Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumSanders Has an Advantage, and It's Not About Economics
(snip)
In his Johns Hopkins address, Sanders offered a big-picture reading of this moment in international relations. For him, the ideological struggle of the 21st century doesnt pit a liberal, democratic America against illiberal, authoritarian opponents, but instead pits liberal, democratic peoples everywhere against illiberalism at home and abroad. Its a worldwide movement toward authoritarianism, oligarchy and kleptocracy against one toward strengthening democracy, egalitarianism, and economic, social, racial and environmental justice. In this conception of the world, President Trump is just one of many demagogues who exploit peoples fears, prejudices and grievances to gain and hold on to power.
These movements dont emerge out of nothing. Sanders contends that they are fueled by the enormous disparities of wealth and opportunity that define global capitalism. This is the subject of his Westminster College speech an attempt to link domestic economic issues to relations among states. This planet will not be secure or peaceful when so few have so much, and so many have so little and when we advance day after day into an oligarchic form of society where a small number of extraordinarily powerful special interests exert enormous influence over the economic and political life of the world, Sanders said, adding later that inequality, corruption, oligarchy and authoritarianism are inseparable.
As for culprits, Sanders has a list. His Johns Hopkins address lists Vladimir Putin of Russia, Viktor Orban of Hungary, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel and Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia as part of this global nexus of corruption and autocracy. He also singles out American billionaires like Robert Mercer and Sheldon Adelson for promoting a shared agenda of intolerance and bigotry as part of a common front of authoritarianism. And while Sanders was silent on Venezuela in these speeches, he has criticized the government of Nicolás Maduro in other venues, attacking its authoritarianism and suppression of democracy while rejecting intervention by the United States.
(snip)
What separates him from the pack in this race are his forceful and well-defined foreign policy views his synthesis of domestic and international concerns. Rather than fight on old, now-crowded ground, he can move to new territory, opening vital conversations about Americas role in the world. He can bring a new set of progressive ideas to the Democratic mainstream and force his opponents to debate them on his terms. In doing so, Sanders could establish himself as the leading candidate for progressive Democrats who want to rebuild the nations reputation and influence as much as its economy.
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/21/opinion/sanders-warren-foreign-policy.html
This is an excellent read.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Tumbulu
(6,267 posts)Sorry, I dont get it, and as far as I am concerned there are so many better options for a progressive candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
crazytown
(7,277 posts)I desperately wish he had not run, but it would have been a disaster if the DNC redrew the rules to keep him out.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Nanjeanne
(4,878 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,556 posts)Bernie is very good at criticizing and attacking Democrats for what he perceives as being too corporate, too close to Wall Street, not progressive enough, etc, etc, etc. In the process he damages our candidates and creates an impression that Democrats are not good enough. That turns off many voters who then either don't show up to vote, or vote write-in, or "hold their nose" and vote for the eventual Dem nominee but wont sincerely back the person or donate or work for him/her. Much like what happened in 2016.
We desperately need to win this election. We cannot afford another repeat of 2016. If so we are doomed.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stellar
(5,644 posts)Are they actually doing the bidding for Wall Street, (the corporate Democrats), speaking for them instead of their constituents?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Any other questions?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
..since you are so thorough with your explanation...
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,556 posts)Sorry but it doesn't deserve a more than one word response.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stellar
(5,644 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)....invested on big bad "Wall Street"?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,878 posts)the laugh this morning. Against all facts you want to insist that Sanders cost Clinton the election. But somehow Obama won his election even though more Clinton supporters didnt vote for him than Sanders supporters not voting for Hillary.
Just support your candidate with as much enthusiasm as you put towards worrying about Sanders. Thats democracy at work.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,556 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Nanjeanne
(4,878 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to honest.abe (Reply #5)
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Stellar
(5,644 posts)I'm a senior citizen so this is a question that I would've asked my husband but he's deceased.
Bernie caucuses with the Democrats and votes with them over 95+% of the time (I saw that on a link that someone around here provided).
So, what's in a name?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
honest.abe
(8,556 posts)Russian sanctions and gun control are the few but significant exceptions.
Its not just the name, its a commitment to be a member and support the party.. long term... not just for an election cycle.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stellar
(5,644 posts)..nothing about politics until my hubby passed. He was into it and it reminded me of him.
