Bernie staying the race fuels conspiracy theories and makes unity just that much harder.

[Yavin4]

Last edited Wed Mar 11, 2020, 03:24 PM - Edit history (1)

By Bernine continuing to be in the race and demanding debates even though the race has been decided will only embolden his most die-hard supporters who still believe that Bernie can still win the nomination. So, when he loses, it's the "establishment stole the nomination", or "the media hates Bernie", or "I'm voting for Jill Stein".

Instead of gracefully ending his campaign and give his supporters time to work through their emotions properly so that they're in the right frame of mind for the fight ahead, he insists on giving them this false hope that the nomination is still within reach. So, yes, he'll still have his big rallies. Still collect donations. Stoke anger and hatred towards the Democrats.

This is bad and dangerous for the party and the fall campaign.

--On Edit--
This clip will give you some insight into the minds of Bernie supporters:

[RandySF]

1. They want to burn the party down and take what's left

[jimfields33]

5. Biden's been in the race for 3 weeks basically

Let’s see him do some work.

[showblue22]

13. And yet the voters send a resounding message.

[Demguy81]

2. One more week and debate

Are not going to do any damage. After next week, yeah it becomes an issue. Talk of "staying in it until the convention" is dumb.

[LizBeth]

3. Silly me, I actually thought he would have integrity and step out, unite the party.

I am a sucker. I admit.

[LaurenOlimina]

4. I don't see it.

Biden should defend his ideas. Bernie should press his. It is a primary.

[world wide wally]

6. If Bernie is this hard to get rid of, just imagine Trump after he loses

[ancianita]

7. Not so. Take him at his word. If people in other states want to vote in their primaries, he's right:

it is good and helpful for the party that he stay. It's not "bad and dangerous for the party and fall campaign" as you say. You should hear your fearmongering about Bernie "demanding" or "false hope." Bernie supporters know the numbers, and so does he.

This here? ""establishment stole the nomination", or "the media hates Bernie", or "I'm voting for Jill Stein"? They're over that, no matter how you revive a 2016 fear of Berners to impugn them when the primaries aren't even over until June 6.

If Bernie and the party did what you wanted, the party itself would be interpreted nationwide as forcing Sanders to suspend, forcing disgruntled voters in the other primary states left, to just stay home. No, that would not be cool.

His supporters will have plenty of time to "get over" their disappointment -- they're already seeing the writing on the election wall -- in order to buy the "party package" for the General Election.

Just relax. Breathe.

[Sympthsical]

8. If one debate and another week is fatal

Then our party has much deeper problems.

I know people want to spike the ball, but the temporary pleasure isn’t worth it. If it seems Sanders was pressured or forced out, the problems you cite will be worse, imo.

A week or so is fine.

If he’s shellacked again next week and stays in, then I’ll find myself leaning more towards your view.

I just want one debate that isn’t a total circus. We haven’t had one yet. We need to.

[Demguy81]

9. 100%

One more week and another round of primaries are fine. Staying in any longer will destroy Bernie's image as someone who sees Trump as an existential threat.

[Faux pas]

10. Boy

do I wish I could say what I really think. Holding this shit in is killing me. Why do the bidenites get free rein here?

[Demguy81]

11. Why are you holding it in?

Speak up, it's still a primary.

[Faux pas]

12. Because

from what I've seen here is you're not for Biden, just zip it up or get kicked off. Not a very uniting or comforting feeling.

[pampango]

14. Forcing Bernie out of the race ain't gonna do much to dispel conspiracy theories or

to prevent "establishment stole the nomination", or "the media hates Bernie", or "I'm voting for Jill Stein" among his more hard-core supporters. Surely you know that.

Bernie is losing by a vote of the people. All but a handful of his supporters understand that and that handful are going to peddle conspiracy theories no matter what happens.

Give him and the vast majority of his supporters another week to adjust to 'new reality' (going from the perceived 'front-runner' 11 days ago to 'all washed up' today). Getting trounced next Tuesday, after Sunday's debate, will seal the deal. If he does not withdraw then, I won't support him anymore.

[Yavin4]

15. Thread bump

Bumping my thread to include the clip.