Andrew Gillum won the Democratic primary tonight, and that is good. He is a Democrat, he was

[still_one]

endorsed by Bernie Sanders and others, and that is all good, and hopefully we will defeat the trump stooge for Governor in Florida in November, but there is perhaps something even more important that we ALL need to be aware of so we do NOT become pawns in a game that is being setup to divide the Democrats.

There are elements, a lot of them from the MSM, but also from our traditional adversaries, the republicans, and right wing forces who want to encourage that division, and it would be will advised NOT to fall prey to their insidious game.

This really should NOT be a surprise. That is what happened not only in 2016, but also in 2000. These purveyors of division realize it appears to be a winning strategy for them, and it is way time for us to shove back into their ugly faces.

Headlines are pushing that Senator Sanders endorsement of Andrew Gillum won the Democratic primary for governor Florida. By itself that is ok, and good, but I think we would be naive to believe that the motivation for pushing this was solely to INFORM the public.

There is, and has been a hidden agenda to create discord among Democrats by those who do not have the interest of not only the Democratic party, but I would venture the country.

I hope we don't fall for their bullshit again, and start in-fighting between us because our preferable candidate may not have been successful in the primary, and make it really clear. Our candidate WAS successful in the primary. Our candidate is the Democratic nominee, and that is where we need to focus

Don't let those who want to divide us do it. Don't let them succeed.

[Cha]

1. This is what Andrew Gullum said on CNN.. He wants to unite..

Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

George https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146130

Mahalo, still_one

[still_one]

3. I am not surprised. Thank-you Cha, glad to hear it.

[Cha]

4. I was really glad to read that, too.. and Gwen Graham is getting her supporters behind Andrew!

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211066000

[Dopers_Greed]

27. This is good news

I think he's going to help us defeat Skeletor

[Cha]

29. Yeah, GOTV for himself and Ben Nelson!

[onethatcares]

47. skeletor is going other places

or so he thinks.

We got to change this state from the ground up.

[StevieM]

33. In other words, it was Hillary's base that turned out for him and voted for him, not Bernie's.

Gillum is a uniter. He is not looking to be a standard bearer for Bernie Sanders or anybody else. He is looking to be the next governor of Florida.

[Cha]

41. Exactly, Stevie.. and with his Broad Coalition and Gwen Graham

and her supporters.. he just might do it!



https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211066000

[Demsrule86]

57. It is Florida. I am going to hope for the best and donate.

[Cha]

77. Thank You, Demsrule!

[still_one]

5. Excuse me. Who TOLD YOU WHAT I LIKE AND DON'T LIKE. Take your diversionary garbage and peddle

to someone who gives a shit

I guess my first statement in my OP offended you:

"He is a Democrat, he was endorsed by Bernie Sanders and others, and that is all good, and hopefully we will defeat the trump stooge for Governor in Florida in November"

We are going to win the midterms, in spite of SOME who can't resist but snipe, insulate, and misrepresent, because perhaps their lives are just a little too dull and drab

and DON'T ASSUME THAT I AM NOT FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL, or you know who I am, because YOU DON'T, and frankly, based on YOUR ASSUMPTIONS about ME, I don't think I want to know who YOU are

[betsuni]

36. ...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

6. Why AG will be the next Governor of Florida.

[still_one]

8. Sorry to interrupt, but I am not following. Gallium is running for Governor, right?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

11. Yes, exactly why I said he (AG) will be the next Governor.

[still_one]

12. Thanks. Here is where I messed up. I thought the AG was an acronym for Attorney General, and it

happens to be the same initials as Andrew Gillum, which is what you meant of course

I was on a different wave length

[retread]

58. Democrats have also nominated a splendid candidate for Florida AG!

[Cha]

9. Andrew Gullum is giviing Credit to the Barack Obama Wing, the Hillary Clinton Wing..

and the Sanders wing.. and it's the overwhelming GOTV of Black Voter turnout that is credited with Andrew's Victory.

It's a broad coalition.. Andrew is a uniter..

Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

George https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146130

[Cha]

7. Whether you like it or not Andrew Gillum is giving Credit to the..

Gillum was just interviewed on CNN - he said this was a win for "the Barack Obama wing.....

....the Hillary Clinton wing, and the Sanders wing of the Democratic Party."

They also did an analysis on CNN of the victory, and say it was because of the overwhelming black turnout for him in the state.

It's a truly broad-based win for the entire Democratic Party and Gillum.

George https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1014&pid=2146130

Andrew is a Uniter!

Thank You! Black Voters and especially Black Women Voters GOTV for Andrew Gullum. The Base of the Democratic Party

[melman]

15. I have no problem with that

Unlike some, I am not obsessed with endlessly rehashing that


But still, Andrew Gillum is running on issues that are routinely derided here as ponies and unicorns. And as it turns out, these same positions appeal to a lot of people. As we're seeing.

But the same people that do that deriding, instead of stopping to think about that, and what it might mean. and how maybe it's possible they're wrong about that stuff...instead they just decide to ignore it. And that's kind of fucked up.

[Cha]

16. Good. Because Andrew is a Uniter with a very broad coalition

and that's how he's going to win.

[R B Garr]

21. How ridiculous. John Lewis has been for Medicare for All

for years. Democrats have been for Universal Healthcare for decades. Bernie did not invent these positions. Bill Clinton actually taxed the rich decades ago. ETC.

Gillum was very inclusive — such a positive sign and one that OR should learn and adopt.

[Squinch]

50. Good thing you're not obsessed with endlessly rehashing that.

[Eliot Rosewater]

76. So sick of this SHIT, thanks for pointing it out.

[ehrnst]

71. What issues are "routinely derided here as ponies and unicorns?"

And you should be aware that "positions" and "issues" are not interchangeable terms.

If you are talking about strategies to solve the issues, there can be disagreement between people who are on the same side of the issue without calling whoever has a different strategy "a corporate shill."

Once you make the strategy more important than the goal, you are entering into the realm of dogma.

And that is what we have seen in spades here on DU, not a disagreement on issues or positions. For instance All Democrats want universal health care - that is our position on the issue. There are different strategies to get there, and just because someone disagrees, especially when they back their point up with evidence doesn't make them a "hater," despite the endless rehashing over "purity tests."

For some, dogma serves a very tribal impulse. But as we see in religion, it usually doesn't lead to any progress, and sometimes it stops progress from actually happening.

[LanternWaste]

72. Those issues were never ponies and unicorns. That meme is 18 months old, stale and without merit.

But I get it... sacred cows are not getting their due glorification in regards to stories in which they are at best, merely peripheral, regardless of the irrelevance of what you allege about your lack of obsessions.

[ehrnst]

80. Crickets....

[betsuni]

30. Oh, melman. "So, like it or not -- and you obviously don't like it..."

Insinuating Democrats don't want health care for everyone and are just like Republicans is a tired talking point. Give it up.

[brer cat]

32. Did you bother to read the OP before you

decided to become one of those "purveyors of division?" You are misstating and mischaracterizing his post. He never said the media or anyone else was making up an association with Sanders, he questioned the motivation of those using that to sow division within the Party.

Still_one posted much the same message on an another thread about Gillum :

still_one (58,233 posts)
24. Yes. He ran as a Democrat. He IS a Democrat. I don't see any issue here as long as a DEMOCRAT
wins

still_one (58,233 posts)
26. Some seem to want to infer division, which it isn't. He is a Democrat, and supported the Democratic
nominee in 2016.

Still_one is an active member of the Democratic Party who is focused on uniting the Party to defeat republicans in Nov. and beyond, not continuing to fight primaries after they are over. What's your motivation, melman?

[SunSeeker]

10. Gillum also has Jeff Greene to thank.

He benefited from being chosen by the progressive wing of the party’s most generous benefactors ― including billionaires Tom Steyer and George Soros ― as well as from a barrage of negative ads against Graham by billionaire Jeff Greene.

Greene wound up finishing fourth in the five-way pack, but he spent $10 million on ads attacking Graham ― more than she spent on television on her own behalf.

