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"The energy around what Bernie is doing is insane" ...
Jeremy Slevin, a senior adviser to Sanders, reported that in Iowa City, the senator gave "not one, not two, but three different speeches to overflow crowds," with 2,000 people lining up to see him speak "on a freezing cold day in a Republican district."
Pointing to the enthusiasm shown in Nebraska and Iowa, Sanders supporters questioned the idea, reportedly embraced by Democratic consultants and politicians, that "Americans don't understand the word oligarchy."
“Bernie Sanders Iowa City” is the most searched term in Iowa over the past 48 hours.
In the past 7 days, people in Nebraska, Alaska, and Wyoming round out the top 5 regions searching “Oligarchy.”
"Bernie Sanders launched an anti-oligarchy tour, and it's the only thing that has popularly resonated within the Democratic Party base," said Stoller. "That's fascinating and notable."
https://www.commondreams.org/news/bernie-sanders-donald-trump
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GPV
(73,366 posts)Response to GPV (Reply #1)
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Libloom
(53 posts)Criticizing Bernie Sanders’ speech today for "not accomplishing anything" misses the bigger picture. He accomplished something crucial—shifting the narrative, even if just for an afternoon. In a time when our values and institutions face constant attacks, he gave people something else to see, something to believe in. He inspired hope, not just in those who attended but in many more who read or watched. That matters. Hope fuels action, and action drives change. Dismissing that as meaningless is a mistake.
Pris
(152 posts)Bernie needs to fight for women's rights and help women win.
There is simply zero comparison with Hillary's vision and accomplishment's and Bernie.
Bernie doesn't think a woman could win the presidency.
"They also discussed how to best take on President Donald Trump, and Warren laid out two main reasons she believed she would be a strong candidate: She could make a robust argument about the economy and earn broad support from female voters.
Sanders responded that he did not believe a woman could win.
The description of that meeting is based on the accounts of four people: two people Warren spoke with directly soon after the encounter, and two people familiar with the meeting."
https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/politics/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-meeting/index.html
Clinton believe's in women's roles across the globe is imperative for our future:
"Today, I want to focus on one aspect of peacemaking that too often goes overlooked – the role of women in ending conflict and building lasting security. Some of you may have watched a week ago Saturday as three remarkable women – two from Liberia, one from Yemen – accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo. For years, many of us have tried to show the world that women are not just victims of war; they are agents of peace. And that was the wisdom behind the historic UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which was adopted a decade ago but whose promise remains largely unfulfilled. So it was deeply heartening to see those three women command the global spotlight and urge the international community to adopt an approach to making peace that includes women as full and equal partners." https://2009-2017.state.gov/secretary/20092013clinton/rm/2011/12/179173.htm
Qutzupalotl
(15,650 posts)He did not say he thought a woman should not be president. He said he did not believe a woman could win. The former would be a value judgement, one that he did not make. The latter is simply a telling description of the level of misogyny in this country, which sadly seems to have been borne out in 2016 and 2024.
Pototan
(2,968 posts)made it difficult to get nominated or elected President.
Please understand that I love Bernie and his being a Socialist doesn't discourage me from supporting him. However, looking at the electorate objectively, a candidate has to assess the political ramifications of his actions.
First off, if Bernie really wanted to be the Democratic nominee, he should have never changed to be an Independent. One can be a progressive Democrat and move the party in your direction without giving up the Democratic label. Look what Trump did. The Republican party is unrecognizable from its 2012 election cycle. Trump abandoned the Republican Party's principals without ever abandoning the Republican label. By doing so, Trump retained just enough voters who still called themselves Republicans to win a general election It's hard to vote for a Democrat who is ashamed of the name.
Second, it would be quite a political uphill climb to win a general election while describing yourself as a Socialist. That's a loaded word and had Berine won the 2016 nomination, that moniker would have been hung around our necks. I know the difference between Socialism in Norway, as opposed to Socialism in Venezuela, but how many average American voters know that difference?
