Can Bernie find a clutch and change gear?
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- Date published:
8:54 am, March 5th, 2020 - 33 comments
Categories: International, us politics -
Tags: bernie sanders, elizabeth warren, Joe Biden
The basic problem with Bernie Sanders campaign is that his sole political role since the start of his career has been as the archetypal outsider. He injects ideas into the political debate that didn’t get play time, but he didn’t concentrate on making those things happen. Now it is costing him.
He has ran amazing campaigns in 2015/6 and 2019/20 raising interest amongst younger voters and even managing to encourage them to participate in the political processes that govern their lives. However I think that he is likely to not gain his parties nomination from primary voters because he has to convince existing democratic party voters to give him their primary votes.
Bernie is a one-trick pony in that he appears to only has one political gear. In my view, he just loves being in opposition, and shows no signs of ever being anything else.
It shows in that he is the independent senator for Vermont. This shows in the lack of legislation with his name on it. Sure the two things may be related. However it isn’t hard to find independent senators in US history who have managed to do that. The primary fundamental purpose of politicians is to pass legislation that provides our legal framework. Bernie appears to have limited experience with the concept. Instead he has ideas, and no apparent legislative pathway to achieve them.
His campaign, while less virulent about the Democratic party (which deserves most of the criticism it gets from the left) last time, doesn’t show any real signs of working towards that objective. It appears that winning the nomination and maybe an election is his sole purposes. The result of that is that it nows shows again in long serving Democrats involved in the structure of the Democratic Party aren’t throwing their support behind his nomination as the Democratic candidate for President.
It is a continual draining toil being involved in a political party, something that my last decade of slowly withdrawing from active involvement has made me realise. The people who do it for any length of time are there to get incremental changes passed. The way to get that happening is to build momentum with small implemented changes and ideas about how to achieve further change.
The revolutionaries who want fast widespread changes usually manage to talk a lot, but within a few years mostly wander away crying that no-one else shares their vision and that the structure is against them. They lack the dogged persistence and independence of a Bernie. But he really is a big ideas person….
If you look at the appalling American medical and employment systems for instance – his ideas are good if you were in any normal society. But I simply can’t see how he is going to achieve any of them from the position of President. It is going to require legislation from both houses of congress, require support from the legislature of the states that make up the ‘united states’ and be framed in such a way that the federal court system can’t toss it on constitutional grounds.
This is the hard place that the gormless dickhead who is their current president rails against, and one that he keeps failing to conquer. While the founders of the USA merely replicated the monarchical that they revolted against (and one that much of the world has now largely discarded), they also provided some pretty severe limits on its abilities to rule by monarchical decree. It is a system that requires the kind of political consensus building that appears to be foreign to Bernie.
The recognition of this amongst older democratic primary voters appears to be why the primary vote is moving away from Bernie winning the 1901 delegates. Sure it is moving towards a flawed, establishment, marginally less antique, and candidate. But that candidate has some proven ability to get legislation through and he may even get some progressive legislation through the logjam that is American politics.
As it stands now, Democrat primary voters don’t have a range of candidates to look at. They just have Sanders, Biden and a trailing Warren. The vote splitting has all but vanished.
The only thing that the Bernie campaign can do is to try to pivot towards convincing the remaining democratic primary older voters that he can forge a visible consensus with the other Democratic politicians (think Nancy Pelosi for instance) to work legislation through. But that balances his entire existing campaign on a knife point because too much concoiliation will probably piss off the rigidities of his existing younger support. He’ll start to look like a politician.
