Dems return to slandering Bernie, and DKos takes the lead

I've been posting essays about the growing progressive insurgency in the Democratic Party, and how Bernie Sanders has been out in front on this.
So today I ran across this in that Clintonian mouthpiece, the Washington Post.

Over the last few days, Sanders's has at times offered some odd comments for a guy pushing for Democratic unity.

To wit:

But the most puzzling development this week is Sanders's decision to keep Georgia special election candidate Jon Ossoff at arms-length. Sanders hasn't endorsed Ossoff, and in an interview with the Wall Street Journal, he seemed to suggest Ossoff's progressive bona fides were in question.

And then, just to prove how much bullsh* this article is, it goes on to quote TOP as some sort of authority.

Here's a telling response from Daily Kos Elections's David Nir:

Perhaps the strangest thing about this is that Sanders isn't vouching for Ossoff's progressivism even as he's doing so for another Democrat of pretty questionable credentials. That would be Omaha mayoral candidate and former state senator Heath Mello, whom Sanders will campaign with Thursday.

As the Wall Street Journal's Reid J. Epstein and Natalie Andrews note, Mello in 2009 sponsored a bill that would require a woman to look at ultrasound images of her fetus before undergoing an abortion (he still opposes abortion rights). Indeed, it's tough to think of something that progressives would hate more.

Over at TOP, the removal of the endorsement for Heath Mello is at the top of the wrecked list.

It's not just this one article.
For instance, did you know that Bernie is a Putin Puppet?

The hashtag #MenschAMovie trended on April 19, making fun of Louise Mensch’s knee-jerk reaction to attribute events to Russia. The same day, Mensch claimed that Sen. Bernie Sanders was a “Russian agent of influence no two ways about it at this point” in response to Sanders stating in an article that he didn’t know if Democratic congressional candidate Jon Ossoff is a progressive.

It's looking like not backing the neoliberal Ossoff is the Dems Red Line.
Bernie is far and away the most popular politician in America, and he's beyond their control, and the neoliberal Dems simply can't stand it.
Their impotent rage at him turns up in pettiness, like this headline:
Bernie Sanders’ New Podcast Is a Hit on iTunes. Also, It’s Awful.

I know some here call Bernie a "company man" and a sell-out, but if that were true would the Dems be so angry at him?

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as much as willfully naïve. He still thinks they'll take the bait and do the right thing, no matter how many times they shit on him. It's good to see he's not supporting the latest carpet-bagger and I'm sure that pisses them off to no end.

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Only a fool lets someone else tell him who his enemy is. Assata Shakur

ggersh's picture

other voice in life than to be crybabies w/her heinous leading
the way.

As for Bernie it's past time to move on and run for prez as an Independent
in 2020, especially if he's true to his word as not wanting trump as prez.

Tell the world it's a one term deal

I'm with Him

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I never knew that the term "Never Again" only pertained to
those born Jewish

"Antisemite used to be someone who didn't like Jews
now it's someone who Jews don't like"

Heard from Margaret Kimberley

are still telling everyone who disagrees with them to STFU. DailyKos and the rest of the rich, old, white men need to get a clue.

THEY LOST EVERYTHING THANKS TO NEOLIBERAL HILLARY AND OBAMA.

Guess everyone finally found "someplace else to go".

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

divineorder's picture

@dkmich @dkmich

Love seeing these new dynamics around the world!

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

divineorder's picture

In other news, related to one of your previous essays...

Into the valley of health, rode the 100 !

Is your legislator on the bill?

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

@divineorder
He better do it. Otherwise he'd be f*ckin up.
I think he will.

It's extremely important that the Dems have a popular alternative in place.

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divineorder's picture

@gjohnsit Would not be the first time he fcked up. But, yeah, love to see it happen.

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

@divineorder
Repubs to push for Obamacare repeal

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@divineorder What does "majority of Ds" matter, when the Rs control every branch? Other than to fund raise off fear, to produce more voters for the future?

The Ds are mad bombers too, what's up with that future? Vermont's workers might get paid making F-35s for the KSA or similar assholes, what falls from those flying machines? Fuck them! Stand up and stop trading morals for a paycheck, how 'bout striking against death merchants for a change? That is something different.

