What does the Hillary camp mean by "disqualify?"

[morningfog]

It doesn't seem to mean "secure the nomination" or "mathematically eliminate" Bernie. What does disqualify mean to them?

[RobertEarl]

1. Claiming he's not a Democrat

It may have an effect on the old establishment Dems, but none on those who are sick and tired of old politics.

[highprincipleswork]

3. Little late in the day for that, don't you think?

[RobertEarl]

6. It may have some effect

I know an old establishment type whose only argument is just that.

NY being a closed primary makes it a better sell.

Our reply may be that Bernie is the type of new Democrat that is most like the old FDR.

[blm]

2. It means they're running on stupid fumes.

Seriously, some on that campaign team are really being shortsighted.

[thesquanderer]

4. It probably means to convince people he is not qualified for the job.

Whether by virtue of his not being a "real" democrat, or of not being sufficiently versed on the issues, (those being today's two attempts, apparently), and I guess we'll soon see what else.

[morningfog]

10. Disqualify sounds more rule-based to me.

[GreatGazoo]

15. I agree that it sounds that way, especially after AZ

and other closed primaries.

But I do think they mean 'portray him as not ready for POTUS' since that is the gist of recent attacks. Poor choice of words and even poorer choice of tactics.

[Arkansas Granny]

5. I've not seen mention of disqualifying Bernie.

Do you have a link?

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

7. It was said on CNN last night a little bit after they called it for Sanders.

[Arkansas Granny]

8. So, what did CNN say? Did they say how or why?

[GeorgiaPeanuts]

9. No it was someone with the Clinton Camp...

They just said the campaign is rolling out a new strategy now where they will first disqualify, then defeat Sanders campaign, and worry about party unity later.. (paraphrasing, but it is close to the quote)

edit: found a video

[frylock]

13. You forgot the part about destroying Sanders.

[geek tragedy]

11. make him look unfit for the office, not up to the job, not someone who should

be President, not having the appropriate temperament.

In certain parts of New York City (e.g. Borough Park), it will also mean "can't be trusted to protect Israel."

Local pols are all (a) on Hillary's side and (b) motivated to deliver a big win here for her. The more votes they deliver locally, the better off their careers are gonna go.

So she's going to have plenty of people--people who have credibility on the issues with their constituents--delivering these attacks for her.

It's not going to be pretty. Far tamer than on the Republican side, but for people who admire Senator Sanders and are pulling for him, it's going to be nauseating.

[morningfog]

16. I know it's going to be rough. Hope he's prepared to rebut.

[TSIAS]

12. From examples I've witnessed

The most obvious one was Dukakis. Lee Atwater and the Bush campaign made the idea that Dukakis could be commander-in-chief unpalatable to many people.

On a lesser extent was Bush vs. Kerry. While many people did not like Bush, they were able to portray Kerry as weak and unfit for the office.

This tactic always seems to be used by the candidate who isn't all that popular themselves, and find the best way to win is simply to cast the opponent as anathema to the role of president.

[nadinbrzezinski]

14. Going to the begining of this

and using those very popular talking points first floated here, that Sanders is not a democrat. It is simple The rest of the TP you will soon see deployed. I even expect some good old fashioned anti-Semitism. If you have a long memory for 2008, that is your best road guide to this.