It's Official! Former Labor Secretary under the Clinton Administration endorses Bernie!

[jillan]

I endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States. He’s leading a movement to reclaim America for the many, not the few. And such a political mobilization – a “political revolution,” as he puts it -- is the only means by which we can get the nation back from the moneyed interests that now control so much of our economy and democracy.

This extraordinary concentration of income, wealth, and political power at the very top imperils all else – our economy, our democracy, the revival of the American middle class, the prospects for the poor and for people of color, the necessity of slowing and reversing climate change, and a sensible foreign policy not influenced by the “military-industrial complex,” as President Dwight Eisenhower once called it. It is the fundamental prerequisite: We have little hope of achieving positive change on any front unless the American people are once again in control.

I have the deepest respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton, and if she wins the Democratic primary I’ll work my heart out to help her become president. But I believe Bernie Sanders is the agent of change this nation so desperately needs.

https://www.facebook.com/RBReich/posts/1161639723848622

Been waiting for Robert Reich to make this official.

[grasswire]

1. I deeply respect Robert Reich. nt

[WestSeattle2]

10. I do as well.

[itsrobert]

2. Good for him.

I have the deepest respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton, and if she wins the Democratic primary I’ll work my heart out to help her become president.

Yes, he will.

[jberryhill]

3. Undadabus!

[stevenleser]

61. Nope, we don't do that. Congrats to Sanders in an endorsement from a good guy.

You ascribe behavior to us that 99% of us do not engage in. You are thinking of supporters of another candidate.

[pacalo]

85. Your inside message is precious.

[stevenleser]

86. I loved that side eye. Because that was his answer to something he actually did.

I know you Sanders fans loved it, but to those who weren't Sanders fans, i.e. 90% of the rest of the country, who were then treated to video of Sanders doing exactly what Hillary was accusing him of doing in this shot, it was a devastating moment for Bernie.

You don't give the side eye unless the comments are untruthful. Which they werent.

[pacalo]

92. I love your eloquent writing style, Steve.

You've got quite a flair for fiction.

[stevenleser]

96. Here is video and text. Looks like the flair for fiction is yours...

http://www.thenation.com/article/bernie-sanders-talks-primary-challenge-obama-good-idea-our-democracy-and-democratic-part/

SANDERS: Brian, believe me, I wish I had the answer to your question. Let me just suggest this. I think there are millions of Americans who are deeply disappointed in the president; who believe that, with regard to Social Security and a number of other issues, he said one thing as a candidate and is doing something very much else as a president; who cannot believe how weak he has been, for whatever reason, in negotiating with Republicans and there’s deep disappointment. So my suggestion is, I think one of the reasons the president has been able to move so far to the right is that there is no primary opposition to him and I think it would do this country a good deal of service if people started thinking about candidates out there to begin contrasting what is a progressive agenda as opposed to what Obama is doing.
.
.
.
So I would say to Ryan discouragement is not an option. I think it would be a good idea if President Obama faced some primary opposition.

[pacalo]

104. I didn't like it, either, when Republicans were invited to a steak dinner

at the White House to discuss chained CPI. That was the turning point for me, so I can understand where Bernie's disappointment is coming from.

[stevenleser]

106. Nor did I and I criticized the President on TV for that. But I didnt call for him to be primaried

and if I did I would have said so.

[silvershadow]

115. My God you are a saint. I couldn't stand to be on with Cavuto. He's as dumb

as a bag of hammers. Good job, though! Loved it at the end.

[shawn703]

93. Incorrect

The comments were untruthful. PolitiFact rated Hillary's assertion an exaggeration at best.

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2016/feb/12/hillary-clinton/did-bernie-sanders-call-president-barack-obama-wea/

[stevenleser]

97. See my #96 above. Video and text and links are believing. nt

[stevenleser]

99. Also, Factcheck.org's coverage of this is more thorough

http://www.factcheck.org/2016/01/factchecking-the-fourth-democratic-debate/

So in one sense, Clinton was right that Sanders called Obama’s policies “weak” and “disappointing,” and Sanders did voice support for a primary challenge to Obama.

[Babel_17]

125. While Senator Ted Kennedy, a mentor of President Obama, ...

actually ran against a Democratic President, Jimmy Carter. He thought it was healthy for the party.

