Many of the battles he brought me along to witness, he lost. And no normal politician would be comfortable with the optics of bringing a Rolling Stone reporter to a Rules Committee hearing.
But Sanders genuinely, sincerely, does not care about optics. He is the rarest of Washington animals, a completely honest person. If he's motivated by anything other than a desire to use his influence to protect people who can't protect themselves, I've never seen it. Bernie Sanders is the kind of person who goes to bed at night thinking about how to increase the heating-oil aid program for the poor.
This is why his entrance into the 2016 presidential race is a great thing and not a mere footnote to the inevitable coronation of Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee. If the press is smart enough to grasp it, his entrance into the race makes for a profound storyline that could force all of us to ask some very uncomfortable questions.
You know it is articles like this which makes me wish that Bernie Sanders could actually win the nomination over Hillary Clinton and defeat Jeb Bush in the general.
But the truth is he can't.
He is probably the perfect candidate, at the perfect time, but he is hampered by an incredibly imperfect election system.
I like Bernie, but he is just too old.
ReplyDeleteReagan was age 70 - 78 when he was President, and was suffering from Alzheimers throughout his second term.
DeleteSanders is 73 now, and considering his sharp intellect at this point in time, would probably continue being sharp through a 4-year term, at the end of which he'd be 79.
I absolutely adore Bernie. However I don't think his age could stand the rigors of being President.
DeleteI am his age, so I can relate.
He absolutely CAN win. Old is the worst excuse I've ever heard.
DeleteHillary is beatable. That has been proven. If she was beaten once, she can be beaten, again. It's a matter of how hungry are we?
ReplyDeleteGet real.
DeleteEveryone is "beatable."
DeleteLet me guess? By Mittens? Or maybe Jeb's moneymen? Or the lying creeps Cruz, Walker, Jindal, Kasich,. Snyder, and the rest of the ALEC Governors? All together, they couldn't beat Hillary. I do love that Bernie is in, though, as he and Liz will force Hilalry to come to the left instead of hovering at the center. And why not Bernie as VP?
DeleteThat's what they said about President Obama and he won....twice! Mr. Sander is not of the mainstream which I totally appreciate. Plus, he's been calling out the Koch brothers since 19080. Too old!?! He'll have the best health care team with him 24/7 in the entire world!!! He's of sound mind right now and privy to just about everything going on including the stresses that come with this congressional circus. Depending upon whom he chooses for VP, he's a shoe-in to me -- especially since the cry for a third party is pretty high.
DeleteIf he keeps saying what he's been saying and doing what he's been doing, I'd vote for him.
The election system is just fine. We, and Sanders, are hampered most by an incredibly uneducated electorate. Not enough voters are intellectually prepared to hear his message.
ReplyDeleteUhhh You forgot gerrymandering. A diabolical practice or how the Republicans are trying to rig the electoral vote.
DeleteM
As Aragon points out, the election system is not "just fine." Far from it. Our system is nearly broken because of
Delete--the increasing, and intentional, suppression of the ability to vote
--gerrymandering to deny equal representation
--corporate control of candidates
Yes, we CAN counter all of this but only if we ALL engage in MASSIVE GOTV efforts.
And election fraud (NOT voter fraud).
DeleteHe is only 5 years older than Mitt Romney and Hillary, and 5 years younger than John McCain. Stop with the "he is too old".
ReplyDeleteMcCain has had several bouts with cancer, it didn't even cause a blip in his acceptability. Should have, didn't. Look past his white hair, at the man and his core beliefs. If you still worry he is too old, hope he picks a young gun for VP. Maybe a Julian Castro or his brother Joaquin.
And McCain lost.
DeleteI say the Dems are coming together. Sen. Sanders and Former Sec. Clinton have a plan to tackle the near impossible. Getting the platform out into the heads of the VOTING public. Eather one of the Castro twins is perfect for HRC to pick in the general election. It would be good to focus on the now and future. The Dems will and must "come together" or it will be bleak.
DeleteActually he is over 6 yrs older and is too olde for me to ever vote for him. So stop it with telling me what to think or do.
DeleteBernie doesn't have the name recognition nationwide.
DeletePlus, unfortunately, being honest and compassionate are not traits the American voter holds of any value any more.
Me? I'd vote for Bernie in a second.
But I recognize, he is unelectable.
I am still glad he threw his hat in the ring and I will vote for him if his name appears on any ballot of mine.
Anonymous 7:19....McCain lost, but not because of his age.
DeleteBernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren - the best ! Along with President Obama !!
