Sanders: Clinton is embracing Obama to pander to black voters

[Empowerer]

http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/18/politics/bernie-sanders-attacks-hillary-clinton-bet/

Washington (CNN)Bernie Sanders, in an interview with BET, accused Hillary Clinton of cozying up to President Barack Obama in order to pander to African-Americans.

The Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate also broke with Obama, asserting that the president "is wrong on certain issues."

His comments come as the Democratic race shifts out of the overwhelmingly-white Iowa and New Hampshire and to states where minority voters play a much larger role.

"Hillary Clinton now is trying to embrace the President as closely as she possibly can. Everything the president does is wonderful. She loves the president, he loves her and all that stuff ... And we know what that's about. That's trying to win support from the African-American community where the President is enormously popular," Sanders said.

[Renew Deal]

1. Yeah, so?

[BlueMTexpat]

101. You KNOW that

IOKISBSDI but INOKIHRCDI.

Whatever it is, that's the bottom line!

[uponit7771]

2. Sanders cozies up to people who call Obama vile racialized words like Cornell West has and Clinton

... cozies up to one of the most successful dem presidents in US history and that's supposed to be pandering!?!?

Now he wants to make an issue of HRC clinging to Obama... really?!

Sanders consummate bashing of Obama should be the center part of his campaign right now...

That would be authentic no?

[LondonReign2]

82. In 2008, Clinton used racist dog whistles against the black candidate

But now, she wants to pretend she is the best friend of the black community.

Likewise, she'd really like gays to forget that she was strongly opposed to gay marriage until it became politically advantageous to change her mind.

Clinton has no core beliefs other than doing and saying whatever she thinks will help her at the moment.

[Empowerer]

84. And black people still support her. WOW! What's wrong with them?

They must see all of that differently than you do - clearly they're not as savvy as you are, but what do THEY know about racism or who is and is not their friend, eh?

[LondonReign2]

89. Did you get free manure when you bought all that straw?

[noiretextatique]

117. good question: she gets pass on almost everthing

her own racist statements included. it is mind-boggling. of course she very adept a deflecting blame...even for racist comments,

[BlueMTexpat]

104. In re this

Clinton has no core beliefs other than doing and saying whatever she thinks will help her at the moment.

Isn't that a bit like registering as a Democrat in 2015 to run for US President in 2016 after serving in the US Congress as an Independent for 25 years and refusing to run as a Democrat before?

Apparently, only SBS is allowed to evolve without rebuke.

[LondonReign2]

106. Not even remotely similar

Sanders views have always been firmly in the traditional Democratic block. In fact, he was out front on the civil rights movement and gay marriage. He didn't "evolve" whatsoever.

Contrast that will Hillary who, when running against a black candidate, used racist dog whistles because she was courting "hard working white Americans". But now that she needs black votes? Suddenly she is the best friend of the black community (and please don't examine her record with the for-profit prison industry). Likewise, she was staunchly against gay marriage...until is was politically advantageous to change.

Bernie's views have remained consistent, and progressive; Hillary's have changed with whatever she thought would benefit her at the moment, and have frequently been anything but progressive.

[BlueMTexpat]

107. Of course not.

It's always OKISBSDI but never the contrary.

[LondonReign2]

108. So you can't refute it? Ok then

[Joe the Revelator]

123. Remember when Obama was 'cozying up to' bad actors like Bill Ayers?

This sounds just as lame.

[uponit7771]

125. ummmm no, this is not even close....

[Joe the Revelator]

126. You're right, its much less important.

[uponit7771]

127. Ayers was never an Obama surrogate

[Joe the Revelator]

128. Cornel West isn't a radical.

[uponit7771]

134. Strawman, no one said he was... just an overt jerk and Obama basher who is missing

... from Sander campaign in the south

[restorefreedom]

3. so she DIDNT just start cozying up to the pres

conveniently right before the sc primary?

a truth teller in a time of great political unrest...we are lucky to have him

[Duckhunter935]

8. lol

[Empowerer]

9. No, she didn't

She campaigned hard for him in 2008. Became his Secretary of State for four years.

She only started "cozying up" when Sanders and his supporters realized that she wasn't going to run away from him the way they'd hoped she would.

