Completely cynical outlook for Bernie

[wysimdnwyg]

I am not, in ANY way, suggesting Sanders is about to drop out of the race. (Or that he should.) I still firmly believe he will stay in until after the first four contests at the very least. However, given recent polling, it's becoming more apparent that this is going to come down to Biden vs Warren and everyone else is going to be well behind come Super Tuesday.

Is it possible today's health scare, along with associated canceled appearances and ad buys, would be used by Sanders and his team as his best opportunity to bow out with as much grace and dignity as possible? He would take no hit to his reputation, and his followers would be able to hold very little (if anything) against the eventual nominee. This in contrast to 2016 where many viewed Bernie as, at best, hedging his bets (and some as all but stating his preference for Stein), while many of his backers followed the Bernie or Bust flag and ended up denouncing the Democratic party for their "favoritism" and "rigging" the primary.

Again, I don't think he will quit now, but if he did, it may be his best way out. What do others think?

[TidalWave46]

1. Silver lining during a difficult time.

[wasupaloopa]

2. You do not know it will be Biden vs Warren. It is way too early to predict that.

I think no predictions can be made until after Super Tuesday.

Biden or Warren could drop out for any number of reasons such as health. All are in their 70's.

I am 73 and in good health but I never know what could be happening in my body that I am not now aware of.

[wysimdnwyg]

5. Of course I don't KNOW it will be Biden v Warren

But that's certainly what the polling trends strongly suggest. And since this is a hypothetical discussion, I think it's a fair assumption (for the purposes of the discussion).

[wasupaloopa]

16. It irritates me to read what you posted. It's like "well game over, all others go home."

I think that Kamala Harris is waiting in the wings. Mayor Pete is very impressive. It seems a bit arrogant for Biden and Warren folks to act like the election is theirs to lose.

What you see in polls today is a snap shot in time. Not a predictor of the future. So no it is not a fair assumption.

[wysimdnwyg]

18. "suggest" "hypothetical" "assumption"

Are those words not equivocal enough? What would you like me to say? As of TODAY, the polling SUGGESTS, that PERHAPS, MAYBE, HYPOTHETICALLY, it MAY come down to those two. Of course it's not set in stone, and no one is suggesting it's either Biden or Warren's to lose. (At least I'm not.) But based on where we are today, trends in polling, his health, etc., I asked a question about what people think. It's fine that you believe the hypothetical basis for the discussion is flawed, but please don't assume I think for a second things can't change and someone else - maybe even someone not even IN the race yet - may come in and win. It's happened before (Obama) and will very likely happen again at some point. But it makes for a weird question to start with a basis of "I have no idea what's going to happen, so I think this or that should happen for this one candidate in particular".

[peggysue2]

3. I really don't see Bernie Sanders quitting

As I said in an earlier post (though I'm no Sanders fan), no one can dispute the man's persistence. He will push this to the max, get back on the trail as quickly as possible. Will he take the doctors' advice to slow it down? Probably not.

I just don't see him begging out for any reason short of death.

But then, I've been wrong before.

[highplainsdem]

4. I'd prefer to skip the cynicism while he's recuperating.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. +1000

I'm disgusted by the OP.

[wysimdnwyg]

17. I'm sorry

No, I'm not sorry I posted what I believe is a fair question. I'm just sorry I offended your delicate sensibilities. I learned a long time ago that not everyone will agree with me or with what I think is acceptable.

[Dennis Donovan]

20. Timing is everything

...your timing is lacking. And my sensibilities are hardly delicate.

[Blue_true]

32. Your post was fair. I agree that if Bernie used his health situation to drop out,

his supporters would still love him and likely would rally behind the democrat that he throws his support to.

I seriously believe that given his age, such a serious health scare makes it even less likely that he will become our nominee than before the health scare.

Him dropping out and throwing his support behind another democratic candidate would be a way for him to push the race in the direction that he wants to see it go.

[wysimdnwyg]

35. Thank you

I’ll admit, Dennis Donavon has a point about timing, but rest assured I would absolutely not have started this thread if I thought there were serious concerns about his immediate health. That said, I do believe it’s not only a fair question, but one that I expect we will be hearing a lot in the coming days. Is it cynical? Hell yes, and admitting that was how I started the thing.

To be perfectly clear, I like Bernie, I strongly believe he is good for the party (whether he calls himself a Democrat or not), and I would be sorry to see him bow out. But this seems to me like the most graceful way to get out, if he chooses to do so. (Or if his doctors suggest it’s necessary.) And like you say, it would give him the chance to steer his supporters toward the candidate, other than himself, he feels would be best at bringing his message to the country.

[oasis]

7. I certainly won't hold it against him if he drops out before the primaries.

[Mr.Bill]

12. He has an important role to play in the Senate,

as do all the Senators running for the nomination.

