2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBill Maher says the primaries will destroy liberals. This is a poll on how you feel
Maher said "Bernie or Bust" is a big deal. I think that's horsesnot. Maybe I'm wrong.
I'm doing this DU poll NOT to provoke a Hillary-vs-Bernie debate or discussion about the issues (there's plenty of other threads for that). This thread is intended to be about the subject of party unity.
No hate from me if you really can't vote for our other candidate running for the nomination. It's a free country. But watch this video or don't (I've seen Maher be a lot funnier), I'd like to just get a survey of how many people here really think they can't at all vote for the other candidate vs how many can be won over for the sake of the nation.
(In case it's not clear enough... if your opinion is "Well I could vote for X if only they would say or do Y," then you're a "might vote" not a "can't vote" below)
96 votes, 7 passes | Time left: Unlimited | |
Clinton supporter, but I could vote for Sanders in November | |
14 (15%) |
|
Clinton supporter. I simply can't vote for Sanders in November | |
0 (0%) |
|
Sanders supporter, but I could vote for Clinton in November | |
34 (35%) |
|
Sanders supporter. I simply can't vote for Clinton in November | |
46 (48%) |
|
I'm supporting neither, but would ultimately vote for either | |
2 (2%) |
|
I'm supporting neither and the Dems cannot count on my vote | |
0 (0%) |
|
7 DU members did not wish to select any of the options provided. | |
Show usernames
Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll |

rock
(13,218 posts)Wait and see if I'm not right.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)I think Republicans are struggling with two core instincts: that of the herd and that of superiority. In the past, Reagan and the Bushlets have been able to synthesize those weltanschaungs. You seem to think their drive to be righter-than-thou all the time will drive them apart. My bet is that it's smarter to assume that their drive to conform to keep their "big daddy" du journ happy will ultimately pull them back together. I think they're crowd followers at heart, and if other big daddies say pinch your nose and vote for Trump, most of their herd will fall in line and walk up the shoot.
It's the status-quo-challenging instinct of the Dems that Maher is worried about. I think we'll unify in the long run, but a large number of DUers in this poll worry me.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)not just DU on a particular Saturday morning
FreakinDJ
(17,644 posts)not to advocate for a Dem candidate
Cal33
(7,018 posts)randr
(12,516 posts)is to NEVER allow a piece of shit like Trump to be elected.
I would vote for Mr. Ed if need be.
DeadLetterOffice
(1,352 posts)Luckily for me, my vote in the GE doesn't count for shit, so I can vote my conscience and not risk causing Trump to get into the White House. If I lived in another state, I'd probably bite through my tongue and pull the damn D lever no matter who was on the ticket.
KPN
(16,376 posts)So I won't vote Hillary in the GE. But I'm thinking it won't comnew to that anyway. Bernie's got this.
RelativelyJones
(898 posts)100%. Big problems with HRC, but do not want Trump or Cruz anywhere near real power...and whoever lands on the Supreme Court will affect everyone's life for the next 30-40 years.
Plus, I wouldn't have a problem with supporting either of our candidates. On the issues that are important to me, I like what both of them have to say.
brush
(58,794 posts)kerry-is-my-prez
(9,563 posts)I knew there was a lot of hate and racism out there but for people to vote for a dictator reality show star with no experience is just downright scary. We need to stop our petty squabbles here and turn this country blue (congress and Supreme Court).
senz
(11,945 posts)in the 2000s. Didn't work out all that well.
Lorien
(31,935 posts)since Hillary CAN'T win against her friend Drumpf. Even her husband's own top advisor knows this to be true: http://www.salon.com/2016/03/08/hillarys_inevitability_lie_why_the_media_and_party_elites_are_rushing_to_nominate_the_weakest_candidate/
Thank you.
RockaFowler
(7,429 posts)handmade34
(23,126 posts)those who maintain this sentiment are adolescent and only thinking of themselves...
elljay
(1,178 posts)I will vote for Clinton, if necessary, but certainly understand those who can't. It is like dealing with an addicted child and finally making the decision to cut him off, understanding the possible severe consequences. When we lose hope that things will change through normal means, the next step is to let the Democratic Party crash and burn, then rise improved from the ashes. I think this particular election is too important for that, but we need to logically and factually persuade the disenfranchised to hold on a bit longer. Once the SCOTUS appointments are made, it may then be time to take the Party down, not now.
Fawke Em
(11,366 posts)and expecting us to fall in line.
FWIW, there are a lot of Sanders supporters who are left-leaning independents and don't hold allegiance to a party. That they won't vote for Clinton in the fall shouldn't be the shocker it's being made out to be here. These are the young and disenfranchised voters the establishment has left behind.
brush
(58,794 posts)Especially if you're an independent who doesn't belong to either?
Vote third party or fourth party or even start your own.
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)participate in the party system. Duverger's Law shows us that third party candidates are not viable in plurality rule elections structured within single-member districts. These systems tend to favor a two-party system.
KPN
(16,376 posts)Our political system is totally screwed and dangerously close to being unfixable as a genuine democratic governance system. I'm not sure we will get another chance to make meaningful course corrections if we don't do it this time (similar to where we are with global warming, it may already be too late for many if not most of us).
How could I vote for someone who I believe would be basically a status quo President when it comes to the issues that shade out all others (oligarchy, campaign finance, global warming/carbon fuels, empire). Oh sure, she might do some "incremental" things in an attempt to maintain a level of voter support and to feather her legacy -- but incremental isn't good enough given the enormity of the challenges we currently face. My conscience won't let me vote for that -- seriously.
