President Obama’s Message to Bernie Sanders: ‘Everybody Knows’ Delegate Math

[Cali_Democrat]

Source: ABC

As Bernie Sanders pledges to take his presidential campaign all the way to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia this July, President Obama appeared to imply that Sanders' efforts are all but over – even if he won’t explicitly call on Sanders to drop out.

Asked whether he believes the Vermont senator should end his campaign given the current delegate count, he replied, “I think on the Democratic side, just let the process play itself out. You mentioned the delegate math. I think everybody knows what that math is.”

According to ABC News’ estimates, Hillary Clinton has 2,205 delegates compared to Sanders' 1,401 delegates.

Nevertheless, Obama commended Sanders for “an extraordinary job raising a whole range of issues” that are important to Democratic voters.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-obamas-message-bernie-sanders-delegate-math/story?id=38932152

[Thinkingabout]

1. When Hillary gets the required number of delegates, every delegate she gets after

That time will never show up for Sanders.

[morningfog]

4. What are you trying to say?

[roguevalley]

8. jibberish is what they're saying. Obama is dead wrong. No one will get the total

delegates needed to close this and his comments are bs. He's only worrying about his legacy, not what's best for the country. He dislikes HRC as much as everyone else. She's covered his administration in corruption that's going to be part of the history written about it. ACA will be over with single payer and that's his great legacy. He should stay the hell out or endorse. Otherwise, he only makes me angry.

[leftynyc]

11. What a bunch of unmitigated horseshit

Yes, I sure Pres Obama whispered in your ear and told you all this crap and that's why you feel the obligation to share his TRUE and REAL feelings with the rest of us. I thought we had enough of the pathetic going on but apparently some of you aren't done yet. Go get angry. Nobody cares.

[mcranor]

29. You sound like the angry one.

You guys all smell alike. Are you just one person?

[The Second Stone]

46. That's bs. It's long over already

Clinton's pledged and superdelegate count already put her way over the top.

[SusanCalvin]

48. I have zero interest in the superdelegate count at this time.

When she has a majority of the elected delegates, let me know.

[Old Crow]

51. +1 :)

[The Second Stone]

53. That's a load of bs. You are deeply interested

and cannot hide it with your obfuscations.

[SusanCalvin]

56. You're kidding, right?

I don't even know what the superdelegate count is at this point. And, no, I'm not interested in knowing.

Mind read much?

https://m.

[The Second Stone]

70. Then why are you compulsively posting about it?

I call bs. It is the only thing on your mind when you are posting about it. I don't need to be a mind reader to know that because I can read your posts. Try reading your own posts, and you will see where people are getting the idea that you are thinking about the superdelegates and their count. I'd advise you stay away from a poker table.

[SusanCalvin]

71. I'll be the judge of whether my actions are compulsive,

As you are welcome to be of your own.

I will say that if you are under the impression you're helping your candidate, you're certainly not with me. I try not to let other people push me into doing the opposite of what they want rather than what I want, but sometimes it's sure tempting.

[The Second Stone]

77. You will be the writer of your own posts and everyone who reads them will

be the judge of them. They are full of bs. And yes, I will be the judge of deciding what I think about your posts and your deep insincerity in your motives. If I didn't want to judge your posts, I'd put you on ignore.

And I know that I have none to little influence over you, and I'm fine with that. But when someone trots along and says "I don't care about 'x'", I find that to be bullshit.

[SusanCalvin]

79. OK. Whatever. "Conversation" over, at least for my part. nt

[beastie boy]

57. I sure will.

In the mean time, in hopes of expanding your interests, I would like to let you know that she leads in pledged delegates, superdelegates and popular vote by increasingly prohibitive margins.

[SusanCalvin]

58. That's nice. Hope you're having a good time being condescending.... nt

[beastie boy]

61. What better response to someone in denial!

[SusanCalvin]

62. According to you.

Needless to say, my opinion is different.

Dunno what your aim is here, come to think of it. If it's to contribute to lowering my opinion of a particular group of Hillary supporters, you have succeeded.

