Why are people still complaining about some Bernie supporters?

[Onlooker]

I just don't get it. Bernie energized and modernized the Democratic Party. If it wasn't for Bernie, Hillary would have run a dull, cautious campaign as the anointed one. If it was for Bernie, Hillary probably would have staked out boring more moderate positions. If it wasn't for Bernie, Hillary might have been trying to appeal to more conservative voters more than millennials.

Bernie and his supporters not only brought in tens of thousands if not millions of young people to the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, he also energized Democrats in rural states and conservative white states. He helped lay the groundwork for the rise of a Democratic Party that has been losing statehouse after statehouse, local election after local election. And he forced the Democrats to put on the greatest Convention ever because they had to contend with the many challenges his supporters presented. If it wasn't for the disruptors, there would have been a lot less cheering and a lot softer cheering for Hillary at the Convention!

And what's the price paid? A very small number of people who are anarchistic or to the far left of the Democratic Party, a small group who are can't let go of their anger and resentment (some legitimate), and a few who will vote for third parties.

I don't know the numbers, but my guess is that for every Bernie supporter who is an anarchist, a Jill Stein supporter, or a true Hillary hater, there are perhaps 1,000 who are with her. And many of them are new voters, who might not have otherwise voted if it wasn't for Bernie and his activists. And among those Bernie supporters who are with her are many who will work hard, generate excitement, and give the Democrats a real shot at retaking the Congress.

Sure, a small number of Bernie supporters are jerks, but if Bernie had won the nomination, we'd probably see some of that from some Hillary supporters too.

So, let's drop the umbrage, and thank Bernie and his supporters for their magnificent effort, and let's stop looking for the handful of Bernie supporters who are "troublemakers." We are united.

[Tal Vez]

1. There should be no hostility.

People will figure things out for themselves. I don't believe that I can help anyone who prefers a President Trump to a President Clinton.

[frazzled]

2. You lost me at "the Democrat Party"

Nice try, though. Next time, make sure your slip isn't showing.

And by the way, we weren't talking about Sanders supporters. We were talking about Sanders DELEGATES: people slated and vetted by the campaign (or who should have been) who were elected as official representatives by Bernie supporters , who obviously don't know what they're voting for.

[guillaumeb]

3. The post actually says "Democratic Party". eom

[frazzled]

25. Not when I read and replied

I stand by what I said.

[Ken Burch]

41. It's been corrected, so your anger is no longer justified.

Besides, at meetings of MY local Democratic group, I had to correct long-standing members(most of whom would go on to be HRC supporters this year)when THEY called it "the Democrat Party".

It was clearly an innocent mistake on the OP's part.

[frazzled]

49. Wha????

You think I have telepathic powers to mind-read that something will change in the future? I read it accurately, I rightfully criticized. I went out for the evening. I can only imagine the OP changed in response to my criticism, and I doubt the original nomenclature was innocent. The entire post was just an excuse to get some Hillary Hate in.

But my main point, which of course you can't refute, is that the OP referred to criticisms of Sanders supporters. They were not supporters being criticized. They were delegates, as witnessed by many. He didn't bother to vet those representing him, and he was too weak to control them. I can't imagine this counts as leadership.

But Bernie Sanders is no longer a topic of interest. He's back to being the Independent senator from the state of Vermont. I don't know why people keep posting threads. The primary ended two months ago. It's time to MOVE ON. The whining and excuses have gone on for over a year. Enough is enough.

[GulfCoast66]

50. I totally agree with all your points about Bernie's delegates

Their campaign allowed way too may anarchist, greens and assholes to be delegates. We really should have not allowed any of those green shirt dipshits into the building. It was not a public forum, but a private event. But in the end it worked out. The whole USA, USA thing by democrats totally freaked out our opponents and perhaps we can finally reclaim the mantle of the true patriotic party. Where we love America and all Americans and are willing to sacrifice for the common good.

