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2016 Postmortem
Showing Original Post only (View all)Five Things People Should Stop Saying about Bernie Sanders [View all]
Five Things People Should Stop Saying about Bernie Sanders
Establishment Democrats want him to stop criticizing Clinton, they want him to lay off the party, they want him to drop out. Heres why theyre utterly wrong
by Trevor Timm
May 20, 2016
It seems to be open season on Bernie Sanders in the Democratic party now that his chances of winning the nomination are dwindling. But the criticism of him is misguided and hypocritical, and he is doing the right thing by largely ignoring it.
Heres a breakdown of what the partys establishment is saying and why it makes little sense.
1. Bernie should stop criticizing Clinton!
Around this time in 2008, Clinton was still heavily criticizing the inevitable nominee Barack Obama and making divisive statements that make this primary campaign look like a walk in the park. How quickly everyone forgets (or pretends not to remember.) In fact, some of the issues Clinton once criticized Obama for are now the same issues that Sanders hits Clinton on. Clinton supporters had no problem with it then, but are now feigning being offended now.
2. Bernie should criticize Trump more!
Another common refrain. In reality, Sanders criticizes Trump all the time. In fact, he has continually used as strong or stronger language in doing so than Clinton has. He was one of the first prominent figures to dispense with the pleasantries about Trump and accused him of making racist comments months ago.
3. Stop criticizing the party!
Gee, I cant believe Sanders isnt enthused about the Democratic party! Lets see: the DNC chair is a vocal Clinton supporter who tried to hide Democratic debates on the worst nights possible for exposure, the committee cut Sanders off from its important voter database, various state party representatives have unfairly given Clinton an advantage in delegate selection processes, the party has a sweetheart fundraising deal with Clinton and they recently changed their rules to accept more money from corporate lobbyists a practice that Sanders deplores.
Its one thing to say that Sanders should lay off Clinton and focus on Trump. But saying dont criticize your party sounds like something out of Soviet Russia.
4. Bernie should drop out!
Again, lets look back at the 2008 race: the Clinton camp said she had every right to stay in the race for as long as she wants, even though it was clear that Obama would win. She even said one of her reasons was we all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California before the Democratic convention in 1968. If Sanders said something like that he would be raked over the coals (and rightly, I might add).
Its not politicians who should be dictating when Sanders drops out, thats the voters job. And Sanders, despite finding his mathematical chance increasingly dwindling, continues to win primaries. Last night he won Oregon, for example. So it seems that voters dont want him to drop out, only the politicians who are tied to the system he is constantly criticizing do.
5. Sanders supporters are out of control!
Certainly the behavior of a few Sanders supporters crossed the line in Nevada last week, which Sanders himself has acknowledged. But the lengths the Clinton camp and the media has gone to turn this election into a referendum on who has the better behaving supporters really has taken away from the important issues the candidates were debating.
The Clinton camp also seems to have conveniently forgotten that the phenomenon known as Pumas, hardcore Clinton supporters who were so intent on not supporting Obama after the 2008 Democratic primaries that they literally named their contingent Party Unity My Ass. And surprise, surprise, after a few months that controversy was largely ancient history and Clinton supporters overwhelmingly voted for Obama, because the other general election candidate was much worse.
Read the full article at:
http://www.commondreams.org/views/2016/05/20/five-things-people-should-stop-saying-about-bernie-sanders
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Yes, he is $22 million in debt after he tries to pay back the donors contributions over the limit.
Thinkingabout
May 2016
#5
Do you have a link to this info? Some might think it was pulled out of an orifice near you!
imagine2015
May 2016
#9
Will you stop saying negative things about Hillary Clinton? What makes Sanders so special?
asuhornets
May 2016
#2
"He was one of the first prominent figures to dispense with the pleasantries about Trump"
Ash_F
May 2016
#3
I could, but it's not my objective to debate or convince anyone to my point of view.
Lil Missy
May 2016
#18
I remember 2008 being a bit on the nasty side on Hillary's part...that she had every right to
Frustratedlady
May 2016
#13