Voice for Peace
(13,141 posts)Crazy millennials and their independence are swaying me in the direction of voting conscience -- recognizing that nothing will change if we give our votes to someone willing to lie to us (over and over). In honor of Nancy: JUST SAY NO
to dishonesty in politics.
handmade34
(23,126 posts)Maher is spot on in that if we don't work together the Republicans have a chance of winning and that is going backwards (I do not want to go through another 8 years like we had with GWB)... AND... 1 person in the Whitehouse is not the ultimate solution... our political system is screwed because "we the people" have allowed it and not fought back with the power we have... sure we want Bernie and his ideology but WE must work for it and that involves a lot more than just voting one time... I believe that any liberal minded person must vote for the best possible candidates (at all levels, National, State, Community) and then work like hell to hold their feet to the fire and get involved as much as possible... Revolution either comes from violence or a lot of dedicated work by a lot of people... Bernie is my Senator and I would love to see him remain in the Senate for as long as possible because we have a serious lack of good progressives in Congress... Hillary Clinton will be a good President and do the right thing if we are dedicated enough to fight for what we want...
KPN
(16,376 posts)But until it's over, I'm going to do everything I can personally to make Bernie my party's nominee. Fair enough?
I'm sure Hillary will be a relatively good president. By comparison to the GOP candidates, she will be great. At same time, I don't believe she will do enough as far as moving us in the right direction. I am serious when I say that we are dangerously close to not being able to right the ship. At least in my kids lifetimes, let alone mine. We have suffered through a 40 year economic decline for the middle class. If we don't fix it now, by electing someone who WILL actually take on Wall Street, take on lobbyists, take on Congressional corruption, and rally people around those battles, when will we ever be able to? Do you really think with her past record that Hillary will pursue and make any dents meaningful enough to actually turn the ship around? I don't -- and I'm concerned that unless we do something now, it will take another 40 years of incrementalism to dig us out of the hole 40 years of trickle-down and neo-liberalism has put us in. That's an entire generation!!!!!!
brush
(58,794 posts)A parliamentary system would give voice to more people but we haven't evolved enough to uproot the entrenched big money backers of the two-party system to get there.
Donald Ian Rankin
(13,598 posts)DefenseLawyer
(11,101 posts)But a genius he ain't. If you notice, nuance is not one of his strong suits. Once things get complicated he always sticks with the simple.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)When things get complicated, that's the best time to look for the simple & eloquent truth.
Not that I fault nuance, I love nuance, I live by nuance, but sometimes nuance faults me.
DefenseLawyer
(11,101 posts)I guess by your definition George W. Bush was the Einstein of our time. He certainly saw the world in black and white and always erred on the side of simple.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)I didn't think I needed to stipulate downright stupidity as a disqualifier for my little rejoinder. I guess I was wrong. I will let you know, however, that in future discussions of "what is a genius" I will consider all references to George W Bush as non-sequiters.
Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)You need to make your point - one most in the audience will relate to, then move on. Spending too much time or nuance on a joke is asking for smiles instead of laughs. I know because I've known a couple of stand ups personally.
DefenseLawyer
(11,101 posts)Which is exactly why Bill Maher's political "wisdom" often lacks depth.
Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)But he's a guilty pleasure of mine.
DefenseLawyer
(11,101 posts)as long as I accept his limitations.
Elmer S. E. Dump
(5,751 posts)marions ghost
(19,841 posts)tho leaning towards "can't imagine voting for Hillary" even if she gets the nomination -- which I fervently hope goes to Sanders so I won't need to make this decision.
Am in a swing state, so decision deferred for now. But my heart's with those who can't bring themselves to vote Hillary.
Bernie all the way. Please move along gracefully Hillary.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)I'm in Redmad Texas. My Yella Dog won't count for shit. If I'm able to trade it away to tip the balance a little left away from fascism, I'd gladly do so.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)
I don't think it'll come to that. I guess I have more faith that most Americans are not going to choose fascism.
Hillary can't change anything. Sanders is better positioned to do that, not being beholden to anyone but the American people. Think how refreshing that would be.
I'm hoping more will see the choice as a very significant one. There is Yuge difference between the two Dem candidates.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)I agree that we have the threat of fascist getting into the White House. I have faith that, even it comes to that, we won't as a society go the route of Italy.
I'll pass on adding my name to the Purge List.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)perspective, please
99Forever
(14,524 posts)This ain't my first rodeo, bucky.
warrprayer
(4,734 posts)I'll pass.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)
warrprayer
(4,734 posts)I choose to not participate in the poll, as I believe it to be purge bait
99Forever
(14,524 posts)Hydra
(14,459 posts)kerry-is-my-prez
(9,563 posts)Seems like they are ok so far with the Green Party people on this site.
Hydra
(14,459 posts)They have a "list." I've been lucky so far- either I've survived the juries or I've been absent from the site at the right times ove he past few years. Some of them started premature grave dancing when they got one of my posts hidden, so it's apparently a thing.
RiverLover
(7,830 posts)If this party is represented by Hillary Clinton, its no longer my party.
I'll go willingly to the Greens. And I suspect we'll have a larger, inclusive national third party soon. That'll be the good that comes from this fiasco of a presidential election if Hillary is the nom.
IllinoisLabour
(86 posts)Any party headed by a right-leaner like Hillary doesn't represent me. I can find a Green Party forum to post on this cycle.
goldent
(1,582 posts)Bans are part of the entertainment and you only lose one subscriber. A purge would eliminate many subscribers with less entertainment value - it would make the ads less profitable.