But, and you knew there was a But coming! Very few run of the mill democrats know the correct name of our party. If we denigrate them when they use it incorrectly we really are not doing our cause any favors. In a way, we are acting like the Sander's crazies. Use the incorrect name and you are a troll. I am an older guy and posting things on the internet is not easy for me. If one of the first times I posted here I had been called out for a grammar error, I might not have been back.

I am not attacking you, just bringing a different perspective. I think we agree on most things. And I hope you, like me think this has been a great 2 weeks. Best Democratic convention I have ever seen and the republican one was straight out of the 1840's.

Have a great weekend. If it is your weekend. I work tomorrow)-:

[Ken Burch]

56. No, I don't expect you to be telepathic.

Given that the OP used the word "Democratic" three other times, it was clearly an honest mistake.

And it's silly reference Bernie's pre-primary party status as a reason to still discount him.

His campaign made a massive difference.

He didn't get nominated, but we are in much better shape as a party and in a much more hopeful situation as a country because of the Sanders movement, which began as a campaign but will continue as a mass organization of people of good will fighting for a better America and for the world we need.

Can you please stop belittling it? There was nothing bad here.

[Onlooker]

7. You could always print out an image of them and put a big X through it ...

... if that would make you feel better. I said Democratic Party 3x, but you found my one typo and took umbrage to that. (I corrected it.) And, Sanders delegates are Sanders supporters, and the vast majority of them were great. They will be important to the future of the Democratic Party.

[dflprincess]

53. I don't know how delegates are elected where you live

but where I am they are not "slated and vetted" by the campaign (Clinton's or Sanders'). They run for the position at the Congressional District and State Conventions and the delegates attending those conventions elect them. Anyone can put themselves up to run as a delegate, the only requirement is that they are delegates or alternates to the CD or State Conventions.

[frazzled]

57. We elect them directly by ballot at the primary, separately from the candidates

We could pick nine (if I recall), and exactly nine for each candidate were listed. They were clearly approved by their respective campaigns.

But even when delegates are elected at state conventions, campaigns that are smart work behind the scenes to make sure the delegate candidates are "real" supporters with track records of involvement.

[dflprincess]

68. I don't think campaigns have ever been able to that here

it generally is a free for all though not as much in the past as it was this year -- way more people running than there were slots for (for both campaigns). And too many of the people elected had no clue how they were going to pay for the trip to Philadelphia even though the DFL had stressed that it would cost several thousand dollars.

This is pretty much how it's been every time we elect national delegates, though never have so many run and been elected to go with so few votes, or for that matter, have so many "newbies" been elected.

There were long time party activists who were shut out on both sides, which was too bad as they a) really had earned it after all the years of working for the party and candidates (that seems to be an unpopular sentiment these days) and b) could be counted on to be there after the convention even if their candidate wasn't the nominee and c)could afford to go.

[Haveadream]

4. This is not helpful

If it wasn't for Bernie, Hillary would have run a dull, cautious campaign as the anointed one. If it was for Bernie, Hillary probably would have staked out boring more moderate positions.

[progressoid]

15. Might not be helpful.

But it is true.

[Haveadream]

17. You are mistaken but it is best not to refight the primary

We have our candidate!

[Barack_America]

39. So the constructive criticism to stay Left is even more important!

[Cha]

59. And, such a Wonderful Experienced Candidate she is! Hillary did this on her own.

USA!! USA!! :

[Cha]

58. In addtition.. It's totally Not true. Hillary Won on her with Her Brilliant TEAM.

USA!! USA!! Haveadream~

[Haveadream]

64. Mahalo, Cha!

Yes, Hillary's vision is brilliant. We are so fortunate to have her as our next President!!

USA, USA, USA, USA!!!

HILLARY!!!

[guillaumeb]

5. Recommended. Very well said. eom

[B Calm]

6. The ones complaning are exactly like the MSNBC reporters running around the DNC stirring up shit.

They are NOT interested one bit in uniting the party.