I used to see Bernie on Olbermann's show all the time and I liked him then. I didn't realize he was elected to the Senate in 2007, just before Obama ran for President. So, he's been saying the same thing as long as I was aware of him.
https://ballotpedia.org/Bernie_Sanders
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Response to honest.abe (Reply #12)
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Eliot Rosewater
(31,097 posts)Certainly his repeated refusal to support sanctions, Magnitsky Act are well know.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)that there's no difference between Democrats and Republicans.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stellar
(5,644 posts)the next time I see him.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stellar
(5,644 posts)I thought you were being facetious.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)....than the five other Senators (if we include Sherrod Brown) who are vying for the Democratic nomination. In this session he's at 85%! Imagine that, a lower progressive score than Brown, who has been painted as a centrist!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Stellar
(5,644 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)I've said before, what separates Sanders and his ilk isn't so much policy positions but this contradictory and false notion that identity politics is evil (while wanting to talk about the 'white working class'), the absurd suggestion that most Trump supporters aren't racist but that they're driven by economic anxiety, etc.
Tone-deaf Sanders will be done after New Hampshire, which he may not even win this time around.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)But, of course, nothing Bernie does will EVER be good enough. Too bad, cuz he's going to be our nominee and, this time, when Bernie takes on the DICK-tater in chief, he's going to trounce him.
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Here's where he didn't vote with Dems (doesn't include the Russia sanctions votes that he voted nay, or missed)
Opposed the Brady Act, which mandated federal background checks for gun purchasers and restricted felons access to firearms https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/103-1993/h614
Opposed legislation that would've maintained or created over 300,000 small business jobs through loans
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1993/roll188.xml
Opposed attempts to prevent GOP cuts for benefits for legal immigrants, Medicaid, the disabled, and children safety nets http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1996/roll329.xml
Opposed Democratic attempts to increase funding for legal immigrants and child care http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1996/roll329.xml
Opposed federal funding to help the homeless http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Opposed increased funding for nutritional programs for women infants and children http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1995/roll708.xml
Opposed funding for assisting prospective homeowners with AIDS http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Opposed allowing breastfeeding on federal grounds http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1999/roll426.xml
Opposed legiation requiring federal agencies to create and enforce anti-sex discrimination policies http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Opposed legislation banning imports from forced child labor http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1997/roll474.xml
Opposed funding going towards investigations of unfair trade practices http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Opposed increased education funding http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Opposed increases funding for poor students http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Opposed legislation increasing financial aid http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
Supported gutting oversight for agricultural marketing practices http://clerk.house.gov/evs/1995/roll550.xml
Opposed increased food safety and inspection http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2003/roll032.xml
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Adrahil
(13,340 posts)It clearly means enough to him.
Ill tell you what it means:
His disdains Democrats and the Democratic party. We are simply a means to an end to him. He wont join us because he looks down on us.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Tom Rinaldo
(22,911 posts)Bernie Sanders can run in Democratic Primaries if they say he can. That's democracy for you.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)This is the actual rule that governs whether sanders can run as a member of the Democratic party https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/2019-01-03-2020_Call_for_the_Convention_12.21.18_w-attachments.pdf
A. are a member of the Democratic Party;
B. will accept the Democratic nomination; and
C. will run and serve as a member of the Democratic Party.
This requirement of written affirmation shall not supplant any necessary qualifications a candidate must satisfy at the state level, but is in addition to such affirmations required by individual states and territories. The written affirmation shall be done via an approved format by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee appended to this Call
I wonder how sanders can comply with this rule and claim to be a bona fide democrat. I was at the 2016 national convention and I do not think that sanders participated in good faith
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Tom Rinaldo
(22,911 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)I expect that sanders will be asked about whether he is a bona fide Democrat and things like not sharing e-mail list and Nina Turner. The debates could be fun
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Politicub
(12,163 posts)He has pledged to govern as a democrat should he win. This stance is good enough for the DNC, and it's good enough for me.
Can we move on to talk about something substantive, please?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
BannonsLiver
(16,162 posts)Like his tax returns he has refused to release. Id like to move on to those.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)These new rules were adopted for a reason https://medium.com/@blairdurkee/scorched-earth-politics-bernie-sanders-and-the-dishonest-campaign-that-gave-us-trump-eb0bc82ab2c1
The DNC had to add new rules and a new oath to deal with this issue. I really like the new oath that is now required which was not required earlier T
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/2019-01-03-2020_Call_for_the_Convention_12.21.18_w-attachments.pdf
Pursuant to Article IV of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, I hereby affirm that, upon publicly announcing my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2020 election, I am a member of the Democratic Party. I will run as a Democrat, accept the nomination of my Party, and I will serve as a Democrat if elected. I understand that signing this form does not supplant any legal or Party requirement by any state or territory to qualify for ballot placement in that jurisdiction.
Further, I acknowledge that in submitting this form to the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, I am subject to the provisions of Rule 13.K of the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and Article VI of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention that authorize the National Chairperson to determine whether a presidential candidate has established substantial support for their nomination as the Democratic candidate for the Office of the President of the United States, is a bona fide Democrat whose record of public service, accomplishments, public writings and/or public statements affirmatively demonstrate that the candidate is faithful to the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States, and will participate in the Convention in good faith.