Personally, I wouldn’t have voted for Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders. My remote pick throughout has been Elizabeth Warren who has the advantages of intelligence, and ability to cooperate, and what looks like a viable progressive agenda…
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- Govt’s miserly 1.5% minimum wage will take workers backwards
The Government’s announcement today of a 1.5 per cent increase to minimum wage is another blow for workers, with inflation projected to exceed the increase, meaning it’s a real terms pay reduction for many. ...5 days ago
- Release: Govt shirking responsibility for rate hikes
All the Government has achieved from its announcement today is to continue to push responsibility back on councils for its own lack of action to help bring down skyrocketing rates. ...6 days ago
- Luxon’s ‘localism’ strikes again
The Government has used its final post-Cabinet press conference of the year to punch down on local government without offering any credible solutions to the issues our councils are facing. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt breaks promise on EV chargers
The Government has failed to keep its promise to ‘super charge’ the EV network, delivering just 292 chargers - less than half of the 670 chargers needed to meet its target. ...6 days ago
- Greens call for end to subsidies for Methanex
The Green Party is calling for the Government to stop subsidising the largest user of the country’s gas supplies, Methanex, following a report highlighting the multi-national’s disproportionate influence on energy prices in Aotearoa. ...6 days ago
- Govt child poverty targets allow for increase in poverty
The Green Party is appalled with the Government’s new child poverty targets that are based on a new ‘persistent poverty’ measure that could be met even with an increase in child poverty. ...1 week ago
- Release: Four weeks annual leave under threat
The Government’s attack on workers continues with news it is scrapping work on the Holidays Act. ...1 week ago
- Govt’s emissions plan for measly 1% reduction
New independent analysis has revealed that the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) will reduce emissions by a measly 1 per cent by 2030, failing to set us up for the future and meeting upcoming targets. ...1 week ago
- Greens stand in solidarity with Whakaata Māori on sad day
The loss of 27 kaimahi at Whakaata Māori and the end of its daily news bulletin is a sad day for Māori media and another step backwards for Te Tiriti o Waitangi justice. ...1 week ago
- Sanctions regime to create more hardship for families
Yesterday the Government passed cruel legislation through first reading to establish a new beneficiary sanction regime that will ultimately mean more households cannot afford the basic essentials. ...1 week ago
- Govt gifts renters housing anxiety for Christmas
Today's passing of the Government's Residential Tenancies Amendment Bill–which allows landlords to end tenancies with no reason–ignores the voice of the people and leaves renters in limbo ahead of the festive season. ...1 week ago
- Release: National Party urged to support modern slavery legislation
Labour is urging the Prime Minister to walk the talk and support legislation combating modern slavery. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour has lost confidence in the Speaker
The Speaker of the New Zealand Parliament made an unprecedented decision on the government amendment to the Fast Track Approvals Bill last night. ...2 weeks ago
- One year on, still no progress on new ferries
Today’s announcement from the Government on its plan for new ferries throws more uncertainty on the future of the country’s rail network. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Nicola Willis’ smaller ferries will cost more
After wasting a year, Nicola Willis has delivered a worse deal for the Cook Strait ferries that will end up being more expensive and take longer to arrive. ...2 weeks ago
- Bill to sanction unlawful occupation of Palestine
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick has today launched a Member’s Bill to sanction Israel for its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as the All Out For Gaza rally reaches Parliament. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Labour fully supports greyhound racing ban
The Government has done the right thing in moving to ban greyhound racing. ...2 weeks ago
- Greyhound racing industry ban marks new era for animal welfare
After years of advocacy, the Green Party is very happy to hear the Government has listened to our collective voices and announced the closure of the greyhound racing industry, by 1 August 2026. ...2 weeks ago
- Rangatahi voices must be centred in Government’s Relationship and Sexuality Education refresh
In response to a new report from ERO, the Government has acknowledged the urgent need for consistency across the curriculum for Relationship and Sexuality Education (RSE) in schools. ...2 weeks ago
- Govt introduces archaic anti-worker legislation
The Green Party is appalled at the Government introducing legislation that will make it easier to penalise workers fighting for better pay and conditions. ...2 weeks ago
- Winston Peters – Kinleith Mill Speech