ReplyDeleteI read yesterday that Warren has not been a champion for climate change. I hope that changes. I just think so far financial form has been "her thing."
DeleteBernie needs our help,we just cannot hand the presidency to Hillary without any debate. I think she is quite qualified but it worries me that it would come down to either her or Jeb without a fight. What does that say about our country?
ReplyDeleteHow does in fighting help my party?
DeleteI love Bernie. I will be giving him money and voting for him in
ReplyDeletethe primaries.
He's going to greatly increase the uncomfortable level for a lot of politicians. I just hope the Media gives him a fair shake and at the very least allow his points to be made and heard. If they attempt to marginalize him we must be vocal, and call them out. I hope he is able to make the hypocrisy of the Rethugs, which I'm sure he'll bring up, gets a fair hearing with the Media and doesn't get diminished.
ReplyDeleteThere was some speculation this morning on The Stephanie Miller Show that Bernie will be able to say things & bring up issues that Hillary won't. No, he won't win the nomination, but it would be great if he can be her "Luther" for a while.
ReplyDelete"No, he won't win the nomination, but it would be great if he can be her "Luther" for a while."
Delete--------------------------
I think Bernie is likely quite aware of his chances against Hillary being quite low. I also think he will be effective in forcing Hillary to sharpen and define her message and positions. I have seen nothing to indicate that he would rather have a republican than Hillary win the general election. He is well aware of her voting record in the Senate, which was surprisingly liberal, given that the accepted wisdom is that she is nothing but a corporatist toady.
I don't see the primary battle between them being the psychotic destructive war of a pack of megalomaniacal loons that the republican primary process will be.
It could be very helpful to the Democrats.
Totally agree with you Nefer that it will be helpful to the Democrats that both Bernie and Hillary are running. I admire them both. It will be a pleasure to listen to both of them as they bring out the best in each other.
DeleteAmen. There is no downside to insisting that the issues be discussed and forcing the big-money candidates to confront them. I have always wished he would do this. If he were to win, he would need Elizabeth Warren in the Senate.
ReplyDeleteI've ordered several Bernie bumper stickers and plan to display them as I drive around my solidly blue town, where everyone has just shrugged and accepted that Hillary's inevitable.
ReplyDeleteMaybe she is; maybe she isn't.
But having to debate Bernie Sanders will bring out what she really believes, or thinks people want to believe She may be surprised.
The Bernie Buzz is his e-mail newsletter.
Great that Bernie is in the race
ReplyDeleteIf nothing else, I hope he damages and ruins hillary rotten's enough
So she can never win the presidency
Sanders will shine the harsh light of truth on the issues and that will help.
ReplyDeleteM
Former President Carter's presidency was an anomaly, precisely because he was, and still is, the rarest of beings, an honest politician.
ReplyDeleteSo are Senators Sanders and Warren.
That honesty is a hindrance in those who aim to govern this nation will contribute to our downfall.
While I admire their strength, the harsh reality is that they cannot succeed in the long run but I wish them the strength to continue to speak Truth to Power.
Long live the Fearless Forward Looking Ones.
You folks who say Sen. Sanders is too old & he can't win are a real buzzkill. You are the reason republicans are leading our nation down a path of destruction.
ReplyDeleteCompetition is a good thing, the more people willing to tackle issues and explain their vision I like Bernie Sanders a lot, always have, I'd love to see him and Hillary debate, I just think he's too outgunned money wise and it'll be a hard climb as far as getting his message across in the media.
ReplyDeleteWe desperately need election reform to make it easier for people to run effective campaigns.
I was happy to hear Sanders was in the race. Taibbis artocle was the icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteAll of you guys - he can win! He is going to win if people like yourselves don't give up! This might actually be our last chance to take back the country. My advice - get up on your feet - print out some copies of articles about Bernie Sanders or print out some flyers with some of his best quotes and the website for the campaign. Then go door-to-door and politely hand people these flyers. Explain why you think this candidate is so great in a calm way. Encourage people to visit the website. Tell why it matters to you and what he wants to do for our country. Thank people for their time. Repeat at the next door. You'd be surprised - really - how much of an impression you will make on people by doing that. I'm living in Korea right now, so I can't go door to door (or at least it would be really pointless!) but you can! And you should! We can win this thing with a grassroots effort. Bernie has already made tremendous gains, especially considering the media's near blackout on him and the competition of a woman whose name is known by everyone. Get out there! I implore you! Don't lose hope - because that's the only way to lose. We can do this together!
ReplyDelete