[restorefreedom]

18. so i guess the #obamasnuggle trend on twitter

started by aa's, was just a fluke......

[Empowerer]

21. No more than Berniebros movement represents all Bernie supporters

[restorefreedom]

27. berniebros...how convenient

that they only show up online, ......

[Empowerer]

29. I've only seen YOU online. Do you not exist?

[restorefreedom]

35. lol. of course they exist, but as many hillary supporters claim about online polls

that show bernie the winner, there could be much fewer than appears


it could be two guys in their parents basement eating cheetos.....

[betsuni]

31. Be careful! Posts with that word are being alerted on and hidden.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

88. You never know what is going to be hidden on this board and that is an abomination.

DSB

[betsuni]

103. Indeed. Empowerer's post was hidden.

It was "Thank you. You so good to us...." WHY. How in the hell was that hidden.

[Bobbie Jo]

109. Saw that

What an absurd hide.

[noiretextatique]

114. she was criticizing him in 2014 about foreign policy

and it was pretty harsh. after she left the state department, of course.

For the 19 months since Hillary Rodham Clinton departed as President Obama’s secretary of state, she and Mr. Obama, and their staffs, have labored to preserve a veneer of unity over how they worked together and how they view the world.

On Sunday, the veneer shattered — the victim of Mrs. Clinton’s remarkably blunt interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, a writer for The Atlantic, in which she criticized not just Mr. Obama’s refusal to aid the rebels in Syria, but his shorthand description of his entire foreign policy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/world/middleeast/attacking-obama-policy-hillary-clinton-exposes-different-worldviews.html?_r=0

i don't care if she is cozying up to him now. i think its the smartest thing she's done. but, she attacked sanders' on his criticism of obama...not so smart.

[uponit7771]

11. No she didn't, that's not even reality... she was his choice for SoS and had a close relationship

... with Obama.

First unicorns now making crap up for Sandres

[restorefreedom]

15. she was his "choice" for sos

so the pumas would not vote for mccain

but fine, if she really is close to obama, then she needs to come straight out and admit she supports the tpp, instead of pretending to oppose it in doublespeak.

[uponit7771]

20. Sanders folk even discount the relationship she had with PBO, after the election they had a REAL

... relationship and were kicking ass and taking names together and "is now" ... is a damn lie and he knows it.

She should hit his ass back hard with Cornell West videos after videos and end this bull shit right now...

Going back to an 08 campaign and trying to skip the time in between is the hiegth of desperate.

Close doesn't mean they agree on 100% of everything, I think the man legislatively goes up there with the greatest and don't agree with him on TPP...

That seems like a goal post move.


Sanders = consummate Obama basher even associating his campaign with someone who called Obama "n-word-izzed"
Clinton = consummate Obama relationship since 08... wants to carry on his legacy.

[restorefreedom]

23. her own words will not come clear on tpp

she sold it to the world as sos, and is trying to run from it now. she needs to just say she supports it, and if she does not, say right now she will oppose and veto it. no more lawyer speak

[uponit7771]

30. The TPP changed since she was SOS, Im not a LIV and if sophistry is all you have on this

... subject then its a pretty good indicator of a weak positions.

She doesn't have to agree with Obama 100% not to associate her campaign with people who call Obama "n-word-izzed" or bash him consummately like Sanders has.

[restorefreedom]

37. it is a horrid deal that will screw american workers and consumers, cost jobs,

and make our food and healthcare less safe.

she needs to either own it or oppose it. whatever the tpp looks like now, she needs to take a position.

its not hard.

[uponit7771]

39. I don't support the TPP and its been a knock of mine against Obama. That doesn't mean I haven't...

... supported his ass since the beginning.

I'm not like Sanders, bashing the man every chance he got and now wants to say he likes Obama

[restorefreedom]

50. he doesnt bash obama every chance he gets

he has pointed out obamas successes many times on the campaign trail. he just wants to take it further. and is not willing to sell out his soul to give fake praise on issues where they clearly disagree just to try and scoop some minority votes, which imo is pretty insulting anyway. anyone who panders must think the pander-ee can't think for themsleves.

he is honest all the time. if you want to disagree, fine. but he is not fake praising now.

[boston bean]

46. That is ridiculous. He didn't nominate her for SOS until he became president.

Let's at least try to be a little factual, no?