Thank you for the invitation to speak with you tonight on behalf of the political party I belong to - which is New Zealand First. As we have heard before this evening the Kinleith Mill is proposing to reduce operations by focusing on pulp and discontinuing “lossmaking paper production”. They say that they are currently consulting on the plan to permanently shut ...2 weeks ago - Swarbrick calls on Auckland Mayor to end delay of revival of St James Theatre
Auckland Central MP, Chlöe Swarbrick, has written to Mayor Wayne Brown requesting he stop the unnecessary delays on St James Theatre’s restoration. ...2 weeks ago
- He Ara Anamata: Greens launch Emissions Reduction Plan
Today, the Green Party of Aotearoa proudly unveils its new Emissions Reduction Plan–He Ara Anamata–a blueprint reimagining our collective future. ...2 weeks ago
- Internationally-trained doctors jump at chance to boost health workforce
Health Minister Dr Shane Reti says Health New Zealand will move swiftly to support dozens of internationally-trained doctors already in New Zealand on their journey to employment here, after a tripling of sought-after examination places. “The Medical Council has delivered great news for hardworking overseas doctors who want to contribute ...11 hours ago - PM appoints business leader to APEC Business Advisory Council
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has appointed Sarah Ottrey to the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC). “At my first APEC Summit in Lima, I experienced firsthand the role that ABAC plays in guaranteeing political leaders hear the voice of business,” Mr Luxon says. “New Zealand’s ABAC representatives are very well respected and ...2 days ago
- New intelligence oversight appointments
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced four appointments to New Zealand’s intelligence oversight functions. The Honourable Robert Dobson KC has been appointed Chief Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants, and the Honourable Brendan Brown KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Intelligence Warrants. The appointments of Hon Robert Dobson and Hon ...2 days ago
- New housing developments able to progress more quickly
Improvements in the average time it takes to process survey and title applications means housing developments can progress more quickly, Minister for Land Information Chris Penk says. “The government is resolutely focused on improving the building and construction pipeline,” Mr Penk says. “Applications to issue titles and subdivide land are ...2 days ago
- Actions to speed up air travel delivering results
The Government’s measures to reduce airport wait times, and better transparency around flight disruptions is delivering encouraging early results for passengers ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Improving the efficiency of air travel is a priority for the Government to give passengers a smoother, more reliable ...2 days ago
- Ending contracted emergency housing in Rotorua
The Government today announced the intended closure of the Apollo Hotel as Contracted Emergency Housing (CEH) in Rotorua, Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka says. This follows a 30 per cent reduction in the number of households in CEH in Rotorua since National came into Government. “Our focus is on ending CEH in the Whakarewarewa area starting ...2 days ago
- Vocational education and training decisions support return to regions
The Government will reshape vocational education and training to return decision making to regions and enable greater industry input into work-based learning Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds says. “The redesigned system will better meet the needs of learners, industry, and the economy. It includes re-establishing regional polytechnics that ...2 days ago
- Reducing the environmental impact of synthetic refrigerants
The Government is taking action to better manage synthetic refrigerants and reduce emissions caused by greenhouse gases found in heating and cooling products, Environment Minister Penny Simmonds says. “Regulations will be drafted to support a product stewardship scheme for synthetic refrigerants, Ms. Simmonds says. “Synthetic refrigerants are found in a ...2 days ago
- Ngāruawāhia section of Waikato Expressway back to 4 lanes for Christmas
People travelling on State Highway 1 north of Hamilton will be relieved that remedial works and safety improvements on the Ngāruawāhia section of the Waikato Expressway were finished today, with all lanes now open to traffic, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“I would like to acknowledge the patience of road users ...2 days ago
- Appointments to the ENZ board
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister, Penny Simmonds, has announced a new appointment to the board of Education New Zealand (ENZ). Dr Erik Lithander has been appointed as a new member of the ENZ board for a three-year term until 30 January 2028. “I would like to welcome Dr Erik Lithander to the ...3 days ago
- Government to celebrate Waitangi Day around NZ
The Government will have senior representatives at Waitangi Day events around the country, including at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, but next year Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has chosen to take part in celebrations elsewhere. “It has always been my intention to celebrate Waitangi Day around the country with different ...3 days ago
- More gangs added to Gangs Act list
