome]

57. He's not team captain. He's not the coach.

He's kind of been benched but he's too foolish to know that running onto the court and telling the referees how wrong they are is only going to delay the game.

[floppyboo]

61. That's exactly how I interpretted you!

So stop your wining, get off that bench and make friends with your team - 45% of your team.

[SusanCalvin]

51. Well, maybe the quarterback might want to listen to him and us. nt

[randome]

55. That's up to the quarterback to decide! Not the linebacker and not the fans in the bleacher seats!

[SusanCalvin]

62. Not interested in courting my vote? OK.

Don't think it needs to be courted? That's your and the DNC's problem.

[randome]

67. Well, if you're willing to wait 25 years for Sanders to blossom...

...then maybe you can listen with an open mind to what Clinton says in the next few weeks. It's up to you.

[SusanCalvin]

69. You have no idea how glad I am

That I try to make up my own mind objectively instead of allowing myself to be blown about by such (I perceive) as you.

I will say that if your objective is to sway me I think you could up your game. But please don't put yourself out on my account. Please.

[randome]

71. Suggesting that you listen with an open mind is really demanding of me, isn't it?

Please. I don't even like Clinton and have said that many times. I don't like the idea of a refugee from the 90s retaking the political helm. But she is clearly our nominee so we need to work with what we have. Just my opinion, of course.

[SusanCalvin]

73. Mmmm, I didn't reply to your whole post, sorry.

Yes, of course I will listen with an open mind to probably our only hope.

I just hope she might listen to others who might help.

[randome]

76. Believe me, so do I. My daughters' futures may depend on this.

[SusanCalvin]

79. May? Do! L'Chaim!

https://m.

[randome]

125. And same to you!

Except it's morning now and drinking then is not to be encouraged. But you know what I mean!

[treestar]

146. why do you demand to be courted?

why don't you just do what is in your best interests! Politics is not about people begging for your vote! They say what they stand for and you pick from among them accordingly.

[SusanCalvin]

147. That's actually what I do.

But I take into account how I am looked upon and treated, as I believe all human beings do.

I do try to not let it sway me against my best interests, but I am baffled as to why some people appear to think hectoring is a productive tactic.

[onenote]

58. Bernie is the guy who wants to be starting pitcher

But he doesn't win the job and instead of accepting his position as a role player who can help the team he sits on the bench being disruptive and badmouthing the manager, the player that beat him out and the fans

[SusanCalvin]

77. Look at where he started

Plus a six-month media blackout.

There's something that needs to be taken into consideration, IMHO.

[uponit7771]

129. Irrelevant to the context at hand, right now he's not being progressive just whining about no winnin

[SusanCalvin]

137. That's not the way I hear it,

but I can see how some could take it that way.

[uponit7771]

128. +1

[uponit7771]

127. Sanders is trashing the coaching staff and NOT offering any actionable solutions, that's NOT a team

... player.

People might know there's something wrong but offering nothing in the area of doing better is bashing not... progressive

[treestar]

145. bernie hasn't been on the team

he's been criticizing the team.

[floppyboo]

148. He's criticizing how the team functions

And that criticism is vital to keeping the team relevant for next season. Selling yourself to a richer owner, no matter how fancy they make the seats in the stadium, isn't going to ready the team for success in the box office with the new and upcoming fans. Hillary knows this. And as a progressive, I'd put some money down that she is relieved Bernie wants to get money out of politics. She assumedly has a big heart, and I'm sure all these $ games are getting her down.

[Kelvin Mace]

36. The Democrats need to decide what team they are on

As long as its candidates keep cashing those big checks and giving passes to war, war crimes, massive financial fraud, etc, they are NOT on "our" team.

[SusanCalvin]

47. Yep.

I get real tired of people asking for specific examples of (illegal) quid pro quo. Please.

[Demsrule86]

91. Bernie needs to declare himself a free agent and move on. nt

[SusanCalvin]

94. No, please.

There is a system, and I believe that Bernie knows that where possible you work within it. I sure hope we're not at the point of having to blow it up.

[RazBerryBeret]

37. sometimes a fresh perspective is helpful

he's actually trying to help. but i'm sure it will be mostly falling on deaf ears, cause EVERYTHING is Peachy-keen, right? no problems here, just move along.

"But the political revolution means much more than fighting for our ideals at the Democratic National Convention and defeating Donald Trump.It means that, at every level, we continue the fight to make our society a nation of economic, social, racial and environmental justice."

[DCBob]

40. The time for "fresh perspective" was the primary.. his perspective lost.

Hillary's won. Now its time to unite to defeat the other team who are fielding a madman as their candidate.

[RazBerryBeret]

46. it's not about winning or losing

but you wouldn't know that.....
it's bigger than an election or a 4 year term.
it's about working together for change.