Thanks.

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divineorder's picture

@eyo as good news.

However fact is many of these reps did not have a clue that consitutent interest had grown so strong but they sure as hell do know now. Not just Dems alone, either...

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

lotlizard's picture

@divineorder "Come together (with Republicans), pass Medicare for All."

Much more concrete than Dem party "Perez-troika" and that conveniently nebulous "fight back."

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Alligator Ed's picture

when Rachel Madcow starts aiming at him again, instead of "Russia, Russia, Russia". In the past I have posited that Bernie is playing a long game by remaining "inside" the DemonRATic party. HR 676 might just be the tow line to drag other Democrats leftward.

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Bob In Portland's picture

I made one comment about the DNC's money-laundering scam through the state Democratic parties and was banned.

DKos is only good for measuring how deep the self-denial is at that end of the pool.

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Wink's picture

@Bob In Portland
days, to get banned from ToP. I think it was my mention of Hillary's "granny panties" that frosted kos' balls and started me on the track to being ultimately BoJo'd at ToP. Welcome to the party!

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

CB's picture

@Wink
DKos had become a microcosm of why Hillary lost the election. Until they carefully look into the mirror, they will continue to destroy the Democratic Party.

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@Wink @Wink

pot holder Hillary_1.jpg

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

PriceRip's picture

@dkmich

          Looks like a teapot cozy to me:

          You know, as in : I'm a little teapot short and stout ...

          No, that is so wrong, shame on me for even going there. Shame ... shame ...

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snoopydawg's picture

@PriceRip .
I laughed so loud I scared my dawgs.
Thanks for the laugh, but now I can't get that damned diddly song out of my mind.
"Here is the handle, here is the spout". Smile

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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.

Amanda Matthews's picture

@PriceRip
and then I choked on my coffee. That, although 'mean' is the absolute truth. She looks like a tall, poorly dressed Munchkin in those pantsuits.

I am not at all a 'politically correct' kind of old lady so I'll just say that I think that's probably one of the funniest and most accurate physical descriptions of the woman I've ever read and I don't feel bad about saying it. And I am of the opinion that the people who scream "that's sexist" or whatever are the first ones to call Trump or his minions one of the thousand slurs an insults the 'left' has come up to describe them. Sometimes one of them will even coin a new one themselves. Which is okay as long as they're the ones doing the name calling.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

Arrow's picture

I'll just cut and paste from SOE's open thread this morning.
Because it's relevant and a bit funny.

Here's a tweet...

Responding to this...

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I want a Pony!

"...Chávez, by commandeering the public’s airwaves and claiming many hours per week on one of a finite number of channels,..."

So now Bernie is commandeering the public's airwaves! I must have been mistaken... I thought CNN had already done that.

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native

PriceRip's picture

          Oh! and I am still several moves ahead of him, I just wonder if he is still on track. The future is cloudy ...

          I know some here call Bernie a "company man" and a sell-out, but if that were true would the Dems be so angry at him?

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divineorder's picture

@PriceRip

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A truth of the nuclear age/climate change: we can no longer have endless war and survive on this planet. Oh sh*t.

@PriceRip "Endorsement", i.e. lip service is one thing. Going around the country telling people to vote for her was something else. I'm glad college kids booed him. It gives me hope for a less sheeplike future.

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I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

@The Voice In the Wilderness
Not Bernie

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PriceRip's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

          I just see things differently, that's all. I certainly do not know anything about what he will do next, but my own experiences allow me to envision a scenario resulting in "progress" toward a desirable end.

          As always, your mileage may vary.

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Wink's picture

@PriceRip
is still in the public eye, if not "America's favorite politician" is enough. We still can thank our lucky stars that Her wasn't elected, becuz None of this buzz would be happening. None. Whether or not the buzz actually leads anywhere... well, Bernie can't do it all by his self.

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

PriceRip's picture

@Wink

          It is unrealistic to expect to "win the day" as the hero does in the last reel. It is realistic to find a way for "the buzz" to lead to some sort of victory. The challenge is finding that "victorious" outcome amongst the rubble. I just wish I had some concrete suggestions.

