Bernie backers' attacks on Democrats infuriate the party

[Eliot Rosewater]

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/08/bernie-backers-attacks-infuriate-democrats-242386

Not sure if this is here yet or not

Prominent Democrats are increasingly riled by attacks from Bernie Sanders' supporters, whose demands for ideological purity are hurting the party ahead of the 2018 midterms and 2020 presidential election, they say.

But it’s not just the outside agitators that Democratic lawmakers, operatives and activists are annoyed with: They’re tired of what they see as the Vermont senator’s hesitance to confront his own backers, either in public or through back channels.

Tensions boiled over recently when a handful of Sanders loyalists bashed freshman Sen. Kamala Harris — a rising star in the party and potential 2020 hopeful — as an establishment tool. Democrats were also rankled that other prominent Sanders allies said support for single-payer health care should be a litmus test for candidates.

[Wounded Bear]

1. It's been around a while...

[Eliot Rosewater]

3. I couldnt find it, but it is very important so I thought I should post it.

Well, important if you want Democrats to win in 2018, that is.

I am really bad at searches anyway, I suppose if there is a thread already we can delete this, but I would very much want to make sure this information is here.

Trying multiple searches, still nothing.

[Fix The Stupid]

2. Trash thread - ignore. I urge the sane people to do the same. Enough. n/t

[George II]

4. There are some powerful statements in that article.

Among them:

In response, Democratic senators and outside groups have begun telling Sanders and friendly intermediaries that if he wants to be a leading figure for Democrats ahead of 2020’s presidential election, he needs to get his supporters in line — or at least publicly disavow their more incendiary statements.
.....

“The Democratic Party has treated Sen. Sanders exceptionally well. We collectively let him run in our primaries when he declared he wasn’t a Democrat — I count that as a great favor, and an opportunity almost no one else has ever received,” said former Democratic National Committee Chairman Don Fowler, who has called for the independent Sanders to formally join the party.
.....

[Eliot Rosewater]

5. I want to have a track record here, showing what I posted and said, and others like you

so that when 2018 plays out as I am certain it will, I can point to it.

But, it wont matter.

[Me.]

24. Will 'My POsts'

Stretch into and through 2018

[JCanete]

62. that's actually all bluster. Few people in the Democratic leadership had any interest in

Sanders being a leading figure for the party to begin with. You have to know that. He's been peddling what they ain't buying, and given their perspective on how to play politics, what he's peddling is particularly inconvenient.

The only reason anybody is mentioning him being a leading figure for Democrats is that he managed to go over their heads to a contingent of democratic voters who do like what he's selling.

So this is just grumbling. This is just venting and trying to take whatever wind out of Sanders sails in what ever little way that can be done, since, why the fuck would he listen to advice from people that don't like his message and would rather he shut up? All that bullshit about how nice they've been to him? They have never had a choice. They could ignore him while they could ignore him, but once he got a certain amount of attention, it would have done them a disservice if they betrayed their real feelings to their voter base.

Who the fuck do they think supporters are anyway? You don't get supporters in line. You get them on board maybe, but people are individuals. They don't work for Sanders. They aren't his cabinet or his election team.

[Fresh_Start]

6. Bernie backer's attacks on Democrats delight GOP and Kremlin

is even more significant.

[Eliot Rosewater]

8. Exactly.

[RiverStone]

41. And attacks on Bernie will further breed divisiveness on DU and elsewhere. What a waste!

Bernie has made mistakes, so has Hillary.

Pitching either shit does NOTHING at this point except feed into the rightie dreams.

What unites us is focusing on the orange fascist and keeping it as our focus for 2018!

[Jim Lane]

61. Quite true, but, OTOH, everyone should have a hobby.

The constant and idiotic attacks on Bernie are annoying, and (as you point out) counterproductive -- but there appears to be no chance that they'll stop or even slow down.

As Robinson Jeffers wrote, "Be angry at the sun for setting if these things anger you."

[Me.]

7. About Time He Is Being Held Accountable

And frankly...he's been in the Senate how long....and he's just now learning to play an 'inside game'? I don't believe it.

“Fellow Democrats have employed a variety of tactics to try and relay their concern to Sanders, who is still learning how to play the inside game customarily expected of a party leader.

“But their primary complaint has been that Sanders hasn’t sufficiently directed his backers to attack Republicans — not fellow Democrats — with the midterm elections looming.”

“Even after he spoke up, multiple Democratic operatives who supported him in 2016 worried his statement was too little, too late”

[Eliot Rosewater]

9. As long as we keep a record here of what happens, how and why.

[Me.]

