I love Bernie Sanders. I love his gruffness, I love his hair. And you know what? I think he'd be pretty darn good as president.
119
Don't underestimate Bernie's possibility of winning… IF:
=> The media decides to make the race about issues instead of how-much-money-the-candidate-has-raised
=> The voters who turned out for Obama in 2008 and 2012 look at the issues a vote for the candidate who will address their concerns best
=> The large mass of voters who sat out 2012 and 2014 because there wasn't any difference between the candidates look at the issues and see that Bernie's positions are best for them, best for the economy, and best for democracy
=> The 60-somethings who got clean for Gene in 1968 decide to get-on-the-journey with Bernie in 2016 and support an "unelectable and unknown Senator" who understands their interests and concerns
=> The college-aged students listen to Bernie's positions on the issue of paint for college and realize they need to show up and vote for him
Bernie COULD be elected if the campaign is on the issues and voters pay attention. Here's hoping snarkiness about his demeanor, age, and improbability don't dominate future columns.
=> The media decides to make the race about issues instead of how-much-money-the-candidate-has-raised
=> The voters who turned out for Obama in 2008 and 2012 look at the issues a vote for the candidate who will address their concerns best
=> The large mass of voters who sat out 2012 and 2014 because there wasn't any difference between the candidates look at the issues and see that Bernie's positions are best for them, best for the economy, and best for democracy
=> The 60-somethings who got clean for Gene in 1968 decide to get-on-the-journey with Bernie in 2016 and support an "unelectable and unknown Senator" who understands their interests and concerns
=> The college-aged students listen to Bernie's positions on the issue of paint for college and realize they need to show up and vote for him
Bernie COULD be elected if the campaign is on the issues and voters pay attention. Here's hoping snarkiness about his demeanor, age, and improbability don't dominate future columns.
109
Sanders has my vote, hands down.
110
a snarky column about the most genuine progressive to come down the pike in decade from a progressive (I think) columnist. not a great omen
Go Bernie!!
Go Bernie!!
149
Bernie Sanders never panders.
92
It's funny. The most extreme lunatics and nutjobs enter presidential politics from the right (see Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, or Sarah Palin) and they are treated seriously by the MSM.
Bernie Sanders enters stage left, and he's treated as a curiosity, in patronizing columns like this and elsewhere, as if he's an extremist and a loser out of the gate.
I am donating to his campaign immediately.
Bernie Sanders enters stage left, and he's treated as a curiosity, in patronizing columns like this and elsewhere, as if he's an extremist and a loser out of the gate.
I am donating to his campaign immediately.
204
As Gene Debs said: It's better to vote for someone you want and lose than to vote for someone you don't want and win.
Don't talk about "pushing Hillary to the left." Talk about Bernie being the long-needed focal point for progressives to organize and have at least as much influence on the left as the Tea Party has on the right.
Go Bernie.
Don't talk about "pushing Hillary to the left." Talk about Bernie being the long-needed focal point for progressives to organize and have at least as much influence on the left as the Tea Party has on the right.
Go Bernie.
136
The people of this country have never once elected an admitted socialist, and never will. Period.
6
I am looking forward to Gail's column when, after this snide sideswiping of Bernie Sanders, Hillary gets clobbered in the 2016 election. Neither is going to beat a chameleon of a Republican "moderate," Bernie because no one likes a candidate who speaks the truth and Hillary because no one like a candidate who cannot speak the truth which anyone can believe is the truth. A Republican moderate will be able to tell less or other than the truth as if it were the truth, and be believed.
13
Gail, the challenge for those of us that still think it matters...
is simple: who can run this complex nation in this deeply troubled world...
with an eye on the numbers, the people, the environment, the criminal element in politics and elsewhere -
the financial system
the medical system
terror...
and common sense?
We are in a crisis - and everyone knows this.
Bernie is an indication of the problem, not more.
Sandy
is simple: who can run this complex nation in this deeply troubled world...
with an eye on the numbers, the people, the environment, the criminal element in politics and elsewhere -
the financial system
the medical system
terror...
and common sense?
We are in a crisis - and everyone knows this.
Bernie is an indication of the problem, not more.
Sandy
3
We need Bernie Sanders and Jim Webb in the race. They are the only two who speak the truth about our broken system. Neither political party will mention the topics they discuss and tell the truth. Both parties are for they crazy trade agreements and beholden to AIPAC for their foreign policy views in the middle east. Sanders and Webb will expose Hillary Clinton for what she is, a bought and paid for politician who has no interest in changing the broken system that her husband helped create and has been so good for her.
45
It is precisely because Senator Sanders stands little chance of winning that allows him to be so refreshingly firm in his beliefs. He's got nothing to lose by being totally honest and direct. Good luck to him!
33
Put simply, I will vote for Bernie Sanders, and I will not vote for Hillary Clinton.
77
Bernie Sanders would be right-of-center in Scandinavia. It's sad that Democrats will label him "extreme."
79
It is sad that due to his age and his small state that Bernie has no chance. He is spot on with almost all of his views.
32
"Bernie Sanders is Mount Rushmore to Hillary Clinton’s Sheila the Shapeshifter"
Yep. He's old school, in that he has opinions and ideas about policy that he shares with the populace — no polling required! And he's progressive, which (given how far both parties have been yanked to the right in the past decade) makes him truly a Democrat. No Wall Street Repub-lite behavior for him. Even fights on behalf of consituents over corporations. Refreshing.
He won't win, but will force some very needed ideas out into the sunlight, where they can't be ignored by other candidates. Go, Bernie.
Yep. He's old school, in that he has opinions and ideas about policy that he shares with the populace — no polling required! And he's progressive, which (given how far both parties have been yanked to the right in the past decade) makes him truly a Democrat. No Wall Street Repub-lite behavior for him. Even fights on behalf of consituents over corporations. Refreshing.
He won't win, but will force some very needed ideas out into the sunlight, where they can't be ignored by other candidates. Go, Bernie.
51
Bernie is a heroic figure. He is a modern day Knight of La Mancha, lacking only a Sancho Panza to make the analogy complete.
38
We love you Bernie one of the few honest politicians in the beltway bubble, maybe there is something to being an independent.
85
He has to yell, to make his voice heard over all the "free speech" funded by billionaires.
109
Bravo Bernie Sanders! Here’s to more bull in the china shop and some blunt, no-holds-barred honesty in a rumpled though articulate package.
Amazing, something genuinely interesting has happened in the Democratic bid for the 2016 Presidential election.
It certainly was not Hillary meandering through the countryside looking for pearls of homespun liberal wisdom while actually rubbing shoulders with real Americana. How very contrived and pretentious.
Lets see a few more brave souls join the Democratic fray.
Amazing, something genuinely interesting has happened in the Democratic bid for the 2016 Presidential election.
It certainly was not Hillary meandering through the countryside looking for pearls of homespun liberal wisdom while actually rubbing shoulders with real Americana. How very contrived and pretentious.
Lets see a few more brave souls join the Democratic fray.
58
I've observed Bernie in settings like Bill Maher's show, and I've seen him literally swat away women sitting beside him as he makes his point. He is strangely oblivious to humans standing nearby. I don't know what that means, but the guy is not a master of optics. It's cool in a way.
6
I'm voting for Bernie. Somewhere along the line I became a Bernie Sanders fan, though I live in California..and have for more than 50 years. No matter how small my bank account, I usually found a few dollars to contribute to his campaign because he seemed honest and good. So, though some may joke about him being President, I'm serious when I say he'll make a great one!
105
Anyone who has heard Sen Sanders on "Brunch with Bernie," his weekly appearance on the Thom Hartmann talk show knows he has a quick mind and wit and is solid as a rock on the issues. His disgust with the shredding of economic justice by the self serving oligarchy is clearly genuine. This is the kind of person it will take to move the country off its plutocratic plunge trajectory. Go, Bernie!
56
Sign me up. My $50 is in the mail.
44
Well if Bernie Sanders manages to turn Hillary a tiny bitsy to the left he will have accomplished a miracle and is deserving of $upport even from this registered blank and Ralph Nader activist.
15
It would be interesting to hear an honest debate between Walker and Sanders. It will never happen because Walker wouldn't let it. Sanders knows what he's against and can put forward a positive agenda. Walker or Bush don't dare present the right wing agenda, they respond to their wealthy backers and will do whatever they are ordered to do.
31
Bernie Sanders is the next guy to have not even a smidgen of practical experience managing or leading anything--not so much as running a lemonade stand, but he's running for the job of chief executive and commander in chief. We currently see how that business model is working out. And please, someone give Bernie the owner's manual for how to use a comb. (I know, I know, that's an ad hominem cheap attack, but it's a bread crumb on the trail to what you'd get if you voted for him.)
4
"This would include making “the wealthiest people and corporations start paying their fair share of taxes.”"
Since "the wealthiest people and corporations" already pay 90 percent of the income taxes collected, Sanders, by that statement, has just proved himself to be a class-war fool and economic ignoramus.
But then, we already knew that.
Since "the wealthiest people and corporations" already pay 90 percent of the income taxes collected, Sanders, by that statement, has just proved himself to be a class-war fool and economic ignoramus.
But then, we already knew that.
3
Thank you, Ms. Collins. Common sense is a welcome break from the ignorance and derangement that has passed for political activity on far too many occasions over the past 34 years.
15
You've gotta love Bernie. He is principled and usually right on the money. And he will call out Hillary on all the right issues just by being there as a reminder of what democracy is supposed to be all about.
58
Ms Collins--Apparently you got Bernie riled because you were pressing him on the horserace thing and not the issues facing our country. Why are journalists, even those for serious papers like the Times, so hung up on this tabloid personal stuff and so indifferent to political programs and philosophies? As your colleague Paul Krugman pointed out the other day, it's the political program that matters to real peoples's interests, hardly the individual politician at all.
41
Perhaps Bernie could forge a bi-partisan coalition with his Republican counter-parts. "Left or Right, get those kids off my lawn!".