Two more criminal gangs will be subject to the raft of laws passed by the Coalition Government that give Police more powers to disrupt gang activity, and the intimidation they impose in our communities, Police Minister Mark Mitchell says. Following an Order passed by Cabinet, from 3 February 2025 the ...3 days ago
- Judicial appointment announced
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- GDP data highlights importance of growth
The latest economic figures highlight the importance of the steps the Government has taken to restore respect for taxpayers’ money and drive economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says. Data released today by Stats NZ shows Gross Domestic Product fell 1 per cent in the September quarter. “Treasury and most ...3 days ago
- Strengthening Free Speech in Universities
Tertiary Education and Skills Minister Penny Simmonds and Associate Minister of Education David Seymour today announced legislation changes to strengthen freedom of speech obligations on universities. “Freedom of speech is fundamental to the concept of academic freedom and there is concern that universities seem to be taking a more risk-averse ...3 days ago
- Launch of Emergency Cellular Priority Service
Police Minister, Mark Mitchell, and Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, today launched a further Public Safety Network cellular service that alongside last year’s Cellular Roaming roll-out, puts globally-leading cellular communications capability into the hands of our emergency responders. The Public Safety Network’s new Cellular Priority service means Police, Wellington ...3 days ago
- Minister reopens Mangamuka Gorge
State Highway 1 through the Mangamuka Gorge has officially reopened today, providing a critical link for Northlanders and offering much-needed relief ahead of the busy summer period, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says.“The Mangamuka Gorge is a vital route for Northland, carrying around 1,300 vehicles per day and connecting the Far ...3 days ago
- Funding confirmed for second Ashburton Bridge
The Government has welcomed decisions by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) and Ashburton District Council confirming funding to boost resilience in the Canterbury region, with construction on a second Ashburton Bridge expected to begin in 2026, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Delivering a second Ashburton Bridge to improve resilience and ...3 days ago
- Government boosts support for avian influenza response
The Government is backing the response into high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says. “Cabinet has approved new funding of $20 million to enable MPI to meet unbudgeted ongoing expenses associated with the H7N6 response including rigorous scientific testing of samples at the enhanced PC3 ...3 days ago
- Levelling the playing field for media advertising
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- Inspector-General of Defence appointed
Today the House agreed to Brendan Horsley being appointed Inspector-General of Defence, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “Mr Horsley’s experience will be invaluable in overseeing the establishment of the new office and its support networks. “He is currently Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, having held that role since June 2020. ...4 days ago
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand final levy rates confirmed
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden says the Government has agreed to the final regulations for the levy on insurance contracts that will fund Fire and Emergency New Zealand from July 2026. “Earlier this year the Government agreed to a 2.2 percent increase to the rate of levy. Fire ...4 days ago
- More AML relief on the way for Kiwi businesses
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- Government seeks partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned-land
The Government today released a request for information (RFI) to seeking interest in partnerships to plant trees on Crown-owned land with low farming and conservation value (excluding National Parks) Forestry Minister Todd McClay announced. “Planting trees on Crown-owned land will drive economic growth by creating more forestry jobs in our regions, providing more wood ...4 days ago
- Wide ranging legislation to make justice system more efficient
Court timeliness, access to justice, and improving the quality of existing regulation are the focus of a series of law changes introduced to Parliament today by Associate Minister of Justice Nicole McKee. The three Bills in the Regulatory Systems (Justice) Amendment Bill package each improve a different part of the ...4 days ago
- Diverse skills in community trust appointments
A total of 41 appointments and reappointments have been made to the 12 community trusts around New Zealand that serve their regions, Associate Finance Minister Shane Jones says. “These trusts, and the communities they serve from the Far North to the deep south, will benefit from the rich experience, knowledge, ...4 days ago
- Torture redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Unit
The Government has confirmed how it will provide redress to survivors who were tortured at the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit (the Lake Alice Unit). “The Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care found that many of the 362 children who went through the Lake Alice Unit between 1972 and ...4 days ago
