Passing this along. Posted on FB by one of my Democratic millennial black friends in Illinois.

[ancianita]

I do not and will never support the ridiculous idea that a primary needs to end or that a candidate needs to quit, no matter how far behind, because we "need to build a general election campaign".

There are 50 states in this country, a district, and several territories overseas. And until every last one of those MFs votes, we're not done.

Everyone should have their say, whatever it is. And any Democratic official or party representative who is advocating for the citizens of ...

Puerto Rico
Alaska
Hawaii
Wyoming
Wisconsin

Connecticut
Delaware
New York State
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island

Guam
Kansas
Indiana
Nebraska
West Virginia

Georgia
Oregon
Washington D.C.
Maryland
Montana

New Jersey
New Mexico
Ohio
South Dakota
the US Virgin Islands

Louisiana &
Kentucky

to just sit this one out is an undemocratic hack. Every state, every person, every vote, *EVERY TIME*.

[TwilightZone]

1. Sorry, but that's nonsense.

Candidates withdraw before the primary process has completed pretty much every election cycle. Sanders supporters aren't unique in supporting a candidate who no longer has any chance in the race and should withdraw. It happens to most voters every cycle. Only one candidate wins and the others withdraw when their campaigns are no longer viable. Should we still have 25 people in the race? By that logic, why should any of them have dropped out?

The race is clearly over. Sanders is just wasting everyone's time and energy at this point. Just because he can stay in the race doesn't mean he should.

[ancianita]

2. "That's nonsense" for all those states to not get a ballot choice. Hear how that sounds?

Tony says,

There are 50 states in this country, a district, and several territories overseas. And until every last one of those MFs votes, we're not done. Everyone should have their say, whatever it is.

Sounds like you're officially saying here that you're against that, right?

[TwilightZone]

5. Irrelevant.

Should Kamala Harris be an option on every remaining ballot? She has just as much a chance to win the nomination as Sanders does. Why don't her voters get the same choice? How about Marianne Williamson?

Again, should all 25+ candidates still be on every ballot? If not, why not?

There's nothing stopping Sanders supporters from writing him in on their primary ballot if he's not on the ballot wherever that's an option. It will have the exact same influence on the race at this point - none.

Sanders isn't unique and neither are his supporters. He and they just don't want to accept that the race is over. It doesn't make them special. It just means they're in denial just like everyone else who didn't want to accept that their candidate wasn't going to be the nominee. Welcome to politics.

[ancianita]

10. Wrong. It's relevant that all the other candidates are out, and Bernie is still in.

You make a good point about remaining voters' write-in option, so I agree.

That the primary structure keeps him on those states' ballots means that you have to trust that everyone gets a say. What's irrelevant is the argument that he's not unique. Who cares. He's in the party.

That he chooses to remain in the race isn't going to make or break the party's unity. It's just not.

Voters have spoken so far, and if you're listening, you wouldn't want to just shut down because your candidate's numbers show an unbeatable.

We're going for party's GOTV engagement of the most voters it can.

This constant drumbeat of Bernie dropping out does not help that.

[TwilightZone]

13. Nope, still irrelevant. He should have dropped out by now.

And he and his supporters would be in exactly the same position as the other two dozen candidates.

Instead, his campaign is still running false ads about Biden and Social Security and taking pot-shots at the party.

How does that help again? The "he's only trying to help" meme is one of the most hilariously ludicrous in political history.

[ancianita]

22. Not. Your. Call.

It's not up to us to second guess the continuance of a candidate. We either support them as a Democrat or we don't.

Call his behavior all kinds of names that impugn his character. That there is what doesn't help.

[TwilightZone]

39. Name-calling?

Lol, thanks for the laugh.

[ancianita]

61. Thanks for the setup.

[The Magistrate]

57. But Of Course, Sir, Sanders Is Not a Democrat

Sanders considers the Democratic Party as much the Establishment as he does the Republican Party. He has always considered them interchangeable opponents of revolutionary action. He wishes not to ally with or assist the Democratic Party, rather he imagines he can take it over, make it over into his own image, and having thus breached the castle wall, use his new revolutionary party as the tool of destruction for the remaining institutions of the Establishment. A course of action, on reflection, rather like that of a virus towards a living cell.

