A Bernie Sanders Presidential Bid Would Take On The Billionaires (someone has to)!

[mimi85]

Bernie Sanders has no patience.

No time for small talk, glad-handing, saying how great it is to be back in Iowa. The middle class is circling the drain, oligarchs are taking over the government, and people — wake up, people! — are obsessing about football and baseball and what Kim Kardashian is wearing if, he says, she's wearing anything at all.

He is angry, righteous, waving his arms, hollering and contemplating a run for president, which is why 150 Iowans have turned out on a numbingly cold evening to hear Vermont's independent U.S. senator vent.

Sanders strides from between shelves at the Prairie Lights bookstore, muttering "hello, hello" by way of introduction, then launches into a 45-minute attack, aimed mainly at the billionaire Koch brothers and their conservative allies.

Read more: http://www.latimes.com/nation/great-reads/la-na-c1-bernie-sanders-president-2016-20150306-story.html#page=1

[sadoldgirl]

1. It is great should he run,

but don't for a minute think that he could
change the power of money. No single person
no matter how powerful he/she has a position
will be able to control, or even try to control
the money machine.

Sorry, I feel rather depressed about all this
right now.

[Thinkingabout]

2. He needs to get out of bed with the lobbyists first.

[ReRe]

3. Out of curiosity...

... and who are the lobbyists he's in bed with?

[daredtowork]

4. That remark is coming from a person who:

1) spreads talking points against SSI/SSDI.
Re: This thread - http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6128470

2) claims to be both a member of a union and Third Way.
Re: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6298139

3) accuses others of being Republicans when called on either of the above.

Draw your own conclusions about what all of that amounts to when put together.

[ReRe]

19. I knew where he/she was coming from...

... but thanks a bunch for those links. Communication is so important, rather than childish attacks some are wont to do on DU. Later friend...

[Thinkingabout]

10. Name one who is not in bed with lobbyists but here is the information.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Dem_senators_spent_weekend_with_bank_energy_tobacco_lobbyists.html

[ReRe]

17. Look it...

... that "group" of Democrats & Corps are definitely not ones I would think Bernie would hang around with. But Bernie Sanders keeps his ears to the ground and is like an information sweeping machine. He listens to all sides and then draws his own conclusions. I've been doing that for years. You have to look at the whole picture.

Where in your link did it mention that all those folks are receiving money from those lobbyists? If lobbyists give, Congress members aren't required to receive are they?

[Thinkingabout]

21. look at the guest list link

Guess when anyone meets with different groups they are just gathering information and listening to them, gotcha, didn't think about them listening.

[ReRe]

24. I did look at the list of names...

... Peweeeeeeeee. Bernie sticks out like a sore thumb in that group. Listening is gooooooood!

[Scuba]

6. What lobbyists? You going to answer that? C'mon, put up or shut up.

[Thinkingabout]

11. Well I do not need to shut up so here is the information.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Dem_senators_spent_weekend_with_bank_energy_tobacco_lobbyists.html

[Scuba]

14. BTW, your link doesn't show any hint that Bernie took money from these lobbyists ...

BTW, your link doesn't show any hint that Bernie took money from these lobbyists. Hardly substantiates your claim that he's "in bed" with them.

[Thinkingabout]

22. Read the guest list and then read the article.

[smokey nj]

27. So Bernie went to a DSCC event 5 years ago. Got anything else?

[Thinkingabout]

31. What else is needed, I have supplied the information, he is in with corporations and now he want to

sound as he never did anything with corporations, guess this is the same thing you would get when he runs for president. His record is his record, I did not create his record, complain to him.

[smokey nj]

32. You didn't prove anything with what you posted. Try again.

[Thinkingabout]

34. What do you have to refute what I have posted, cant take your word.

Prove the article wrong.

[smokey nj]

43. You're the one claiming Bernie Sanders took money from those lobbyists.

[Thinkingabout]

46. Yes and I provided a link, you havent provided anything showing this isn't factual.

Get back to me when you do.

[smokey nj]

47. I'm not the one throwing around accusations, I don't have

to prove anything. Your posts in this thread say a lot about you and none of it is good.

[Thinkingabout]

37. Political records goes on longer than five years as our records goes on longer than five years.

Got anything better as an excuse as to why he went five years ago.

