The Democratic Safe House

[mark46]

I disliked Clinton in the 2008 primaries when she refused to denounce the release (widely believed to be from someone in her campaign) of a picture of Obama in traditional Kenyan clothes that was clearly intended to stir up xenophobia. I don't think she was responsible (and I didn't think so at the time, either), but if there was a chance she had a loose canon in her campaign, it was her responsibility to denounce the clear intention. Instead, she was willing to benefit from racism (this was during the height of birther-ism) when it suited her. It showed a lack of character.

On the flip side, I was impressed with Sanders' response both to the Clinton email scandal and the DNC server leaks. That's character.

Is Sanders a Democrat? I believe that he is not a registered Democrat. If he nominated, this may be the first time in modern times that a party nominated a president not from their party.

 

[Willtor]

Is Sanders a Democrat? I believe that he is not a registered Democrat. If he nominated, this may be the first time in modern times that a party nominated a president not from their party.

Right, so this is a good question. Do you have to register as a Democrat to run in the Democratic primaries? If not, he may still not be a Democrat.

 

[stamperben]

He did have to register as a dem. State election rules and all that.

 

[Arcangl86]

Ok, I don't get it. Do people really think people who want to vote for Bernie are doing it for "free stuff"?

 

[stamperben]

Ok, I don't get it. Do people really think people who want to vote for Bernie are doing it for "free stuff"?

No, they use that line because it's the only way they have to attack him as his positions actually line up with what Americans want.

 

[Willtor]

I'm guessing conservative pundits use that argument, and I'll bet not a lot of reflection on the argument itself happens before it's made by those who repeat it. So... do they "believe" it? I don't know if they've really thought about it.

 

[DaisyDay]

I don't know if they've really thought about it.

People like to repeat what they think is a good line.

 

[Arcangl86]

I'm guessing conservative pundits use that argument, and I'll bet not a lot of reflection on the argument itself happens before it's made by those who repeat it. So... do they "believe" it? I don't know if they've really thought about it.

Hmm, I hope that's true. The main difficulty is that every time i see it used is with the implication that we support Bernie because we are too stupid to know that his policies won't work.

 

[stamperben]

Hmm, I hope that's true. The main difficulty is that every time i see it used is with the implication that we support Bernie because we are too stupid to know that his policies won't work.

And that's the meme that the right has used for years now, that Dem voters are "low information" despite the fact that Trump tells the nation that he loves the lower educated because they are voting for him!

 

[Willtor]

Ostensibly, Bernie Sanders wants to use the Soviet Union as a model. And everybody knows the Soviet Union didn't work out (and had a lot of social problems, aside). But, again, it's not because they've actually thought about any of this. They can't use a country where socialized medicine is working because the pundits don't cite those countries. It's too hard to make a case based on, e.g., Sweden or Germany. But people who don't actually consider the issues, themselves, don't ask about the countries where it is working.

 

[mark46]

Ostensibly, Bernie Sanders wants to use the Soviet Union as a model. And everybody knows the Soviet Union didn't work out (and had a lot of social problems, aside). But, again, it's not because they've actually thought about any of this. They can't use a country where socialized medicine is working because the pundits don't cite those countries. It's too hard to make a case based on, e.g., Sweden or Germany. But people who don't actually consider the issues, themselves, don't ask about the countries where it is working.

This is a bit silly.

Sanders doesn't use the Soviet Union as a model. He uses Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

 

[Willtor]

This is a bit silly.

Sanders doesn't use the Soviet Union as a model. He uses Sweden, Germany and Denmark.

Hence, "ostensibly."

 

[ArmenianJohn]

Do Republicans/conservatives really not understand the difference between socialism and communism? Or are they using the stereotypes and misunderstandings that are out there in the psyche of many Americans as a tactic to combat Sanders? I honestly can't tell if they are ignorant or intentionally exploiting the negative connotation to "socialism" as they see it. Any ideas? I know there are people on both sides of that but do you think it's mostly ignorance or mostly the exploitation of the stereotype associated with the word???

 

[DaisyDay]

Do Republicans/conservatives really not understand the difference between socialism and communism? Or are they using the stereotypes and misunderstandings that are out there in the psyche of many Americans as a tactic to combat Sanders? I honestly can't tell if they are ignorant or intentionally exploiting the negative connotation to "socialism" as they see it. Any ideas? I know there are people on both sides of that but do you think it's mostly ignorance or mostly the exploitation of the stereotype associated with the word???

I can't tell.

 

[Willtor]

Do Republicans/conservatives really not understand the difference between socialism and communism? Or are they using the stereotypes and misunderstandings that are out there in the psyche of many Americans as a tactic to combat Sanders? I honestly can't tell if they are ignorant or intentionally exploiting the negative connotation to "socialism" as they see it. Any ideas? I know there are people on both sides of that but do you think it's mostly ignorance or mostly the exploitation of the stereotype associated with the word???

There's a generational gap in the connotations of the word "socialist."

 

[Mary7]

http://www.salon.com/2016/02/28/the...aster_democrats_must_avoid/?source=newsletter
You like what Bernie’s calling for, but you just don’t think he’s likely to win the general election, perhaps because “this country would never elect a socialist.” And even if he did win, you don’t think he’d be able to accomplish his goals, given how entrenched the GOP opposition is. Maybe you even think it’s already settled—that Hillary’s got the nomination locked up.



Here’s why going with that assumption—and backing Hillary in general—would be, in the words of Donald Trump, a disaster.

Contrary to conventional pundit wisdom, Hillary is not the stronger general-election candidate.

 

[Deviant Writer]

http://www.salon.com/2016/02/28/the...aster_democrats_must_avoid/?source=newsletter
You like what Bernie’s calling for, but you just don’t think he’s likely to win the general election, perhaps because “this country would never elect a socialist.” And even if he did win, you don’t think he’d be able to accomplish his goals, given how entrenched the GOP opposition is. Maybe you even think it’s already settled—that Hillary’s got the nomination locked up.



Here’s why going with that assumption—and backing Hillary in general—would be, in the words of Donald Trump, a disaster.

Contrary to conventional pundit wisdom, Hillary is not the stronger general-election candidate.

She strikes me as being generic, the Democratic version of Mitt Romney. I'll pick her over Donald Drumpf. I'll pick any other candidate over Donald Drumpf.

 

[Willtor]

She strikes me as being generic, the Democratic version of Mitt Romney. I'll pick her over Donald Drumpf. I'll pick any other candidate over Donald Drumpf.

The analogy to Mitt Romney occurred to me recently, too. It's hard for me to get excited about her, especially knowing that Bernie Sanders (or someone like him) is an option. And I have some concerns about turn-out if she wins.

 

[Willtor]

Hey! For those who are in Super Tuesday states, be sure to vote, today. I did! But they didn't give me a sticker. Probably because I voted for Bernie.

 

[cow451]

Hey! For those who are in Super Tuesday states, be sure to vote, today. I did! But they didn't give me a sticker. Probably because I voted for Bernie.

Everyone that voted for Trump should get a sucker.