- A busy year in the House
It has been a busy, productive year in the House as the coalition Government works hard to get New Zealand back on track, Leader of the House Chris Bishop says. “This Government promised to rebuild the economy, restore law and order and reduce the cost of living. Our record this ...4 days ago
- Consultation opens on working with engineered stone
“Accelerated silicosis is an emerging occupational disease caused by unsafe work such as engineered stone benchtops. I am running a standalone consultation on engineered stone to understand what the industry is currently doing to manage the risks, and whether further regulatory intervention is needed,” says Workplace Relations and Safety Minister ...4 days ago
- Greater reporting on Treaty settlement commitments
Mehemea he pai mō te tangata, mahia – if it’s good for the people, get on with it. Enhanced reporting on the public sector’s delivery of Treaty settlement commitments will help improve outcomes for Māori and all New Zealanders, Māori Crown Relations Minister Tama Potaka says. Compiled together for the ...4 days ago
- New appointments to the Charities Registration Board
Mr Roger Holmes Miller and Ms Tarita Hutchinson have been appointed to the Charities Registration Board, Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Louise Upston says. “I would like to welcome the new members joining the Charities Registration Board. “The appointment of Ms Hutchinson and Mr Miller will strengthen the Board’s capacity ...4 days ago
- Building consent processing times improve
More building consent and code compliance applications are being processed within the statutory timeframe since the Government required councils to submit quarterly data, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “In the midst of a housing shortage we need to look at every step of the build process for efficiencies ...5 days ago
- Faster access to support through Innovation Fund
Mental Health Minister Matt Doocey is proud to announce the first three recipients of the Government’s $10 million Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund which will enable more Kiwis faster access to mental health and addiction support. “This fund is part of the Government’s commitment to investing in ...5 days ago
- New Zealand to assist Vanuatu on earthquake response
New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following yesterday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. "Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need," Mr Peters says. "Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be ...5 days ago
- Government takes steps to reduce card fees for Kiwis
The Government welcomes the Commerce Commission’s plan to reduce card fees for Kiwis by an estimated $260 million a year, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly says.“The Government is relentlessly focused on reducing the cost of living, so Kiwis can keep more of their hard-earned income and live a ...5 days ago
- Review recommends ECE regulation shakeup
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- Offshore Renewable Energy Bill passes first reading
The Government‘s Offshore Renewable Energy Bill to create a new regulatory regime that will enable firms to construct offshore wind generation has passed its first reading in Parliament, Energy Minister Simeon Brown says.“New Zealand currently does not have a regulatory regime for offshore renewable energy as the previous government failed ...5 days ago
- Local Government (Water Services) Bill passes first reading
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Drat. The hidden costs of writing posts.. While writing this, two hours miraculously passed.
I missed an appointment at the doctor for the routine checkup and doling out of a prescription. I'm going to be a bit later than expected to work and rushed at the weekly conference call. Plus late again tomorrow after I don't write a post and go to the doctors.
The daily cascade of being time-poor.
Oh well – on my bike and off to work. But please stay on topic. I’m liable to be grumpy when I come back to moderate this post.
Yep pretty much spot on.
From what I've seen of Bernie's speeches and history I like him and many of his ideas just can't see they have any viable path to implementation within the current US setup.
Regardless of the final Dem nomination I think the US will be stuck with Donald for some time yet – which'll be good for the media lots of easy/pointless stories to run.
Looking past the next election it'll be interesting to see who the Democrats and Republicans put up to contest in 2024.
who has the power for real change in western politics…the politicians…or!
https://youtu.be/QTcL6Xc_eMM
Heh, from the how soon we ‘disremember’ Dept.
Ms Warren shat the proverbial with her unnecessary jab, for whatever reason, at Bernie on the electability of women to US President. They could have been a good duo for some obvious reasons. Bernie apparently first stood in 2016 after Elizabeth would not.
Sure, Bernie is on “last chance power drive” to run with lprent’s metaphor. But surely if the object is ‘Dump the Trump’ with even a non stellar allegedly electable, non scary placeholder, you choose someone that can get the bloody win. Mr Biden is obviously not that person.
