Bernie Sanders's Staffers Want Him to Be Less Grumpy

[comradebillyboy]

Grumpy has always been Bernie Sanders’s brand. But now that he’s running for president to win, his advisers keep pushing him to soften up.

snip

This time around, his aides at least feel like they can take advantage of Sanders’s name recognition: He was the choice of 26 percent of likely voters, ahead of Joe Biden with 22 percent, in a University of New Hampshire poll from last week of the first primary state. But recent polling isn’t all positive: An NBC/Wall Street Journal national survey found that the least popular characteristics voters want in a nominee are being over 75 and being a socialist.

There are internal challenges, as well. Sanders has carried a grudge against Tad Devine, the consultant who helped design his 2016 campaign. The two had a falling out because Devine wanted the senator to more quickly endorse Hillary Clinton. They haven’t spoken for two years—and Devine and the other partners in his firm severed ties with the Sanders campaign last week over differences in operational philosophy. On The View last week, Sanders rejected the suggestion of getting advice on the campaign this time around from Clinton. On Sunday in Selma, Alabama, appearing with Clinton at an annual civil-rights breakfast, he only briefly acknowledged her and shook her hand so quickly as he left the stage that some in the room missed the interaction entirely.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2019/03/bernie-sanders-tries-soften-his-imagine-campaign/584116/

[emulatorloo]

1. Interesting. It was always my impression that Devine was the sane and rational one

Sanders 2016 supporter here, I blame Jeff Weaver for not broadening Bernie’s base. All that hot-headed ideologue did was toss out blood read meat to Bernie’s core supporters. He did nothing to build coalitions.

I remember Tad Devine disappearing towards the end of the campaign, after Weaver and Sanders (?) came up with the lamebrained idea of trying to flip delegates and take it all the way to the convention. Maddow asked Devine about that and he said no, that is not gonna happen.

After I saw that interview, seems like Devine was exiled

[comradebillyboy]

3. Devine was the cool headed pro on that team.

[Cha]

13. Yeah, who knew Tad Devine cared

so much about our country.

[Me.]

39. Not Me

Maybe he's just worried about his brand...

[dogman]

7. Manafort's partner Devine?

Not too long ago detractors were claiming that Devine was Bernie's Russia connection because their firm worked wit Ukrainian oligarchs. Which is it? Hero or villain?

[emulatorloo]

8. Why are you attacking me? My post contains my opinion of Devine.

I personally feel bad he was reduced to working in the Ukraine after serving on losing campaigns in the US. I watched him for years on Hardball panels. He’s nothing like that corrupt criminal Manafort.

That he wasn’t chair in 2016 rather than Weaver was a big mistake imho.

I’m not responsible for the opinions of others.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

20. When Tad Devine is considered a campaign's "sane and rational one" things don't look so good.

Agreed?

[Hassin Bin Sober]

43. Yep. Bizarre. Last week he was the devil.

Any port in a storm I guess.

[emulatorloo]

53. What is wrong with you? This is the second time I've caught you lying about my posts

and smearing me.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211841745#post19

I have never called Tad Devine “the devil” and my opinion of him has never changed when it comes to his role in the Sanders campaign:

If he had been campaign manager rather than that ideologue Weaver, Bernie would have come closer to winning the nomination.

I have never likened him to Manafort, he is nothing like that venal crook.

Stop lying about me and misrepresenting my posts.

You may be able to intimidate and bully other DU’ers but those tactics don’t work with me.

[calimary]

15. While I'm no fan of Tad Devine, he had a good point to make.

If indeed he did advise Bernie to campaign for Clinton sooner than he wound up doing, the senator should have taken his advice. It certainly would have shown magnanimous good sportsmanship. That’s something that STILL rankles some Hillary supporters (like me).

It’s also something that’s mighty hard to forget.

[forklift]

2. I'd rather have the staffers working on

producing Bernie's tax returns for the people to analyze.

#whatishehiding

[Cha]

6. Yeah, Where are they?

[calimary]

11. BOOM!

Indeed. Where ARE his tax returns? I’m sorry, but the same complaint can VERY fairly AND legitimately be raised here as we all have raised against trump - who STILL hasn’t released HIS tax returns!

Where were the senator’s tax returns last time? We never got to see them. Why not? Was there something to hide in there? Was there something he didn’t want America to see? Shouldn’t we know everything about our candidate(s) and have all our questions answered before we take the big leap and vote for them?

I hope he coughs them up this time. He’d better. Otherwise the same questions will pop back up again. And rightly so.

