Obama Supports Bernie Running as a Democrat

[RobertEarl]

Thanks to Fawke Em:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251574556#post7

Josh Earnest is an Obama spokesperson and here's what he has to say about Bernie's campaign:

MR. EARNEST: Well, I think the President has in the past spoken positively about Senator Sanders and certainly his service in the United States Senate. He is somebody who over the last several months, as all of you have noted, has been able to attract large, fired-up crowds of Democrats. That’s a good thing for the party. And the President is pleased that there is some enthusiasm and excitement on display about a variety of candidates in the Democratic field. And that’s going to lead to a robust debate and it’s going to lead to a strong general election candidate in the Democratic Party, and the President is pleased about that.


https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/04/daily-press-briefing-press-secretary-josh-earnest-090315

________________


So..... it appears Obama is fully supportive of Bernie's campaign. Who will be the first to throw Obama under the bus for his support of Sanders?

[RandySF]

1. No.

The president supports Bernie's right to run, just as he supports the same for Hillary, Martin and even Joe.

[underthematrix]

2. Definitely not an endorsement

[RobertEarl]

3. Sure it is

Obama is pleased Bernie is running and especially pleased at how Bernie is bringing new blood to the Party.

That there, that's what you call and endorsement of Bernie running as a Democrat in the Democratic Party's primary.

I can only hope the 'Bernie's not a Democrat' crap is no longer, ever, not once mentioned again. Obama is behind Bernie!!

[underthematrix]

6. That's not an endorsement. An endorsement would have blown up the Internet, the

networks, cable and of course the Obama Diary, which is definitely not feeling the bern. Then there's PBO's Vice President whom he loves like a brother. Nah. But nice try.

[rhett o rick]

7. It doesn't matter. The people are for Sen Sanders while the billionaires support Clinton.

The question is, do you support democracy or do you support the Oligarchy?

[underthematrix]

10. I'm African American so I don't live in the world that way.

I wish the world were that simple but it isn't. In my world, it's complicated and messy and many many shades of grey. Bernie has done very little to help his supporters see that. Down the road it may cost him dearly.

[Armstead]

15. oligarchy isn't good for anyone except the oligarchs

You don't think, for example that Koch money didn't fund the politicians who are surpressing voting rights?

[rhett o rick]

21. Sen Sanders is for change from the existing corrupt government we have that is

run by the Oligarchy. He will have a very hard time fighting them as we've seen already with the Oligarchy controlled media and DNC, and the Swiftboating that big money can buy.

But the alternative is H. Clinton who is deeply entrenched in the Oligarchy. Her and Bill's wealth put them in the 1%. Her friends all are in the 1%. Goldman-Sachs loves her and that's not a good sign. I am sure they won't mind if Clinton tries to improve the poverty situation as long as the money comes from the middle class and not them.

We need change.

[jwirr]

22. Reread the headline. From the very beginning of this

campaign we have had Hillary supporters telling us that Bernie is not running as a Democrat. This is a statement from the President of the USA that he is.

Has nothing to do with an endorsement it has to do with ending the meme that he is not a Democrat. At the age of 73 he is one of the most FDR democrats I have seen in a very long time.

Thank you Mr. President for your clarification.

[underthematrix]

33. Good Lord. Get his age right. He's 72

Second Bernie's statement of candidacy papers for his 2018 senate run is as an Independent. Bernie is running as a Democrat and he has said he is doing that as necessary evil because he needs the Democratic machine which his supoorters keep railing against. President Obama dn Vice President Biden has applauded his campaign because he's doing an excellent job running his campaign. They did not address his opportunistic choice to run as a Democrat.

[jwirr]

34. Good Lord. 73 is MY age. And by the way Bernie is

74 today.

[underthematrix]

37. Wait a minute. I obviously can't count. He was born in September 1941

THank you for the correction

[jwirr]

39. Welcome. When I went back and read my post I realized

it was not so clear.

[RobertEarl]

35. He ran as an Independent in Vermont

And voted with Democrats in the Senate.

You say Bernie is running as a Democrat only because it is opportunistic. Well so what? You have a problem with freedom and choice? If the Democrats vote for him who are you to whine about it?

The only reason you are complaining is because he will beat Hilary and that just makes you post stuff like you do. Get over it.

Obama likes that Bernie is running as a Democrat... he's not whining, he's not complaining, he's pleased. 90% of DU is happy for Bernie and the party, the only one's not happy are those who think Hillary should be crowned.