[ancianita]

59. Presume to tell that to party leadership. Or. Imagine away about what Bernie imagines.

[The Magistrate]

63. They Are As Aware Of It As I Am, Sir

This is hardly new and previously hidden information. That he has made himself a sufficient pest that the leadership must deal with him is one more fact you seem to be pretending not to know.

[Walleye]

27. This is a party nominating process, not an election.

[treestar]

35. Those states don't have enough votes

for Bernie to win.

I am in a late primary state listed above. In closer contests, we would be important. In not-so-close contests, the nomination could be decided before we vote. It's just life for having a later primary. With California now going on ST instead of June, that is increased.

And you still may have state contests that have primaries.

[Demsrule86]

42. It happens in every primary...Sanders lost and to have primaries is dangerous...time for Sanders to

concede...and move to the general...tired of the excuses and whining from Sanders supporters...not saying you...Sanders lost...he needs to got back to the Senate and fight for the people of this country in the corona virus era...not to tilt at windmills...he lost now let's move on...a primary picks a candidate and that has happened...so it is over.

[rusty fender]

100. We, here in NM, still

have to vote for congresspersons, judges, state legislators, etc. We can’t have our primary cancelled.

If the Democratic Party in NM can manage to shift everything to vote-by-mail before June, I would welcome that, if not though, I’ll be going to the polls, in person, in June

[dawg day]

76. That happens every election year.

I live in a May primary state. There is almost never a choice for us. That's normal with a 4 month long primary season. It's not pernicious or aimed at Sanders.

The thing that Sanders followers have to accept is that there's only one winner... and everyone else has lost. There's nothing special about Sanders that would make it good to go on. All the candidates have their important policies they want to push, and the others have all decided to do that from inside the Biden general campaign. Biden has shown himself to be quite open to taking on the positions of others and giving credit.

[Iliyah]

3. If it was reversed . . . .

the social media from BS' supporters would be in unison "time for Biden to drop out."

I have not read nor heard VP Biden's campaign saying this about Sanders.

[ancianita]

12. Woulda shoulda coulda speculation. We don't really know that.

There's a reason Biden's campaign isn't saying what "drop out, Bernie!" people around here are saying.

I don't know what it is, but they do.

I'm going with what Biden and his campaign say, and so far they're not discouraging Bernie.

[TwilightZone]

17. Sanders supporters were pushing Warren hard to withdraw and back him.

Did you have a similar problem with that? Or does your logic only apply to Sanders?

Sanders supporters complained vehemently when Pete and Amy dropped out and backed Biden, some going as far as claiming that it was a conspiracy. Shouldn't they be allowed to do whatever they want?

[ancianita]

24. Impugning supporters shouldn't equate in your mind with impugning the candidate.

"Allowed"?? Take that up with Tom Perez. Yes, his supporters have been "allowed" to pretty much go on and on as others here do.

[TwilightZone]

37. "Take that up with Tom Perez."

Assertions like this about silly conspiracy theories are why it's impossible for some of us to take some Sanders supporters seriously.

The funny part is that you guys don't even realize how ridiculous the assertions sound.

[mcar]

40. Did you have a problem with Sanders supporters pushing

for Warren to drop out? In fact, I recall one of Sanders' staffers saying that everyone should drop out (after NH, I believe) and leave the nomination to Bernie. Was that OK?

[ancianita]

58. Nope. They did what they did. Yes, it was OK. Fact is, they didn't affect her decision at all.

[mcar]

64. Got it. OK for Sanders people to say candidates should drop out

Not OK for anyone else.

[Demsrule86]

44. Bernie needs go now...Biden is being diplomatic as he should. There is no reason to waste one more

dollar on the primary...it is over now get behind Biden and let's send Trump packing in November.

[kcr]

98. Actually, we do.

Given that's what they did to Warren.

