Hillary Clinton: Bernie Sanders may not even be a Democrat

[liberalnarb]

[Buzz Clik]

1. duh

He isn't.

[liberal N proud]

2. About time someone calls it like it is

[another]

11. If your are referring to a vote for Nader

that was a very different thing -- he ran as a third party candidate which took votes away from the Democrat. That's not what Sanders is doing. Sanders is running in the Democratic primary, as the kind of Democrat many of us have be waiting our whole lives for.

[Trust Buster]

3. He was a registered Independent until he decided to run. Those are the facts.

He claimed this morning that no one that accepts special interest donations is qualified to be President. That would include our current Democrat in the White House. Not exactly a defender of Democrats in my mind.

[JDPriestly]

63. These kinds of remarks are showing Hillary to be a very shortsighted strategist.

And I do not want such a short-sighted strategist in the White House.

She is alienating Bernie voters with this kind of talk. And if she really thinks she might be the candidate, the last thing she should do is alienate Bernie voters.

It is not intelligent (to put it nicely) to speak of Bernie, who has won most of the most recent primaries and caucuses, in this kind of condescending tone.

She is kicking herself. And looking stupid in the process.

Can you imagine her talking about a foreign leader, insulting a foreign leader, in that way?

She is demonstrating such a lack of understanding about how to deal with people that I certainly hope she is not the Democratic candidate in November.

She insults people right and left.

It is, I suspect, because she does not really respect other people and is overly confident that her opinions are right and that others are wrong.

It is no wonder to me that she was Secretary of State for only four years.

She did some good things, but the statements she is making about Bernie demonstrate a shocking lack of tact and graciousness, qualities that Obama, for example, has in wonderful and inspiring abundance.

It would be a grave mistake to elect such a tactless individual as president.

[drokhole]

4. #NoTrueDemocratsman

Diving right into those logical fallacies! Another variation: #GraspingAtStrawman

[Gothmog]

5. Sanders is refusing to support down ballot candidates

Sanders is not supporting down ballot candidates and shows that he is not really a member of the Democratic Party
http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/clinton-sanders-differ-down-ballot-democrats

Yesterday afternoon, meanwhile, Hillary Clinton’s campaign announced its fundraising tally over the same period, and though Sanders hasn’t matched his rival in votes or wins, we were reminded once more that he’s easily defeating her when it comes to dollars in the bank. But the Clinton campaign’s press release added something Sanders’ did not:

Hillary Clinton raised about $29.5 million for her primary campaign during March. That amount brings the first quarter total to nearly $75 million raised for the primary, beating the campaign’s goal of $50 million by about 50 percent. [Hillary For America] begins April with nearly $29 million on hand.

Clinton raised an additional $6.1 million for the DNC and state parties during the month of March, bringing the total for the quarter to about $15 million [emphasis added].

The first part matters, of course, to the extent that Sanders’ fundraising juggernaut is eclipsing Clinton’s operation, but it’s the second part that stands out. How much money did Sanders raise for the DNC and state parties in March? Actually, zero. For the quarter, the total was also zero.

And while the typical voter probably doesn’t know or care about candidates’ work on behalf of down-ballot allies, this speaks to a key difference between Sanders and Clinton: the former is positioning himself as the leader of a revolution; the latter is positioning herself as the leader of the Democratic Party. For Sanders, it means raising amazing amounts of money to advance his ambitions; for Clinton, it means also raising money to help other Democratic candidates.

As Rachel noted on the show last night, the former Secretary of State has begun emphasizing this angle while speaking to voters on the campaign trail. Here, for example, is Clinton addressing a Wisconsin audience over the weekend:

“I’m also a Democrat and have been a proud Democrat all my adult life. I think that’s kind of important if we’re selecting somebody to be the Democratic nominee of the Democratic Party.

“But what it also means is that I know how important to elect state legislatures, to elect Democratic governors, to elect a Democratic Senate and House of Representatives.”

The message wasn’t subtle: Clinton is a Democrat and Sanders isn’t; Clinton is working to help Democrats up and down the ballot and Sanders isn’t.

