A question about post-primary policies on DU:

[panader0]

As a Bernie supporter I can still hope, but it seems likely that HRC will wrap this up at the
convention. What level of criticism of her will be allowed? I seem to remember that Obama was
raked over the coals regularly here after his election. So, do those of us who want Sanders keep
our mouths shut until after she beats Trump (which she will, I believe), and then can we criticize
her policies? Or will no criticism at all be allowed? Like I mentioned, the criticism of Obama was
pretty intense here at times back when. So what will the policy be?

[IamMab]

1. If she's elected, she's open for criticism. What's not needed is negativity during the GE campaign.

You said so yourself, "I seem to remember that Obama was raked over the coals regularly here after his election."

[panader0]

2. Well, since you joined this year, I guess you weren't around here then.

But that is the distinction I want. I will vote for the Democrat, but I want the right to criticize
when needed.

[morningfog]

21. Criticism is always accepted. What isn't permitted is advocating to vote against the nominee

when we have one.

We can and will criticize from now through the campaign and the GE and after. There is no rule against that.

[Blue_Tires]

3. Something for Skinner to answer, I guess...

Although I will say there is a fine line between criticism and:

1. Outright intentional sabotage of the campaign

2. Smears/Nutbar conspiracies

3. Linking to anti-Hillary pieces from certified loons and InfoWars/Daily Caller, etc.

4. Discouraging people to get out and vote because the situation is so 'hopeless' and 'both candidates are the same' (Note: I've see this every cycle since '04, and every cycle some prominent DUers get the banhammer because of it)

5. Floating the "President Trump may not be so bad, especially if it destroys the Democratic Party so we can create something new from the ruins!" bullshit...

6. Cheerleading for a Hillary indictment

[panader0]

4. Fair points

About number 6: I certainly won't be "cheerleading" for an indictment. But I do believe that may be a
real possibility. Even if she is not indicted, there will be repercussions from the investigation--stains.
If she is indicted, after the convention or GE, it will spell disaster for our party.

[Blue_Tires]

5. Yeah, I know...

I'm just giving a general framework of where I think Skinner will draw the line, based on past elections...

[malthaussen]

14. What if she deserves indictment?

I have a pretty uncommon attitude towards National Security, in that I do not consider it a sacred cow, but there are many of more sober judgement who consider it to be rather important. While I would be astonished if it could be proven that Mrs Clinton violated any laws in her conduct re the fatal email server, my crystal ball is notoriously cloudy in such areas.

So, stipulate she has violated a law, and is indicted, would not one have to accept it as a reasonable question for debate, and in such case if one is a stickler for national security issues, one could hardly be faulted for wishing her to pay a penalty for it.

Or stipulate that a member or members of her staff was indicted for misconduct in a manner that might reasonably be construed as taking one for the team (or scapegoating, your choice), would it be out of line for someone to wish she might take a fall, too?

Obviously, you don't make the rules about this, and it is a pretty far-fetched hypothetical anyway. I suppose in a larger sense, one wonders at what point "support for the candidate" becomes "say nothing bad about the candidate, even if deserved."

-- Mal

[Blue_Tires]

20. Like I said, Skinner will draw the line

and let it be known under no uncertain terms where that line is...

I'm just making a prediction...

[Nye Bevan]

22. Rooting for the FBI to indict the Democratic presidential candidate will not be tolerated here.

I believe that there are many other websites for folk to indulge in that sort of thing.

[Shandris]

18. I can't imagine why a site that relies on party donations would ban those...

...who point out that both sides have, and do, promote the same policies once they're actually in office. Oh, no, not 'the same', just the same. Not identical in word, just in function. Then they cover it with some ignorant social agitprop like bathrooms or abortions. Everyone fighting to see who can control someone else, both wings of the same bird.

Nah, I can't imagine why that would be unpopular here at all. Thankfully I won't pursue such a position. I mean, that's total lunacy amirite! By all means, get out and vote! YOUR VOTE MATTERS! Just ask Colorado.

[Blue_Tires]

19. The Democratic party directly provides financial support to DU?

How long has that been going on?

[RobertEarl]

6. Bernie will win at the convention

Then the H camp will become Bernie bros

[panader0]

7. I hope and wish that to be true.

At this point it's like trying to fill out an inside straight with one card left.

[RobertEarl]

11. Bernie has cards to play

A simple majority of pledged delegates is 2026. Bernie needs 655 more to reach that goal. H needs close to 300.

Even if H does get a few more, say less than 100 more, Bernie can make the case that the supers should, buoyed by the crowds of Bernie people in and outside the convention hall, decide that Bernie is the best candidate in the GE.

The nomination rests in the hands of the super delegates. They will vote wisely.

[leftynyc]

13. The supers will NOT

give the nod to the loser of the pledged delegate race. They will not ignore the will of the voters and shame of you for hoping they do.

[pnwmom]

17. They will wisely vote for Hillary, who will have the majority of pledged votes. nt

[mythology]

23. Bernie wins or his supporters throw a temper tantrum

Threatening to riot because you got out voted is sad.

[Old Codger]

8. If she gets it

We will then have the 2 worst candidates for pres that I have ever seen in my 60 years of voting... I know I cannot post anything nice about her and refuse to pretend I like her so most likely that happens I will take a long long leave from here.. ...Most likely permanent.. I cannot believe this is really happening...

[panader0]

10. http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027808204

[Old Codger]

16. Yup

For sure , sorta makes ya wonder

[Blue_Adept]

12. Just trash the election forum that will take over for GDP

There's a whole lot of other strong material throughout the site to dig into regularly.

[justiceischeap]

9. Just read the terms of service

Vote for Democrats.
Winning elections is important — therefore, advocating in favor of Republican nominees or in favor of third-party spoiler candidates that could split the vote and throw an election to our conservative opponents is never permitted on Democratic Underground. But that does not mean that DU members are required to always be completely supportive of Democrats. During the ups-and-downs of politics and policy-making, it is perfectly normal to have mixed feelings about the Democratic officials we worked hard to help elect. When we are not in the heat of election season, members are permitted to post strong criticism or disappointment with our Democratic elected officials, or to express ambivalence about voting for them. In Democratic primaries, members may support whomever they choose. But when general election season begins, DU members must support Democratic nominees (EXCEPT in rare cases where a non-Democrat is most likely to defeat the conservative alternative, or where there is no possibility of splitting the liberal vote and inadvertently throwing the election to the conservative alternative). For presidential contests, election season begins when both major-party nominees become clear. For non-presidential contests, election season begins on Labor Day. Everyone here on DU needs to work together to elect more Democrats and fewer Republicans to all levels of American government. If you are bashing, trashing, undermining, or depressing turnout for our candidates during election season, we'll assume you are rooting for the other side.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=termsofservice

[Warpy]

15. She's certainly open to criticism IMO

but stating such criticism in a way to discourage people from voting for her would be against TOS.

In other words, we're all going to be Yellow Dog Democrats no matter who we were for six months before the election.

Given how nuts the GOP is and how ignorant their candidate is, it's the only rational position to take.