1
I am so disappointed with people saying they're for Bernie even though he can't win. I am for him and I know he can and will win. As soon as the debates begin, it's all over for Hillary; people will see how honest and trustworthy and intelligent Bernie is, and he'll be their pick. The only reason Hillary is ahead in the polls now is name recognition. Soon Bernie will have that too--and lots more. And if he signals he'd put Elizabeth Warren on the ticket with him, that's icing on the cake. Go Bernie!
45
in just 24 hours - 35,000 donations averaging $43/each.
does that indicate just how tired the citizenship is of having their government controlled by the nation's billionaires?
i hope so. i'm tired of it. frankly, everyone i talk to is tired of it as well.
does that indicate just how tired the citizenship is of having their government controlled by the nation's billionaires?
i hope so. i'm tired of it. frankly, everyone i talk to is tired of it as well.
74
I have contributed to his campaign. I love this man!! He would be a great president. I am not happy with Clinton and the media's attempts to anoint her as the Democratic candidate. I will never vote Republican, but I will not vote for her.
35
I hope he's nominated and if not nominated, runs as an independent. Either will guarantee a GOP victory. And I'll give him credit for one large difference between him and Clinton: he's honest.
9
If we had more politicians like Bernie Sanders, rather than the self-serving, two-faced, money-grubbing, mental pygmies who fill the congress, average people in this country might still have a chance. As it is, we are well on the way to a de facto oligarchy, and we have no one but ourselves to blame.
56
"Gruff is pretty much his normal way of speaking" and with that nauseating nasally type of Brooklyn accent from where he originates - not the endearing "fuggetaboutit" sound the nation does love. Bernie is symbolic of the New York City know-it-all progressive without any possibility of attracting a wider audience.
I'll grant that he ever won an election in Vermont is amazing. Well, not so amazing when one considers that Vermont has been engaged in a downward economic spiral over the past two decades with its adoption of tax the rich "progressive" leadership. Stay in Vermont Bernie - be true to your colors - be assured, the nation does not want you.
I'll grant that he ever won an election in Vermont is amazing. Well, not so amazing when one considers that Vermont has been engaged in a downward economic spiral over the past two decades with its adoption of tax the rich "progressive" leadership. Stay in Vermont Bernie - be true to your colors - be assured, the nation does not want you.
5
I don't think that Bernie Sanders will be the Democratic candidate, but if he is I will vote for him regardless of who the Republican candidate is. If nothing else, Senator Sanders is a breath of fresh air in the stifling noxious atmosphere of today's political environment.
33
In many elections I feel I have no choice but to vote for the least bad option. I'm delighted that Bernie Sanders is running as I'll finally be able to vote for someone I believe can be really good.
53
Even though his odds of winning are low, Bernie offers a real choice. The whole lot of the rest of them will just do the bidding of their corporate masters.
36
Dear Gail,
Great ideas, but too many jokes here. What would happen if we treated Bernie as a serious candidate? He stands for most everything I care about for this country. I just made a small donation. It reminded me of another candidate who started out on small donations, and he won! Enough cynicism. Let's go with Bernie!
Great ideas, but too many jokes here. What would happen if we treated Bernie as a serious candidate? He stands for most everything I care about for this country. I just made a small donation. It reminded me of another candidate who started out on small donations, and he won! Enough cynicism. Let's go with Bernie!
64
The Republicans have been running against imaginary socialists for a long, long time. Having a real, self-identified "democratic socialist" running for president should act to reset the political spectrum in our political discourse. It's going to be hard for the Republicans to run against their fantasy of Hillary Clinton as a dangerous Leftist with Sanders beating her up from the Left. If Sanders keeps at it and Clinton wins the nomination, she will come to the genera looking like what she is, a conservative Democrat. The Republicans will have to work hard to make her look dangerous to their base.
19
It seems many posters live in a state that allows them to vote across party lines in the primary. Or they are simply unaware that Sen. Sanders will be running as an Independent in the election.
That said, he cannot get my vote as he does not appear on the Democratic slate of candidates that this Democrat will have on his primary ballot.
That said, he cannot get my vote as he does not appear on the Democratic slate of candidates that this Democrat will have on his primary ballot.
How come principled guys end up being confined to the forgotten bins of history? I guess people like some rough riding, and backroom negotiations, and elbow-twisting, compromising principles 'a la Machiavello', as the end (the presidency) amply 'justifies' the means. Are we supposed to participate in this circus, or just be 'voyeurs' loaded with 'schadenfreude'? Two years of suffering, and finally relief of incessant propaganda to see who can be drowned first, and who will 'last' last...and take the crown.
7
I've loved Bernie for a long time; respected him actually. I hope he stays in the race long enough to get some important ideas out there so his message can reach the wider public who will be listening to the same old tired ideas for the next dreadful months to come. Some new ideas may peak their interest and cause them to think more seriously about the issues facing our country. I just don't want the same result that came with George McGovern's quest for the presidency. Sadly he only carried Massachusetts.
Hang in there Bernie, get the word out, I'll send you my $43.
Hang in there Bernie, get the word out, I'll send you my $43.
24
The Democratic machine is going to fight Sanders's nomination all the way. Hillary is the anointed one with the corporate support that hijacked the party long ago. It's going to take a lot of enthusiastic participation of the masses for Sanders to wrest power from the old school Democrats.
29
It was not impossible for a small group of ultra reactionary wing-nuts to take over the Republican Party. Part of the reason is they believed they could.
Many liberals seem to be already conceding one day into Bernie Sanders run for the Presidency. And he is no wing-nut.
How sad is this?
Many liberals seem to be already conceding one day into Bernie Sanders run for the Presidency. And he is no wing-nut.
How sad is this?
37
Sanders views are the ones that we need to address and solve. He is a straight shooter and has walked the walk for years. However he is not the photogenic, charismatic good hair, good teeth and politically "flexible' person that the politics and special interests and many voters want. His "extreme "views as Gail points out or the principals and changes we need. He will force the politicians to talk about issues and that's a big help.
25
I'm actually surprised at the "Senator Sanders is 'gruff'" meme. I've been listening to the man on Thom Hartmann's radio program for years (first hour every Friday) and he has never been anything other than thoughtful, considerate and kind to the callers regardless of the questions thrown at him. His voice is a bit rough, but his personality is not gruff. I have nothing but respect for Bernie Sanders. He absolutely has my vote in the primary.
245
'You've got to give him credit', and a snide undercurrent along with it.
12
Being a self-proclaimed Socialist is not exactly the way to election to the presidency, especially in this time of tea parties and ignorant yahoos. Nevertheless, it will be refreshing to see what he can do to Ms. Rodham-Clinton and her sleazy non-program. Go for it Bernie! You may even end up making an honest woman out oh her.
14
Gail, read the comments here, and have some modicum of respect the next time you do a piece about Bernie (that's "Mr. Sanders" to you).
58
By the way Gail, I'm very disappointed with this column. I really look to you for insight into our zany political life. This time you missed it, although I gather Bernie became a little annoyed with your interview. Rise above it.
35
Bernie will not shift Hillary left; he'll shift Hillary's language left. Hillary is an adroit chameleon but in her native habitat, isolated from the cameras and the crowds, she looks remarkably like Robert Rubin.
23
And even if he were to get elected POTUS, he would confront the Republican obstructionists and everything would be as it is now under Obama. By the way, the same holds true for Clinton should she get elected POTUS.
5
At least he didn't cave in and vote, with an eye on the polls, for the Iraq War like one other Democratic candidate I know.
32
His campaign makes me feel good again. Woo Hoo!
43
actually - their are a lot more people who think like bernie than you might want to believe. you just never hear from them in elections because they never have a candidate they feel is worth supporting.
just take a long look at the recent scuttlebutt on social media.
i've never seen such an overwhelmingly positive response to any politician announcing a run for any office. the social democrats are a lot more numerous than people know - and they are now AWAKE.
just take a long look at the recent scuttlebutt on social media.
i've never seen such an overwhelmingly positive response to any politician announcing a run for any office. the social democrats are a lot more numerous than people know - and they are now AWAKE.
39
Gail, I don't foresee Democrats nominating Chafee. They're not "the party of Lincoln," you know.
4
Already sent him some $$$! If I could vote more than once I'd cast them all for Senator Bernie Sanders! (Maybe I should move to Chicago?).
25
Where can I donate to Bernie Sanders' official presidential campaign. I don't want my donation(s) going to a bogus campaign website.
For decades I've been waiting for an ethical, honest, and no-nonsense individual run for president and Senator Bernie Sanders is certainly that person. I couldn't be more happy.
He may not win the nomination, but I believe his messaging on the campaign trail will resonate with Americans and hopefully awaken them to how state legislatures, Washington, and the Supreme Court for decades have forsaken “We The People”. Politicians today curry favor with Corporate America, Lobbyists, and Wall Street for obscene amounts of campaign dollars and in return pass legislation which enriches their puppet masters. This “play-for-pay” feels illegal to me, and if it is not, then why is former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich still in prison. His crime seems no worse than what goes on in Washington everyday.
Good luck to Senator Bernie Sanders!
For decades I've been waiting for an ethical, honest, and no-nonsense individual run for president and Senator Bernie Sanders is certainly that person. I couldn't be more happy.
He may not win the nomination, but I believe his messaging on the campaign trail will resonate with Americans and hopefully awaken them to how state legislatures, Washington, and the Supreme Court for decades have forsaken “We The People”. Politicians today curry favor with Corporate America, Lobbyists, and Wall Street for obscene amounts of campaign dollars and in return pass legislation which enriches their puppet masters. This “play-for-pay” feels illegal to me, and if it is not, then why is former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich still in prison. His crime seems no worse than what goes on in Washington everyday.
Good luck to Senator Bernie Sanders!
29
Gail's cute disregard is annoying. Maybe she should wrap her head around Bernie 's call for a political revolution and what that means. Oh well, one might take her opinion a little more seriously if she didn't come off like Bernie candidacy deserved as much attention as the salad she was contemplating ordering while writing this column.
44
Sanders is superb in his own right. More than that, a Clinton-Sanders ticket would be a terrific match.
6
As a Jew and social-dem, I feel safe in saying: "He's Jewish, he's a socialist--how could he possibly lose?"