          Whether or not the buzz actually leads anywhere... well, Bernie can't do it all by his self.

          This expresses my sentiments, exactly.

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Amanda Matthews's picture

@PriceRip
Bill Clinton's Turd Way Neo-liberal 'New' Democratic Party? Because that's who he's out pandering for, trying to get back into control.

Which makes me laugh at the 'slogan' he tossed around during his doomed primary about there being a 'Better Way'.

(I'm not being a jerk. I really want to know. I have a few 'favorite' posters around here and you're one of them, so this is a case of me really wanting to know and not a case of me being snarky.)

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

PriceRip's picture

@Amanda Matthews

          I survived (and thrived) during 35 years of colleagues, department chairs, deans, and others trying to get me to quit, get me censured, and/or have me fired. I never failed to make each one of them regret their efforts.

          I am convinced there is some way to change the dynamics of this situation to effect a positive outcome.

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PriceRip's picture

@Amanda Matthews

          I think I can say this without many here suggesting I am wrong, so I will not to justify the subject line.

          You ask, "Where do you see that 'process' happening?" given:

          Inside Bill Clinton's Turd Way Neo-liberal 'New' Democratic Party? Because that's who he's out pandering for, trying to get back into control.

          While Bernie may be pandering for the "Neo-liberal 'New' Democratic Party" he is not (from what I can see) pandering to the "Neo-liberal 'New' Democratic Party". This, I think, is the key. The more he talks the less "those that get it" are interested in the Democratic Party per se. The Democratic Party people don't understand what is happening, they think that someone showing up to a D.P. function indicates support for the D.P. The truth is that whatever Bernie thinks he is doing, what he is really doing is keeping people engaged that might otherwise "tune out".

          The next bit may need to come from some other person or group. I usually frame it as, "What one thing can we do?" The "we" can be us as a group at c99p, an individual within c99p, or some as yet unidentified person or group.

          My other response @PriceRip titled, "This is where I am coming from ...", is a setup for this: Most of the time I was able to make my problem become a problem for someone else. The best case scenario was when I made my problem become my attacker's problem and the problem resolved in a vortex of self annihilation.

          My, "I just wish I had some concrete suggestions." is me not seeing how to manipulate the situation to generate, as I said, @PriceRip a " ... `victorious' outcome amongst the rubble." I really think something good can happen, meaning, the probability may be small but it is non-zero. I just don't see (even dimly) something useful to suggest at this time.

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WaterLily's picture

@ggersh @The Voice In the Wilderness "I can't tell people who to vote for."

Bernie knew his supporters weren't sheep. I felt quite free to ignore his campaigning on Her behalf. As did quite a few others.

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PriceRip's picture

@The Voice In the Wilderness

          I not so sure this was a bad thing:

          Going around the country telling people to vote for her was something else.

          Thinking about how chatter about this "betrayal" has kept the conversation going in some circles, makes me think the "betrayal" was strategic rather than tactical. Don't be too quick to judge actions without insider knowledge. As usual I have no special knowledge, and your mileage may vary.

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@PriceRip

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I've seen lots of changes. What doesn't change is people. Same old hairless apes.

Wink's picture

@PriceRip
"Campaigning" for Her as something he had to do, having promised to "support the Dem nominee" during the primary campaign. Just something he couldn't get out of, not something he relished. He has been more like Bernie during this -ahem- "unity tour," and that might be a hint of what's to follow. Or not.

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Amanda Matthews's picture

@Wink
how he and we were being cheated. In my mind THAT negated any promise he might have made.

He knows how corrupt they are but it doesn't matter. He'll be remembered as the best sheep dog the party ever had.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

Wink's picture

@Amanda Matthews

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

Amanda Matthews's picture

@Wink
Will I'm sure convinced.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

@PriceRip

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

detroitmechworks's picture

They won't be satisfied until everybody remembers that Bernie was the one who lost the election for Hillary.

It was ALL HIS FAULT.

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I do not pretend I know what I do not know.

PriceRip's picture

@detroitmechworks

          I don't like the second option. I want to kill the fetid bloated undead creature even though it's not worth the powder and lead it would take to blow it to hell.