[sufrommich]

10. Yeah,it's the Hillary supporters running around stirring shit.

[B Calm]

12. Never said that. Just the ones that are still fighting the primary.

[sheshe2]

20. And this, suf.

And he forced the Democrats to put on the greatest Convention ever because they had to contend with the many challenges his supporters presented. If it wasn't for the disruptors, there would have been a lot less cheering and a lot softer cheering for Hillary at the Convention!

Bless them for booing a progressive such as Elijah Cummings speaking out on Black Lives. They showed their priorities? What about the priorities of Black Lives Mattering. Puerile display of some tone deaf protestors who make a mockery of what Bernie stands for. He asked them to desist and they booed him.

[Chasstev365]

28. Yes: Give it a rest! 90 % of us will support Hillary, so why the lingering aggression?

[sheshe2]

38. Could it be because you are so continuingly being so aggressive to us?

Just a thought.

[Chasstev365]

46. Both sides have been aggressive, myself included.

However, it's time to heal and united against Trump. I've moved on; don't know why others can't

I had a post recently imploring the Bernie holdouts to stop and think about what helping Trump would do to to country. I'm tired of fighting a primary season that's over and wish the few determined to provoke others on DU would just stop.

[sheshe2]

48. They don't want to.

Some are not Dems. That is a fact.

[SirBrockington]

8. "If it wasn't for Bernie, Hillary would have run a dull, cautious campaign as the anointed one."

basically this is an attack thread disguised as something else.

[sheshe2]

22. Sadly, it is not disquised at all. nt

[LiberalLovinLug]

36. And not untrue

Trying to complete with the three ring circus of the RNC and Trump, Bernie, if nothing else helped create a story and a buzz for the Democratic base as well as the MSM

[Onlooker]

32. I supported Hillary ...

... early on, I supported Bernie, but switched to Hillary well before she wrapped it up, and was banned from DU for a month because of my fierce support for her. But, I have no illusions. If it wasn't for Sanders she would have run a cautious campaign. In fact, that is exactly what she was doing until Bernie became a threat. And only by responding to that threat did she become the candidate I could support.

But, I am so tired of some Hillary supporters doing exactly what Bernie supporters were doing, seeking out like you did at every opportunity ways to take umbrage with. Well, exit polls showed that 3% of conservatives voted for Obama in 2008, so the reality is that in any campaign there will be some people who don't come on board. We don't need to waste our time focusing on a handful of people when the fact is there are so many Bernie supporters who have come around and Bernie himself, by all accounts, went the extra mile, with his staff directly coordinating with the Clinton campaign, to quell the unrest. And the fact is the Convention went great. So, why are some Hillary supporters so desperately giving so much attention to the few holdouts, when there is so much good news to celebrate? I don't get it. I think it's destructive to the goodwill that has been built.

[Ken Burch]

47. I think some of them want an excuse to keep the left out in the cold if HRC wins.

And that a few would rather lose to Trump and then blame the left for that loss than treat the fall campaign as a partnership and a coalition.

The vast majority of HRC supporters are much more positive and reasonable than that, for which I am eminently grateful.

[treestar]

11. Tired of bernie getting credit for everything

Including Hillary winning.

[NCTraveler]

14. Ya notice that, huh? Nt

[FSogol]

18. Seriously. How exactly did Sanders "modernize" the Democratic Party.

[sheshe2]

24. My question too.

Thanks for asking, FSogol.

[NanceGreggs]

19. Yeah, me too!

[KMOD]

21. Indeed.

[sheshe2]

23. Plus 1,000

[Tarheel_Dem]

35. Get out of my head treestar. You're saying exactly what I'm thinking.

[Ken Burch]

45. Equally tired of people insisting that Bernie and his supporters made no difference.

What is the harm in admitting this is a partnership and a coalition.

Seeing it that way can only strengthen us and improve our chances.

HRC herself gets that and clearly doesn't feel threatened by it.

[Cha]

55. Yes, Hillary did this on her own.. she has brilliant people supporting her who ran

a fantastic Campaign.

Hillary did this. How dare they attempt to give credit to anyone else.

Thank you, treestar!

USA!! USA!!

