Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BlueMTexpat

(15,493 posts)
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:07 AM Jun 2016

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Present Unity Front at Private Washington Meeting

http://time.com/4369551/hillary-clinton-bernie-sanders-meeting-washington/

No real news yet about what was decided. But it's somewhat typical that Bernie strode out from the front to be seen by the press, etc., while Hillary exited more discreetly from the rear.

Sanders congratulated Clinton on her primary victory and Clinton congratulated Sanders on his campaign, according to statements from both camps prepared by aides. They discussed issues on the Democratic Party platform ranging from raising the minimum wage, campaign finance reform, universal healthcare and college affordability.

“Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders met at the Capital Hilton in Washington this evening and had a positive discussion about their primary campaign, about unifying the party and about the dangerous threat that Donald Trump poses to our nation,” said a Clinton campaign official.

Clinton has now won nearly 400 more pledged delegates than Sanders and some 15 million votes, about 3.5 million more than her opponent. Sanders has said he will continue to campaign in the convention, but there is a widespread acceptance among his aides and allies that he has clearly lost the primary.
...
Also attending the meeting were Clinton campaign chair John Podesta, Clinton campaign manger Robby Mook, Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver and Bernie’s wife, Jane Sanders. Mook and Weaver have been the most frequent points of contact between the two campaigns. Sanders and Clinton met for around an hour-and-a-half.


I love the article's conclusion in which Hillary is right back to the business at hand, i.e., defeating Trump.

This was essentially a courtesy visit on Hillary's part. What Bernie is asking for in re SDs, open primaries, and DWS"s ouster is certainly NOT going to happen in the middle of an election cycle and will not change this one, however much he may believe it will just because he is "holding out" about doing the right thing, instead of conceding, and becoming a team player.

What happens in future elections will be decided by party regulars and the new DNC Chair, because there will indeed be a new DNC Chair appointed by HRC herself in due course. Bernie may find himself simply superseded by events and will lose any clout he might otherwise have had if he continues along this path.
37 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders Present Unity Front at Private Washington Meeting (Original Post) BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 OP
BS is losing leverage every day along with supporters! Her Sister Jun 2016 #1
Bernie will be back in the Senate. Hillary will hopefully be in the White House. upaloopa Jun 2016 #2
That is self-evident to BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #3
What pisses me off is Gman Jun 2016 #7
Bowing out mercuryblues Jun 2016 #4
Bernie seems to be following BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #5
Compared to the current crop of R's, Nixon looks really good jmowreader Jun 2016 #25
But he was just as racist. Difference is he was a tragically brilliant man who had some progressive Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2016 #32
Also the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and OSHA jmowreader Jun 2016 #33
Yep, all due to the establishment of the EPA Liberal_Stalwart71 Jun 2016 #37
NO Shite!?! " but there is a widespread acceptance among his aides and allies that he has clearly Cha Jun 2016 #6
This ... BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #9
... Cha Jun 2016 #12
Bernie will be the last one to admit he has lost. Koinos Jun 2016 #10
Mrs & Mrs BS. Cha Jun 2016 #13
I think Jane wil always insist he really won. Maru Kitteh Jun 2016 #21
We'll see when we get the tax returns for 2015 and 2016. Oh wait... Koinos Jun 2016 #23
"Widespread acceptance" LOL!! ~~ As if there is any doubt?! And, even worse... NurseJackie Jun 2016 #22
NewsFlash! Many sanders' fans Accept Reality! Will BS get on board?! Cha Jun 2016 #30
Fingers crossed. I think he's just enjoying the attention. NurseJackie Jun 2016 #34
He would have gotten some attention if he had gone to the Senate to do his job Cha Jun 2016 #35
He will never be as powerful as the day before the NY primary. Walk away Jun 2016 #8
He blew his chance to grow the movement. Koinos Jun 2016 #11
By all actions I agree. Cha Jun 2016 #14
The problem is that he saw himself as the one and only "true" progressive. Koinos Jun 2016 #20
Thanks.. Good point about seeking out Progressive Dems instead of cornel west.. but BS had Cha Jun 2016 #29
I get the feeling Sanders' entourage has kept things from him jmowreader Jun 2016 #27
I just can't shake the feeling that this is all about his desire to feel that he is in command Arkansas Granny Jun 2016 #15
If he believes that, he's living in a delusional fact-free political bubble. He's lost any and all BlueCaliDem Jun 2016 #16
I am not sure why Clinton - as the winner - BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #17
And that may very well be the source of my unease. I don't think he would have made these demands Arkansas Granny Jun 2016 #18
I do not believe that we are BlueMTexpat Jun 2016 #19
Remember how Bernie thought he won the conversation with Obama? Koinos Jun 2016 #24
Until he publicly concedes NastyRiffraff Jun 2016 #26
Agree 100% SharonClark Jun 2016 #28
He's not able to show the graciouness that Hillary has shown to him in 2016. Cha Jun 2016 #31
Thinking about this jimw81 Jun 2016 #36

upaloopa

(11,417 posts)
2. Bernie will be back in the Senate. Hillary will hopefully be in the White House.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:20 AM
Jun 2016

Bernie will have no power if Trump is President. He will have some power if Hillary is in the White House.