[Demsrule86]

4. A big who cares...either get on board or get out of the way...the primary is over. Now it is time

time to defeat the worst President in our history who will likely kill millions in this country with Corona and his complete incompetence. Sanders has lost the primary. He is needed in the Senate. He needs to concede and help Biden unify the party for the good of the country...it hurts when your candidate loses...we have seven months now to work on unification...so concede Sen. Sanders now. And a primary is not an election. It exists to choose a candidate to run in the election...the purpose has been served so let it go.

[ancianita]

14. He's back in the Senate as you speak.

[Demsrule86]

47. He has to get out for party unity...the primary is over. For once, he should do the right thing for

the country and concede and endorse enthusiastically.

[ancianita]

52. His being in the Senate right now shows that unity. As for it all being "over," he's probably gettin

g that feedback as people fuss here.

Right now, he's focusing on the H.R. 6201: "Families First CoronaVirus Response Act" PASSED LAST SATURDAY, which McConnell and Trump are stalling on.

[Demsrule86]

65. He needs to concede and endorse...nothing short of that is acceptable...and I say he should face

a primary if he doesn't do the right thing. Trump must go.

[ancianita]

67. He'll probably agree with you on Trump. He'll concede. Just not when and how you want.

[dansolo]

6. People can still vote for Bernie

We just want Bernie to stop his scorched earth strategy. Exactly what purpose is served by continuing to attack Biden? If Bernie's plans were so popular, and he has so much support behind him, then why isn't he running on that? But all I see from his campaign is non stop attacks against Biden and the Democratic Party.

[oasis]

7. Historic pandemic changes everything. *THIS TIME*.

[ancianita]

16. Fair point.

[The Magistrate]

8. Indeed, Sir, It Is Nonesense

The question is not whether the primaries should be held. Presidential preference is merely one line on a ballot determining candidates for other Federal offices, and for state and local offices.

The question is whether Sanders ought to continue to contest the Presidential preference line. Particularly since he is certain to fail of success in doing so, at least if success is defined as securing the nomination of the Party. If Sanders defines success as something other than securing the nomination, then his continued efforts to contest the Presidential line must do harm to the prospects of the candidate now certain to secure the Party's nomination for President. That Sanders knows this is certain: he may display many of the stigmata of an idiot, but he is not a fool. Onlookers have little choice, therefore, but to cast about for his motives in continuing the contest. None of the more likely ones are very pretty, some are actively pernicious.

[ancianita]

18. "Must do harm"? Then you're afraid that this party can't hold together. That's proven nonsene, sir.

"May display"? "Stigmata"? "idiot"? "pernicious"? are all interpretations of your fellow Democrats.

There is no reason to think that contesting the presidential line will do harm.

You're the one with the dark outlook here. Not Bernie. If you're among those who "cast about for his motives in continuing," he says he's assessing. Nothing wrong with that.

[The Magistrate]

25. My Outlook Is Indeed Dark, Sir: This World Is A Dark Place

Sanders can only continue to contest by attacking Mr. Biden, by attempting to weaken him. His continued attacks will, in the general election campaign, lend a 'bipartisan' cover to attacks by Republicans. This will mute the effectiveness of our appeal in the general election to elements of the electorate repelled by Trump, but still not wholly detached from the Republican Party. These voters are why the Democratic party today holds the House, and several useful governorships, as well as a plethora of other state offices.

[ancianita]

31. I suggest you pivot away from darkside speculation, sir, & go w/ the leadership response to Bernie.

[The Magistrate]

33. Again, Sir, Feigning Ignorance Is Not A Good Tactic

"This pretense of not knowing what any fool knows has come to define too much of our public discourse."

[ancianita]

38. You yourself presume to know another better than they know themselves. Carry on.

[Demsrule86]

49. Yes, the party won't unify until Sander is gone...it will be an uphill battle and we can't have our

nominee beaten up on the right and the left. If Sanders stays in, he helps Trump period.

[Raastan]

28. + 1

[LanternWaste]

9. If we "shouldn't pressure Bernie to get out of the race..."

I'd imagine the corollary is also true, we shouldn't pressure Bernie to stay in, either. It's "His decision" and all the other excuses, yes?

