Grayson, Grijalva, and Gutierrez think Bernie can win

[portlander23]

The Hill: Democrats: Sanders unelectable

Rep. Alan Grayson (D-Fla.), a 2016 Senate candidate who has not endorsed a primary contender, characterized Sanders as one of Congress's most effective legislators, saying all claims that he's unelectable are "politically motivated attacks" designed to undermine his bid.

"Bernie has the appeal of being able to demonstrate to people that he can get good things done. He is not some kind of liberal stick figure; he's someone who has a record of actual accomplishment," Grayson said. "If Bernie's the nominee, then Bernie very likely will be the next president of the United States."

Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) echoed that message, warning that Democrats, by doubting Sanders' viability as a candidate, risk undermining the party's agenda.

"The expectation that he will fade, I think, is not true because the agenda he's putting forward, instead of tamping down momentum, it's increasing momentum. … He's ignited the base in a way that we haven't been able to do for six years," said Grijalva, the head of the Progressive Caucus who has not yet endorsed in the primary. "So I would be very careful to marginalize the man. Because in a sense then you're marginalizing the message."

Asked why Sanders hasn't won any Democratic endorsements, Grijalva predicted that would soon change.

"It'll come," he said.

Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.) predicted Sanders' support would only grow as people become more familiar with his message. He said Sanders is doing "a great job" making the case for the Democrats policy platform — "and articulating it better than Hillary Clinton, too."

In spite of the headline, Mr. Sanders does have colleagues who think he's electable.

I think Mr. Grayson is partially right when he refers to the "doubt" that Bernie can win is a political attack. In many cases it is, but I'll bet you there are a lot of establishment Democrats who truly believe that Americans won't respond to a progressive agenda.

At some point they'll have to reconcile that belief with Mr. Sander's popularity.

[dae]

1. Great article, thank you for sharing!

2 BIG

[Capt.Rocky300]

2. I heard Grijalva had hitched his wagon.....

to HRC's star. Do I remember correctly that he actually had snubbed Bernie not too long ago?

[truebluegreen]

3. I think you're thinking of Gutierrez

who was talking smack back in June about Bernie maybe not liking immigrants. http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/244696-house-dem-im-not-sure-bernie-sanders-likes-immigrants

I've thought of him as a Hillary surrogate, but either I'm wrong...or he has changed his tune.

[Capt.Rocky300]

4. Thanks for refreshing my memory....

I'm getting old and forgetful.

[merrily]

9. No one can remember all. Too much data, not enough storage space. That's why *God* made Mr. Google.

[truebluegreen]

15. no problem

[sabrina 1]

5. I remember that re Gutierrez. And he was slammed for making that remark. Still is

whenever people see the attempt to use the word 'Socialist' against Bernie, which isn't working anyhow, since most voters now don't view it the way the old cold warriors want us to view it.

He claimed not to remember who Bernie was, saying something like 'oh, the Socialist'

Interesting that he appears to remember who he is now.

Maybe he's just an opportunist and wants to be with the winning team which he thought was going to be Hillary.

A Latino columnist from Huffpo tore him apart for that remark airc.

He and a couple of other Dems had gone after Bernie. ALL received so much backlash they've been pretty quiet since.

[merrily]

10. Word was, Gutierrez wants to replace Rahm as Mayor of Chicago.

That is one hell of a machine. He is not going to become Mayor by alienating the DNC or the Clintons or any establishment Democrats.

I'd so much rather see Chuy replace Rahm, but maybe that is too much for which to hope.

[Jack Rabbit]

6. "there are establishment Democrats who believe that Americans won't respond to a progressive agenda"

In their case, that's called wishful thinking. Bernie's rise in the polls proves that it is only wishful thinking on their part.

[Left Coast2020]

7. Bernie's possible nomination is getting better by the day.

BTW, does anyone have the full interview segment of Bernie on Colbert last night?

[Milliesmom]

8. I think that everyone that supports Mr.Sanders, "Bernie " should

Identify themselves as Democratic Socialists, why? because we all support what it stands for. I'm proud that I am, we all should, then maybe the Republicans will stop screaming and pulling their hair out if everyone calls themselves a DS.

http://www.dsausa.org/

[merrily]

11. Great idea. After Bernie announced, I realized that I am probably a Democratic Socialist.

And also that most Americans also probably are.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12779483

[Milliesmom]

16. I agree,

pass it on.

[merrily]

17. I have, I do and I will.

[merrily]

12. Portlander, I must disagree. Polls show that Americans are liberal on issues and pols know polls.

maybe better than they know anything else.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/12777036

Knowing what Americans want doesn't even require polls. It's not rocket science. The want their families in decent housing, eating nutritious food, breathing breathable air and drinking potable water. They want reasonable access to good health care at an affordable cost. They want their kids to get a good education from pre-school or kindergarten forward, to college, if necessary, without being under huge debt when they enter the workplace.

The idea that message board posters know these things better than do politicians is a myth of which we must rid ourselves.

It's personal ambition and cupidity, not stupidity or cowardice.

[merrily]

13. Grayson "characterized Sanders as one of Congress's most effective legislators" Remember this.

"But, can Sanders really get anything done?" Yes, he can, he has and he does.

I used to think Grayson himself was mostly bloviation, but then I learned that he writes a lot of desirable (to me) amendments that become law. Same with Sanders, but Sanders also writes bills that become law.

Some of Bernie's accomplishments. http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251605502

[LiberalElite]

14. I suggest that Sanders supporters all

tell their elected reps that they intend to vote for Bernie no matter what. None of this "oh we'll vote for whoever" bullshit. "Oh, don't worry Establishment we'll fall in line." That IMHO just weakens our case. They should find out sooner rather than later what support is out there for him - as if all those thousands who turn out for an unknown socialist from little bitty Vermont don't mean anything - WE DO!