If Bernie is the nominee, this is what I'll do.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

I don't like Bernie. I like him less and less every day, and his latest tweet about fighting the "Democratic establishment" (you know, the people who gave him the chance to run for President and who will be supporting him if he gets the nomination) was the final straw. Nevertheless, if - God help us - he is the nominee, I will fight like a rabid wolverine to get him elected, because Trump.

But the attitude I will have is of a lawyer representing a client, and most definitely not that of a fanatically-devoted Bernie cultist. I practiced law for almost 20 years before going into a different line of work, and during that time I learned how to argue on behalf of clients I didn't like and whose behavior I disapproved of. I usually didn't have the luxury of picking and choosing my clients, so from time to time I represented insurance companies, sexual harassers, age discriminators, drunk drivers, embezzlers and drug dealers. I didn't like them or what they did but I was obligated by the rules of my profession to present the strongest argument possible on their behalf within the limits of the law and legal ethics. I couldn't lie - but I could spin. I learned how to slant the facts without misrepresenting them, and how to argue the law to the client's best advantage.

That's pretty much what I'll have to do with Bernie, because I don't like him, I don't like his attitude, I don't like the people who work for him, and I fear that he'll cost us the election. But as a lawyer I learned how to pull all manner of disingenuous and just barely truthful nonsense out of my own butt and I'll do it again. I'll pretend to believe that Bernie will give us all free health care and free college the minute he walks into the Oval Office and I'll spin it hard enough to generate enough electricity to power all of Vermont.

I will be like the lawyer who defends a convicted murderer on Death Row - not because she thinks the client is innocent but because she fervently opposes the death penalty. The re-election of Trump is the death penalty. Therefore I will defend Bernie with all the zeal I can muster to try to prevent the death penalty from being imposed on the Democratic Party and the American people, even though I know I will probably fail. (Angry Sandernistas: I'm not equating Bernie with a convicted murderer; I am merely equating his candidacy with that level of desperation).

But I hope I can campaign as an ordinary citizen for a candidate I believe in instead of as a cynical defense lawyer for one I don't.

[Tom Rinaldo]

1. That describes what I'll have to do if Bloomberg is the nominee, so I can relate

We all share the same slogan: Vote Blue no matter who.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Bloomberg won't be the nominee.

But if he is I could at least muster some lukewarm support.

[Tom Rinaldo]

7. I hope you're right. I couldn't

He's in the Joe Lieberman category for me, someone who Bloomberg not coincidentally supported and strongly financed against a Democratic opponent the last time he ran for Senate.

[Warpy]

150. I hope not. He did an advertising blitz on cable today

of about 4 different ads about how he's helped black folks get their businesses off the ground. That's nice, but the scale is a lot different when it comes to government and I wonder if he'll raise his own taxes to pay for it, other than the Wall Street transaction tax that we really do need.

In any case, I hope not. I will, however, vote for a flat tire, a broken toaster, a dead ficus plant or a root canal without anesthesia to get rid of this present dumpster fire of a president.

[jimfields33]

59. Me too.

[Lunabell]

77. Exactly

I won't ever stay home. This election is too vital for our democracy. I will do what I did in '16 and vote blue, no matter who.

[OliverQ]

105. Warren is my top choice, but clearly she's not getting the nomination.

The closest person to her policies is Bernie, which leaves him as the best option. I'm not a fan of some of his populist style rhetoric, but then I also understand lots of people on both sides of the aisle are tired of the status quo and the career politicians who keep protecting corporations and donors at the expense of everyone else. So I can see why Bernie's anti-establishment rhetoric resonates. It worked for Trump, and seems to be working for Bernie.

Maybe the only way to beat a right-wing populist is with a left-wing populist? No Moderate/Centrist has won the GE this century. I'm not sure that's the best option to beat Trump, but what do I know. I just want Trump gone and I don't care how it's achieved. If Bernie can get the 50% that didn't vote in 2016 to vote this time, maybe things will change.

[pnwmom]

144. That judgement is way, way premature. We have had only 4 tiny contests, including 2 caucuses.

At this point the likelihood is that this will be a brokered convention.

Who do you think the superdelegates would prefer? Biden? Warren?

Or Mr. Anti-Establishment?

[NJCher]

160. sounds like you think the superdelegates are your firewall

against "Mr. Anti-Estalishment."

[pnwmom]

162. That and all the PLEDGED delegates who will be released from their pledges

after the first round, and free to vote for someone else.

Do you think most of those delegates pledged to Biden, Klobuchar, Buttigieg, etc. will choose Bernie over someone seen as better to unite Democrats? I don't.