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i admire him for even trying to deal with that bunch of ne'er do wells.

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PriceRip's picture

@LaFeminista

          Eventually they will even drive Bernie away

          There was a concerted effort to drive me away from UNK ... for 35 years. That effort failed in its objective. Some of us are rather tenacious. I wouldn't count him out just yet.

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OzoneTom's picture

@PriceRip
I really believe that he knows what he is up to. They are letting him go all over the country and speak to large crowds -- on the their dime.

And they are only just beginning to wake-up to their miscalculation. I wonder how long the DNC chair will continue the tour, since he is exhibit-A for what Bernie is challenging.

Sen. Sanders will continue to draw crowds and educate many who would not hear him otherwise. And his listeners are provided an opportunity to see what Bernie represents side-by-side with the status quo.

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@OzoneTom

They need him, and it is pissing them off. He endorsed Clinton, now he's done. He won't give them the email list, and he keeps proclaiming he "isn't a Democrat". When they screamed it at him, it was okey dokey. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, not so happy.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

Alligator Ed's picture

@dkmich Long time ago, I predicted Bernie was playing a long game.

Events may be proving me to be correct.

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smiley7's picture

@Alligator Ed
put down the most popular politician in the U.S. must be jealous; surely they don't imagine they possess more experience or the knowledge derived from or have a history of trying to get it right, honestly!

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Wink's picture

often wrong than right. Reminds me of Bill Kristol who, in his 25 years of punditry, has never been right. (and still somehow appears on sunday wonk shows).

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the little things you can do are more valuable than the giant things you can't! - @thanatokephaloides. On Twitter @wink1radio. (-2.1) All about building progressive media.

where Progressives go to be scolded. F Kos and Corporate Democrats where the sun don't shine! Bernie & Tulsi for 2020!

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@crbngville @crbngville @crbngville One thing I get a kick out if is how often this conversation happens over there:

Commenter 1: It's all Bernie's fault because ___________.
Commenter 2: No, I think it's all Hillary's fault because ________.
Commenter 1: You're being divisive and it's not helpful. We all need to unite against Trump.

Then Commenter 1 gets a bunch of recs and Commenter 2 is lucky if he doesn't get his racist, sexist Putin Puppet ass banned.

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Strife Delivery's picture

Neoliberal Democrats like those few remaining people who exist in the Twitter world or Dailykos don't realize the gift that Sanders is to them.

Imagine if he had the actual courage to just leave, start a 3rd party? Sure they would bitch and moan, but hey they want him gone anyway. Damned if he runs as a Dem, damned if he doesn't. So yes, he is merely sheepdogging people back into their respective veal pens. They refuse to realize that what if Sanders didn't even exist? Clinton would have lost by even more. They think she lost because of him, when it's more likely that he helped her gain votes.

If Sanders disappeared, the Dem party would just collapse. They think people like Booker are "progressive". Nope, just another corporate tool. They don't realize how barely alive they are. Pathetic.

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CB's picture

@Strife Delivery
Her would have also lost the popular vote.

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Amanda Matthews's picture

they ever quit? No matter how hard the old sheepdog panders for them he'll ALWAYS get the blame. Him and his Bernie Bros that he never defended and who he screwed even knowing that he and WE were cheated by the Clinton Creature's corrupt DNC.

They can do what they like to the guy. As far as I'm concerned that's what happens when you leave the dance with someone who never liked you, screws you, and then uses you from that point forward whenever convenient or necessary for lack of anyone else while they're telling everyone what a big lying whore you are. He should have stayed with them that brought him and paid his way in.

He's such a fraud he's here in Omaha today with ELLISON, not Perez. How cynical and ugly is that? He's got a pair of knee pads for every occasion.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

@Amanda Matthews I know others have faith in Sanders that I've lost, but this long game he's supposed to be playing looks too much like a game of football with Lucy van Pelt for me.

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Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.

it's about Trump voters, but it still applies here

But the debate still goes on about the same groups of people: the cosmopolitans from elite schools who are connected to centers of power versus those outside that privileged circle. And the questions are largely the same, too: declining economic opportunity, social decay, and the respect that these people feel that elites have failed to hand over.