Super Delegates will be taking this difference into account in deciding which candidate is best for the party

[seabeyond]

19. Doesnt support with $ or voice. Falsely accuses, attacks and sues as he uses the resource.

Has been saying both parties are the same for three decades. Declares he is not a Democrat repeatedly. But, this is on Clinton? Lol.

[staggerleem]

28. A simple question.

At this point in the race, how many down-ballot candidates are actively seeking the support of Senator Sanders? Remember, this is still the same "Democratic" party that instructed the vast majority of its candidates to run AWAY from the President Obama in the mid-terms 2 years ago because he's just "too damn librul" (btw - how'd THAT work out?). Even the districts with fresh, new candidates still have, for the most part, the same "brain-trust" behind them. What must people like that think of Bernie?

The point we're quibbling about here is the big-D Democratic Party vs. small-d democratic principles & policies. So, Hillary might doubt that Bernie is a Democrat, but I have my own doubts about whether Hillary is a democrat.

[RoccoR5955]

56. I know for certain

of at least one, Zephyr Teachout, who is running in the 19th CD in NY who is. She is also supporting him. I know this because she is running in my district.

[Gothmog]

62. Clinton is raising funds for down ballot candidates while Sanders is refusing to do so

Super delegates will take this into account. Sanders is not really a member of the Democratic Party and does not care about the party. These facts will be taken into account by super delegates. Why would any super delegate support Sanders given Sanders' attitude towards the party and down ballot races.

[JDPriestly]

65. I'm a big Sanders supporter and I have voted Democratic all my life.

Are you telling me that maybe I'm not really a Democrat either?

I thought the Democratic Party was a big tent.

I have held my nose and voted Democratic on many occasions including voting for Dianne Feinstein.

Are you suggesting that I should stop doing that because, since I'm for Bernie and believe Bernie to be a good Democrat, maybe I'm not a Democrat either?

As I said in another post, this offensive statement demonstrates one thing to me: Hillary is a lousy strategist.

If she knew what was good for her, she would stop offending and alienating Bernie supporters and focus on the issues.

She should be thinking about how to attract Bernie supporters, not about how to alienate them.

This demonstrates to me just how unintelligent she and many of her supporters are.

Obama is grace and kindness itself. That's why his approval ratings are so high, and even among people who may not agree with him on everything.

Hillary -- not so much.

Hillary's problem is her personality. And I don't want her in the White House for that reason. It is not about gender. It's about her unique rather petty personality.

Who cares about this issue. Bernie has said he would support Hillary is she is the nominee.

I want to know whether Hillary will support Bernie if he is the nominee. I want to hear her say that out loud. Because this petty nastiness will get our nation in trouble if she is in the White House. That's kindergarten social skills. She needs to grow up.

[salinsky]

6. Are you new to politics? ...

... because he's not really a Democrat.

You're welcome.

Anything else with which you need to be brought up to speed?

[liberalnarb]

8. The question is who cares?

Shes trying to use identity politics to turn people against him. "Hey! Don't use your brain, just vote for me because I've had a D next my name longer."

[RoccoR5955]

57. Okay, call me stupid

and educate me.
Thanks.

[salinsky]

58. It ain't rocket science ...

... he has always been an Independent.

He switched to Democrat to run for President so he could take advantage of our resources.

He's admitted as much.

And, you're welcome.

[RoccoR5955]

60. But

He now IS a Democrat. Didn't he have to register with the Party as one?
That would mean that he IS one.

If I go by your logic, Hillary is a Republican. She originally signed up as a Goldwater Girl, then switched to Democrat so that she could take advantage of their resources, even though she has not admitted it. Her record would make any Republican proud, if you ask me.

[salinsky]

61. Do you think Bernie really considers himself to be a Democrat? ...

... try for a little honesty.

[RoccoR5955]

64. He IS running as a Democratic candidate on the Democratic Party.

I am not a psychic. I do not read minds. I do know what actions are, as well as behavior.
From that I can tell you that Bernie is more a Democrat than anyone who has ran for president in the last 40 years.
I can also tell you that just because one claims to be a Democrat, when they act like RepubliCON, and endorse RepubliCON ideas, I don't care how many "Ds" they put after their name, they are not a Democrat. They are a DINO. (Democrat in name only)

Your handle here does not reflect the beliefs of the actual person who had that name. If you cannot see that Bernie is bringing together the community, just as Alinsky would have, you probably have the wrong handle. Too bad you cannot change it.