[smokey nj]

41. How much did those lobbyists give to Bernie Sanders?

You think you have a "gotcha" here but you don't.

[Thinkingabout]

23. It is in the guest list link.

[Scuba]

25. There's nothing in the guest list, or link, that substantiates your claim that Bernie took money.

Your attempt to make that claim by pointing to a link that doesn't support it is really, really lame.

[smokey nj]

28. Yeah, we should be horrified that Bernie attended a DSCC event 5 years ago.

[Thinkingabout]

30. Here is the information again

Twelve Democratic Senators spent last weekend in Miami Beach raising money from top lobbyists for oil, drug, and other corporate interests that they often decry, according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO.

The guest list for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's "winter retreat" at the Ritz Carlton South Beach Resort doesn't include the price tag for attendance, but the maximum contribution to the committee, typical for such events, is $30,000. There, to participate in "informal conversations" and other meetings Saturday, were senators including DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez; Michigan's Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow; Bob Casey of Pennsylvania; Claire McCaskill of Missouri; freshmen Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Begich of Alaska; and even left-leaning Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

They were raising money from top lobbyists from oil, drug and other top corporate interests, Bernie Sanders is included in this list.

[Thinkingabout]

29. The in the bed claim did not start with me, I just repeated it.

Did you read this:

Twelve Democratic Senators spent last weekend in Miami Beach raising money from top lobbyists for oil, drug, and other corporate interests that they often decry, according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO.

The guest list for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's "winter retreat" at the Ritz Carlton South Beach Resort doesn't include the price tag for attendance, but the maximum contribution to the committee, typical for such events, is $30,000. There, to participate in "informal conversations" and other meetings Saturday, were senators including DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez; Michigan's Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow; Bob Casey of Pennsylvania; Claire McCaskill of Missouri; freshmen Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Begich of Alaska; and even left-leaning Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

They were raising money from top lobbyists from oil, drug and other top corporate interests, Bernie Sanders is included in this list.

[rhett o rick]

39. Do you have a link for the article? nm

[Thinkingabout]

40. It was given in post #11 and #17 but here it is again.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/bensmith/0210/Dem_senators_spent_weekend_with_bank_energy_tobacco_lobbyists.html

To see the guest list click on the guest list link but the article also lists Bernie Sanders in the article. This corporatists argument needs to cease since potential candidate takes money from Wall Street and other venues. It's a fact we have to love with.

[rhett o rick]

44. The article is a typical piece of crap from Politico.

They claim someone, they won't tell us who, gave them a guest list. Anyone could have made up that list. They didn't even claim that any of the people on the list actually attended.
Also, read this sentence: "The guest list for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's "winter retreat" at the Ritz Carlton South Beach Resort doesn't include the price tag for attendance, but the maximum contribution to the committee, typical for such events, is $30,000." The list doesn't include the price tag so we will make a guess. Journalism at it's worse.

There is no evidence that Sen Sanders attended or received a dime from anyone.

[Thinkingabout]

45. And you claim it isnt true, where is your link it isnt true.

Sometimes it is easier to accept truth but I do not take your word it isn't true. Bernie should speak out as Warren has done, she admits she has taken campaign funds, I would be more willing to listen to Warren than Bernie. Taking funds from corporations isn't a problem to me, I know this happens, seems like some here on DU thinks it is terrible. Bernie has other issues which is a problem for me.

[rhett o rick]

48. Politico didn't show any proof that Sen Sanders was there. They didn't even

claim he was there. They said they got some mysterous guest list that anyone could produce that had his name on it. They never said he attended. The event was to raise money for the DSCC and not for Sen Sanders. They didn't even hint he got any money. Politico is famous for those crappy stories.

[Thinkingabout]

49. Denial on your part does not prove anything. Twisting the words of Politico does not prove

Anything. Even if Sanders did not "take" any money the fact he attended a "fund" raising meeting is proof positive he is hanging out with corporate lobbyists of which he is now trying to complain about. Just which side of this is he on and can we expect this to be his actions in the future, meeting with lobbyists one day and the next saying they are bad and he wants them stopped. More questions to ask Bernie.

[rhett o rick]

50. Provide the quote from the article that states he attended. Politico stated they had

a guest list. A list that was not authenticated. A list anyone could produce. The list doesn't prove he attended.

