On what issues/votes will Hillary get Republicans to side with her?

[LondonReign2]

The meme of the day appears to be "Bernie will be a disaster if elected President because he won't be able to get anything done."

So since Hillary would be facing the same (presumably) Republican-controlled Congress, on what issues/votes will Hillary get Republicans to side with her on in order to get things done?

[PoliticAverse]

1. Military action against Iran? n/t

[BlueWaveDem]

2. Its not Republicans Bernie has to be worried about

He can't seem to get his own party to back his agenda, hence the lack of endorsements.

[LondonReign2]

8. So your answer is...?

[BlueWaveDem]

10. Endorsements matter. See: Iran deal for what can be done when

A president can get his coalition on the same page without Republicans involved.

[LondonReign2]

13. If Sanders is President, Democrats won't vote with him?

Hillary would be limited to passing treaties that require no Republican votes? And Sanders could not accomplish even that?

Or is there something, anything, else Hillary would accomplish?

[djean111]

27. Yes, did you notice that is seems perfectly okay for DEMOCRATS to treat Bernie just like the GOP

treated Obama?

Oh, and endorsements do not mean that someone won't work with somebody. And endorsements can change.

[frylock]

51. Evidently they don't care about obstructionists..

so long as it isn't their candidate being obstructed.

[sabrina 1]

49. I think we want someone Republicans DISAGREE with, no? They will agree with Hillary on War,

Protecting Wall St, they already agree with her favorite Welfare Reform legislation, after all it was theirs first.

They will basically agree on all but the usual 'these issues are reserved for Repubs, these for Dems to keep up the illusion that the people actually have a say in anything'

Bernie otoh, will not cater to the extremists re war and Social Programs which might be why the RNC put out a tweet this week saying 'we must stop him' now that they've notices how he's the one beating them, not Hillary.

[cyberswede]

25. Endorsements don't equal congressional votes

I'm sure there were congresspersons who endorsed Hillary Clinton, but voted for Obama's legislative agenda.

[marym625]

3. The meme about Bernie is bull.

Unfortunately, Hillary would work very well with Republicans. Both Kissinger and Gingrich have said they would be fine with her as President. That right there oughta scare the bejesus out of every Democrat

[ibegurpard]

4. Republican issues

Like free trade, charter schools and dismantling the public safety net in favor of private sector solutions.

[Zorra]

5. Scary thought. nt

[JoePhilly]

6. The real question goes more like this ...

Would a President Sanders have compromised and passed the ACA, or would he have held out for Single Payer or Medicare for all, thus getting nothing instead?

See ... there are plenty of folks on this site who hate the ACA, and would have preferred it not pass at all. Many of them are now staunch Bernie supporters.

The ACA, while not perfect, is a significant improvement.

What will President Bernie's approach be to complex issues such as this?

If Bernie will take as much progress he can get, given the congress he encounters when he gets there, my support for him in the primary increases. If however, his approach will be to not compromise and take nothing unless he gets everything he wants, then my support for him in the primary decreases.

My sense is that were Bernie to be pragmatic as President, many of his most ardent supporters on this site would turn on him, just as fast as they turned on President Obama.

[LondonReign2]

9. So which issues will Hillary compromise with the Republicans on?

Because Obama didn't compromise with Republicans on the ACA, not a single one voted for it in either chamber.

[JoePhilly]

12. Make up your own set.

Btw ... in the case of the ACA, Obama had to compromise with Democrats.

How will Bernie approach complex issues of this nature? You seem reluctant to answer. What I know is that Hillary and Obama have held very similar positions, and advocated for very similar approaches to dealing with these complex issues.

And I'd vote for a 3rd term of Obama in a heart beat.

So tell us ... how do you think President Sanders gets us to Medicare for All in one step? If he can't get that (which he can't), what will he do to strengthen the ACA?

[LondonReign2]

16. Well, no, I'm not going to make up my own set

Hillary supporters are insistent that Sanders wouldn't be able to get anything done, so therefore by implication that Hillary would be able to get something done, even when faced with the same presumably Republican controlled congress.

Yet I have yet to see a single example of what she would supposed get the Republicans to compromise with her on.

So exactly what would it be?

[JoePhilly]

18. I've answered you question quite directly.

The question is not whether he COULD get anything done, but whether he'd be WILLING to get something done when doing so would require a compromise of some sort.

I'm not sure how many more times I need to explain this to you.

