Bernie Sanders Trying To Sway Progressive From Running In VT

[cali]

That's right. Bernie's trying to keep Dave Zuckerman (P) a member of the VT House, and Chairman of the Ag Committee from entering the race. Zuckerman has expressed interest in running.
This isn't exactly analagous to the Hackett/Brown affair in Ohio. It's not the national party. Zuckerman has only run an exploratory, not formally entered the race. It's not dems, but it demonstrates that politicians trying to keep other politicians happens everywhere. I like Dave Zuckerman, but I totally back Bernie pressuring him not to enter the race. Bernie is backing the dem, Peter Welch. If Dave runs, I won't be voting Progressive here in Vt. again.

[redqueen]

1. How long till people start slinging arrows at Bernie?

*checks watch*

[cali]

3. The evil DCC and DSC crowd

will ignore this. Too inconvenient. I've pointed out in a couple of threads that Senate democrats are actively supporting Bernie, giving lie to the claim that they're against outspoken anti-establishment candidates. No one wants to address it.

[redqueen]

4. I may have to change my sig ...

Geez Louise... you'd think these people would see that we have bigger fights to concern ourselves with and quit with the BS.

[mdmc]

17. they still are ignoring it

:kick:

[Cocoa]

20. it's bad news for them

on the other hand, if the dems had opposed Sanders or not supported him, then they would have been excited.

[mdmc]

9. progressives love Bernie

maybe he gets a pass...

[kentuck]

2. The perfect is the enemy of the good?

Seems to be the general rule.

[longship]

5. Three parties running == Repug victory.

nt

[mdmc]

12. right

:kick:

[400Years]

6. Let's see if I get this correctly

Is Zuckerman thinking of running but not on the Dem. ticket and thus there would not be a primary anyway and you would have a splitting of the liberal vote and hence and republican shoo in, while the Hackett/Brown issue involves a primary and no splitting of the dem vote in the election.

If that is the case then this situation is completely different and does not innoculate your position.

[mdmc]

7. A kick for Bernie, playing a strong political game

:kick:

[welshTerrier2]

8. "isn't exactly analagous"

that's right ... the two situations are very different ...

i would have no issue with Brown asking Hackett to quit the race ... i would have no issue with Hackett asking Brown to quit the race ... and i wouldn't even have an issue with Schumer or Reid or Emanuel asking Hackett to quit the race if they did so privately ... but somewhere, if Hackett's allegations are to be believed, the conduct of elite Democrats like those named above became inappropriate ...

Emanuel specifically stated that he was publicly calling for Hackett to get out of the Senate race ... and Hackett has alleged that they called his funding sources and tried to sabotage his campaign ...

somewhere in all this, democracy slowly was dying the death of a thousand cuts ...

i make no case for Hackett or against Brown here ... when legitimate candidates within the Party are crushed by their own Party before they get started, something just doesn't pass the smell test ... and even putting "winning" ahead of protocol or fairness seems misguided in this instance ... what if there is a huge backlash by vets against this action? what if this helps republicans make the case that Democrats are "anti-military"?

Hackett himself is NOT the issue ... what warrants a serious airing is what conduct is and is not appropriate for the Party prior to the primaries ... in my view, this was very badly handled ...

[Armstead]

10. It is worth addressing -- But without emotionalism and theatrics

The approriate balance between outside involvement and local politics is an important subject that needs to be dealt with.

But it should be handled on a systemic basis, and reform should be a general goal.


My own problem with the Hackett situation is that Hackett made it needlessly personal. He threw a hissy fit, and has damaged the chances of a great Democratic candidate.

He should have called whoever he felt had scuttled him, threaten to beat the shit out of them if he wanted, but done it privately. He shouldn't have brought what is a typical intra-party spat out into the spotlight.He should have done what most candidates do and put on a brave front and grit hiss teeth and say nice things about his primary opponent.

[AX10]

11. and the Dems are backing Bernie.

It's a fair deal. We must have only one center-left candidate running for each seat. Two candidates will split the ticket and a Repub will slip into office. We cannot have that.

[radio4progressives]

13. why would a progressive want to run against Bernie?

what's the deal with that?

[Cocoa]

19. not running against Bernie

running for Bernie's house seat which Bernie is vacating to run for Senate.

[Zhade]

14. You'll give up your values if someone runs?

Wow, that's kind of short-sighted, don't you think?

[madfloridian]

15. My point is with the DSCC and DCCC doing this to our Democrats.

I think any progressive who would try to hurt Bernie's chances is wrong.

Nothing wrong with another candidate pushing one to get out, I just don't like the party doing it.

[snowbear]

16. Zuckerman dropped out..

http://www.timesargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060216/NEWS/602160344/1003/NEWS02

[OzarkDem]

18. Bernie is a progressive

There's no need for anyone to replace him. He's been terrific. He has incredible experience and has worked hard for progressive issues.

[bklyncowgirl]

21. That was his deal with the Democrats

It was a good thing, imho.

The Dems got the strongest possible candidate for Senate and progressives got a Democratic candidate most of them could get behind. A third party candidate gets elected and a major party candidate gets elected with no bloodshed. Having lived in New York where the liberal party took down quite a few decent Democrats I like this very much.

[mdmc]

22. hey now check out this Bernie vid

http://www.canofun.com/cof/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=17297