[Thinkingabout]

51. Apparently you failed to read the article and I have pisted this information in post #25.

Here it is again.

Twelve Democratic Senators spent last weekend in Miami Beach raising money from top lobbyists for oil, drug, and other corporate interests that they often decry, according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO.

The guest list for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee's "winter retreat" at the Ritz Carlton South Beach Resort doesn't include the price tag for attendance, but the maximum contribution to the committee, typical for such events, is $30,000. There, to participate in "informal conversations" and other meetings Saturday, were senators including DSCC Chairman Robert Menendez; Michigan's Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow; Bob Casey of Pennsylvania; Claire McCaskill of Missouri; freshmen Kay Hagan of North Carolina and Mark Begich of Alaska; and even left-leaning Bernie Sanders of Vermont.

As you see Bernie Sanders was listed in the article.

[rhett o rick]

57. The article said they had a guest list.

"Twelve Democratic Senators spent last weekend in Miami Beach raising money from top lobbyists for oil, drug, and other corporate interests that they often decry, according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO." Politico didn't have anyone there, and didn't report that anyone substantiate that anyone was there. They based their story on a guest list "according to a guest list for the event obtained by POLITICO".

Politico got a list and wrote the story implying that Sen Sanders was there.

[Thinkingabout]

58. When you get some concrete information get back to me. I gave you the

Information in the last post. Prove me wrong with a link.

[think]

56. He's got the bug. Next Lloyd Blankfein will be campaigning for him and paying him to dance for him

I hear he's a wonderful dancer.

https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=2014&cid=N00000528&type=I
https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/industries.php?cycle=Career&cid=N00000528&type=I

Anyday now expect Sanders to support fast tracking the TPP and pushing bills filled with tax loopholes for all his lobbyist buddies he's in bed with. Just you wait and see!

Legalized Tax Fraud: How Top US Corporations Continue to Profit Through Offshore Tax Havens:

http://www.budget.senate.gov/democratic/public/_cache/files/1b714994-7903-4a80-bb5e-47b6544d515d/legalized-tax-fraud.pdf

Yep. Any day now. He's got the bug....

[smokey nj]

42. The article is about a DSCC fund raiser Bernie Sanders attended 5 years ago.

It's much ado about nothing.

[rhett o rick]

59. My point is that one has to learn to read thru rhetoric. Politico is famous for their rhetoric.

This is a great example. Politico said someone, they won't tell us who so we don't know how reliable they are, gave Politico a "guest list". Even if the list is legitimate it doesn't prove that anyone on the list actually attended. But Politico writes a whole story based on the list. This is journalism at it's worst.

[rhett o rick]

36. Wow. So you don't like Sen Sanders? nm

[Thinkingabout]

38. To be honest he would not be my choice, all needs to understand politicians takes money

From corporations, if you label one as a corporatist then all has to be corporatist.
Why is this even thrown around if it is bad then we don't have a candidate to back.

[madville]

5. He won't win the primary

Last edited Sat Mar 7, 2015, 11:38 AM - Edit history (1)

I doubt he could get 10% in the primary. The debates will be fun.

[Stellar]

7. wow, is that your wishful thinking

or is there something that you read to back it up? Just wondering .
I like Bernie but my fear, MY fear is that due to his age, he could die in office. I've seen how president Obama has aged and that's my only worry about Bernie.

[anotojefiremnesuka]

8. Interesting point so his VP choice would be very important too

His health is good as is his mind. However as President he does not have to travel as much either. He is the POTUS, people come to and wait for YOU after all. He will also have a cabinet to do all the leg work for him anyway.

It also depends on why they age, stress of the job, travel schedule, combination of factors?

Maybe being photographed daily for 8 years makes it appear they age faster then normal when they entered office and left office when pictures are compared to each other. How much have you changed over the last 8 years?

I have a theory that Presidents who age the most really are not biologically wired for the job. for example not everyone is mentally capable of being a commercial airline pilot the stress alone disqualifies the majority of the population, same with astronauts. Face it being elected POTUS today is pretty much a popularity contest now. Being able to raise money and give good speeches gets one the office then the reality sets in of having to make real life and death decisions daily. It is something that few people can deal with.

