Do the Russians want Bernie to win? Not really -- they want Democrats to turn on each other

[applegrove]

Do the Russians want Bernie to win? Not really -- they want Democrats to turn on each other

Whether you support Sanders or someone else, there's a lot you can do to help stop Russian efforts to sow division 

https://www.salon.com/2020/02/24/do-the-russians-want-bernie-to-win-not-really--they-want-democrats-to-turn-on-each-other/ 

"SNIP...... 

Sanders opponents: The world isn't ending, so calm the hell down. Sanders is not a Communist, and isn't really even a socialist, under any meaningful definition of that term. He is an FDR-style social democrat whose platform is about expanding the social safety net, not about nationalizing industry or executing the rich. He is not sold out to Russia — that would be weird, since Russia under Putin is a right-wing kleptocracy and he is against such things. Realistically, he won't be markedly different as president than any other Democrat. So please stop freaking out.  

Don't like it when Sanders tweets that he won't be stopped by the "Democratic establishment"? Well, guess what? When you freak out at him for a bit of silly political hyperbole, you are merely confirming to his supporters that the "establishment" is out to get him and encouraging them to donate more money to him. So stop shooting yourself in the foot with these overreactions.  

Everyone: Conspiracy theories only help Trump, so cut it out. No, the DNC is not conspiring against Sanders. And no, Sanders is not working for Russia to undermine the DNC. But when you spread conspiracy theories either for or against Sanders, you are encouraging Democratic voters to distrust each other and bicker among themselves. Which, of course, is exactly what Russia and Trump want you to do. Here's a thought: How about not doing what Trump and Putin want you to do! Step one is don't spread conspiracy theories.  

If you're being trolled, don't take the bait. I get trolled on social media by Sanders supporters (and probably some Russian bots) constantly, because I'm fonder of Sen. Elizabeth Warren than I am of Sanders, and I'm not keen on hiding it. I've found that liberal use of the block button, however, is the best response possible to such ill-advised tactics. I don't know whether these people are deliberately trying to demobilize the left and discourage people from supporting Sanders in the general election, or if they're just nimrods who don't know how ugly they look to outsiders. (Probably a combination of both.) Either way, arguing back just gives them the attention they crave and is a bad idea.  



.....SNIP"

[OliverQ]

1. And as we can see in this forum, it works quite well.

[cherryinpa]

2. I had that

Exact same realization on an anxiety weed trip yesterday.

There is so much shit flying around its tough to keep track of it.

[LaurenOlimina]

3. Exactly...

[apcalc]

4. Just like last time....no surprise.

[SidDithers]

5. I doubt they'd be disappointed if he won...

he's consistently voted against Russian sanctions, and voted against the Magnitsky Act.

Sid

[Turin_C3PO]

6. They want Trump to win.

They don’t want a Democrat in office, be it Biden, Bloomberg, Warren, or Sanders.

[SidDithers]

8. Sure, but what other Democrat has more consistently voted to protect Russian interests?...nt

Sid

[W_HAMILTON]

7. Which is why they supported his campaign in 2016 (read the Mueller report)...

...and why they are apparently supporting him now.

Who better than to get Democrats to turn on each other than a part-time Democrat who rails against Democrats and the Democratic Party almost as much as he does Trump and the Republicans, usually within the same damn sentence as he equivocates the two?

[Autumn]

9. Seems to be going according to plan from what I'm seeing.

[Turin_C3PO]

11. Things around here will

calm down once a clear nominee emerges. DU is always divided during the primaries. I still think 2008 and 2016 were worse around here.

[efhmc]

10. Thye want Bernie to be the candidate so DJT will win.

[relayerbob]

12. Either the GOP or the Russians probably leaked the Russian help thing and don't care who wins

Assuming they even are doing so ... they don't care. If Trump wins, they win and continue to disrupt the US. If Sanders wins, Trump claims Russian interference and refuses to leave. Even more disruption, and they win again. Putin's goal is not to control who runs the US, but to turn the US against itself and dissolve as did the USSR. Just IMHO.

[Progressive2020]

13. We Will Unite

We will unite after the Convention when we have a nominee. The article is right on target, though. The Russians are not trying to get Sanders elected; they are trying to turn Democrats against Democrats and Americans against Americans. Let's not fall for the trap. Don't take the bait. Come November we will all be voting against Trump, no matter what. So Solidarity amongst Democrats.

[Sienna86]

14. Well said.

I think the same. We are doing Putin’s work for him.

[LAS14]

15. So let's not turn on each other. Doesn't mean we can't have opinions about who would...

... be a good and not so good nominee. But it sure means we don't threaten to stay home!!!

[uponit7771]

16. Of course they want Sanders to win, they understand his swing state number more than most dems

... and Sanders swing state numbers are not strand out compared to Biden's