2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumYou need 2383 delegates to win the nomination. Until one of our candidates reaches that number
PLEASE STOP suggesting one of them drops out of the race.
Unless of course you do not believe in the right to vote.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democratic_Party_presidential_primaries,_2016
edited - demand was too strong of a word.
gwheezie
(3,580 posts)For one to drop out. It's not at that point.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)Win or lose the nomination, every dollar Bernie raises, every person inspired to play an active part in the campaign, every delegate won, helps disprove the notion that universal health care, billionaires tax, and so on, are "toxic" topics that democrats must avoid at all costs.
Inside the beltway, too many of them are certain that raising "socialist" ideas will bring the wrath of... well someone.. down on them. Bernie's campaign is showing them that what "comes down" is masses of money and a well-spring of energetic support. Seeing the real consequences of raising "socialist" ideas can help put some spine back into them... Well, perhaps not actual spine, perhaps just enlightened self-interest (Maybe I could rally some support and raise more money for reelection if I were bolder? Hmmm.)
Win or lose, change doesn't get done without the hard work of people across this country. His campaign is bringing in the "troops" needed for the fights ahead: winning back Congress in 2018; lobbying them to push through Medicare for all... If he drops out, any states that haven't voted yet will lose out because the people on the ground will have the wind knocked out of their sails.
No, he should not drop out. Not as long as there are people on the ground who want to fight for what he stands for. He owes it to us to stay in through the convention. And he owes it to us to inspire us to continue the battle, whoever ends up in the White House.
gwheezie
(3,580 posts)And please note I said nothing about it being Bernie, because even though I support Hillary there are a lot of states to go and you never know. So if there's a point where it's Hillary that has no chance, and she still has many supporters who are right behind her, you will not post here that she should drop out?
If it's really close, I can understand staying in until the convention, for either of them but if it's very one sided then the losing candidate might make the decision to support the choice of democrats and fall in line behind the party to get the GE fight going.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)I wouldn't want to see either of them drop out on 'the figures,' unless they had no intention -- or little chance --of harnessing what they've built through the campaign to continue the fight for fairness.
And frankly, the fight for practicality isn't particularly inspiring.
LonePirate
(13,424 posts)Wanting HRC to be indicted and explaining math to Bernie supporters does not constitute asking a candidate to drop out.
Hydra
(14,459 posts)And should withdraw for the good of the party.
More tellingly, many threads objecting to this demand have been locked.
Someone must think there's something there if they are trying to shut it down.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)OP shouldn't be so touchy. Bernie should continue. However, he is increasing his criticism of Hillary, and THAT is not good for progressivism. At some point he will have to switch from undermining our future nominee to focus on promoting progressivism and his vision for our way forward.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)We see the meme in one form or another several times a day.
metroins
(2,550 posts)I just think Sanders/Supporters should drop the attacks except on policies.
A healthy debate is good.
Posting links from freerepublic, RW email/benghazi talking points and alluding to a charitable foundation are not helpful.
I don't mind the race, it's just the attacks are beneath our party.
MADem
(135,425 posts)But once they cannot -- mathematically -- reach that figure, the smart thing to do is move towards unity.
JonLeibowitz
(6,282 posts)Anyway, if Sanders is running to the left of Clinton, what's the harm in getting all the votes in and building enthusiasm? I don't buy the argument that running a campaign to her left is giving fodder to the Republicans for the general election -- they're campaigning far to her right.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)... and there is plenty of time for unity after the nomination.
The campaign itself has value far greater than just "reach{ing} that figure."
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=1423882
roguevalley
(40,656 posts)Contrary1
(12,629 posts)Hillary Clinton - May 24, 2008: "My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right?. We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don't understand it."
FreedomRain
(413 posts)And it not even close to that point yet. sure threads have been locked, the panic is really getting out of hand. Might be easier to lock threads suggesting anyone should drop out.
Going all the way to the convention is smart even if the loss is a foregone conclusion, for many reasons. Here are some:
- Influence on Party platform statements.
- Insurance in case of some political or personal disaster to the front runner, at least we will have a nominee ready to go.
- Airtime for the candidate or cause for future and down-ticket contests.
- Airtime for the front runner of the party that they wouldn't have otherwise; having a foil would give the media a reason to give the frontrunner another chance to reach undecideds.
- Using up campaign donations in the manner best fitted to fulfill the implied contract with--and the intentions of--the donors.
TLDR: Hillary still has a slim chance; she should stay in the contest.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)FreedomRain
(413 posts)very good points there
highprincipleswork
(3,111 posts)JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)Anything can happen. Live long enough, and you will realize that.
Let the entire primary season play out. Let us in California vote on June 7. Don't shut any candidate down until every last vote is counted.
Just reaching the maximum number of delegate votes does not decide the convention's outcome.
I do not want to start talking about what can happen because I hope nothing unusual happens, but don't count on everything going as it should.
We all get to vote, and the candidates should stay in until the end.
pat_k
(9,313 posts)winter is coming
(11,785 posts)"prepare for the GE" is ludicrous. There will be months of time after the convention for a general election season.
DCBob
(24,689 posts)In fact I think he already know he cant win but wants to keep his message out there hopefully have some influence at the convention.
Kaleva
(36,309 posts)Alfresco
(1,698 posts)PyaarRevolution
(814 posts)So I'm going to say no.
JaneyVee
(19,877 posts)Unifying the base up and down ticket.
winter is coming
(11,785 posts)although they will be better able to target their criticisms after the Republican nominee has been determined. Given how unhappy the GOP party leadership seems to be with Trump, that might not be until after their convention, months from now.
As for "unifying the base", if you don't spend months alienating the base, you won't need 8 months to unify it.