But for Senator Sanders to think aloud, maybe someone should make a token run, to allow our party to strut its stuff?

[delrem]

103. FOX's "democratic pundits" say "a-Yup".

Imagine that, speaking for the "Democratic party" as an insider "Democratic pundit" on FOX.
I can't blame you. The pay must be OK.

[ChiciB1]

4. He's Been Consistent For So Long & Never Sold Out Like

Paul Krugman did. Mike Papintonio who's filling in for Thom Hartmann tonight was just talking about Krugman and his apparent change and support for Hillary. He basically said he seems to have "sold out!"

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

90. Krugman didn't sell you out. He's always been a major fan of Hillary Clinton. Endorsed her

in 2008 and was relentless in his attacks against Barack Obama until around 2010 or so.

He's been consistent in his love for the Clintons.

[firebrand80]

5. A corporate turd-wayer nt

[greiner3]

50. This seems to fit the old;

And so is Hillary (your mamma, but times change).

[Agschmid]

6. That's a good endorsement.

It is a very interesting election.

[SmittynMo]

7. This is big news

It's time for Liz to commit next.

[senz]

8. Beautiful endorsement from one of the best progressive economists

in the country. Reich has always stood for humanity and honesty.

Thanks, jillan!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

9. Good man!

Put him back in the Sanders' Cabinet.

[autonomous]

11. One of the only facebook notifications I pay attention to :-)

When Reich goes live on facebook!

[ozone_man]

12. He's another speaker of truth like Bernie

and has never succumbed to third way politics.

[MaggieD]

13. Did you know Reich makes more than the avg CEO...

.... To teach ONE class at a public university? And that he gets paid $100k per speech?

[dorkzilla]

16. Professors should make more than CEO's

Shaping young lives and that.

BTW, Hillary got $275k to speak at a SUNY Buffalo, a PUBLIC university. ONE speech.

[MaggieD]

18. She donates all college and university speaking fees

Sorry. Try again.

Also, why should anyone make more than a CEO for teaching one class?

[PatrynXX]

20. certainly wouldnt trust her to take her word for it do'h. try again n/t

[MaggieD]

28. Public record

[Bubzer]

31. This old canard? Again? Really? No. She does not.

When students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, asked that Clinton return her $225,000 speaking fee, Clinton noted that "all of the fees have been donated to the Clinton Foundation for it to continue its life-changing and life-saving work."

"So it goes from a foundation at a university to another foundation," Clinton told ABC News, with regard to the UNLV speech.

...

Our ruling

Occupy Democrats claimed Clinton "has donated every cent she's ever earned from speaking fees to charity."

That’s a misreading of Clinton’s comments in 2014, when she said speaking fees at colleges and universities were donated to the Clinton Foundation.

Clinton’s financial disclosure form includes 51 speeches in which Clinton was compensated directly.

This claim rates False.[/div]


http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/statements/2015/jun/16/occupy-democrats/liberal-group-claims-all-hillary-clintons-speaking/

[MaggieD]

39. She donates her speaking fees from UNIVERSITIES and COLLEGES

So your article claiming she doesnt donate every speaking fee is irrelevant.

Did you even read your own link before posting?

[Bubzer]

48. Yes, I did. Clearly, you did not:

The speaking fee from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for instance, is listed as a donation from the UNLV Foundation. SO ARE OTHER SPEECHES AT UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES as well as a few speeches organized by private groups such as Citibank, Chicago House and Goldman Sachs.

[Bubzer]

53. Not enough for you? Here's another:

Hillary Clinton continued to justify her high-dollar speaking fees on Friday, telling ABC News' Ann Compton that all of the money she's made from colleges over the past year and a half has been donated to her family's foundation.

"All of the fees have been donated to the Clinton Foundation for it to continue its life-changing and life-saving work. So it goes from a foundation at a university to another foundation," Clinton said when asked about the criticism she and her husband have faced recently for their wealth.

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2014/07/hillary-clinton-says-shes-donated-all-university-speaking-fees/

[MaggieD]

59. Yes, the Clinton Foundation is a charity

Thanks for proving yourself wrong.

[Bubzer]

68. No one in their right mind will accept that giving to HER foundation is giving to charity. No one.

This absurdity doesn't pass the sniff test.