[TexasTowelie]

51. Sometime.

[jrthin]

30. Amen on that. I am not holding my breath though.

[still_one]

4. LOL

[emulatorloo]

5. C'mon, I'm sure the Weaver/Turner Charm School will transform Senator Sanders in no time.

[Cha]

14. Snap!

[still_one]

17. Ah, finishing school

[peggysue2]

35. Hahahaha!

Yes an injection of Weaver/Turner, please! That'll do the trick for sure. Morph Mr. Grumpy into the renewed and improved Mr. Grumpy: grumpiness with a half-smile or curled lip.

[Maru Kitteh]

9. Yeah, because he's going to change his whole personality at his age?

Seriously?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

10. Maybe the staffers should work for someone less grumpy.

I don't think they're going to make big personality changes in Bernie.

[NurseJackie]

12. It won't fool me. I've seen the "real" Bernie Sanders and he's not for me.

I'm not impressed with him. I prefer a candidate who doesn't need a "makeover" and who doesn't need to be "re-defined" or "re-introduced" (if you know what I mean.)

[calimary]

16. Yep.

[Autumn]

18. I've seen the "real" Bernie Sanders and he's just fine

[NurseJackie]

21. I have higher standards. Loyalty and temperament are important to me.

[Autumn]

22. I have high standards also Jackie, which is why I have supported Bernie for years.nt

[NurseJackie]

23. Mine are higher, and he doesn't meet them. I expect better from the candidate that gets my vote.

[Autumn]

24. You do?

Good luck to your candidate.

[NurseJackie]

25. Of course I do. That's why I could never support Bernie. He's not up to my standards...

24. You do?

Of course I do. That's why I could never support Bernie. He's not up to my standards in the qualities I expect the "Leader of the Free World" to possess. Other candidates are far superior in that regard.

Good luck to your candidate.

Thank you. I'm afraid I can't say the same thing in return. But... have a nice day.

[Autumn]

26. Jackie, your standards have always been clear. nt

[Hortensis]

27. But Autumn, you admire Michael Cohen because you

believe in redemption. Where would he fit into your high standards model now that he's testified against Trump? Above or below Bernie?

[Autumn]

31. Bernie has no need of redemption Hortensis. He's done nothing wrong IMO.

You drag up a post of mine in our exchange from February the senate hearing? Why? I fail to see what Cohen has to do with Bernie . I'm flattered but you aren't quite right in your statement.

Strange that you are using the word, admire, that I'm pretty sure I never used when Cohen delivered his rant to the Republicans, in February, out of context, to do whatever it is you are doing. Anyway do have a nice day Hortensis.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211869035#post25

[Hortensis]

32. Well, it was the mention of "standards" that reminded me.

Inevitably. I do remember my virtual jaw dropped at the time.

You have a nice day also, Autumn, though I suspect different suns are shining on our planets.

[NurseJackie]

28. I know. Higher.

26. Jackie, your standards have always been clear. nt

I know. Higher. (Thanks for noticing.)

We're so fortunate to have so many young and energetic and enthusiastic and highly qualified Democrats running for our party's nomination. They "check all the boxes" for me, especially in the area of integrity and honesty and demeanor.

Every one of them shines so much brighter than Bernie and I guess it makes sense that his campaign folks are starting to panic and trying to do a "makeover" of his image. It's becoming clear that Democrats will turn away from a surly and pessimistic and angry campaigns and instead are turning toward one that's the exact opposite.

All I'm saying is... it's obvious that his campaign and his style aren't resonating, and there's a reason for that. But I think that this sudden "makeover" is probably coming too late. And that's fine. You can't change a leopard's spots or a zebra's stripes. He is who he is and it looks like people are rejecting it when it comes to the highest office in the land.

[Cha]

34. ".. seen the real bernie sanders.. " Oh good god..

so have we.

[NurseJackie]

44. Sadly... "makeovers" are completely superficial.

Oh good god..

Sadly... "makeovers" are completely superficial. They're just skin-deep.

I'm no fool. And neither are the primary voters. The "novelty" of Bernie has worn thin (or worn off) for many... and that's why his campaign feels that he needs an overhaul, a "makeover", and to be "re-introduced" or "re-launched". People aren't buying what he's selling. They didn't before, and they STILL don't... and his nervous campaign staff and handlers know it too.

America expects more. America needs more. America is demanding more... and they're not looking to Sanders to deliver what our nation needs in a leader.



PS: I wonder where his tax returns are. I wonder why he and Jane are so hesitant to release them.