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5b856016e4b0162f471cb9e9

The stars--and Dem base--aligned for Gillum and I am happy for him and us. He will make a formidable Democratic candidate against that Trump scum DeSantis...if we stay united.

[still_one]

13. sure. No doubt there were a lot of folks who helped, including Bernie Sanders. I really think it

is all good, and portends unity

[SunSeeker]

18. Yup. nt

[Cha]

14. Wow.. $10 Million in attack ads! Yes, The Democratic

Base GOTV for Andrew Gillum.. The African Americans especially, I'm seeing on Twitter, the African American Women!

Andrew is a Uniter!

Mahalo, SunSeeker

[SunSeeker]

17. Yup. African American women are the Democratic base. Can't win without them!

[R B Garr]

22. Exactly! nt

[mcar]

64. The base of the party supported Gillum!

[sheshe2]

70. "Can't win without them!"

Exactly, SunSeeker!

[Sancho]

61. I agree...

the main reason that Graham lost was the division created by Green plus splitting the vote with Levine (same Democrats could have gone for Graham or Levine).

Gillum benefitted and won without much of a war chest or campaign.

The issue for Florida Democrats is getting the majority Independent voters to swing to Gillum instead of staying home. Don't underestimate the indifference of independents. There is a chance that Desantis is so crazy that he will produce a backlash from independents. There is also a chance that people upset over the current environmental issues will vote "Green Party" and cost Gillum the election.

We'll see....Gillum has little time and money, so only a grass roots campaign will get out the vote.

Bernie is an attraction or distraction for the base, but irrelevant to more independents in Florida. The primary issues here are...
Environment (red tide/algae), guns (string of mass shootings), schools (charters), and roads (high speed trains). Bernie doesn't really have those issues on top of his reforms.

Honestly, there's little discussion of healthcare (half of Fl voters are on medicare), taxes (Fl does not have state income taxes), or even immigration (1/3 of Fl was born outside the US).

[Tiggeroshii]

19. I see an excellent 2020 Presidential candidate in the works.

[StevieM]

35. Maybe 2024 or 2028 but not 2020. He can't win the governorship and then turn right around

and run for president the next year.

That goes for Gavin Newsom as well.

[Tiggeroshii]

37. They'll still try it and could be quite successful

Kinda like a recent president who was elected to the senate in 2004 and ran for president on 2008. Same diff...

[StevieM]

40. I disagree. Obama sat in the Senate for 2 years and then began his campaign.

That is not the same thing as beginning your campaign the same year that you first took office as governor.

[Tiggeroshii]

43. You're right

But that doesn't mean it can't be done. Obama was seen as jumping the gun until he won. At the end of the day whether they run and win an elected office has more to do with their supporters and them than it does how long they held a particular office. Certainly plenty of precedent for that rule, anyway.

[retread]

60. No!! He has to win the Governor's race; then govern this state. Given the makeup of the

state legislature that will be a huge test for a progressive. Florida desperately needs his leadership.

[Laffy Kat]

20. My sis lives in Monticello, FL and is active in the Democratic Party there.

She says Gwen Graham is basically "republican lite" but has a better chance against Scott. I don't agree though, due to the algae gloom and other big sugar pollution, many repugs. are outrage; it's impacting their pocketbooks. They just need to get the vote out. Gillum can win this thing. She is skeptical.

[Cha]

23. I'm hopeful after getting a crash course in Andrew Gillum

tonight.

He's a Uniter and will have a broad coalition including Gwen Graham getting her supporters behind him.



https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211066000

[Laffy Kat]

24. Yep, I'm cautiously optimistic.

Floridians DETEST Scott. Even many of his supporters agree he's corrupted as hell.