[zalinda]

7. But, she will eagerly ask for votes from non-Democrats.

Just how two faced is this person?

Z

[liberal N proud]

18. Every vote counts

As long as they are a registered voter.

Note: Primaries are a different animal and some require you declare your party prior to the primary day. Primary rules are set by the party.

[Nitram]

27. Zalinda, get a grip.

I hear many Bernie supporters express pride in the fact that some Republicans are voting for Sanders. They point to it as evidence that Sanders has a better chance in the general election. How two-faced are Bernie and his supporters, according to your way of looking at things?

[zalinda]

37. No, you get a grip

Bernie is a Democrat as soon as he joined the Democratic Party, which goes for every one. This also includes the Republican to Democratic switch in Florida of Charlie Crist, who I didn't see the DNC saying he wasn't a real Democrat.

These people who declare Bernie not a real Democrat really are two faced. Because if you aren't a Democrat when you join the party, then everyone who joined to vote for Bernie is not a Democrat. You can't have it both ways.

As for Bernie supporters express pride in attracting Republican votes, hell yes. That means Bernie is attracting people. You see Bernie is inclusive, not exclusive. We WANT people voting for Bernie no matter what party they belong to.

Apparently with Hillary you have to prove your Democrat creds before you belong, and can vote. The Democratic Party has proved time and time again that they will let any one in, does David Brock bring a bell, as long as you bow to the party elite.

Z

[jwirr]

9. As a 74 year old lifetime FDR Democrat I do not see her and

Bill as Democrats either. They certainly do not share the values that I do.

This is a mote question. Who cares - it is about the issues.

[jtuck004]

10. In 1972 Democrats were turning over black kid's buses and teaching their kids to riot

at our schools. They told me then that I needed to join in to be one of them,hurt people that were less powerful. Tried to scare me into helping, because it turns out such folks can't hurt as many people as they do without help.

Didn't work then either.

[Nitram]

25. I'm intersted to know jtuck, where you were living at the time?

[jtuck004]

43. In what had been one of the most Progressive of all Progressive states up to then...

Oklahoma.

Those people defined progressivism, especially after the dust bowl and roosevelt. They shot at people who had republican on the side of their campaign car.

It's astounding, the change. Or, really, the lack of it.

[Nitram]

66. Oklahoma.

Pure Republican now. I didn't know any Democrats in 1972 who were overturning buses - unless they were Dixiecrats. And all the Dixiecrats became Republicans when the Democratic Party supported civil rights legislation.

[AlbertCat]

12. Well we KNOW Hillary isn't a liberal...

.... even with a D by her name.

[Nitram]

24. Albert, maybe you don't know, but we do.

Clinton has spent a lot of time and political capital raising money for fellow Democrats. Bernie doesn't have time for other Democrats.

[AlbertCat]

26. Clinton has spent a lot of time and political capital raising money for fellow Democrats.

And she'll cash in on it later. Raising money for more 3rd Way corporatists. Just what we need.

This silly smear.

And it has nothing to do with being LIBERAL.

[Nitram]

33. You're the one doing the smearing here.

And it has nothing to do with being a LIBERAL. Your view seems to be that all Democrats but Bernie are "3rd Way corporatists." So why do you care whether Bernie is a real Democrat or not? Sounds like you should view that as a complement, not a smear.

[polly7]

13. She's getting pretty pissed people are realizing what she stands for.

[appalachiablue]

14. Says the Third Way former GOP Goldwater Girl. Bernie is more of a Democrat and

democratic in his views and life's work than corporate, centrist New Democrats since the early 90s who've furthered Reaganomics, Neoliberal deregulation of the Banks and Media, privatization, Welfare Cuts, implementing harsh Crime and Prison Laws, advancing 'Free' Trade agreements like NAFTA and China Free Trade, globalization, outsourcing and H1-B Visas, and War Mongering at the expense of working and middle class Americans especially minorities.