But what does “respect” even mean, asks Adam Ozimek? Arguing with Chris Arnade, who distinguishes between “front row kids” and “back row kids,” he writes:

I have for a long time pressed Chris to tell me what exactly it is that the back row kids want from democrats and from the front row kids and really all I can get out of him is… respect. Well, respect isn’t a policy… Is it rhetoric that the back row kids want? Because paeans to the working class and the rust belt are pretty popular on both sides of the aisle.

A few paragraphs later, he continues:

I guess this makes me a front row doofus but I actually place value on economic growth in developing countries who have benefitted significantly from, for example, the outsourcing of iPod production. I’m sorry if the back row kids, perhaps enlightened by their “traditional views of race,” don’t care about the welfare of people in developing countries who are much poorer than they are. But I happen to.

This is, I would say, roughly the core attitude of those front row kids. What splendid, enlightened people we are, so different from those racist reactionaries who don’t even care about people abroad! How fortunate that we happen to be smarter, wiser, and more moral than those mouth-breathing losers! You can no more ask us to pay attention to those morlocks-in-waiting than you would ask a parent to let their five-year-old pilot the family minivan!

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According to Michael Tracey tweet who was at Feinstein town hall: "Too boos, Feinstein dismisses Bernie Sanders "Medicare for all" bill as a government "takeover" of healthcare."

Similar reaction to many democrats who are corporate chickenshits and offering up bullshit excuses which in this case is an actual republican created talking point.

While I think democrats are trying to use Bernie to put progressive lipstick on the party, it seems the base is listening to him even though I don't think he has any organizational power within the DNC or even in the democratic party caucus in the Senate. Maybe PrineRip is right--Bernie is playing some long game which at this point if there is one, seems to be to undermine the neoliberal establishment by preaching the messages of his campaign. Guess it is working as the establishment and lackey dems are out to get him now.

Maybe it was Bernie's plan to wage an ideological battle and not an organizational battle.

BTW. Looks like the dem party elders totally focusing on Trump=RussianAgent may not be working electoral. Looks like three straight defeats for dems.

Also, I took at look at Ossoff's web page. Just platitudes I would expect from a neoliberal. His website in no way marked him as a progressive.

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Amanda Matthews's picture

@MrWebster
"...Bernie is playing some long game which at this point if there is one, seems to be to undermine the neoliberal establishment by preaching the messages of his campaign."

someone need to tell the old duffer we are out of time and we can't afford any more political 'games' or 'gamers'. We are in trouble right now.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

Steven D's picture

So I posted it at TOP for god knows why. Too much time on my hands I suppose ...

Markos Still Promoting Fake News About Sanders' Supporters (according to Harvard/Harris Poll 4/17)

I got more than a little rantish, but it was well deserved. You can also read it at K4S here https://www.reddit.com/r/Kossacks_for_Sanders/comments/66k3ih/markos_sti...

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

@Steven D
I would uprate it if I wasn't bojo'd

I started going through the comments and UHG, what a sewer.
Pearls before swine.

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Steven D's picture

@gjohnsit I knew what they would look like.

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"You can't just leave those who created the problem in charge of the solution."---Tyree Scott

@Steven D @Steven D

I gave you a rec and put it on FB and Twitter. You really should post it here. I just put out an Amber alert. You covered it.

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"Religion is what keeps the poor from murdering the rich."--Napoleon

gulfgal98's picture

@Steven D I recommended it and thought about commenting, but figured that was a losing proposition. Thank you for having the courage to post it. Good

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

@Steven D I went over tipped it and gave it a rec...then I shared on Facebook.
Good work, and while I was on your diary I did wander down thru the comments giving recs to more people I expected to, so some are dug in I guess but I don't know how they can stand the place. Oh yeah I made sure to log out, wiping my feet so to speak, in fact I hated giving the place any clicks which is the reason I didn't put your diary on Facebook but the reddit one.

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gulfgal98's picture

I have been waffling back and forth for a while on this until recently and I have a slightly different take on it now. After seeing the crowds Bernie is attracting and hearing that he is still promoting the very same things he did when he ran for President and seeing pictures of him going outside to speak to the overflow crowd, I think I am getting a sense of his long game strategy.