17
Here is one big difference between Bernie and Hillary. Bernie is inspiring, at least to some. Hillary is meh. To all.
Have you seen even ONE comment this campaign that says "I love Hillary! She inspires! I can't wait to see her bring her vision to the White House!" ??? I doubt it.
Actually, she has no vision. She has been in government for decades and she has to have a listening tour to figure out what she stands for?
Whereas Bernie inspires. If you don't believe it, read all the comments. Sure, he won't get all the votes. But never underestimate the power of inspired followers.
Have you seen even ONE comment this campaign that says "I love Hillary! She inspires! I can't wait to see her bring her vision to the White House!" ??? I doubt it.
Actually, she has no vision. She has been in government for decades and she has to have a listening tour to figure out what she stands for?
Whereas Bernie inspires. If you don't believe it, read all the comments. Sure, he won't get all the votes. But never underestimate the power of inspired followers.
176
Gail, the man is Vermont's joke... and Vermont knows it.
3
May Senator Bernie Sanders reveal to the American people his authenticity, progressiveness and independence from the harness (straight-jacket) of both political parties, Democratic and Republican. "Yelling" his mind is pejorative, dear Gail. But what a mind! Bernie Sanders is an oldie but goodie, and there's the faintest chance (NOT slim to none) of his victory in 19 months. Senator Sanders' campaign is just in its toddling stage right now, compared to Hillary's - "Sheila the Shapeshifter" (are you channeling dear Texas truth-teller Molly Ivins, bless her?) - whose war chest is expanding. Please give Senator Sanders credit, not only for being a gruff and sometimes loud American politician, but for speaking the truth as he sees it to those of us who are so tired of having candidates from all parties pulling the mendacity wool over our eyes that we're not seeing clearly 19 months ahead of 2016's election. Someone close to me says that Bernie Sanders is "stick a fork in him", done. Hopeless. But I am optimistic and hope springs eternal and just as Barack Hussein Obama (that middle name! that brilliance! That Hau'ole Kane! That African/American man!) zoomed past everyone - like the road-runner "beepbeep" - including Hilary who was left in his 2008 dust - So could Senator Bernie Sanders who is a man in full... a gruff, passionate, yelling man - pull off a victory. Stranger things have happened in American politics. And may YOU GO, Bernie!
31
Gov Jerry Brown should seriously consider for President. He will make a great VP too.
18
More than anything else he his making an enormous sacrifice for the American people. He will be campaigning on theBill of Rights and the Constitution as written down by the founding fathers. Thank You , Senator Sanders.
23
Bernie's appointment of Stephanie Kelton as economic advisor shows he is the only candidate who understand what's going on.
What does the country need?
Well paying jobs.
If people are working, producing, and spending, we get a virtuous circle where the money they spend provides more decent jobs for other people. What do we need to provide these well paying jobs?
Well, gee, we need money, money in the private sector, money to pay for these jobs,
We must keep the change in the balance sheet of the private sector positive. More money must come into it than goes out. Where does money flow from and to?
There are two places. First, the federal government. When it spend, it adds money to the private sector. When it taxes, it takes money out. The deficit measures how much it puts in net. When we have a surplus, we take money out net. THE FEDERAL DEFICIT IS INCOME FOR PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
The other place is our trade balance. When it is positive, money is put in the private sector; when it is negative, money is taken out.
The net effect of these two sectors must be positive. If we have a large trade balance, we only need a small deficit or can even support a surplus like Australia.
Today we have a large negative trade balance. We need a large deficit.
This is a simplification, e.g. federal spending must get the money to those who need it and will spend it, not those who do not need it and will speculate with it.
What does the country need?
Well paying jobs.
If people are working, producing, and spending, we get a virtuous circle where the money they spend provides more decent jobs for other people. What do we need to provide these well paying jobs?
Well, gee, we need money, money in the private sector, money to pay for these jobs,
We must keep the change in the balance sheet of the private sector positive. More money must come into it than goes out. Where does money flow from and to?
There are two places. First, the federal government. When it spend, it adds money to the private sector. When it taxes, it takes money out. The deficit measures how much it puts in net. When we have a surplus, we take money out net. THE FEDERAL DEFICIT IS INCOME FOR PEOPLE, BUSINESSES, AND STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.
The other place is our trade balance. When it is positive, money is put in the private sector; when it is negative, money is taken out.
The net effect of these two sectors must be positive. If we have a large trade balance, we only need a small deficit or can even support a surplus like Australia.
Today we have a large negative trade balance. We need a large deficit.
This is a simplification, e.g. federal spending must get the money to those who need it and will spend it, not those who do not need it and will speculate with it.
18
After Michael Moore previewed "SICKO" in NH and conducted a town meeting and press conference in Manchester that I attended, I 'got it.' I had great medical insurance, I thought, as a retired Federal civil rights lawyer. But SICKO and Moore's comments revealed deeper and scarier truths for me and my family let alone the 50 million Americans without health insurance.
So I ginned up a petition calling for single payer healthcare (HR 676) and when SICKO opened in Milford NH's tiny movie theater, I waited for it to end and with a big smile, offered people exiting "Here's the solution to what you just saw." I was amazed at the response as people signed the petition. If I tried to get them to sign before they saw SICKO going in to the theater, they had a million excuses and ran from me. After. They got it! Soon I had five clipboards going and people waiting to sign four and five deep regardless who they supported for Pres., even if I was wearing a Dennis Kucinich shirt, they still signed.
So I emailed Dennis Kucinich who I knew--I had been his 'Designated Representative' in Florida in 2004-Do this petition at every showing of SICKO in the country. Carmichael, his English policy guy wrote back, 'Health care is not an important issue in this campaign. Those that have it don't care. Those that don't don't vote.'
So i continued to circulate the petition on my own or with a few others. I have a database of over 900 NH people signing that single payer petition. Want it Bernie?
So I ginned up a petition calling for single payer healthcare (HR 676) and when SICKO opened in Milford NH's tiny movie theater, I waited for it to end and with a big smile, offered people exiting "Here's the solution to what you just saw." I was amazed at the response as people signed the petition. If I tried to get them to sign before they saw SICKO going in to the theater, they had a million excuses and ran from me. After. They got it! Soon I had five clipboards going and people waiting to sign four and five deep regardless who they supported for Pres., even if I was wearing a Dennis Kucinich shirt, they still signed.
So I emailed Dennis Kucinich who I knew--I had been his 'Designated Representative' in Florida in 2004-Do this petition at every showing of SICKO in the country. Carmichael, his English policy guy wrote back, 'Health care is not an important issue in this campaign. Those that have it don't care. Those that don't don't vote.'
So i continued to circulate the petition on my own or with a few others. I have a database of over 900 NH people signing that single payer petition. Want it Bernie?
16
I first became aware of Bernie Sanders when I heard him talking about economic issues on the Bill Moyers program. I thought to myself: WHO IS THIS GUY? He is a man of the people. He speaks his mind. And he sounds (gasp) sincere! I am so glad he has thrown his hat in the ring — we need his voice.
51
I wonder if Gail might be trying to have her cake and eat it too. A few months from now, when we are facing a Bush-Clinton race for President, I imagine she will bemoan the state of affairs that has led us to selecting a president from one of two powerful political families for the umpteenth time.
On the other hand, I find this article a bit too quick to dismiss a sitting senator who has been in Congress a quarter century. We get the leaders we deserve. Mr. Sanders is different; but who is satisfied with the status quo? While he is not as polished a politician as Mrs. Clinton, he is also not a joke, and I find it frustrating to see him being treated like one.
On the other hand, I find this article a bit too quick to dismiss a sitting senator who has been in Congress a quarter century. We get the leaders we deserve. Mr. Sanders is different; but who is satisfied with the status quo? While he is not as polished a politician as Mrs. Clinton, he is also not a joke, and I find it frustrating to see him being treated like one.
49
Bernie Sanders - "Ladies and Gentlemen, The President of the United States." Darn! my 5 yr. old had to wake me up and break up my wonderful dream. If truth were to triumph, he would be on that lofty perch. If honesty, integrity, uncannily futuristic, consistency, man of the people, democratic ( real, true old-fashioned way )", unafraid to fight for what is just and not beholden to moneyed interests - then Bernie Sanders would win hands down. But he is everything that a successful politician is not. If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.Unfortunately, Bernie Sanders has no chance,unlucky us! So we have to settle for second best, the good Listener. Maybe, Hillary Clinton will listen to Bernie Sanders and follow his lead. And being way ahead of the Republican pack, she will bring in reforms for the little people but to do that she has to join the pack to beat them.
7
Pretty cool that pretty much all 1000 of Bernie's voters posted on this thread
11
He'll get many more than 1000 votes. If the corporate media trats him even semi-seriously you can probably add three additional zeroes and multiply by 50.
9
The reason Bernie Sanders' remarks may sound so strange to many voters is that 1) he actually does side with ordinary people and 2) from what I can tell, he says what he means.
This has created a problem for the rest of us who, because of elected people we know or have observed, have come to expect candidate who lie, candidates who cheat, candidates who are corrupt, and candidates who, with both hands, take from the wealthy and give back to them in equal measure once they are elected.
Maybe Sanders' candidacy will raise our expectations and hopes for what we should expect a President to be.
This has created a problem for the rest of us who, because of elected people we know or have observed, have come to expect candidate who lie, candidates who cheat, candidates who are corrupt, and candidates who, with both hands, take from the wealthy and give back to them in equal measure once they are elected.
Maybe Sanders' candidacy will raise our expectations and hopes for what we should expect a President to be.
27
I am pleased to have Bernie as my US Senator, and proud of the Vermont voters for electing him. The man is fearless and principled. Would love to see him as our President. We do not need any political dynastic families in the United States. That's for North Korea and banana republics.
50
At a minimum, when Bernie is done people won't be able to pretend they didn't realize what the problems are, and what the solutions need to be. He will lay it out there - intelligent, honest, and articulate - for everyone to see and hear, as uncomfortable as that may be. What they do with that information is, unfortunately, up to them. And as a result nothing will change.
