2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumAnyone who has been paying attention during these primaries
can recognize that the Sanders campaign tells a story that should be told and retold. Supporters of Bernie Sanders have done something quite remarkable. They championed a presidential candidate who stepped into a major party's primary race as an outsider and they managed to propel him into a genuinely competitive position, despite his eventual loss.
Now, those Sanders supporters should be able to understand that they can make things happen by participating in the process. Now is the time for them to demonstrate their strength by sweeping Republicans out of office, and in all 50 states. This year is the beginning of an opportunity to move this country out of the hands of the right, starting in every district, state and federal.
By participating in every election that comes up from now on, with the enthusiasm and grassroots energy they have demonstrated, they're on the verge of changing politics in the United States forever. But only if they will do it. Yes, Hillary Clinton will become the next President. But that's not the point.
Voting is the point. In 2016, all of those millennials and others who supported Bernie Sanders can help swing state and federal legislative elections nationwide. All they have to do is show up at the polling places in November and vote. The Democratic candidates may not be ideal, but they're on the ballots. Elect them. Then, between November, 2016 and November, 2018, go find better ones.
In the meantime, if the Democratic Party can regain control of the Senate and some state legislatures in 2016, the trend will begin. The Sanders supporters can help do that, by turning out in record numbers in all 50 states. In 2018, that trend can flip the House of Representatives and even more state legislatures. Then, in 2020, those efforts will result in reversing the gerrymandering in many states and even more progressives can be recruited and promoted into office.
Between 2016 and 2020, there will be new Supreme Court justices appointed, along with judges in many, many federal courts. That Democratic Senate will support them, rather than obstructing their appointments. Meanwhile, the process of finding better and better candidates for all offices can continue.
There is much opportunity here. By taking advantage of that, we can transform politics in this country. You've learned how during the 2016 primaries. Take that into November elections and onward. Make change happen. Exert the power that you demonstrated in pushing Bernie Sanders almost to victory.
Here's what I and many others in the previous generations will do to help: We will help you elect those new leaders. We will vote with you. We will provide financial support for candidates you find who will move the country forward. We have your back in this. 2016 is the beginning of a new politics. Stick with it and we'll be there for you.
I promise!
floriduck
(2,262 posts)Response to MineralMan (Original post)
CorkySt.Clair This message was self-deleted by its author.
Response to CorkySt.Clair (Reply #2)
MineralMan This message was self-deleted by its author.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)you refer to party, what is occurring within the current grassroots isn't about D or R, it's about principle... you cannot co-opt principle
you stated 'Meanwhile, the process of finding better and better candidates for all offices can continue. There is much opportunity here'
Isn't that the CORE issue, what you define as 'better and better' isn't what the grassroots define as 'better'...
There is a contemptuous level of disdain/disrespect in effort to understand the WHY millions and millions of folks voted for BErnie 'Voting is the point. In 2016, all of those millennials and others who supported Bernie Sanders' ... 'All they have to do is show up at the polling places in November and vote. The Democratic candidates may not be ideal, but they're on the ballots. Elect them.'
Until you and other establishment DEMs take the time to listen and understand, well... consider the 2016 primary process to be the 'shot across the bow'....
You post here is expected, I had hoped for better from folks within the establishment to respect the movement, but alas this election cycle is more of the same
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)It's a flawed world, full of flawed people. Expect flaws.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)you and I both know what I stated is truth, come convention more truth will be made to establishment...
either address it now or don't, but in the end it will be addressed, the lack of understanding of movements by establishment is well documented throughout human history and the outcomes as always the same...
Maybe this time establishment learns from the past and makes better choices?
TwilightZone
(25,517 posts)No, what you stated is your opinion. Confusing the two terms is a rather common DU affliction.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)'you refer to party, what is occurring within the current grassroots isn't about D or R, it's about principle... you cannot co-opt principle'
'Isn't that the CORE issue, what you define as 'better and better' isn't what the grassroots define as 'better'...'
'There is a contemptuous level of disdain/disrespect in effort to understand the WHY millions and millions of folks voted for Bernie'
'Until you and other establishment DEMs take the time to listen and understand, well... consider the 2016 primary process to be the 'shot across the bow'....
You post here is expected, I had hoped for better from folks within the establishment to respect the movement, but alas this election cycle is more of the same'
point out where there isn't truth.. I'll wait...
ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)Lies and innuendo. As well as an abysmal lack of knowledge regarding basic civics.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)n/t
ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)you stated 'Meanwhile, the process of finding better and better candidates for all offices can continue. There is much opportunity here'
Isn't that the CORE issue, what you define as 'better and better' isn't what the grassroots define as 'better'...
Yes you can, when "principal" has been co-opted by lies and conspiracy theories.
I don't agree with this at all, there are dozens of articles, op-eds and analysis ect. dissecting the appeal of Sanders, the conclusions have had a contemptuous flavor at times, that is true, but people are still thinking about it and talking about it. In that way, Sanders campaign was very, very successful.
Well personally I am anything but "an establishment dem"--If I was going to vote outside the system we have--which I did for years-- Sanders isn't nearly radical enough. The hard-core Radicals I know feel the same way. Kind of a meh.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)your points are presented without facts in support of those points presented
care to revise and add those?
ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)What "facts" do you want? Links? Isn't the the original argument the one of "facts" vs "opinion", where you say you are stating facts, yet the statement is coached in terms of opinion--that in itself is a flawed premise.
whatthehey
(3,660 posts)I wasn't shooting anything across anybody's bow. I define any current Dem as far better than any current Rep. You'd have to go back to Zell Miller and Arne Carlson to make that not true. I feel neither disdained nor disrespected by the very sensible proposal to vote for Dems. I'm one of the millions you mention and I just thought his priorities and use of the bully pulpit were more to my taste than HRC's. Still are, but the primary is over bar the Philly kabuki. Not everyone who supported Sanders, by a large margin, was or is a wild-eyed radical who wants to tear up the Dem party and start again at the furthest left part of the Dem big tent.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)Where did I state 'wild-eyed radical'? I stated grassroots, are you making the claim they are the same?
When did pointing out principle over party become a negative? Doesn't principle matter more than party?
I understand the 'I' in your reply, my point still holds though... look no further than posts here from either sides supporting group to verify my point
whatthehey
(3,660 posts)And the grass roots are the Dem party activists who support the party considtently, rather than people newly brought to the table by a new kind of candidate. What the OP is calling for and what I support too is that these folks become the grass roots party volunteers. If you want to make Dems have different principles as a party the way to do it is from the inside by showing up at precinct and constituency and state and eventually national meetings and making your voice heard. The people who do that make the party in their image
brush
(53,978 posts)find fault with that.
Amazing.
He's offering support going forward in backing better, more progressive candidates.
What the hell is the problem with that?
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)'There is a contemptuous level of disdain/disrespect in effort to understand the WHY millions and millions of folks voted for Bernie'
"He's offering support going forward in backing better, more progressive candidates."
What are the specifics and timeline for this so called 'support'?
We are dealing with politicians so you'll have to forgive me in accepting anything establishment folks state in terms of changing the very system they reside in...
brush
(53,978 posts)Come up to the 21st century and leave that 60s-era, campus radical phrase ("fighting the establishment" in the past where it belongs.
The OP is offering an olive branch of unity and support to Sanders supporters in hopes that his movement continues and is successful in getting better, more progressive candidates elected in the future.
Why not just accept that support and work on building your movement while knowing that there are people from previous generations of progressives who will help?
And btw, my progressive bona fides go back a ways. You maybe shouldn't insult people willing to help you.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)again you cannot co-opt principle
ask yourself WHY are we here so far to the right of actual progressive/liberal ideology within DEM party and the current presumptive nominee?
brush
(53,978 posts)People are willing to help and all you do is insult people.
You won't be successful that way.
Read post number 5. It might give you a better idea of a way to jump start Sanders' movement. Everything has a starting point and demanding 100% percent purity from everyone will get you nowhere.
HumanityExperiment
(1,442 posts)my asking this 'ask yourself WHY are we here so far to the right of actual progressive/liberal ideology within DEM party and the current presumptive nominee?' with a video of presumptive nominee holding a RW policy stance as her position to prove that shift right and making this point 'again you cannot co-opt principle' considered 'insulting'... when did actual facts become 'insults'?
brush
(53,978 posts)orwell
(7,781 posts)...I have read here in awhile.
You can't have a revolution without the revolutionaries showing up.
If you truly believe in toppling the hierarchy it begins with massive numbers at the ballot box on election day. It is the epitome of instigating change form the ground up.
The Cons have always understood this and have ginned up their minorities to show up in numbers on election day.
If you are really tired of the status quo, it isn't one man or woman that will lead you out of the abyss, it is the inherent strength in your numbers.
Vote as many democrats into office as you can, at every level that you can. In California we have some offices that don't even have a Republican running. That is how a revolution begins.
Bernie voiced a plea for the common person that spread like wildfire through a disgusted electorate. It's time to let that fire spread to the walled citadel that houses the corrupt warlords of the Republican party.
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)Creating a new majority is the solution. The old majority is fading. Time for a new one.
Jack Bone
(2,023 posts)Skwmom
(12,685 posts)disillusionment of voters.
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)is much, much worse. Elect Democrats this year. Replace the ones who don't meet expectations at the next election. It's a process. It's the only process that will work.
We need to build a new majority. Until we have that new majority, stopgap measures are required. That majority does not yet exist. If it did, we'd be voting for Bernie Sanders in November.
Right now, there is a strong, eager minority that can build a new majority. It will not happen in one election year.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)TwilightZone
(25,517 posts)This is exactly the approach we need to take to move forward, and your post hits all the right marks.
The next two elections are extremely important for the reason you noted - redistricting next happens in 2020 in connection with the 2020 Census. We need to be in a position to reverse the nonsense people like Tom Delay shoved through in previous efforts.
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)BootinUp
(47,222 posts)brush
(53,978 posts)MineralMan
(146,351 posts)ismnotwasm
(42,028 posts)MineralMan
(146,351 posts)That's a must.
TSIAS
(14,689 posts)I'm 32, have voted Democrat in EVERY election since I was 18. I've voted for the shittiest Democrats against the Republican.
I vote in midterms, local elections, runoffs, and that happened well before Sanders ever ran for President.
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)Thanks for voting!
Fumesucker
(45,851 posts)Everyone who has been paying attention to this forum during the primaries knows you've been attacking Sanders and his supporters continuously.
Your credibility to praise either Sanders or his supporters is zero just like my credibility to praise Clinton or her supporters is zero. The difference between us is I don't think everyone else on DU is chuckleheaded enough to believe me if I were to do a 180 on Clinton.
You told us at least once some time ago that you were not going to participate in this forum any more, your promises are worth nothing.
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)Sivart
(325 posts)Fumesucker, I could not agree more.
Zero credibility.
Zero.
aikoaiko
(34,186 posts)Looks like things have changed.
brooklynite
(95,011 posts)As long as they recognize that "participating in the process" means that OTHER voters get a voice as well...
MineralMan
(146,351 posts)The votes get counted and tell their story. We all get to vote.