Bernie has said and done some things, particularly failing to speak up about the rigged DNC primary system and the Russia thing, that made me uncomfortable. I was very unnerved when he agreed to do the "Unity?" tour with Perez.

But what is happening is the very same phenomenon as that of the Sanders campaign. Bernie is teaching and reaching people with HIS message of egalitarianism and inclusion, not the Third Way/DNC message. Bernie has gone into the devil's den and is using them (DNC) to continue to get his message out there. It seems to be working when crowds cheer him and boo Perez.

So my take right now is that Bernie is using the DNC instead of them using him. He has turned the "Unity" tour upside down by taking charge of it. And he is empowering people which if he does nothing else, is a pretty big deal.

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Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?

“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy

@gulfgal98

Maybe it was Bernie's plan to wage an ideological battle and not an organizational battle.

He hasn't done it the way many of us would, but the fact is that he's still endorsing progressive candidates to primary-out establishment candidates. He's still true to his stand on the issues.

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Raggedy Ann's picture

@gulfgal98

But what is happening is the very same phenomenon as that of the Sanders campaign. Bernie is teaching and reaching people with HIS message of egalitarianism and inclusion, not the Third Way/DNC message. Bernie has gone into the devil's den and is using them (DNC) to continue to get his message out there. It seems to be working when crowds cheer him and boo Perez.

So my take right now is that Bernie is using the DNC instead of them using him. He has turned the "Unity" tour upside down by taking charge of it. And he is empowering people which if he does nothing else, is a pretty big deal.

Bernie is so smart people are either missing it or in denial and trying to keep the DNC on the neoliberal track (think daily kaos).

Of course he's willing to travel with Perez. What a great opportunity to get his message out. The msm doesn't think he's a threat anymore and is booking him for all types of shows. He's still pounding his message into the population. BRAVO!

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"The “jumpers” reminded us that one day we will all face only one choice and that is how we will die, not how we will live." Chris Hedges on 9/11

PriceRip's picture

@Raggedy Ann

          He's still pounding his message into the population.

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@gulfgal98 @gulfgal98

and is a good thing that more people are hearing it now.

if sanders had wanted, he could have jumped after the primaries.
no blame possible after dnc rigging. Sanders might have won the presidency as a Green, we will never know. what is clear is that he never wanted to win.
this is the role he wanted to play.

it is a pity that he appears to be the "best hope" of the left.
if he turns it around, then I will be glad to be wrong.

but I think his best moment has passed.
also I do not trust him, and that limits my enthusiasm.

but by all means,pound out the platform. truth is truth.

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Amanda Matthews's picture

@irishking
shot and he blew it. He's NOT going to get the support and donations he got when he ( and we) were being cheated out of a fair election. He hopped right into the enemy camp and started telling everyone what a great party the Democratic liars area and how the Clinton Creature was the 'most qualified' and best candidate out there. SHE WAS PART OF THE SCHEME THAT SCREWED HIM AND US and in the end he not only excused the cheating, he acts like it never even happened.

Nope, no more Bernie for me.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

@Amanda Matthews

Sanders took the heart right out of the movement.
leaving us in the shape we are in.

let's be realistic about Bernie,that's all.
he is no hero. given a chance, he would not take the jump.

I do not consider him to be credible as a politician.
he says some of the right things,- that's better than nothing.

I might ask him how to find nearest bathroom, but nothing else.

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link

A leading Black Lives Matter activist and self-identified democratic socialist named khalid kamau won a city council seat on Tuesday in South Fulton, Georgia, a newly incorporated municipality outside Atlanta.

The attorney and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Atlanta was also a former national convention delegate for the campaign of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and defeated Council District 6 opponent Charlean Parks, 67 to 33 percent.

Grassroots left-wing organizations had followed kamau’s race closely, considering it a chance to elect one of their own to office. He enjoyed the endorsements of Our Revolution, the nonprofit successor to the Sanders campaign; the People for Bernie Sanders; and the Democratic Socialists of America, which counts kamau as a member and has grown exponentially since the election.

Another DSA member, Dylan Parker, was elected to the city council of Rock Island, Illinois earlier this month. There are 14 DSA members in elected office across the country, according to the DSA.