[restorefreedom]

53. yes, i am sure that at a contentious convention

where they threatened to go puma over florida and michigan, there were no conversations at all about the future, or that after a blistering loss, there was no offer for sos to unify the party for a win in a ge so mccain would not get the puma vote, as had been threatened


and they say that berners believe in unicorns.....

[boston bean]

55. More conspiracy jibberish.

And not based in any fact.

[Thinkingabout]

62. Why are you spinning this, she nominated him at the convention

And he did not ask her to be secretary of state until the election. Where is the link where he named her as SOS before the election.

[restorefreedom]

72. i did not say he named her

i said there were probably conversations about the future

[Thinkingabout]

77. Where is the link.

[restorefreedom]

95. we need links for opinions now?

what is happening to this board?

[Thinkingabout]

97. Okay, now that you are saying it is an opinion but don't spin the story out of bounds.

[restorefreedom]

99. it was an opinion, with a little added snark,

but it was definitely my opinion only

have a great day!

[Empowerer]

81. Perhaps some of the same conversations Sanders has been having with Nina Turner?

[restorefreedom]

96. lol. its a little early to be having chats

and if you listen to her, her passion is real.

but i am sure that bernie, someone with a lifelong history of honesty, bought her off

[vdogg]

102. And how would this affect the PUMA vote

If no one knew these conversations took place? There wasn't even a rumor of this before the election.

[restorefreedom]

105. people follow their leader

for the pumas to support obama, they needed to believe that hillary was enthusiastic and on board. the best way for her to argue for unity within the party was if she believed it herself. and the best way to accomplish THAT would be to assure her that she would have a prominent place in the administration.

i am not suggesting it is anything dirty. i am suggesting it was a prudent way for obama to unify the party via hillary's leadership and endorsement after an ugly primary.

[noiretextatique]

116. hillary criticizes obama on foreign policy in 2014

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/world/middleeast/attacking-obama-policy-hillary-clinton-exposes-different-worldviews.html?_r=0

For the 19 months since Hillary Rodham Clinton departed as President Obama’s secretary of state, she and Mr. Obama, and their staffs, have labored to preserve a veneer of unity over how they worked together and how they view the world.

On Sunday, the veneer shattered — the victim of Mrs. Clinton’s remarkably blunt interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, a writer for The Atlantic, in which she criticized not just Mr. Obama’s refusal to aid the rebels in Syria, but his shorthand description of his entire foreign policy.

Great nations need organizing principles, and ‘Don’t do stupid stuff’ is not an organizing principle,” Mrs. Clinton said, referring to the line that Mr. Obama has used with aides and reporters to describe his reluctance to inject the United States into messy foreign conflicts.

[all american girl]

149. You do know that you can agree with someone on most things and disagree on others and

still support them.

[noiretextatique]

150. No. We are at a point where we disagree on the basic tenets

Of democracy, if not the philosophy of the Democratic party. I am not taking another one for the team.

[NCTraveler]

4. She was his SOS.

They appear to have a solid relationship.

We are really seeing the real Sanders outside of Vermont. If this is his quote, which I'm not sure it is as I have always given him a modicum of respect when it comes to his intelligence, he can go pound sand.

[Duckhunter935]

7. so she would not primary him in 12

[Fla Dem]

118. Oh for FS. There was no way she was going to primary him in 2012. What are you smoking? nt

[uponit7771]

13. YES!!! The real Sanders outside of VT doesn't hang around Cornell West as much as he did in IA...

... and says stupid shit like this if its real

Yeap, I'd like to see the whole context cause the words "is now" is very fake to me as if she's not always been close to PBO.

She understood the relationship he had with PoC all the time Sanders spent bashing him...

She should play all the videos of him bashing Obama... calling him weak and rightward

[Empowerer]

17. I felt the same way - I didn't believe it when I first saw the quote

I thought it was someone trying to slime him since I was shocked that he would say something so obnoxious. But several outlets are reporting it, so it seems to be valid.

No matter how anyone tries to spin it, this is pure bigotry. To say that Hillary Clinton's support of the President is pandering to black voters - as if that's the only constituency that has anything in common with him, is playing identity politics at its worst. Barack Obama is President of the United States - a popular one at that - and to reduce him and the black community down to nothing but their race by suggesting that Clinton's support of him is purely an attempt to appeal to people who are the same race as he is was a stunning accusation.