99Forever
(14,524 posts)
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)maher is a steaming pustule of divisiveness and arrogance. he is the epitome of elitism and sadly, what gives fuel to the likes of trump
i would pick that one
Bucky
(55,334 posts)It's important that we distinguish between that which matters and that which is mere distraction.
restorefreedom
(12,655 posts)to me he is the embodiment of elite privilege and paternalistic bullying, exactly the kind of thing the people are revolting against.
but fair enough, its your poll.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)It's a movement just begging for Idiocracy.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)to the real Idiocracy we are seeing on the R side???
?
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)Bern it down would lead to that Idiocracy. Thank you for getting my point.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)Equating Bernie to Trump is just plain ridiculous.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)I am talking about "Bernie or Bust" "Bern it down". Those who would try to destroy the party their guy just joined if they don't get their way. Guarantees Idiocracy.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)you said "Bern it down." Two different things IMO.
The Dem party IS destroying itself from within. Has already helped put the country on the path to Idiocracy, with the help of the screaming media.
People NOT voting in lockstep to support a Dem candidate they have ZERO faith in ......
That IS my definition of Democracy!
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)"Bernie or Bust." YOU said "Bern it Down."
Two different things. Especially in light of last night's Chicago Trumpathon.
But that was your intent --to twist it up (for Hillary I assume). Typical of Hillaryesque distortions.
Pathetic.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)What is the difference that you are claiming?
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)
You're making me lean further to never vote Hillary (let her lose in my swing state).
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)brush
(58,794 posts)Last edited Sat Mar 12, 2016, 01:21 PM - Edit history (1)
IMO they both ultimately mean the same thing.
"Bernie or bust" means I won't vote for Clinton if she gets the nomination which means the repugs win.
"Bern it down" means take down the Democratic Party and start all over by not voting for Clinton if she gets the nomination which means the repugs win also.
And both result in the repugs making the next SCOTUS appointments which will guarantee that the country is screwed for the whole next generation, which I guess is what you mean by "Bern it down".
And that's supposed to be a good thing when the repug-dominated Supreme Court gets rid of all the civil rights legislation of the '60s, and rid of FDR's New Deal legislation, andwomen's rights, and LGBT rights and we're back in the Jim Crow era?
Oh happy days, we Berned it down.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)"Bernie or bust" means I won't vote for Clinton if she gets the nomination" (I lean this way but undecided because of my swing state carrying extra weight).
NOT:
"Bern it down"--meaning "take down the dem party" or some such junk
I NEVER USED THIS TERM AND DON'T APPROVE THIS MESSAGE--OK? I don't need to help the Dem party take itself down--if it nominates Clinton after shoving her down our throats and stifling Bernie--the Dem party will take its own self down.
But I see that Hillary supporters find this little distortion useful...typical.
brush
(58,794 posts)If it's not the same as "Bernie of Bust".
And also while you're at it, why do "Bernie of Busters" ignore the looming debacle of repug SCOTUS appointments that "Bernie of Bust" sentiment can make possible?
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)ONLY the Hillary supporters have used the term "Bern it down" in this thread. That's all I care about addressing.
If you have any other references to it, put them here.
NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Nye Bevan
(25,406 posts)99Forever
(14,524 posts)Disturbing? Only to status quo, entrenched, corporate sellouts.
Perhaps it should be informative as to what We the People are not going to put up with any more.
Democratic Party: ignore it at your own peril.
handmade34
(23,126 posts)should Hillary get the nomination... Bernie will say "we need to work together" Bernie will want all of us to vote Democratic
99Forever
(14,524 posts)I'll vote my conscience or no other person, be they a well known politician, a web site owner, a web site poster, my employer, my friend, my enemy, my relative or any other sort, tells me how to vote, nor am I going to tell any of them what my choice is.
That is why there are curtains on voting booths.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)...for all that some DU Hillary supporters seem to have made it their mission to ensure us Bernie supporters pick #4 (and the candidate herself sure is doing her best to make it impossible for anyone who values character, too). Odds are, though, that I'll not have to make that faustian bargain: Oregon's virtually certain to break "blue."
dawg
(10,777 posts)I voted for him.
But mostly because I knew the Georgia primary was likely going to be a lopsided victory for Clinton, and I wanted to make it less so.
I can support either candidate in the fall. Bernie is clearly the more principled of the two. But part of me suspects that Clinton would be better able to affect positive change for the country.
IllinoisLabour
(86 posts)...Jill Stein would do just fine in a pinch.
I'm not going to be taken for granted anymore by the DLC and its center-right politicians who cater to whoever has the biggest wallet.
I'm an independent, though. I vote for the working class.
RazBerryBeret
(3,075 posts)this rhetoric in the media and even here on DU is so very similar to 2008. people saying they wouldn't vote, or would hold their nose and vote, etc. I am very much behind one candidate, but in the end I will vote for the D. My 19 year old son is so lit about his first presidential vote and we've had several discussion about this. to sit out the vote, or vote R is against your own interests in the long run. Plus, I think my son knows I would disown him if he voted R, haha. JK.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Hydra
(14,459 posts)Huh. Maybe someone should talk to Bill Clinton about encouraging him to run for President then.
RiverLover
(7,830 posts)to protect social security & encourage American manufacturing.
It could be worse.
salster
(15 posts)I think you should have included "I support both equally and would vote for either."