[retrowire]

101. LMAO I can't believe anyone believes that!!! nt

[Bubzer]

105. Right?!?

It's almost like a conservative telling you their political contributions are for philanthropic purposes...

[retrowire]

107. Ex-fucking-actly. Nailed it. nt

[Bubzer]

54. And another:

Hillary Clinton on Friday said that she has donated all the money she has earned from her public speaking appearances at colleges and universities in the past year and a half to the Clinton Foundation.

“All of the fees have been donated to the Clinton Foundation for it to continue its life-changing and life-saving work,” she told ABC News. “So it goes from a foundation at a university to another foundation.” The Bill, Hillary and Chelsea Clinton Foundation is a nonprofit focusing on global issues that was founded by former President Bill Clinton in 2001.

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/07/hillary-clinton-public-speaking-fees-108581

Are we done here?

[dorkzilla]

35. Suuuuure she does

Why not just NOT charge a public university? I don't believe for a second she donates her fees.

As to your question about why professors should make more than a CEO? If you think that CEO's should make more, you're part of the problem.

[MaggieD]

41. Well she does.

[Bubzer]

57. Not.

[dchill]

45. I'm gonna give that statement all the credit...

it deserves!

[Bluenorthwest]

60. It's a yearly salary of 250K , price of a single Hillary speech, give or take....

Both are good deals, one is much better than the other. His net worth is about 4 million, maybe 5. What's hers again? 30 million?

The average CEO, that's a term of art. Small corporations have CEOs, but what most readers think of as 'CEO salary' is that of large Corporate CEOs and the average in that class is about 13 Million a year plus bells and whistles.

Never trust anyone who uses words where numbers belong.

[dorkzilla]

72. For context?

I was an Executive Assistant for many years at Fortune 100 corporations (C-level) and I made $100k a year. 10 years ago. So yeah, $250k for a PROFESSOR with the kind of bona fides Reich has is a deal and a half.

[Bluenorthwest]

81. The actual context in this case is that his yearly salary is a common speaking fee or single day

rate for Hillary Clinton. Another actually apt comparison would be Elizabeth Warren who was paid $429,981 as a Harvard law professor from 2010 to 2011.
So is his deal really unusual? Warren got it. Hillary gets it in a day.....

[dorkzilla]

82. I agree. I was just saying a lowly secretary wasn't making that much less. nt.

[SammyWinstonJack]

19. +1000000.

[MaggieD]

26. He lives off the taxpayer teat and works 4 hrs/week

And he doesn't donate his $100k per hour speaking fees either

[Impedimentus]

29. Why all the bitterness ?

I guess Robert Reich failed some folks here in one of his courses ?

[MaggieD]

30. Just pointing out the hypocrisy

[pacalo]

52. Reich is not running for president.

Hillary told Anderson Cooper she didn't know that she was going to be running for president when she accepted the gigs ...



... and now that she's officially in the thick of her presidential campaign, the people want to know what information/advice did she provide that merited a $250,000 payment.

We have a right to know.

[MaggieD]

55. So what - he's a perfect example of why tuition is so high

Bernie wants to tax my 401k so this slacker can get paid $250k of our tax dollars to work 4 hours per week?

Fuck that.

[pacalo]

77. Disingenuousness runs rampant on the Hillary side.

[MaggieD]

79. He makes about $3100 bucks an hour from taxpayers

Im not the one being disingenuous here.

[pacalo]

84. Could you please clarify?

[chapdrum]

130. That's just specious bs

Grasping at straws.

I could bore you with how Hillary receives money (but tastefully, though, through the Clinton Global Initiative)
from Pete Peterson's foundation.

He is the former Sec. of Commerce under Ronnie. One of his aims is to privatize Social Security.
Chelsea gives the occasional speech on the Foundation's behalf (no, Mom doesn't do that - that'd be in bad taste).

(It's pgpf.org. The IRS forms are posted, showing recipients.)

[brett_jv]

133. Then again, maybe if the taxpayers were all collectively footing the bill for college tuition ...

No single person would be getting such an exorbitant salary for so little work.

Similar to what would most likely/logically happen if we had single-payer healthcare in this country.

When there's only one source of funds (as there would be in both cases), proper due diligence is often brought to bear, and nobody ends up being paid in a manner that's so non-commensurate with what they actually DO.