20
I too am exhilarated by Bernie Sanders entering the race. I am also very encouraged by how many readers are so enthusiastic about his candidacy. It seems so much more real that we Americans will come out in large numbers for someone who has stood for ethics for years, and have Sanders in the White House!
27
I find it troubling that he voted against TARP. Is this a sign of a pragmatic politician? Sure, I can agree with many of his views and there are many reasons to criticize TARP but any Keynesian economist will tell you that the stimulus bill, flawed as it was, was sorely needed. Did Sanders believe that this country would be better off without the bailouts? Or did he just get caught up in the symbolism of his vote? Either way, this isn't behavior I'd want to see from a future president. I hope Sanders realizes that being president will require much more compromising and much less ideology than a career in Congress will allow. I'm willing to entertain the idea of a President Sanders, but I hope he addresses this particular vote. Good thing he has 18 months to do so.
5
As long as he campaigns as a Democrat. I don't think it likely that he'll try to pull the move that Ralph did, sending the country into an abyss it still hasn't recovered from (and won't completely recover from until the Roberts Court has a different Roberts). He's got too much practical hands on political experience for that kind of stupidity. It will be very nice to see if his $43 a man contributions can outweigh the anti-democracatic, subversive activities of the Koch brothers and their like.
16
If people had a chance to listen, actually listen and be informed, the "radical" ideas of Bernie Sanders would come down to earth of their own accord.
The Republicans (remember them?) have had a series of outright looney or grossly unqualified candidates who, nonetheless, were taken seriously, presented as the hot prospects of the moment. Why can Bernie get this treatment, because, think about it, he is not looney, he has a great depth of experience in actual government and has ideas to offer?
Why is it that someone who might actually make a difference in the way America operates is treated like a fringe candidate the moment he opens his mouth? Rand Paul is pretty fringey himself, but no one started laughing when he announced his candidacy. Come to think of it, why do reporters, commentators and columnists get to decide who is a mainstream candidate or not?
Doug Terry
The Republicans (remember them?) have had a series of outright looney or grossly unqualified candidates who, nonetheless, were taken seriously, presented as the hot prospects of the moment. Why can Bernie get this treatment, because, think about it, he is not looney, he has a great depth of experience in actual government and has ideas to offer?
Why is it that someone who might actually make a difference in the way America operates is treated like a fringe candidate the moment he opens his mouth? Rand Paul is pretty fringey himself, but no one started laughing when he announced his candidacy. Come to think of it, why do reporters, commentators and columnists get to decide who is a mainstream candidate or not?
Doug Terry
35
Bernie Sanders is a white male liberal from Vermont, which is nothing like the rest of the country. The democratic base may have become more liberal but not the rest of the country. There's no way he can win a national election. His only value is to deliver liberal voters to Hillary.
In the meantime, he is keeping liberals happy and engaged.
In the meantime, he is keeping liberals happy and engaged.
4
What's wrong with a candidate evolving? Hillary Clinton has demonstrated flexibility and a willingness to reexamine issues and to make the kind of compromises that are necessary to lead. She also worked effectively with Republicans in the Senate. Think about the key voters in the swing states. Will enough of them vote for Sanders? I doubt it. He might potentially be the greatest president ever but he'll never get elected. But he will make the Democratic primaries more interesting.
7
The problem with evolving candidates is they evolve both ways. Bill Clinton evolved to the point that he signed the bill that repealed the Glass Steagall Act.
If the positions of a candidate are already sound, who needs them to evolve?
If the positions of a candidate are already sound, who needs them to evolve?
10
As one of those small donors to Bernie's campaign, I fully subscribe to Democratic Socialism as a means to a more just society. As pointed out by Lawrence Lessig in a speech imploring Sen. Warren to run, "the system is rigged," a sentiment also frequently espoused by Sen. Sanders. How can anyone who's carefully examining the economic situation in the US scoff at that notion? I see Bernie's run as his last great initiative to reform what has turned into a society in which profit trumps all other considerations. Thank you, Gail for reminding your readers of the man's consistency in his initiative to craft a society where justice rather than profit is the ultimate measure of American democracy. Considering how far we've strayed from that idea, how can anyone trivialize this gentleman's message?
50
Gail, your anecdote about George Dewey reminded me of Jon Huntsman's announcement of his candidacy four years ago. If I recall correctly, some of his campaign materials had his name misspelled at the event. Now that's inauspicious. Of course, he was the sane one in the Republican field.
As we will relearn in the coming months, having sane and sensible policies is not how someone mounts a successful campaign any more. It's all about raising money. Like so many people commenting here, I might vote for Bernie Sanders in a Primary (if he lasts long enough) or perhaps Jim Webb - but in November of 2016 I'll have no problem voting for Hillary Clinton. The Supreme Court is perilously close to throwing our entire American experiment into a ditch, so the Democratic nominee, whoever it maybe, gets my support and my vote in 18 months.
As we will relearn in the coming months, having sane and sensible policies is not how someone mounts a successful campaign any more. It's all about raising money. Like so many people commenting here, I might vote for Bernie Sanders in a Primary (if he lasts long enough) or perhaps Jim Webb - but in November of 2016 I'll have no problem voting for Hillary Clinton. The Supreme Court is perilously close to throwing our entire American experiment into a ditch, so the Democratic nominee, whoever it maybe, gets my support and my vote in 18 months.
25
Close to throwing it in the ditch? That happened already with Citizens United and restrictions on voting rights. The thing to do now is haul it out. Go Bernie.
9
"a special watch on U.S. military exercises this summer, due to public speculation that the soldiers might take over the state"
"Idaho Legislature recently killed a bill that would have provided federal aid in tracking down deadbeat dads"
Other examples of extremism or lunacy do not mean Sanders is not an extremist or a lunatic.
"Idaho Legislature recently killed a bill that would have provided federal aid in tracking down deadbeat dads"
Other examples of extremism or lunacy do not mean Sanders is not an extremist or a lunatic.
3
Which of his positions do you consider extremist or lunatic? (besides the idea that he could actually win the nomination or presidency)/
6
As learn more about Bernie Sanders, the more I see him being a legendary, history making positive force for our world. Like an extension of Obama's policies, but maybe without the Congressional division. He seems to always vote for the right cause, always argue the true position, always fight the good fight. My only question: what are his flaws?
17
I really, really envy Britain's short, sweet, inexpensive election cycle. Only 18 more months...
18
And don't forget Canada-- same short election cycle. An election gets called, signs go up, people vote a month or so later, and it's done. It's an altogether pleasant alternative to our dreary system.
7
Progressive Sanders. Let's see, he was an firebrand organizer for SNCC in Chicago during his college years and then moved to Vermont in 1964?
One would have thought he would live his dream in one of the US's major cities, I lived the in liberal dream of Detroit throughout the 60's and 70's, too bad Sanders missed out on all that fun.
One would have thought he would live his dream in one of the US's major cities, I lived the in liberal dream of Detroit throughout the 60's and 70's, too bad Sanders missed out on all that fun.
2
Having a middle class livable wage probably WAS fun.
3
Quoting Vaclav Havel, veteran of the Velvet Revolution and First President of the Czech Republic,
"When a person tries to act in accordance with his [or her] conscience, when he tries to speak the truth, when he tries to behave like a citizen, even in conditions where citizenship is degraded, it won't necessarily lead anywhere, but it might....Even a purely moral act that has no hope of any immediate and visible effect can gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance."
"When a person tries to act in accordance with his [or her] conscience, when he tries to speak the truth, when he tries to behave like a citizen, even in conditions where citizenship is degraded, it won't necessarily lead anywhere, but it might....Even a purely moral act that has no hope of any immediate and visible effect can gradually and indirectly, over time, gain in political significance."
59
I never thought I would see the day when someone ran for major office, let alone the presidency, as a democratic socialist! Time to dance in the streets! Go, Bernie, go! May every other closet democratic socialist come out in support of your candidacy.
Frequently, someone writes that they aren't going to vote to protest (really?) the lack of a good candidate. Well, folks, here is your chance. He is the most ethical of candidates and he deeply, deeply cares about the direction this country is traveling.
The Fox team that digs up dirt is going to ignore him for awhile. They will think his candidacy is a joke. When they start digging, good luck. I doubt there are mistresses or ill-gotten gains in his closet, unlike their own.
Frequently, someone writes that they aren't going to vote to protest (really?) the lack of a good candidate. Well, folks, here is your chance. He is the most ethical of candidates and he deeply, deeply cares about the direction this country is traveling.
The Fox team that digs up dirt is going to ignore him for awhile. They will think his candidacy is a joke. When they start digging, good luck. I doubt there are mistresses or ill-gotten gains in his closet, unlike their own.
24
Here's a possibility. With Bernie in the race, maybe more of that majority of frustrated, disillusioned, tired-of-politics, it-won't-make-a-difference, non-voters will see someone who does represent their interests and will show up at the polls.
24
Bernie is about the real issues. He has intellectual integrity.
Can you imagine Hillary changing campaign finance laws? Working on the serious policy changes needed for global warming? Smiling, silly, casual, middle of the road, part of the system Hillary? She states we need constitutional changes for the campaign changes -- I can't imagine she can move something like that.
I'm a Democrat and voted first for Lyndon Johnson -- to give you an idea of my age. I'm not sure of Hillary and don't see she will have anymore power and control and bully pulpit ability than Obama.
So why not Bernie? Honest, convincing, says what he thinks, good knowledge of the problems. He could get elected.
Can you imagine Hillary changing campaign finance laws? Working on the serious policy changes needed for global warming? Smiling, silly, casual, middle of the road, part of the system Hillary? She states we need constitutional changes for the campaign changes -- I can't imagine she can move something like that.
I'm a Democrat and voted first for Lyndon Johnson -- to give you an idea of my age. I'm not sure of Hillary and don't see she will have anymore power and control and bully pulpit ability than Obama.
So why not Bernie? Honest, convincing, says what he thinks, good knowledge of the problems. He could get elected.
