Bernie Sanders 2020 campaign megathread

[James Monroe]

Bernie, when endorsing Hillary Clinton, didn't combat the aggressive rhetoric from his toxic base that voting third party/Trump would hand the election to Trump. I think he did poorly communicating to his supporters about the progressivism of Clinton.  There's no reason why so many dopey sore losers would turn to Trump when the records were set clear.

[James Monroe]

Bernie, when endorsing Hillary Clinton, didn't combat the aggressive rhetoric from his toxic base that voting third party/Trump would hand the election to Trump. I think he did poorly communicating to his supporters about the progressivism of Clinton.  There's no reason why so many dopey sore losers would turn to Trump when the records were set clear.

"The progressivism of Clinton"? What are you smoking?

The proper thing to say - which he kind of did but not loudly enough - was "there are no progressive options left to vote for. We must therefore vote to prevent Trump and/or vote for the lesser of the evils to get as close to progressive policies as possible out of the remaining choices. Either way you approach it, Clinton is the answer."

She had one of the most progressive platform in the history of candidates.

There was no lesser evil, it was a choice of thoughtful and rational progressive, or a choice of white supremacy.

[James Monroe]

This egotistical boosting is why I detest the Sanders movement.  If they cared about the future of our nation they would say the same for several candidates running against Sanders. Oh no, we can't let the other slimy Neo-liberals get in our way, it's all King Bernie to the rescue, for he'll save us from the mercy of Trump.


https://twitter.com/lizcgoodwin/status/1125101962268008453

[James Monroe]

Is an old white man who overlooks the pressures women are made to deal with because of their gender really the best person to lead the Democratic party forward?

Bernie Sanders is back and, if people were feeling the Bern in 2016, they might find their sentiments a bit more lukewarm in 2019. In political field filled with younger women and people of color, it’s reasonable to ask whether or not an older white man is the best person to lead the Democratic party (which he doesn’t technically belong to) forward.

That’s especially true when Bernie makes statements like, “We have got to look at candidates, you know, not by the color of their skin, not by their sexual orientation or their gender and not by their age. I mean, I think we have got to try to move us toward a non-discriminatory society which looks at people based on their abilities, based on what they stand for.”

The problem with that statement is that factors like race, gender, and sexual orientation actually do influence how seriously people are taken, and how hard they have to work to be able to rise to the same heights as heterosexual white men. What’s taken as commonplace or quirkily charming in white men is seen as objectionable in others. And Bernie has benefited from that standard.

 
When Bernie Sanders eats, he's met with applause. When Kristin Gillibrand does it, it’s proof that she’s “contrived and opportunistic.”

Bernie Sander’s love life is seen as a wonderful part of what defined his beliefs, whereas Kamala Harris' dating history—and seemingly the fact that she dated at all—is seen as proof that she’s a gold digger. If you think for a second that a female candidate or a person of color who has been married twice and had a child with another partner—as Bernie has—would not be treated extremely harshly, if not seen as being ineligible to run altogether, well, I have a bridge to sell you.

Bernie Sanders seems to feel those double standards can just be overlooked, even when sexism has clearly manifested in his own campaign. And not just when his surrogates called his opponent a “democratic whore.” According to The New York Times, one of Bernie’s delegates claimed in an email that within his campaign, “There was an entire wave of rotten sexual harassment that seemingly was never dealt with.”

When women who worked for him came forward to discuss how they were paid less and experienced sexual harassment, Bernie initially replied, “I was a little bit busy running around the country” and seemingly couldn’t be expected to know about staff complaints. Bernie now seems to be trying to discuss those issues, but, frankly, after his female staffers came forward to talk to The New York Times, it would be impossible for any candidate not to do so. Sadly, it doesn’t seem to have been his instinct before then.

That’s in keeping with someone who claimed, “women’s issues were a distraction.” And while many male candidates for President might have felt that way, this year is filled with women who don’t. Women who have a lived experience of “women’s issues” are very willing to talk about them proudly.

https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a26517395/bernie-sanders-2020-campaign-gender-comments-explained/

Well-written article that gets the blunt of why I can't hide my disdain for Bernie and his movement.

[James Monroe]

Bernie supporters are going vicious over a person of color commentator known for her criticism of Bernard outreach to her audience. The continuous uproar over 2016 isn't done yet, as the Bernie/DSA crowd will continue fighting against the wishes of the Democratic voting base, not realizing they should bend over and support the next candidate to DEFEAT Trump.

https://twitter.com/ZerlinaMaxwell/status/1129457604445573123

[James Monroe]

Who?

A progressive commentator on satellite radio.

[James Monroe]

Who?

