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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:40 AM Jun 2014

No, Bernie Sanders should not run for president: Why his challenge is a waste of time

Not only can't Sanders win -- he won't get Hillary Clinton to significantly change her agenda. Here's why

CHARLES DAVIS


Bernie Sanders is every liberal’s favorite radical. Describing himself as “democratic socialist,” Sanders tosses rhetorical Molotovs at America’s 21st century robber barons like few other national politicians. But he’s also rather non-threatening, his politics reformist, not revolutionary – more old-school liberal than Leninist. His words comfort those on the left desperate for a voice within the electoral system, while his actions – caucusing, campaigning and voting with the Democratic Party – show the liberal mainstream that he is no Ralph Nader.

Now some liberals want the senator from Vermont to drop his nominal status as an “independent” and run for president as a Democrat, not because they really think he can win – let’s be real: He can’t – but because they hope a run could push presumed nominee Hillary Clinton to work in a few more populist talking points during the general election campaign. In essence, they are asking Sanders to run the left wing of the Hillary campaign – to rile up the base with some class-war rhetoric during the primary, then, after he inevitably loses, to convince disgruntled leftists to get out and vote for the Democrats in November.

“We want him to know that there’s enthusiasm for a run, and to run as Democrat,” said Mimi Kennedy, who chairs the board of the Progressive Democrats of America. That group recently presented Sanders with a petition, currently signed by 12,000 people, that urges him to do just that. Sanders understands “the importance of fighting ‘inside’ the Democratic Party,” the petition says, adding that, “We, the Undersigned, make this call for a primary challenge in full recognition of the need to prevent the current crazed, mean, and dangerous incarnation of the Republican Party from seizing total power.”

In other words: We recognize this guy won’t win – we’re implicitly acknowledging that in the very petition calling on him to run – so don’t worry, loyal Democrats, after we blow off some steam during the primary we will turn out in force for whoever isn’t the Republican.

more
http://www.salon.com/2014/06/03/no_bernie_sanders_should_not_run_for_president_why_his_challenge_would_achieve_little/
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No, Bernie Sanders should not run for president: Why his challenge is a waste of time (Original Post) DonViejo Jun 2014 OP
I believe that he should run yeoman6987 Jun 2014 #1
The "threat" is that he might encourage ordinary people to expect more and to take a closer look winter is coming Jun 2014 #5
Much as it pains me to admit this, it's right. vi5 Jun 2014 #2
Is Hillary running? abelenkpe Jun 2014 #3
"turn out in force for whoever isn’t the Republican. " bowens43 Jun 2014 #4
Because it'll mean the Republican doesn't win ... 1StrongBlackMan Jun 2014 #7
Run, Bernie, Run! bigwillq Jun 2014 #6
Agree 100% ChangeUp106 Jun 2014 #8
I would have to agree Doctor_J Jun 2014 #9
just remember, people get ill at all ages Leme Jun 2014 #10
 

yeoman6987

(14,449 posts)
1. I believe that he should run
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:47 AM
Jun 2014

They must be scared of him for some reason......probably because of his message. If nothing else, it would get some issues on the table that would not be mentioned. He would bring in some very good discussions into the race if he ran. Will he win? Does he want to win? Who knows, but that should not deter him from running.

winter is coming

(11,785 posts)
5. The "threat" is that he might encourage ordinary people to expect more and to take a closer look
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 11:31 AM
Jun 2014

at whether or not their best interests are being represented.

 

vi5

(13,305 posts)
2. Much as it pains me to admit this, it's right.
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 10:50 AM
Jun 2014

The only impact it will have is to get Hillary to pretend she's more liberal than she actually is during the primary, and to dissapoint those of us who might believe the promises she'll be forced to make and positions she'd be made to take a stand on while running against a liberal democrat.

Let's keep this an eyes wide open race and get everything out there as far as who she answers to, what she stands for, and what/who she'll fight for if elected.

 

bowens43

(16,064 posts)
4. "turn out in force for whoever isn’t the Republican. "
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 11:16 AM
Jun 2014

if that's the best we can do why fucking bother?

 

1StrongBlackMan

(31,849 posts)
7. Because it'll mean the Republican doesn't win ...
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 03:44 PM
Jun 2014

As I saw in another comment: "We (Democrats) might not be perfect; but, the other side is insane."

Give me imperfect, that nets me 50% of what I might want, over insane that will net me 100% of what I don't want, any day!

ChangeUp106

(549 posts)
8. Agree 100%
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 04:24 PM
Jun 2014

Do people forget Hillary is running? Bernie has not chance. He's the next Nader. No appeal to the party base which is far from tired of DLC/would-be-Republican-thirty-years-ago candidates.

Now I would like to see a good Democrat like Andrew Cuomo run against her. It would make for passionate, intelligent debates and move us forward.

 

Doctor_J

(36,392 posts)
9. I would have to agree
Tue Jun 3, 2014, 04:37 PM
Jun 2014

It will not change the debate, and will make him look silly, like Kucinich. Best to form a bloc with other real dems and fight the good fight

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