[LondonReign2]

20. The problem is, you've explained nothing

You don't believe Bernie would be willing to compromise. Got it. Let's assume your stipulation is true for the sake of discussion.

So what is Hillary going to compromise on to "get things done"? And remember, unlike Obama and the ACA, Hillary would not have both chambers controlled by the Democrats. She is going to need to get Republican votes.

What you and every other Hillary supporters, at least thus far, has been unwilling to answer, is "What things?"

[JoePhilly]

21. Do you have trouble reading?

I believe that Hillary will actually make more ACTUAL progress, on ALL issues, than Bernie would. Not on just one issue, on all of them.

I think she will be more willing to try and find ways to make as much progress as can be made with the actual congress she encounters as President. This is exactly what Obama has done.

So far, Bernie has not convinced me he is willing or able to do the same. He could convince me, but so far he has not.

And if I listen to Bernie's loudest supporters on this site, political experts that they are, his unwillingness to compromise is his greatest strength.

Should I believe them?

[LondonReign2]

22. Do you have trouble writing?

Because up until now you've only told me how Bernie will refuse to compromise. Cool, let's stipulate that.

Now you give the cop out that Hillary will make progress on ALL issues. Ummm, yeah.

So name one. She is going to have to get Republicans to vote with her. On what? give me an example of something she'll get Republicans to vote with her on?

You can dodge, duck, and make believe I can't understand that you haven't given an answer...or you can answer.

[JoePhilly]

23. You keep misrepresenting what I say, but that's fine ...

... I've seen that tactic here many times. Its not new. You didn't invent it.

So I'll play ... what will Hillary get done that Bernie won't ...

First, let's consider what the makeup of congress will be in 2016. If we Dems control congress (not super majority, just simple majorities), I believe that Hillary will be able to get legislation passed that will enhance the ACA. She won't be holding out for Medicare for All, and we already have plenty of Red state governors who support the ACA (with more on the way). Senators from those states will feel more pressure to compromise. She might even be able to get some concessions here even if Dems don't control congress, the pressure the ACA has created is not insignificant. Would Bernie work for small gains here, or go for broke on Medicare for all, that's unclear.

There ... one simple example. No need to duck or dodge.

What else ya got sparky? Want to discuss the weather?

[LondonReign2]

24. I've misrepresented nothing, but it is a lovely tactic for you to claim so

But let's delve into your answer...

"If we Dems control congress (not super majority, just simple majorities), I believe that Hillary will be able to..."

Yes, that is lovely. If we control congress Hillary can get things done. So can Bernie, if Democrats control congress. With the current gerrymandering, we both know Dems controlling Congress is beyond exceptionally unlikely.

"She might even be able to get some concessions here even if Dems don't control congress".

LOL. I thought you folks liked to claim the moniker of "realists"? The House has voted 54 times to repeal the ACA, and President Hillary is going to get them to enhance it??? That's just awesome.

That's the best you can come up with sparky?

[JoePhilly]

29. You wanted an issue, I gave you one.

Now you whine about it. That's ok. I did not expect anything less.

What you are missing about the ACA, is that people in red states who have it, actually like it. And that has the ability to move things forward. Red state govoners are already coming around. A fact you ignore.

You also seem to miss that there are a few provisions in the ACA, that many Republicans and Democrats would change (the tax on Cadillac plans is one simple example).

For your part, you can not answer the question as to whether Bernie is willing to compromise at all. He might be willing, he might not. From what I hear his supporters here say, he should never compromise. I disagree with them. And if that's his posiiton during the primary, I won't support him.

Its that simple.

If your argument is that the GOP House will never compromise on anything, then what's Bernie going to do other than bluster?

If Hillary won't be able to get small improvements in the ACA, Bernie sure as hell isn't getting Medicare for ALL, right?

So what will he do? Nothing I guess. Which you would apparently be happy with anyway. Which is fine. You have that right.

[LondonReign2]

30. I didn't whine (wow, you are three for three on mischaracterizing things, interesting tactic), I

laughed long and heartily. Your claim that President Clinton would get the GOP House to ENHANCE the ACA is...well, preposterous and laughable doesn't really begin to describe it.

"You also seem to miss that there are a few provisions in the ACA, that many Republicans and Democrats would change (the tax on Cadillac plans is one simple example). "

Well, yes, I agree with you, there are certain provisions Hillary would likely side with Republicans on, such as weakening the ACA by reducing one of it's funding mechanisms.

