Bernie Sanders Sits Out a Tight Race in Virginia

[comradebillyboy]

https://www.thedailybeast.com/bernie-sanders-sits-out-a-tight-race-in-virginia-after-his-candidate-falls-short

In New York, Mayor Bill de Blasio is up by roughly a gazillion points, and doesn’t need Sanders to excite the Democratic base.
In Virginia, Ralph Northam is in a tight race against a Republican running fear ads about immigrant gangs running amuck and Confederate statues supposedly representing our way of life. A pediatric neurosurgeon, a veteran, and Virginia’s current lieutenant governor, Northam is capable and credentialed. But he’s not charismatic, and he could use a little help from his friends.
Yet Sanders campaigned Monday with de Blasio, in a race where he isn’t needed, even as he’s refused to endorse Northam in one where he could have a significant impact. Our Revolution, the advocacy group founded by Sanders, has endorsed six candidates running for the Virginia House of Delegates but isn’t playing in the governor’s race.

To get the big picture, I called Bill Galston, a political scientist with the Brookings Institution, who reminded me that Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat, that he became one solely for the purpose of running for president, and he isn’t one anymore. “He’s loyal to a movement, and he’s loyal to a set of ideas. He’s not loyal to a party, and he’s unconcerned by the progress Democrats care about that he might impede. Incremental change is not the business he’s in,” says Galston.

[Me.]

1. INteresting

[FSogol]

14. Interesting? Not really, just some right wing hope to divide us.

[Me.]

28. Disagree

[FSogol]

31. Wow, compelling argument! Kudos!

[Me.]

32. Who Made You JUdge & Jury

[FSogol]

33. Just my opinion, like almost everything I say.

[Me.]

36. Precisely

And I have stated mine....Interesting

[FSogol]

37. So, why are you upset?

[Me.]

61. Not Upset

Simply stating the right to post MO

[pnwmom]

115. If Bernie were serious about moving this country on a progressive path then he'd support the DEM

in Virginia. It's not enough to work on a Presidential election for 2020. We need to elect progressives from the local level up, and this race is key.

This is appalling.

[LexVegas]

4. What a load of bullshit. nt

[FSogol]

5. Bullshit. Richmond and Newport News are blue areas too. Harrisonburg is purple.

The valley is pretty RW, but not a lot of people there.

[ollie10]

8. Charlottesville is very blue too

[FSogol]

12. Agreed. n/t

[countingbluecars]

3. Bernie endorsed Periello

in the primary so it may be sour grapes.

[FSogol]

6. Periello has been quite vocal in his support for Northam. n/t

[Demsrule86]

41. I hope not because that would be putting your butt hurt before the state (Virginia)

and the country.

[uponit7771]

45. shit... we don't need this

[countingbluecars]

57. I'm sorry,

but I am just not over my Bernie supporting friends refusing to vote for Hillary. Those same friends supported Periello in the primary and continue to harp on why. They will be the first to say I told you so if Northam loses.

[uponit7771]

60. Sorry, I mean we don't need Sanders sitting out on this ... jus, little frustrated with

... his direction.

Seems if the person isn't a perfect lib he's not there or he bashes them in some way.

Even an email would help ... damn

[countingbluecars]

62. Thanks

Now I understand, and I agree.

[calimary]

93. I'm with you, countingbluecars.

Gotta admit. I'm not over it, either. Every time I see a car with a Bernie sticker on it, I find myself wanting to shout - "Happy NOW????" I wish to God I was. But I am NOT there yet.

[NCTraveler]

9. Republicans are using this as propaganda.

https://www.rga.org/blow-dem-unity-bernie-sanders-refuses-back-virginia-dem-gov-nominee-ralph-northam/

[FSogol]

13. Exactly, this is just a feeble attempt to divide us. n/t

[NCTraveler]

18. Northam has a lot of support.

Some others.