24
At 78, I always Vote...but have become "of despair" that we ever "Vote" as people who believe that the action in our Voting Line still counts. Democracy seems challenged by the schemes of the Kochs, Adelson...names that are above daily concern for average people. I also choose Not to support a Dynasty on either side or Party. I am glad to join in the support of Bernie Sanders. also, it's great to know the company of Rima, Eisenberg, and Garcia.
14
Bernie Sanders running for President has made me regret (for the first time in my long voting life) that I am an independent and can't vote in the Democratic primary.
7
Is it too late to register as a Democrat?
4
Changing your registration to Democrat is very easy. If you're serious, why not give it a try?
9
When is the last time Gail's column immediately got 400 (and counting) comments, with all I can find supporting the subject--Bernie Sanders. It's just like the movie script for Network, only it's real. The people are dying for someone who will just give them the truth. Listening to Bernie is so incredibly refreshing. It's listenting to truth, common sense, vast political experience, and a seemingly opposing combination of humility and self-confidence.
The Democratic primary is now interesting for the first time.
The Democratic primary is now interesting for the first time.
69
Yes, "the people" (who read Gail Collins" have spoken!
Then there is the other 99.999%
Then there is the other 99.999%
1
Democratic Socialist vs Republican Fascist. Bernie Sanders apparently believes in truth in labeling the Republicans never had. To the Republicans, Democrat, Liberal, Socialist, Communist are all the same thing. Mr. Sanders does not have a chance to win the nomination because he cannot raise enough money but he can move Hillary to the left and would make an excellent choice for Vice President.
He is an angry man as any one who loves his country should be now that political offices are up to the highest bidders and the public can’t compete with billionaires like the Koch brothers a party unto themselves.
Sanders is smarter about government, more qualified and by far saner than any GOP contender so far and no one owns him and not one so far can say that with a straight face. He has no skeletons in his closet and he is widely respected among Democrats. So if he is not taken seriously the jokes on us.
I much prefer him to Hillary but she has a better chance of being elected and she has sharper claws and longer teeth and know where the bodies are buried and the Republicans are terrified of her. I know the GOP ticket. It will be Koch choice I and Koch choice II and I hope the Democratic ticket will be Clinton/Sanders.
He is an angry man as any one who loves his country should be now that political offices are up to the highest bidders and the public can’t compete with billionaires like the Koch brothers a party unto themselves.
Sanders is smarter about government, more qualified and by far saner than any GOP contender so far and no one owns him and not one so far can say that with a straight face. He has no skeletons in his closet and he is widely respected among Democrats. So if he is not taken seriously the jokes on us.
I much prefer him to Hillary but she has a better chance of being elected and she has sharper claws and longer teeth and know where the bodies are buried and the Republicans are terrified of her. I know the GOP ticket. It will be Koch choice I and Koch choice II and I hope the Democratic ticket will be Clinton/Sanders.
13
Astounding how the corporatist media paints Sanders as a "long shot" and an "unrealistic" choice while fawning over far less substantive and unintelligent GOP candidates that they deem "serious" such as empty suits Rubio, Perry et. al.. Then of course, there's the self anointed heir to the family throne, Jeb.
The vast majority of Americans are struggling and anxious about the future.
A bold new direction is in order.
If enough people vote their conscience the "long shot" could become the nominee. Just sayin'.
The vast majority of Americans are struggling and anxious about the future.
A bold new direction is in order.
If enough people vote their conscience the "long shot" could become the nominee. Just sayin'.
55
The Obama whom people voted for in 2008 was not the Obama who would occupy the White House. Everyone is confident that Bernie will be the same man, a quality which undermines the support for Hillary, the amorphous money-making machine.
27
You can expect to hear the GOP and their hate radio and Fox News stooges howling endlessly about Sanders being a "socialist". Well, clutch the pearls! The fact is, almost all successful countries, have a streak of socialism, such as health care. These are areas that we do not want to leave to the kindness of capitalists. The US draws the line at single payer (socialistic) fire protection, police protection and national defense. Oh, and the NFL. (Again with the pearls.) Beyond those, socialism is the boogy-man that lives under the bed and maybe puts fluoride in your drinking water. Be afraid, be very afraid.
35
How is the NFL socialist? It is a private oligopoly.
The polite gloved back of the hand from the serious NYT is all well and good.
Lest we forget, in '08 a man of mixed race began his campaign for president only two years removed from a pretty inglorious career as an Illinois state senator. Bernie Sanders is qualified, authentic, and speaks both for and to the disenfranchised who populate both political parties.
We live in an age that begat the Arab spring. Like Obama's campaign in '08, Sanders campaign could take off if he gets traction in Iowa and wins New Hampshire. His message is exactly the right one and will resonate in ways that make him the favorite to win the Presidency. Why do you think Clinton is trying to coopt parts of it?
The only question is simply this: will Sanders money last long enough for him to get through to that 25%+ of the Republican Party who share his values and outlook on the economy and opportunity? Can he cut through the fog of Fox News for the light bulb to go on in their collective conscientiousness?
It says here he darned well might. And if he does, not all the tea imported from China, or all the megabucks donors, won't be able to stand in the way of We the People.
So let's leave the damned with faint praise stuff 'till later, huh?
Lest we forget, in '08 a man of mixed race began his campaign for president only two years removed from a pretty inglorious career as an Illinois state senator. Bernie Sanders is qualified, authentic, and speaks both for and to the disenfranchised who populate both political parties.
We live in an age that begat the Arab spring. Like Obama's campaign in '08, Sanders campaign could take off if he gets traction in Iowa and wins New Hampshire. His message is exactly the right one and will resonate in ways that make him the favorite to win the Presidency. Why do you think Clinton is trying to coopt parts of it?
The only question is simply this: will Sanders money last long enough for him to get through to that 25%+ of the Republican Party who share his values and outlook on the economy and opportunity? Can he cut through the fog of Fox News for the light bulb to go on in their collective conscientiousness?
It says here he darned well might. And if he does, not all the tea imported from China, or all the megabucks donors, won't be able to stand in the way of We the People.
So let's leave the damned with faint praise stuff 'till later, huh?
44
This was a welcome piece. But Republicans will undoubtedly smear him as a Bolshevik (as they did Obama), because he has called himself a democratic socialist. Yes, the minimum wage, unemployment insurance, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and universal health insurance are all rooted in the democratic socialist tradition.
22
Yes, and much of the current Republican party would like to kill all of those programs.
4
I'm so disappointed in Gail Collins's snotty, demeaning tone about Bernie Sander's candidacy. This looks like the beginning of the "Dean-ification" of Sanders -- similar to the way Chris Matthews skewered the candidacy of Howard Dean because of an unguarded expression of excitement and joy.
The Press as an institution has enough problems itself, and has contributed to the corruption, shallowness, thoughtless support of stupidity throughout the U.S. Ms. Collins' superior attitude and casual dismissal of a candidate who wants to contribute to the social and political betterment of the country is just another example of the damage the news media have done and continue to do to the level of political discourse.
Ms. Collins' column reads like a nasty essay from an Ivy League sophomore scion of a billionaire family who hopes to be thought clever.
Ms. Collins, your column was not clever. It was just nasty and disrespectful. It was disgusting. You owe Bernie Sanders a public apology -- not to mention your readers.
The Press as an institution has enough problems itself, and has contributed to the corruption, shallowness, thoughtless support of stupidity throughout the U.S. Ms. Collins' superior attitude and casual dismissal of a candidate who wants to contribute to the social and political betterment of the country is just another example of the damage the news media have done and continue to do to the level of political discourse.
Ms. Collins' column reads like a nasty essay from an Ivy League sophomore scion of a billionaire family who hopes to be thought clever.
Ms. Collins, your column was not clever. It was just nasty and disrespectful. It was disgusting. You owe Bernie Sanders a public apology -- not to mention your readers.
101
You obviously didn't really read Ms. Collins' article today. Your take wasn't anything like her column.
I do not think Gail Collins was being disrespectful. She is always a thoughtful humorist, and you, sir or madam, are missing her point. In this country, does Bernie Sanders have a chance to become president? He does not. I would love him to be president, and I suspect Gail Collins would, too, given her last sentence. A lot of us are sending him small sums of money because we like him, crusty as he is or maybe because he is crusty. Yay to Bernie, for doing the right thing. Boo to you for not realizing that Gail Collins is saying the same thing.
5
Far as I can tell, Senator Bernie's got enough of a sense of humor to cope. I mean, look at the man's hair.
I am delighted that Bernie Sanders is running - how great to have a sane, principled candidate with common sense! I've never contributed to a political campaign, but I'll contribute to his. I only wish that I could vote for him in the primary, but I'm a registered Republican. (Why not change parties? Because the local elections here are almost always within the Republican Party [the Democrats often don't even propose a candidate], so if you don't vote in the Republican primary, you have no chance to vote in local races.)
113
It is a mistake to assume that Sanders is not a serious threat to Clinton. I can easily imagine him winning the Iowa caucuses -- a small but committed band of supporters has led to unexpected wins before. If he wins Iowa, his chances of winning his next-door-neighbor state New Hampshire are decent. If he wins both January 2016 contests, Clinton will really have to buckle down. The February tests are far more friendly to Clinton, but at that point, it would be a real horse race.
18
I have loved Bernie Sanders and everything he stands for for years, and I think he would make a wonderful president and get this country turned around to where it starts to work again for people everywhere. In addition, I think he could get far more cooperation from the Republicans in Congress than Hillary ever could. She's a woman after all, and I think we all know what Republicans think of women. If they will listen almost all Americans will nod their heads and agree with Bernie's platform. He has nothing but a go bag to the future while Hillary drags around enough baggage to fill the cargo hold of a 747.
117
Not only do I give Sanders credit, I plan to give him my vote. I don't care care which way Hillary spins during the election. I don't care if voting for him triggers a Nader scenario in 2016. Mainstream Democrats are no longer worthy of my support.
162
Vote for Sanders in the primaries and vote for the Democrats in November. The last thing America needs is a radical right-wing Republican as President, owned lock, stock and barrel by the rich.