[Maven]

66. Exactly. nt

[DemonGoddess]

69. Me too

Why is it so damn hard to give her credit for some people?

[AgadorSparticus]

73. THIS!!! Needs to be in all caps or something. +1,000

[NCTraveler]

13. Not helpful and pushing numerous assumptions as if they are facts. Nt

[MichiganVote]

16. (1. I don't believe even BS would characterize himself as the sole energy of the Dem party

Once again, I remind you and others who worked with the BS campaign, many, many creative and hard working people contributed to the success of the Dem. convention. They do not deserve to be marginalized by you or anyone else.

(2. I don't believe that BS would say that he alone modernized the Dem. party. It does sound like something that cockroach Trump say. And permit me to remind you that older voters also have marched, protested and so on about wars, incomes, wages and of corruption. These are not new to members of the Democratic party. For those who championed the civil rights era, they were also murdered.

(3. Any assumptions that are made that younger voters from either campaign were not heard, are not appreciated or are in any way, shape, or form irrelevant to the Clinton/Kaine campaign is false.

(4. The only BS supporters that I have seen derided here are those that booed vets, long time civil rights champions or those who attempted to disrupt the very important speeches there were being made, AND PEOPLE WANTED TO LISTEN TO.

[DemonGoddess]

70. Thank you!

[MichiganVote]

71. You bet.

[leftofcool]

26. He forced his convention ideas?

Tell me that you understand that the winner chooses how the convention will be run

[DanTex]

29. "Hillary would have run a dull, cautious campaign as the anointed one."

Because some Bernie supporters say things like that.

[Ken Burch]

43. No, because it's a reasonable assumption.

She has listened and improved. And she herself acknowledged that the Sanders campaign made a difference.

What do you have to lose by agreeing with her on that?

[One of the 99]

30. Because the booed Elijah Cummings

a man who is a hero. What have these spoiled brats ever done but show up at a rally?

[LiberalLovinLug]

31. Great post

I couldn't have said it better

[anamandujano]

33. Why do people keep starting these threads which basically bait Hillary supporters,

then send alerts on us for breaking forum rules? The primary is over. The convention is over. Let it go please.

[Barack_America]

37. Great post. "Inadequate black man".

Anyone else remember Harriet?

[Shankapotomus]

44. You're right

People (myself included) are just nervous about allowing anything to happen that might help Trump.

[joshcryer]

51. The same assholes who denied discussion of her nomination on Reddit?

I should respect them?

[lumberjack_jeff]

65. Depends. Is it more important to win, or have someone to blame for losing? n/t

[joshcryer]

67. Certainly for the Piners it's about to blame.

And not about getting elected.

[jalan48]

52. I think it's a programming glitch.

[lumberjack_jeff]

54. What if the proportions were reversed?

I don't know the numbers, but if for every Sanders supporter who is with her, there were 1000 greens and anarchists? Would it make the need to drop the hate any less urgent?

The point is to win an election, right?

[LaydeeBug]

60. I welcome Bernie Supporters with open arms

but some are hellbent on calling her Killary or insisting she cheated, etc. Sometimes, that causes a flare.

And for those of us in those trenches, we sort of need to balance too.

[Land Shark]

61. Plus it is good for people to know HRC is not "far left" -

Don't people understand that without these folks Hillary would easily be painted falsely as "far left"?

If you're not being attacked from the Left, then you ARE the far left and that is not how she is postioned.

[Lil Missy]

62. Answer: Because some Bernie supporters continue to behave reprehensively.

No sympathy from me. Bernie gets nothing but contempt from me now.

[Gothmog]

63. I was at the convention

The sander campaign was a very poorly organized campaign that did not vet its delegated. There were some reslly instabled idiots in the sanders delegation

[DFW]

72. I left DU for half a year due to a few of those "jerks (more likely Republican plants)."

But I never complained about them. I figured if they were here, they were as welcome as I was. Fair enough.

Allow a few aggressive weeds in to your garden, and they can choke off everything else in it.
I left a choking garden. It appears I returned to a healthy one. Here, again, fair enough.