Sanders isn't going to be a Lion in the Senate
He's not going to be treated well by Democrats in the next session. Given the extent and depth of the corruption the Democratic Party engaged in this primary to scuttle Sanders, and the humiliation he's endured at such a high-profile event as the Convention, how can one conclude otherwise? I want very much for people to not pin too much hope on Sanders' power and effectiveness in the Senate. I think it's distracting from more important, longer-term, and longer-reaching work we all must engage in to free ourselves from the two-party yoke.
When the next Senate session starts, Sanders may have placement on prominent committees. He may even have senior status on them. He won't have any power, and he'll have next to no influence on the agenda his committees consider. This is true whether Republicans or Democrats have a majority in the body. It's true because the Democrats won't allow him to exercise power.
The character of their hamstringing Sanders depends on whether and how Democrats become a majority. If they need him to caucus with them to make a majority (and they decide to take power and against some insipid "power sharing" nonsense like Reid did some years ago) they'll have to be more subtle about it. Generally, though, Sanders' appointments are either going to be less prestigious (i.e. on committees that aren't the Budget or similarly powerful ones) or just prestigious enough to avoid too much criticism. Those committees he serves on will have enough adversarial democrats (which, let's face it, is most of them) to overrule him at any given vote.
This isn't to say Sanders will be completely powerless or useless. We need Sanders' inside work to apply pressure. That's a useful thing. It forces them to expend resources when they otherwise wouldn't have. It also distracts them from external efforts at change so they are hopefully less effective countering them. We have so many issues to deal with, though. Let's not get too enamoured of the idea that Sanders will wield a lot of power in the Senate.
Comments
We have no way of knowing
anything that might occur. Speculation is all we have.
"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
I am speculating
Nay, predicting! That the Dem Party primaries him in two years.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Probably true.
If anyone thinks there's anything to be salvaged in maintaining a Democratic Party, it's pretty clear it's gonna be the Outside Game that is the one to make a difference for the foreseeable future. If there is any beneficial life still extant in the Dems, they can use what we do outside to fuel their Inside Game.
Can't say I see much likelihood in that, given the circle-the-wagons attitude on display in the Dem Establishment, but I enjoy surprises.
He's a nice guy
Senator Sanders is a nice guy, which is why we like him personally as well as his message. OTOH the Senate operates by unanimous consent, and one senator who is willing to make himself/herself unpopular can stop any bill. I'm not talking about fake filibusters. Put a hold on bills, like Tom Coburn did all the time. Bernie could single-handedly stop the TPP if he wanted to.
"We've done the impossible, and that makes us mighty."
Ok Stop The Presses
I am more a casual observer of senate rules as opposed to a student but maybe some of my fellow 99'rs here have the expertise to let me know if what is below is correct?
A. Bernie as a sitting Senator can place a hold on the bill (If this is not correct then ignore all that follows)
B. Progressives get Hillary to publicly commit to vetoing the TPP if it reaches her desk (also no weaselly language and BTW since fast track was passed I believe that no changes are possible, it is up or down)
C. TPP, for the USA at least does not become law
"fast track"
no amendments, no debate.
Thanks Obama.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Yes But Can a Senator Put a Hold on The Bill?
That's unclear to me.
Putting a hold on it generally means holding it from going to debate. Since there will be no debate, I am not sure how that would work.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Yes There is to be a Debate
as to whether to approve or not, so ?
No debate. Just an up or down vote.
That's "fast track". The complete subordination of representative democracy.
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
Sanders sounds like he is only going to serve out this term..
When interviewed on his plans after the election Sanders has said that he will return to the senate as an independent to serve out the remaining two years of his current term. He says "yes, I ran for president as a democrat, but I was elected to the senate as an independent, and thus I will continue to serve our this term as an independent."
That sounds to me like he is going to retire at the end of his term, and I expect take on extra duties for the movement; being a senator and a full time movement leader/organizer takes too much time. He's been very clear about the amount of time campaigning has taken from his job as a senator.
I expect him to go into full time campaign mode trying to force/embarrass people in washington into doing the right thing by threatening their seats. I.e. campaigning for progressive candidates to replace the crooks currently in office.
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"I'm not interested in preserving the status quo; I want to overthrow it. "
-Niccolo Machiavelli
"Sorry Hillary"
-TheJerry
Neither wiil he be the lamb
The points of your argument are valid, however, I don't think he is about to become anyone's doormat just yet. He will be constant reminder to those who were in the know re: the DNC corruption, which may work both ways. It is not his nature to rub peoples' nose in it as he'd rather quietly let people see the error of their ways.
"I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones."
John Cage
Considering how few congress critters endorsed him,
I'm not sure how much agreement he's ever gotten. However, he's always been able to form coalitions to get bills and amendments passed. We know he does that well, so we can assume he will continue to do those things. If he is selected to be chair of a particular committee (if Dems get the majority), he, just like any other senator, will set the agenda.
Whether he chooses to run again, or spend time working with the revolutionaries, or just throwing the ball around with his grandson, I have no doubt that he will do it with the same dignity and kindness he always has. I believe you're making assumptions based on nothing. Please don't bring any more negativity to the conversation. It'll be okay.
(Right on, NM
Sanders in the Senate is in the business of making deals, often with really powerful people. He probably doesn't share the political views of most of them, but that's OK. You don't need their love, you only need their vote.
During the primary season Chuck Schumer (oh dear!) has had warm words for Bernie, and I recall Bernie saying nice things about Schumer, too. I read these as working relationships, not "good-buddy" friendships. Here's the "constructive" press briefing:
Schumer re Bernie (Sorry, couldn't embed the video)
On Sanders' possibly running for another term as Senator after his current term runs out, I heard that interview and I thought he was answering a question something like "Will you continue as an Independent or will you switch to Democratic?" And he said he would serve out this term as an I, leaving open, I thought, that for his next campaign he might run on a third party ticket. That would depend on how organized the revolution "outside" has gotten between now and then, I guess.
Thanks to BayAreaLefty for this essay!
He'll probably have more influence
with a Republican majority, sad as that may be.
How pissed are they?
Something tells me that Hillary's numbers are worse now than if Bernie hadn't run in the primary. Take me for example, I would have been a 50/50 flip between Hill and Jill, but now it's HillNO!
F the F'n D's
Jill Stein called it in December
This deserves it's own article, really. Jill Stein predicted that the Democratic party would torpedo Bernie's campaign, and if Dennis Kucinich is any example, his career is done. Not like they can redistrict him, but the sentiment is there.
F the F'n D's