If one of the above is valid and true, they then both are. If however, one of the above is full of steaming crap, they then both are.

If we pretend only one is valid and the other not, we're simply holding others to standards we don't hold ourselves to.

Though we may pretend otherwise if it's comforting, yet six of one really is half a dozen of the other.

[ancianita]

20. Fair points. A balanced outlook on this is more helpful. Needing comfort on this issue isn't helpful

[Sunsky]

11. In that case

We should have over 20 people still in the race. The people have made their choice clear. It's time for us to coalesce around our chosen candidate. It's time to unite. Therefore, this black poster disagrees with your "millennial black friend"
Also, this FL voter had no problem with Sanders exiting before the Florida primary.
In fact, his surrogates are the ones now complaining about elections being held amid the health crisis. Then why selfishly prolong the inevitable? Since it is becoming even more clear that he has slim to no path of being our nominee. He should drop out, so we can focus on containment of this virus and the general election.

[George II]

15. What is to be proven? Nothing. There have been 30 votes so far, Sanders has won only 7-1/2...

...and Biden has won 19. He's forecast to win big in all the remaining 27 votes.

What is this so-called "undemocratic hack" of which that Facebook person speaks?

[ancianita]

66. He's a developer at a Chicago IT software firm. Probably using that lingo, I guess.

I understand the spirit of what he means about the process, though.

[Docreed2003]

68. About what process??

Bernie is losing...badly. So you're saying he should stay in just to continue that losing streak because of "ideas"?? Bernie is no better or different than any other candidate on those debate stages who, when faced with the fact that their candidacy is no longer viable, dropped out. His ideas are NOT BRINGING IN VOTERS. Just because there is this idea that somehow he is carrying a "movement", doesn't mean that he is better or carries any more weight than any of the other candidate who also thought their ideas were important and worthy of being heard. The primary process has never been about having every state vote before a candidate drops out. Sanders' campaign is no longer viable. I get that this is hard to accept if you support Sanders, but there is not possible way for him to make up the ground to secure the nomination. This is the same crap that the Sanders camp spewed in '16, I know because I was in that camp!! Why belabor this and give false hope to people and continue to spread resentment and division?

[peacebuzzard]

19. However, that should not preclude what Bernie thinks

If Bernie wants to fold up and hand it over, its up to him and should be a logical conclusion.
I Would like for him to give it up, though.

We are in emergency mode at this hour.

[ancianita]

21. Take it up with governors who've changed their primary dates. If Perez says we're in emergency

mode, fine.

But so far, party leaders have said nothing at this hour.

[Demsrule86]

51. It is clear to me that you think Sanders should stay in...there is no reason for this...none and it

will hurt us...I have a question for you. How much do you want to beat Trump? If Sanders stays in, Trump may very well win.

[ancianita]

55. No. I just don't think he should be vilified for not dropping out. Trump has beaten himself.

If you doubt the voter count so much so far that you think Trump "may very well win," you show little faith in either the party process or the American voter, seems to me.

In case you haven't noticed, in the midst of a pandemic endangering their lives, voters got out and voted for Biden to beat Trump. You can bet that Trump's suffering voters aren't going to make that same effort.

I want to beat Trump so much that I've donated near $1,000 so far to my primary candidates. And will be a full donor to Biden in the General.

Is any of this good enough to help restore your faith?

[Demsrule86]

62. Let me just say shoulda, woulda, coulda...he will be vilified...it has already begun.

As for winning the general...if the primary is not called and Sanders does not concede and endorse enthusiastically, we might lose to Trump and that is a fact. Having your candidate vilified on the right and the left ...cause election losses...Gore, Kerry, Clinton...are all examples. Sanders needs to go...and to say that he won't hurt our nominee with the scorched earth shit from his campaign is untrue.

[peacebuzzard]

73. Who is assuming responsibility.

It is up to the individuals.
If you sit around and wait for someone to tell you this is emergency mode
You are waiting perhaps too long.

Everyone has the right to do what they want.
I can only hope they will do what is in the best interests for integral survival.