[NJCher]

163. I can't say what I think

'Cuz I'd get banned.

So I'll leave that to your imagination.

[cannabis_flower]

109. And I will do the same if

Biden is the nominee (or any of the others besides Elizabeth or Bernie ).

[ginnyinWI]

3. Yes. Me too in everything you said. n/t

[Zoonart]

4. THIS

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I applaud your honesty, my dear Velveteen Ocelot!

It takes real guts and intelligence to do what you're proposing!

Like you, I hope you'll be able to campaign for a candidate you believe in.

[handmade34]

6. you have expressed my sentiments exactly

...and as a Vermont resident, I will take that energy

[smirkymonkey]

28. Just curious, what is your opinion of Bernie as a Vermont resident?

I lived there for a year after college and had a run-in with him. Not a good one. I don't like him at all. Just wondering what you thought.

[handmade34]

65. he is an ok Senator

no complaints... he was able to get federal money for the rail trail that runs by my house...

I don't have a lot of personal stories... my late husband used to talk about partying with him years ago he was just another New York Hippie at that time... Bernie was in the right place at the right time and became mayor of Burlington...he did good by Burlington.

I personal am (probably) as liberal thinking as Bernie, but I don't like his demeanor, his insistence that he is "the one" who can change things... as if his ideas are new I believe he is the Democratic trump- if that makes sense...

I believe he will turn off the independent people we need in the general... trump and the Republicans have been more than clever in demonizing "socialism" and there are so many people that lack the critical thinking skills needed to understand what is and what isn't and what the hell is going on...

I don't think Bernie would be a effective leader on the world stage and I believe that (even if we get a Democratic House and Senate) Congress would have a difficult time working with him

my kids were all for Bernie in 2016 despite my, I thought, adequate upbringing... this year, they know better

I am more than happy to have Bernie continue to be my Senator... I am terrified that he will become our nominee

[disndat]

71. Is Sanders still campaigning on

medicare for all, help repay college debts. free community college for all, etc. What E. Warren tried to copy him and had her
head handed to her? Former Senate Leader Harry Reid was asked on MSNBC if medicare for all can ever get though the Senate
and he said not a chance in hell ( I paraphrase). But his supporters still believe it and Sanders is still on top of the polls.
He appeals to the less educated and vulnerable. It looks like he may go all the way to the Convention. God forbid.

[soldierant]

131. If I voted based on the chances

of my candidate, having been elected, accomplishing everything that was in their platform, I guess I would have to quit voting. Was there ever a President who accomplished everything in his campaign platform? I think not.

I believe firmly that Universal Healthcare for all, mandatory, with private insurance companies existing only yo offer luxury packages, is the way we need to go. We are not ever going to get there in a single step. But eventually. Or we are doomed. How to get there is a totally different story. But every place on earth that has it - which is nearly every place on earth, it works far better than what we have. And in many of those places it is fair just to say "it works," without qualification.

[smirkymonkey]

73. Thank you for your thoughtful post.

That's pretty much how I feel about Warren as my senator. I really like the work she is doing and I agree with most of her positions, but I'm not sure she's ready for prime time nor do I think she will do well nationally, but probably better than Bernie. I'm still undecided and will support the Democratic nominee regardless of who it is, but there is nobody who I can say I am completely 100% enthusiastic about.

P.S. I am leaning toward Joe

[David__77]

8. "Nose holding" occurs quite a bit.

I’m familiar with the idea of it.

Not to say what you reference is “holding your nose.”

[Moderateguy]

9. This...

If Bernie is the nominee, democrats in swing states will have their work cut out for them. We will need to have a massive “Bernie does not speak for us” operation to keep and gain congressional seats. We will vote for Bernie but will have to publicly disavow him to save down ballot candidates

[Rebl2]

12. I say

vote for him and then have a real Democrat run against him in his second term-if he’s still around.

[highplainsdem]

17. +1,000,000

[Skittles]

137. are you assuming he would beat Trump?

the two of them is like......I cannot even begin to imagine

[totodeinhere]

16. Actually, until we can get some polling data on how Bloomberg would affect down ticket races if he

gets the nomination I think it's premature to come to a judgement on who might either help or hurt those contests.

[Moderateguy]

19. Bloomberg will help us in TX, Bernie will not

Bloomberg will have a limited impact on down ballot races— the people he does not appeal to are in solid blue districts where the local candidates do not need coattails to win

[totodeinhere]

24. I'm glad that at least you are so sure about that.

I'm not.

[Moderateguy]

25. I live in a suburb of Dallas

And have been involved with the local democratic outreach efforts for years. Even in this blue part of a red state Bernie’s ideas are met with ridicule as unachievable. I think people in deep-blue places can not grasp the concept that all democrats are not as liberal as they are.

