2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumYglesias: A Clinton Victory Would Give Sanders Increased Influence
And Sanders already has all the reasons he could possibly need to give Clinton his full-throated support.
Thanks to the primaries, Sanders has emerged as a substantial factional leader inside the Democratic Party someone whose statements and tweets will garner media attention, whose email list will be coveted and envied by other Democrats in Congress, and whose support or opposition to a measure will matter to a national constituency. That gives him, potentially, considerably more influence over national affairs than he's had in his previous 25 years in Washington. But essentially all of that influence hinges on Clinton winning the election in November.
Sanders is a relatively senior Democrat, and in that scenario should be in a position to become the chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. (He's currently the top Democrat on the Budget Committee which isn't as important as it sounds, but Patty Murray will likely take over Appropriations with the retirement of Barbara Mikulski, which clears the doors for HELP.) As chair, he'll have influence over legislation, of course, but also the ability to call hearings on whatever subject he likes.
If Sanders can't be president, he'd surely enjoy the opportunity to offer a platform to proponents of expanding Social Security and terrorizing the health care industry.
http://www.vox.com/2016/5/10/11615720/bernie-sanders-will-back-hillary
NWCorona
(8,541 posts)FreakinDJ
(17,644 posts)In reality he is not a sell-out
Joob
(1,065 posts)I do. Go Bernie!
Armstead
(47,803 posts)creeksneakers2
(7,476 posts)It says he'll have influence in Congress.
Armstead
(47,803 posts)pmorlan1
(2,096 posts)If only Bernie will get out look what awaits him....yada...yada....yada....They've tried the stick now they are working on the carrot. This is the 2nd Bull S type piece I've read today doing the same damn thing. Matty you are a hack.
djean111
(14,255 posts)True colors.
whatchamacallit
(15,558 posts)Nice bullshit carrot.
Skwmom
(12,685 posts)Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)She's pivoting to "Megachurch Moms". Didn't you get the memo?
creeksneakers2
(7,476 posts)The people here who are saying you don't are saying that to the people who are saying they won't support the nominee. Its part of a hostility that flows both ways.
You guys matter to Hillary. You matter whether somebody tells you you do or not.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)People like Blumenauer, Newsom, Merkley, etc?
Or Wasserman-Schultz, Patrick Kennedy, and the prohibitionist Governor of Connecticut, who is chairing the committee.
creeksneakers2
(7,476 posts)Platforms are mostly just symbolic.
Warren DeMontague
(80,708 posts)But leadership at the National level needs to start somewhere.
creeksneakers2
(7,476 posts)as a basis for a movement?