[oasis]

14. True that! nt

[aikoaiko]

8. Bernie will stay in as long as his supporters provide the support.

Or health issues, but his a beast for a guy in his 70s

[Uncle Joe]

23. +1

[Mr.Bill]

9. Sanders will stay in until the convention.

I have Sanders supporters in my family who say they will vote for him if he's dead. And they're serious.

[brush]

10. It's not in his nature to bow out. He's taking it all he way to the convention and...

afterwards as he did in 2016. He just got a 25m fundraising boost for the last quarter so he's not going anywhere.

[ritapria]

11. It didn't take long before the Bernie Bashing to resume

Is he faking a heart attack and using this as an excuse to get out of the race with his dignity in tact ? … Reality : The other 19 candidates , not just Bernie, are flailing away because the Mainstream Media have joined the Warren Campaign …..Perhaps they are right : She's the best ...For the sake of our country , I hope they're right

[wysimdnwyg]

13. Faking it?

I'm not sure where you got that, but if you think I meant he's faking a heart attack as an excuse, you are VERY mistaken. Some may not like that I broached a delicate subject, but it was done in good faith. I like Bernie - hell, I VOTED for him in 2016. But asking if his advisers may convince him to make the best of a bad situation (his health, slowly dropping poll numbers) is fair, even if it is a bit cold.

[LanternWaste]

15. Who is alleging Sanders faked it?

Or is your allegation something you simply "heard somewhere from someone..."?


i.e., "Plenty of Vanity , Not Very Fair"

[ritapria]

19. You remember my Vanity Fair Line ?

I am flattered …..Let me clarify …..Seizing and possibly exaggerating the heart incident as an excuse to depart the campaign - with his dignity in tact …… Cynical Indeed

[ehrnst]

22. Can you clarify for those of us who don't know what your "Vanity Fair Line" was?

[Bradshaw3]

27. Quoting previous posts from multiple posters?

Obsessions like these are not good for fruitful discussions. You can quote me on that.

[ehrnst]

21. Do tell us who said he was "faking a heart attack."

straw man
/ˌstrô ˈman/
noun
1.
an intentionally misrepresented proposition that is set up because it is easier to defeat than an opponent's real argument.

Attacking a strawman doesn't help one's credibility.

[cwydro]

37. I haven't seen or heard that anywhere.

Bizarre.

[TidalWave46]

24. People are claiming he is faking it?

Guess it's true. You can find anything on the internet. Thanks for the facts.

[ehrnst]

41. Still can't tell us who said he was "faking a heart attack?"

[peggysue2]

25. Faking it, really?

I hadn't read that anywhere. On twitter, perhaps?

Doesn't even make sense. How do you fake a double stent surgery?

That suggestion is what I call cynical. Also cruel.

[Hoyt]

26. Heck, now that he's been tested and repaired, he's probably in better condition.

And I’m not for him (or Warren), mainly because of their America First, Economic Patriotism junk and a few other ideologies — like Medicare for All, whether you want it or not — that I think will hurt us in General Election.

But, the ideas need to be heard and considered.

[emmaverybo]

28. Stents are pretty common. If all goes well he can be up and at em for years. And soon too.

[Bradshaw3]

29. The procedure usually isn't a big deal

That's just from my experience. A week later I was back exercising. Of course each person and situation is different, but I expect he will be back campaigning soon.

[Blue_true]

33. The idea of having stints in my chest scares me crapless.

If I was a Bernie supporter, I would not be able to vote for him in a primary after what happened. A lot of my reservation would go back to how I view a heart condition (that would scare me more than a cancer diagnosis).

[subana]

30. for someone his age

having heart surgery & running for president at the same time seems like an impossible task!
I don't know if he would quit but if he has considered quitting, now would be the time to do it.

Bernie's fans could find someone else to support. He emerged as the leader of the left but he's not the only one. If they really care about the issues & not just the man, they could find someone else to support.

Even if he won the primary, it would be very difficult to elect someone of his age with a heart condition.

[Blue_true]

34. I think his rational supporters that are left will quickly rally behind who Bernie

throws his support behind. Sadly, I don't see him taking this chance to exit the race.

[subana]

36. knowing Bernie I think you're right! n/t

[MFM008]

31. I wish the senator well

My dad had a five way bypass and died of heart issues,
my mom died of heart failure.
I dont wish that suffering on anyone.......................except well, you know who...
Senator you need to rest, take it easy, take a vacation to your happy place.

[Eric J in MN]

38. Bernie Sanders refused to even take phone calls from Jill Stein.

Bernie endorsed Hillary Clinton before the convention, at the convention, and after the convention.

[wysimdnwyg]

40. This is absolutely true

But you wouldn't know it to listen to some people. There were many who suggested Sanders may have even encouraged his backers to vote for Stein, regardless of what really happened, which you stated concisely and accurately.

[MineralMan]

39. I can't, and won't, predict what Bernie Sanders will do.

None of us can, so we shouldn't.