I wish Sanders supporters realized the incredible power they hold

[Tristan Scott]

"All politics is local..." Former House Speaker Tip O'Neill

Out of the 500+ members of the US Congress Bernie Sanders is all alone as a democratic socialist.

How many states has Sanders won, so far in Democratic Party primaries and caucuses? With that kind of turnout how many Bernie Sanders type progressives could we put in congress? Most Sanders supporters aren't interested in congress, they are only interested in the "big show".

The fact is this: Change happens in congress, not the White House.

I truly wish these people would realize the enormous power that they have, and use it.

 

[Derec]

Most Sanders supporters aren't interested in congress, they are only interested in the "big show".

That is typical of Democrats in general, not just Bernie supporters. That's why Dems get creamed so often in midterms.

 

[Deepak]

Perhaps. The alternative option is that the only party who perhaps might possibly potentially provide such a candidate in actually doesn't. Moreover they consider such constituents Dirty Fucking Hippies^TM

I can tell you that Liz Warren is probably the closest thing I've seen in MA, and the state is as blue as it gets.

If the DNC provides zero support at the local level is it a supply side problem or a demand side problem? 'If you come they will build it' doesn't really seem right when they haven't done it at the presidential level.

Who are all these Sandersian candidates who are losing at the local/state level and are supported by the DNC?

 

[Tristan Scott]

If you organize in your district they will support you, but it requires that you expend some effort.

Thats the way it works, it's not automatic, but with the numbers we are talking about in these primaries it will get the DNCs attention.

 

[Tristan Scott]

I mean look at the tea party, in 8 years they've managed to put quite a few people in congress and they sure as hell aren't loved by the RNC.

Good article in HufPo on that...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberley-a-johnson/its-time-for-progressives-to-take-a-cue-from-the-tea-party_b_9789778.html

 

[Deepak]

If you organize in your district they will support you, but it requires that you expend some effort.

Thats the way it works, it's not automatic, but with the numbers we are talking about in these primaries it will get the DNCs attention.

I think we agree on the point of it getting their attention - whether they consider it an opportunity or a threat remains to be seen. I'm not so convinced the DFHs are lazy as much as I think they're inured.

 

[Deepak]

I mean look at the tea party, in 8 years they've managed to put quite a few people in congress and they sure as hell aren't loved by the RNC.

Good article in HufPo on that...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimberley-a-johnson/its-time-for-progressives-to-take-a-cue-from-the-tea-party_b_9789778.html

This article forgets the key points that the Tea Party movement had quite a bit of help from media and corporate interests. I remember arguing with an early TP supporter who vehemently claimed that the TP was a fiscal movement and not interested in social politics, which at the genesis was a correct assessment. As the weight of the R machine fell behind these candidates they became something quite different from what it was in the initial weeks.

The TP was utilized and supported by the RNC - they simply missed their opportunity for their nacht der langen messer.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

I mean look at the tea party, in 8 years they've managed to put quite a few people in congress and they sure as hell aren't loved by the RNC.

Good article in HufPo on that...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimbe...-take-a-cue-from-the-tea-party_b_9789778.html

One minor detail is that there isn't (despite never ending claims from those on the right) a massive media empire riling up supporters 24/7 on cable, radio, and the Internet.

 

[iolo]

"All politics is local..." Former House Speaker Tip O'Neill

Out of the 500+ members of the US Congress Bernie Sanders is all alone as a democratic socialist.

How many states has Sanders won, so far in Democratic Party primaries and caucuses? With that kind of turnout how many Bernie Sanders type progressives could we put in congress? Most Sanders supporters aren't interested in congress, they are only interested in the "big show".

The fact is this: Change happens in congress, not the White House.

I truly wish these people would realize the enormous power that they have, and use it.

It is the same everywhere. Television and such have brought people to a naïve belief in fuhrers - 'Ban, Ban, Caliban/Get a new master, be a new man'. We have to teach them to grow a democracy back, sometimes in secret.

