to challenge the Oligarch rule. He said he was willing to take the risk if he got the backing of enough Americans. He made the commitment, now it's our responsibility to keep him safe. And the best way is to support him financially and by volunteering our time.

Good Grief.... The party has surely lost it's way if they think that represents America.

K/R

I truly believe that Bernie can begin the process of helping it find its way back to what it claims to be, the party of the people.

Last edited Tue May 5, 2015, 02:27 PM - Edit history (1)

Listed above.

People get it immediately. And pretty much any person who can think beyond the two thoughts "if Hillary doesn't win than a Republican will" and "you can't win if you don't have lots of money--which is the only honest reason I've seen from HRC supporters of why they prefer their candidate--then you can start talking about the issues. And Bernie really shines there because a) he is so transparent and his platform has been out from day 1, b) he doesn't dodge questions like Mayweather, and c) he gives no fucks. People are loving it.

It really resonates with people. People are sick to death of the current situation. At a town hall video that was posted here yesterday, that got the biggest applause. It's definitely a winner. I think people love that he's angry because they're angry too. People need to feel that they are being heard and represented, not told to eat their peas.

Dem candidates would make it a huge campaign issue.

We even discussed the kinds of posters they could have, charts with their opponents list of donors with the question 'who will s/he be working for' etc.

Bernie could actually win by making this a major part of his campaign.

Since Congress isn't likely to get rid of it, it's up to the people now.

And this is the way to do it. To support a candidate, so rare in our system today, who is refusing to take Corporate Money.

Imagine the slap in the face to the SC and their Corporate buddies, if, after all they have done to buy this government, the people were to stop them?

It would be the first step towards getting this obscene money out of our system.

Then other candidates might be encouraged to do the same, to campaign on the issue, the more might do it, until in the end that money would become poison to a candidate.

Centrists on this board are busy trying to convince everyone that only a corporate-backed candidate can win. I am just being told in another thread that not only am I naive, I am supporting a vanity run because I am backing the candidate that best represents my values. The constant drumbeat to fall in line because only the establishment candidate can beat a Republican is strong and will continue unless Bernie wins some early primaries. I'm hoping the nastiness and scolding from Clinton supporters brings more people Bernie's way.

and even though I never liked the idea of voting to 'win' or for the 'lesser evil' back then I was too afraid they might be right. And we lost anyhow.

They used that scare tactic very effectively and are trying to do it again.

But we are in a different place now. We've seen the results of not going with our own instincts.

All polls show that when Dems run on a progressive/left/liberal message they win.

Two midterms proved that beyond a doubt. Progressives won for the most part while the Third Wayers lost.

I don't think that old scare tactic is going to work this time.

I am not scared the way I was then, and as I said, it didn't work anyhow.

Bernie's message will resonate across the political spectrum.

Eg, I saw a comment on Reddit's Bernie page from a Republican who said that he had been pretty committed to his candidate, but that Bernie was very interesting to him and he was ready to support him.

intensely people feel about this issue. They are out of touch with the people, all these inside-the-beltway political operatives.

But maybe that's a good thing, because as soon as Bernie begins to look like a threat to the status quo, the smear campaigns will begin in earnest. Money will be poured into destroying him.

So people will have to be prepared for that.

Right now I am sure they have their Think Tanks looking into every aspect of his life, trying to find someone who didn't like him in kindergarten.

Like the Swift Boat campaign against Kerry.

We will have to be ready to combat that. So imo, the less they are worried about him for as long as possible, the better for him.

I hope they keep underestimating him and keep treating him like a kook. Because that means they are totally disregarding what people want, people's suffering and struggle. I read on reddit where people are showing their disappointment that things have not changed in the last six years. I think people are feeling hopeless and Bernie is a small ray of light.

in the middle class due to the cost of education, loss of jobs, industry and opportunity, (the pull-out of industry and jobs and the export of them to third world countries), the threat of and actuality of losing their homes, having to close businesses, etc. Total denial. They are oblivious. I have a friend who lost a business that had been thriving -- lost her very expensive home too. She is the last person you would expect to support a very liberal Democrat, but she told me she likes Elizabeth Warren. Who'd a thunk it ten years ago? I sure would not have.

