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oberliner

(58,724 posts)
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:49 AM Apr 2016

RALPH NADER: Bernie Sanders does not answer my calls

Ralph Nader had some interesting insights into both Bernie and Hillary way back in May of 2015.

Here are some excerpts from his Democracy Now interview:

About Sanders:

Bernie Sanders does not answer my calls. Fifteen years, he’s never answered a telephone call, never replied to a letter, never replied to a meeting that I wanted to go down and see him. I even had to write an article on this, called "Bernie, We Thought We Knew Ye!" One of the problems he’s going to face, other than his good graces in Vermont, is that he doesn’t have good political antennae. He doesn’t have political social graces. And he’s going to have to change that. A lot of his friends have told me that that’s a problem. But most progressive senators don’t really respond to any progressive group that tries to push him to do more than they want to do.

About Clinton:

Well, he’s got a very good 12-point program, which I’m sure he’s going to talk about all over the country. And you can see what Hillary’s response and strategy is going to be. She is going to agree with him on a general basis, like, "Yes, we should have better wages for the American people." She’s going to try to neutralize him. She’s going to try to, in effect, appear like she is going along with progressive policies. His counterstrategy has got to be very specific. "OK, Hillary Clinton, do you support a Wall Street transaction tax?" There are sales taxes on necessities of life all over the United States, 6 to 8 percent, but there’s not a penny sales tax if someone today buys a $100 billion worth or $100 million worth of ExxonMobil derivatives. Well, that will really get it specific. So he cannot allow her to generalize agreement with him to try to neutralize him.

Here's the whole interview:

http://www.democracynow.org/2015/5/18/ralph_nader_on_bernie_sanders_presidential
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RALPH NADER: Bernie Sanders does not answer my calls (Original Post) oberliner Apr 2016 OP
While this is interesting, Nader's history of winning elections isn't one of his high points still_one Apr 2016 #1
True but his analysis seems pretty spot on oberliner Apr 2016 #9
That's true still_one Apr 2016 #14
Also, if you look at his positions now in the light of history Baobab Apr 2016 #19
Something he and Jill Stein have in common! nt IamMab Apr 2016 #10
LOL still_one Apr 2016 #13
I wonder if Ralph is bitter or respectful of Bernie's out-Nadering him geek tragedy Apr 2016 #2
Hmmm. Google search for that quotation only brings back this thread. Goblinmonger Apr 2016 #15
because it's obviously a make-believe quote, ala "if not for those meddling kids" nt geek tragedy Apr 2016 #17
I wonder who this was: George II Apr 2016 #16
I thought it was obviously fake, kind of like "I would have gotten geek tragedy Apr 2016 #18
Here is the list of fucks I give about Ralph Nader: yodermon Apr 2016 #3
Article From May, 2015= Deep Desperation. No Luck. appalachiablue Apr 2016 #4
He seemed pretty prescient about what Hillary's approach ended up being oberliner Apr 2016 #7
yes Baobab Apr 2016 #20
Did he do the interview from his multi-million dollar townhome? CorkySt.Clair Apr 2016 #5
Why would anybody answer his call? longship Apr 2016 #6
He has been a strong voice for many progressive causes oberliner Apr 2016 #8
"CLICK!" That's what he gets from me. longship Apr 2016 #11
You have to be pretty rough around the edges to have Ralph Nader criticize your manners BeyondGeography Apr 2016 #12
I think Bernie wants to control his own message. Baobab Apr 2016 #21
Maybe he has Caller ID. Octafish Apr 2016 #22

Baobab

(4,667 posts)
19. Also, if you look at his positions now in the light of history
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 01:54 PM
Apr 2016

Like Bernie's, they look pretty good. in other words, we Democrats would have been wise to be more like him rather than the other way around, position wise.

Ralph Nader has opposed the trade deals from the beginning, and his organization has been the most consistent and reliable opponent of them in the US and perhaps the world.

A lot of what I learned about their problems I learned at citizen.org (I just wish their site was better organized, if it was it would be a formidable resource)

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
2. I wonder if Ralph is bitter or respectful of Bernie's out-Nadering him
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 11:57 AM
Apr 2016

in this election cycle.

"My mistake was trying to destroy the Democrats as an Independent. What he's doing is genius!"

George II

(67,782 posts)
16. I wonder who this was:
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 01:49 PM
Apr 2016

On Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:50 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

I wonder if Ralph is bitter or respectful of Bernie's out-Nadering him
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1777329

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

Falsely attributed quote (one return from Google: this thread) to Nader to attack Sanders as a person attempting to destroy the Democratic party. These trolling attempts by poster make DU suck - worse when people take his bait and get their own posts hidden which is his favorite game to play.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:59 PM, and the Jury voted 3-4 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: The quote is accurate and current - not something dragged out from years ago nor modified. Trivial alert AND a personal attack on the poster, too. Alerter should get a hide!
Juror #2 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: FFS. If something is false, provide the correct information.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #6 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: Can't justify something this inflammatory without legitimate sourcing.
Juror #7 voted to HIDE IT
Explanation: No explanation given

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

 

geek tragedy

(68,868 posts)
18. I thought it was obviously fake, kind of like "I would have gotten
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 01:52 PM
Apr 2016

away for it if it hadn't been for those meddling kids."

Baobab

(4,667 posts)
20. yes
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 01:59 PM
Apr 2016

he always has been on top of this, plus he more than most of us knows the backstory, which is rooted in trade policy.

Thats also why we shouldnt vote for her, that would would be seen elsewhere as an endorsement of a ton of policy that Americans have not been told about for the simple reason that we would almost all of us disagree with it. It would hurt us economically and not do its stated goal which is to help poor people in poor countries, instead it will help rich people in rich countries and rich people in poor countries.

longship

(40,416 posts)
6. Why would anybody answer his call?
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:29 PM
Apr 2016

All he would hear from me is a loud "CLICK!"

If he called back, he would hear a loud, "ASSHOLE!" Then a loud "CLICK!" And then, repeat as necessary.

 

oberliner

(58,724 posts)
8. He has been a strong voice for many progressive causes
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:31 PM
Apr 2016

His idea of united progressive members of Congress around a caucus seems like a good one.

longship

(40,416 posts)
11. "CLICK!" That's what he gets from me.
Tue Apr 19, 2016, 12:43 PM
Apr 2016

That's because of 2000 when he set the progressive movement back years and years!

And if he calls again, he gets the "FUCKING ASSHOLE! CLICK!" Treatment.

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