Bernie Sanders has a momentum problem.
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Once upon a time, it looked as though Vice President Biden might run for president. He decided not to, toppling a set of dominoes with a predictable outcome: Support for Hillary Clinton rose more than support for Bernie Sanders.
On Monday morning, the last of those dominoes fell over, with the release of anew poll from the Des Moines Register and Bloomberg News. In October, right before Biden made his announcement, Clinton was at 42 percent in the Register/Bloomberg poll and Sanders was at 37 percent. Now, Clinton is at 48 and Sanders is at 39.
A shrug. Sure. We knew that would happen, right? But the new poll also makes something else clear: Sanders is not seeing the traction he needs if he wants to win the state. And the big burst of momentum that put him into contention over the summer slowed, retreated and isn't necessarily starting back up — with fewer than 50 days until Iowa.
We can track Sanders's momentum by comparing his polling to Clinton's. You can see him consistently gaining ground against Clinton until early October. The halt to his forward progress happened shortly before the first Democratic debate. In the wake of that, Clinton's lead over Sanders nationally and in Iowa and New Hampshire grew. Sanders has recovered somewhat, but not yet enough in Iowa or nationally.
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The rest: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/12/14/bernie-sanderss-momentum-problem/?postshare=1281450109556159&tid=ss_tw
= new reply since forum marked as read
So,...
Congress is not known to be a progressive institution lately, to say the least. Over the past few decades, the House of Representatives was only controlled by the Democrats from 2007 to 2010, and a flood of corporate money has quieted the once-powerful progressive movement that passed legislation moving the country forward between the New Deal era and the Great Society. Yet, as difficult as it may be to believe, a socialist from Vermont is one of its most accomplished members.
Bernie Sanders was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, and many immediately doubted his efficacy. “It is virtually impossible for an independent to be effective in the House,” said then-Congressman Bill Richardson (D-NM). “As an independent you are kind of a homeless waif.” Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), today an outspoken advocate for Hillary Clinton, said Bernie's “holier-than-thou attitude—saying in a very loud voice he is smarter than everyone else and purer than everyone else—really undercuts his effectiveness.”
As if things didn't look bad enough, in 1994 the Republicans swept into power in the House of Representatives, dashing the hopes of many that Congress could do anything progressive whatsoever. But Sanders was not content with tilting at windmills. He didn't want to just take a stand, he wanted to pass legislation that improved the United States of America. He found his vehicle in legislative amendments.
Amendments in the House of Representatives are often seen as secondary vehicles to legislation that individual members sponsor, but they are an important way to move resources and build bipartisan coalitions to change the direction of the law. Despite the fact that the most right-wing Republicans in a generation controlled the House of Representatives between 1994 and 2006, the member who passed the most amendments during that time was not a right-winger like Bob Barr or John Boehner. The amendment king was, instead, Bernie Sanders.
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record-pushing-through-major-reforms-will-surprise-you
But it's easy to understand why Bernie's fans would find it comforting and reassuring to view it that way.
... have, in my opinion, already conceded the nomination to Hillary.
But, considering their "aggressive enthusiasm" (for lack of a better phrase that could this reply hidden) I must admit that I'm surprised to see how many are now taking this posture of being delicate spring flowers who are being trod upon by the mean-old heavy-footed Hillary supporters who are being "as mean as possible".
Seriously? That's how you want to play it?
And then, using the word "assuming" to suggest that "equivalent behavior" is non-existent? Again ... seriously?
As I mentioned before, it's each person's own decision how they want to spend their (luxury) vote. They'll do as they please with no regard to what NurseJackie had to say (or not say) on this anonymous internet web site. I won't flatter such vanities by groveling to their demands or threats.
So, I say to you ... vote as you please! Do whatever your heart desires! Brag, threaten, whine, scream ... it makes no difference to me. Justify your tantrum and "protest vote" (or "revenge-vote"
in whatever way makes you feel the most important, most powerful, and most in-control.
Last edited Mon Dec 14, 2015, 06:26 PM - Edit history (1)
Then why all the fuss?
...
Hey, you're the one using the strategy in the hopes that damaging our community helps your candidate.
"Strategy"? Odd, that you'd see it that way. I think I understand you a little better now.
Actually, I doubt that any Hillary supporter flatters themselves into believing that they could do anything to "convince" any of Bernie's fans to vote for Hillary instead. (And this is especially true with the self-declared "Bernie-or-Bust" variety... and even those who hint-at, or threaten to be on of the "Bernie-or-Bust" team.)
I wouldn't know anything about that. Perhaps it would be best to address whatever grievances you have with whoever operates the other website, or with its participants. (Or, not ... just go ahead and hate on me instead. I suppose my account makes an easy target for you to vent your frustrations about that web site.)
Really? Wow! Who knew that I was so influential?
You know ... it's not everyone who's honest enough to admit that anonymous strangers on a discussion board are their biggest influence and main reason for not voting for the Democratic nominee. It's interesting to learn that for some people, getting revenge (for whatever they think it's worth) is the most important thing.
So here's a hearty pat on the back and a tip of the hat! Good for you, Jeff! It's important to have priorities, and I'm pleased as punch that you've identified yours. Congratulations!
That's entirely up to you. Do as you please. Justify it as you need to. If it makes you feel better, then that's all that matters, isn't it? It's perfectly fine.
...
Or you planning to make a sock after this account becomes too toxic?
Why should I care one way or the other? (And, come to think of it ... why should you care, or wonder, or worry?) But, let me go ahead and clue you in ... I don't care.
I don't take the things people say around here seriously or personally. I keep it all in perspective. You're an anonymous stranger to me, the same way that I'm an anonymous stranger to you.