4
The greatest benefit I could imagine out of a Sanders presidency (among many) is filling Supreme Court vacancies. The Right Guard on the Roberts Court are showing some age. Their signature rulings for corporations and oligarchs (Citizens United and Hobby Lobby) have got to go. Hopefully, in two months' time, the list won't include the ACA or gender equality in marriage. Time is running out.
11
By having Sen. Bernie Sanders involved in Presidential politics is a very good thing, both for the nation and for Hillary Clinton. While she can give impressive policy speeches, like her recent calling out of the horrible state of racial inequality that was focused on the justice system, Bernie can delve into the controversial details of this and all the other topics. This covers Secretary Clinton's left flank, allowing her to sprinkle the topics with save sound bytes while hammering away at the complete idiocy of all the republican positions.
This also allows her to sharpen her debating skills and message. Up until now Mrs. Clinton would have to compete with right wing nonsense that would have tried to paint her as a "liberal, socialist, Obama lite" candidate without a clear and independent identity.
Hooray for Bernie's entrance into the field. Also good news that some others from the democratic party will try the waters as well. This is the best way to clearly provide the nation with a very strong message from serious people, unlike the nonsense that was going to be monopolized by the conservatives in the national media.
This also allows her to sharpen her debating skills and message. Up until now Mrs. Clinton would have to compete with right wing nonsense that would have tried to paint her as a "liberal, socialist, Obama lite" candidate without a clear and independent identity.
Hooray for Bernie's entrance into the field. Also good news that some others from the democratic party will try the waters as well. This is the best way to clearly provide the nation with a very strong message from serious people, unlike the nonsense that was going to be monopolized by the conservatives in the national media.
9
Hillary as President is by no means a shoe in: a lot can happen in this country over the next 18 months as things stand now. With the majority of people feeling politically and economically disenfranchised by big money's influence in DC a bit of democratic socialism might just be what is needed.
16
Bernie is not perfect, of course, but he has a consistent track record of speaking truth to power. That most of his positions and arguments would have been considered uncontroversial forty- five years ago is a clear marker of how far the country has swung to the right and of the degree to which corporate power and interests have dominated the public narrative since the 70's. Further, I have plenty of skepticism that Hillary, from the neoliberal wing of the Half a Party, is sincere about the "progressive" issues she has recently raised and so will wait and see. But Bernie we know and can trust. A straight-talker, he does not say the expedient thing. I will definitely be giving him money knowing that his election is a near impossibility.
22
We need Bernie in this race, just to keep things honest and the 'dialogue' on issues fresh.
19
Yes, and as others have mentioned, we need careless media pundits to treat him seriously so this dialogue can truly happen.
3
I think it would be very helpful for someone with the smarts
and insights of Gail Collins to think again about what is the correct
tone to take when it comes to someone like Sen. Sanders. The
current column has the tone of someone ruminating over and recounting a conversation with an admirable but over the top crusader that only focuses upon the eccentricities or quixotic features. This places the subject in a type of confining narrative box that contributes to how readers not plugged into Sanders' positions and story may subsequently view him.
Given the large number of very dangerous social trends already
running amok in many parts of the country, the reflexive dismissal
of Sanders as a hopelessly idealistic, voice in the wilderness
crusader with no chance whatsoever will not at all contribute to how others in the mainstream media will think about and write about what he has to offer.
This will rob the
country of the opportunity to have a sustained and honest discussion
both about what needs to be done and how to do it by a large coalition
of people both in and outside the power structures of the society.
An honest and rigorous discussion, sustained over time, of what Sanders is saying and promoting would at least force people to think seriously about what can be done to get the society out of its current multiple fits of pathologies and delusional thinking endlessly recycled within the pointless nonsense that mainstream media vomits on listeners and readers.
and insights of Gail Collins to think again about what is the correct
tone to take when it comes to someone like Sen. Sanders. The
current column has the tone of someone ruminating over and recounting a conversation with an admirable but over the top crusader that only focuses upon the eccentricities or quixotic features. This places the subject in a type of confining narrative box that contributes to how readers not plugged into Sanders' positions and story may subsequently view him.
Given the large number of very dangerous social trends already
running amok in many parts of the country, the reflexive dismissal
of Sanders as a hopelessly idealistic, voice in the wilderness
crusader with no chance whatsoever will not at all contribute to how others in the mainstream media will think about and write about what he has to offer.
This will rob the
country of the opportunity to have a sustained and honest discussion
both about what needs to be done and how to do it by a large coalition
of people both in and outside the power structures of the society.
An honest and rigorous discussion, sustained over time, of what Sanders is saying and promoting would at least force people to think seriously about what can be done to get the society out of its current multiple fits of pathologies and delusional thinking endlessly recycled within the pointless nonsense that mainstream media vomits on listeners and readers.
75
It's been two or three days since Senator Sanders announcement that he is running for President, and I am already irritated by the media's portrayal of him as a caricature. Bernie may not be our best coiffed politician, and he may not have a mellifluous speaking style, but neither is he a megaphone for special interests, nor a windbag in a thousand dollar suit. Bernie Sanders is a real man, with a sound mind, good ideas, and a true heart. He is exactly the type of person this country needs as president.
106
Bernie Sanders is to American politics what rain is to a parched desert . For decades he has been consistent in his principled beliefs and a champion of not only the working and middle class but of a working democracy.
He will not always be eloquent. He will never pander. He will be nobody's darling. But he will speak the truth as he understands it. And he will stick to discussion of the issues that Americans must address. He may even remind the press that there are major issues beyond the "gotcha moments" that need extensive coverage before we vote to elect a new congress and president.
Go Bernie. Be that rain in the desert, the sunrise on the horizon, the plain speaker we so desperately need. Remind us of who we were and can be again. KA
He will not always be eloquent. He will never pander. He will be nobody's darling. But he will speak the truth as he understands it. And he will stick to discussion of the issues that Americans must address. He may even remind the press that there are major issues beyond the "gotcha moments" that need extensive coverage before we vote to elect a new congress and president.
Go Bernie. Be that rain in the desert, the sunrise on the horizon, the plain speaker we so desperately need. Remind us of who we were and can be again. KA
83
I welcome the senator from Vermont with his ideas and causes and consider him the real deal, pretty unvarnished and independent. Refreshing! Promising! Hope along w/a strong dash of horseradish results in the most unusual view of someone who is as he seemingly appears, and with words to complement the appearance. His appearance in the race reminds me of my own youth when Gene McCarthy appeared as a candidate. While Bernie is no less gruff than McCarthy was, in the years since we've had another imprudent, costly war, Citizens United, pushback on women's rights, charter schools, and arguments as to why a great country should provide health care for all its citizens. Go Benie Go.
40
I have always respected and praised Bernie Sanders as the only serving member of Congress who really applies himself to fixing what is wrong with this countries imbalance in dealing with rich and poor. Now I am so proud of him for throwing his hat in the ring--so that I can support his candidacy as probably the most qualified candidate for the highest office in the land that has surfaced since the days of the New Deal. I believe he can win, and that is because he is not only honorable, extremely smart, dedicated, and caring, but he is not going to be ignored or led into forays with those who would try to sidetrack or mock his candidacy, including the press. I was a great admirer of Congressman Kucinich when he ran for President, but he was not able to avoid the pitfalls accorded to him by his own party, as well as the news commentators who sought to entrap him.
29
As I expected, Ms. Collins mocks Sanders, the standard approach to any candidate who proposes policies that will help the many against the oligarchic few.
A tool of the owners must never recognize the legitimacy of someone with integrity or deal with actual positions that challenge the people who pay her salary.
If Collins ever stops mocking long enough to admit that Sanders has always championed the concerns of regular folks rather than the billionaires in whose lap she sits, she would have to deal directly with the crimes being committed in her name.
A tool of the owners must never recognize the legitimacy of someone with integrity or deal with actual positions that challenge the people who pay her salary.
If Collins ever stops mocking long enough to admit that Sanders has always championed the concerns of regular folks rather than the billionaires in whose lap she sits, she would have to deal directly with the crimes being committed in her name.
52
What a load of disingenuous nonsense about Gail Collins. She has demonstrated time and again her insightful humor on the topics of the day in one of the more independent, non beholden to the uberwealthy masters that control the media. This piece on Sen. Bernie is just a funny look into his character that even he would find amusing. None of what she wrote here is malicious or meant to be taken as some put down of the Vermont Senator. If you are looking for that style, please check out Ms. Dowd's columns.
1
The only thing good to be said about Bernie Sanders's run is that it helps to expose the vacuousness of the "progressive" agenda. Fifty years of Democrats in charge of Detroit and Baltimore, just to name a few places that come to mind, have not produced beneficial changes so, in the words of President Obama in speaking about the effect of fifty years of failed policies toward Cuba, it's time we try something different. Sanders will help drive that thought home as more and more Americans reject the half-century of failed policies put forth by the DNC and the Democrat Party.
2
It's absurd to call city politicians "liberals," and then conclude that their dismal regimes discredit liberalism. I've lived in a big city for years, and with a few exceptions, we all understand that these local pols have no values or ideals at all. Most of them are as much in bed with big business and the oligarchs as any Republican you can imagine. They worship only power. Their presence in the Democratic party results only from the fact that most city people support the Democratic agenda at the federal government level, so local pols have to use the Democratic party as their favored vehicle. Incidentally, until about 1950 the Republican party dominated Philadelphia and Pennsylvania local politics, and their policies and practices were essentially identical to Democratic party machine politics. City politics has nothing to do with political philosophies.
13
Oh, Jack, thirty-plus years of Reaganomics practiced by both parties and you want to try something "new", which will be just more of the same.
Blaming the structural problems with large cities on progressives is a great trick to avoid talking about the real elephant in the room: the utter failure of capitalist economics to bring long-lasting material well-being to everyone without substantial assistance from government.
Blaming the structural problems with large cities on progressives is a great trick to avoid talking about the real elephant in the room: the utter failure of capitalist economics to bring long-lasting material well-being to everyone without substantial assistance from government.
28
@Kevin:"Blaming the structural problems with large cities on progressives is a great trick to avoid talking about the real elephant in the room: "
Detroit was headed in the direction it has at least a decade before Reagan.