[Cha]

45. Exactly.. Way to Late for BS to get

to get a "makeover". It's cemented in our Democratic minds.. exactly who he is.

[Starry Messenger]

19. I still don't like Devine but that's some interesting tea

[Cha]

33. Hillary looks so comfortable and appreciative!

I love that pic of Hillary!

[Kahuna7]

38. Hi Cha! Check out this tweet. Trust me, it's a scream.

Link to tweet

[comradebillyboy]

42. Oh my...he looks pissed. I wonder why.

[Cha]

46. I love Chris Evans!! lol.. I'm screaming, too!lol

And, what's BS' problem?

Link to tweet

Mahalo for the Tweet of Hillary and Booker, Kahuna!

[Kahuna7]

50. Anytime babe. They look like a proud mama with her son there. nt

[Cha]

52. So true! I have a pic to show you

of Booker and Hillary by the Bridge but I have to leave now and don't have time.. so I'll post it when I get back.

[Kahuna7]

54. This one...

Link to tweet

[Cha]

55. YES.. That One along with This One!

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=11885619

[betsuni]

57. Ha, I like how one comment said this gave her "dark joy."

I ran across something Barney Frank said in 1991 when they first worked together: "Bernie alienates his natural allies. His holier-than-thou attitude -- saying in a very loud voice he is smarter than everyone else -- really undercuts his effectiveness." Too bad he never changed in his long political career, he might be more popular.

[Cha]

60. I remember reading what

Barney Frank had to say about his experience with BS.

From his own staff and other recorded instances evidently nothing's changed.

[Kahuna7]

37. Look at Mama with her peeps..

[Cha]

48. I like the way you put that, Kahuna!

[Starry Messenger]

56. Such a glowing picture!

She looks fantastic

[Me.]

40. Boy, Look At All The People Flocking To Be With Him

[Cha]

47. Have you seen this from Kahuna and Chris Evans, Me?

Link to tweet

[Me.]

49. I Did, But Thank You

[MrsCoffee]

29. Yeah, no this doesn't pass the sniff test.

I have a hard time believing that the guy who showed up in Mueller's report because he partnered with Manafort (the guy he partnered with to get Putin's puppet installed by creating the Orange Revolution brand which came complete with the phrase "Lock her up" ), had a falling out with Sanders and they haven't spoken in two years because Devine wanted Bernie to be nicer to Clinton.

What's next? Devine was a just a coffee boy?

[redstatebluegirl]

36. You can't change the personality of a man his age.

I don't think you can change anyone's personality, you can mask it, but it will always bubble to the surface. Bernie is a grumpy guy, that is who is is, always has been.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

41. Yep. When people try to triangulate and focus group their personalities their public perception...

... and their approval ratings suffer.

[KitSileya]

58. It's very interesting to see this article compared to Klobuchar's media coverage

"Even his loyal staff members at times feel slighted, and have learned not to expect much in the way of small talk or interest in anything but the work they’re doing. Pretty much everyone who’s worked for him does an impression of “the old man,” as many of his 2016 campaign aides referred to him, interrupting them, in his deep Brooklyn accent, to make a point of his own."

There's no wall-to-coverage of his treatment of staff even when he has admitted that he discriminated on the basis of gender and race, and that he let sexual predators work for his campaign. Klobuchar, on the other hand, has the media spending most of the time on how demanding she is, (if it's not how she eats her salad, that is) and them digging up former employees to interview. Former Sander's staffers who were sexually harassed and who were paid less have to write on Medium to get their story out.


A suggested theory? The evidence for it comes in the following paragraphs:

This has also carried over to his relationship with reporters, who have become accustomed to being dismissed or ignored by Sanders, or to having him keep fury alive for years over stories that angered him.

“Sanders’s remedy for what ails the media—uncritical, stenographic coverage of his agenda—betrays a misunderstanding of the role of a free press,” wrote Paul Heintz, the political editor of the Vermont newsweekly Seven Days, in a Washington Post op-ed last week, reflecting a sense that is familiar to many who have covered Sanders over the years. “And his dismissal of legitimate journalism not to his liking as ‘political gossip’ bears a troubling resemblance to what another politician refers to as ‘fake news.’”

Sanders treats the media like a Trump-lite, and therefore they treat him like they treat Trump, to a certain extent. The media act like abuse victims, trying to appease their abusers even at the detriment of others.

[betsuni]

59. Thank you, good point.

[Cha]

61. Excellent post, Kit!

Yeah, I'd like to see wall to wall of that. Equal time.

Mahalo!