Black voters and black folks, in general, recognize that kind of thing and I think it will do him serious damage if he doesn't clean it up and clean it up quick.

[uponit7771]

22. +1, I didnt even think about from that angle I just thought it wasn't reality seeing they had...

... a close at least working relationship.

Sanders Cornell West is now showing, he's about to get his ass kicked in SEC states...

This is an indicator Super Tuesday is going to be a rough time for planet Unicornia

[Empowerer]

32. Between his performance last night - particularly his bizarre responses on race - and this

he sounds as if he's getting completely rattled. I suspect that he really can't believe that after all he did for black people - going to the March on Washington, organizing a protest in 1963, and all - that black folks aren't flocking to him with love, gratitude and support.

[uponit7771]

38. +1, instead of building a relationship they expected a life time hood pass for some shit he did....

...during the 60s.

He has a track record of doing shit for marginalized people however imperfect but not a track record of speaking to marginalized people.

It looks like some post show he has a habit of minimizing minority issues as a candidate... that shit works in VT not nationally

[bravenak]

42. +1

[bravenak]

41. +1

[betsuni]

47. This gif makes me snicker every time I see it.

[bravenak]

49. It's the best thing this week

I see it as an exclamation point to my posts.

[Fawke Em]

64. I don't think they're close.

Odd how I can look at them and see animosity and y'all think they're close.

I think she is a case of keeping your enemies closer.

[noiretextatique]

119. A Rift in Worldviews Is Exposed as Clinton Faults Obama on Policy

For the 19 months since Hillary Rodham Clinton departed as President Obama’s secretary of state, she and Mr. Obama, and their staffs, have labored to preserve a veneer of unity over how they worked together and how they view the world.

On Sunday, the veneer shattered — the victim of Mrs. Clinton’s remarkably blunt interview with Jeffrey Goldberg, a writer for The Atlantic, in which she criticized not just Mr. Obama’s refusal to aid the rebels in Syria, but his shorthand description of his entire foreign policy.

“Great nations need organizing principles, and ‘Don’t do stupid stuff’ is not an organizing principle,” Mrs. Clinton said, referring to the line that Mr. Obama has used with aides and reporters to describe his reluctance to inject the United States into messy foreign conflicts.

Mrs. Clinton said she assumed the line was more a “political message” for a war-weary American public than his worldview — an interpretation that makes her words even more stinging, since “Don’t do stupid stuff” was in fact the animating principle for the foreign-policy blueprint that Mr. Obama laid out in a speech at West Point in May.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/12/world/middleeast/attacking-obama-policy-hillary-clinton-exposes-different-worldviews.html?_r=0

this was in 2014, after she left. maybe they good now...but not always.

[Broward]

5. This couldn't be any more obvious.

[Duckhunter935]

6. yep, it is true

Just look how she trashed him in 07-08.

[uponit7771]

14. To proffer their relationship hadn't drastically changed since this is fake and beneath Sanders

[Bluenorthwest]

76. Yeah they now share mutual self interest while in 08 they were fighting over the same new toy.

What is different is her objectives for herself. In terms of the relationship between them, I personally do not know them and would never speak for people I do not know as if they required my voice as proxy to their own.

[uponit7771]

10. Hillary should go on TV and ask them to play a video of Sanders surrogate Cornell West calling Obama

... "n-word-izzed" and ask people if that's the kind of person they'd associate themselves with in any campaign

Its disingenuous for Sanders to say "is NOW trying" as if she hasn't been for years.

That's my main issue with this guy, he's been disconnected FROM marginalized groups even if he has a track record for fighting for them.

He's so disconnected he doesn't see that her relationship with Obama is huge... and his consummate dissing of Obama is going to lose him this primary or at least the marginalized groups.

[Bluenorthwest]

78. She should go on TV and be shown tapes of her ranting against LGBT equality. Then she should give

an actual, respectful response and apology for her years of abusive rhetoric. She helped to marginalize us, she pushed back against our striving for justice. Bernie Sanders has been fully connected with out objectives and with us and has the track record to prove that, just as her track record is two decades of strong opposition to the basic rights of others.