[karynnj]

36. Hillary is pandering on the Cadillac Tax because it provides a lot of the needed revenue for the

ACA subsidies. I will take her more seriously when she identifies where that money comes from. Not to mention, it would seem there is a fair amount of merit to the Cadillac Tax - especially if the level that triggers it is set well. Her "repeal it" would allow businesses to continue to get full deductions for the executive gold plated plans.

[artislife]

26. Your argument seems to be set on that he has never worked with opposition

That is not true.

Perhaps you should acquaint yourself with somethings, like this:
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/senate-passes-sanders-mccain-veterans-bill

[JoePhilly]

31. Nope, not my argument at all.

Can you find where I said Bernie has NEVER worked with the opposition? You can't because I did not say that.

I have said that I believe Clinton will be more willing to make some progress where it can be made, and not hold out for the best outcome, which is unachievable given the realities of our congress.

If I listen to Bernie supporters on this site, Bernie is going to hold out and somehow get the congress to do all these amazing things.

Any Democratic President is going to have to make incremental improvements, until we take control of congress, and hold it.

I think Hillary will be like Obama and make what progress there is to be made. I'm not so sure Bernie will do that.

If Bernie wins the primary, I'll support him, donate, and vote for him happily. Right now, he's not my first choice.

[dsc]

41. not for lack of trying

Obama tried very much to compromise with Republicans.

[BlueWaveDem]

11. Game. Set. Match.

[LondonReign2]

17. What issues would she get Republicans to side with her on?

[ALBliberal]

38. however, Bernie voted for the ACA so that shows pragmatism right?

And also secured funding for community health centers in the process. I think we would see the same approach if he were president. He won't throw the baby out with the bathwater but he is a shrewd negotiator. Additionally, the VA funding bill he worked with McCain on is an example of reaching across the aisle to get things done.

[JoePhilly]

46. One of the better responses to my point.

And it's also part of why I'd happily support Bernie were he to win the nomination.

It's still hard to tell how pragmatic a President Sanders would be. As I said in a different part of this thread, he could convince me.

Much of his rhetoric, both now as a candidate, and in the past, runs counter.

His most ardent supporters here seem to think he won't compromise, and they see that as a key strength. I'm not so sure.

If he talks about building on Obama's accomplishments that helps. If he runs against Obama, that hurts him in this regard.

[Alittleliberal]

57. Part of compromise

Is holding out on your side of the issue long enough to get the other side to bend. We never start compromising from a strong liberal perspective and they always start from a strong conservative one. Hence compromises are always center right compromises. We need some center left ones and to get that we need someone to start further left.

[Armstead]

40. He was pragmatic and effectuve during the ACA fight

He held onto his vote until the end, when his vote was needed to help pas it. He then got a concession for the ACA to include funding for community health centers.

Quite pragmatic.

Wat he might do as president is conjecture at this point,. Butt my own guess is -- and it just just my speculation -- he'd make clear that universal healthcare is his goal (as he already has) but he'd push in smaller steps, beginning with a public option. And he'd work like hell both to herd Democratic legislators to support it, and also to sell it to the public. And he might just get it -- or at last get the ball started in that direction.

Before you say but,but,but the GOP......He might either include some sweeteners to make it more palatable, or negotiate something in that direction and/or keep pushing the public and showing the benefits to create public pressure on them.

And even if he fails, we're no worse off than now. And it would get a more balanced debate going about it.

[dsc]

42. but of course when she did the same thing on the bancrupcy bill

which would have passed with or without her vote she is satan incarnate.

[Armstead]

45. Difference i that if Sanders had thought the ACA was truly destructive....

he would voted against it. His main objection has been that it doesn't go far enough.

And, BTW, Clinton is now shifting the blame for that vote onto a potential rival. How principled:


http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/09/17/clinton-defends-bankruptcy-vote-from-senate-career-saying-biden-played-a-role/


And now she is shifting the blame to Biden.

When I got to the Senate, I wanted to see some changes so that alimony and child support would be protected, and so I negotiated those changes and then the people who had been handling the bill said, ‘Well, if we take your changes, you have to support it,’” Clinton said. “That’s the way the Senate works.

“And so I said ‘It’s really important to me that we don’t hurt women and children, so I will support it even though there are other things I don’t like in it,’” Clinton continued. “And it was Vice President Biden, who was the senator from Delaware, and the Republican co-sponsor that I was talking with, so I said I’d support it even though I’d opposed it before.”