Bernie does not need to change gears. The Democratic Party needs remove the road spikes and razor wire so he can put his foot down.
Absolutely and Warren needs to learn a thing or two about team work.
It's interesting that trump would rather run against Bernie than Joe because he thinks his chances are better, trump is attempting to use reverse psychology, he knows that's not true. Surely people won't be falling for it, or will they?
Patrick Gower embarrassed us all last night on TV3 news, camped outside Bernie Sanders house and then trying to interview him when he came back from his walk. Bernie gave him the brush off rightly so, even though Paddy tried name dropping Jacinda's name to him.
The tribal cringe is strong with this one.
Yes Iprent – time is the biggest loss of all – of love even
But I enjoyed your rush to the Doctor, the fierce pedalling. the presciption and the up coming Conference. No munchies at Lunch time. We got their too late.
All of us have done the same trip good Man!
Bernie did not bite the big Apple – I rather think. He'sToo unworldly. I would like to be wrong though.
The truth is that Americans of any persuasian, bathe themselves in Bright Lights. Hanker for Girls with beach sweeping Breasts. Fantasise everything. Promise every bit of nothing as long as it is grand and specious and non deliverable
Their Politics is as shallow as Alice in Wonderlands missing shoe. Finally it is all about :MONEY MONEY MONEY
Nothing to do with Democracy… They have no Concept of Democracy. None
Warren would be worth voting for just because she actually might live for two terms as us president.
I think the debates between biden and Bernie will be the difference. This is all too soon.
Add the fact is biden just won the south, which in reality is going to go republican – so not much of a win.
True that, unless they can somehow protect Biden from talking, he is going to get pretty quickly exposed as having that age related degenerative mental condition that no MSM will talk about…it's quite crazy, I feel like I am watching The Emperor's New Clothes in real time.
As I've pointed out repeatedly, Obama won the nomination in 2008 by racking up overwhelming margins in southern states with large african american populations, and lost most of what we think of as the swing states to Clinton. Didn't hurt his prospects in the general
States are not monoliths. Ignoring or discounting primary victories in some states because of how they fare in the general is just plain weak.
You know full well, that the southern states are not where trump will be beaten, so again with straw men.
Getting tiresome phil.
And if you look at the numbers, biden didn't get an overwhelming victory in the south – just look at texas.
Any more straw men you wanna throw up?
Good thing they were voting for their preferred nominee then, eh.
/
Bernie plus Warren’s votes would have topped Biden. The conservatives won on tactics with their candidate withdrawals.
Bernie plus Warren’s votes would have topped Biden.
What makes you think Warren voters would automatically swing to Sanders?
The conservatives won on tactics with their candidate withdrawals.
The moderate wing of the party had a tonne of candidates tripping over themselves for months. The inevitable winnowing of the field is not "tactics" so much as "has been an obvious and inevitable fact from the very beginning".
You keep saying southern states won't be won by democrat in november as if that's (a) interesting or (b) relevant, to the delegate math in front of us now for the Dem primary.
Hint: it's neither.
And: neither are you.
And as I said if the point is Bernie to gear up, then the south don't matter – because the democrat base is effectively in the north.
If you haven't read this whole thing, don't bother, just jump to the last sentence..
"Personally, I wouldn’t have voted for Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders. My remote pick throughout has been Elizabeth Warren who has the advantages of intelligence, and ability to cooperate, and what looks like a viable progressive agenda…"
The writer obviously would have no problems voting for a politician who has become a known and frequent lair, and cynical political player of the worst sort…but then I guess that makes her a perfect fit inside the establishment DNC..or for that matter her former home in the RNC, both the just different sides of the same coin as it turns out.
It is quite depressing to actually see how when a moderate leftie (because that is all Sanders really is) shows up and offers some hope to working and poor people and probably our only real hope of battling climate change..he gets ripped down from so many people who you would think had more of a staunch fighting spirit..except it turns out they have got none of that in them at all…nope just straight back to the default position of more and more compromise with the masters.
Why on Earth would anybody skip the OP and read the comments first and then follow your cherry-picked suggestion, or recommendation rather, to not bother reading the OP?
This site is about robust debate of ideas. Authors write posts on topical (or less topical) issues and usually offer some personal opinion (AKA as angle or perspective).
Why should your opinion (comment) take precedence over the Author’s one (post)? Don’t you think people should read it for themselves and then make up their minds by themselves and then engage in debate with others (or not) – and possibly then change their minds although that never seems to happen here?
I hope your comment was not meant to be taken literally because that would really get up my nose (and presumably not just my nose). Because if it were meant literally, it effectively aims to shut out the opinion of the Author. Now, that would be truly depressing here …
"Elizabeth Warren who has the advantages of intelligence, and ability to cooperate, and what looks like a viable progressive agenda"..and who is on, like, a downward spiral..even losing her home state for goodness sake..'despite' her heroic compromise in accepting (sorry..ability to co-operate with..) a super pac…and you seriously think Bernie should follow her example?
https://www.newsweek.com/super-pacs-backing-elizabeth-warren-have-far-outspent-those-supporting-all-other-democratic-1490342
The presidency would constitute a better platform from which Bernie could sell his ideas; and perhaps promote a shift, in congressional elections, towards a more progressive house and senate.
Biden is dodgy going by his record, a pushover and probably past it. Sanders moves the dial too far to the left to be electable. Warren is a charlatan.
Trump is a big bag of wind who talks a big game on trade and immigration but is essentially a harmless radical as far as business as usual goes. So we better start getting used to the idea of four more years of the idiot in chief.
Amazing that in a nation of 320 million people Trump is the best they can come up with.
The trash-talker in chief leads a trash-talking nation, a place where the slightest hint of social collectiveness is viewed as poison.
Says a lot about America.
People can only order what’s on the Menu. Many people don’t even look at the Menu but just order the same they’re always having. Others never eat out or order anything off the Menu. If the Chef has a bad day in the kitchen, a nice pleasant waiting staff is not going to make the meal taste any better. Nor does a generous helping of garnish hide the fact that a meal is awful. At the end of the night, you still have to pay the full price. Next time, many do it all over again, without even blinking. Welcome to Groundhog Day.
As one ex Russian leader said to his US, counterpart. "Your propaganda is as false as ours, but your people, believe it".
What puzzles me is why such a significant proportion of the black vote goes to establishment candidates ??in the most racist country on the planet .I wish bernie would quit saying "joe biden is a good friend of mine "
A lot of blacks tend to be relatively conserative in their outlook, rather similar to the Pacifikas in South Auckland.
Black support for charter schools and vouchers is a manifestation of that, while a lot of leaders in the civil Rights era supported things like the war on drugs, tough on crime initiatives, etc.
You cannot really just pigeonhole people that easily. Something that our side forgets a lot.
James Clyburn (Democrat whip, elder-statesman of the congressional black caucus) talked about this in an interview with 538 ahead of his endorsement of Biden. Really interesting interview.
https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/why-south-carolinas-james-clyburn-is-endorsing-biden/
Mr Clyburn appears to have been well captured by the DNC. Such states people quite often have a different outlook and way of doing things after so many years of oppression and underdevelopment.
As in NZ–why would Northlanders apart from tory farmers and retirees vote National after years of woeful neglect? But they do.
Many US voters are fearful and who can blame them. Let us know when the South goes Democrat!
And this is where patronising claptrap gets you.
https://twitter.com/Deoliver47/status/1235654481808850945
https://twitter.com/Deoliver47/status/1235655201232769029
Whatev joe90. Politics is rarely a linear affair–to the contrary zigs and zags, advances and retreats, are the typical trajectory.
Pundits, academics, and right opportunists are often the first whose innards turn to water and vacillate in a tight spot. The default setting is “we might lose”, well if you never fight you will definitely lose. And what is it you really want to win anyway–status quo?
Bernie is one staunch battler, under the most severe attacks imaginable from all quarters–he makes so many online commenters look like the weaklings they are.