American Federation of Teachers
Americans for Responsible Solutions
Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
CASA in Action
Equality Virginia
Human Rights Campaign
Laborers' International Union of North America
LGBT Democrats of Virginia
NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
Newton Action Alliance
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia
Pride Fund to End Gun Violence
Virginia AFL-CIO
Virginia Credit Union League
Virginia Education Association
Virginia League of Conservation Voters
Virginia National Organization for Women
Virginia Professional Fire Fighters
Virginia Sierra Club

[FSogol]

19. True, but it will all come down to turnout. GOTV, VA.

[NCTraveler]

22. Big time. Always does. GOTV, VA.

The top dog in the video in my post above generates excitement and energy. The other endorsements mentioned often provide many volunteers for GOTV drives.

[Demsrule86]

42. If Sanders showed overt support they wouldn't be able to divide us in this manner. Why doesn't

he do you suppose?

[FSogol]

49. Sanders lost by a large margin in the VA primary. What would his support do? Chuck Schumer

hasn't said anything about Northam, what aren't you advocating for his endorsement?

I agree with the posters that said, Sanders' support doesn't mean that much in VA.

[Demsrule86]

69. This is not between two Democrats...it would help.

[FSogol]

73. Once again Sanders is nothing but talk, I suppose.

[Demsrule86]

127. Yep...he doesn't like the Democratic party...it has always been a 'marriage' of convenience.

[LanternWaste]

109. You keep alleging as such

You keep alleging as such, yet offer no objective evidence to support it. No doubt, it's merely an oversight...

[FSogol]

112. Here you go, from the friendly people at the Republican Governor's Assoc.

https://www.rga.org/blow-dem-unity-bernie-sanders-refuses-back-virginia-dem-gov-nominee-ralph-northam/

I'm sure they have our best interests in mind, right? I'm sure they really care about Sanders too.
Here's their motto in case you can't tell:

The Republican Governors Association helps elect Republicans to governorships throughout the nation and provides them with the resources to help them govern effectively.

PS, the RGA gave Gillespie $2.8 million yesterday and the Kochs pitched in $1 million the day before.

The Republican Governors Association on Monday gave $2.8 million to Gillespie’s campaign — the largest single donation to a gubernatorial candidate in recent memory, according to VPAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/record-shattering-virginia-fundraising-leaves-candidates-neck-and-neck-in-money-race/2017/10/31/6455d518-be38-11e7-959c-fe2b598d8c00_story.html?utm_term=.ba7cbb922685

Guess we're seeing their efforts pay off, huh?

[R B Garr]

24. Well, yet more proof that this sets the table for them very nicely. Again.

smh

[NCTraveler]

29. I see no reason Sanders wouldnt write a short endorsement.

It wouldn’t hurt. He doesn’t need to show up. It would be preferable he didn’t. The choice is clear.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/local/virginia-politics/hillary-clinton-to-raise-money-for-northam-in-va-governors-race/2017/09/27/5d8b62a4-a3ce-11e7-ade1-76d061d56efa_story.html

[R B Garr]

43. Exactly, one would think he could at least acknowledge that the Democrat is always

far superior to the Republican. He could speak up to at least malign the Republican instead of the Democrats. How hard could it be.

[Demit]

34. Well, you can see why they would. They don't even have to make anything up.

[NCTraveler]

35. They shouldn't be gifted an opportunity to hurt us with the truth.

It's something they rarely have on their side unless we serve it up to them.

[FSogol]

63. People in this thread don't seem to understand your statement, so I'll lay it out:

1. Democrats, liberals, and progressives are all voting for Northam. No question about it, Gillespie is a terrible candidate, former lobbyist, and is parroting Trump's appeal to the lowest common denominator.

2. The GOP wants to strip votes away from Northam and depress Democratic turnout, so they promote article after article trying to imply there is a wedge between supporters of Sanders and other Democrats. No wedge exists. See #1.