[sabrina 1]

50. Bernie would have FOUGHT for Single Payer. He's a fighter and that's exactly what we need right now.

Eg, not much has changed re our For Profit HC system other than Ins corps can't deny people with a pre condition.

Now the question is why was it EVER possible for them to do that?

My guess is Bernie would made that a totally separate issue, which it should have been. That was no 'gift' to us, it was a crime that it was ever allowed and shows how corrupt our system is.

So they USE something they never should have gotten away with to tell us 'look what we got for you'. Seriously?

Sometimes I think Americans for the bluster are like abused spouses, so used to being abused by their government that whey it gives them something that is THEIRS to begin, they tell us how lucky we are!

Well guess what, we really are not that stupid. And now they are finding out just how angry the people are. I guess they thought that once the force something down our throats, tie it all up with a nice little bow, 'they'll get over it'. WRONG which seems to be coming as a shock to them.

[JoePhilly]

55. Explain how Bernie gets Lieberman to vote YES.

I'll spot you all of the other Blue Dog Dems.

Bernie is President, explain how he gets Lieberman to vote YES.

Please proceed.

[Bjorn Against]

14. Just look at the issues she sided with the Republicans on in the past

Hillary reached across the aisle to stand with George W. Bush and pass the Iraq War resolution, the Patriot Act, No Child Left Behind, and the NDAA.

Hillary has already shown she will give the Republicans what they want on these issues, if she becomes President I have no doubt she will work with Republicans to give us more laws that harm the American people.

[DanTex]

15. I think it would be gridlock either way. However, I think that Hillary would be more effective

at maneuvering withing that gridlock, working with Dems in congress to peel some Reps to their side, putting pressure on the GOP, etc. She and her team just know the ropes better, and Bernie's gonna come out with proposals like Single Payer which will go nowhere.

[JoePhilly]

19. I tried to explain this same basic point up above.

The OP doesn't seem to be listening.

[karynnj]

34. He also came up with things like his VA bill ... that eventually passed

This is bigger than anything that HRC passed in her years as Senator. At this point, they have about the same number of years as Senator - HRC from 2001 to 2009 - 8 years; Bernie from 2007 to the present - 8 years, 9 months.

[arcane1]

28. I've been patiently waiting for months for a straight answer to that question.

Don't get your hopes up.

[karynnj]

32. Repealing the Cadillac Tax of Obama care

which if passed would destroy the revenue base behind the subsidies.

You might add more military action when and where the issues come up - whether it be Syria, Iran or somewhere we are not focussed on. Remember as Rubio said in the debate the reason he and other Republicans were against attacking Syria in 2014 - was Obama spoke of a limited attack - Rubio said the US does not do pin prick attacks. That might not be a problem with HRC,

[LondonReign2]

37. Agree. Poster upstream cited repealing the Cadillac tax as if it would be a good thing

And that is indeed a perfect example of the things Clinton would agree with the GOP on.

[dsc]

43. if you care about union workers

especially those in dangerous occupations then the cadillac tax is a disaster. It was a McCain idea it should be noted. Many, many, many union members have forgone pay increases to get, not cadillac health care, but health care that doesn't cost them a fortune in deductibles and copays. You would basically giving them a 2000 per person dollar tax increase. Thus a worker with a family of 4 would now be faced with an 8k tax increase.

[JoePhilly]

47. My point above exactly.

The intent of that tax was good, the actual effect, not so good. It could be fixed. And that's an incremental improvement.

[dae]

33. IMO, it will not matter which if any Democrat is elected

President because they will be treated the same as Obama.
Until the BSC Wing of the GOP is out of power I see no change coming.

[MisterP]

44. of course there's only one Dem talking about that issue and that his backers will have to

be intensively involved in Senate and House primaries and generals and individual pressure ...

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

35. She got a lot of practice being a (D) Senator. See IWR for one example.

[bunnies]

39. Are you kidding? They'd be too busy with investigating her to do a damn thing. nt

[CanadaexPat]

48. School uniforms.

[frylock]

52. kicking

[PowerToThePeople]

53. TPP.

[daleanime]

54. Willing to bet she'll just compromise.....

back to her original positions. Problem solved.

[FiveGoodMen]

56. All of them.

She and the GOP already agree.