[underthematrix]

38. i am not a Hillary supporter.

i have no problem with "freedom" and "choice" but party machines just like unions are there for a reason. President Obama said Bernie was his friend and he thought he was doing a great job.

Yes DU has most certainly turned into Bernieland. Of course this is a secondary site for me. My primary site loves Biden and doesn't want a Bernie or Hillary nominee.

[sabrina 1]

30. Not an endorsement for Hillary either. Biden however HAS told people to 'vote for Bernie, he's a

good man'.

Now let's have the debates the people want. DWS appears to be trying to control this election. That is simply not acceptable and everyone, all supporters of all candidates should be outraged that one person has the power to deprive the people of what they are entitled to. To see and hear the candidates on the issues.

[Fawke Em]

40. Who said it was an endorsement?

The OP merely said Obama supports Bernie running as a Democrat.

[JI7]

4. not everyone would react to things the same way as you would

[RobertEarl]

5. They should

Obama, and I, see eye-to-eye on this.

Bernie running as a Democrat is a great and wonderful thing for the Party.

[Skwmom]

8. Without Bernie there would be very little primary excitement. n/t

[840high]

12. So true.

[Capn Sunshine]

11. Absolutely no argument with that.

The President recognizes what is needed in the primary is a hell of a debate. It will raise interest. It's a win-win.

[zappaman]

9. You think this is an endorsement?!?!

Oh Bob, you always keep me laughing!

[Bluenorthwest]

18. The thing is, the OP never says it is an endorsment, the OP says Obama is supporive of Sanders

running as a Democrat, a view well supported by the quote given. The OP is, for once, stating that which is factual. The President supports Sanders being a Democratic candidate.

You are the one who introduced the word 'endorsement'.

[JI7]

29. post 3

OP says it's an endorsement

[sabrina 1]

31. It's an endorsement of Bernie running as a Democrat. The president knows how little interest there

would be in this election had Bernie not decided to run. He also knows that Bernie will be increasing the number of Dem voters as his supporters, many of them Indies and non voters, sign up as Dems in order to vote for him.

Without Bernie in this race, no one would be interested in it.

[PatrickforO]

13. Not me.

For TPP maybe, but not this.

[PatrickforO]

14. As pointed out, this isn't really an endorsement of Bernie per se.

It's more of a 'good to have him in the race, debate is good for the party' kind of thing. I doubt Obama will endorse anyone until more writing is on the wall. But Obama is a fierce campaigner, and may well throw himself into campaigning for the nominee next year, whomever that may be.

Hopefully Bernie...

[Bluenorthwest]

19. The OP does not say it is an endorsement. So 'pointing that out' seems odd to me.

The WH statement is very easy to understand.

[Flying Squirrel]

16. Throw him under the bus?

He already dove headfirst under it himself when he put Social Security on the table.

Nice of him to support Sanders' right to do what he has the right to do, but being the cynic I am, Obama may have calculated that doing the opposite might have only stoked the fires even more against the establishment which he represents.

[JI7]

17. while this is not an endorsement this would help Sanders much more with minority voters

than Cornel West .

in fact the whole Cornel West thing makes me wonder if Sanders doesn't actually want to win the nomination. he is doing well in Iowa and NH and could win those states. but almost like he is looking to SC as where it will end with Hillary becoming the next "comeback kid" .

[JoePhilly]

20. I thought Obama was part of the conspiracy ...

... against Bernie.

[jwirr]

23. Conspiracy? What is happening is a campaign.

[SouthernProgressive]

24. Of course he does.

I can count the people who feel otherwise on one hand.

[Doctor_J]

25. Sanders has certainly fired up a lot of dems

Thats probably a good thing

[orpupilofnature57]

26. Doesn't matter, his power isn't the inside nod .

[upaloopa]

27. He is also supportive of the other Dem

candidates.
I don't see what else he would say. This isn't news.

[RobertEarl]

28. For some it is news

News that Obama claims that Bernie running as a Democrat is a good thing.

Some here have been whining about Bernie's campaign. Obama says quit whining?

[PowerToThePeople]

32. This

there are still several posters on this very board claiming Bernie is not a Democratic candidate.

[beam me up scottie]

36. Kick.

The people who are "disturbed" by Bernie's criticism of Obama are either naive or disingenuous.

Obama's fine with Bernie, no need to be outraged on his behalf.