While on the corporate board of union-busting Walmart, what did Hillary do to help women employees, the largest group in the Walton billionaire's workforce? Nada, Nothing. Says a lot about the rapid downward direction this country has taken in the last 25 years that must be dramatically changed, before it's too late.

[Nitram]

23. The "former GOP Goldwater Girl?" Are you referring to 52 years ago?

52 years ago I was quite conservative, thanks to the influence of my parents. Once I got out from under their wings, I figured things out on my own, as did Clinton. So are you suggesting Bernie became a Democrat and abandoned his Independent status more than 50 years ago? I didn't thinks so. Double-standard much?

[AlbertCat]

29. Are you referring to 52 years ago?

Well, if she still didn't act like a Republican....


And of course 52 years ago Sanders wasn't a Conservative.... and isn't close to it now.

[appalachiablue]

31. Since age 13, that's the one. I said nothing about what Bernie did 50 years ago. Just

that's he is more of a Democrat than DLC New Dem, Third Wayers and why, it's fact.

[appalachiablue]

49. In 2008 Hillary refused to say that Obama and John Edwards were qualified

to be president when Tim Russert asked. The 2 candidates were sitting right next to her. Same tired, old, failed playbook.

[PatrynXX]

15. Duh part deux

Kinda like the gun issue the other day. Does she even know what she's doing anymore. Number 1. supposed to get nominated. 2. okay now I'm anti gun. I'd say or it's fair to say she just told a bunch of future independent to Republican voters , you worried about your guns... Vote Bernie. So I'll lose.

Well you lost them. They won't be voting for you. Now you do this. Oh he's not really a Democrat.. Yeah thats why for most of my life I haven't been one either. I'm a Liberal first a democrat second. State the obvious. The Clintons are Fiscal Conservatives. At a time when Conservatives main problem is Social issues. So right now Conservatives are trying to be Social Moderates and Fiscal Conservatives. uh. Thats the same thing Hillary and Bill are. X_X True not all of them are going to be Social Moderates but that is their reasoning why they lost 2012. Sigh. I wish this would get out more. I keep repeating once we figure out it's actually Liberal Party vs the Conservative Party, things will get better as far as voting records. Right now having a D after your name doesn't mean shit to me. You let me know how well Joe Lieberman did. Joe went right. Bernie is left but not Socialist. Not pure Stalin Socialist. Nothing says outsider to people than okay I'm running as a democrat but I prefer to be Independent. Like he wants it to be July 4th everyday. He works with both Democrats and Republicans well. Is he perfect NO. But I prefer one that isn't Perfect to one that assumes they are.

[bullwinkle428]

16. The same way that Barack Obama was not a secret Muslim, "as far as she knew".

[Nitram]

22. Are you saying you think Obama is a Muslim? Or that Bernie Sanders has always been a Democrat?

[staggerleem]

34. Regardless of his party affiliation ...

... Bernie Sanders has ALWAYS been a small-d democrat, i. e., a supporter of those principles and policies that promote democracy. Hillary may be a member of the big-D Democratic Party leadership, but there have been many times when I've had my doubts about her devotion to small-d democracy.

[appalachiablue]

39. Same, tired playbook. In 2008 Hill said Obama wasn't a muslim, as far as she knew.

[seabeyond]

17. Sanders himself has repeatedly said he is not for over three decades. Issue?

[jalan48]

20. Does anyone know if Hill will be giving any private speeches to the 'Real Democrats' while in NYC?

[appalachiablue]

59. Bankster $$$ speeches no doubt...

[Nitram]

21. Sanders is quite clearly not a Democrat and never has been.

Clinton is just being polite.

[AlbertCat]

35. Sanders is quite clearly not a Democrat and never has been.

He's ALWAYS been a liberal.

Didn't have to figure that part out even before the civil rights movement.

[arcane1]

36. And Clinton isn't a progressive.

Glad we cleared that up.

[appalachiablue]

41. Absolutely, Hill's said she is a moderate, also squirmed when asked if she's a liberal,

so there it is.