A progressive commentator on satellite radio.

ah so you're the listener so satellite radio then

Maxwell has also appeared on Bill Maher(ew) and MSNBC(yay).

[James Monroe]

a person of color commentator, known for her criticism of Bernie's outreach to that particular crowd

Please stop doing violence to the English language.

Well, I edited that sentence. Good?

[James Monroe]

Is Bernie still running? I only hear about Biden these days.

Don't worry he's still in the race. Bernie is just gasping about the poor performance of Jeremy Corbyn in the European election, knowing it will have a mark on his electorally.

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/tommyxtopher/status/1134207499287105537

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/SallyAlbright/status/1142584257874923527

[James Monroe]

Bernie Sanders wouldn't commit to dropping out of the race before the convention if he were not the nominee and said some people say he would've beat Trump "if the system weren't rigged against me."  with @kasie

Ah yes, it was totally rigged... if by rigged, of course, he means that his opponent was significantly more popular with primary voters &, thus, earned 4 million more votes, then yep, definitely rigged.

Inb4 jfern mentions David Brock.

Neera Tanden, the DNC, black primary voters, Tom Watson, blah blah blah blah....

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/eclecticbrotha/status/1144687219212455936


Hope the brocialists are having a meltdown now that a black women is stealing the thunder from Saint Bernard Sanders.

[James Monroe]

Oh, now they are preparing for the destruction of the American sovereignty through contrarian voting for Trump. Great job leftists, great job.


https://twitter.com/anashwt/status/1145062586397970432

[James Monroe]

Warren is not a great debater & has never been.

This is laughable. Warren was built for the debate format and it's almost impossible to imagine her making the kind of campaign-ending mistakes that Sanders would need to regain the lead.

And it doesn't matter. You have more than 6 months. This is the same crop of people who started the Biden finished rhetoric before be jumped in, the Warren finished rhetoric after the Native American thing.

It's true that the campaign is very fluid at this point. That doesn't change the fact that the major inflection points between now and Iowa will be the debates, which Warren will not slip up in. So the question remains where Sanders is going to regain his momentum.

No1 cares. Polls this early are meaningless unless Sanders tanks into 5-7% odd. Many of the polls are under sampling young voters or are over sampling people who watched the debates. Sanders has the money & field support to drive a much higher turnout than what polls predict. You get to December/January' & if Sanders is still jot within 5-6% from No.1 guy, then there must be something to worry.

Even if polls were underestimating support for Sanders, his 5% drop from May to July would still be significant and real.

IMO, the Sanders camp's unwillingness to look numbers in the face and pivot accordingly (but ... muh Michigan primary) is going to be his downfall and the only question left is whether he spits in the face of his own movement by staying in the race and denying Warren the support she'll need to cinch the nomination. Which would be hilarious in its own way for sure.

The "over sampling people who watched the debates" is especially funny. Do you really think that the debate watchers are taking cues from those who didn't watch? It works the other way around.

I actually agree that if Sanders is within 5-6% of first place in Iowa, people should be worried. It's a testament to his weak position now that even that scenario seems more and more unlikely.

Warren as a debater - What amazing debate did Warren participate in? She runs from the media, was mediocre in the 1st debate & was mediocre in her Senate debates. There is no proof whatsoever that she is a good debater.  Sanders on the other hand went toe to toe with Clinton & Ted Cruz & did as good as them.

Polls - When I mean oversampling, I don't mean intentional but incidental oversampling. That can't be denied with anyone with any shred of intelligence. Sanders is polling substantially ahead of Warren & Harris in the WaPo & Reuters polls (both of whim are reputed polls) while Warren & Harris are ahead in other polls. The polls are fluid depending on who are being polled & the sample size is inadequate to have any definite opinion.

In terms of the polls, you had O'Rourke @ 10-15% first, then Harris, then Buttigieg & then Biden @ 35-40% in some polls. Warren is the new flavour of the quarter which is what is happening. You have 1 candidate rising & polling around 12-15% or higher & they can sustain themselves for 3-4 months @ best. There are only 2 candidates who have consistently polled above 12-15% in most polls - Sanders & Biden. Warren has hit even 5% & there are major elect-ability concerns for her regarding the General Election.

It is pretty idiotic to make these kind of early judgements. Until & unless Warren beats Sanders' in polls by 5-6% atleast consistently for a period of 6 months, it is too early to get on the Warren bandwagon. I still think Warren will poll under 15% in Iowa & will drop out after NH. She has no path to the nomination. If Sanders falls, the rest of his support will go to a mixture of Biden, Harris & Warren with no candidate gaining significantly. If anything Kamala Harris will will be the undisputed front-runner in the Ultimate 2 person race between Harris & Warren. Warren has no chance.