[LongtimeAZDem]

23. I really hate the "Undecided" option

[ancianita]

26. If you're referring to me, say it. Fact is, I've committed to 2 of the best candidates in this part

y.

That's just gratuitous snark.

[LongtimeAZDem]

36. I believe you

[NCProgressive]

60. I don't

[TwilightZone]

43. No reason to.

The ones still posting are generally pretty clear about whom they support. Plus, Biden supporters also tend to be pretty open about it, in my experience.

The ones who are clearly Sanders supporters with a Biden avatar are more obnoxious than "undecideds", in my opinion.

[LongtimeAZDem]

50. I'm with you on that

[PubliusEnigma]

29. This is not the General Election. This is a Party Primary, where we choose our best nominee.

The Party has chosen. There is nothing left to decide.

If you can't even argue that Bernie still has a chance at the nomination, then your argument should be over.

This is not just an exercise to make everyone feel good. It is a process with a purpose. That purpose is complete.

[ancianita]

45. My argument is with those who demand Bernie drop out. They can if they want. But it's HIS call.

"That purpose" is not ours to decide until the convention. Re-read the OP.

[Demsrule86]

53. It is his call and I guess soon we will learn about his character or lack there of...will he do the

right thing or hang on and sow division...time will tell.

[Hav]

30. Leaving one of the obvious reasons aside, the danger of a severe pandemic,

There comes a point when the path to victory just isn't there anymore, either because there won't be enough delegates to win or the polling in the remaining states leave no doubt. At that point, while you don't have to drop out, at the very least you should try not to further damage your primary opponent and you shouldn't build further resentment against the party you are a supposed member of. If BS is realistic and if he's honest about his intentions to beat Trump, he should act accordingly. You can fight for your issues without going negative. I think there would be less calls for him to drop out if the consequences of his actions weren't so negative.

[ancianita]

46. He's probably assessing that factor right now. His people have said he is, anyway.

[Music Man]

32. I understand the sentiment of every voice being heard,

And Bernie certainly has the right to go out on his terms. And as far as I can tell, there's no correlation between an early end to primaries and a victory in the general election--the opposite may be true, actually. The 2008 primaries went until the very end, and it helped set up the network for a landslide in the fall.

However, if there is no path for Bernie, it's unfair to ask people to give their money and time for a hopeless cause. It is, by and large, a waste of time when those resources can be used toward the fall, not only in the presidential race but in the downballot races. That is an area Bernie can do a lot of good. If we want a movement, we're going to have to succeed from the local level to the White House, and that effort has to start now.

[ancianita]

34. Thanks for your post. But "unfair" money and time is really up to the donators, as we know.

The press for "now" belongs more in our approach to a massive die-off than to the rest of a primary.

That's the "now" we should be worried about. Because. There is no way we need worry about this country voting for more of the same.

[treestar]

41. Yes, Bernie's proposals need a Congress that would pass them

Bernie could work toward that. I remember something about Al Franken saying to Bernie he agreed, but they needed 58 more votes.

[ancianita]

48. Good one.

[Music Man]

71. Yes, one of my all-time favorite stories and perspectives on this.

Al Franken has said that he believes in single-payer but that the realities of American politics mean a creative compromise.

As I understand it, shortly after he got to the Senate, he told Bernie that he would support single-payer but that they would be 55 votes short and would "need to come up with a backup plan."

God, I miss him.

[Demsrule86]

54. I strongly disagree...2016 clearly shows this. Sanders must go...and if he doesn't should face

a primary should he run for his Senate seat in 2024. This is a big deal. We have to beat Trump.

[Music Man]

75. I agree Sanders needs to drop out.

But I don't what you have to disagree with about the general notion that shorter primaries are, in and of themselves, not necessarily prerequisite for success in the fall, which is all I'm saying.

Al Gore knocked out Bill Bradley early, John Kerry basically had it wrapped up by March, etc. Many candidates go through long primaries, and their presence in several states, creating campaign infrastructure, and getting tested ideologically and personally through the primary process can make one sharper for the general election.

Biden has passed the test and knocked out Sanders relatively quickly. My point is beware of extrapolating too much from that as it relates to what the general election will look like.