It's interesting that straight people seem to think that bigoted attitudes toward LGBT are very different from other bigoted attitudes. I am telling you that a person who is willing to oppose my rights is also going to be willing to oppose and hinder your rights if that is what serves their narrative.

I would never look at two candidates, one of whom has opposed rights for others and one who has supported those rights, and select the opponent of equality. Even if the rights were not my own. I would never do that. You would. That's the definitive bottom line here.

[Kentonio]

12. And in other news

Bernie mentions that the sky is blue and water is wet.

[Live and Learn]

16. Berne is correct. nt

[Empowerer]

19. You and Bernie reduce Obama and black voters down to the lowest common denominator: their race

Got it.

[Live and Learn]

24. Nope, though, you may. I don't pretend to think that any race will fall for Hillary's pandering.

In fact, it has been my experience that most people of any race see right through it.

[uponit7771]

36. +1, this is a very desperate move by Sanders... I would like to see video at this point. His interna

...internals with PoC must be horrible

[Laughing Mirror]

87. What was Bill Clinton lecturing a black audience the other day

Something about unless they could prove they were 100% sub-Saharan African, then they were actually multi-racial, like Obama is, like he Bill Clinton is.

Is what Bill Clinton says to a black audience in any way reducing black voters down to that lowest common denominator, in your opinion?

[uponit7771]

26. Bernie is realizing his "revolution" isn't bringing in the marginalized like it is supposed to makin

... it more of a temper tantrum of the establishment.

That's what this sounds like...

The marginalized are leaning Hillary in notable numbers... not Sanders

[Live and Learn]

34. Keep trying. I didn't find your ridiculous argument clever the multiple other times you used it,

either. But maybe, if you keep at it long enough, I will suddenly find it clever.

Of course, I will likely be 130 years old at the time. Hope you are still around so I can share my revelations with you when it comes.

[uponit7771]

44. I don't hate math and science, poll numbers show me all I need to know about the revolution...

... and they've been that way for months.

Even if Sanders cuts it in half it's still more of the establishment having a temper tantrum for having to cede some power to the marginalized

[Live and Learn]

56. Yep, just like they did in Iowa. How long until you realize the pollsters don't have a clue on how

to poll anymore?

[LondonReign2]

25. Of course she is. What's new?

[loyalsister]

28. Little does she know...

So many avid 2008 supporters keep hearing about lower unemployment, economic indicators, and the glowing success of the ACA and feel a little betrayed, because they aren't feeling it. Their economic situation has not improved and they have the added pressure of the ACA. These are people who want to see a new era of politics. They want nothing to do with anyone who was part of the administration.

[bigwillq]

33. Truth (nt)

[Bread and Circus]

40. And that's why I like Bernie, he tells it like it is. You and all of us know this is the thruth.

[Empowerer]

60. That's why Trump voters like him - "He tells it like it is"- and says what they're thinking but

don't want to say because they know people will think they're bigots.

And, no - that's not the "truth." Only narrow-minded people reduce everyone down to the lowest common denominator of race. That's not truth. That's bigotry.

[firebrand80]

43. Maybe, but Bernie is also running away from

his prior opposition to the President.

[uponit7771]

45. +1, anyone see Cornell West on stage with Sanders like he was in IA?!

[bravenak]

48. Because she should be hanging around Cornel West types to make things easier for him.

Really, obviously some think that she should NOT TRY TO WIN. Her trying to demonstrate her closeness with Obama, is a nefarious plot to hurt Bernie. Why is she doing things!!! She needs to stop saying she is tight with Obama right now!!!! Trying to win black votes?!?! Really Hillary?!?! Really??!?! Such a pander-bear. She only seems to want the black vote to win the orimary and general with a mandate to lead. Just so wrong!!!!! Hugging Obama!!! I am very angry.

[boston bean]

52. At least she isn't making false promises to people.

Free healthcare at $41/month. ABSOLUTE FUCKING NONSENSE! Anyone who pays for healthcare now, knows that number is pure bunk!

Free college for everyone. By taxing the entity he wants to take down and make less profitable. It's upside down land.

[bravenak]

58. Fucking magic beans, Boston.

Magic Beans grow free stuff trees!! It's simple math!!