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Unabashed Liberal's picture

or not [used]--it's likely a mutually beneficial effort.

After all, Bernie gives Perez 'cover,' due to his unpopularity with many Sanders supporters--not to mention that he (Bernie) draws crowds, so that he (Perez) can sell his agenda. Obviously, Bernie also has an opportunity to present his own ideas/agenda.

I don't buy into the theory that Bernie is haplessly being manipulated into doing what he does. Bear in mind that Bernie has accepted the appointment as Senate Outreach Director, also called Grass Roots liaison in some articles. For the most part, his appearances on the Sunday shows generally seem to reflect these new duties. And, he and Schumer are the most constant Sunday guests from the ranks of the Dem Party Leadership/Party.

I hope to start posting transcripts of his interviews, when 'real life' settles down a bit. I think that they clarify a lot of issues. IMO, what he says and does from here on out-- unless, or until he resigns this new position--is likely generally approved by the Dem Party Leadership, meaning Schumer. Which is why I wouldn't read too much into the fact that he sounds critical of the Party, at times.

Bottom line, folks like Schumer and Perez could care less if they are booed, and Bernie is cheered--so long as Bernie can help them regain some, if not all, of the 14 million Dems who failed to show up at the polls [for them] last year.

Mollie


"Every time I lose a dog, he takes a piece of my heart. Every new dog gifts me with a piece of his. Someday, my heart will be total dog, and maybe then I will be just as generous, loving, and forgiving."
____Author Unknown

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Everyone thinks they have the best dog, and none of them are wrong.

Amanda Matthews's picture

@Unabashed Liberal
He's now the official DNC sheep dog.

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I'm tired of this back-slapping "Isn't humanity neat?" bullshit. We're a virus with shoes, okay? That's all we are. - Bill Hicks

Politics is the entertainment branch of industry. - Frank Zappa

Bollox Ref's picture

The Orange Dead State is little more than a troll site.

Caveat emptor for anyone thinking of joining for rational discussion.

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Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.

How is it that Bernie is simultaneously not a real Democrat, yet someone whose opinion is so important to the Democrats that his endorsement (or lack thereof) is a topic of outrage?

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@googleimage why is someone who adamantly is declaring himself not a Democrat out on a Democratic Party "Unity" tour? Really, none of this makes sense to me at all, on either side.

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Idolizing a politician is like believing the stripper really likes you.

Big Al's picture

@googleimage It's all bullshit, like everything else in D.C. He's voted 96% of the time with democrats, ran as a democratic candidate for president, I think it's funny.

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Thaumlord-Exelbirth's picture

They never really stopped. Whenever they're not bemoaning the supervillain genius that is Russia, or cheering the deaths of innocents in foreign countries, they enjoy a quick round of Bernie bashing. That's part of why I don't understand why people here bash Bernie as a democrat "company man." The other part of why I don't understand that is that he continually pushes for the things that the democrats refuse to fight for. And I don't believe he is naive either. The only time I can think of him being naive, looking back at the election, is when he didn't think that his policy ideas, which were popular with nearly everyone, wouldn't make him an actual contender for the nomination.

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I am not sure whether he ran to win this time, or only to get his message out. Either way, that's over.

I don't think Bernie will run when he's 80. If he does, I don't think many are going to vote for anyone who will be 81 on Inauguration Day, I don't care how good shape he may or may not be in.

So, the issue now is whether or not you believe in the "Revolution" or "Resistance" or not.

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Mark from Queens's picture

@Librarycat

Says it all here, about the vast ocean between the thinking of these two former aides:

Brian Fallon, Clinton’s former spokesman and senior adviser to the Democratic Super PAC Priorities USA, said this week that Democrats’ path to retaking the House of Representatives in 2018 is through middle-class suburbs where Clinton beat out Trump last fall. “One trend we did see in 2016 was that concern about Trump’s temperament and fitness to be president of the United States enabled the Democrat to peel off a lot of Republican-leaning voters in suburban districts,” Fallon told Vox. In a tweet, he said this road to victory “runs through the Panera Breads of America.”