RiverLover
(7,830 posts)Hillary is pro-free trade (except when campaigning), Pro-endless war, pro-BigAg, pro-deregulated/self-regulated wall street, etc.
She's a third way Dem, more in common with republicans than Democrats.
If we are serious about transforming our country, if we are serious about rebuilding the middle class, if we are serious about reinvigorating our democracy, we need to develop a political movement which, once again, is prepared to take on and defeat a ruling class whose greed is destroying our nation. The billionaire class cannot have it all. Our government belongs to all of us, and not just the one percent.
We need to create a culture which, as Pope Francis reminds us, cannot just be based on the worship of money. We must not accept a nation in which billionaires compete as to the size of their super-yachts while children in America go hungry and veterans sleep out on the streets.
While this might be inspiring to progressives yearning for a real opposition party not wedded to the same old neoliberal policies that the national Democratic Party has frequently promoted since the inception of the Clinton era, there are plenty of people on the other side of this intraparty divide who are far from sanguine about the new populism.
As Richard (RJ) Escrow reports in The New Democrats Meet the New Reality in the Huffington Post, the corporate Democrats are not just worried about the impact of Sanderss populism, they are actively seeking to undermine it:
Now theyre fighting back. A Wall Street-funded Democratic think tank called Third Way has released a lengthy report which argues that an inequality-based, populist theme will doom Democrats. Its board member, former White House Chief of Staff (and JPMorgan Chase executive) Bill Daley, even insisted to HuffPosts Stein that Sanders political positions are a recipe for disaster.
The Third Way report is available online. It introduces a number of catchphrases, often paired in threes: the Hopscotch Workforce, the Nickel-and-Dimed Workforce, and the Asset-Starved Workforce; Stalling Schools, the College Well, and Adult Atrophy; the Upside-Down Economy, the Anywhere Economy, and the Malnourished Economy.
Sadly, most of the content amounts to Misleading Minutiae, Gimmicky Wordplay, and Downright Deception . . .
Third Ways argument against inequality as a leading source of our current economic woes puts them directly at odds with leading economists, including Nobel Prize winner Joseph Stiglitz. Politicians typically talk about rising inequality and the sluggish recovery as separate phenomena, Stiglitz wrote in 2013, when they are in fact intertwined. Inequality stifles, restrains and holds back our growth.
So while the largely superficial coverage of the presidential race in the national corporate media will continue to focus on horserace and personality politics, anyone who knows the recent history of the Democratic Party understands that the Sanders campaign represents the deepest progressive challenge to the neoliberal direction of the party since the formation of the Democratic Leadership Council that helped bring us Bill Clintons Third Way presidency and the Democratic Party establishments embrace of market-driven policy decades ago.
http://sandiegofreepress.org/2015/11/clinton-and-the-new-democrats-tired-third-way/
Also see~
Hillary Clinton Attacks Bernie Sanders Progressive Agenda
Why is she talking like a Republican?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/clinton-sanders-taxes_us_564bcbbfe4b06037734ba1bd?section=politics
uppityperson
(115,905 posts)uppityperson
(115,905 posts)Slight difference, but it would work.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,840 posts)It's "I don't live in a swing state (or anything close) so I can vote for whoever I want. I wonder how many of the anti-Hillarys or anti-Bernies fall into that group.
vintx
(1,748 posts)In a red state and I will write in Bernie's name if I have to.
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)As I've said countless times (including upthread), I need only make this difficult decision if my state's actually in play in November...which ain't too damn likely.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,840 posts)Texas will be purple someday, but not now.
dawg
(10,777 posts)There were very few states that hit 60% for Obama in 2012. In many of the so-called solid blue states, he polled in the low fifties.
Likewise, Romney polled in the low fifties in states like Georgia and North Carolina. It wouldn't have taken much to flip those states, especially NC.
TexasBushwhacker
(20,840 posts)Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)I am able to vote for the most liberal candidate on the ballot. In 1988 it was Lenora Fulani.
bigwillq
(72,790 posts)With or without my vote, so I am free to explore other options. I say it's a win-win.
dana_b
(11,546 posts)California will go blue.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)The battle is between the left and right of the party. If we were all liberals, Clinton would never have been running.
Lil Missy
(17,865 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)On the plus side, this poll has given me a wealth of new additions to my ignore list. People who openly prefer Trump to win over Hillary are (fill-in-the-blank) in my opinion.
IllinoisLabour
(86 posts)We're just saying that Hillary is too far to the right.
I'm a Progressive Independent. I'm not a Democrat because the party doesn't really support progressive values, but they also can't win elections without getting votes from most of the people like me. Every four years, Dems take people like me for granted and say "at least our guy isn't as bad as their guy" and "if you don't vote Dem, it'll be your fault when a Republican wins."
Well, how about the onus gets put on the centrists and right-leaners for once? If Bernie loses and you don't vote for Jill Stein, it'll be YOUR fault when a Republican wins. Why is it always guys like me who have to compromise and elect another corporate Dem who wants the exact same economic and foreign policies as the Republicans? I'm just as fed up with what the Democratic Party has done for/to America as I am with the Republicans. If the party disintegrates and is reborn as an actual progressive party, that'd be awesome; it'd get me to join.
The Democratic party is not inherently entitled to my vote. If they choose to run away from representing my interests in an election, I shouldn't have to remain slavishly devoted them.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)them. It won't affect the election at all.
In fact, seeing some of the names, I am glad they are not on our side.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)are saying their needs and gripes are more important than the needs of the many.