Magic Beans+Hearfelt Desire+Revolution(dig hole and place seed+water and cover)= FREE STUFF TREES

People around here need to get on with the new magic math.

[boston bean]

59. It is actually sort of really sad, brave.

I've watched a bunch of videos where college kids believe he is going to erase their debt and make college free for everyone.

It's a sham.

[bravenak]

61. I get pissed.

How much did they spend to learn NOTHING about how government works? I'd want a refund too, but that's not how LOANS work either. So empty. Like, damn. They really believe that. And the spread it around to everybody, same bad info, like a dumb game of telephone.

[boston bean]

63. It is the worst of politics, imho.

Promising such things and making people really believe you can deliver, cause you said so, and then disappoint and create an even more angry populace who will withdraw from politics, leaving the status quo.... Well, this is their entre into national politics and I guess if he ever won, they will learn the hard way.

For the healthcare, they probably don't have a frickin clue how much it really costs cause they are still on Mommy and Daddy's health insurance until the age of 26. (THANK YOU OBAMA), you know the guy Sanders wanted to primary and who Sanders say he is his harshest critic.

[bravenak]

65. Pretty much

This is why I do not do hero worship. Look how sad. And after all those tales, we will still end up with Hillary as the nominee. I know I see through him. Many do.

[boston bean]

66. Yep.

[Number23]

143. I thought it was precious that when Hillary went to Flint, many here called that "pandering" too

but Bernie goes there with giant water bottles and it's once again proof of his magnificent statesmanship and inherent goodness and decency.

What's happening in Flint is an important example of environmental racism. People's immediate knee jerk attempt to dismiss it because she's drawing attention to the issue say more about themselves than they do Hillary. But even putting all that aside, A) Hillary was the one that brought Flint into the freaking national conversation and b) she currently enjoys something like 60-78% black support. Why would she need to "pander" to people who pretty much have made it clear that they support her and don't think much of her competitor?

[Empowerer]

145. ˆˆˆThis

[bravenak]

147. Interacting with black people is pandering now

Unless he does it then its perfection

[riversedge]

51. Sanders was sure copying Clinton last night and priaising Obama--er poandering to Obama for

the black vote.

[mcar]

54. He really said this?

[cherokeeprogressive]

57. Basta!

[workinclasszero]

67. I guess BS thinks beating up the President is gonna win him lots of votes in the south????

The Vermont senator and Democratic presidential candidate also broke with Obama, asserting that the president "is wrong on certain issues."

You are not in lily white Iowa and NH anymore Bernie! SMH

[Empowerer]

68. Or reducing black voters support for the President down to the lowest common racial element . . .

[randome]

69. He does seem to be floundering a bit to me. But they both are, to a certain extent.

Sanders does well in front of an audience but his wheelhouse doesn't seem to extend much further than that. IMO.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Don't ever underestimate the long-term effects of a good night's sleep.[/center][/font][hr]

[casperthegm]

70. Is this really that big of a deal?

HRC supporters will say that she's always been right there with Obama. This is really going to come down to which candidate you favor, as each has valid talking points. I personally think it's naive to claim that she's not purposely pointing out her relationship with Obama in order to gain votes from the AA community. But hey, that's what you're supposed to do during campaign season, isn't it? Meet with those whose votes you need and get endorsements from various people within those groups? This is just politics.

Sanders wasn't wrong for pointing it out. And Clinton has every right to do it. Whatevs.

[Empowerer]

80. Yes, it is a big deal

It's a reduction of the President and black voters down to one common denominator - race. It's inaccurate and insulting.

There are many reasons to support the president. Insisting that it's to "pander" to the black community is inaccurate and insulting.

Do you assume that Sanders' embrace of Killer Mike and Cornel West is pandering to black voters?

Do you think Bernie Sanders has been critical of the President in order to pander to white voters?

I think you would answer no to both questions. But please correct me if I'm wrong and you DO believe that Bernie is pandering to voters based on their race.

[casperthegm]

148. Disagree

I won't "correct you" because if it's how you and others personally feel then you are absolutely entitled to feel that way and speak your mind about it. At the same time, I do see it as pandering and I do think that, in general, the president is well liked by the African American community, and I suspect racial pride is a factor for some. Just like gender is a major reason that some women like Clinton.

