Progressives debate Sanders's future

[RandySF]

Some progressives say the time has come for Sanders to throw in the towel so the nation can focus on addressing the health crisis and so Democrats can move on to the business of defeating President Trump in November.

“Politics takes on a different aura when the nation is facing possibility of millions dying from a pandemic, so the ups and downs of politics seem remarkably trivial in comparison and I think that’s taken some of the wind out of Bernie’s sails,” said Robert Reich, who served as Labor secretary under former President Clinton.

“Most people I talk with on the progressive side of the ledger, they’re of the view that it’s time to get on with this. We know Joe Biden is going to be the nominee. We’ve got to get Trump out, and there’s national emergency, so let’s move along.”

But some of Sanders’s allies see reasons for him to stay in.

The Vermont senator’s supporters believe his presence in the race will keep the left engaged between now and the Democratic convention in July, potentially delivering additional down-ballot victories for progressives.

They believe Sanders should continue to act as a liberal counterbalance for Biden, keeping him sharp heading into the general election and giving him new opportunities to win over Sanders’s supporters.

And they argue that Sanders is not attacking Biden or doing anything that would harm him ahead of his expected general election match-up with Trump.

“Sen. Sanders can run an ideas-focused and positive race, and he’s actually much better at that than he is at drawing contrasts anyway,” said Neil Sroka, a progressive strategist with Democracy for America, which has endorsed Sanders.




https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/488525-progressives-debate-sanders-future

[Thekaspervote]

1. Dropoutbernie continues to trend on Twitter!

[NurseJackie]

2. Good.

It's way past time.

[Bluethroughu]

3. I want Bernie and his big voice in the senate

He can build his ideas into the policy first hand!

We need Bernie now, more than ever in the Senate!

Let's take this opportunity to build the country, we've been waiting for.

[The Magistrate]

5. Sanders Has No Voice In The Senate, Ma'am

A man who will not compromise cannot have a voice there.

A vote he has, and hopefully he will be present to cast it when the work of hammering out something that can pass the Senate and meet Speaker Pelosi's approval is done.


"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[Bluethroughu]

13. He's been elected by citizens of his district

So are you implying they have no voice, that I have no voice because I agree with his policies.

Okay, your opinion.

[comradebillyboy]

16. Hi is ineffective in the Senate because he

can't find common ground with his colleagues to achieve a positive goal. It's always his way or no way so nobody will work with him.

[The Magistrate]

17. His Problem And Theirs, Ma'am, Not Mine

No one in the Senate asks themselves, what does Sanders think of this? He has no weight in the complex negotiations which take place while important legislation is shaped prior to reaching the floor for a vote yea or nay. His impotence there is his choice, not a law of nature. Though effectiveness may require him to make choices his nature is incapable of. That, again, is his problem, and the problem of those who vote for him. Not mine. Nor does my pointing this fact out alter the situation one iota. You might as well say someone who remarks that it's raining causes water to fall from the sky.

[Bluethroughu]

18. We are having conversations about subjects

Regarding governments roll in peoples' lives, and its responsibility toward the citizens.

Bernie brought that conversation along with Elizabeth Warren to the people years ago. Policy has been shaped and created because of their voices.

[The Magistrate]

19. That Conversation Is An Old One, Ma'am

As old as government itself.

Between Professor Warren and Sanders there is no comparison at all. Professor Warren actually has achieved some reform, establishing an office dedicated to the protection of consumers from financial fraud. Sanders has no positive achievement to match that. Nor will he ever have.




"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[Demsrule86]

20. What policy? Warren yes...but Sanders no...I bet Warren is in the thick of it while Sanders sits

at home in Vermont...trying to ...I don't even know...what. He should have conceded and should be at the Senate right now.

[Demsrule86]

21. He has a voice but chooses not to use it for meaningful legislation.

Why is he in Vermont and not in DC...representing his voters?

[Cha]

4. Senator from Vermont.

[Indykatie]

6. Did Bernie Ever Address His Supporters from the Races Last Tuesday?

Even though he lost in a landslide isn't it customary for the candidate to speak to his supporters that evening. Twice now Bernie has high tailed it back home without addressing his supporters on election night. This doesn't look good and comes off as tacky and uncaring.

As for him staying in the race that shouldn't surprise anyone. He's not capable of taking the high road and doing what's best for the party's nominee. Instead of trying to push Biden he should be in DC trying to influence the legislation that is being written right now.

[pnwmom]

7. Biden doesn't need Sanders to keep him sharp. Sanders is just a distraction at this point.

He should get out of the way and let Biden focus on Trump. And Sanders should focus on Trump, too.

[emmaverybo]

8. The counterbalance needed is not a progressive to a moderate approach to Coronavirus for God's

sake, but for the guy who will be running against Trump (and has the most experience in pandemic) to show how mistaken the administration is and to present sane plans. Biden is contacting leading Dems, has developed a sound proposal, and has an expert advisory in place now.

No distraction needed! Bernie still trying to suck all the air out of Biden’s sails with his stupid concerts is just that.

Meanwhile his supporters are calling for Biden to die on Twitter. Still threatening to go for Trump and saying Biden is sundowning.

Let the sick ones become Trumpsters when Bernie bows out while the majority of actual concerned progressives join in working to oust Trump and to get the real medical facts out there.

Biden is a great vehicle for both.

Bernie is needed in the senate.

[The Magistrate]

9. Exactly, Sir --- Lance The Boil Before It Swells To a Wound

" T'were best done quickly."

[George II]

10. "Ideas focused" campaigns don't win elections. They have to be ideas that voters agree with!

[The Magistrate]

11. True, Sir

Election campaigns are not about getting people to think.

Election campaigns are about getting people to rally into a tribal mass under one banner, in the greatest number possible. This is not an intellectual exercise, it is an emotional one. The voter must be brought to identify him or her self with the candidate. This is especially true in Presidential campaigns, where the person elected becomes the embodiment of the country, to which the voter is devoted and loyal, and draws a portion of his or her identity from.


"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."

[tritsofme]

12. Sort of like debating the fate of the Titanic after it hit the iceberg.

[wyldwolf]

14. After the behavior of his most ardent supporters...

"Progressives" need to debate the future of their movement. This taint will be on them for years to come.

I suggest Elizabeth Warren's approach. Revolution from within the system.

[BidenBacker]

15. Not sure I'm buying this argument

The Vermont senator’s supporters believe his presence in the race will keep the left engaged

We don't need engagements...we need to start divorcing Trump.