 

[dismal]

I mean look at the tea party, in 8 years they've managed to put quite a few people in congress and they sure as hell aren't loved by the RNC.

Good article in HufPo on that...http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kimbe...-take-a-cue-from-the-tea-party_b_9789778.html

One minor detail is that there isn't (despite never ending claims from those on the right) a massive media empire riling up supporters 24/7 on cable, radio, and the Internet.

Say, maybe Sanders supporters need to get one of those "massive media empires" instead of pissing their money away supporting Sanders.

 

[Jimmy Higgins]

One minor detail is that there isn't (despite never ending claims from those on the right) a massive media empire riling up supporters 24/7 on cable, radio, and the Internet.

Say, maybe Sanders supporters need to get one of those "massive media empires" instead of pissing their money away supporting Sanders.

As the failure of Air America showed, progressives don't react in the same way to media propaganda that the right-wing has become accustomed to following.

 

[fromderinside]

Explaining the republican midterm success: Every two years after a wise exertion smart people take a nap.

 

[ZiprHead]

I wish Sanders supporters realized the incredible power they hold

I think the same could be said of all the democratic leaning not-voters.

 

[dismal]

Say, maybe Sanders supporters need to get one of those "massive media empires" instead of pissing their money away supporting Sanders.

As the failure of Air America showed, progressives don't react in the same way to media propaganda that the right-wing has become accustomed to following.

Well then, it sounds like it's not having a "massive media empire" that gives you power so much as having the so-far-elusive-to-progressives listeners.

 

[arkirk]

Most Sanders supporters aren't interested in congress, they are only interested in the "big show".

That is typical of Democrats in general, not just Bernie supporters. That's why Dems get creamed so often in midterms.

Bernie supporters are aware of the deeply entrenched rigging of our political system. There are a number of congressional candidates on board with Bernie. I am sure Bernie will put his campaign fund to good use whatever that may entail. The idea that Bernie supporters are not interested in congress is FALSE. What he has been saying all along is that the system needs to be changed and unrigged. I trust he will do what he can when he can. Right now he still has primaries to be running in. You swallow the mainstream idea of counting in all those pre-bought Democratic party super delegates and all the Clinton money being poured into these Hillary "wins." She can win. That doesn't mean that you win in any way at all. A vote for Hillary is in my estimation a wasted vote.

 

[coloradoatheist]

That is typical of Democrats in general, not just Bernie supporters. That's why Dems get creamed so often in midterms.

Bernie supporters are aware of the deeply entrenched rigging of our political system. There are a number of congressional candidates on board with Bernie. I am sure Bernie will put his campaign fund to good use whatever that may entail. The idea that Bernie supporters are not interested in congress is FALSE. What he has been saying all along is that the system needs to be changed and unrigged. I trust he will do what he can when he can. Right now he still has primaries to be running in. You swallow the mainstream idea of counting in all those pre-bought Democratic party super delegates and all the Clinton money being poured into these Hillary "wins." She can win. That doesn't mean that you win in any way at all. A vote for Hillary is in my estimation a wasted vote.

Why were the Tea Partiers who are supposedly a smaller group about to get people who represented their position elected into office while Bernie supporters can't? why not create an OWS party?

 

[arkirk]

Explaining the republican midterm success: Every two years after a wise exertion smart people take a nap.

I don't think we have been allowed the chance and the choices to make a "wise exertion." Have you not heard the news...the system is rigged! I think we understand what is going on. It is difficult to fathom how deeply flawed our political system is. Bernie has used the campaign to open up a bit more understanding of how it MUST BE CHANGED for necessary social and environmental changes to take place. Bernie is right on track on these issues and they are of prime importance. Hillary on the other hand is the same old song and dance with"I'm a woman" thrown into the mix...shallow, hoarse, totally scripted by experts from the lobbying world.

 

[Tristan Scott]

Explaining the republican midterm success: Every two years after a wise exertion smart people take a nap.