If Bernie and his supporters want any kind of progressive change they need to work to see that Bernie is a powerful member of a majority Democratic Senate with support from Hillary as President.


BlueMTexpat

(15,493 posts)
3. That is self-evident to
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:23 AM
Jun 2016

anyone with common sense and who truly walks the walk of a "progressive."

But thanks again for stating it!

Gman

(24,780 posts)
7. What pisses me off is
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:48 AM
Jun 2016

When he gets back to the senate he'll still have that I, VT-I, and not VT-D.

mercuryblues

(15,077 posts)
4. Bowing out
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:23 AM
Jun 2016

after you lose is not akin to being a team player. I agree he is losing leverage because of his 'take it to the convention" mantra. He is essentially looking more like a self righteous, sore loser. He comes across as a petulant child, who can't have cookies for breakfast. Those optics are not good for his legacy. The way he is coming across is burning it down as he exits the building.

The way to keep leverage is to suspend his campaign, get a cushy speaking spot and to maintain and perhaps gain influence in the senate. As it stands now many see him as a whiner and will steer clear of him. IOW You can't change something if you burned down the bridge with you on one side and everyone else on the other.

BlueMTexpat

(15,493 posts)
5. Bernie seems to be following
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:34 AM
Jun 2016

Eugene McCarthy's playbook from 1968. In too many ways, he seems to be locked in 1960s amber.

He should remember that 1968 was the high point in McCarthy's political career. His unwillingness to "play nice" with fellow Dems after the 1968 Convention was not only a factor in Humphrey's eventual GE loss, but diminished his own political power and influence afterwards.

2016 is a VERY different year for Democrats. We are not in the throes of Vietnam - a hugely divisive issue - and Hillary Clinton is not Hubert Humphrey who was, rightfully or wrongfully, tied to Johnson's Vietnam strategy rather than to successes such as the Civil Rights Act and Social Security.

Even more importantly, Donald Trump is no Richard Nixon - who looks like a knight in shining armor in comparison. And I truly despised Nixon, so that may give you an idea of how I feel about Trump.

jmowreader

(51,401 posts)
25. Compared to the current crop of R's, Nixon looks really good
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 04:51 PM
Jun 2016

He was less crooked than they are, and loved his country more than they do.

 

Liberal_Stalwart71

(20,450 posts)
32. But he was just as racist. Difference is he was a tragically brilliant man who had some progressive
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 04:23 AM
Jun 2016

ideas. Affirmative action, EPA began under him.

jmowreader

(51,401 posts)
33. Also the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and OSHA
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 04:50 AM
Jun 2016

America needs a baggage-free Richard Nixon. If we can get a president that'll give us the policy wonkiness of Nixon, the respectable job-creation performance Nixon displayed, and the progressive ideals he expressed WITHOUT the paranoia, corruption and criminality that came with the Nixon brand we'd have a pretty decent president.

Cha

(305,118 posts)
6. NO Shite!?! " but there is a widespread acceptance among his aides and allies that he has clearly
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 07:44 AM
Jun 2016
lost the primary."

What Clued 'em?! It sure as hell wasn't BS.

Mahalo, BlueMT~

Maru Kitteh

(29,047 posts)
21. I think Jane wil always insist he really won.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 03:41 PM
Jun 2016

Do we know yet if she got paid on this campaign too?

NurseJackie

(42,862 posts)
22. "Widespread acceptance" LOL!! ~~ As if there is any doubt?! And, even worse...
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 04:08 PM
Jun 2016

... that phrase lets us know that there remain some hold-outs who STILL believe that Bernie has a chance.

It's a little but it also makes me

Cha

(305,118 posts)
35. He would have gotten some attention if he had gone to the Senate to do his job
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 05:46 AM
Jun 2016

and filibuster with the Dems.


