Bernie Sanders scores his first congressional endorsement

[n2doc]

Slowly, relentlessly, Hillary Rodham Clinton has piled up one congressional endorsement after another. In all, more than 100 members of the House and Senate have announced their support for the former New York senator and Democratic presidential front-runner -- enough, laid end to end, to circle the Capitol dome many times over.

By contrast, independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has drawn massive crowds from Phoenix to Seattle to Boston but has won the public support of precisely zero of his colleagues on Capitol Hill.

That, however, is about to change, as Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva prepares to declare his support for Sanders' presidential bid. The announcement is expected Friday night when the two appear together at a Tucson rally, part of a Sanders swing through the West ahead of next week's first Democratic debate, in Las Vegas.

Grijalva, a liberal Democrat serving his seventh term representing a southern Arizona district including Tucson, is co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which Sanders -- a self-described Democratic socialist -- helped cofound as a House member in 1991.

Grijalva is also a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and is expected to help Sanders' outreach to Latino voters.

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http://www.latimes.com/nation/politics/trailguide/la-na-trailguide-10072015-htmlstory.html?update=84630991

[Scuba]

1. Excellent! Grijalva is a true progressive!

[retrowire]

2. that's excellent

and yet, the media still feels the need to stop and remind us that Bernie is a self described democratic socialist.

be sure to remind us all that Hillary is a corporatist before mentioning her name won't you MSM?

[mndemsocialist]

28. That's ok with me...

I don't mind that the media always notes that Sanders is a &quot democratic) socialist". As a democratic socialist and member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), I am absolutely delighted that we are hearing that phrase as never before. But I see your point about "corporatist" candidates in the Democratic Party.

[retrowire]

29. I mean, the term doesn't offend me.

I think I'm learning that I'm probably a socialist.

But you see the contrast here? They just HAVE to attach that label to him. It's a label that conjures confusion and fear in some unenlightened people, and that's bad enough.

[Yallow]

37. Socialism Better Than Modern American Fascism

Which is what we currently have.

Big business in bed with government having terror babies.

The poor and powerless are the ones being terrorized.

[ozone_man]

31. Good one!

Like that will happen, when you own the banks and media.

[FlatBaroque]

3. But Banker Barney is all in for Hill!!

[azmom]

4. I just knew he would step up. Woohoo!!!

Arizona for Bernie Sanders!!!

Great News!!!

[TM99]

5. Grijalva was my rep

for almost 9 years when I lived in Tucson. He is a great man and true progressive.

I am pleased as punch to see him step up. Thank you Grijalva!

[Hiraeth]

6. Finally !!

[merrily]

7. BRAVO! NH Rep Tim Smith posted on his facebook about the

enormous pressure that has been being put on Democratic politicians at all levels to endorse Hillary. For someone as prominent as Grijalva to endorse Bernie makes Grijalva a profile in political courage. Contrast this with what Gutierrez tried to do to Bernie (before he tried to walk it back).

We need to reinforce this bravery via social media. Please start liking Grijalva and tweeting good things about his endorsement. Smith said he thought it would help his colleagues see that they could be safe if they endorse Bernie.

From the facebook page of Smith (who chairs Sanders' NH campaign, which, as you know, is doing well):

# Yes, there has been enormous pressure to endorse a different candidate, but arm-twisting hasn't worked on me since middle school and did not influence my decision. Hopefully other legislators will see the enormous level of solidarity you have all given and be convinced that it's “safe” to do what's right instead of what's easy. #

http://www.democraticunderground.com/128054423

Grijalva's facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Rep.Grijalva?fref=nf


Tim Smith's facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Rep-Timothy-Smith-235121411547/timeline/

Thanks for this encouraging OP, n2doc!

[frylock]

11. Of course there's immense pressure..

Hillary's little meeting with Congressional Dems wasn't just to stop by with donuts and catch up on things.

[merrily]

12. That letter from all Congressional female Democrats, incl. Warren, a while back,

urging Hillary to run, way in advance of her announcement. Next, you'll be trying to tell me that was not a spontaneous act of Hillary love!



But, kudos to NH state Rep. Smith for putting it out there.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

8. THAT takes some courage.

I hope he is the first of many.

[demwing]

19. No one wants to be first

But now there's a crack in the dam, the water will flow.