___________________
NOTARY AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF ______________
COUNTY OF _______________
I, ____________________________________, a Notary Public, do hereby certify that on this ____day of ___________________, 20____, personally appeared before me ______________________________, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and swore and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purpose and in the capacity therein expressed, and that the statements contained therein are true and correct. _______________________________________________ Notary Public, State of __________________ Name, Typed or Printed: __________________________________________ My Commission Expires: ___________________________
I was at the national convention in 2016 and I do not think that sanders participated in good faith. It was evidently okay for sanders delegates to boo Congressman John Lewis and to otherwise disrupt the convention
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to Tumbulu (Reply #1)
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ehrnst
(32,640 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to ehrnst (Reply #36)
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ehrnst
(32,640 posts)Josh Massey, before joining the Vermont Democratic Party as Executive Director, worked for the Vermont State Employees Association for two years as a labor organizer union Rep. and another two election cycles for the Vermont Democratic Party one as the Washington County field organizer in 2012 and then as the Coordinated Campaign Director in 2014, pushing out the vote to help deliver the 2,300 vote difference that won the executive branch a third term for the VDP. He also served the VDP as the Chair of Washington County in 2013.
After graduating from the University of Kentucky in 2001 with a B.A. in History, Massey worked shortly in the field of real estate, but, a few years after starting, Americas housing market went bust and Josh and his family were left in economic crisis.
Massey, a lifelong Kentucky Wildcats fan, is married and has three children. He enjoys snowboarding, boating and attending his childrens basketball and gymnastics. He resides in Winooski.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Response to ehrnst (Reply #39)
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Cartoonist
(7,298 posts)Why do we let him in the party?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
forklift
(401 posts)His time has come.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
BannonsLiver
(16,162 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
mia
(8,356 posts)I don't see how Socialism will help the U.S. economy or its standing in the world. I hope that someday Bernie will address Chris Hayes' question about what went wrong in Venezuela. (13:27)
Will Bernie or any other Democratic contender honestly address the downsides of Socialism?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
shanny
(6,709 posts)Is it imposed from above--authoritarianism--or is it pushed from below (grassroots, democratic socialism).
If the people choose socialist programs--like SS, and universal health care--then what is the problem? I'm old enough to remember being taught in school that the US had a blended economy of capitalism and socialism...and by the way it worked great. Biggest middle class in history, widespread prosperity and opportunity. Now? Not so much. Stagnation in real wages for 40+ years. Skyrocketing inequality. Skyrocketing debt--the recent shutdown showed people with solid, middle class jobs in dire straits after missing ONE paycheck. I think you will find that merely throwing out the old "but socialism!" slam cannot and will not sway as many people as it did decades ago. Of course, Republicans will buy it--they always do. They even claimed Obama was a socialist, and look how scary that...wasn't. Except to them.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
shanny
(6,709 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Me.
(35,454 posts)It's insurance, Federal Insurance, that people have paid for their entire working lives
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Skidmore
(37,364 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
WordsMatter
(80 posts)Big difference.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)the two concepts. Bernie is promoting Democratic Socialism in the mold of FDR. That's a major plus in my book. Go Bernie!!
Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
WordsMatter
(80 posts)I am truly undecided (alphabetically)- Brown, Sanders, Warren have the progressive & common sense positions on our issues and concerns.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,110 posts)Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Gothmog
(143,999 posts)There will a number of Super Tuesday states where I doubt that sanders will break 15% and so will be shut out of delegates
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)Outside of his vote on the Iraq war, his foreign policy record is not what many of his supporters claim.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)There is a worldwide movement towards demagogues who exploit peoples fears, prejudices and grievances to gain and hold on to power.
Fear-mongering, scapegoating, and divisionary populism that turns citizens against one another are the hallmarks of demagogic movements.
Resist!
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)Period.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CrossingTheRubicon
(731 posts)of his female campaign workers the last time he ran. Who'd have thunk?
I wonder what the excuse was every other time he failed to vote against the Russians?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
earthshine
(1,642 posts)This is the crux of it for me.
Whether he wins the primary or not, I want him on stage raising the issues. His voice is valuable during the primaries.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
MrsCoffee
(5,801 posts)This crazy notion that Bernie and Bernie alone is the bearer of progressive ideas is the brainchild of Tad Devine. It is his Ukraine Orange Revolution blueprint. Repackaged, marketed and sold for $27. I hear they want to raise $27,000,000 from every state across the country. That will be quite a haul just to do a debate tour.
And still, I dont hear Bernie saying anything new. And after his attacks on the party, issues with sexism in his campaign, dismissing Russian interference as a distraction and voting no on sanctions, many of us really dont care what he has to say anyway.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
earthshine
(1,642 posts)universal healthcare, the better.
> many of us really dont care what he has to say anyway.
Many of us do. And for that, I don't care what you have to say.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden