The Nina Turner choice is so disappointing.

[DanTex]

It's a huge lapse in judgement. It's just irresponsible. Bernie's not an upstart anymore, he's one of the favorites, maybe even the leading contender at this early time.

Nina Turner is a person who actively helped Donald Trump become president in 2016 by bashing the Democratic Party and supporting Jill Stein all the way up to election day.

Does it help Bernie win the nomination? I don't see how. Yes, it will help him consolidate the Jill Stein portion of his base, but he's already got that consolidated. To win, he needs mainstream Dems as well, who are going to be turned off by this choice.

Does it help the Dem nominee win the general election? Definitely not, regardless of whether the nominee is Bernie. If it's not Bernie, then we can look forward to Turner again hitting all the TV shows to bash whoever the Democratic nominee is, and doing her best to ensure that disgruntled Bernie supporters don't vote for Democrats. And if it is Bernie, then the disgruntled non-Bernie supporters will be constantly reminded that the Democratic nominee's campaign is being run by someone that has repeatedly given the finger to the Democratic Party.

[Evergreen Emerald]

1. I don't think it is a lapse in judgment

Last edited Sat Feb 23, 2019, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

I think it is purposeful. When things don't make sense, we need to question motives. It is a significantly bad idea, if the goal is to legitimately run for President as a Democrat.

But, to sew discord, to make sure the status quo remains, then the Turner decision makes sense.

I am suspect about the motives of Sanders. I am suspect about where the millions of dollars came from the day after announcing. I am suspect about his lack of willingness to turn over his tax returns.

Actions speak louder than words. Watch his actions.

[getagrip_already]

35. +1

Russian money DID flow to sanders in 2016. Their goal is to tear the party apart. Is there an unwitting agent involved here?

The russian strategy is clear. It is appearing in campaigns already.

[rgbecker]

56. Mueller charge was to investigate Russian influence in the 2016 election.

I'm sure his report will tell us the extent of Bernie's collusion with the Russians.

We'll just have to wait for the report and meanwhile not impeach Trump....because,..... whatever.

[Cha]

42. Of course it is. Mahalo, Evergreen!

[Evergreen Emerald]

53. Hi Cha!

[lostnfound]

54. His actions as Senator were consistently populist, progressive votes for decades, which is why..

I supported him in 2016...but I am definitely not enthusiastic this time. The Nina turner choice is abysmal — she can be a great talker but not supporting Hillary was unforgivable. The stein connections is a big red flag. And as far as Bernie, I appreciated the direct discussions of income inequality in 2016, but looking at the great field of candidates and not being humble enough to recognize what the others bring to the table? 2020 is not 2016.

[Hortensis]

55. +1, Evergreen. Guessing Turner is chosen to draw those POC

who identify with her various resentments against Democrats. From her past behaviors, chock full of acting out various antagonisms, I suspect she leans naturally socially conservative.

That wouldn't be at all strange -- we know an almost definingly large portion of those sharing populist passions are socially conservative while being also economically progressive. Those whose desire for progressive government outweighs their conservative tribal hostilities are more likely to look for they want on the left, but that doesn't exactly make them a good fit for the socially liberal Democratic Party.

Btw, I've often thought about the influence of these people on the Sanders movement. Some hostile behaviors are obvious, indistinguishable from trumpster behaviors, like at our convention, hostile threats to candidates they don't like, rejection of minority issues, etc.

But in this case, how much were socially conservative Progressives responsible for the passion for completely doing away with the ACA, refusing to even consider keeping and building on the big start it was intended to be?

The Sanders faction/Our Revolution's "replace" intention was and is of course very different from the Republicans' determination to destroy Obamacare without replacing, but we know a very large motivation for the social conservatives in the Trump camp was and very much is to erase all of our first black president's legacy.

[Andy823]

60. Well said

Thank you.

[allgood33]

91. I, too am suspicious about his backing. They were fooled before.

It's easier to fool people that to convince them they were alrady fooled.

[calguy]

2. Bernie burned some bridges last time around

When it was obvious he wasn't going to win the nomination, he should have backed off his relentless and sometimes ridiculous attacks on Hillary. The way his followers disrupted the convention did not help the candidate's image. In short, he was a sore loser. With those actions in mind a lot of the best people won't work with him this time around. Nina Turner, while she is a bad choice, may be the best Bernie has to choose from.

[Grasswire2]

19. wow

revisionist history, IMO

[Power 2 the People]

21. +1

[getagrip_already]

36. history is a cruel reminder at times...

You can deny it, but it is easily verified.

While bs did campaign for dems after the nomination, it was mostly for candidates who supported him. He wasn't supporting the top of the ticket, except with faint praise when pressed to do so.

It was craven.

[Grasswire2]

39. I'm talking about the part where the commenter blames Sanders supporters for disrupting. nt

[calguy]

40. Sorry if I offended you

I was just stating the facts as I remember them. My point is Bernie burned a lot of bridges last time and the top people on our side remember. IMO that's why he has to settle for lower tiered associates like Turner.

[Cha]

44. You remembered them correctly 'cause

that's Exactly What Happened.

They can deny it all they want but it doesn't change the facts on the ground.

[GWC58]

76. Yep, it's not revisionist history, it's

accurate history. As for Nina Turner? No comment. 🤫🤔

[CrossingTheRubicon]

58. When someone has burned bridges picking your movement's prime arsonists to lead a repeat performance

is a pretty clear signal of what's to come, methinks.

Very disappointing. Not surprising.

[DanTex]

57. Who do you think was booing at the convention if it wasn't Sanders supporters?

[Cha]

43. That was Not "revisionist".. it's Exactly What

Happened.

[Grasswire2]

61. were you there? nt

[Garrett78]

63. No more history books. I, mean, if you weren't at WWII, how do you know it happened?

There were people at the convention who have verified one another's reports.

[Cha]

65. Exactly.. I have a

cyber-bud from Texas who actually was a delegate and has reported several times on DU the ugliness that he and his daughter experienced.

So Thank You, Garrett.

[Gothmog]

69. Normally, going to a natioanal convention is an once in a life time experience

sanders sent one very weak text the Sunday night before the convention and then did little or nothing to control his delegates. It was nasty I was there when the sanders delegates booed Congressman John Lewis. I was warned about this stunt 30 minutes before it happened by the Clinton campaign whip. According to my whip, sanders was asked to stop this event and declined. That incident will be used against sanders if he runs in 2020.

I was at the Texas delegation breakfast when a group of sanders delegates marched in and demanded that we condemn Clinton and change our votes to sanders.

sanders spoke to the Texas delegation the next morning and his speech was again solely about himself. There was a mini-riot due to his delegates the prior morning and the only thing that sanders talked about was himself. sanders did nothing to deal with the fact that his delegates were out of control and did nothing to try to help Hillary Clinton win the general election.

Finally a group of sanders delegates yelled at my daughter and called her the c-Word because she would not try to get me to change my vote. Again sanders was asked to tell his delegates to behave during the convention and sanders refused

[Cha]

70. Thank You for posting your Awful Experience

here in this thread, Goth.. and your daughter's.

I can't believe some are trying to deny it.

I'm really sorry your time as a delegate was so infested with sour disrupters.

BS is running again and I hope everyone who cares about our Country remembers what they did.. especially to John Lewis

I read nina turner( jill stein supporter).. wasn't allowed to speak there. Good. That's all it needed more 3rd party shite.

Jill Stein crashed the Democratic convention. Some Bernie delegates weren't too thrilled.

Stein had somehow made her way into the Democratic National Convention and led dozens of angry Sanders delegates in a walkout after Hillary Clinton officially became the nominee early Tuesday evening.

Not all of Sanders's supporters were having it. Ray McKinnon, 35, a Sanders delegate from North Carolina, began yelling at Stein when he saw her, telling her to "get out" and arguing that she had no place within the convention hall.

"For her to come in here, it’s just ridiculous; I can’t stand it," McKinnon told me afterward. "It was the height of disrespect

https://www.vox.com/2016/7/26/12291380/jill-stein-bernie-delegates

Fucking Gaslit jill stein and her Fucking LIES.

[Gothmog]

71. This is from a sanders delegate

Link to tweet

[Cha]

75. Yeah, what a shame... nina didn't get to

speak

Link to tweet

Thanks for that, Goth

[dalton99a]

74. +1.

[Cha]

66. I didn't need to be there to

know that it happened.

[emulatorloo]

87. I watched live while they booed John Lewis. Stop trying to gaslight people

[Adrahil]

64. Bernie hurt is in 2016.

He hurt us this time too.

[MustLoveBeagles]

82. No it isn't

It's the truth.

[Amimnoch]

50. Exactly. Also hoping our candidate doesn't share 45's Putin ties. Nt.

[leftofcool]

3. I can't believe that anyone is surprised by this

[Garrett78]

4. I suspect Bernie knows he's not really a contender.

He knows it's going to be really rough for him after New Hampshire.

[Mike Nelson]

5. She's not a Democrat...

… we have a vigorous Primary Season - then, we support the person getting the most votes. Jill Stein was not our nominee. It's really very simple.

[4139]

6. The vast majority of voters have never heard of Nina Turner. Most primary voters never heard of her

If Sanders is the nominee this issue would have no impact on the general election.

It understandable why some are rehashing 2016, it’s fine that they vent but it is minor inside baseball.

Even if some candidate were to try to hammer sanders is a debate with it, 99% of the viewing audience would be saying ‘Nina who?????’

[comradebillyboy]

11. She's been featured at CNN for the past two years

I can't imagine that she's a complete unknown. Once again Bernie shows his total contempt for the Democratic party.

[quickesst]

33. You are right

Even if she were an unknown commodity to voters now, it would be naive to believe her past actions would not come up during the campaign. It would not take long for voters to know exactly who she is.

[getagrip_already]

37. and you know trump will be highlighting her if bs is the nominee...

She will be used as a very effective wedge. It's what trump does. It's what the russians do.

[quickesst]

52. It was a poor choice......

..... and it will be one of continuing regret.

[DanTex]

14. Well, hopefully it's not indicative of the kind of campaign he's going to run.

The big question is whether he's going to rile up a bunch of people with animosity towards the Democratic Party. I really hope he doesn't, because we don't need that.

Really, anytime there's a close primary, there are going to be disgruntled supporters that need to be brought onboard for the general election. It happened in 2008 and also in 2016. And the more Nina Turners we have in high-profile positions, the harder that becomes.

Sure, most people haven't heard of her, but it's still a red flag.

[Garrett78]

16. It won't matter if people don't know Nina Turner. What will matter...

...is her being quoted at every Democratic debate.

[Cha]

45. Even if that were true.. it doesn't change

the fact that Nina is a divider who's has burned her bridges with the Democratic Party.

And, it's understandable why some don't want Nina exposed.

Link to tweet

[liberalnarb]

7. I dont remember her supporting Stein.

I remember she rejected an offer to be the vp candidate on their ticket.

[aeromanKC]

9. She was offered the position

Nuff said

[liberalnarb]

10. Its seems odd to me that she didnt support Hillary in the general

after Bernie endorsed her. She was avidly pro-Hillary before she got behind Bernie.

[aeromanKC]

12. Soooo disappointed

Nina was one of my favorite pundits early on. You knew she was going to say it like it was when she was on a panel. But then she turned into Susan Surrandan. Or possibly because Hillary in a landslide you know she wanted to be AOC before there was an AOC.
Again, so disappointing.

[crazytown]

34. Here. 8 days out. Turner won't back Hillary.

Says I’m backing American people then talks about TPP, inequality etc.

[oasis]

62. "I only have one vote" she says. No influence whatsoever?

Alrighty then.

[Cha]

46. Doesn't change the fact that she did..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Dennis Donovan]

8. You mean PUMAs?

...

[Bleacher Creature]

13. I'm not so sure he's got the pick of the litter.

There are so many good options on our side that I'm not sure why any self-respecting Democrat would want to take that position. That said, it's a huge lapse of judgment for him to have even asked her.

[DanTex]

15. I think plenty of solid Dems would jump at the opportunity to be his co-chair.

It's a huge deal, Bernie's likely to be a major contender. Even just as a career choice, it brings a lot of visibility and opens career possibilities.

Nina Turner, for example. If not for being involved with Bernie's last campaign, she would still be an obscure former state senator and unsuccessful candidate for Ohio Secretary of State.

[Garrett78]

20. Sanders is in a heap of trouble after New Hampshire.

Unless he's going to somehow do much, much better than last time among POC and non-millennial women.

[Bleacher Creature]

17. You may be right and I'm certainly not excusing him.

I'm not sure he makes it much past the first couple of states, but I agree completely that the only reason why she's not just an obscure Jill Stein supporter at this point is because Bernie continues to elevate her. That said, you're right that it's awful judgment.

[ismnotwasm]

18. Bernie is a canny old politician who made some huge errors last time

Turner is very popular in some quarters, and that’s the only way I can think of this as a good idea, he’s still going after the disaffected voters, despite Turners basic ridiculousness as a choice. He didn’t do it for Democrats, no.

[Cha]

84. Yes, BS is an "Established" politician who

is still making errors.

Link to tweet

[Power 2 the People]

22. I'm so dismayed to see this intelligent Democratic woman of color being denigrated on DU

It needs to stop.

In the 2016 presidential election, Turner initially supported Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination,but switched her support to Bernie Sanders.After Clinton won the nomination, Turner was invited by Jill Stein to become the Green Party's nominee for Vice President, but Turner declined, stating, "I believe that the Democratic Party is worth fighting for."

On July 1, 2013, Turner declared her candidacy for Ohio Secretary of State, challenging Republican Jon Husted with whom she has differed significantly, especially on the issue of voting rights.On September 18, Bill Clinton officially supported Turner's candidacy. She was defeated 60%–35% by Husted.

[BannonsLiver]

24. Where do you think Bill is now on NT?

[Power 2 the People]

25. Only Bill can answer that.

I would hope that he'd say that diversity of opinion is what makes America great. I hope he would say that Nina Turner is a strong woman of color who deserves to have her opinion valued. I would hope that he says debate is essential to Democracy.

[BannonsLiver]

26. ...

?itemid=10294651

[DanTex]

27. Why? And why does her being a woman of color matter?

You're not seriously suggesting that the reason she is denigrated is because of her gender or race, are you?

You just say "it needs to stop," but you can't actually defend her actions. Why don't you try tell us all why it's OK that she bashed the Democratic Party over and over during the 2016 general election. She supported Stein, which is tantamount to supporting Trump.
Because she didn't run on the Green ticket that means it's OK? LOL. By that logic all Trump voters except for Mike Pence are a-OK as well.

[NurseJackie]

28. No she's not.

I'm so dismayed to see this intelligent Democratic woman of color being denigrated on DU

No she's not.

She's a Stein supporter and a Stein-voter... no better than Susan Sarandon. I would not associate poor choices like that as indicators of someone's intelligence.

[Power 2 the People]

29. I believe that the Democratic Party is worth fighting for.

After Clinton won the nomination, Turner was invited by Jill Stein to become the Green Party's nominee for Vice President, but Turner declined, stating, "I believe that the Democratic Party is worth fighting for."

[DanTex]

30. And then she proceeded to fight against the Democratic Party.

[NurseJackie]

31. Yet she couldn't even bring herself to support the party's nominee.

Turner declined, stating, "I believe that the Democratic Party is worth fighting for."

Yet, in the end, she couldn't even bring herself to support the party's nominee. Therefore her words ring very hollow and insincere.

She simply can't be trusted. She's just as bad as Susan Sarandon.

[jcgoldie]

32. Uhm you left out the part about...

... how she trashed HRC during the last months of the campaign against Trump and spread bullshit narrative about how Bernie got fucked and the DNC was in the tank for Clinton and ultimately refused to endorse her for president against the worst person in the world. That must have all slipped your mind.

[honest.abe]

49. I dont think Bill Clinton feels the same about her now than in 2103 given what see did in 2016.

Her actions at the end of the campaign likely helped Trump to win.

[Politicub]

23. Can we just have one thread where people can air their grievances about Turner, please?

It’s getting ridiculous. I think it was a poorly calculated move to bring Turner back on board based on her behavior in 2016. But I don’t feel the need to start a thread about it.

[bigtree]

38. "Yes, it will help him consolidate the Jill Stein portion of his base"

...that's the odious goal.