How very sad.
RiverLover
(7,830 posts)The goal is for the DNC, the Democratic Party establishment, to BE Democrats, and support & back Progressives. Not just people who are really purchased by Moneyed Interests & only sound progressive while running for office, then giving us the shaft when in office.
We've been tricked twice now, its time for the real thing. Someone who is authentic & not just sounding liberal to get our votes.
Ie, the last 2 Democratic presidents(Obama & Clinton) put cutting social security on the table. And in Bill's case, to privatize it for Goddess sake. It was the republicans who stopped that. That's insane.
We need Democrats to be Democrats.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)JTFrog
(14,274 posts)Motown_Johnny
(22,308 posts)He has no credibility on any political issue.
Some of the stuff his writers come up with is funny, but other than that the guy is worthless.
merrily
(45,251 posts)Salviati
(6,040 posts)The only situation where I would not vote for the democratic nominee is if the superdelegates flip the nomination. I wouldn't be enthused about a Hillary nomination, but as Bernie has said, she'd be a far sight better than the dumpster fire that any of the clown car nominees would be. But I'm afraid that Hillary just isn't interested in taking, or even considering, the steps that would be needed to right this ship after nearly 40 years of taking on water. I don't think she's going to poke any new holes, but at some point slowing the rate of things getting worse just isn't good enough anymore.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Hiraeth
(4,805 posts)oasis
(51,946 posts)Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)Clinton supporter refusing to vote for Bernie.
Says VOLUMES
Maybe as the poll stays up, one will say that, but at this time no, not even one.
How very telling.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)about voting one's conscience for a change, instead of being dragged behind the donkey cart.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)if he loses, vote for Hillary.
I simply wont sentence millions to a life of 2nd class citizens because I didnt get what I wanted.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)---that's what concerns me. That's why I'm voting Bernie.
If you think Hillary will help you more, go right ahead. You will be disappointed.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)what BERNIE SANDERS himself will do if he loses, because he has a conscience and a heart.
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)which is why I cannot vote Hillary now (and possibly never).
It isn't a matter of merely holding one's nose-- it's a matter of refusing to be a masochist and thanking my corporate masters for their latest round of flogging.
I cannot vote for the Hillary machine in good conscience. I don't think you realize the damage that has been done to people who have worked for the Dem party for years. (I'm not a newbie).
oasis
(51,946 posts)
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)is clear to anyone with a historical perspective and a heart.
oasis
(51,946 posts)enough motivation to get anyone claiming to be on the left to vote in November.
senz
(11,945 posts)They could wear little "Goldman Sachs" logos on their robes.
I'll take Bernie, thankyouverymuch!
oasis
(51,946 posts)a re-booted Scalia SCOTUS remains. What's a Democrat to do?
senz
(11,945 posts)That means YOU, oasis. Get busy; your country (your kids, grandkids, values, environment) depends on it.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)Clinton supporters are, after all, the ones with the record of ditching the party when their candidate doesn't get nominated.
oasis
(51,946 posts)
oasis
(51,946 posts)
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)Number23
(24,544 posts)to handle things and I'd still vote for him over a Republican. Many experts have called his policy proposals everything from "unrealistic" to flat out, no holds barred "delusional." He can't talk about foreign policy for three minutes without immediately pivoting to an incredibly shallow understanding of economics which is disturbing at best.
One of the worst run campaigns I have ever seen. The attempted data theft was bad, fundraising over it was 1000 times worse. His gaffe list is a mile high. He's gotten almost no endorsements from any of his colleagues which is understandable when you see how abysmal his success rate as a Senator has been. It's almost like he's not really trying to do anything beyond having big rallies where he gets to say the same thing over and over and over again.
And I still would vote for him in a minute if I had to.
great white snark
(2,646 posts)I too would vote for Bernie in all good conscience without needing to invoke the selfish, senseless "lesser of two evils" argument.
Number23
(24,544 posts)if I had to.
Jackie Wilson Said
(4,176 posts)stevenleser
(32,886 posts)senz
(11,945 posts)One is broadly acceptable. One is not.
Now: take a good look at that and think about it.
Yes, think about it.
Peregrine Took
(7,562 posts)quickesst
(6,309 posts)...I'm not in the "If Bernie doesn't win I'm just going to give up" group.
kerry-is-my-prez
(9,563 posts)We have a Supreme Court nominee at risk and perhaps more than one. Both Clinton supporters and Bernie supporters need to think about the ramifications if we have either one of those people getting in as President. The environment cannot take 4-8 more years of neglect and damage.
Trump is the new Hitler. If people are going to allow someone like him to get in they are not thinking straight. If either Dem candidate gets in we must put pressure on them to work on all the issues that are important. Neither candidate is 100% perfect. We need to get new people in congress too. Turn congress blue!
If you REALLY want to make a difference, become a registrar and help register new voters and get people out to vote.
AzDar
(14,023 posts)


IllinoisLabour
(86 posts)kas125
(2,475 posts)A year ago, I'd have happily voted for her if Bernie wasn't the nominee, but not anymore. Since 1972 I've always voted and I've always voted for a Democrat, whether it was for President or a local office, even if my vote was more against the republican instead of for the Democrat. But I just can't see how I'll be able to force myself to vote for Hillary after all her dirty tricks and her lies. Listening to her now literally makes my stomach churn, all she does is lie. I can't vote for someone who lies constantly, I just can't. If that means I'm no longer welcome here, so be it. I will still have my scruples and be able to look at myself in the mirror knowing that I didn't go against my principles.
senz
(11,945 posts)Take it seriously: there are bad people out there who have no qualms about taking names to use against those who disagree with them.