[dorkzilla]

40. HAHAHAHAAHA!!! SHE'S BEEN A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE HER WHOLE LIFE AND *HE*

lives off the taxpayer teat???

And as I just read up thread, I was right, she DOESN'T donate it. Donating to your own foundation where you pay yourself, your husband, your daughter and Huma HUGE salaries isn't a donation, dearie.

But thanks for the LULZ!!!!

[MaggieD]

43. Yes, and he works a whole 4 hours a week for $250k

And he's a perfect example of why tuition is so fucking high.

[dorkzilla]

47. You're adorable!

[MaggieD]

56. I'm factual is what I am

[dorkzilla]

63. Cuter still!

I'm hard pressed to detect any "facts" in any of your posts (at least on this particular thread). But it's charming that you think that, really it is.

[Major Nikon]

113. No, you just quote right wing sources, namely the Daily Caller

They (and you by proxy) are quoting Reich's total compensation which is far higher than what his professorship earns. Reich was also a board member at the time Carson's rag quoted the figure. Also as anyone who has ever been to graduate school knows, professors spend far more time working off the podium than on, so the idea that he's only working only 4 hours per week is just stupid. Reich makes no where near the top salary paid to his peers. If you're going to have a graduate school and you want to attract top talent, you're going to have to pay 6 figures. Reich could easily make more money in the private sector.

So what you are is someone who carries water for Tucker Fucking Carson, and like Tucker Fucking Carson, factual is what you are not.

[ms liberty]

119. This right here.

Thanks Major Nikon!

[Kalidurga]

58. Why do you hate rich people?

[dorkzilla]

66. LOL!!!!!!!

AHahahahahahahaaaaa. Beautiful. fuck, my cheeks hurt.

[OrwellwasRight]

132. Lives off the "taxpayer teat"?

Disrespect public servants much? What a disgustingly ugly thing to come out of the mouth of a Democrat.

[beam me up scottie]

21. Bern!

[Bubzer]

23. Ummm.... GOOD! Teacher's and experts bring far more value to our country than CEOs do.

I would happily endorse teachers getting paid 100k per year.

[Impedimentus]

27. Right On !!!

[MaggieD]

32. Not ones that work 4 hrs per week for $250k

He teaches one class and gets paid nearly $250k. He's the perfect fucking example of why tuition is so damn high.

[Bubzer]

38. Thats a GOP talking point you just put out there. Speaking fees having nothing to do with tuition.

I'm glad he got paid $250k. More EXPERTS SHOULD get paid what they're worth... teachers are woefully underpaid consistently... so that Robert got paid $250k for a speech just means the schools are catching up on what they really owe him, as far as I'm concerned.

[MaggieD]

44. No, that's what they pay him to be a professor

And he teaches one fucking class.

[Bubzer]

62. Glad they've chosen to make up for some of the pay they should have been paying him all those years.

[MaggieD]

65. Huh?

He's always been paid that much by them. You're paying it. Wise up.

[Bubzer]

71. Good! It's about damn time a teacher made more than a CEO.

[Bluenorthwest]

76. And it's what Hillary gets for one speech of under one hour. What he gets for a year long class.

You understand that 250K a year is a very good salary, while 250K a day is astronomical. When you hear a film star gets $20 for a film that took three months to shoot that's 250K a day, Hillary's rate for a Corporate speech give or take. Reich's yearly is a daily for Hillary and like, Jennifer Lawrence.

[brett_jv]

134. Presumably you meant $20,000,000, rather than $20 ... yeah?

[jillan]

70. And there he goes ---- under the bus.

[Impedimentus]

14. Robert Reich talks the talk and walks the walk. Krugman talks the talk and ...

then walks to Hillary's open arms, hoping to be Sec. of Treasury one day.

Thank you Robert Reich.

[ejbr]

15. Exceptionally written.

Glad to have you, sir.

[Uncle Joe]

17. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, jillan.

[book_worm]

22. Nice endorsement but not really a surprise--frankly I thought he already had

endorsed Bernie.

[kgnu_fan]

24. K&R

[PatrickforO]

25. All right Robert Reich! I've loved your books and articles,

and now I love your endorsement!

Go Bernie!