Not sure about some of the others, either. Hillary will bring out the Republican vote like no one else. Not so sure she will do the same for the Democratic vote or the Indies. And I am not talking about liberals.

As we have seen for the last two mid terms, depressed turnout costs centrists elections. But I do think that Jebba the Bush is so hateful a candidate, with Cthullu eyes and the charm of a long dead squid, that it's not like they'll be running to the polls for him. He's already come out for the Pence homophobe bill and some other crap that leads me to believe he's going to run so hard right his smarmy glasses might break. Moderates hate him and conservatives loathe him so that leaves the fundies who would vote for a piece of toast with Jesus on it (carrying a gun and a bible of course).

But what I am trying to do is get across that the boogey man that Clinton is the only one who can beat Bush is a complete myth. The country taken as a whole is more blue than red, and, just like DU, that's pretty hard to believe because the minority is so loud and controlling. I'm trying to give permission for people who wish they could vote for Bernie but are afraid.

And my point was, no matter who the Republican candidate is or is not, Republicans will turn out to vote against Hillary--and not because of her liberal policies, either.

If you read posts elsewhere on the internet (and can believe them), Sanders is appealing to Republicans and Libertarians, as well as to liberals. Only Clintonites are struggling to dismiss him out of hand.

I don't have to believe anyone with a pulse will beat Jeb in order to believe Sanders can beat Jeb.

Of all the candidates of any Party, Sanders is the only one with both the message and the life to back it up. The only thing he lacks is money. When he is the Democratic nominee, he won't lack money.

I am seeing the same thing all over the web with mostly under 40s. Libertarians are going for him for the moment because of drugs and guns (sigh). But I think more than anything he is attracting people because he doesn't look like an entrenched establishment pol. He looks HONEST and that is very appealing.

People are getting the message that we have the best government money can buy and they are over it. They'd given up hope before Sanders, but they believe he will do his damndest.

They are overjoyed he's entered the race. They didn't think it would ever, could ever happen. My one Republican relative says he'll listen with an open mind.

I have not spoken yet with the only Libertarian I know enough to converse with, but he's not very sophisticated politically anyway, even though he once planned to run for city council. (Guns, bars of silver, the whole nine).

But then again it's Los Angeles and you'd have to seek out a Republican on the east side. I actually know one Republican in toto that lives in the desert, one of those pockets of red we have here as well as Orange County and San Diego. So I'm not going to get a lot of Republican feedback.

In my working class black, Hispanic, and Asian neighborhood, there isn't a lot of talk yet. There is palpable disappointment that Obama didn't put any focus on minority issues and now with the recent happenings in Baltimore and the "thugs" comment there is quite a bit of anger. So I'm not sure when people will get on board yet. I think it's hard for them to believe again and I totally understand. I'm right there with them but have been following Bernie for a while.

As I mentioned before, I think his anger and gruffness will be a huge asset. People are mad as hell and they're not gonna take it any more. Some on DU found Obama's coolness to be attractive and smooth, but a lot of people in my neighborhood felt like he didn't care. It took awhile for people to say what they'd been feeling, but the overall sentiment is he doesn't care about us, he just cares about rich bankers. They don't really follow politics, but they do see what's going on with the police and how nothing is done about it. That is one issue that Bernie should really address.

So I'm gonna get my Sanders "hair" t-shirt and wear it around and get people to start talking about it. I think he is definitely the right fit for my family and friends.

on the drug war. Bernie wants treatment rather than prison. Of course, in many cases, people who use drugs end up in prison eventually not due to drug charges but due to theft or other crimes they commit in order to be able to buy drugs. But Bernie's stance is one I am comfortable with. Treatment is the best way to deal the drug problem.

and no drug testing for federal employees, so it isn't just lip service. Obama lost a lot of support with his snarky dismissal of marijuana and pissed off a lot of people who voted for him thinking a past pot smoker wouldn't want to see people going to jail for it.

I think we will be seeing that here. I can't go along with the ...you have to agree with the devil to work for the devil.

Not only has Bernie's age and hair been totally embraced as whacky and cool, his campaign is going to look a LOT younger. He is attracting the youth vote in droves (just take a look at reddit where Bernie is the number one subthread with 30,000 followers and Clinton is like 100). Because he is talking about the things that they care about such as education and college tuition. But it's his honesty, his integrity which seems like a breath of fresh air that is the most attractive part. Matt Taibbi's article did a great job of introducing him and I hope he keeps it up with more.