One of things I like about this place are the beautiful, noble, clear-sighted, aware, hard-core Bernie supporters. Every time one of them is lost, DU is the poorer. You guys really are the salt of the earth. You make DU worthwhile.
So I wish you'd take your names out of the vulnerable classification and put them into "pass."
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)
We love you --you cute little idealists --but
BEWARE....










senz
(11,945 posts)and I'm sure I'll learn something of value from it.
The problem with your interpretation of my comment, marions ghost, is that you seem to confuse responses to a message board with actual voting. They're not the same thing.
You don't have to answer this silly little poll honestly. We gain nothing from bleating out our plans, whatever they may be, in this place. Nothing that I can see, anyway.
Promote whatever you want, but do it subtly and don't walk into a stupid little trap. Unless you don't give a damn about being banned and depriving your compadres of your presence -- which, and now I'm going to get personal, I really value. Yeah, you: I love your comments and always agree with you. Don't let them take you away! Waah!
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)I'm not confused. If this poll is a "trap" it's a lame one, and likely everybody sees that. So according to you, let's all react to vague fears that "bad people" will get us kicked off DU. Well if a "silly little" poll does that, then DU's not where I should be anyway. But before I get dragged off, thanks for the compliments. My "compadres" will understand why I say--that I get why they would not vote for Hillary in the GE. The fact that I'm in a swing state is the only reason I'm not on The List........
------
The ancient Greek philosopher Democrates:
It is beautiful to impede an unjust man; but, if this be not possible, it is beautiful not to act in conjunction with him.
It is necessary to be good, rather than to appear so.
senz
(11,945 posts)however, to go the fabulously pretty stuff -- Democrates --
refusing to tell DU how we might vote is not, imo, acting in conjunction with the unjust crowd
and
being good in this case means supporting and voting for the good candidate. It doesn't mean spilling your guts to a message board (says one who probably spills too much anyway.) We don't "vote" out here; we just talk.
My fears of losing good people are based on watching some very, very good people get permanently kicked off for appearing to advocate not voting for Hill in the GE. It has happened, therefore it can happen again. If they drag you off, I'll be clinging to your ankles shouting "No, noooo...!"
marions ghost
(19,841 posts)let's be friends and I'll take what you're saying as a friendly headsup. But people should be able to express dissatisfaction with a Dem candidate who is not even the nominee yet--though the media would have us all believe she's inevitable. A smart DNC should take note that this "No Hillary" sentiment is definitely out there at this point. OK so it's only a DU poll --where people may not do what they say they'll do. But the discussion needs to take place. For the party's sake, sooner is better than later.
Point taken. And I'm glad you or anybody would care if I stay or go. But I don't go along with fear tactics, here or in general. I don't advocate voting for Hillary out of fear of tRump. For once we have a really good choice--but the DNC doesn't want us to have that choice. Either the party gets better for Liberals, Progressives and other "idealists" or the party will be obsolete. That is the present juncture.
joshcryer
(62,513 posts)Skinner famously banned users who voted on a racist poll on DU 2.0.
But the result is even more shocking if people are voting pass out of fear of expressing there true beliefs.
senz
(11,945 posts)but I don't harbor illusions about Hill supporters, either.
Nor should anyone else.
dana_b
(11,546 posts)
Jackilope
(819 posts)I honestly think this is the biggest set up by the 1% in all of history.
I am in a red state and my vote outside the primary does not matter. For that alone, I don't have to vote for HRC.
Matrosov
(1,098 posts)I've tried to stay out of this HRC vs Bernie debate for the longest time, but this is getting really stupid.
Bernie is my favorite by far, but if Hillary turns out to be the Democratic nominee, I'd vote for her in the general election without question.
If you're a Democrat and you refuse to vote, you're essentially giving a vote to the Republican nominee, most likely the Drumpführer.
I'm not an establishment DNC fanboy by any means, but handing over the presidency to a Republican is never, ever a good idea, no matter what you think about the DNC.
grossproffit
(5,591 posts)NMSteveC
(1 post)Since HRC runs on a model that does not NEED the people for her activity, she won't get mine. i will vote for her and wish her luck. Period.
senz
(11,945 posts)and then help him win in the general -- which polls and experience say shouldn't be too hard to do.
For those not wearing blinders, it should be clear by now that the more people get to know Bernie and his message, the more they want to vote for him.
RelativelyJones
(898 posts)handmade34
(23,126 posts)I am supporting Hillary right now because she will make the better President... I do not wear blinders
dana_b
(11,546 posts)Hopefully some of the Clinton supporters (who have not voted yet) will see that she is a highly flawed candidate and begin to look towards Bernie.
pansypoo53219
(21,918 posts)don't listen to divide & conquer. let the GOP do that now.
pdsimdars
(6,007 posts)peacebird
(14,195 posts)MFM008
(20,035 posts)Look I loathe Sanders. I think hes to damn old period. BUT I will take whatever PILLS I have to to mark my ballot for him before I will let this country become a Trump rally. You had better get over your damn butt hurt if shes the nominee. Better think long and hard about your dumb ass logic that would allow a PRESIDENT TRUMP. (or Cruz) It will be an asteroid strike on this planet and if I can do it you had better do it as well. We have to stand together, candidates come and go, Trumps influence will be forever.