Deuxcents
(25,363 posts)
proud patriot
(102,364 posts)
La Coliniere
(1,732 posts)Always have, always will. We need others to follow his lead, now more than ever. The time for Democrats to rise to the occasion is NOW!
Response to La Coliniere (Reply #4)
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rubbersole
(10,963 posts)Now people are going to experience the hard truth of what he's been warning us about. And it's probably too late to stop the worst of it. Our kids are fucked.
Voltaire2
(15,377 posts)It is a left populist message that resonates with working class people in general.
dalton99a
(91,852 posts)
Avalon Sparks
(2,742 posts)And man for the people.
Love him so much!
creon
(1,772 posts)I am glad that he is doing this.
More Democratic politicans need to doing the same.
Easterncedar
(5,425 posts)BurnDoubt
(1,386 posts)Because when I think of Socialism I think about all the people in the Northwest part of Europe living under Socialism, I don't see the problem. Here in America we think in terms of the Soviets and the Chinese and North Korea (and, famously, Germany) as being Socialist, but they are really Autocratic and Authoritarian, the very model for MAGA. Already we are being told what to say, how to act, who to be, what to believe and who to demonize and terrorize, backed up by his sycophantic DOJ, ass-kissing media and stochastic terror squads "standing back and standing by". And the fear and confusion across America is palpable. Good on you, Bernie. Shake 'em and Wake 'em. If there's a God, he's surely in your corner for us!
Passages
(3,986 posts)
FirstLight
(15,758 posts)Bernie has been saying this since the 70's-80's , sad that most people have to actually be staring it in the face before they acknowledge it. But It's long overdue, so I'll take it.
Saw Bernie in 2018 or 2019, small venue in Carson City NV... He was awesome. Love this man!
MIGuy
(54 posts)I pray for his good health.
LaMouffette
(2,564 posts)It's just craaaaazy how many good, decent, well-meaning, caring, HUMAN people we have on our side, while their side is just a swarming, writhing, dark, evil-spirited, cruel mess of vipers, and yes, apologies to vipers everywhere.
Liberty Belle
(9,701 posts)As should every past Democratic president and presidential candidate, Senate and House leaders and former leaders. Where are Obama, Bill Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, etc? Especially those on this list that are still in good health. Even those who may be ailing could release videos, do webinars, TV interviews, etc.
BComplex
(9,734 posts)by orders of magnitude. He has a gift, and I'm glad he's on our side!!!
Thanks, Bernie!!!! 
Magoo48
(6,687 posts)
Nanjeanne
(6,492 posts)state areas that Bernie speaks credibly too. I’d like to see Andy Beshear and Tim Walz out there with him doing this. I’d love a woman but sadly I don’t think there is one yet who can be as easily accepted by a rural white male voter.
W_HAMILTON
(10,017 posts)And, turns out, even when it actually mattered -- it didn't matter.
Campaign rallies like this didn't help Sanders win the primary in 2016 nor 2020 and it didn't help Hillary win in 2016 nor Kamala in 2024.
If these rallies don't actually get people out to vote -- and there are no significant votes taking place anytime soon where Sanders is campaigning -- they end up being just personal PR events sadly.
MrChuck
(313 posts)I have reactivated this account after abandoning years ago because of infighting. When Bernie was an early juggernaut in primaries and caucuses there were party faithful on this utility that sought to diminish the enthusiasm of his supporters and squelch the discussion of his merits as a viable candidate versus those of former Secretary Hilary Clinton.
History happened. We all know the outcome.
Again, four years later, we had the opportunity to do the right thing and, AGAIN, the party rejected the only candidate that expressed the true ideals of the vibrant progressive movement that looked forward to victory against a megalomaniac. The victory of Joe Biden against Trump's reelection campaign was indeed a relief but history happened again. Support wavered and, instead of asking the voters who they could support to defeat Trump, we were handed a candidate that no one ever supported in any real contest.
I voted for Hillary Clinton proudly.
I voted for Kamala Harris proudly and with profound hope in my heart that we were doing the right thing and WE WERE doing the right thing.
Unfortunately, we lost.