[Cha]

25. Well let's hope he doesn't get Senator.

[Tiggeroshii]

26. I think Gillum will bring in some signifixant coat tails for Nelson

[Cha]

28. That's a pleasing thought!

[pnwmom]

74. She probably also thought Hillary was "republican lite." n/t

[Laffy Kat]

75. Well she voted for Sanders, as did I, and now has regrets, as do I. nt

[Cha]

31. Congratulations AG-Gillum makes history tonight as the first black nominee for the position.

Link to tweet

[fleabiscuit]

38. Cha! Lurking flea...

[Cha]

42. Hey Lurking flea!

[mr_lebowski]

34. Guy sounds like a great candidate and excellent person, but ... this is Florida ...

A place which, IMHO, might be one of the worst possible places for us to field a 'Medicare for All' candidate.

Let's face it ... Florida ... is chockful of old, retired people.

People who paid into Medicare for MUCH of their lives. People who are glad they have it, but who also decry its budget shortfalls, which cause them to have to navigate all this private insurance 'Part A,B,C,D' crap, with 'donut holes', etc.

It's NOT going to be a 'tough sell' to convince the considerable population of fogeys (which I'm very close to being myself) that 'Medicare For All' ... means 'Even Less Medicare for Them'.

And the fact that candidate calling for this 'sharing' of 'what they think is theirs' ... being a Man of Color?

I'm sorry, but this is situation RIPE for the likes of Faux Nooz manipulating the huge contingent of old white folks in Florida ... into believing that they are going TO LOSE ... if Mr. Gillum wins.

I'm celebrating tonight the victory of the 'principles I believe in' ... but at the same time, I worry that this not a meaningful victory ...

Sorry, everyone. I wish I could be as excited as everyone else, I really want to be, I really like the guy ... but this is Florida.

I'm certainly not saying we shouldn't all get behind our candidate and I'll be PRAYING for a 'W' that night, and if it happens I'll be f***ing ECSTATIC. To be clear

Let the flaming begin ... but ... I just calls it like I see it, friends. And I'm often wrong, so there's that. May it be so in this case ...

[Tiggeroshii]

39. Well people say that kinda candidate can't win. What better place to test that theory than Florida?

With the right organization a coalition building and outreach, it can be done.

[mr_lebowski]

44. Like I say, I will be f***ing ECSTATIC if Mr. Gillum wins ...

Yes, if he DOES win?!? It would be meaningful, and profound. And that's a valid consideration, to be sure.

But I'm just worried we have in effect handed our enemies the proverbial Golden Gun WRT to this particular intersection between Candidate and State.

Especially when the alternative was the scion of a powerful, mainstream Florida Democrat ... who happens to be female, in an election I think women are going to hold an unusually high advantage in, overall.

I want to be wrong about this feeling, I really do.

[Tiggeroshii]

45. Like all things it cannot happen without all of the work being done for it

[JustAnotherGen]

48. You are in the state

And make excellent points.

I'm in NJ. Folks outside of the state had an issue with Phil Murphy's confides as a former Goldman Sachs employee. They didn't understand the large number of enterprise employees that live in NJ. Within state I was able to use that when knocking on the doors and calling people to the - not really to the Left of him.

It doesn't get more left than Phil.

If you are volunteering for the campaign - think about how you can overcome the Medicare For All Objection.

IE What does that mean for:
Access to mammograms?
Prostate cancer screening?
Ensuring VA health care facilities are easily accessible?

How does Gillum's platform create a community of caring.

[retread]

62. The establishment Florida Democrat apparatchik have put forth the "moderate", center-right candidate

many times. Always with the same arguments you make and the same result i.e. defeat in November.

If the Democratic Party is really a party with a broad coalition, it's way past time for some other members of that broad coalition to field a candidate.

[LanternWaste]

73. I get it. I was called "delusional" because I thought Doug Jones would win a special election.

[rzemanfl]

79. As a Florida old fogey and life-long democrat I need to say, don't confuse The Villages with all

of the state. All those ads run by the rich guys the race attacking Graham IMO diverted votes to Gillum. I say that despite everyone in my household having voted for Gillum.

[JustAnotherGen]

46. Amen

We must be one. We lose more than an office or a seat if we are not disciplined. We lose America.

[brer cat]

49. +1

If we focus on what unites us, America will win.