BTW, Sanders may rail against US corporations but how will he handle imports from foreign corporations? Will you trade your Honda or Toyota for a Ford or Chevy?
Detroit was headed in the direction it has at least a decade before Reagan.
BTW, Sanders may rail against US corporations but how will he handle imports from foreign corporations? Will you trade your Honda or Toyota for a Ford or Chevy?
1
Republicans and their patrons, the oligarchs, will try to paint Bernie Sanders as a 21st Century Don Quixote. Sanders is not Don Quixote. He's a realistic, truthful, politician (an enigma today, for sure) who has faithfully fought for the declining middle class in America for decades. He knows the dire issues that face Americans today -- that is, a choice between an oligarchy (which the Republicans favor) and a democracy (which the rest of us favor).
Oddly enough, this 72-yr-old man may be America's last chance to defeat these oligarchs who have controlled our country for more than 40 years and managed to shift the wealth from the majority to the corporatists and the one percent. I'll delight in giving him a chance, even over Hillary Clinton.
Oddly enough, this 72-yr-old man may be America's last chance to defeat these oligarchs who have controlled our country for more than 40 years and managed to shift the wealth from the majority to the corporatists and the one percent. I'll delight in giving him a chance, even over Hillary Clinton.
62
Why are you talking about republicans ? They arent going to attack Bernie sanders . They would love him to run against hillary Clinton and call her out for her phony character. Clinton supported the mass incarceration of black men in the 1990s , she opposed gay marriage until 2013, she voted for the war in Iraq and supported the war in Libya which lead to total chaos and a dead ambassador. She took donations from big corporations and foreign governments while she was Secretary of State and she continues to do so as a presidential candidate. She deleted tens of thousands of state departnent emails . She is corrupt
5
I must admit to being a bit annoyed at Senator Sanders campaign being treated with a snicker and a "doesn't have a chance"; while we're expected to take Senator Cruz and Governor Walker seriously. Bernie Sanders is a principled and hard working public servant and is due the respect afforded to any United States Senator.
Also, did not Presidents Carter and Clinton begin their respective campaigns in the political wilderness?
Also, did not Presidents Carter and Clinton begin their respective campaigns in the political wilderness?
143
Bernie Sanders is an old fool -- old as me -- and if his ego driven tantrum endangers the election of Hilary Clinton and helps puts a Republican in the white house then his soul will burn in political hell forever.
You get one choice in the next election: Hilary Clinton or a reactionary Republican. You want to risk that choice on being perfectly, purely left, you go ahead but if we lose because of it then don't go blaming Mrs. Clinton afterward, just look in the mirror and you will know who to blame and Sanders ego bloated shadow will be standing right behind you.
Better the old fool runs in the Democratic primary than in the general because in the general he would syphon off enough votes from other fools to guarantee putting a Republican in the White House.
In 1968 I voted for HHH. I knew a close friend who voted for Gene McCarthy -- in the general election. We all got Richard Nixon because of that. Case closed as to the likes of and idea of voting for Bernie Sanders because if you do that you may just get Marco Rubio, Scott Walker or Jeb Bush and if you do, we all choke on it.
You get one choice in the next election: Hilary Clinton or a reactionary Republican. You want to risk that choice on being perfectly, purely left, you go ahead but if we lose because of it then don't go blaming Mrs. Clinton afterward, just look in the mirror and you will know who to blame and Sanders ego bloated shadow will be standing right behind you.
Better the old fool runs in the Democratic primary than in the general because in the general he would syphon off enough votes from other fools to guarantee putting a Republican in the White House.
In 1968 I voted for HHH. I knew a close friend who voted for Gene McCarthy -- in the general election. We all got Richard Nixon because of that. Case closed as to the likes of and idea of voting for Bernie Sanders because if you do that you may just get Marco Rubio, Scott Walker or Jeb Bush and if you do, we all choke on it.
9
Notafan, What's the difference to the pocketbook, the educational opportunities, the pension security, or the environment between electing Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton? Please articulate policy differences between the two. Hillary sat on Walmart's board of directors. She embraced bankruptcy reform that helped corporations to use the bankruptcy code as a tool to skip out on pensions owed; and that forever bound young people to student debt. She ignored the Democrats in Connecticut when they rejected Joe Lieberman in his primary; and, she worked hard to get him elected as an Independent. Joe Lieberman is the reason we have no public option. She is a hawk. She is a Republican light candidate. She always has been. What's your view?
13
The McCarthy-Nixon case has zero to do with what's happening here: the choice is not between Hillary, Bernie, and a nutcase Republican. Don't forget that we have these things called party nominations.
4
I don't see how it can hurt to get Bernie's voice heard in the nomination process.
4
I happened to catch a glimpse of you, Gail, in a recent documentary about the student movements of the sixties, and I think it's too bad you lost your youthful idealism. Would you ask Scott Walker, say, if he really thought he could be elected? Somehow the media extend credibility to the most extremist of Republicans, but we demand that Democrats be "realists" to our detriment. If all Bernie does is get Hillary to move her campaign message a bit the left, I say it's a waste of time. What we need is a government that considers the real needs of real people in real time.
75
Excellent point. Scott Walker is as extreme as they come, but his radicalism goes unremarked upon in the corporate media. In Eisenhower's America Walker would have been relegated to the extreme right-wing fringe, with the likes of the Birchers. Senator Sanders would have been considered a mainstreamer. We've regressed a long way, baby.
38
Let's be honest -- Bill and Hillary's art of the possible in governance is what got us deeper into this mess. The Reagan experiment in coddling the rich started it, and Bill's indiscriminate deregulation of the financial industry really let the flood waters roar. Then when Bush the least and his band of crazies got us into the mess in the Middle East, Hillary did what? Voted to let the crazies do it! Bernie practices another art of the possible -- doing the best he can to govern practically without jumping on the bandwagon of free enterprise and glorification of markets that has led us to bottom of the list among developed countries in every statistic that matters. Oh, I forgot, we're at the top in imprisoning our citizens, denying their rights, and executions. By all means, let's get behind Bernie. The time for keeping quiet while our country goes down the tubes is long gone.
53
I'm sure Clinton supports Bernie's candidacy. It couldn't work out better for her. He provides a foil on her left moving her to the center, maybe even to the right of center, in the eyes of the electorate. This will counter efforts of the so-called republicans to portray her as too liberal for America. I would vote for Bernie.
7
As important as the individual candidates for the highest office in the country are, what matters most is the conversations and subjects that will surround their campaigns.
Although platitudes about foreign or national policies sound important for a candidate's base, their histories and votes on those issues count more for the voters than the one minute quotes for the six o'clock news.
I'm convinced that Mr Sanders will not let the discussions get off track from the relevant to the irrelevant and will force us to look at what is important. I cannot conceive of a better way to clean the slate of fools who seriously believe that their foolishness is taken seriously by the country. For that reason alone, he is needed. Who knows? The need may become a want as well.
Although platitudes about foreign or national policies sound important for a candidate's base, their histories and votes on those issues count more for the voters than the one minute quotes for the six o'clock news.
I'm convinced that Mr Sanders will not let the discussions get off track from the relevant to the irrelevant and will force us to look at what is important. I cannot conceive of a better way to clean the slate of fools who seriously believe that their foolishness is taken seriously by the country. For that reason alone, he is needed. Who knows? The need may become a want as well.
13
My dearest hope is that reporters get past this focus on what Bernie Sanders' entry into the race means for Hillary Clinton and what does he think of Hillary Clinton and start focusing on what's important to the voters--the issues and Sander's concrete ideas about what needs to be done to get our country off the track it's been on for far too long. Voters need to hear what Sanders has to offer--and to know that while voters have too often been forced to choose the least offensive of two candidates in general elections, there is now a candidate in the Presidential primary who has not just had the majority of Americans' best interests "at heart," but has consistently fought for them. Sanders is serious about his candidacy. Voters deserve to read and hear about his ideas and his record so they can decide for themselves if they want to get serious about it too.
60
Hillary is the candidate who leads in fundraising, political clout and name recognition. Bernie leads in being the most beloved by a candidate's supporters. Don't ridicule him on the small stuff. His ideas are worthy of respect and should be seriously considered. Go Bernie!!!
44
A shake of the head and the potential Democratic voter said, "Well, that's this week in politics. I wonder what next week will bring."
1
I'm voting for bernie, even if I have to write in his name.
34
I said the same thing to Bernie himself in an e-mail that I sent to him. My sister agrees with me. Writing in a vote would send a clear signal that at least these two voters are through with " business as usual ".
5
Yes! Welcome, Bernie.
20
Would have been nice to have him answer some questions on the VA Hospital scandals that he was more than somewhat tongue tied about when the subject was broached to him as Chairman of that committee last year. His responses and his mealy mouthed defense of the VA was pathetic to say the least.
4
Now it would be nice if the ruling class, that's those of us who vote, approximately 1/3rd of the population, could find a majority wanting to get something logical, productive, and dare I say it, progressive done? Bernie Sanders has the right ideas. He's not Don Quixote like so many characterize him. If we recognize that electing the likes of Bush, Cruz, Jindal, etc., is insane; these are the sorts of nabobs still believing in trickle down economics, after all, would turn the country into a backwater like Kansas, then we will get nothing done. On the other hand, a leader who believes in progress that benefits more of us than that 1% we keep hearing about, then he has my vote.
28
If anyone feels that Ads are not strategically placed on one's computer, let me know. First an unflattering photo earlier of Governor Christie with a cautionary tale about binge eating?
With due respect, up popped a photo this week with Mr. Sanders, who looked like the Mad March Hare on a sunny day, causing a laugh on my part. Do we need more ranting of rage on any politician's part at this stage, and one wants to take this fine gentleman aside and offer him a comfortable seat with a cup of herbal tea.
He sounds like an officer and a gentleman who is as genuine as can be, and this American is beginning to think that being a 'democratic socialist' is rather a good thing, when confronted with tea-party preachers and rubies who represent the American Dream. For some reason he reminds me a little of Mr. Buffet, a man whom I hold in great esteem, and is everything that an American should be.