[Ned_Devine]

65. He's part of the $1million well spent by the CTR people

I tend not to respond to people that just signed up last month and only write condescending posts

[SusanCalvin]

66. Ah. I see your point, thanks.

What's CTR? (I mean, in more detail than what's all too obvious from the context?)

I'm just kinda interested in knowing who pays people to be jerks. If I really needed the money, I could do that.... ;->

[Ned_Devine]

72. Correct The Record is HRC's superpac run by David Brock

They recently infused $1million to create an online "presence" with people like Beastie Boy here to "defend" Hillary and basically cause a nuisance, because she's so inevitable ya' know.

[SusanCalvin]

75. Good grief.

Not saying anyone is or isn't a shill, but if this is the kind of thing real ones are doing, then what on earth do they think they're accomplishing? I can understand undermining your candidate for free (people can have odd notions of what's effective), but I hope nobody's *paying* for stuff like this.....!

[beastie boy]

69. According to me and the math.

Math must also be a paid Hillary shill, right?

I guess I should apologize for lowering your opinion of a particular basic science...

[SusanCalvin]

74. No need to apologize.

If you are confident that you're accomplishing what you want to accomplish, then by all means carry on.

[beastie boy]

78. If I brought you any closer to the reality reflected in the numbers, I will consider my mission

accomplished.

[SusanCalvin]

81. Nope.

There are those who might have a chance of influencing my opinion (about anything, not just whatever the topic was here). You are not one of them.

I will say that I will form my own opinions, tempting as it is to go directly against yours. But that's me, not any influence of yours.

"Conversation" over on my end.

[beastie boy]

83. Then I must admit that both me and a certain basic science have failed miserably.

It's too late for me, but there is always hope that the rules of math will change eventually.

Good night.

[Lucky Luciano]

82. Hard not hate Hillary supporters isn't it? nt

[beastie boy]

84. And math.

I hated it all the way through grade school.

[Lucky Luciano]

86. I have a doctorate in math actually.

Doesn't change the fact that you are being an asshole.

Bernie should stay in and keep pounding away at his agenda.

I know this will be hidden - oh well!

[beastie boy]

88. I must say, I was tempted to alert. But only for a brief moment of weakness.

Then I felt pity for the mathematician who has issues with math.

Did I ever say Bernie should drop out? No. All I was commenting on was a certain poster being in denial of a certain basic science.

And now it appears this affliction is contagious. What is it with Bernie supporters and numbers? Not even PhDs in math are immune!

[Lucky Luciano]

90. What issue do I have with math?

Probability if Bernie taking it is very low...but he should keep pounding away nevertheless.

[beastie boy]

92. See my response #57 which started this whole mishigas.

That issue. Just a reminder, you called me an asshole over it. So now you tell me you have no issue over my post and you insulted me for nothing?

That's not very nice for an educated gentleman/lady like yourself!

Oh, that reminds me... being a PhD in math, could you do a quick calculation based on the lead in pledged delegates, superdelegates and popular vote Hillary enjoys, of Bernie's odds to win the nomination?

If you can't find the exact numbers online, I will oblige, just let me know.

[Lucky Luciano]

95. I acknowledge (again) the math is tough to overcome.

Glad to see Bernie keep poking his finger in the eyes of the establishment though. Hope he keeps doing it after she beats trump.

[SusanCalvin]

85. In some cases, very.

If that's what certain of them mean to accomplish, they succeed.

[JDPriestly]

7. Oh, yes. They will.

And Hillary will have a hard time getting Hillary's votes.

The insults thrown at Bernie voters will backfire. I talk to a lot of Bernie supporters.

Trump is bad, but based on the polls, if we nominate Hillary, it will be harder to defeat Trump.

This election is about the trade agreements, corruption, jobs and other economic issues.

Hillary and Bernie agree on social issues. So if voters want Bernie's ideas to prevail on economic issues, they are highly unlikely to vote for Hillary. Hillary is extremely weak on economic issues. Bill Clinton's bills made a mess of our economy. The extreme privatization that the Democratic Party has silently and sometimes loudly accepted since 1980 has not worked out well at all resulting in a very out-of-date infrastructure in our country.

It will be a crying shame if Clinton is our nominee even if she wins the White House through her scare tactics. I do not want another year of Kissinger's foreign policy.