"Election days come and go. But political and social revolutions that attempt to transform our society never end. They continue every day, every week and every month in the fight to create a nation of social and economic justice. That’s what the trade union movement is about. That’s what the civil rights movement is about. That’s what the women’s movement is about. That’s what the gay rights movement is about. That’s what the environmental movement is about."

[DCBob]

59. Thats fine. He can still concede and endorse and do that.

There is no benefit to continuing his adversarial attitude.

[RazBerryBeret]

65. adversarial to you...

I feel that he is genuinely trying to help the middle class. there is plenty of room for help in DC.
Your candidate is the nominee.
Your candidate will most likely be President.

Don't you think we will need all the help we can get? the stronger the voice, the better for us.

[totodeinhere]

66. Bernie lost but nevertheless he had a stronger showing than most pundits thought he would.

23 states and millions of votes. Given the support he got, especially among young people, didn't he earn the right to have a role going forward? Don't worry. He will endorse Hillary in due course. And who knows? Most campaigns have ups and downs and if Hillary's campaign has a down then Bernie could make a strategic endorsement at that time and give new life to Hillary's campaign.

[randome]

42. No one is saying everything is peachy-keen! No one!

Sanders is coming off like a petulant child screaming at someone to take out the trash -while said person is taking out the trash! After a while, resentment is the natural reaction.

It's the same thing now as it has been for 25 years in the Senate: he talks and talks and talks...and has no strategy.

[RazBerryBeret]

48. so

you didn't bother to listen to his speech or read the transcript didja?

and Oh, he has a strategy.

[randome]

52. I listened to about 10 minutes of it. It's too early for bed.

And "Oh, he has a strategy", huh? What, pray tell, is it? To 'filibuster' his way to the nomination? 25 years in the Senate and his own co-workers won't endorse him!

And this crap about people 45 years and younger being the future of our nation? We are all the future of our nation! I don't understand this worship of youth some have. And I have two wonderful 18 year old daughters whose future I want to see brighter! It's not going to happen because of Sanders, that's for sure.

[floppyboo]

78. Strategy: Go to link below

www.berniesanders.com/win

As for the 25 years - if things change with money in politics, and the above strategy works - watch out for a strong revitalized Democratic Party in the next election! And yes, that is YOUR party!!! Happy happy love love.

[SusanCalvin]

56. Oh please, tired of that meme.

Last edited Thu Jun 16, 2016, 10:32 PM - Edit history (2)

He comes off, IMHO, as he always has. Speaking the truth as he sees ir.

[randome]

60. Anyone can speak the truth. We often do here.

Do you really think most Democrats don't want a more equitable society, economically and otherwise? Sanders is trying to 'convince' us of something we already believe.

[SusanCalvin]

64. Yup.

Get shut of corporations then.

[senz]

45. Bullshit. He didn't say a damned thing about Democrats.

Sorry. He didn't.

[azmom]

50. Bernie is for the people and not for the

Elites of this country. He's on our team.

[2banon]

53. If that's your take away from the speech..

You didn't listen to a word of it. Particularly at the end.

[Skwmom]

54. Oh come on. The Clinton supporters should be ecstatic! Bernie is telling his supporters

that Hillary Clinton will work with him to change the Democratic Party,

Sanders said he also looks forward to working with Clinton to "transform the Democratic Party" to make it a party for working people and young people that "has the guts" to take on Wall Street, the pharmaceutical industry, the fossil fuel industry and other powerful special interests that dominate political and economic life.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2016/06/16/bernie-sanders-livestream-supporters/86003384/

[SusanCalvin]

68. Exactly.

I don't want "them" to shut him out, or he "them."

[bunnies]

63. "He barely tolerates Democrats only because

The other party is so horrible".

And he's not the only one. That's the point.

[mcar]

72. I keep saying this

I don't get the strategy. What is he hoping to gain with this tactic? I honestly don't get it.

[WayBeyondBlue]

86. Here's a guess

Clinton really doesn't need Bernie or his supporters to beat Trump. She is conservative enough to attract MILLIONS of moderate Republicans unwilling to go Trump. She knows it, and Bernie knows it. But Bernie's platform is precious to him, and many others, so he will try to maintain as much apparent strength as possible to win points at the Dem Platform "negotiation". I think it's a smart way to play a weak hand.

[mcar]

90. Clinton is conservative?

Umm, OK. You do realize that she and Bernie voted together more than 90% of the time?

And, how does refusing to concede give him leverage at the convention? It really doesn't.

[WayBeyondBlue]

95. Well, that's all he has left

sadly enough. To untwist the spin you put on my words, I said "conservative enough", and stand by it. Not gonna argue about what shade of blue to pick for the window dressing.