It's time for this utility and the party itself to take real stock and embrace a candidate who can energize the voters, lead us to victory in 2026 in order to take back the legislature, and field a dynamic progressive candidate for executive office in 2028.
Sadly, I don't know if Bernie is willing to assume that role again. I trust him but part of the reason is that I don't think he's of the kind of ego to demand that it's his spot anymore. It was never about him. It's always been about us.
I don't want to run afoul of the administrators here but we should be able to support our choices in an open discussion forum and debate their merits without fear of being silenced by moderators. This is life and death for many of us and we're supposed to be the good guys.
The respondents in this thread are saying they're grateful for Senator Sanders today. Will they still support him when it comes time to choose a new leader who can deliver us victory and save us from oblivion?
Submitted with respect.
BComplex
(9,734 posts)people at a time. They were rock stars. Still are!
Response to BComplex (Reply #29)
MrChuck This message was self-deleted by its author.
W_HAMILTON
(10,017 posts)In 2020, I was a Biden voter that made sure to bring family to vote for Biden as well.
As I mentioned in another thread, progressives from the bluest of blue areas, drawing big crowds by campaigning in blue areas, is not indicative of anything. We know progressives are popular in blue areas -- but they aren't in purple/red areas and they aren't even a majority within our own party.
Stop preaching to the choir and start showing us these progressive policies are as universally popular as people like Sanders proclaim and start having progressives run on progressive platforms win in red and purple areas.
Response to W_HAMILTON (Reply #48)
MrChuck This message was self-deleted by its author.
TheJillMill
(72 posts)I see a strong political future for David Hogg!
yellow dahlia
(4,302 posts)I agree with you - it is not about ego.
I do not think he is vying for the nomination in 2028. That would be folly.
I disagree w/ how some of the jockeying played out in 2016. I believe he could have won in 2016. Despite that treatment, he has behaved with grace and aplomb and energy.
MuseRider
(35,093 posts)I think of all the times we worry about not getting our message out when all you need is to get out there and do the work with enough sincerity and caring that nobody has to worry if you are conning them or not fully truthful. Bernie. Bernie. Keep it up as long as you can without putting yourself at risk. My biggest worry is he will wear himself out.
Response to Donkees (Original post)
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MIGuy
(54 posts)Was Hillary picking that other guy rather than Bernie for Vice.
Skittles
(169,258 posts)Bernie was NEVER going to win - he was just another senseless part of her "defeat"
Evolve Dammit
(21,420 posts)Skittles
(169,258 posts)TONS OF BS
yeah he "came around", WAY TOO FUCKING LATE, after his damage was done
I will FOREVER be DISGUSTED, he very much helped bring about the crisis are in now and none of his one trick pony shit will make up for that
OVER AND *OUT*
Evolve Dammit
(21,420 posts)
Emile
(40,322 posts)Response to Skittles (Reply #42)
MrChuck This message was self-deleted by its author.
MrChuck
(313 posts)... How was Hillary Clinton's presidency?
Was she a good president?
Did she articulate Democratic principles to your liking or did she LOSE THE ELECTION TO THE MOST HORRIFIC PRESIDENT OF ALL TIME?
stfu
W_HAMILTON
(10,017 posts)His rallies for Hillary were just him giving his same self-serving stump speech that he's given for 40 years because he's never actually achieved anything that he's been """fighting for""" in damn near half a century's time.
Evolve Dammit
(21,420 posts)Pris
(152 posts)He was a non-distinguished senator. "He got nothing done."
SalamanderSleeps
(944 posts)In 2005, Rolling Stone called Sanders the "amendment king" for his ability to get more roll call amendments passed than any other congressman during the period since 1995, when Congress was entirely under Republican control.
---
“Sen. Sanders is not a team player,” one former lawmaker told The Daily Beast. “He is an ideologue, he is rigid, he is inflexible—he has a point of view that is locked down, and it’s not going to change; he’s not interested in compromise.” The Senate, said a former colleague of Sanders’, “is a place where almost everything is done with others. If you’re going to be effective and get things done, you have to work with others. That’s not Sen. Sanders’ typical style.”