So Feel the Bern!

California has yet to vote. I'm out there campaigning. And Bernie has a good chance to win a lot of delegates in California.

Change is coming. Like it or not.

[ReRe]

14. Hear, hear, hear, hear and Hear!!!!

I think PO left himself a little hole between Hill and Bernie. He did give Bernie a little compliment there.

[appalachiablue]

18. I think so too, also what the President said at the WH Correspondent's Dinner about Bernie. :)

[zentrum]

43. Agreed. NPR reports

…that O said Bernie should not drop out.

The WH is not Bernie's only goal, whereas it is HRC's only goal.

[greymouse]

17. "if we nominate Hillary, it will be harder to defeat Trump"

you got that right.

[morningfog]

2. Yes, everyone does. Hillary - 1,704 to Bernie - 1,414 pledged delegates with 933 left in play.

I agree with Obama. Bernie's has done an extraordinary job raising issues and we need to let the process play out.

[roguevalley]

9. she would have to win 80-99% of the vote to get those delegates and she won't. No. This is far

from over.

[Uncle Joe]

3. That all depends on what the meaning of the word "is" is?

President Obama just acknowledged present tense math while also stating to "let the process should play itself out."

It sounds to me like President Obama just stated that Bernie should run so long as he can whether it be until Washington D.C. has held its vote or the convention.

Hillary simple doesn't have those delegates cited in the OP, super delegates can't vote until the convention, so ABC is misleading with this article.

Thanks for the thread, Cali_Democrat.

[Tarheel_Dem]

5. Like the current POTUS, his natural successor won't have to be a math wiz either. "I think.....

everybody knows what that math is".

[ReRe]

16. Well....

Last edited Fri May 6, 2016, 06:06 PM - Edit history (2)

... it's GWB's "math death."

Sorry... edited because I stumbled over my words/typed too fast.

[beastie boy]

6. Obama is such a sadist!

Everybody knows what the delegate math is, yet Obama wants Bernie to go on humiliating himself with more crazy talk about a "path to victory"!

C'mon, Mr. President, just because Bernie is losing, there is no need to kick him on his way out!

[roguevalley]

10. pathetic. She has to win 80-85% of the elections to follow to get that vote total and she

won't. No one knows math around here. They just want to undermine Bernie's support, you know, the love and support that HRC doesn't have and never will. Sad all around

[beastie boy]

13. I am assuming you mean delegates when you say "elections". In which case Bernie needs to get 80-85%

of the delegates just to get even with Hillary.

Hey, you're right, no one knows math around here. But I am with Obama: let Bernie duke it out with the math!

[ReRe]

19. You know...

... there's allot of things I've been mad at PO about, but I would never ever call him a "sadist." PO didn't kick Bernie, as you wish he had.

[beastie boy]

30. Just for you:

No, Obama didn't literally kick Bernie, nor would I wish he did, but... Everyone knows what the delegate math is, but keep on running, Bernie!

[ReRe]

36. beastie boy...

... I see hope in you. A small ray of hope.....

[beastie boy]

38. I am flatteered. Was it my rejection of physical violence against Bernie?

[Sunlei]

12. I agree with Obama, “I think on the Democratic side, just let the process play itself out."

Bernie came to the Correspondents Dinner and President Obama was very complimentary of him there too.

[appalachiablue]

22. True.

[beastie boy]

40. I also agree with Obama.

Everybody knows what the delegate math is.

[Sunlei]

42. Be thankful to Senator Sanders, he's no quitter and is very helpful to thousands/millions of voters.

That's why Obama endorses both of them

[beastie boy]

44. Ummm... Obama didn't endorse either of them.

Nor would I expect him to. A top dog getting into a catfight is not very dignified.

And I can't honestly say Bernie has been helpful to me. So I will follow the sizable majority of the Democratic voters and reserve my gratitude, if you don't mind.

[Sunlei]

49. I meant he's 'fair' to both Clinton and Sanders. I wish they would team-up.

[greymouse]

15. Obama

that's the guy who claimed liberal policies and just about the first thing he did was appoint Rahm Emanuel, wasn't it, who called us fucking retards?