11. Yep

I'd say he's done a damn good job of gaming the Dems.

[NurseJackie]

66. ###

[Me.]

67. Back To You Nurse J

[philly_bob]

12. Everlasting Divisiveness on DU

"A handful of Sanders loyalists" criticized Kamala Harris. Dem operatives annoyed. Big deal!

Pre-primary skirmishing. Skip the outrage, folks.

[JCanete]

13. criticisms are fair. Starting with depicting bernie backers as demanders of ideological purity

is just not a true statement. It's really not worth going on from there. Unless people are going to try to be more honest about the disagreements between progressives, on both sides of the spectrum, we certainly aren't going to get anywhere.

[KTM]

14. Oh yay, a repeat...

Keep hitting that wedge.

This article was posted on the day it came out, with the exact same title as this thread. It was the second link on google when you use the DU search for "Bernie Backers 2017."

It had 222 replies, but Im sure you just didnt see it, because you avoid those threads. I'm sure the folks who replied here, who also replied on that thread, didnt realize it either.

[Eliot Rosewater]

16. I use advanced search and using the title as the search term ,nothing

so i used parts of the title, nothing

But, it is such a very very important issue and problem, I think we need to still be talking about it.

Everyday actually.

Right now it is tough because of last year we are now fighting for our VERY FUCKING LIVES because the GOP is trying to take my healthcare, again this is happening because of a series of events that happened LAST YEAR

[melman]

20. Searching the title brings the other thread right up

And I don't even have access to advanced search.

[KTM]

23. Yep.

Input the title, click Site Search, the second result shows the original thread with 222 replies. I dont have advance search either.

Here ER, we all chipped in and got you a shirt.

[KTM]

22. Yes, a month old discussion

about "Bernie Backers" is critically important. Im sure if you can just disparage Bernie Sanders enough, your healthcare will be safe.

Sure.

Keep stirring, there must be some warm stuff at the bottom.

[Quixote1818]

15. The vast majority of Bernie supporters are part of the Democratic Party

Self reflection is usually a healthy thing.

[disillusioned73]

17. Ooh look, another hit piece...

[Eliot Rosewater]

21. That sounds like a personal attack on me

[disillusioned73]

29. No..

Politico

[Eliot Rosewater]

30. Why are you attacking the messenger Politico? Do you think they made this up?

[disillusioned73]

33. I am saying they have an agenda..

and so I trashed it.. I've read enough hit pieces all over the internets (Politico or not) to identify them pretty quickly by now.

[Eliot Rosewater]

34. So the D party is saying this URGENT thing, this VERY important thing, but because the

messenger that brought you this VERY important story is known to have an agenda, you trash it.

dear god

[disillusioned73]

36. This was hashed out back around 9/8/17..

when this "story" was first posted - nothing new to see here.. a lot has happened since..

[Eliot Rosewater]

37. Right you are, since that date, 9-8-17, he did it AGAIN and said

https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bernie-sanders-the-current-model-of-the-democratic-party-obviously-is-not-working/


so much has happened since. Well, same shit actually. What was your point again?

[left-of-center2012]

18. More stirring the pot

There should be a separate forum for attacks on Bernie.
They've become a daily nuisance, of which most of us are sick.

[Eliot Rosewater]

19. Tell that to the Democratic Party, I am just reporting what they are saying.

[Me.]

25. If They Don't Want To Know

they don't want to know and nothing you can do about it

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. btw go here

https://investigaterussia.org/

Rob Reiner is behind it

[Me.]

38. I Saw That On Twitter

Think it's wonderful

[Gothmog]

27. K&R

[bettyellen]

28. Politico is the biggest bunch of shit stirrers, even if the stories are true....

[Eliot Rosewater]

32. So help me understand. It is true, the Democratic party is saying this URGENT

thing, but it should be ignored and not even trusted because

because...?

[KTM]

35. The urgency on display here is not that of the Democractic party.

[samnsara]

31. some folks are never held accountable...

...and NO litmus test (other than the freedom of choice issue)

[RiverStone]

39. Posting this divisive shit feeds right into the wingnut dreams

...of creating infighting among DEMS.

Are you hoping Bernie supporters will just go away? Lots of folks were angry at some of Hillary's actions too, but why dredge this shit up when we ALL need to focus together on the orange fascist idiot at the wheel and his minions!!

How does this ongoing Bernie bashing help us win in 2018?