[Cha]

41. Well Done, DanTex!

I like how you laid all that out and shining the Light on BS' choice of Nina Turner.

Link to tweet

[Tom Rinaldo]

47. I think it is a significant mistake. His other three Co-Chairs are excellent

I can accept that Sanders does not disavow Turner and that he continues to accept her support. But she should not have been given this prominent a role in his campaign under the circumstances.

[Adrahil]

48. When people tell you who they are....

... believe them.

Sanders has expressed his disdain for Democrats and for HRC.

His selection of Turner reaffirms all those positions.

[wasupaloopa]

51. Bernie and Nina gave the finger to the Democratic Party. But when it is useful

use it.

[disillusioned73]

59. Love Nina.

?fit=1050%2C700&ssl=1

[Cha]

68. nina is toxic.. doesn't even know the difference between Dems

and fucking fascist trump Assholes.

she would be banned from DU for espousing her stupid "both sides" crap.. and pumping for Jill Stein's Fucking LIES.

Link to tweet

[pnwmom]

73. That person is a Tulsi-lover, too. So . . . . n/t

[pnwmom]

72. So you love Nina and Tulsi. That explains a lot. n/t

[disillusioned73]

77. You dislike them,

that explains a lot..

[Cha]

85. Nina is a 3rd party voter who

got SUCKED in by jill stein's LIES about Hillary.

So tell me this.. What is it you "love" about her? Her choice in potus candidates?

[aikoaiko]

67. we need to bring people back to the party.

Too many people with much hubris told lefties we didn't need them and to eff-off.

But I have to ask, are you really disappointed, DanTex?

[DanTex]

78. Yes we do, which is why Nina Turner is such a poor choice.

When given the opportunity to bring people back to the party, instead she chose to lead them away. She is exhibit A in what you are describing: a person with much hubris who told lefties they should eff-off rather than voting for Hillary against Trump.

So, yeah, I am disappointed. I was hoping Bernie had learned from 2016, and wasn't going to make some of the same mistakes. I respect Bernie a lot, and I give him a lot of credit for bringing things like single payer and free college into the mainstream. At the same time, he bears significant responsibility for the divisions in the party that you are referring to. Since, like you say, we need to mend those divisions, elevating people who relish in those divisions is a bad call.

[BooScout]

79. Where's his unity?

I'm just not feeling the kumbaya unity ya know?

[Gothmog]

80. Turner introduced sanders yesterday

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Hortensis]

81. Lol. "Wait, I missed this - Sanders had a Stein voter introduce him?"

Bizarre, all right.

Seriously, these three do have strikingly in common that they seem to sincerely believe in the goals they claim, but that they all ultimately sabotage them. Like others like them that this very troubled, unstable era has brought into prominence, it's as if some inner demons just won't let them stay committed to achieving them.

[Cha]

83. jill stein's Fucking LIES about Hillary

Own a Big Chunk O trump.

[Gothmog]

89. A vote for Jill Stein was a vote for trump

[LiberalLovinLug]

88. I love how Bernie doesn't give a rats ass what paralized party purists think

Hillary and Warren were both Republicans once. I'm sure they had their reasons to dis the Democratic party at one time.

It obviously was never about party identity with Sanders. He operates in a post party mindset. Where......shock......policy, ideas, action, to create a fairer playing field for everyone, is more important.

He relies on peoples common sense, and the ability to rise above petty party bickering, and look to what a person's values are, what they want for their fellow Americans. Too bad there probably isn't enough that can do that in order for him to win.

[NastyRiffraff]

90. Disappointing, maybe...but not surprising

Nina Turner and Bernie Sanders are absolutely in tune with each other. It was no mistake to hire her; Sanders wants her as campaign chair. He's hoping to get the nutty Jill Steiners, who will vote 3rd party again when Sanders loses the primaries. And Nina will then do exactly what she did in 2016.

[Blue_Tires]

92. Nina Turner is only disappointing if you expected

Sanders and his circle of advisors to have learned something after 2016... As far as I'm concerned, it's 100% predictable

[RhodeIslandOne]

93. She spent the entire time after the convention pouting and backing idiot Jill Stein

So buckle up, if/when Bernie fails let the crying commence.