[ReRe]

31. Whew, Whoo....

... don't get us started! Politics is a bitch. And Bernie is running an active rambunctious campaign. He is no where near stopping. My son got to attend one of his rallies the other day, and he said everyone to a person in that room was HAPPY. Vibes & energy were so high in that Hall, you could cut them with a knife.

It's a new day, greymouse. Keep the faith. GOTV. This ain't a time to look back so much as it is to put the peddle to the metal. If you can't get out, then donate to Bernie's election fund.

Go Bernie!

[Helen Borg]

20. Aw, Obama is worried about his "legacy"

You know a certain disastrous trade agreement, for example.

[Cali_Democrat]

24. Obama's approval rating is soaring among Democrats

http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/02/obamas-soaring-approval-rating-powers-democratic-optimism-2016.html

How does that make you feel?

[Helen Borg]

26. Like a middle class person whose wages have been less than stagnating...

[Kall]

27. No kidding.

"Wide agreement" was a good one.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

21. I remain convinced both Clinton and Sanders are unelectable,

But there is no real advantage to Sanders folding his tent now and letting his organization scatter in the winds if they are to be leveraged in the general election. There is no energy to be transferred then.

[thesquanderer]

32. Clinton and Trump are both unelectable, yet one will almost certainly be elected.

And since Trump is the "more" unelectable, I expect it to be Clinton.

[Sen. Walter Sobchak]

50. I wouldn't bet on that,

This election is going to hinge on GOTV, yet will feature both parties struggling a disaffected and indifferent activist base. Clinton will bring out the boomers who have been with her and Bill for the last quarter century and the reliable minorities in many states that aren't really competitive either way. Nobody knows how much riff-raff is going to show up for Trump in the general election or if there is a "silent majority" among Republicans who really are ready to vote for Trump.

[JDPriestly]

23. Obama knows that Sanders' great popularity is a critique of his presidency.

And so it is.

[Cali_Democrat]

25. Obama's approval rating is soaring among Democrats

http://www.politicususa.com/2016/05/02/obamas-soaring-approval-rating-powers-democratic-optimism-2016.html

[JDPriestly]

34. And yet, Sanders has done quite well thus far in the primaries.

This election, as I said, is about the environment, wealth inequality, jobs and trade policy as well as student loans, regulating Wall Street, child care stopping the wars and universal healthcare.

Obama has not delivered what most Americans want in terms of those policies. Hence, we have two strong candidates in Sanders and Trump who offer change in the Obama policies in those areas.

Everybody in the Democratic Party likes Obama. It's the policies of his administration that a lot of people really don't like. Hillary and the establishment Republican candidates represent those failed policies.

The majority of the country if you include both Trump and Sanders supporters, while embracing very different solutions to those problems, are avidly and vociferously rejecting Obama's and Hillary's ideas on them.

So that is why I say that the successes of both Trump and Sanders are critiques of Obama's policies in those areas.

[Cali_Democrat]

35. Sanders is being rejected by Democratic voters

in favor of Hillary.

Hillary is leading him by 3.1 million votes and 300 pledged delegates.

A far larger margin that Obama had over Hillary in 2008.

[Kall]

45. Whoosh.

[JDPriestly]

73. 3.1 million votes many from Southern states that will not vote Democratic in November.

Wait until California votes.

Over four million people voted in the California primary in 2008.

Over two million each for Obama and Hillary.

Hillary won California that year, but from what I am seeing on the street, Bernie is doing extremely well. It may just be the areas that I go to. We shall see.

I think Bernie is going to get a lot of raw votes in California and Oregon, possibly in other states yet to vote.

http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/results/states/CA.html

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

And remember. The Republicans have finished their primary season pretty much, so they may turn up the heat in Congress. I would not count that one out.

This year is about the unexpected.

I will still be surprised if Trump is allowed to take the Republican nomination.

[beastie boy]

80. I waited until Texas voted. I waited until Florida voted. I waited until NY voted.

I waited until Pennsylvania voted.

I guess I can wait until California votes.

[NJCher]

67. --

Cher

[zentrum]

28. The preface to

…..his electoral math comment was O saying that he did not think Bernie should drop out.

[jwirr]

33. Once again ABC is using the Super-Delegates to inflate Hillary's

count. That will only be decided at the convention.