[The Mouth]

26. Question-

From your perspective, how does Bloomberg's anti-gun stance work down there ?

TIA

[Moderateguy]

36. It's problematic

And will cost him votes but he is still viewed more favorably than Sanders. As a gay man I’m ashamed to say that Pete would pay a heavy price for being who he is down here.

[The Mouth]

81. Thanks

since I'm both pro LGBTQI rights *and* an avid shooting enthusiast I'm not really happy with any of our candidates. I think Pete is the smartest and most honest, and I have a lot of gay friends who would be ecstatic if he won, but then I live in norcal.

[totodeinhere]

27. I am in rural Nevada and I have been involved in local precinct level politics for some time.

I know this is anecdotal but I don't know any Democrat in my community who does not support Bernie. I look for Bernie to carry at least 70% of my local precinct today.

[lynintenn]

63. Thanks, It is hard to get that point across

Rural Tennessee. We have 3 people in their 20's who regularly attend our monthly meeting who support Bernie. One is gay, another transgender Everyone else is moderate. The majority being a Biden or Bloomberg supporter. We all like Pete but don't think he can win in the South.

[JudyM]

90. Sanders seems to be, in the words of the tv talking heads, "running away with the Latino vote."

[Moderateguy]

91. Asked on 10% of the results in Nevada

All Latinos are not a monolithic block

[JudyM]

95. We'll see. He seems to be connecting with them in a way that matters.

[Catch2.2]

120. I disagree

[uponit7771]

151. Sanders has no historical swing state appeal outside of MOE, Biden has the most

[OKNancy]

10. Same here although when I vote in Presidential years it's only symbolic

My state is deep red, so it won't make a difference. The only Democrat who could beat Trump here is Bloomberg. Just got the mail. My 4th mailer from Bloomberg's campaign.

[mr_lebowski]

11. I like how you think VO ... I'll try to the do the same, but I'm sure not as well ;) (nt)

[nini]

13. I live in California

I have the luxury of writing in someone else. I will not vote for him because of who I really think he is. I will vote for any other in the field of candidates though. IF I was in a red state it would be different but I'm not thank the goddess.

[Turin_C3PO]

18. Sorry but that's ridiculous.

We need to win the popular vote by a lot also, not just the electoral college. Voting a write-in is the same as voting Trump. That was true in 2016 and will be true in 2020. Plus it’s against DU rules to state you won’t vote for the nominee.

[nini]

29. I don't care what you think

Go ahead and alert if you want. But you seemed to miss the part where I'll vote for another dem and my state is safe. Carry on.

[Turin_C3PO]

34. I didn't say I would alert.

[nini]

40. Ok but like I said

If I was in a red state where the electoral votes were a issue I would not have the luxury to do this,

[USALiberal]

72. Really silly lo! nt

[SDANation]

30. What??? What does the popular vote do for us if we don't

Win the electoral college? Living in CA is a forgone conclusion to vote democratic. Winning the popular vote DOES NOT MATTER.

[Turin_C3PO]

37. Of course we need the EC

to capture the presidency. But having a popular vote landslide would give the Democratic President more of a mandate.

[Sympthsical]

57. That's why I'd vote for Bloomberg

I hate that racist Republican. I’m in California, and I’d vote to give us the best possible mandate. It’d definitely be a swallow.

[nini]

39. Exactly my point

[Polybius]

64. Just curious but why do we need to win the popular vote as well?

It's not like it counts. With that said, I live in NY and will be voting Blue no matter who.

[lambchopp59]

93. Statistical ammunition to take aim at the corrupt electoral college.

[marlakay]

41. Why is that different than Bernie folks

Who wrote in Jill in CA last time because it didn’t matter. I had a few friends who did that. I voted for Hillary even though I felt the way you did and if we can’t all do the right thing then both sides of our party are lacking.

[Voltaire2]

42. It only matters if Sanders supporters do it.

[nini]

133. I'd still write in a Dem..

That being said.. It is not ok in any state that is not a slam dunk for the Dems.

[handmade34]

74. what I hate about the electoral college

here in Vermont I feel like my vote in the general is useless... but important to vote for all the local and state D's

[gollygee]

132. I'm in Michigan and whoever the Dem candidate is will need Michigan

I will vote blue no matter who is on the ballot. I'm not playing any games.

[totodeinhere]

14. Great. Everybody needs to pledge support for our eventual nominee no matter who she or he turns out

to be. I'm right with you. Frankly, I loath Bloomberg but I will duly vote for him in November if it comes to that.

[highplainsdem]

15. Exactly. I was on enough debate teams arguing sides I didn't agree with that I can eventually

find arguments in favor of voting for Sanders, beyond the most obvious, that he's the lesser of two evils when our opponent is Trump.

It might take me a while. And I'll need to tailor the arguments to the target.

There are people who'll need to be reassured that Sanders will have legislative guardrails on him so he can't do too much damage if he's elected.

There are people who'll need to be reminded that even though Sanders was saying and doing some very foolish things in his 30s and 40s, some people just take extra time to grow up, and most of us said plenty of foolish things before we grew up.

I just hope that if Sanders is the nominee he'll choose someone like Klobuchar as his running mate.

I'm not sure what I'll say if I have to try to explain that if a President Sanders can't serve a full term, we'll be in good hands with a President Tulsi Gabbard, or Nina Turner, or David Sirota.

[Turin_C3PO]

21. I hope, if he wins,

that he doesn’t have legislative guardrails. I like his ideas,just don’t like his personality.

[mshasta]

108. Hate bernie Attitude, rudeness, very stubborn,

With him is my way or the highway....and mostly. ....not healthy

[Lucky Luciano]

47. Not that I like her much outside her anti war views, but Tulsi as vp would peel away

...a decent number of republicans from fuckface. It would probably win actually.

Compared to fuckface, you most assuredly agree with Bernie’s ideals even though he probably can’t enact them. Fuckface’s ideals are pure evil and we are lucky that he has been too stupid to implement so much of it....that said, he has implemented a lot of damage causing craziness.

[pamdb]

50. UGH

I can't STAND Nina Turner!

[dhill926]

20. yep....

[Turin_C3PO]

22. I'll happily vote for whoever the nominee is.

Including Bloomberg, who I detest. There’s nothing better than getting Trump out of office.

[Deero]

23. your better than me

I'm dont think I have the motivation to do anything. Sanders just doesn't do anything for me.

I think he would just continue to drive a wedge in American politics like Trump does. I want a return to normal, not a revolution. I also dont need to engage in demagoguery and blame all of my problems on a group, any group, of people.

[RandiFan1290]

31. *you're

[smirkymonkey]

32. You have expressed my attitude toward him exactly.

I pretty much loathe the man. For various reasons. I don't like Bloomberg either, but I can at least think of a few positives.

Not only that, but Bernie has one foot in the grave. That is going to be a big consideration in the GE.

[Mme. Defarge]

33. The defense rests.

Brilliant!

[helpisontheway]

35. I'll give him my vote (and get my immediate family members to vote for him) but I will not lift a

finger to help his campaign. He will lose in a landslide. I will not waste my valuable time on an ungrateful man like Sanders.

[aikoaiko]

38. A lot of us have had to do the same thing in the past. Its not about feelings.

[NOVADAVE]

61. Exactly

Voting is not therapy. It’s not an individual expression. It’s a responsibility to the country and our future.

[aeromanKC]

43. Bernie VP will be key

None of Bernie policies will be enacted. He starts day one as a lame duck. Hopefully he picks someone like Abrams for VP who will replace him as #47.

[bucolic_frolic]

44. No worries

Democrats will nominate Democrats. No half-Democrats or late Democrats or part-time Democrats.

[ancianita]

45. A fair stance.

Support doesn't necessitate agreement.

Mutual support builds unity.

Increased unity increases win power, the end goal.

Win power = two new SCOTUS justices.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

46. Take heart! You can still happily support down-ballot candidates!

Do your best to prevent that death penalty while pouring your heart and soul into every down ballot candidate you truly believe in. It is not just the WH at stake. We need to preserve and protect our distributed form of government and elections.

[dflprincess]

48. My feelings ecactly.

Thanks for saying it better than I could.

[RandySF]

49. What I will do is everything I can to save the House.

[evertonfc]

51. 20%

of Democrats 8n middle America won't support Bernie.

[Mersky]

52. Fellow rabid wolverine willing to stuff it, and do my best for the ultimate nominee

Am going to cool it in the primary forum for a few days while I look at policy arguments on my own.

[ananda]

53. I've always liked Sanders and still do!

If he is the nominee, I will vote for him.

If Warren is the nominee, I will vote for her.

If a nailslug is the nominee, I will vote for it.

Period.

[Sogo]

54. I'm with you, VO.....

except I won't work for him. I won't have to....I live in a concentrated nucleus of Bernie supporters, and they will be out in full force....

I'll hold my nose and vote for him, but that's it.

[ecstatic]

55. Agreed. I really hope he doesn't choose Tulsi as VP

if he wins the nomination. I'd still vote for them, but would probably end up retching before reaching my car.