I think Sanders has been both complementary and critical of the President based on who his actions compared and contrasted to his own beliefs. Could I be biased, as I am a Sanders supporter? Sure, but I don't think I am in this case. When it comes to honesty there is simply no debate on who can be trusted.

[Recursion]

140. It's yet another absolutely tone-deaf comment. Or worse maybe it isn't.

Sanders is (if you take his word for it) trying to put poor exurban whites back into play for the Democratic party. They hear the same dog whistles black people do, but respond to them oppositely.

[Odin2005]

71. Clinton thinks Black voters are stupid. n/t

[Jester Messiah]

73. The Pander Bear... NOT an endangered species!

Sadly...

[Jefferson23]

74. Bernie stating the obvious, that's Clinton in her cynical campaign style.

She taps into the pride black Americans have for Obama, even when they disagree with
him on policy. That is what she has been willing to exploit to make further gains for
herself.

[Nyan]

75. 8 years ago she disparaged Obama for not having enough support

from "hard-working white Americans," and now she's overselling her relationship with Obama because he's popular with African-Americans.
Yep. It's pandering. Could it be more obvious?

[Empowerer]

85. We poor black people don't know that we're being pandered to-but fortunately we have you to tell us

Over and over and over and over again.

Maybe if you say it louder, we'll finally start to understand.

[Fla Dem]

121. Mind posting a source for that quote so we can read it in context. Or is it just more hot air? nt

[Nyan]

132. Google keywords if you're curious. Sources are everywhere.

It's been a common knowledge that she used racist code words in 2008.

[Fla Dem]

133. A campaign comment made 8 years ago regarding then Sen Obama's

declining support in the white working middle class. How to make something out of nothing.

[Bluenorthwest]

79. Any person who will oppose the rights of one group for 20 years is a person who should not be

trusted to protect the rights of any group at all. I get that straight people think that anti gay sentiment is 'different, sort of holy' but it is not. It's just bigotry. And I'm never going to vote for anyone who has opposed the rights of anyone else when I have the choice to vote for a consistent advocate of equality who has never urged double standards and discrimination as some sort of form of worship. I say that voting for such persons is very risky. What they will do to me, they will also do to you, do not be fooled.

[Empowerer]

83. And any person who would try to defend Sanders indefensible comment by trying to deflect to a

different issue, should not be taken seriously in this conversation.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

86. She should cling to President Obama.

President Obama is a great man and even greater president. My biggest regret is that I will not get to vote for him again.


I am the best witness for President Obama because I am a convert. I supported Hillary in 08 as I do now but he has won me over with his thoughtfulness, open mindedness , and fundamental decency.


We shall miss him, a lot.

[HooptieWagon]

90. Sanders 'pandering' to black voters since Clinton campaigned for a segregationist.

Yep. Organizing and being arrested in the early 60s is now pandering.

[Empowerer]

91. Organizing and being arrested isn't pandering

But talking about it all of the time and even harping on it in response to a question about how jobs will address police brutality IS the very definition of pandering - pretending as if it makes him an infallible civil rights icon whom all black people must adore and be grateful to takes it from pandering to tone-deaf insulting.

[HooptieWagon]

94. Talking about it all the time? Link please.

[liberal N proud]

92. She was his Secretary of State

?

[iwannaknow]

93. The Bernie supporters that I know voted for Obama

[TTUBatfan2008]

98. Stupid statement by Sanders.

If you are struggling to get people's votes, it's not smart to make that type of ugly comment. He's shooting himself in the foot.

[Fla Dem]

122. He's just getting cranky. These late hours are getting to him. nt

[m-lekktor]

100. I agree with Sanders! nt

[Gothmog]

110. Prof. West is a bad surrogate for Sanders

I am so glad that West is still working for Sanders

[Starry Messenger]

111. Honestly don't know what he thinks that kind of comment accomplishes.

He seems tired.

[dana_b]

112. It's funny how ONE word in the title can tilt everything

Sanders never says "pander. He says "embrace" and "support". The writer is the one who uses "pander". Interesting.

[Spazito]

113. Wow...

Completely tone deaf and insulting to the AA community. Geez.

