Sanders loses convention leverage

[caquillo]

Bernie's summer was supposed to be about strengthening his hand for the Democratic convention. But since the California primary, his position has gotten weaker.

BURLINGTON, Vt. — Leverage: it’s the one thing Bernie Sanders’ advisors and aides consistently point to when asked why, exactly, he’s formally staying in the Democratic primary race that he’s lost to Hillary Clinton.

But it's the one thing he’s been bleeding every day ever since he dropped California’s primary by a much wider-than-expected margin last week. Sanders’ summer was supposed to be all about building leverage for the Democratic convention, providing him with a better hand to play as he presses Clinton to accept his policy positions and party reform suggestions. Now, the people closest to him aren’t sure how exactly to get it back.

His first and most prominent endorsers have jumped off the bandwagon, congratulating and in some cases endorsing Clinton — from Sen. Jeff Merkley to Rep. Raul Grijalva, and from the Communications Workers of America to MoveOn.org.Each of the big-name Democrats and groups who steadfastly remained neutral in the primary have flocked to Clinton over the past week, from President Barack Obama to Sen. Elizabeth Warren to the AFL-CIO. Even Sanders' highest-profile congressional endorsee, Nevada’s Lucy Flores, lost her primary bid on Tuesday despite his cash injection into her campaign.

Yet on Thursday night, speaking to over 200,000 viewers who tuned into his live-streamed video address, Sanders vowed to press on — pledging to fight to defeat Donald Trump but refusing to formally back Clinton and insisting his army of supporters isn’t going anywhere.

(more in the link below)
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/sanders-loses-convention-leverage-224469

[riversedge]

1. As a posted article said--Sanders is running on Windows 95.

[DemonGoddess]

23. nope, he's running on Windows NT 2000

short lived, awful OS. The first Win 95 was bad, but NT 2000 was worse.

Anyway, I really need to stay out of the comments in the posted links. Anyone have any brain bleach?

[George II]

29. Interesting analogy. Enough said.

[Gothmog]

2. Sanders had very little leverage right now

[Thinkingabout]

3. He may be responding to his supporters but it is over. I would have thought he

Would have been interested in agreeing to go forward on issues which he and Hillary could agree but I dont see where he is interested in the issues but more interested in controlling the DNC.

[livetohike]

4. The more he whines and seeks visibility, he dooms himself

to irrelevancy. He will not enter the convention with any leverage other than being an also ran.

It still amazes me the nerve he has to suddenly join the Democratic Party and then want to change everything about it!

[Cha]

7. That's what trojan horse tactics are.. not only "change" but disingenuosly Diss it.. demonize

it and Hillary, too.

Dissing the Dems who didn't endorse him as #Establishment, like they're not worthy because they endorsed Hillary. The very Dems who Filibustered last night to get a vote on banning assault rifles.. that he couldn't even be bothered to join them.

He deserves nothing.

[livetohike]

15. I hope they ignore him at the convention, or give him a 1:00 a.m.

speaking slot .

[Cha]

18. Yeah.. let him whine.. nothing new.

[Surya Gayatri]

9. A-friggin'-men!

It still amazes me the nerve he has to suddenly join the Democratic Party and then want to change everything about it!

[livetohike]

16. Hi Surya!

[Surya Gayatri]

22. Hiya, livetohike!

[KittyWampus]

13. He didn't join the Democratic party. He just used its infrastructure. He wasn't a Democrat

and he still isn't a Democrat.

[livetohike]

20. Agree. He will change his registration back to Independent once

this is over. Hope he gets primaried. He needs more time off in VT to work on his revolution.

[Arkansas Granny]

24. This explanation probably is closer to the truth that he will every admit.

He certainly isn't acting like a Democrat now.

[pandr32]

27. You are right

He is not with any other Democrats, not supporting them in the Senate. In short, he is talking down to, or criticizing Democrats as he does nothing except for wanting to "reform" the Party and platform so he can feel important--all the while not doing any work yet taking all the credit for "being there first" on everything, and not backing those who actually do the heavy lifting.

What a guy! What's that saying? Hmmmm--with "friends" like that, who needs enemies?

[upaloopa]

5. Add to this that he had no real idea how to get the things he wanted done, he just was never

Presidential.

The idea that he could get millions of people off their keyboards and into action was a joke.

Large rallies and internet polls just are not going to get any progressive change done.

We will be the ones working to get a progressive Congress, SCOTUS and White House while Bernie and his followers make more speeches and refuse to vote.

[Cha]

8. Well done, upaloopa. Mahalo for the reminder.. He couldn't even explain

to the NYDN how to "break up the banks".

[Cha]

6. Why does everyone always feel the need to post his pic.. we've seen it a few

million times.. I think we know what he looks like.

Sorry..

So.. to the article.. And, just to be clear.. I never expect anything from him.

Money Quote..

His first and most prominent endorsers have jumped off the bandwagon, congratulating and in some cases endorsing Clinton — from Sen. Jeff Merkley to Rep. Raul Grijalva, and from the Communications Workers of America to MoveOn.org .Each of the big-name Democrats and groups who steadfastly remained neutral in the primary have flocked to Clinton over the past week, from President Barack Obama to Sen. Elizabeth Warren to the AFL-CIO. Even Sanders' highest-profile congressional endorsee, Nevada’s Lucy Flores, lost her primary bid on Tuesday despite his cash injection into her campaign.

Gracias, caquillo~

[BootinUp]

10. Good article. nt

[liberal N proud]

11. Obscurity is where Sanders is headed - He is just trying to hold on as long as he can

[Koinos]

12. K & R

[Her Sister]

14. BS will never ever ever say the "U" word. Can't make him. Nope. Not. Nada.

Clinton, for example, noted that the two had discussed “unifying the party” — a phrase that was glaringly omitted from Sanders’ version.

Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/sanders-loses-convention-leverage-224469#ixzz4BqHDigC3

[Cha]

17. "they discussed "unifying the party" but BS said "NO way No How" lol

Hillary knows BS is doing himself in .. she doesn't have to say anything..

It will work itself out.. so she doesn't get his endorsement..

We'll win without him.

We got Oprah!

[Her Sister]

19. Yes, you're right!

It's infuriating though, listening to him last night. Every time he dissed the Democratic Party. Why doesn't he go and fix the Republican Party for them. I think they are wishing for a Savior!

You were smart not to listen/watch last night for sure. The self-importance was especially elevated...

While I knew WE HAVE OUR NOMINEE and SHE is a live one!!!!

[Cha]

21. I just can't..

I am not a masochist! That's what I'd being to myself if I did.

I stopped all corp manufactured news in Nov 2002.. because I couldn't stand their lies.. think I'm going watch that ************* in 2016.. uh uh.

[NastyRiffraff]

25. He's like the unwanted guest

who crashes the party, criticizes the hors d'oeuvres, the decor, and the other guests. And pees on the carpet and writes graffiti on the bathroom walls.

The country dodged a bullet and went for the real deal: HILLARY CLINTON!

[displacedtexan]

26. 214,000 fans do not a revolution make.

This was supposed to be the definitive call to revolution speech. It sounded to me like a ransom note list of demands. And, seriously, what's his endgame? I'm still wondering what he will ultimately do after the election. Any ideas?

[eastwestdem]

28. Ya think?... nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

30. Not only has he lost "leverage", he's lost all credibility after that sham of a speech. n/t