[Mersky]

62. Oof.

I don't like that ticket one bit.

[The Wielding Truth]

56. I like all the candidates. I would even vote for Bloomberg to thwart Trump corruption.

[Sloumeau]

58. Not only will I bookmark this, but I may print it out and hang it on the wall. :)

This, pretty much, word for word, describes how I feel about a Senator Bernie Sanders nomination. I prefer Joe Biden, but I could definitely live with Klobuchar, Warren, Buttigieg, and even Steyer. I could even adjust to Bloomberg, though that would be tough. The reason that I could handle all of them was that I would feel that they each would have some chance of winning--of beating Donald Trump. There is no way a Socialist is getting into the White House in 2020, short of Donald Trump going on a shooting rampage in an elementary school while he snorts coke with cameras recording it.

[Progressive2020]

60. Fair Enough

I think that the OP is quiet reasonable. There are candidates I do not like much (Bloomberg), but if they get the nomination, I will vote for them and work for their win against Trump. I am glad to see an anti-Sanders person that is at least reasonable, which this OP is, I think.

[Heartstrings]

66. +1000

Vote blue no matter who...anything else and we have another 4 years of hell!

[world wide wally]

67. Here is what the Bernie Bangers will never understand...

ALL of Bernie's support is out there already because you want to win the primary so badly. You are barely making it in the primaries... This will never work inthe general election. Sorry

[Rilgin]

116. Which may mean.

Which may mean that the other candidates support is so weak and so unenthusiastic that they wouldn't even come out for the primary and you think they will come out in the general under your type of analysis. Actually, Bernie getting support in these states means that Democrats like him despite the people on this site assuming that somewhere between all and a majority of people mirror their opinions on policy and the electorate.

Bernie has been a very popular national figure since 2016 when he went from a popular senator amongst almost all liberal democrats but little known recognition in the general population.

[world wide wally]

130. I can only wish you the best of luck...

but I can't help but feel but fear the worst.
ANYBODY needs an actual political party behind them these days

[yaesu]

68. Ok, putin & tRump have really stirred things up on DU the last few days, their cyber war seems to be

working as planned, create party division, undercut the top candidates, help tRump steal 4 more years. But, I believe those here with hurt feelings, who fell for the propaganda will take a time out, looks at the big picture, who is the real enemy & vote & support whomever becomes our nominee.

[Gothmog]

69. I will support the nominee of the party

I hate trump and will support the nominee of the party. I

[DanieRains]

70. If Anyone Including A Ham Sandwich Is The Nominee Running Against Trump This Is What I Would Do

I would walk through a thousand miles of burning forest fires to vote for them.

After phone banking for and donating to them.

Our parts goes from Bernie Sanders to Joe Manchin. There is a lot of ideological ground there. They want to be / represent Democrats. That is simply the way it is. No box fits any one of us Democrats. That is why we all rock.

[grantcart]

75. If Bernie is the nominee I plan on following Bernie's actions and . . .

Leave the Democratic Party.

I was an undefeated championship debator and loved debating both sides. Lots of fun that was a game.

I have seen up close how populists destroy confidence in government by over promising and under delivering.

I have seen how governments are destroyed by massive debt and cynicism becomes the order of the day.

I have seen how unrealistic populist schemes bankrupt the poor and the suicides that follow.

Fifty years I have fought for the Obama wing of the party with sensible achievable and sustainable change that builds confidence in government.

I will continue to work for individual candidates but the complete and utter destruction of a Republican landslide by a crook like Nixon was a once in a lifetime experience and I will not be hanging around for McGovern 2.0.

What makes this 100 times more aggravating than McGovern is we saw what happens when the US population is frightened by economic authoritarianism, they will vote for a crook first, but we had to take McGovern after Bobby was shot, in this case we have a dozen competent alternatives including Senator Warren who has made strong economic reform the mainstay of her campaign

The inability of the country to not choose Hillary over Trump will not be understood in the future and simply labeled political sexism at the highest level. Anyone choosing the wild Sanders over the realistic, competent and progressive Warren is simply doing the same.

As an independent I will vote against Trump but not for Sanders.

As a student of history I will witness the self destruction of the Democratic Party by nominating someone who has an active hatred for the party to lead it with detached objectivity.

As the US slides into despotic rule I will acknowledge how wrong I was. I always thought it would be the result of a radical religious movement and not by the antics of an illiterate carnival barker who aspired to become another Hugh Heffner.

By the way I loved him as a Senator. That angry voice had a use.

Bernie Sanders, the man who wanted to primary Obama will never unite the Democratic Party.

[Old Terp]

110. Before doing my taxes I looked at the tax rate for those European countries Bernie wants to emulate.

Around 50% before you toss in the Value Added Tax. I suppose there are also local taxes. That should really go over well in the burbs. How does the line in the song go: Tax the rich, feed the poor till there are rich no more.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

112. Denmark's top marginal rate is 60%, not counting the VAT.

[highplainsdem]

113. And Denmark's taxes also do not cover all health care costs, according to what I read on Wikipedia.

Expect to pay close to a thousand a year per person in additional health care costs, and more than that if you want any say at all in who your doctor is, as opposed to accepting the doctor the government assigns you to (a few hundred people per doctor).

[highplainsdem]

114. I understand how you feel. I believe Sanders will be a disaster for the Democratic Party, and that

in turn will be a disaster for the country.

[yardwork]

158. As a student of history, you know we are becoming what we fought.

This wave of dysfunctional populism is an echo of the "communism" the U.S. preoccupied itself with fighting, during decades when our energy would have been better spent on internal improvement.

[redstatebluegirl]

76. Thank you for saying what I have been thinking.

I really dislike Bernie, that mess yesterday sealed the deal for me. But we can't have another 4 years of Trump.

[rzemanfl]

78. Excellent post. I lasted 25 years. n/t

[jimlup]

79. I like Bernie and the others enough to fall firmly in line ...

We must come together no matter what to defeat Trump.

[El Supremo]

80. I guess I'd vote just like many Repub congressmen did...

in the Impeachment Trial - for my party's choice no matter how bad I think he is.

[Prue]

82. UGH!!!!

Last edited Sat Feb 22, 2020, 05:34 PM - Edit history (1)

I'll focus on getting McConnell and the other traitors to America voted out of Congress and States.

[Skittles]

139. I agree with your original statement

yes indeed

[Prue]

156. We all have to be politicians sometime in our lives (grin)

[CaptainTruth]

83. Well said indeed. I feel the same way.

[New Breed Leader]

84. What's tragic is that Bernie cultists won't do the same

I've seen several tweets from Bernie bros who said if Bernie isn't the nominee they won't vote. Even worse, some of them said they'd vote for Trump. These people are insane.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

87. That's the dilemma. If someone like Biden or Buttigieg is nominated

the Bernie cult - the entitled white boys cosplaying Che Guevara and the elderly Marxists who've never recovered from their SWP meetings in the '60s - will stay home wallowing in their delusions of ideological superiority and nursing their snit. If Bernie is nominated, the cult will be out in force trying to browbeat and troll everybody else, but will the people who have been "establishment" Democrats all their lives respond positively to being told that the establishment sucks and vote for him despite his disdain for them and the other "establishment" people - JFK, Obama, Hillary - they've always respected so much?

[McKim]

134. My Concern is War and More War

My concern is War and More War. We have wasted trillions on wars abroad and military bases. I am supporting Warren and Sanders because I know they see the wasted money and the suffering of struggling families. They get that our military budget is bloated. War and the military budget is the elephant in our Livingroom and why we can’t have nice things, or so we are told. Losing a family member in Vietnam for a lie taught me a lot.

[Boulevardier]

149. Smearing Sanders voters is probably not a good look.

"the entitled white boys cosplaying Che Guevara and the elderly Marxists who've never recovered from their SWP meetings in the '60s - will stay home wallowing in their delusions of ideological superiority and nursing their snit."

But I bet it felt good.

[New Breed Leader]

166. Neither is smearing Democrats.

[David__77]

165. Someone in this thread says they won't vote for Sanders if the nominee.

...

[mzmolly]

85. Well stated.

[Arazi]

86. You realize many of the 2016 Bernie supporters did exactly that for Hillary

"But I hope I can campaign as an ordinary citizen for a candidate I believe in instead of as a cynical defense lawyer for one I don't."

I hope this helps DUers understand how Sanders' supporters felt in 2016 and can help bridge understanding.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

88. True. But many did not, and voted for Jill Stein instead.

[Arazi]

89. More PUMAs did that to Obama than Sanders' supporters did with Hillary nt

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

96. 12 percent of people who voted for Sanders in the 2016 primaries voted for Trump in the GE.

'One other figure ... stuck out to Schaffner: Compared with those numbers above, Clinton 2016 voters were remarkably loyal — "I found basically no Clinton primary voters who voted for Trump," he told NPR.' https://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545812242/1-in-10-sanders-primary-voters-ended-up-supporting-trump-survey-finds

[Sparkly]

118. Thank you.

Clinton whole-heartedly gave her support, and urged her supporters to support, Obama.

[octoberlib]

92. I'll vote for him and then vociferously call for him to be primaried if he runs

for re-election. And we'll probably have to do a lot of work to re-take the House and Senate.