[Eliot Rosewater]

40. This is a story about how the Democratic Party is struggling with this issue

If the health of the party was your primary concern, you would not characterize it so.

[RiverStone]

42. We have much bigger orange fish to fry! And you did not answer my question...

What do you want the Bernie supporters to do --- go away?

The health of the party will remain fucked if we bash Bernie (or Hillary too).

Who will carry the DEM banners into 2018? Who will be the leaders we ALL can get behind? Those are far more compelling questions.

If we don't focus on the future, all we will hear is an echo chamber, rather than a united force for winning in 2018!

[Eliot Rosewater]

43. How do we focus on the future with purity tests and comments from folks like

how the democratic party is fucked up, that one is only 2 days old.



https://www.mediaite.com/tv/bernie-sanders-the-current-model-of-the-democratic-party-obviously-is-not-working/

[RiverStone]

44. Again, you did not answer my question regarding Bernie supporters... n/t

[RiverStone]

47. As a Bernie supporter in the primaries, I DID vote for Hillary in the General

And thanks for shining a light on your true agenda:

"you will stop being a BERNIE supporter and become a Democratic Party supporter"

90% of Bernie supporters DID VOTE FOR HILLARY.

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/7/25/1552338/-90-of-Sanders-Supporters-Now-Back-Clinton-Pew-Research

I hope you get keeping this shit up is pissing into the wind.


Edit to add: Life long Democratic Party Member

[Eliot Rosewater]

48. No, you said BERNIE supporter, NOT Democratic Party supporter.

I said I support the PARTY, not the individual.

Dont you see the difference?

Dont you?

Lets try it this way, what is a FACT about the 2 party system, what happens if you do ANYTHING but vote for the Democrat in ANY election?

[RiverStone]

49. I supported both the PARTY and Bernie! Proudly voted DEM all the way

Elliot, suggesting Bernie supporters are not part of the DEM party is using a broad brush, very insulting, and will go no where to change any minds.

Again, united as DEMS we stand - divided we fall.

[Eliot Rosewater]

51. I didnt say that. Please dont misread or mischaracterize what I said, if you keep doing that I wil

assume you are doing it on purpose to get me a hide

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029611144


YOU brought up that you supported an individual and said THAT is what and who you supported

I tried, at no avail apparently, to explain to you that it isnt about individuals

[RiverStone]

53. To quote you exactly:

You said: "If you really care about stopping nazis and fascists you will stop being a BERNIE supporter and become a Democratic Party supporter, who votes for democrats no matter what."

I have no clue where you read by supporting Bernie, I was NOT a Democratic Party Member???

Regardless, and to repeat one last time on this thread...this line of Bernie supporters attack is useless and adding fuel to our divisiveness. I hope downriver we can get off this waste of energy and unite to beat the rethugs in 2018.

Off to the gym!

[tonyt53]

52. Got news for ya, most Democrats are moderates, whether you understand that or not.

The further left the party goes, the more it alienates the moderates of the party. I've supported Democrats a lot longer than you have and have seen this time and time again.

[Blue_Tires]

50. That stunt they pulled on Pelosi was certainly unfortunate...

[Eliot Rosewater]

55. The person behind that event is interesting. Wish someone would talk about that

[philly_bob]

56. You mean the Dreamers protest at Pelosi press conference? I too am curious about that.

Who was "the person behind that event?"

[Ninsianna]

63. Were they even Dreamers? That press conference was to have Dreamers speak, they were standing

right behind Pelosi.

[HarmonyRockets]

58. Yeah

That person (I honestly have no idea you you're talking about) of which you have no evidence. Or maybe you don't even know who you're talking about because you're making up a boogyman.

[philly_bob]

60. Here's a little bit (from POLITICO) about the Pelosi disruptors.

[link:http://www.politico.com/story/2017/09/18/nancy-pelosi-daca-protest-242850|

Seeing how it's being played in the MSM, it seems like a really stupid move. I haven't heard of any of the organizing groups.

[HarmonyRockets]

59. Who is "they"?

[m-lekktor]

64. Those folks identified as Bernie supporters, the Dreamers?

or is that just you being clever?

[philly_bob]

65. I'd be very surprised -- and disappointed -- if Bernie ordered that action.

I'll assume it's what we call "rat-fucking" when Republicans do it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratfucking

Political sabotage. Dirty tricks. Smart move for Pelosi to walk away.

[sarcasmo]

54. It's more than Bernie backers, the Russian bots are pushing this nonsense.

[Jamaal510]

68. K&R