[panader0]

9. Oh hell yeah!

Raul Grijalva is the best politician in Az. (not much competition).

[frylock]

10. Another bullshit talking point is put to rest..

big ups to Rep. Grijalva, who is indeed a true progressive.

[Scootaloo]

14. It always made me laugh.

Most of Clinton's endorsements came before anyone else was even in the race.

[frylock]

15. She and Bill were probably making phone calls immediately after the convention in 2008

[Dustlawyer]

13. I "Liked" his FB page and posted a message!

With Bernie's growing support, some politicians will take the plunge and rely on us instead of big corporate Donors. We cannot let them down!

[jwirr]

18. I have already added him to my list. I assume he is running

in 2016.

[DrBulldog]

16. Did you catch that?

Bernie's first Congressional endorsement, but what an endorsement! Latino and member of the Hispanic caucus!

The Latinos are already starting to abandon Hillary, and Grijalva may well cause a flash flood of them coming Bernie's way.

[onenote]

27. FWIW: Grijalva endorsed Obama in 2008 and his own district still went to Clinton

It's a good first step for Sanders, but I wouldn't overstate it's significance at this point in time.

[jwirr]

17. Thank you Rep. Grijalva.

[gateley]

20. About time! What's the problem with these people? Step up!! nt

[Babel_17]

21. And so it begins

I "liked" those facebook pages mentioned upthread

[geardaddy]

22. Now maybe Ellison will endorse Bernie. n/t

[Eric J in MN]

24. I hope US Rep Keith Ellision (D-MN) endorses Sanders

...since currently former governor Jesse Ventura (I-MN) is Sanders' biggest MN endorsement.

[Perogie]

23. Hillary has been campaigning since 2006

or maybe even before that. Of course she is going to have a ton of endorsements. Bernie threw his hat in the ring about 5 months ago. In that short time he has gone from a couple percentage points to a real contender.

If nothing else he's done more to change the dynamics of the primary by pushing Hillary farther left.

[Thespian2]

25. Democrats in the government seem to be scared

shitless that Bernie will win the nomination...

Thanks very much to Rep. Raul Grijalva who seems much more intelligent than most of his Democrat colleagues...

[djean111]

26. Oh, gee, I thought people were not endorsing Bernie only because they did not like him

and do not want to work with him. More bullshit.

# Yes, there has been enormous pressure to endorse a different candidate, but arm-twisting hasn't worked on me since middle school and did not influence my decision. Hopefully other legislators will see the enormous level of solidarity you have all given and be convinced that it's “safe” to do what's right instead of what's easy. #

Arm-twisting does sound about right.

[PatrynXX]

30. nothing says Washington outsider than no endorsements from others...

reminds me of 2014 when the Dems ran as far as they could from Obama and got screwed for it. One would think sticking hand in fire once would remind them but alas the skin is falling off

[madfloridian]

32. Superdelegates can and do change sides.

[LWolf]

33. The best news I've had all week. nt

[ChiciB1]

34. YEE-HA!! This Is REALLY Big Because It Means

so much more than one member's endorsement. It means THEY are willing to go "off the ranch" and buck their own Party!! UUUHHH, my own Party too!

I'm THRILLED and elated!

[punguin54]

35. That could be the first domino that starts an avalanche.

[Indepatriot]

36. First dancer on the floor....soon the joint will be jumpin'!

[McCamy Taylor]

38. "Relentlessly?" Really? Like the Terminator. The MSM just does not let up on Clinton.

[PatrickforO]

39. Yeah, baby!

Finally a member of Congress who has the guts to follow his convictions.

[Bohunk68]

40. Really good news from one of the best! Was at a discussion meeting

last night and at one point during the discussion, it came out that a majority of the persons there (10 out of 15) were Bernie supporters. Now, bear in mind, this is in one of the reddest areas of Upstate NY. It was a meeting of people who are exploring new ways of interpreting the gospel. The Christian Left on fb is an example of the type of people. Although, there are usually a few of the right among the group. I was pleasantly surprised. Both of the pastors present liked Bernie and are sending him money on a monthly basis, as I am. Let us keep up the good work. GOOOOOO BERNIEEEEEEEEEE

[Iwillnevergiveup]

41. GREAT news. But..........

wouldn't Rep. Grijalva make a great VP candidate for Bernie..? Except for the fact that Arizona and the House really need him.