SO STOP. THINK. VOTE.
ebayfool
(3,411 posts)Do you realize there is NOT a lot of spread in the candidates ages? Lordy!
I detest ageism and that people think it's okay. They know that racism, sexism, etc. is bad but ageism is still "okay" for some reason.
ebayfool
(3,411 posts)and thinks this is okay to just throw out there, so apparently she hasn't learned a sense of self. Karma call, please!
I'm 61, and I'll call it out for the prejudice that it is every time I see it.
TY! It's rare to see anyone stand up on this.
dana_b
(11,546 posts)We will all be there someday (unless the alternative happens... gulp...) and most of us have parents, or grandparents and/or aunts & uncles. I would be pretty upset if someone showed such insensitivity to them.
senz
(11,945 posts)Both candidates are OLD. She looks younger b/c she dyes her hair and has "work" done, but they are both OLD.
I see by your sig line that you care about animals. Check this out -- about six pages in, it lists senators' legislative records on animal rights, listed by state. You will see that Bernie has a 100% record.
http://www.hslf.org/assets/pdfs/humane-scorecard/humane-scorecard-2014.pdf
He cares about animals as much as he cares about people. Can't beat that.
basselope
(2,565 posts)I always love Bill Maher and agree with im on MOST issues and while I appreciate what he is trying to say here.. I fear he missing some marks this time.
He is equating the attacking of Matt Damon and other people who misspeak but are really on OUR side with people's unwillingness to vote for a candidate that actually believe will be harmful to America. Maybe you believe that single payer healthcare is a TERRIBLE idea and it would lead to long wait times for life savings procedures. Maybe you believe free college would cheapen the value of that education and make an American college education weaker. Maybe you believe a candidate who takes millions from corporate interests will continue to serve those interests and keep the country on the slow road to hell we have been on since the 1970s.
For me, there is nothing Clinton could SAY that would get me to vote for her. I didn't vote for her husband, I didn't vote for Obama and I think the country would be better off today if Bill Clinton hadn't become president and Ross Perot had, just as I think the country would be better off today if Gore had been allowed his victory over bush. (I did vote for Gore).
Deregulation really started under Nixon, took a pause under Carter and then accelerated under Reagan/Bush/Clinton.
Clinton did the most harm with his "the era of big government is over" remarks b/c he validated everything the GOP had been saying for years, which was untrue. Big government saved us from a depression. Big government got us to the moon. Big government CAN do things if the people are invested.
There are a FEW good things in the ACA (Pre-existing condition elimination, no more lifetime maximums, etc.); However, it comes with SO MANY HUGE PROBLEMS that I don't want to build on it, b/c the base is terrible. The base of the ACA is that insurance should be provided by private insurance companies who get to profit. We may need it as a bridge to where we need to go.. but it is a terrible solution.
Clinton wants to be a 3rd Obama term? I don't WANT a 3rd Obama term.
oasis
(51,946 posts)election over to Trump. You are known by the company you keep.
OrwellwasRight
(5,227 posts)but I will say my allegiance is to my country, not to a party. Parties can and have let us down, but you will never regret doing what's right.
kerry-is-my-prez
(9,563 posts)I find that rather frightening. I'm glad that at least a slight majority of Sanders supporters will vote for Hillary. I would be curious as to how many of that 47% are Democrats (or formerly were) Democrats. Is it that Hillary is really that horrible or are there a lot of normally unaffiliated people here (such as Green Party, independent, Socialist Party)? Would like to see a poll on that.
Blue_In_AK
(46,436 posts)but how I actually WILL vote depends a lot on how likely it is that a Democrat - any Democrat - can win here. If Hillary is the nominee and she doesn't stand a chance (which is likely) I'll decide then whether to waste my vote on her or a write-in.
joshcryer
(62,513 posts)What would it take?
Ed Suspicious
(8,879 posts)candidate's members or the other's.
joshcryer
(62,513 posts)...more so than voting against a fascist is mind blowing to me. Utterly mystifying. I don't even think I should take this seriously.
Response to joshcryer (Reply #155)
Ed Suspicious This message was self-deleted by its author.
Firebrand Gary
(5,044 posts)I'd donate $100 bucks to DU to mine the site and remove / ban anyone who is not working in the interest of Democratic Underground once the nomination is determined.
senz
(11,945 posts)You say "in the interest of Democratic Underground." I should think it's in the interest of DU to have as many (well-behaved) commenters as possible, because DU makes money for its owners. Fewer customers, less money.
You used to display your Third Way logo in your avatar and sig line. Now you're openly flaunting the Third Way candidate. You probably know that many of us don't consider Third Way Democrats to be real Democrats. They're a combination Republican/Democrat. Since a Bernie win would be difficult for Third Way Democrats, you must be expecting Hill to win the nomination.
kerry-is-my-prez
(9,563 posts)Hopefully, they will come back after all this ugliness. If this site remains this way, it cannot legitimately call itself "Democratic Underground." Since when are people who support the Democratic front runner the outsiders?
senz
(11,945 posts)beyond the name, "Democratic Party."
You know, values, principles, beliefs -- that sort of thing.
kerry-is-my-prez
(9,563 posts)It's by no means perfect, but the Republican Party is just waaaay too scary to get anywhere near the whitehouse, congress, Supreme Court nominations.
Firebrand Gary
(5,044 posts)DU's purpose is electing democrats, to do anything other than that is contrary to the purpose. If DU were to become a place (like its attempting to do right now) where harming democrats is permitted, I'd have to permanently walk away. I donate money to DU, I spend a lot of time communicating on the boards, I could not be a part of something that is destructive to the party.