Presented with these rebukes, Sanders has often bristled. During an appearance on 60 Minutes, he noted that he had passed more “bipartisan amendments” than anyone during his time in the House, and he pointed as well to his signature contribution to the Affordable Care Act—a provision providing for $11 billion in funding for community health centers. Effectiveness can be measured in a number of ways, Sanders told host Anderson Cooper: “Congress is a complicated place.”
https://www.thedailybeast.com/what-bernie-sanders-really-got-done-in-his-29-years-in-congress/
Pris
(152 posts)That's why he refused to leave the race when we had the first woman running who was about to become the nominee. A woman with a record of women's and children's rights. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/hillary-clinton-campaign-press-release-7-hillary-clintons-biggest-accomplishments:
As first lady of the United States, Hillary fought to help pass health care reform. When that effort failed, she didn't give up: Hillary worked with Republicans and Democrats to help create the Children's Health Insurance Program. CHIP cut the uninsured rate of American children by half, and today it provides health care to more than 8 million kids.
Standing in front of a U.N. conference and declaring that "women's rights are human rights" was more controversial than it sounds today. Many within the U.S. government didn't want Hillary to go to Beijing. Others wanted her to pick a less polarizing topic (you say polarizing, we say half the population). But Hillary was determined to speak out about human rights abuses, and her message became a rallying cry for a generation.
As secretary of state, Hillary made LGBT rights a focus of U.S. foreign policy. She lobbied for the first-ever U.N. Human Rights Council resolution on human rights and declared that "gay rights are human rights." And here at home, she made the State Department a better, fairer place for LGBT employees to work.
IbogaProject
(5,565 posts)Hillary for all her merit lost. Bernie was consistantly polling higher. She won because of superdelegates and mostly won red state primaries. Hillary stayed in until June of 2008, FYI. We lost lots of support from how heavy handed her primary campaign was. She would have been good in office but we lost support due to not having a fair primary.
Mysterian
(6,148 posts)Blaming Bernie for Clinton's loss? Pathetic.
ananda
(34,309 posts)That's why I voted for him every chance I got.
Response to Donkees (Original post)
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slightlv
(7,403 posts)doing what needs to be done can't be elected president because he's too old. And it's not age discrimination I'm speaking of here, it's recognition that Bernie will need to slow down at some point. He goes so fast and furious, I worry he'll burn himself out. I've never met anyone like him - burning the candle at both ends AND the middle - and he just keeps going.
People really like Bernie. They agree with what he's saying, and they like the policies of which he speaks. But is Bernie the only person in the U.S. who can say these things and get applauded for it? I realize Bernie is the whole package -- policies, thoughtfulness, kindness, the ability to touch people's hearts and minds -- he's got charisma doubletime. Why? What is it that makes him so charismatic? And can't we find a good democrat he can mentor to take up his message?!
The democratic party has always held him at arm's length, and I've always wondered why. I chalked it up to Bernie's message, no matter how well it's received by the public, being a yelling point for republicans. So democrats distance themselves because they're tired of being labeled "far left." Only Bernie isn't far left. What Bernie is selling is what the people want. Which goes along with what I've read regarding polls, etc. Take the labels off, and people will go for the left's message every time. Bernie makes people throw away labels, for the most part. Of course, we'll always have hard partisans. But for those people who vote ideas and agendas, Bernie is the man.
I'm not too proud to say I'm a Bernie supporter. And I appreciate the time, energy, and danger in what he's doing right now. Thank the gods, someone is doing it!
It's not wise to embrace simple populism. That's what MAGA is and there's nothing about that movement that I can admire with the exception of their incredible success.
We need MAGA level energy to combat MAGA level energy. We were never going to get that with the three most recent nominees.
There needs to emerge real leadership and charisma backed by solid progressive bonafide. Gender isn't nearly as important as substance. I know all of us look forward to shattering the glass ceiling but we have to get out of the basement first.
There is NO ONE on MY radar that embodies that kind of energy right now. There are some great Democrats in Congress but they are foundering right now. We need new blood, solid principles and a dynamic persona to get out from under the current administration.