The Democrats
✔ ‎@TheDemocrats
HAPPENING NOW: Senate Democrats are filibustering for common-sense gun reforms.
10:19 AM - 15 Jun 2016
716 716 Retweets 1,159 1,159 likes

https://theobamadiary.com/2016/06/15/hate-will-not-win/

Walk away

(9,494 posts)
8. He will never be as powerful as the day before the NY primary.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 08:14 AM
Jun 2016

Any deal that he wanted to cut has been diminished every day since then. Not cutting his losses after PA made no sense at all. If he had wanted to achieve some of his agenda ( that ,supposedly, was for his followers) then that week was his sweet spot.
He either had very poor polling information about what was to follow or he just didn't care.

Koinos

(2,798 posts)
20. The problem is that he saw himself as the one and only "true" progressive.
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 03:34 PM
Jun 2016

He should have worked more closely with progressive Democrats. Instead, he dissed the entire party and sought out the likes of Cornel West.

As Barney Frank said, Bernie alienates potential allies. For example, Martin O'Malley could have been a potential ally, except for the "disqualifying" fact that he happened to be a strong supporter of gun control.

What young Democrats will pick up the progressive banner at this point, now that Bernie has made it his personal and private brand?

One can be progressive without agreeing with Bernie on every issue. Unfortunately, Bernie does not believe in sharing leadership.

Cha

(305,118 posts)
29. Thanks.. Good point about seeking out Progressive Dems instead of cornel west.. but BS had
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 11:17 PM
Jun 2016

his "rock star" rallies.. and those other worst surrogates ever.

jmowreader

(51,401 posts)
27. I get the feeling Sanders' entourage has kept things from him
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 04:59 PM
Jun 2016

Bernie 2016 reminds me of Romney 2012. Mitt's campaign knew he kills the messenger, so they weren't giving him bad news. He wasn't allowed a newspaper or TV broadcasts. (They used a read file system...carefully selected foreign and domestic news stories are placed in a binder - one with no women in it - and that binder was the only news he was allowed to have.) I do not think Bernie knows how badly he really lost.

Arkansas Granny

(31,810 posts)
15. I just can't shake the feeling that this is all about his desire to feel that he is in command
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:18 AM
Jun 2016

of the situation by trying to wield whatever leverage he has to force Hillary to concede to his demands.

Yet Mr. Sanders chose to withhold his endorsement of Mrs. Clinton, several Sanders advisers said, because he wants her to take steps to win his confidence before the Democratic convention, where his supporters expect him to speak and Clinton advisers hope he will give her his full-throated backing.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/15/us/politics/bernie-sanders-campaign.html?_r=0


I'm usually not a very suspicious person, but something about his actions and words just make me a little uneasy.

BlueCaliDem

(15,438 posts)
16. If he believes that, he's living in a delusional fact-free political bubble. He's lost any and all
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:24 AM
Jun 2016

leverage he had before the NY primary by attacking the Democratic Party, the DNC, Hillary Clinton, President Obama, and any and all Democrats who didn't bow their heads to his "awesomeness". Now he thinks he can get the support of those very people?? Don't think so.

I am truly angry that he still refuses to concede the primary race to Hillary Clinton. It's as if he can't believe that he's actually lost against Hillary! I guess it's because of that cozy little bubble he can't seem to break out of.

BlueMTexpat

(15,493 posts)
17. I am not sure why Clinton - as the winner -
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:26 AM
Jun 2016

has to "take steps to win his confidence" and I wonder whether the fact that he - as the loser - seeks to impose those steps on her is more about misognyny than anything else.

Would he dare force any male opponent who had won against him as overwhelmingly as Hillary has to take such steps?

I think not.

Arkansas Granny

(31,810 posts)
18. And that may very well be the source of my unease. I don't think he would have made these demands
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 09:30 AM
Jun 2016

of a male opponent, either.

Koinos

(2,798 posts)
24. Remember how Bernie thought he won the conversation with Obama?
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 04:27 PM
Jun 2016

He may think he is winning his case with Hillary, until the trapdoor opens.

Politically, Bernie is in way over his head.

NastyRiffraff

(12,448 posts)
26. Until he publicly concedes
Wed Jun 15, 2016, 04:59 PM
Jun 2016

his agreeing to "unity" means absolutely nothing. He needs to acknowledge that Hillary won. I don't think he is tempermentally able to do so with the graciousness that Hillary showed towards Obama in 2008, but he needs to say, at a minimum, that Hillary is the nominee and that he'll support her campaign.

Cha

(305,118 posts)
31. He's not able to show the graciouness that Hillary has shown to him in 2016.
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 01:16 AM
Jun 2016

He's mad he's lost and he won't accept it.

jimw81

(111 posts)
36. Thinking about this
Thu Jun 16, 2016, 05:52 AM
Jun 2016

If they met for a hour and half there had to be third party involved that isn't getting leak to press. it goes back to the press release after. Its the same statement except one sentence.

Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Hillary Clinton»Hillary Clinton and Berni...