[Cali_Democrat]

37. No delegates vote until the convention

pledged or otherwise.

[beachbumbob]

39. The math hasn't worked for sanders since Super Tuesday....

Those who have political knowledge understand...

[NRaleighLiberal]

41. funny how often I keep reignoring those already being ignored...these damn main page posts!

[retrowire]

47. I'm not allowed to question Obama's actions or statements here am I?

lol

Pro TPP Obama disses the anti TPP candidate.

No shitttt

[beastie boy]

54. Or, to put it differently,

Anti-gun Obama dissing pro-gun candidate.

See, it works both ways!

I really don't see any point in taking a single issue and making broad conclusions based on it.

[retrowire]

63. pro gun =/= pro gun violence

pro tpp = screwing people out of their jobs.

[beastie boy]

64. Tell that to the people who got screwed out their jobs AND their lives.

The "guns don't kill people" bullshit is too old and tired to be taken seriously.

Anyway, you missed my point completely. I gave you an example of how easy it is to point to a single issue and make broad-based judgements of character based on it. A pretty lame and lazy way of making an argument.

[retrowire]

68. I saw your point.

But you trying to paint being pro gun as being a bad thing, while disregarding pro TPP isn't very helpful.

Gun's DO kill people. The mere presence of them exacerbate violence where it would not normally exist.

Surprise, surprise, BOTH of our candidates support gun control. Bernie is as "pro gun" as Hillary is. Neither of them want to ban guns all the way. That attack against Bernie is so dumb when you consider how similar Hillary and Bernie are on the issue.

And another surprise, allowing people to sue manufacturers for gun violence would not stop gun violence, bring victims back, prevent further gun violence or anything of the sort. It's a feel good idea to sue the gun manufacturers. They make weapons. Weapons maim and harm people. Suing them would not break their bank. It wouldn't even hurt them. It wouldn't control the output of guns basically.

Guns shouldn't be distributed haphazardly, and that's what gun control is about. But they're not going to be removed from our culture. Guns are far too ingrained within our nation.

ETA: And regarding the broad based judgments of character based on one policy? TPP does not define Obama. His turned back on the left defines Obama. He's done a lot of good for our nation. I'm happy about that. But he said "Hope and Change" would happen. He turned his back on Occupy. And kept hush about wall st. That's how we define Obama.

[beastie boy]

76. Obama was never "left" of the Democratic Party.

He, like the majority of Americans who voted for him twice, is a mainstream Democrat. He never turned his back on us. He may have disappointed you, but that does not create in me or Obama a sense of obligation. Like it or not, you have little say in defining the Democratic party. You are on its fringes, like "blue dog" or Reagan Democrats.

And, I regret to inform you, when it comes to the big picture, you don't have much say in defining Obama.

[retrowire]

87. i cant form my own opinion of Obama?

lol

Yes I can.

And that's sad that you think the party dictates what it is and not it's members. Really sad. It's as if you believe in allegiance factions over democracy or something.

[beastie boy]

89. Absolutely you can!

It may be a batshit crazy opinion, but I will be the first one to defend your right to it!

...While we are on the subject of batshit crazy, would you care to explain how the majority of party members are not its members, and how the party is not defined by its majority?

[retrowire]

91. You tell me.

It's batshit crazy for stating the fact that Obama promised to make things happen to thousands of grassroots activists, then turned his back on them as soon as he got the job?

uh ok. I get it.

[beastie boy]

93. Yeah, that's pretty batshit crazy.

Ignoring millions of grassroots activists who got things happening thanks to Obama, and probably not even being aware of those millions of grassroots activists who worked their asses off to elect him... yeah, it is...

[retrowire]

94. You're clearly not following, I should've left you be when you stooped low in the first place. nt

[Trust Buster]

52. The Big "O" is readying himself to hop on the campaign trail with Hillary.

[ViseGrip]

55. Obama said what 'that' math is. You mean the superdelegates?

[coffeeAM]

59. The center right just keeps fanning the flames!

[fred v]

60. Bernie has the Right to Keep Running

But when all the primaries are over, I hope he'll see the writing on the wall and drop out, for the good of the country.