I fully support Bernie for POTUS any thought's on a VP choice?

[Stellar]

12. What president that you know of that did NOT age while in office?

I have a theory that Presidents who age the most really are not biologically wired for the job.

I don't know about other countries, being president of THIS country is a stressful job. I don't want the job, and I wouldn't want anybody that I know of to have it. But some people appear to love the challenge.

And, right now I only know of people that I would want as POTUS, and my first choice would be Liz Warren (if she chooses to except it). But she appears to not want it (at this time either) so there you go, smart woman.

[anotojefiremnesuka]

13. Jimmy Carter did not age that much IMHO

In some ways it is had to tell too. Pictures can be flattering or unflattering depending on the lighting and angle of the pictures, etc...

There is no official first day last day picture taken under identical conditions either. It would be helpful if there were.

Yes POTUS is a stressful job and everyone has limits to how much stress they can deal with, some better then others is my point.

Some studies have been done on stress and how people are biologically wired to be able to deal with high levels of it compared to most people, there was one a year or two ago I read were the military was working on a study to determine via blood analysis who was really cutout for high stress positions like pilots and special forces types. Some Dr had isolated some markers via blood analysis. From the military POV it is a cost savings, why waste money on training those who will fail the training because they are not biologically predisposed for the job. Those programs have failure rates of over 50% and it is not cheap to train them either, it is our money they are spending after all so if DoD can save money, I support it.

I have run across some interesting studies and news on the subject of stress and biology on the internet over the years. Sorry no links handy, I don't make it a habit of saving links to include, perhaps I should start.

[madville]

16. Just my assessment

Don't get me wrong, I like him. I just don't see him as a viable candidate, he is a fun candidate though.

[madokie]

9. He is on my favorite person list right now

and has been since I started reading about him. Its like hie is larger than life.

[think]

15. k&R

[BubbaFett]

18. If there is only ONE voice for the people

then the people have to come out and support it.

Headcount and mindshare is what matters to any political campaign from Village Trustee to President.

Money is always the most important thing, but you need a strong, feet on the ground campaign organization.

At the local level, support can sometimes overcome finance. If the support is overwhelming, it can possibly trump money.

Here is the organization contact info: [phone] | [e-mail]

Send what you have to offer: your expertise, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Hell, send them a resume.

You can do more locally than you can at the national level. It starts in your own backyard.

[ReRe]

20. Bernie Sanders would be a great candidate...

... for POTUS. Most of the nay-sayers on DU (and on this thread) think he wouldn't have a chance. But I think they would be surprised. Bernie isn't as unknown as they would like him to be. I know a life-long Republican (family member) who would vote for him if he ran no matter which party he declares, or how much money he's able to raise to finance his run.

[leftofcool]

26. Bernie is not a Democrat so would he be running 3rd party?

[sabbat hunter]

53. I think that

he would run for the Democratic party nomination.
he would be foolish to do anything else.

[Bluenorthwest]

33. Bernie Sanders could win the State of Oregon in a Democratic Primary, that's for sure.

nt

[Rex]

35. Someone has to! nt

nt

[sabbat hunter]

52. I would want him to run

only as the nominee of the Democratic Party. To do anything else would split the party, and practically guarantee a GOP victory in 2016.

No matter who the Democratic Party nominee is in 2016 I will vote for them, as they will be better than the GOP. under our current rules, a 3rd party candidate (unless they are a self financing ross perot type) has absolutely no shot at winning.

[Generic Other]

54. At the very least he would pull

the center back to where it belongs. We need to give a platform to as many Democrats as possible. They need to stand up and be counted. Nothing wrong with that no matter who wins in the end. The more voices the merrier. I am tired of watching the buffoons on the other side trot out all their fuzzyright nonsensical candidates for their full 15 minutes of fame while we are ordered to get in lockstep behind one preordained king or queen. I want to hear a bunch of great Democrats deliver fiery stump speeches, kiss babies, and eat apple pie. Why not? We are the big tent. I want a three-ring circus of candidates telling me why I should be proud of what Democrats can accomplish if we set our minds to it. I want to celebrate their good deeds, share their dreams, hear the best plan for turning this country around and saving us all from what seems like inevitable destruction.

[Historic NY]

55. You know who wasn't there...

oh never mind...