Claire Sandberg, Sanders’ former digital organizing director (who recently co-founded the hybrid PAC We Will Replace You focusing on progressive challenges to moderate Democrats), told VICE News that she strongly disagreed with that sentiment. “The Establishment is like a doomsday cult; no matter how thoroughly their predictions fail to be refuted by reality, they just dig in deeper in their incoherent worldview, with devastating consequences for the rest of us,” she wrote in an email.

“The strategy of courting wealthy, older ,white suburbanites while taking voters of color and progressives for granted, and writing off all rural whites entirely, has failed — full stop. Anyone still espousing this failed strategy — or the neoliberal ideology that undergirds it — should not be in charge of anything again.”

The "branding" flunkies for HRC, who see the world only through their narrow corporate vision, can't see beyond demos, research and quaint, snappy marketing plans. The road to victory “runs through the Panera Breads of America.” Please go the fuck away, for good.

Compare that with this: “The Establishment is like a doomsday cult; no matter how thoroughly their predictions fail to be refuted by reality, they just dig in deeper in their incoherent worldview, with devastating consequences for the rest of us.”

I read that and heard "All I want is the truth, just Gimme Some Truth..."

I'm sick and tired of hearing things
From uptight, short-sighted, narrow-minded hypocritics
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth
Ive had enough of reading things
By neurotic, psychotic, pig-headed politicians
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of hope
Money for dope
Money for rope

No short-haired, yellow-bellied, son of tricky dicky
Is gonna mother hubbard soft soap me
With just a pocketful of soap
Money for dope
Money for rope

I'm sick to death of seeing things
From tight-lipped, condescending, mamas little chauvinists
All I want is the truth
Just gimme some truth now

I've had enough of watching scenes
Of schizophrenic, ego-centric, paranoiac, prima-donnas
All I want is the truth now
Just gimme some truth

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"If I should ever die, God forbid, let this be my epitaph:

THE ONLY PROOF HE NEEDED
FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD
WAS MUSIC"

- Kurt Vonnegut

Dragonkat's picture

Just like the sheepdog he still is on this "unity" (my ass) tour with a party that wont win me back like this.

There's no clever endgame or 3d chess. Just as there wasn't when "grace and class" obama put us into 8 years of endless war, screwed the working class, and the democrats shot down single payer. For gods sake it's PAST time we stopped letting Lucy in the form of/Perez/DNC hold the ball and think this time we'll get it, if only we keep pushing that message to people who clearly don't want to hear and won't act on it because there's no money in it!

And what is the point of a "progressive" message when you're pitching it to bring people in to a party that people like myself left for that very reason above? Exhibit A, Claire McCaskill.

“Free college tuition is a great goal except it’s really expensive. It’s really expensive, and we are struggling over how we’re going to pay in terms of what we have right now for Medicare, We can’t just start having the government pay for everything. When people talk about that and they point out countries where that happens, people are paying 70 percent of their income in taxes.”

Shades of Clinton anyone? Maybe we could also talk about that shill Howard Dean trying to out Gabbard for daring to question getting that much bogged down in Syria? and while it's been pointed out Gabbard is no white knight either the fact that one of the few anti war voices in the Dem party has to be thrown out for questioning the official line?

Fuck em, and Bernie too.

Sanders is a sellout sheepdog who is towing the line from Russia to Syria as well. Either that or he wont leave because he doesn't have the courage for a real fight, as evidenced how he folded like a cheap suit back in the primaries despite overwhelming evidence of fraud.

As long as he is tied to the repubocrats and the other half of our corporate owned single party system i dont give a damn about him.

If I could draw political cartoons...

Bernie Sanders at the podium in front of an overflow crowd of supporters. Behind him the propped up fake house front, written on it "Progressive values"

"And I promise to build this across the country in every part of the party!"

Behind the housefront, a hidden tank with endless war written across the barrel. And Tom Perez holding a moneybag of corporate donations.

"He's still got the touch."

[Potemkin party]

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See, their morals, their code... it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be.

-The Joker-

@Dragonkat

he has to show me something real.

maybe he could do a self - immolation on senate floor.
that would be impressive.

otherwise,I heard the speech already.

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Heidi Foglia