[BlueJac]

51. Great news!

[Sunsky]

52. True

Anyone who credits labels like progressive or the Sanders endorsement has no clue what happened here in FL. Gillum's GOTV effort far superseded Graham's. Graham made a huge mistake by ignoring us in South FL. I tried to warn people here days before the election that she was not going to win Broward county. Here- https://www.democraticunderground.com/10456581
Everywhere I went I saw Gillum's signs, everyone I spoke to was either going to vote for Gillum or Levine (mostly Gillum). I never met one Graham supporter other than on DU.

Rachel said last night that Gillum targeted Democrats while Graham targeted Independents who would help her win in Nov. Why would one do so in a primary election? This strategy was evident by her neglect of the strong Democratic base in South Fl. Meanwhile, Levine was campaigning on getting respect for us down south, in Tallahassee.
Gillum UNITED all bases of the Democratic party and this is what's needed to win the state in Nov, along with gaining a few Independents. Broward and Miami were HRC strongholds. I am a HRC supporter and I voted for Andrew Gillum. In fact when my mom found out he was endorsed by the Bernie, she almost did not vote for him because she rightfully knew that some would want to credit him but she did not know any of the other candidates other than Levine. I told her to "cut the crap", it's time for us to unite.

It's time to put hurt feel feelings and disappointments aside and GOTV. We are one party, forget labels. I absolutely loved Graham's tweet last night, much respect to her. FL will go BLUE in November!

[mcar]

65. Excellent points!

[uponit7771]

66. **DAMN** !! "I never met one Graham supporter other than on DU. " This is what PISSES ME OFF ...

... about how some of the dem candidates run !

They don't go to areas that have voted dem the most and turn up turn out !!

I was in a blue area of Texas for 10 years and was presented with KGOPrs twice, never a dem candidate.

We've been in turn out elections for the last 15 years, what about that do they ... NOT ... understand ?!!

Get people to turn out, attract non voters and stop trying to convince the RussiaPublicans to vote for them its not money well spent.

They can't do this by pounding ground in mainly one demographic.

Good for Gillum, hopefully the DNC is paying attention

[Sunsky]

68. Exactly

The lesson from the FL primary should be- Do not take your base for granted. Also, stop the division in the party. #Demsunited

[yardwork]

53. I'm impressed that Graham immediately endorsed the winner.

No whining, no playing coy. Heartfelt, immediate endorsement urging all Democrats to support Gillum as the winner of the Democratic primary.

That's how we win elections.

[seaglass]

54. We all know where the divisiveness on DU is coming from. Some people still don't understand

that in order to win we need everyone, not just one segment of the Democratic party. Hopefully they will figure it out by November.

[disillusioned73]

55. K&R..

He is very impressive..

[VOX]

56. Push hard and make it happen, Floridians!

While I'm on the opposite coast, your Democratic candidates will receive as much financial support as I can muster.

That is a pledge, a promise, upon my word.

[MaryMagdaline]

59. It may be their ploy to push the Bernie Sanders connection but many independents in Florida

supported Sanders in 2016. No way Gillum loses a single Democratic vote because of his association with Bernie. Not one. He may pick up some Independents because of it, though.

[mcar]

63. We cannot let them set the narrative

Thanks, still_one.

[Kingofalldems]

67. You are correct:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211066561

[lark]

69. I'm calling his campaign today to volunteer.

The last thing FL needs is an asshole even more insane than Scott.

[NastyRiffraff]

78. Gillum is a good candidate

I don't care who did or didn't endorse him. Media is pushing the Sanders endorsement...ask yourselves why.

We need to get behind Democratic candidates. I admit some are tough to support, but Gillum isn't one of them. We HAVE to unite behind every Democratic candidate. Posting #BlueWave alone won't win the House.

Vote Blue No Matter Who.

[aikoaiko]

81. I'd like to make a pitch ask people to stop poking Bernie supporters & those who are sore at Bernie

I see it happen on both sides. Technically legal posts, but posts that are passive aggressive and push buttons.

We can stop. It's time.