[TrueDemVA]

82. The party leadership has done nothing but

Last edited Fri Jun 17, 2016, 05:12 AM - Edit history (1)

Try to push aside Bernie and his message. The Democratic leadership has become a group of corporate lobbyist.

[SusanCalvin]

101. Become....? nt

[pansypoo53219]

84. NAY. he has the people left behind the recovery + the victims of reagan's tinkle.

[Armstead]

89. He was calling on people to get involved in the Democratic Party and work to defeat the GOP.

Opening up to fresh new people.

How awful.

[DCBob]

92. Did he concede and endorse Hillary?

Until he does that I dont hear anything else he says.

[Raster]

99. No, he did not fall to his knees and kiss the ring yet...

...maybe tomorrow.

[Armstead]

100. It's pretty damn obvious that he supports her in the General

What part of this do you not understand? Clinton is the only choice against Trump.

This campaign is about defeating Donald Trump, the Republican candidate for president. After centuries of racism, sexism and discrimination of all forms in our country we do not need a major party candidate who makes bigotry the cornerstone of his campaign. We cannot have a president who insults Mexicans and Latinos, Muslims, women and African-Americans. We cannot have a president who, in the midst of so much income and wealth inequality, wants to give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the very rich. We cannot have a president who, despite all of the scientific evidence, believes that climate change is a hoax.

The major political task that we face in the next five months is to make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly. And I personally intend to begin my role in that process in a very short period of time.

[Raster]

104. Sanders must grovel... he must prostrate himself to the higher mind...

...he must fall to his knees and beg the Royal Family's forgiveness... HOW COULD HE? IT WAS HER TURN?
She has been the Presumptive Nominee for 20 years. How dare he?
<sarcasm>

[randome]

133. He has to stop preaching and starting working.

[eastwestdem]

96. Exactly. It makes no sense why he picked us to glob onto. nt

[SusanCalvin]

103. Huh? nt

[NurseJackie]

105. Tiresome.

[Autumn]

106. Anymore so do I

[SusanCalvin]

108. Hey, person who kicked me out of the Bernie group for speaking the truth as I saw it.

To this particular post, yup.

ETA: Not that I minded being kicked out. I was kicked out of the Hillary group (by my own request) as well. I frankly loathe both of them.

[Autumn]

109. As I remember it that isn't why you were blocked. nt

[SusanCalvin]

117. Pfffffft.

I was blocked for expressing my distaste for excessive, IMHO counterproductive rah rah. It is what it is

[Autumn]

118. Whatever.

[SusanCalvin]

120. That's your response?¿

Paging bravenak!

I knew there was a good reason I abandoned the Bernie group early.

[Autumn]

123. Yeah, that's my response, you go to talking trash early on about Bernie in GDP that

will get you blocked Page bravenak all you want, that won't mean shit.

[SusanCalvin]

139. I do not believe I talked trash about Bernie himself.

And, as you point out, whatever it was was not in the Bernie group.

Nevertheless, sorry - shoulda gone to bed long before that series of posts and, as I said, I was happy to to be kicked out anyway.

[Autumn]

140. Yes you did, that was why we decided to block you.

[SusanCalvin]

143. Oooooookaaaaaaay.... nt

[bravenak]

124. I know how you feel

[SusanCalvin]

138. Hey!

I didn't mean literally to bother you or put you on the spot - I meant that at least your responses are responsive. And I shoulda gone to bed long before that series of posts....!

[Autumn]

141. Oh. Your block wasn't deserved either?

Took you a bit to respond to your "page" didn't it.

[SusanCalvin]

144. Thanks for the early morning laugh, I guess.

And thanks again for kicking me out - it was sincerely appreciated.

[booley]

111. and yet he keeps caucusing with Democrats

and without Schumer's support a few years ago Sanders would never have become a Senator

Weird how the Democrats and Sanders got along just fine until he ran against Clinton.

I have a crazy idea.

It's not Sanders

There's been a growing dissatisfaction within the Democrats for quite a while caused by the disconnect between what the party says it stands for and what it often does.

[Gothmog]

126. Sanders dislike of the Democratic party is sad

He is a bitter old man eho cannot accept that he lost

[liberalnarb]

130. "Still"?

Bernie never saw the party as the adversary, hes P.O'd at the leadership under Wasserman-Schultz.

[randome]

132. He talks AT people instead of WITH them.

That's been his nature all along. No one likes to be endlessly preached at.

[VulgarPoet]

134. "Pick a team and support it"?

The only thing in the middle of the road are yellow lines and roadkill; and one is a bunch of nutjobs, and the other are clearly suicidal where policy is considered. I don't blame him.

[GeorgeGist]

136. Bitter winners.

[Orsino]

149. Sanders has clearly identified our adversaries...

...and knows that many of them also own some Democrats.