[whatchamacallit]

33. I got rec 100 cuz it's 100% awesome!

[onecaliberal]

34. This is a big fucking deal.

[tblue]

36. He was the best part of the Bill C admin

Robert Reich is the reason I pretty much trusted Clinton.

[WillyT]

37. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[appalachiablue]

42. Excellent! Thank you Robert Reich.

K & R

[AzDar]

46. Awesome!

[IDemo]

49. My favorite Reich video from 10 years ago shows why he supports Bernie now

[Jefferson23]

51. Thank you, Robert! n/t

[George II]

64. It's "Official"? He did that months ago - I've been spammed by Reich since December begging....

...for money for Sanders.

[valerief]

67. I keep saying he s/b the VP! nt

[Jack Rabbit]

69. This is good and pleasing news

I hope Bernie appoints his Secretary of the Treasury.

[autonomous]

73. kick

[jillan]

83. What an amazing picture! Love that <3

[autonomous]

88. isnt it? love how the artist made it nice and BLUE, like Reich :-)

[jwirr]

74. Absolutely love that man. Both of them.

[Live and Learn]

75. K&R nt

[azmom]

78. Bernie is the agent of change we need.

The status quo is not sustainable.

[SoapBox]

80. K & R!

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

87. This shouldn't be a surprise, yes?

[pacalo]

89. Robert Reich is one of the few political figures of our time

to impress my husband. He's way up there on my husband's list.

[ebayfool]

91. Aren't you supposed to post 'I proudly stand with ...' ?

LOL - that one just irritates no end when I see it strutted out! Sorry!

I'm damn happy to see this so TY Robert Reich & TY jillan for bringing it here!

Rec'd!

[jillan]

94. Lol - I seriously thought about it.

[JDPriestly]

95. K&R. Great news.

[Oldtimeralso]

98. I had an opportunity to meet Robert Reich

I had a 15 minute conversation and wished that he had more time as I was greatly impressed with his views on the economy.

[jillan]

100. How lucky for you! He's such an interesting man. I'm a huge fan.

[retrowire]

102. KnR even though I thought it was already so! lol nt

[TryLogic]

108. "I believe Bernie Sanders is the agent of change this nation so desperately needs."

THIS NATION SO DESPERATELY NEEDS !!!

THIS NATION SO DESPERATELY NEEDS !!

THIS NATION SO DESPERATELY NEEDS !!

THIS NATION SO DESPERATELY NEEDS !!

THIS NATION SO DESPERATELY NEEDS !!

[SoLeftIAmRight]

110. SO DESPERATELY NEEDS

...

[RufusTFirefly]

109. He first met Hillary when she was at Wellesley

Apparently he hasn't known her long enough to fully appreciate her.

[AtomicKitten]

111. k/r great endorsement!

[liberal_at_heart]

112. K&R

[Lazy Daisy]

114. I like his saying

Hillary is the most qualified candidate for the government we have
Bernie is the most qualified candidate for the government we want



It about says it all right there

[Mbrow]

116. k&R

[Enthusiast]

117. Kicked and recommended to the Max!

Thank you, Robert Reich! Thank you, jillan!

[cantbeserious]

118. Compelling Wisdom - Vs - Disheartening Cynicism - The Choice Is Clear

eom

[raouldukelives]

120. K&R nt

[Jitter65]

121. Nothing new here. He has been a Clinton hater even while serving in his cabinet. nt

[lonestarnot]

122. But of course. I would not expect less. He is a very smart man.

[BlueMTexpat]

123. I deeply respect

Robert Reich and never realistically thought that he would endorse anyone other then Bernie for the primaries - if he endorsed at all.

But I am still voting for Hillary!

[Babel_17]

124. Another endorsement I actually care about

[ghostsinthemachine]

126. Exactly.

Love RR.

[JustAMaverick]

127. Gratified

I had my doubts about Mr. Reich and his ties to the Clintons and the establishment. I always loved his speeches, but he would never quite go far enough in his condemnations nor his solutions. But he is a changed man these days and I for one am grateful for having him on our side. Robert, you make the right choice and I respect you for it.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

128. Love his white board bits....

He's going to be quite a production asset.

[Plucketeer]

129. K&R

WE get the good ones - not the phonies!

[The Midway Rebel]

131. Cool!