The new candidate also has to either gain independent swing voters or overwhelm them with energized party members. The Democrats LOSE AGAIN if they fail to energize the voters and regain blue collar centrists.
Respectfully,
MrChuckInPa
Evolve Dammit
(21,420 posts)sound bytes and have been. "Little Marco" (Rubio), "Bird Brain" (Haley), "Sleepy Joe" (Biden), "Lyin' Ted" (Cruz) OK that one is true; "Pochohantas" (Warren) she actually thought through her family lore that they had some Native American ancestry, so did my family). She did a fucking DNA test. We the People still don't have YOUR fucking tax returns Mr. Asshole in Chief. Like a playground bully asshole he assigns these mini sound bytes, as it is all his MAGAT base can digest and run with. It works for them. It's all they got.
Tom Rinaldo
(23,179 posts)He got that huge numbers of Americans had gotten fed up with what they viewed as "politics as usual." Rightly or wrongly, fairly or not, that included a growing dissatisfaction with anyone they viewed as mainstream politicians, be they Republicans or Democrats. Both Trump and Bernie caught that wave in 2016, only Trump successfully rode it all the way to becoming a presidential nominee and ultimately President.
Bernie drew some support from unconventional points on the political spectrum, namely from right of center, along with his predictable support from the left. He did so because people believed he was authentic and that he stood with the so called little guy against powerful monied interests.
It can be argued whether he ultimately hit on the winning formula, but he he still stands out for his sincerity, authenticity, and deep empathy for struggling working Americans. He is unafraid to take his message into districts where Trump does well. And some Trump voters do listen when Bernie speaks. Not most of them but some. We need Bernie now and Thank God he is still there for us.
brakester
(521 posts)who are fighting hard for us. Remember legacy media completely ignores what anyone on the left says and does.
Look up the 100 members of the
Progressive Caucas.
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://progressives.house.gov/caucus-members&ved=2ahUKEwi1uOu2r9iLAxXmvokEHWaQLAgQFnoECAkQAQ&usg=AOvVaw2EEsga6hi6wFuv6SJX-Qvi
(Except RoKhanna!)
Beside Bernie, check out Jasmine Crockett, Elizabeth Warren, AOC, Rashida Tlaib, Joaquin Castro, Rosa DeLauro, Dan Goldman, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ayanna Pressley, Jamie Raskin💥, Maxine Waters, and many more.
progressoid
(52,502 posts)
brakester
(521 posts)is my hero!
I send him $ every month. He is in it for the long haul and isn't going to turn belly up to dick-taters!
CentralMass
(16,839 posts)paleotn
(21,416 posts)Many are pissed. Pissed at our dysfunctional healthcare system. Pissed at the fact that, thanks to Wall Street, they can't afford a house anymore. Hell, that's to Wall Street, they can't afford rent anymore. Don't think Donny's billionaire-a-thon inaugural went unnoticed. Don't think that Elmo's crazy ass shit is going unnoticed. Trump, Republicans and Elmo have completely misread the American people. More accurately, they don't give a rats ass about the American people. They're going to pay for that.
Uncle Joe
(64,091 posts)Thanks for the thread Donkees
SleeplessinSoCal
(10,366 posts)The Limbaughs have vilified FDR for protecting the working class from Oligarchy. He was so much more popular than Hitler II could ever be. His buddy Mad Leon is already exposed for being the greediest, most ungrateful, South African American to ever come to these shores. He wants it all with no guardrails.
Go Bernie!
liberalla
(10,782 posts)Bluetus
(2,198 posts)Americans have been really angry for a long time. It has been over 20 years since the Gallup right way/wrong way polls have had a majority happy with the direction.
https://news.gallup.com/poll/1669/general-mood-country.aspx
Starting with the Obama years, Americans over been only 20-40% in the "right direction" mood.
