Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
The Atlantic: "it makes a certain sense that Sanders would remain in the race"
Last edited Fri Jun 17, 2016, 12:17 AM - Edit history (1)
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/06/bernie-sanders-next-steps/487457/...It seems clear, however, that Sanders is no longer focused on battling for the White House. Instead, he is intent on leaving a mark on the Democratic party, and ensuring that Donald Trump does not win the White House. “The major political task that we face in the next five months is to make certain that Donald Trump is defeated and defeated badly,” Sanders said in his address. “I personally intend to begin my role in that process in a very short period of time.”
Yet the senator emphasized that defeating “Trump cannot be our only goal,” pivoting to a discussion of his Democratic rival. “It is no secret that Secretary Clinton and I have strong disagreements on some very important issues,” Sanders noted, but quickly added: “It is also true that our views are quite close on others.” Overall, he spoke of Clinton more as a partner than as an adversary. “I look forward, in the coming weeks, to continued discussions between the two campaigns to make certain that your voices are heard and that the Democratic Party passes the most progressive platform in its history,” Sanders said. “I also look forward to working with Secretary Clinton to transform the Democratic Party.”
....it makes a certain sense that Sanders would remain in the race. He may never again have the kind of visibility that comes with a presidential campaign. His standing may diminish the longer he stays in the race, but the alternative is to give up the national platform he currently commands as a presidential candidate altogether.
The changes Sanders is pressing for have the potential to power his political revolution forward. The party platform is ultimately not binding, but if Sanders can extract concessions from Clinton, and especially if he can do it in a highly publicized way, that could lay the groundwork for enacting a more progressive agenda down the line. As Brian Goldsmith recently wrote in The Atlantic, “once in office, presidents almost always try to carry out their pre-election agendas.”
Yet the senator emphasized that defeating “Trump cannot be our only goal,” pivoting to a discussion of his Democratic rival. “It is no secret that Secretary Clinton and I have strong disagreements on some very important issues,” Sanders noted, but quickly added: “It is also true that our views are quite close on others.” Overall, he spoke of Clinton more as a partner than as an adversary. “I look forward, in the coming weeks, to continued discussions between the two campaigns to make certain that your voices are heard and that the Democratic Party passes the most progressive platform in its history,” Sanders said. “I also look forward to working with Secretary Clinton to transform the Democratic Party.”
....it makes a certain sense that Sanders would remain in the race. He may never again have the kind of visibility that comes with a presidential campaign. His standing may diminish the longer he stays in the race, but the alternative is to give up the national platform he currently commands as a presidential candidate altogether.
The changes Sanders is pressing for have the potential to power his political revolution forward. The party platform is ultimately not binding, but if Sanders can extract concessions from Clinton, and especially if he can do it in a highly publicized way, that could lay the groundwork for enacting a more progressive agenda down the line. As Brian Goldsmith recently wrote in The Atlantic, “once in office, presidents almost always try to carry out their pre-election agendas.”
Of course, as discussed in the article, there are potential downsides to not "officially" conceding, but for all intents and purposes, the HAS conceded.
He's going to the convention with his delegates, not for the nomination, but to give voice to his supporters. He'll be fundraising for Dems down ticket. He'll be working to get Hillary elected.
I think the course he's chosen is the most effective way to maximize the chances that the people he inspired to get active, stay active into the future. As the article says "to power his political revolution forward." I think it's also the most effective way to maximize the number of supporters that get behind Hillary.
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/17/upshot/bernie-sanders-and-the-terms-of-surrender.html
But maybe he’s on the right track. If he can drive a hard bargain at the convention, maybe he can help smooth the path to unity by showing his supporters that he’s won concessions. He may have more credibility with his supporters when he eventually comes around to supporting Clinton. He’s not the typical politician — in many ways. He may never run again (he’ll be 78 in 2020). So why not drive a hard bargain?
15 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
You are seriously confused. Good luck with that 