[Beacool]

120. Yeah, I hope that his statement is broadcast all over SC, NC, TN, GA, VA, MS, AL & AR.

That will go over well in any of those states.

[Spazito]

124. Yep...

insulting the AA community with comments like this is sure to win Bernie the votes he desperately needs in those states...NOT.

It is jaw dropping!

[Beacool]

115. Sanders offers an agenda that he will never be able to pass through Congress to pander to liberals.

I'll take Hillary....

[noiretextatique]

129. then we need a new congress

hillary might need one too. the cynicism of some folks is just sad...but totally understandable. our system is broken, we cannot keep pretending that it is working when we have to keep capitulating to the whims of wall street and monied interests. the wealth gap is real, and growing. we know damn well our system is corrupt, and that's why incrementalism is the best we've been offered. it does not have to be this way, but we have to force the change we seek. power will concede nothing. it will take time and commitment, but incrementalism does not have to be our only choice. it doesn't. we are finally going to have a majority on SCOTUS, and given the age of some justices, the next president..or obama may point a few more. do we really just want to get stuff done? or do we want to transform our system so it works better for everyone? i am no better off than i was 8 years ago, that is not a dig at Obama...it is the truth. the recovery has yet to reach millions of americans, that's why bernie's message is so appealing: too many are still struggling. whatever happened to hope and change? i tired of arguing. i am going to start talking to you and other clinton supporters. if we don't start trying to find some common ground we are truly doomed.

[bettyellen]

131. we need a new congress even if Trump wins, and I am not sure why people need marching orders from

one man, or they are done. it is a long game, and things did not get this screwed up in 8 years.

[still_one]

130. I may be going out on a limb here, but President Obama choose Hillary to be his SOS. His press Sec

has also said the President would be quite happy if she was the nominee.

Those Clintons, probably through the Clinton Foundation put a horses head into President Obamas bed to make him an offer he couldn't refuse. I am sure this is all documented in her emails, and in the transcripts of a speech given to Goldman sacks, after they conspired to bring the financial system down in 2008

[joshcryer]

135. I swear Weaver is trying to fuck this up.

[Recursion]

142. No, he knows what white voters respond to, IMO

He wants the Reagan Democrats back, but the only way to do that is by making sure all black issues stay in that little area over there along with all the other "coalition" also-rans. Hell, it was only last week that a bunch of white people lost their damn minds because Beyonce is actually black...

I don't particularly think even he agrees with his statements on e.g. reparations, but he knows that the voters he needs absolutely do: "I don't see color; why should my tax money go to some guy just because he's black?" (The contradictory nature of that is difficult to tease out if you're feeling it at the time -- been there).

White Americans live in a raceless world (if I had to sum up "privilege" in seven words, there it is), and that's the worldview he wants to appeal to, I assume banking on the following two ideas:

1. there are enough of these poor whites who can be persuaded to vote in the primaries to overcome Clinton's lead among minorities

2. brown people will still prefer him in the general over any Republican

I'd bet #2 is still operative this year. #1 is the big question, but I think Clinton's support among minorities is softer than the numbers look, and that the campaign in general will depress their turnout.

[geek tragedy]

136. President Obama is popular with white Democrats too. Dumb statement. nt

[Empowerer]

137. But white voters are just people - their race is irrelevant, so metioning it is racebaiting

Race only matters if we're talking about people of color - and mentioning their race, analyzing how they vote or saying that they vote based on race is NOT race baiting - just truth telling.

Got it?

[geek tragedy]

138. Of course! nt

[Recursion]

141. Bingo. And for the coalition he's going for, he *has* to keep blowing that whistle

I can't see a way around it: he wants poor exurban whites back with the Democrats: people who think they have no "race" ("I don't see color, personally..." is their catchphrase), and so respond negatively to any attempt to bring it up.

This is exactly why Sanders has (or pretends to have) such a tin ear about black concerns.

[Number23]

144. Good GOD you nailed it.

It's only "race baiting" when something addresses the concerns or points of view of people of color.

[Empowerer]

146. Exactly

Just as "divisive" really means "makes white people uncomfortable."

[Recursion]

139. Ouch. He *absolutely* has to fix this tin ear. Now. (nt)

[Peregrine Took]

151. Can we all spell P A N D E R??????

Thy name is Billary!!