2 thoughts in one thread (not in the least bit related).

[Motown_Johnny]

#1) Is it possible that BLM was planning on using disruption tactics on all the major Presidential candidates and just picked who they thought was the easiest target first?

If so, I think it was smart to do Bernie first. They did it at an event that was not one of his rallies, so that may have made the event an easier target. Bernie gave up the mic without a fight, one might even say politely (something a nut like Trump has sworn never to do). He also responded quickly in his messaging, his staffing and the issues addressed on his website. This success got them some media coverage and helped them refine their tactics.

Then they tried a Clinton event, but with her security that may be extremely difficult. They did get some kind of meeting with her out of it, so at least that was something. We will need to see if her campaign makes any changes because of it.

Then they tried J.E.B. and pretty much made him look foolish. He is now in a tough spot and it will be interesting to see how he responds.

As a Bernie supporter I am not crazy about the negative news cycles because of the BLM protesters, but I can see why they would pick him first. I think you need to admire their strategy even if your candidate was on the wrong end of it.



#2) Why is the country now responding to the message Bernie has had for 40 years?

After the Great Depression this country made some huge changes. These can be described as "Socialist" in nature. Social Security being an obvious example, but the society as a whole moved away from the form of Capitalism that had been in place and toward a blended economic system. I think similar social pressures are now in place after the Great Recession. I honestly believe that a majority of our society now wants to move away from the Reagan economic theory that has predominated economic policies for over 30 years. We are now finally waking up to what Bernie has been saying for so long simply because it is a natural response to the economic calamity that we have just endured.

[questionseverything]

1. on your second thought

i think obama paved the way for bernie...people wanted socialized medical.....medical is just too big for individuals to handle by themselves kind of like roads and bridges

i favor a mix of capitalism and socialism

capitalism for the things we want

socialism for the things we need

[djean111]

2. #2) Why is the country now responding to the message Bernie has had for 40 years?

Because now the economic downturn affects a LOT more people.

Because the internet has helped people to find things out for themselves, and not make decisions based on TV ads and shiny mailers.
Because people have access to more than network TV and newspapers. They can see the crowds, they can listen to the campaign speeches more easily, they can dig around for their own information.
Because the younger generation does not accept that "this is just the way things work".
Because the internet has helped people find other like-minded people. (For political purposes, people!)
The internet just may bleed off some of the power of Big Money, too. I likely will not see any political ads, and I toss the political stuff that comes in the mail. Except my Bernie bumper sticker, of course!
And people can donate directly to their candidate, quickly and easily, too.
I think the old campaign election paradigms might be breaking apart at the seams. I hope so.

[eridani]

3. What happened was that Sanders deferred to the decision of 2 members of the Social Security

--Works coalition, as was entirely appropriate. Glad that more people are getting that the event was NOT a Sanders event.

It certainly makes sense to target a candidate that holds (and attends) open public events first.