In my quest to become the most unpopular non-entity on the DU, [View all]

I will now make a pro-Bernie post. Those who noticed at all know I was not a Sanders supporter in the primary, putting me in the minority. Now all the Hillary supporters will side-eye me too But here goes... Yeah, we all said some things back then in the heat of the moment, but I don't hold a grudge. Anyone who wants to fight Trump and the GOP now, let's fight! I'm in! Bygones are bygones.

So onto the pro-Bernie part.... People are mad that he is supporting some random mayoral candidate in Nebraska who holds a view that is not in the progressive mainstream. Not sure of the deets because I am not particularly interested in local Nebraska politics. But I do know a bit about the socialist/economic populist history of the very white and culturally conservative state. I know that they split their votes between Dems and Reps. And I know that their Senator is up for re-election in 2018. So I am guessing, and this is only a guess, that the DNC WANTS Sanders to campaign there because they think he is popular and that they might have a shot at the senate seat down the line. Plus, we are SUPPOSED to be challenging them in all 50 states. In states like NE, that means Democrats with more conservative social views.

I do not accept the 'slippery slope' argument that if we allow a few red-state Dems with conservative views into the party, the entire party will be corrupted. Black Protestants and Catholics are more conservative on abortion than white 'progressives', but they are still the members of the party. And the party still champions pro-choice. Dunno why we are losing our minds over a guy running for mayor in NE...

http://www.pewforum.org/2017/01/11/public-opinion-on-abortion-2/

And the Ossoff race in Atlanta, not sure a Sanders' endorsement would be a help there. It's upscale business Republicans and POC. If you recall, Sanders did poorly with Dems in the South to start and I doubt that a bunch of country club Republicans are interested in an avowed socialist with wacky hair from Vermont. It might have been a tactical decision for him to avoid talking about that race at all, not a reflection of his views.

So yeah, I get that it is hard to accept that a guy who was so loud about ideological purity is now playing political games for the team, but maybe he LEARNED something during his last race. Maybe he is being more PRACTICAL now. What he is doing kinda makes sense for Dems as well as for Bernie. Or maybe he is just a hypocritical blowhard. He is a politician, so that is kinda a pre-requisite. Either way, I am not getting myself into a lather. Primary is OVER. Sanders is on the team. I am a team player who wants to win big elections and grind the GOP's face INTO THE MUD. I want to stand on their necks and make them say uncle. I want to piss in their Wheaties, make them eat it and then say "Thank you, can I have some more!". I want to put the traitors in jail and restore some dignity to the government. I want our country to run by a real leader and not a greedy, craven, narcissistic clown. If I have to make nice with Sanders to do that, no problem. I still love Hillary. She is still my girl. But she would understand more than anyone the political necessity of working with Sanders and his faction to beat the GOP. It's not personal, it's just how politics works.

Sanders and his group cannot do it without mainline Dems. Conversely, mainline Dems need Sanders and his group too. No one goes under the bus if we plan to win. We gotta make this work, people.


OK, flame on....