I think it would make a cool kinda bumper sticker

plus credible education about the dangers of drugs. The drug war has pretty much failed and the incarceration of so many drug users is costing too much money plus wasting human capital. That's the #3 issue. Race, LGBT and women's issues are in a tie with the drug war at #3.

#2 -- trade reform should be coupled with financial reform. That's the key to job recovery.

#4 -- infrastructure rebuilding. Has to be done.

#5 -- more support for small businesses and cooperatives. Cooperatives would be especially successful in technology areas, seems to me. Tax the multinational corporations and take away subsidies in order to do more for small businesses and cooperatives.

It is said that no one who wants to be POTUS should be. However, usually, no one runs for the office unless they really want the job.

If Bernie Sanders had personal ambition to sit in the Oval Office, he would have run 15-20 years ago. He is running because he feels there is no other way to help Americans.

I am grateful to him and so is everyone else who gets--and will admit-- that most of our so-called elected representatives have handed big business the deed to this country in hopes of keeping themselves in office and/or enriching themselves and their families.

he would not. He seems very fond of her. I remember someone asking about a bill she wrote or an amendment, how he felt about it, he replied 'the only thing wrong with this bill is that Elizabeth wrote it and I did not'.

I am grateful to him also. It isn't going to be easy, as soon as it looks like he's any kind of threat to the chosen candidates, the smear campaigns will begin in earnest.

I'm sure he knows what he's facing, which is all the more reason why we should be fiercely supporting him from all attacks.

I love Bernie Sanders and hope he keeps on winning support for his legislative ideas in the Senate, but There just isn't a pathway to a Sanders presidency.

It's plain from reading the posts that most here see the nomination process and the presidential election as a contest of ideas, and/or a measure of integrity and heart. True for this forum, maybe, but sadly, not true in general. The voters are not like an employer sitting behind a desk reviewing applications and qualifications. Voters are more like millions of casting directors looking for a star to headline the greatest movie ever made. They just can't agree on what exactly the American movie is about. Some see it as a documentary, or a romance, as a comedy, as science fiction, or as a war movie. But the largest chunk of casting directors (voters) undoubtedly see America as a Western epic. They are looking for a sheriff (Reagan, G.W. Bush) or a smooth talking gambler (Bill Clinton), or maybe a Pinkerton/railroad type (H.W. Bush). These are characters a Western story can be built around. The question is, what possible part would Bernie Sanders be cast to play in this American Western? He could play a store keeper, a mayor, a circuit judge, or maybe a minister riding in a dusty stage coach while clutching a bible with a derringer in its middle. But these are all supporting roles. The only version of the American Movie that Bernie Sanders could star in would be a documentary. That is his biggest problem -- not qualifications.

The candidate that the most casting directors (voters) can see starring in their own particular vision of the American movie is always the winner. As I see it, Hillary Clinton could be a western heroine if she played her cards right. She has it in her to play a Western saloon owner, or land baroness (a la Barbara Stanwyck). The American electorate could buy into a movie built around that. Maybe she should binge-watch a few seasons of "Big Valley" to acquire the mindset.

Not a Western role, but it'll do.

Americans are SICK of the status quo.

Bernie is not status quo.

need good agents, lots of promotion etc.

Those are all old movies you mentioned btw, very symbolic.

Bernie's star power, just now being discovered, are some rare qualities that are capturing the imagination of today's audiences.

He has just been discovered, an army of promoters are lining up to make his name a household word.

I could see him in a new movie, produced by, maybe, Tom Hanks, who produced the extremely successful HBO series, 'John Adams'

A good title might be 'Quagmire' directed by Robert Redford, starring Bernie Sanders as himself.

The plot, saving America from greedy, power-hungry villains.

He has all the qualities of a movie hero, honesty, integrity, courage to take on the villains etc.

A star isn't a star until they are.

The script is already written, except for the ending. Tens of thousands have already invested in it.

Bernie is already a star with those who have seen him in action.

Now its up to his agents to make sure everyone gets to see him.

Excellent turn of phrase. Bravo!