I think Skinner has attempted strategically to let this all take its course, let people vent, etc. However the wind is changing, you've got Bill Maher telling Sander's supporters to knock this garbage off. You've now got Howard Dean, it's HOWARD DEAN speaking out and Sander's and co are acting as if he is some shill.
I suspect that if Hillary does as well as it looks on the 15th, it's game over. At that point, it would be highly unlikely that anyone else would be the nominee.
senz
(11,945 posts)marew
(1,588 posts)"Un-Democratic Party: DNC chair says superdelegates ensure elites dont have to run against grassroots activists
Critics say the unelected superdelegate system is rigged. Debbie Wasserman Schultz basically admitted this is true"
http://www.salon.com/2016/02/13/un_democratic_party_dnc_chair_says_superdelegates_ensure_elites_dont_have_to_run_against_grassroots_activists/
As it says above, Wasserman Schultz has already previously admitted everything is stacked against Bernie.
"Bernie Sanders won the primary election in New Hampshire by a landslide in early February, with 60 percent of votes to Hillary Clintons 38 percent. Sanders won every demographic group, excluding rich voters and those aged 65 and older. Yet, although Clinton drastically lost, she ended up leaving with an equal number of delegates. This is because of the superdelegate system."
Sanders won 15 delegates in the primary; Clinton won just nine. But New Hampshire has eight superdelegates also known as unpledged delegates and six of these unelected party elites pledged support for Clinton. Despite the fact that Sanders had drastically more votes, therefore, both candidates got an equal number of total delegates."
Unelected superdelegates have been overwhelmingly backing Hillary Clinton in the presidential campaign. Clinton, who has received many millions of dollars from Wall Street, has long been seen as the assumed Democratic candidate. In October 2015, long before the primaries even began and Americans actually started voting, Clintons campaign boasted that it had secured the endorsements of well over 500 superdelegates. NPR reported in November that Clinton had a 45-to-1 superdelegate advantage over Sanders. Two months before any voting even began, Clinton had 15 percent of the delegates needed to secure the Democratic Partys nomination or, as NPR wrote, In other words, Clinton starts with a 15 percentage point head start over Sanders. Superdelegates are not technically bound to vote for anyone and may switch their votes but historically this is very rare.
Many of us Sanders supporters did not leave the Democratic Party. The Party left us. And we simply will not go along with these strong-arm tactics. The party really needs to take 'Democrat" out of its name.
RiverLover
(7,830 posts)We have to fight this, or they keep this unDemocratic "Democratic" charade going. Our country needs actual Dems more than ever. Its worth making a stand.
srobert
(81 posts)... though I'd rather not. Nevertheless, I think there's more danger in the Democrats continuing down the path that they've been on since Reagan was President, than there is in having to survive a Trump Presidency. And after it's over, I hope the Democratic party will have learned that the voters are demanding more progressive government. I'll be found in the "won't vote for Hillary list". Moreover, I'd encourage any Sanders supporter to vote for Jill Stein if Bernie's not on the ballot. Don't hand me that crap about it being Nader voters fault that Gore lost. The Democrats have a responsibility to earn my vote. I'm not required to give it to them.
Onlooker
(5,636 posts)... but already a lot of Muslims and Hispanics feel quiet worried, as do many gays, blacks, and other minorities. Imagine a Trump presidency with a Republican Congress -- there goes the Supreme Court, there goes an increase in anti-Muslim violence, there goes the safety and security of many Hispanics. From your post, it sounds like you don't know ordinary people who are minorities. Talk with them. Many of them are genuinely fearful of what is happening in our country.
hack89
(39,180 posts)So they can vote their "conscience ".
To hell with everyone else. To hell with the country. So long as they can retain their idealogical purity
Mufaddal
(1,021 posts)"I think Bill Maher is an idiot and I don't especially care what he thinks one way or the other."
UglyGreed
(7,661 posts)Bill has told guests and the audience to reserve any critique of Hillary and that is why Bernie supporters like Mark Ruffalo have been a bit low key on the show.
senz
(11,945 posts)I think they fear what would happen if Hill won the nomination after being thoroughly reviled by a large number of Democratic voters. Basically, it is a fear of a Trump or Cruz presidency.
I can certainly understand that fear but I think, given Hill's massive shortcomings, our best bet is to get solidly behind Bernie ASAP.
Lorien
(31,935 posts)America does not need two right wing parties.
mvd
(65,572 posts)I don't even remember a time we had such a viable progressive as Bernie running in our party. Maybe Kennedy in 1980, but he kind of fizzled out and Bernie is generally more liberal. Hillary inspires me much less, but it is not like she's a Jim Webb or Claire McCaskill. I could vote for her when we must get a Democrat in.
andym
(5,855 posts)Actually that is better than could be expected from reading posts here. So good news for Democrats. So far all Clinton supporters will support Bernie, which is excellent. One caveat is at this moment 86 Sanders supporters won't vote for Clinton, while 104 will that comes out to 45% (86/190) of Sanders supporters won't vote for Clinton, which is unfortunately more along the lines I suspected (about 1/2).
senz
(11,945 posts)Dem2
(8,178 posts)woolldog
(8,791 posts)They care more about their feelings than the country. Incredibly selfish and disgusting.
Bucky
(55,334 posts)But it does speak to the weakness of his opponent vis a vis her ability to unify the party