05-19-2016, 12:19 PM
A clear shot across the BernieBoat bow -
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/be...ats-223336
The NV ruckus may have been a blessing in disguise. It has unveiled the underlying irrational seething of some Sanders supporters over their candidate losing the election. The ruckus would be forgotten within one 24-hour news cycle except for it possibly foreshadowing a bigger meltdown by Sanders supporters at the convention - something that could greatly help usher in a Trump Presidency. It is already apparent on social media that several Sanders supporter groups are planning such a ruckus.
As the article suggests, Sanders has the possibility of returning to the Senate in a much more prestigious light and the very real possibility of chairing the most powerful Committee (i.e., Budget) if the Dems reclaim the Senate. On the other hand, if he let's ego (and ALL politicians have hefty levels of it) stand in the way, no one will greet him at the door and he will disappear back into relative obscurity - maybe trotted out in some district races where there's universities with large student bodies.
My understanding is three conditions have been presented to him if he wants to take his 'movement' to the next level with actual power in the Senate; they are -
1. Not just mitigate, but completely jettison any further rhetoric aimed against the Party about corruption or his nomination being stolen away. He's welcome to talk about money in politics, Citizen United, Koch Bros, yadda-yadda, but he needs to be clear he is not talking about the Dem Party. He can highlight the few differences on actual issues he has with Clinton but the clever smears and innuendo has to come to an end. This has to happen this week.
2. He's welcome to stay in the race for the big June 7 primaries, but he needs to suspend his campaign before the June 14 DC primary. There was a willingness to let him stay in until the convention, but with the NV ruckus and his insistence to challenge at the convention providing the fundamental reason for major discord at the convention, his staying in is no longer acceptable after June 7. Between his campaign suspension he needs to calm the waters for most supporters and very visibly and vocally disassociate himself and his movement from those who want a major disruption - the latter have to painted as Trump operatives.
3. At the convention and afterwards, Sanders has to use the 2008 model that Clinton used to endorse Obama. His enthusiasm should be sufficient to cause speculation of whether he will go back to the Senate or have a prized position in the Clinton Administration.
The delivery of the message needs to be subtle, but the message itself should be very very clear - his political career will be essentially over unless he does these three things. Again, he will be returned to the backbench in the Senate. In a couple years, particularly if he facilitated a Trump Presidency, he should be the Dem's number one primarying target.
It's time to take the gloves off, and see if this guy is really a progressive looking for change or just another too-large ego.
http://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/be...ats-223336
Quote:Bit player Sanders poised to become Senate force
But Democrats warn he could blow his newfound clout if he doesn't move to unite the party soon.
Long a lonely voice of the left in the Senate, Bernie Sanders is poised to return to his day job as a potential kingmaker after a presidential campaign that made him a household name and hero of the progressive movement.
But the Vermont senator risks frittering away that newfound clout, Democratic senators said Wednesday, if he doesn’t move soon to unite the party and train his fire on Donald Trump
The NV ruckus may have been a blessing in disguise. It has unveiled the underlying irrational seething of some Sanders supporters over their candidate losing the election. The ruckus would be forgotten within one 24-hour news cycle except for it possibly foreshadowing a bigger meltdown by Sanders supporters at the convention - something that could greatly help usher in a Trump Presidency. It is already apparent on social media that several Sanders supporter groups are planning such a ruckus.
As the article suggests, Sanders has the possibility of returning to the Senate in a much more prestigious light and the very real possibility of chairing the most powerful Committee (i.e., Budget) if the Dems reclaim the Senate. On the other hand, if he let's ego (and ALL politicians have hefty levels of it) stand in the way, no one will greet him at the door and he will disappear back into relative obscurity - maybe trotted out in some district races where there's universities with large student bodies.
My understanding is three conditions have been presented to him if he wants to take his 'movement' to the next level with actual power in the Senate; they are -
1. Not just mitigate, but completely jettison any further rhetoric aimed against the Party about corruption or his nomination being stolen away. He's welcome to talk about money in politics, Citizen United, Koch Bros, yadda-yadda, but he needs to be clear he is not talking about the Dem Party. He can highlight the few differences on actual issues he has with Clinton but the clever smears and innuendo has to come to an end. This has to happen this week.
2. He's welcome to stay in the race for the big June 7 primaries, but he needs to suspend his campaign before the June 14 DC primary. There was a willingness to let him stay in until the convention, but with the NV ruckus and his insistence to challenge at the convention providing the fundamental reason for major discord at the convention, his staying in is no longer acceptable after June 7. Between his campaign suspension he needs to calm the waters for most supporters and very visibly and vocally disassociate himself and his movement from those who want a major disruption - the latter have to painted as Trump operatives.
3. At the convention and afterwards, Sanders has to use the 2008 model that Clinton used to endorse Obama. His enthusiasm should be sufficient to cause speculation of whether he will go back to the Senate or have a prized position in the Clinton Administration.
The delivery of the message needs to be subtle, but the message itself should be very very clear - his political career will be essentially over unless he does these three things. Again, he will be returned to the backbench in the Senate. In a couple years, particularly if he facilitated a Trump Presidency, he should be the Dem's number one primarying target.
It's time to take the gloves off, and see if this guy is really a progressive looking for change or just another too-large ego.