And the things that anger Americans are almost all economic fairness issues. Most Democrats want to talk about abortions and pronouns. Those are not the issues that are making Americans angry. What makes people really pissed off are:
* the cost of drugs and basic health care
* the fact that the wealthy and big corporations pay almost no tax
* the cost of education
* the cost of day care
* the cost of eggs, gas and inflation in general
* the best jobs being sent offshore
* the systematic destruction of unions
* the two-tier "justice" system where rich people get away with everything
and so on
Bernie talks about these things. You rarely hear Democrats talk about this stuff, unless they are complaining about Trump. Being AGAINST Trump is not good enough. You have to tell what people you are FOR and what you are committed to fighting for.
I get a dozen emails a week from the Party. None of them ever say what Democrats are FOR, ,other than they are for donations -- they make that clear.
Democrats had better wake up and learn WHY Americans are running away from us. Bernie gets it. AOC gets it. Very few others get it, and it is killing us.
twodogsbarking
(17,491 posts)
LilElf70
(1,348 posts)people here are finally jumping on the boat. Excellent comments.
A lot are right. Bernie will never run again. He really has no need to. Even though he has excellent policy suggestions, the people just never caught on. Until NOW. I have been a Bernie fan for decades. This man is by far the best patriot I've ever seen. He is the absolute opposite of Trump. But he won't run.
So what do we, as democrats do about this? Get use to the term progressive democrat. Let's start with grass roots efforts and elect progressive democrats across the board, from the local ranger to presidential candidates.
The Same Old Same Old is not going to do it. We need change, and we need it bad. The last 2 failures proved that. So get on board with AOC, and others that are progressive democrats. We are going to need a very strong candidate to defeat this corrupt administration. And we need to start yesterday. It is extremely critical we get this right next time.
Evolve Dammit
(21,420 posts)SalamanderSleeps
(944 posts)So, let's clarify things.
-Bernie is a democratic socialist from Vermont.
-Bernie Sanders really, really, loves his Vermonters, and the rest of us too.
-He has earned his place in the senate, unlike Marsha Blackburn who is like 20 bucks and a will to be famous.
-Burnie Sanders sounds like a broken record.
However, it's the best record I've heard since the tall ships came to New York in 1976, and congratulated us for being us.
I trust Bernie because he's earned it.
He's fought for all of us regardless of his physical age, or his personal safety.
When Reagan started this whole fucking mess Bernie was already in the breach, and fighting soon after.
He saw the hand writing on the wall, but he still kept the faith. He's put in the time, and deserves his due.
And finally, if Bernie and I were two old men in a foxhole, we'd probably grumbling why we had to be there in the first place, and all of
the Nazi's we were going to have to kill that day.
"Hey, Sergeant Burnie it's Taco Tuesday in the mess tent."
To which he replies, "I'll be right there I just have to take this vote on Zoom."
Clouds Passing
(6,842 posts)Dump lost to Hilary’s popular vote win, but dump would have lost the electoral college if Bernie was on the ballot as her vp pick.
Magoo48
(6,687 posts)usonian
(23,313 posts)The old guard is fine with oligarchy. It gives them money.
Money is God, and we need a new currency.
Compassion.
SnoopDog
(2,695 posts)That's all he does....
Glad to see at least one Senator fighting for us. I think all Dem Senators should be fighting for us and our democracy...
yellow dahlia
(4,302 posts)Dems need to be articulating the message. This is about defending the Constitution. This is about saving our Democracy. This is about shining a light on what the Repugs are up to.
The priority right now is stopping the take over, aka soft coup, aka State capture. No Dem is going win another election, unless we do.
Dem4life1970
(1,039 posts)...bring back the Bernie Bros!
LilElf70
(1,348 posts)bdamomma
(69,139 posts)Biden did say it at his farewell speech. Oligarchy, and some people did search it up, but not enough.
Thank God, for Bernie. 
JDAcme
(35 posts)to remind us where the Democratic Party went off the rails. He continues to call us back to FDR’s legacy. These dark days are when we must turn our backs on the milquetoast caucus within our party, or we’ll witness the continuing ascendancy of the oligarchs while republicans seize ever more power.
Fil1957
(504 posts)there aren't more Democrats getting out there? This is after all a 5 alarm fire burning down our democracy.