[appalachiablue]

45. But Republicans Charlie Crist & creep 'strategist' David Brock were accepted as Dems.

[Politicalboi]

30. So what

It's just a letter after their names. Hillary isn't a Dem. She's a GOP money grubber. Sanders is just borrowing that D for now. And I am going to retire my D if he loses the nom. I am so done with the Dem's of the 21st century. They're so much like the GOP of the 20th century. You guys can have this party. We're through.

[Geronimoe]

32. Bernie is not a shill for Lloyd Blankfein

There I corrected her statement.

Show us the Goldman Sachs transcripts!

[appalachiablue]

40. No Goldman transcripts yet. Why not, what's to hide and how bad is it?

[WhiteTara]

38. When asked point blank if he was a democrat

he replied unequivocally "NO" That was the first time I heard him say he was a Democratic Socialist. I believe it was on the Chris Hayes show. I know people call Clinton a carpet bagger and tourist for not having grown up in New York, so what does that make Bernie in the Democratic Party? I of course will vote for Sanders if he wins the nomination.

[scottie10]

42. Just my opinion....

I personally don't care whether Bernie is a "Democrat" or not by your definition. It's IRRELEVANT! I know what he stands for and I'm for it.

[Iggo]

44. He sure votes like one.

More often than some other Democrats.

[djean111]

46. Hillary stands for war and fracking and cluster bombs and the TPP and increased H-1B visas.

Bernie does not.

Whatever Bernie is, I am voting for him.

To think I would be okay with all of those things, and more, just because Hillary has a "D"? Dream on.
I had really thought the "Bernie is not a real "D"" thing was dead. If I cared about that, instead of issues, I would be supporting Hillary. Nope.

[Wibly]

47. That's rich

Coming from a woman who is really a Goldwater Republican, and only switched parties because she married a man who was going somewhere as a Democrat.
No matter what the naysayers here have to say, Sanders is a damn site more true to Democratic principles than Clinton ever was, or will be. What's more, he's caucused with the Democrats for decades and worked on getting their bills through the houses, while supporting Democrats in their efforts to win seats.
On top of that, the DNC accepted him as a candidate.
The accusation from Clinton is nothing but more of her artful smear.

[ish of the hammer]

48. the DNC said Sanders could run as a dem - Clinton's problem is with her friend Debbie,

not Sanders. Too late now to try to kick him out of your sandbox.
I have 153 million reasons not to believe a fucking word ANY Clinton says.

[TheSarcastinator]

50. Hillary May Not Be Human

I believe she MAY actually be a baby-eating shape-shifting reptile from beyond the moon.

[Jack Rabbit]

51. I don't care whether Hillary is a Democrat

So was Boss Tweed. So was Jim Eastland. So was George Wallace.

Bernie is a democrat. That makes him a better Democrat that any of the above named, including Hillary Clinton.

[BillZBubb]

52. Thought experiment:

FDR's ghost appears and reads a summary of Clinton's policy positions and those of Sanders. He is asked which is the most Democratic in your view?

What does FDR's ghost reply?



Hint: FDR said of the moneyed interests "I welcome their hate." HRC says "I welcome their money".

[appalachiablue]

54. +1. "I welcome their money $$". The Truth!

[curiouso]

53. Give it a rest...

Interesting discussion.
But terribly repetitive.
All I can say is shame on the New York Daily News and all the so-called journalists and pundits who have smeared Sen. Sanders for his answers to the Daily News editorial board's misleading questions.
(Read the transcript, not the commentary it has spawned.)
And shame on Secretary Clinton for crying foul over Sanders' response to the suggestion that he's not qualified to run for president because he's not a REAL Democrat.
He, in turn, questioned whether her voting record qualifies her for the nation's highest office.
Tit for tat. You can't go on the offensive - which in this case is pretty much a synonym for repulsive - without expecting the sort of blow-back she got.
I agree with those who've pointed out here that Sanders' voting record reflects the principles of the Democratic Party at least as well as hers.
I also believe that we've beaten this dead horse to pulp.

[RoccoR5955]

55. Didn't he sign up to be a Democrat

in order to run for president on the Democratic Party ticket?
I think that the Party would not let him run as a Democrat if he had not signed up as one.