CONVERSION: With a Powerful Essay, Famous Social Activist Tom Hayden Switches From Bernie To Hillary

[MrWendel]

http://bluenationreview.com/famous-social-activist-tom-hayden-switches-from-bernie-to-hillary/

By Susan Madrak

“Tom Hayden? Tom Hayden?” I said to myself when I saw The Nation today. If you asked me who were the least likely activists to support Hillary, Tom Hayden would have been on the list — especially since he was already supporting Bernie. But here’s what he writes today: “We still need the organizing of a united front of equals to prevail against the Republicans. It will take a thorough process of conflict resolution to get there, not a unilateral power wielding by the usual operatives. It’s up to all of us.”

Tom Hayden was one of the highest-profile student radicals of the sixties, and an author of the Port Huron Statement, calling for the complete reformation of the Democratic party. (On a more mundane level, he was married to Jane Fonda at the height of her activist years.) He also ran successfully for the state legislature in California, and is on the board of Progressive Democrats of America. He is an anti-fracking activist.

And as of today, Hayden is a Hillary supporter. It was her nuanced position on fracking that finally made him switch — that, and the tactics of California fracking opponents. Hayden explains:

Hillary wants limits on fracking: a ban where individual states have blocked it, like in New York; safeguards against children’s and family exposures; a ban where releases of methane or contamination of ground water are proven; and full disclosure of the chemicals used in the process. Bernie’s position is that he’s simply against all fracking. But Hillary’s position goes beyond what virtually any state has done.

As Hayden points out, Bernie’s fracking ban doesn’t include a strategic plan for implementing his policy.

There is no recognition of the overwhelming wall of opposition from the Republican Congress, which can only be broken on state-by-state organizing. The climate clock is ticking towards doomsday. Where are we moving next, beyond waiting for the overthrow of Citizens United?

(More in link)

[Kber]

1. I hope we are coming to a point in The campaign where

We realize this is mostly a fight about means, not ends. We are conducting a fierce battle over the best way to accomplish our shared goals.

With Trump, Cruz, or "moderate" Kasich, we will fight about the goals and what is best for our country and for the world in which the US plays such an outsized role.

For me: Hillary Clinton will get us closer, faster and more sustainably to a better future and I will vote for her in the primary. I have more trust in her ability to actually get us from point A to point B.

However, should she get abducted by aliens or something before that, I will vote for the democratic nominee in the general, along with Dem house and other races (no senate election for me this go around) happily and without reservation.

[creon]

4. Agree

Good post.

I, too, will vote for the nominee.

[stopbush]

2. What's that sound I hear? Could it be another bus pulling up

to the Sanders station? There are new Dems/liberals/progressives to throw under the Sanders purity bus...make that busses.

[Walk away]

15. They are practically mute in the "General" except a disparaging remark or two.

Maybe the dam will break and the bus underthrowing will start soon.

[creon]

3. Good

I hope that he influences a few people.

[Cha]

8. Indeedy!

[creon]

26. Hillary Haters

It looks to me that some of the fans of Sanders hate Clinton far more that they like Sanders.
I do not know why; but, I do not need to know why.
They can keep that to themselves.
But, I am one of those who does not have an enemies list.

[yallerdawg]

5. Fracking has brought us closer to energy independence.

Has broken OPEC and Middle East oil extortion.

Has lowered costs forcing innovation and lower-priced alternative energy applications.

Has reduced green house gases in relation to much dirtier sources - tar sands included - and gasoline consumption.

And Bernie wants to ban fracking?

Everything's a nail to this guy!

[SharonClark]

20. Are you pushing fracking just because Bernie is against it?

Hillary is trying to have a nuanced position on fracking, not promote it.

From Bloomberg "Clinton, as on many other issues, is no absolutist when it comes to staking out a position. She favors the New York ban, while calling for strict regulation of the practice in Pennsylvania and other states that allow it. The fractivists think she's just trying to have it both ways."

[yallerdawg]

22. I want what's best for our country.

We always had a dream to stop financing terrorism in the Middle East buying their oil. We want energy independence. We want to move to alternative energies. We want to reduce our carbon footprint without destroying our economy and the lives of millions. We want to transition to safe alternatives!

On trade, I wholeheartedly support TPP and the alliances and positive impacts on workers of the world at the heart of free trade.

I don't acknowledge the imaginary interpretation of the 2nd Amendment - I support stringent gun control.

Bernie is wrong on these issues, and can't even explain how to implement most of his basic core campaign platform.

Hillary recognizes reality and achievable progress. Hillary has spelled out her goals.

I support the candidate who most closely represents my values and goals.

Hillary most closely does!

[Loki]

6. Damn.

There was a loose affiliation of SDS on my college campus here in Kansas City during the 60's. I attended meetings and knew the president of this chapter well, we went to high schools in the same area. Thank you Tom. Us 60's radicals have matured somewhat, but we haven't become unreasoning in the process. In fact, I think it has made me a better Democrat.

[Cha]

7. WOW & WOW & WOW! Tom Hayden.. I love it.. but really.. why wouldn't Thinking People

do that @ one point even if they thought BS was all that in the beginning?

What would cause me to turn my back on all those people who have shaped who I am? That would be a transgression on my personal code. I have been on too many freedom rides, too many marches, too many jail cells, and far too many gravesites to breach that trust. And I have been so tied to the women’s movement that I cannot imagine scoffing at the chance to vote for a woman president. When I understood that the overwhelming consensus from those communities was for Hillary—for instance the Congressional Black Caucus and Sacramento’s Latino caucus—that was the decisive factor for me.

Gracias MrWendel~

California!

[fleabiscuit]

9. "It’s up to all of us." A perfect ending. eom

[Cha]

10. Yes it is!

flea~

[fleabiscuit]

12. Hi Cha! Let me give you a gift from my state...

[Cha]

14. Thank you, flea.. Earth is gonna Shake! They're awesome!

[Hekate]

11. Kick and Rec, Tom Hayden!

[BlueMTexpat]

13. Thanks for this, MrWendel!

Great to hear!

Hayden's credentials as an activist are in no doubt!

[Walk away]

16. Except for over at the "Bernie Group" where they are doubting YUUUGLY!

[BlueMTexpat]

18. LOL - most of them

are too young even to remember the 60s!

[LAS14]

17. The sixties live! nt

[pandr32]

19. Excellent!

Reason wins!!!

[Maru Kitteh]

21. K & R

[UtahLib]

23. K&R. nt

[DemonGoddess]

24. K&R!

[oasis]

25. K and R