[NCTraveler]

65. "No wedge exists"

One or two sentences written by a certain individual would make that an accurate statement. Their ability to promote this as a wedge was made too easy. Way too easy. Then again, they would just find a different avenue to promote this "wedge" if it wasn't handed to them on a platter.

[JaneQPublic]

10. Bernie is probably doing Northam a favor (unintentionally)

Virginia doesn't appear to be big Bernie country, judging from the results of the 2016 Dem primary there, where Bernie took only 35 percent of the vote:

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjVoqixy53XAhWd3oMKHWlcBBUQFggqMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FVirginia_Democratic_primary%2C_2016&usg=AOvVaw16AK-YD2pDIUru55cBckc0

After all, is there any clear evidence that Bernie's endorsement is election gold? I don't really see him as the king/queen-maker anywhere except places that would probably go with the progressive candidate with or without his help.

[still_one]

11. My thoughts exactly

[RandySF]

27. He could send an email to his supporters

Ask them to volunteer, donate or simply get off their asses and vote.

[Demsrule86]

44. The voters who would not be swayed by a Bernie endorsement are GOP types anyway...it could

help in areas we need to win...and by withholding his approval, he sends a message.

[uponit7771]

48. RIGHT !!! This is a turnout race why not have all hands on deck ... jus, I'll wait but this doesn't

... look good on its face

[Demsrule86]

70. No it doesn't look good to give the GOP ammo against Northam.

[uponit7771]

46. No... no.... no... all hands on deck and if they're not going after Obama why would they go after

... Bernie.

No... not this one

[Demit]

64. You don't think Northam could use some of that 35%?

I like how you hand wave away potential Democratic votes. Maybe some of them are Bernie voters who stayed home for the general election. Maybe they'd like to hear from their hero, hear that he cares who runs their state.

[JaneQPublic]

66. I'm giving them credit for being able to think for themselves.

Particularly in voting for a candidate (Northam) who has declared health care a right.

Apart from a a few fawning Bernie fangirls and fanboys, I find most Bernie supporters to be independent and practical thinkers, as evidenced by the large number who voted for Hillary in the general election.

[FSogol]

105. He already has them. You think they'll become Confederate-loving Repubs since Peirello didn't win?

Peirello is supporting Northam.

[Demit]

117. I love your complete confidence in what voters will do!

[lagomorph777]

15. In Northern VA, I've seen Gillespie's racist ads 1,000 times, and Northam's ad only once.

This is scary.

Ralph needs help! And better advice.

[LexVegas]

17. They are split evenly in the Roanoke area. nt

[FSogol]

21. Northam's ads have picked up the last few weeks. His quantity of ads is surpassing Gillespie's now.

The quality exceeds Gillespie's too.

[lagomorph777]

23. I don't watch much local TV, so I may be missing it.

I hope you're right.

[Wounded Bear]

16. Do we know if Northam asked Sanders to help out?

[Bluepinky]

20. Good point. Sanders would be criticized if he helped him without being asked.

[Wounded Bear]

26. There's plenty of criticism flying around...

at Bernie and at others.

It's the internets. It's what posters do. A lot of bots contributing as well. Print media and TV are not immune either.

[Demsrule86]

68. No he wouldn't. That would show some loyalty to the Democratic Party

He does after all have a leadership role and all. I would think 'outreach' would be welcomed.

[comradebillyboy]

87. Brernie is pretty selective with his outreach.

[Demsrule86]

126. Really? Hard to fathom when he endorsed Mello.

[Blue_true]

25. This is a perfect race for Bernie to talk to those working class Whites that he claims to care about

I think that the guy is a lot of hat and no cattle. I prefer to see all Democrats elected, then we can go about increasing the number of very liberal ones in office as we go along.

[Me.]

30. Indeed!

[uponit7771]

50. yep, don't understand burning for the adequate for good or perfect. This should be all hands on deck

[Demit]

53. He wants his revolution, not the Democrats' incremental progress.

Bernie's focus is not immediate, practical relief for the working class. It's the IDEA of it that energizes him.

He is a polarizing figure. And I think that's the way he likes it.

[Demsrule86]

38. Yes, this has been clear for a while. This is why I am not a fan. Incremental

progress is what we can attain in the foreseeable future...and only through Democrats...I have no interest in his movement....doomed to fail...I have seen what our revolution offers...nothing. The entire future of this country rests on Democratic shoulders and any person who is indifferent to electing Democrats is helping Trump and the GOP. Poor Vermont now has a Republican governor...that kinds of says it all.

[KPN]

39. How to make an issue out of nothing.

[virtualobserver]

40. Ralph Northam voted twice for George W. Bush for president,

He almost flipped the state Senate toward Republicans in 2009 after Obama was elected......

It is a sick joke to question Bernie's loyalty in the context of Northam.

He is better than Gillespie, but that isn't saying much.

[Demsrule86]

47. Oh please any Democrat is better than Gillespie...and Virginia has implications in the 2020

presidential race...it is imperative we win the governorship...Sen. Sander is not a Democrat and appears not to care one way or the other. There is a GOP governor in Vermont now. I really believe Sen. Sanders could have prevented this. He is very popular in Vermont. Also,the endorsement of Perriello hurt Northam too. Below is an article that appeared just before we lost Vermont...that is the Democrats lost Vermont.

"Bernie Sanders, by far the most popular political figure in his state but one who has long clashed with the more moderate Democratic establishment there, has no apparent plans to assist Democrats' nominee for governor, Sue Minter, who faces a difficult race against popular GOP Lt. Gov. Phil Scott despite Vermont’s liberal leanings."

https://www.politico.com/story/2016/09/bernie-sanders-vermont-sue-minter-228980

[JaneQPublic]

51. And Northam's Bernie-endorsed primary opponent had issues, too.

Perriello won an A rating from the NRA and voted to limit abortion funding on the ACA.

There are no perfect candidates.

[uponit7771]

55. +1

[virtualobserver]

88. agreed......my objection concerns the attack on Bernie for "non-endorsement"

I always vote for the Democrat, whether I have to hold my nose or not.

[uponit7771]

54. So burn the adequate for good or perfect and get none of it ?! REALLY !?!?!?

[virtualobserver]

80. No, I'd still vote for him.....but this was an attack Bernie thread

[FSogol]

56. Attacking the Democratic candidate one week before the election?

[virtualobserver]

76. This thread was attacking Bernie.....which is standard procedure here.

[FSogol]

82. So retaliate by attacking the Democratic candidate for Virginia with some RW tropes?

[virtualobserver]

85. His record is not a "trope"....There is a reason why Team Obama supported Periello....

I am not retaliating. I am saying that the non-endorsement makes sense.

[FSogol]

89. Team Obama didn't support Periello, only a few of his staff did. The others were Northam supporters.

In case you missed it:

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9779784


Thank you SO much for your support.

[uponit7771]

90. No it does not, not at all ... burning the adequate for the perfect or good is senseless.

[countingbluecars]

96. You do know Obama

campaigned for Northam, right? Obama does what is right for the Democratic party. I think the question posed in this thread is if Bernie is doing what is right for us.

[virtualobserver]

99. Everything that Bernie does or doesn't do is spun in a negative way on this site.

Sometimes, I get tired of it.

[onenote]

58. You know who is pushing that story? The Republican Governors Association

Just sayin'.

By the way, Northam wasn't in politics in 2000 or 2004. He didn't enter politics until 2007. He has described his votes for Bush as "wrong." And he has been a staunch supporter of abortion rights and gun control. If you think he's only a little better than Gillespie, you obviously don't know that much about either man.

[FSogol]

59. +1 n/t

[virtualobserver]

75. what I'm saying is, he can't be relied on....

I would still vote for him because Gillespie would be worse....

In 2009 he almost switched to the Republicans, after Obama was elected.....He had been "in politics" for two years.

My problem is that this is another "criticize Bernie" thread.

[uponit7771]

91. Not the point, why wouldn't dems want all hands on deck to get even incremental progress?! Seems

... very NON progressive for Sanders to not support the adequate for the sake of good or perfect and get none of it in return.

Senseless

[virtualobserver]

94. no, this attack on Bernie is senseless

[uponit7771]

95. Stating facts is not an attack, if Sanders has supported the VA dem gov in any way

... I'm happy to retract but that's not what I've seen so far.

[virtualobserver]

102. If stating facts is not an attack, why is it inappropriate to mention Northam's voting record....

and that he almost switched to Republican in 2009 after Obama was elected.

[uponit7771]

110. Its not inappropriate to state his record if its not in defense of Sanders not supporting him

... of course its not.

Northam's record is not a good justification for Sanders quite IMHO.

I'll wait on this one but would love to know why Sanders is MIA from this fight, this is all hands on deck type thing seeing we have to beat the RussPublicans by 5% minimum.

[virtualobserver]

111. Virginia was hardly a Sanders stronghold in the primary....

Northam might not want him to weigh in

[onenote]

104. Link for the claim he almost switched to the republicans? He endorsed Obama in Feb. 2008.

[virtualobserver]

106. here

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/20/AR2009022003415.html

[onenote]

116. This article casts it in a different light

http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/after-giving-democrats-a-brief-scare-in-northam-says-he/article_77b8c4c1-047b-5bec-acab-5152a770483d.html

[virtualobserver]

118. he is spinning it differently 8 years later.....that is politics

[virtualobserver]

97. Staunch supporters of Abortion rights don't vote for the guy who put Roberts and Alito on the court.

He is a doctor.....he didn't learn about abortion last week.

[Voltaire2]

123. of course. The efforts to make sure democrats are fighting the 2016 primary going into the 2018

election make a lot of sense. Why some people here are determined to aid that effort doesn't.

[LexVegas]

71. Repub talking points. nt

[virtualobserver]

74. No, Republican voting record

[LexVegas]

77. You're thinking of Perriello, the guy Bernie endorsed that we rejected. nt

[virtualobserver]

78. I'm thinking of the guy that voted for Bush twice and almost switched to Repubs in 2009

[LexVegas]

79. No, you're thinking of the anti-woman, pro-gun guy that Bernie endorsed. He got thrashed. nt

[virtualobserver]

83. Why did team Obama want Perriello?

[LexVegas]

84. Why did NARAL want Northam? nt

[virtualobserver]

92. You didn't answer my question.

NARAL is a single issue group, and they liked Northam's position. Of course, Northam voted twice for the guy who put John Roberts and Samuel Alito on the court......in Bush's SECOND term. All the pro-choice activists voted twice for Bush, right?


I wonder if John Kerry might have made some better picks.

Why did Team Obama prefer Periello?

[LexVegas]

98. He had NEA teachers union, and Equality Virginia. Also, every statewide Democratic office holder...

the Governor, Attorney General, both U.S. Senators, every Democrat in the state legislature and 3 of the states 4 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Rep (the 4th was neutral).

It's why we chose him. Get over it.

[virtualobserver]

100. A better plan to "get over it" would be to stop attacking Bernie....

[LexVegas]

103. You attacked a Democrat running in an election that's being held next week.

[virtualobserver]

107. I was defending Bernie...I said that I would vote for Northam

I'm just tired of the critical spin on DU on everything that Bernie does or doesn't do.

[LexVegas]

108. Fair enough. nt

[countingbluecars]

81. Just curious.

Do you live in Virginia?

[virtualobserver]

86. no, but if I did, I would vote for Northam.

[karynnj]

52. It would be interesting to know if Northam wanted a Sanders endoursement

I KNOW that in 2005, when Kaine was running for Governor, he did not want Kerry to campaign for him - even though they had and have far more in common than Northam and Sanders. (Kerry's PAC did give him money.) Kerry did come to ALexandria for a fund raiser for lower level candidates.

[Demsrule86]

67. It is not the same thing...Kaine ran as centrist. Northam has not done so...and Virginia has a

different electorate now...I have never seen any evidence especially after Vermont elected a GOP governor that Sen. Sanders has any interest in helping any Democrat (except had picked Dems like Mello or Perriello -both had abysmal records on abortion issues by the way) in getting elected. This is why I am not a fan. I am a Democrat.

[karynnj]

72. You obviously know nothing about Vt's gubernatorial race

The Republican who won is seen as a moderate and as the LT Governor was on Vermont radio all the time. The Democrat, who was a very good candidate, was not as well known. Sanders DID campaign for Sue Minter's campaign and it likely helped as it got her her biggest crowds. Leahy and Welch campaigned for her as well.

Northam, who is open to voting for Bush twice, is not running as a centrist? Are you kidding? My point is that there are times when a candidate may not want a high profile surrogate to campaign if they are concerned that it might be a net negative if it is used against him. I am sure there are more examples than John Kerry.

Now, it might be that Northam does want a Sanders endorsement or campaign appearance. He might also resent that Sanders endorsed his opponent in the primaries.

[Demsrule86]

128. Haha...I am from Virginia and followed the primary closely...Perriello had abortion rights issues

and voted against the abortion rights while in the House. He affected the ACA and is one of the reasons we didn't get single payer...now in the end he did vote for it...so that was good. But he is not nor ever was 'liberal'. The Bush years were a different time in Virginia...and while I don't like that Northam voted for Bush...I sure as hell don't want a governor who will help the GOP ban abortion so I am glad Northam won...yes Perriello recanted but I don't trust him. Now I don't care if the Northam believes that the moon is made out of green cheese...we need the seat in order to protect the 18 and 20 elections from GOP machinations...so Sen. Sanders should help Northam...and he could.

[jalan48]

101. Good to see Bernie's opinion carries so much weight. Call or email him and ask this question.

We need him out there helping every Democrat running!

[JCanete]

113. Ok, so what? Perhaps Sanders doesn't have the same confidence or trust in the policies that

Northam will champion that he has in De Blasio? Sanders is championing issues, not teams. It isn't his job to help win just any dem a seat. I'm not saying he's right or wrong about his assessment. I'd have to look at Northam closer, but I myself may go and vote for the dem against the R, but you can bet damn right I'm not sending any financial support to a candidate that I'm not impressed by, nor would I go around promoting that candidate, even if I were clear that I'd still vote for that person over the shitty opponent, and even if I spared no punches for that opponent. I wouldn't shill for somebody I had no confidence in to do the things I think are most important.

[countingbluecars]

114. Fine

Just don't complain when another Trump light wins.

[JCanete]

119. why not? We think the reasons for that win are different. nt

[countingbluecars]

120. You obviously don't live

in Virginia.

[JCanete]

121. the state of virginia and the rest of the US has been a long time in the making. There are things

that disrupt that trajectory and things that reinforce it. I think we've failed to do the former.

[Blue_true]

122. Awwwww, perfection.

Such a nice thing to dream of for a lifetime.

[NurseJackie]

124. This part caught my eye...

To get the big picture, I called Bill Galston, a political scientist with the Brookings Institution, who reminded me that Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat, that he became one solely for the purpose of running for president, and he isn’t one anymore. “He’s loyal to a movement, and he’s loyal to a set of ideas. He’s not loyal to a party, and he’s unconcerned by the progress Democrats care about that he might impede. Incremental change is not the business he’s in,” says Galston.

... it's very astute and right on target, in my estimation. Perfectly stated.

[comradebillyboy]

125. Yes it was a very insightful article.

[Pugster]

129. Wow

His endorsement would help. I hope he comes to his senses.

[Pugster]

130. Wow

His endorsement would help. I hope he comes to his senses.

[Pugster]

131. That's ok.

Northam won anyway.