I don't think we have been allowed the chance and the choices to make a "wise exertion." Have you not heard the news...the system is rigged! I think we understand what is going on. It is difficult to fathom how deeply flawed our political system is. Bernie has used the campaign to open up a bit more understanding of how it MUST BE CHANGED for necessary social and environmental changes to take place. Bernie is right on track on these issues and they are of prime importance. Hillary on the other hand is the same old song and dance with"I'm a woman" thrown into the mix...shallow, hoarse, totally scripted by experts from the lobbying world.

Do you go to party meetings in your precinct? Because if you don't then how do you figure that part of the process is rigged, and if you do, then please explain what part is rigged.

It's really irksome to hear the complaints about "super delegates". Super delegates are party leaders and elected officials who devote their time and energy to the democratic party. The reason they are for one candidate or another is usually y because that candidate has helped them in the past, campaigning for them, speaking at fundraisers, etc. Sanders has some, because he has helped democrats in the past, however Clinton has more because she has been in the party for many years. If this is what you are calling "rigged", then change the party rules. The rules that the party uses in each state are determined by members of the party in that state. In many cases they are voted upon at the state conventions.

 

[arkirk]

I don't think we have been allowed the chance and the choices to make a "wise exertion." Have you not heard the news...the system is rigged! I think we understand what is going on. It is difficult to fathom how deeply flawed our political system is. Bernie has used the campaign to open up a bit more understanding of how it MUST BE CHANGED for necessary social and environmental changes to take place. Bernie is right on track on these issues and they are of prime importance. Hillary on the other hand is the same old song and dance with"I'm a woman" thrown into the mix...shallow, hoarse, totally scripted by experts from the lobbying world.

Do you go to party meetings in your precinct? Because if you don't then how do you figure that part of the process is rigged, and if you do, then please explain what part is rigged.

It's really irksome to hear the complaints about "super delegates". Super delegates are party leaders and elected officials who devote their time and energy to the democratic party. The reason they are for one candidate or another is usually y because that candidate has helped them in the past, campaigning for them, speaking at fundraisers, etc. Sanders has some, because he has helped democrats in the past, however Clinton has more because she has been in the party for many years. If this is what you are calling "rigged", then change the party rules. The rules that the party uses in each state are determined by members of the party in that state. In many cases they are voted upon at the state conventions.

Why don't they just go to the polls and vote like everybody else. You seem to put your faith in the elite. They are sell outs just like Clinton and they all have profit agendas for those who have supported them in politics with major contributions of MONEY. They should have no place just going to the convention and voting because they got elected in the same rigged system. You may get tired of hearing about this but there is no fairness in this and you well know it. It would be interesting to see just how many of these super delegates are in the 1%. I would estimate probably all of them.

 

[Tristan Scott]

Do you go to party meetings in your precinct? Because if you don't then how do you figure that part of the process is rigged, and if you do, then please explain what part is rigged.

It's really irksome to hear the complaints about "super delegates". Super delegates are party leaders and elected officials who devote their time and energy to the democratic party. The reason they are for one candidate or another is usually y because that candidate has helped them in the past, campaigning for them, speaking at fundraisers, etc. Sanders has some, because he has helped democrats in the past, however Clinton has more because she has been in the party for many years. If this is what you are calling "rigged", then change the party rules. The rules that the party uses in each state are determined by members of the party in that state. In many cases they are voted upon at the state conventions.

Why don't they just go to the polls and vote like everybody else. You seem to put your faith in the elite. They are sell outs just like Clinton and they all have profit agendas for those who have supported them in politics with major contributions of MONEY. They should have no place just going to the convention and voting because they got elected in the same rigged system. You may get tired of hearing about this but there is no fairness in this and you well know it. It would be interesting to see just how many of these super delegates are in the 1%. I would estimate probably all of them.

Go to what polls? I'm not sure I follow you. Are you talking about abolishing parties? What? Would you make them illegal?