[NCProgressive]

56. We are electing a President of the United States.

Where ALL of us collectively give the nod to one or other candidates.

We are not electing a president of NY or NJ or Kansas. Those people's votes are meaningless now because the majority of Americans have already elected a nominee.

[Politicub]

69. Your friend does not understand the definition of a primary versus

a general election.

[Happy Hoosier]

70. Then work to change the primary system.

The fact is, it is over. And to waste time and resources contesting a primary when it is over is goddammed foolishness.

[dawg day]

72. I live in one if those states,

And we're quite used to being irrelevant in May. We won't mind it this year. My state would just pile on for Biden anyway.

I'm pretty sure most Democrats in this state would gladly forgo all the ads and door knocks to focus on the general.

[ucrdem]

74. Did she vote yesterday?

If so she got her chance to vote for Sanders.

p.s. voting on FB doesn't count.

[Historic NY]

77. Apparently they don't know what the primary process is.

a winnowing down of possibilities to the victor. At some point voting becomes awash. They will vote but it needs to be done before the convention.

[ancianita]

78. I'll relay that point to him, see what he says, if anything.

[Dream Girl]

79. My black friend

[tritsofme]

80. Sorry, it's just not healthy to humor delusional thinking. Sanders is done, you have deal with it.

[ancianita]

82. Know what's just not healthy? To disrespect a Democratic candidate by keeping up conflict-driven

statements about their "intent" or their supporters' "bad faith" behavior as if their own candidate, Biden, is Hillary. As if he's in danger. As if the party is split. As if this will be a replay of 2016. He's not, and it's not, and it won't.

The healthiest thing is to let their opposing primary candidate speak for himself, let him and remaining voters make their choices.

[tritsofme]

86. Bernie's continued quixotic campaign against the presumptive nominee is disrespectful.

All it does is help Trump, one can’t help but question his motives.

His campaign has no more relevance than Tulsi’s at this point.

We shouldn’t pretend that it is anything else because of threatened temper tantrums.

[LakeArenal]

81. At this moment in time

Unnecessary primaries with crowds of people for no real reason seems counter productive and medically dumb.

[ancianita]

83. I hear you. Now tell it to party leadership.

[LakeArenal]

85. ???? That has nothing to do with me.

If Party continues primary, it’s up to individuals as to going to vote. Making extended primaries useless as far as a real vote with true results.

If Bernie out. Everyone stays healthier.

[ancianita]

87. Fine. We'll keep the idea to ourselves.

[LakeArenal]

89. Sadly your opinion here appears to be a one off

No two off. The quote you posted and you. This Wisconsin voter is fine with the primary ending

The expense could be better spent elsewhere. The medical possibilities also make ending primaries this round even more important.

[ancianita]

90. Sadly? Okay, be sad. Perez just suggested mail-in voting. Okay with that?

[LakeArenal]

91. You are contentious. I'm not into arguing for the sake of argument

[ancianita]

92. Me, neither. So what do you say about Perez's wanting remaining primaries to be mail-in.

[LakeArenal]

93. Yawn.

[ancianita]

99. Thought so.

[MyNameGoesHere]

84. Vote to your hearts content

There is a true and loyal Democrat, Joseph Robinette Biden, Jr. On the ballot and Maybe (Maybe he's out, Maybe not) an Independent Senator from Vermont. So please vote. The choice is clear.

[ancianita]

88. Yes.

[Tweedy]

94. Meanwhile our unindicted Co-conspirator

has never stopped campaigning and we are not responding because we are still locked in a primary when there is no mathematical possibility for one candidate.

And that fact tends to increase the fret.

Yet, vote away! It is all over anyway.

Acknowledging reality, Joe Biden should simply move on to the general, while treating Bernie Sanders with respect ✊.

[ecstatic]

95. I don't agree with your friend. nt

[ancianita]

96. Well, I've updated him with the Tom Perez directive to use mail-in voting in remaining primaries.

So he should feel better now.

[ecstatic]

97. wow! Ok, I'm behind in the news! nt

[Squinch]

101. Cool story, bro.