Sanders on the other hand has the most committed supporters & the highest floor & is unlikely to go below a certain threshold. Sanders also has the highest number of grassroots donors, the highest number of volunteers & due to his key constituency of young people with typical low turnout in the polls & independents, he is significantly expected to out-perform polls.

If Sanders couldn’t beat Clinton, what makes you think he can beat Harris?

White men outvoting black women and granting the nomination to Bernie Sanders.

[James Monroe]

Bernie batting out for working class rapists! Good job pandering to female voters.

[tweeet]https://twitter.com/TheStagmania/status/1148703777081450496[/tweet]

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/marcushjohnson/status/1149058948277760000

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/MiriamElder/status/1149486552671592448


Somehow it all comes back to the dirty Russians. Hope the other candidates go toe to toe with Bernie on his long support of their regime. Bernie squashes whenever a political expert ask him about the Russian interference in the 2016 election.

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/Wilson__Valdez/status/1150784181783453696


Hahaha, what a blabbing joke Bernie campaign is!

[James Monroe]

Marcus H. Johnson just tweets this out. This shows why the Democratic base has no time for Bernard bs rhetoric. As hypocritical as a selfish politician could be.


https://twitter.com/hassankanu/status/1154443635280109568

[James Monroe]

The infamous essays he wrote on female sexuality for The Vermont Freeman from 1969 to 1972 reveal some pretty exploitative views about women. And although these pieces were dismissed as satire or youthful indiscretions when he first ran in 2016, we must include Bernie in a conversation about problematic histories on women and gender issues in 2019.
In his 1972 essay “Man and Woman,” Sanders describes men fantasizing about abusing women and women fantasizing about being gang raped by three men. A typical man’s fantasy is described as “a woman on her knees, a woman tied up, a woman abused,” while a woman “fantasizes being raped by 3 men simultaneously” as she has “intercourse with her man.”
Not only is it disturbing for Sanders to assume these violent fantasies are typical, he also casts women as “slavish” breeding “pigness” in men.
In another essay, entitled “Cancer, Disease and Society,” Sanders suggests that women’s health and sexuality are linked, arguing that more orgasms and less sexual repression will protect young women from cancer when they are older. “The manner in which you bring up your daughter with regard to sexual attitudes may very well determine whether or not she will develop breast cancer, among other things,” he states.
This was a pet idea of Wilhelm Reich, the fringe revolutionary psychologist. Reich built an “orgone box” (a type of hyperbaric chamber meant to encourage orgasms) that led him to be jailed for fraud. Sanders repeats Reich’s ideas despite the fact they had been long discredited.
In the same essay, Sanders argues for the importance of teenage girls having sex. “How much guilt, nervousness have you imbued in your daughter with regard to sex? If she is 16, 3 years beyond puberty and the time which nature set forth for childbearing, and spent a night out with her boyfriend, what is your reaction?”
Sanders seems to imply that 16-year-old girls are ready for sex and their mothers are intrusive busybodies coming between young women and their boyfriends.
He doubles down in another essay “The Revolution is Life Versus Death,” claiming that change can only happen “when a girl pushes aside all that her mother has ‘taught’ her and accepts her boyfriend’s love.”
Instead of insisting on the need to protect children, he focuses on children as sexual beings whose mothers should be dispatched so their female offspring can have sex with their boyfriends. It should be noted that Sanders voted against the Amber Alert in 2003 — a system of notifying the public when a child goes missing. (Bernie claimed he voted against it because of an add-on limiting judicial power on sentencing).
Sanders also voted against a measure that would give rape victims the right to find out if their perpetrators have HIV and AIDS. (He cited privacy concerns).

https://medium.com/@miabrett/bernie-makes-my-skin-crawl-too-1607e032506


Yet no reporting from the media that Bernie says is ought to get him and his gang of bros. I want the CNN debate hosts to ask him about this issue, so Americans can be open to just how much of an gratuitous and careless person he is on women rights. He has more in common with the Republican Party then he thinks.

[James Monroe]

I'm so glad that we have propaganda outlets like MSNBC to tell us that Bernie makes their skin crawl.

Medium is a propaganda outlet? No, that's Jacobin and The Intercept you're speaking of.

[James Monroe]

I wonder if this performance'll put Bernie into 20%, he's done great.

He's just shouting the same bs that will cripple the country. No one will start thinking about supporting this lunatic, they'll go over to Warren as the sane progressive choice.

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/Zebop/status/1156360829354356736

[James Monroe]

https://twitter.com/Zebop/status/1156360829354356736

Why shouldn’t he?

It makes him look like an old angry white man.