[Demsrule86]

94. I will work to save the House and pray that we manage to do so...we are going to lose the general...

if Sanders is the nominee so my focus will be on the house...will vote blue no matter who...first election I have not worked in many years at the presidential level. We must save one branch of government.

[YOHABLO]

97. It took you four paragraphs to say: I'll vote for Bernie although I hate him.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

98. I wanted to explain why.

Some people will stay home rather than vote for someone they don't like. I wanted to explain how and why I think I will be able to work hard for someone I don't like, that I think will lose, and who would suck as president even if he won.

[YOHABLO]

100. Knock yourself out then.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

101. Well, this is an Internet message board for politics and we're allowed to do that.

In fact, that's what it's for, isn't it? If you don't like my sincere explanation of how I view this election you are quite welcome to ignore it.

[YOHABLO]

103. Like I said: knock yourself out. I also have a right to read what you wrote.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

104. I'm not stopping you. Suit yourself.

[greenjar_01]

107. ROFL

What the fuck?

[lambchopp59]

99. Just do vote blue no matter.

I take offense to some of the denigrating posts here, supporting candidates who aren't Mr Perfect either. I'm in the extended bay area of Cali, and I can name a full dozen young people who will go out and vote for Bernie, otherwise could not care less and likely sit the election out.
I don't have a lot of patience for lukewarm politicians, and get really angry at anyone attempting to draw comparison lines from Bernie to Trump. Holy crap that's truly childish. We need to pull some Trumpers who are only voting for a radical element. Certainly Bernie will not attract the chawtobaccy gun nuts that no recourse than stupidity exists.

[greenjar_01]

102. He won't see dime one from me

I'll donate to DCCC in hopes of mitigating his disaster.

[Shoonra]

106. I like Bernie ....

... but if someone else gets the nomination I will gladly vote for that candidate that isn't named Trump.

[MontanaMama]

111. +1 TVO.

Thoughtful OP and thank you for writing it. I especially like the term "Angry Sandernistas"

The biggest disappointment for me is that Montana's primary isn't until June. The nomination will most likely be decided by then....fairly anticlimactic. I'll still vote my heart and it won't be for Bernie. He clearly doesn't value Democrats. He tells us so every damned day.

[ewagner]

117. Do you give lessons?

Because if that angry old socialist gets elected I'm going to need some instructions in how to keep my game face on.

[Sparkly]

119. I am in a very safe state.

For the first time in my life, I might be tempted to vote for someone not on the Democratic ticket. At least then I could still keep my record of never having voted for anyone BUT Democrats all my life.

If it's within cheating distance (10 points), first I'll vomit, then I'll join you on the campaign trail to defeat Trump, and "win" or lose, I'll cry for the country.

[AirmensMom]

143. Is any state really safe anymore?

We need every vote we can get for our candidate, knowing that the cheaters will cheat and plenty of people with "vote their conscience" like last time. I'll hold my nose and vote for Bernie if it comes to it, even though I'm in a reliably red state.

[warmfeet]

121. Thank you.

This is what we need. The alternative is very, very bad, as you well know.

I will vote for a dried up dog turd over the orange asshole. I will do everything in my power to elect an asparagus plant over the orange asshole. It has been said countless times before but, our very lives may very well depend on this upcoming election. I am not a Bernie fan either, but I will do everything in my power to help him get elected if he is the successful nominee.

[krny9]

122. Ah, good

It is nice of you not to take your ball and go home 😊

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

123. You mean like 12% of Bernie's supporters did in 2016?

No, I wouldn't do that. I'll vote for the nominee.

[paleotn]

124. Well said. Not my first choice...

Not second, third or even fourth. BUT!...IF he is the nominee, and that's one big ass if at this point as NO ONE HAS A GODDAMN CRYSTAL BALL, he has my vote in the general. No ifs, ands or buts about it. Sorry folks, but the land of ponies and unicorns doesn't fucking exist. Life is full...fucking full!...of times you don't get your way and have to hold your nose and and do something you may not like to ensure something far fucking worse doesn't happen. Sorry, but it's about goddamn time a whole fucking bunch of people grew the fuck up, slipped on their big boy or big girl panties and acted like well functioning, rational fucking adults.

Rant off.

[badhair77]

125. VO, you must have been reading my mind.

I’ll be voting AGAINST trump, not FOR sanders even though that is who will be receiving my vote. Anyone but trump. Thank you for explaining it so well.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

127. You must have found it interesting enough to bother to comment,

even if with just a smiley.

Guess I got under your skin, huh?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

129. Yet you found it interesting enough to comment.

If I find a post boring I don't bother with it. If it bugs me, though, I might.

The whole point of a political message board is to provide a forum for its members to pontificate; thus I did.

Bugged ya, didn't I? Somebody doesn't like Bernie, OH NOES!

[Kali]

135. I don't dislike him at all

and like President Obama kept trying to tell people, WE are the ones that get stuff done. If Sanders is the nominee we have the power to move him in whatever direction we decide, and if we just mobilize and freaking VOTE we can get that piece of shit out of the White House and a bunch of them out of the Senate too. If Sanders becomes President, We still have to keep working. We have to do that no matter WHO wins!

I find the doom and gloom over a candidate getting a lot of support kind of puzzling.

[cstanleytech]

136. I intend to support whatever choice we make for a Democratic nominee fully as well because

whether its Warren, Biden, Bernie or Pete they would all be better than the motherfucking shit stain that is currently the President.

[IndyOp]

138. Maybe we should get rabid wolverine t-shirts! Blue, no matter who.

[AllyCat]

140. Blue no matter who.

[dlk]

141. Well said

[redqueen]

145. I like Bernie. The way you feel about Bernie is how I feel about Bloomberg.

I just don't feel the need to harp on it constantly.

Anyway yeah - same as you, but about the Bush supporter.

[Doitnow]

146. Bernie has said all along that no one person can accomplish all that he proposes....

he needs millions of people to help him, it's the only way big things get done---from the bottom up, not top down. I think those are his very words. He, nor any other person. I am for him because if you ask for a lot, you get something. If you ask for a piddly little, you get nothing. We expect a lot of our children, we expect a lot of our country and we expect a lot of our presidents, but we have to help. Something like what John Kennedy would say.

I had a hard time voting for Hillary and I thank everyone who will do the same for Bernie, and for the country, for that matter. I know how hard it is. We can help Bernie win over that horror that is in the White House. Vote, Vote, Vote Blue, no matter who.

I've listened to Bernie from before the 2016 election on the Thom Hartmann Program, enduring the blatant avoidance of even his name mentioned on tv in both campaigns. He answered questions from all comers for an hour every week for about 10 years----that's why he is so good at debates. He is a good and decent man besides. He's tRump's worst fear, that's why he made it look like Biden was his nemesis. I have faith in him.

[notinkansas]

147. Whatever.

A truly progressive candidate is exactly what this country needs. Sanders or Warren.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

148. Didn't I just say I'd work my butt off to get him elected if he's the nominee?

I don't have to like him and I'd rather work my butt off for Warren or Biden but what I care about is defeating Trump. Whatever comes after that will be a huge improvement and that's what matters.

[NNadir]

152. If forced to vote for one less objectionable fool over a massively objectionable fool...

...the choice is obvious.

My son objects to Michael Bloomberg saying that Michael Bloomberg is a wealthy racist.

My response is, "...and...?"

[uponit7771]

153. If you dislike Sanders the middle will hate him IE his lack of swing state appeal outside of MOE

[mdbl]

154. I will just say this,,

Here's what i prefer about the candidate I am supporting (insert your preferences here) and I will vote for whoever is the Democratic nominee and just leave it there. I can spend all day telling you why I don't like your choice but it won't change the end result and might even be a catalyst for apathy.

[MarianJack]

155. You just NAILED it.

He is also a guaranteed landslide loser with Goldwater/McGovern/Mondale written all over him.

K&R!

RESIST!

[yardwork]

157. Well said. This is pretty much exactly how I feel.

[Loki]

159. What if Bernie picks Tulsi Gabbard as his VP?

I've had this nagging, uncomfortable thought that this is what we will be faced with. I hope to god it won't come true.

[NJCher]

161. you represent yourself as a professional in argumentation

yet you say this:

I'll pretend to believe that Bernie will give us all free health care and free college the minute he walks into the Oval Office and I'll spin it hard enough to generate enough electricity to power all of Vermont.

Not even the kids think Bernie will get them free tuition the minute he walks into the Oval Office. I'm a teacher and I know this firsthand from students. Everyone knows it's a process. All we get with Bernie is a seat at the table for our views. Never before have we had anyone argue for us for Medicare for all, for bailing students out of lifetime debt, et al.

You lost me with this overplay.
Cheap shot.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

164. I was making a point using a bit of hyperbole,

which is also a standard method of rhetoric. However, it is also true that there are plenty of people out there who are completely ignorant about how our government works and who therefore really do believe that a president can implement his policies all by himself without the involvement of Congress. Many people don't understand that it's a long, complex process and that it might fail completely, which is why candidates get away with making promises they can't keep.