It is reassuring to know that Mr. Sanders is 'in this race to win' and joining some others in wishing him well in his endeavors, even though I have a feeling when he sits at home at the top of his table, he is apt to reprimand a family member when they pass the margarine. 'It's butter', he may correct, and if one does not get the message the first time, the shouting begins.
With due respect, up popped a photo this week with Mr. Sanders, who looked like the Mad March Hare on a sunny day, causing a laugh on my part. Do we need more ranting of rage on any politician's part at this stage, and one wants to take this fine gentleman aside and offer him a comfortable seat with a cup of herbal tea.
He sounds like an officer and a gentleman who is as genuine as can be, and this American is beginning to think that being a 'democratic socialist' is rather a good thing, when confronted with tea-party preachers and rubies who represent the American Dream. For some reason he reminds me a little of Mr. Buffet, a man whom I hold in great esteem, and is everything that an American should be.
It is reassuring to know that Mr. Sanders is 'in this race to win' and joining some others in wishing him well in his endeavors, even though I have a feeling when he sits at home at the top of his table, he is apt to reprimand a family member when they pass the margarine. 'It's butter', he may correct, and if one does not get the message the first time, the shouting begins.
9
Love your comment. Thanks for posting.
2
Has the U.S. ever had a president who proudly announced, "I received 2 percent of the vote" and then topped it with "I received 1 percent of the vote"?
8
Thank you Bernie for standing strong and clear on your beliefs. I'm starting the $43 campaign donation drive today. That's Bernies' average donation from and average American. It might be a little higher than I think I can afford but he's worth it. My check for $43 will be mailed to Friends of Bernie Sanders, PO Box 391, Burlington, VT 05402-9875. I'm sure others can find a place online to donate.
35
I sent in my donation the minute he announced. And I'll keep sending as much as I can, I'll ring doorbells, make phone calls, and anything else I can do to convince people to BELIEVE (a word the conservatives love to use) that it can happen, we can elect an honest president who is not in the pocket of our corporate masters but has a long track record of working for we, the people.
4
Voted for McGovern, my first vote, in '72. It felt great them, still don't regret it. But I still recall that stinging loss in November. It made me realize how far out of the mainstream I was, and am.
Sanders has no chance to win but it'll feel good voting for him in the primary. Then I can face reality again.
Sanders has no chance to win but it'll feel good voting for him in the primary. Then I can face reality again.
15
Credit? That's all you've got to give him? How about respect? How about the only one in this race or in Congress to fight for the rights of the underdog who have no voice? Credit? What kind of milquetoast response is that? No wonder the New York Times birthed such reporters as Judith Miller with her miming of the Bush Administration and now, Gail Collins to give half hearted voice to what could be an ultimate game changer with someone like Bernie Sanders. The New York Times continues to sound like the voice of Congress and the status quo, rather than the voice of the people.
39
If you can swing it, send Bernie ten bucks. You'll get great value for your political contribution. Bernie speaks truth to power.
42
An American original whose political career has been guided by holding true to his principles, championing equality, and being frank and honest.
36
Mr. Sanders is a flood-light and cockroaches HATE the light.
65
If democracy serves up the leaders a people deserve, then we do not deserve Bernie Sanders.
Consistent, principled, unconcerned with image, dedicated, etc. does not sound like the rest of us.
Consistent, principled, unconcerned with image, dedicated, etc. does not sound like the rest of us.
23
In Houston? "All politics is local" - Tip O'Neil
1
I used to shoot basketball with Bernie and his son at a park in Burlington, Vermont, when I was a medical resident at the University of Vermont. Go Bernie!
13
I love everything that Bermie Sanders says, will donate to his campaign and am glad that he is in the running, because he may push Clinton to the left.
When he loses the nomination, however, I hope that he will bow out and support Hillary. The last thing that this nation needs is another Ralph Nader, and another Republican President.
When he loses the nomination, however, I hope that he will bow out and support Hillary. The last thing that this nation needs is another Ralph Nader, and another Republican President.
15
He can't become another Nader. Nader was on the ballot as an opponent to the two parties. Pretty basic politics 101, if you don't know this much ....
PS - Nader whom I voted for in NH, did not give this nation a GOP President, the ignorant voters did, twice. Al Stuffed Shirt Gore couldn't even win his home state.
PS - Nader whom I voted for in NH, did not give this nation a GOP President, the ignorant voters did, twice. Al Stuffed Shirt Gore couldn't even win his home state.
3
I just love posters who call other posters ignorant, it speaks so well for the troll.
Nader ran against Gore as a third party candidate and got enough votes to render the debacle in Florida decisive. Although an independent, Sanders is too smart and has too much character to upend the election to make a point.
The two parties are different, despite the infancy of big business and big money. Just ask Anonin Scalia and Ruth Ginsberg.
Nader ran against Gore as a third party candidate and got enough votes to render the debacle in Florida decisive. Although an independent, Sanders is too smart and has too much character to upend the election to make a point.
The two parties are different, despite the infancy of big business and big money. Just ask Anonin Scalia and Ruth Ginsberg.
6
Meant to type "influence." Spell check strikes again.
Why the glib comments about Bernie's gruffness or self-presentation (which I personally like, better than Hillary's slipperiness and complacency).
Looks like the mainstream media, including Gail, is gearing up to ridicule Bernie just the way they did Kucinich in '08 (he had all the right positions to support working people, and yet all the media could talk about was UFO's). Or the way Howard Dean was basically eliminated because of his victory yell. These things don't matter. Politics is not a charm school. Policies that help the average American are what matter.
When will the media get with the program and stop perpetuating the status quo by ridiculing candidates who might not fit in at a Citicorp cocktail party but who have values that truly support the people?
Maybe the time is right for a populist candidate like Bernie Sanders.
Looks like the mainstream media, including Gail, is gearing up to ridicule Bernie just the way they did Kucinich in '08 (he had all the right positions to support working people, and yet all the media could talk about was UFO's). Or the way Howard Dean was basically eliminated because of his victory yell. These things don't matter. Politics is not a charm school. Policies that help the average American are what matter.
When will the media get with the program and stop perpetuating the status quo by ridiculing candidates who might not fit in at a Citicorp cocktail party but who have values that truly support the people?
Maybe the time is right for a populist candidate like Bernie Sanders.
79
You may not have read her before. This is her style.
4
Bernie Sanders. Let's start with the name. Bernie is a friend of mine.. not really but his name sounds like he could be anybody's friend.. But he is. He thinks about what I think about. I am guy who rents. Can't own.. I work hard My wife works hard. I have kids who or are going to college and we have loans that maybe one day they will help us pay. I just had an operation that cost a pile of money and I feel fine. Thank god we have insurance through my wifes job..My job won't pay me insurance becasuse I work for the town ..but as a independent contractor..save the town money but it doesn't give me a pension or insurance.
We Rent because the town needs to save money on my job. Bernie knows I work hard. My town knows I work hard. Bernie apreciates my work. My town can just find another guy. I like Bernie's town it repects me. I am not a casualty of economics because Bernie includes me in his economics. I am vital becuase I work not just collect. I do work that matters to my buddy Bernie. And doesn't to the excel sheet other than I can be easily deducted. I am a worker not just a service. That's why Ilike Bernie. Bernie knows I can bleed.
We Rent because the town needs to save money on my job. Bernie knows I work hard. My town knows I work hard. Bernie apreciates my work. My town can just find another guy. I like Bernie's town it repects me. I am not a casualty of economics because Bernie includes me in his economics. I am vital becuase I work not just collect. I do work that matters to my buddy Bernie. And doesn't to the excel sheet other than I can be easily deducted. I am a worker not just a service. That's why Ilike Bernie. Bernie knows I can bleed.
49
Sanders seems to me to be genuine person and a forthright politician with a solid track record of doing what he believes. I find myself rolling my eyes as the other candidates jockey into position as they try to say the right thing that will get them the most votes.
18
Big Media and its employees (here's looking at you, Gail Collins) are terrified of Bernie Sanders for he'd end corporate money in politics, a fundamental source of Big Media profits. Big Media is also used to deciding who are legitimate candidates and setting the narrative of elections. Bernie is trying to change all that, refusing corporate donors and not playing the Big Media game. And so, with Bernie, we have real hope and change, but as he's said many times, with typical frankness, winning the election will just be the first part of reforming our political system and economy.In contrast to Obama, who abandoned his grassroots supporters right after winning the election and then defended Wall Street, Bernie wants to continue to work directly with people to then actually change the system, together. Elites quake and whine with smug self-importance (here's looking at you Gail Collins) but it is well past time for a New Deal 2.0. Bernie can win.
33
On paper (computer screen?) Bernie Sanders sounds like just the candidate to lead the people out of the GOP dominated wilderness to the promised land of fat and plenty, or at least to point the way again to fiscal and political sanity. However, Barack Obama was that chosen figure just a few short years ago and look where it got him, basically a GOP dominated federal government determined to thwart, or at least cripple, every progressive piece of legislation that his administration proposed. In the face of that kind of intransigence that any kind of progressive legislation in whatever form was passed--the ACA a notable example--is something akin to a miracle.
And now we have Sen. Sanders announcing what he would do if elected POTUS. All I can say is good luck, Senator, especially if too many Democrats decide that it's time for a female president, whatever her qualifications, and/or too many Democrats and those sympathetic to the Demorcratic cause decide that Sen.Sanders is too pie-in-the-sky, can't win and don't bother to show up at the polls, thus guaranteeing that he wouldn't, if he wins his party's nomination.
And now we have Sen. Sanders announcing what he would do if elected POTUS. All I can say is good luck, Senator, especially if too many Democrats decide that it's time for a female president, whatever her qualifications, and/or too many Democrats and those sympathetic to the Demorcratic cause decide that Sen.Sanders is too pie-in-the-sky, can't win and don't bother to show up at the polls, thus guaranteeing that he wouldn't, if he wins his party's nomination.
6
As a staunch Eisenhower Republican I cannot believe a SOCIALIST is running for president! I want an Eisenhower REPUBLICAN government where the richest pay 90% of their income in taxes, where social security is untouchable, where the corporations pay 33% of all US taxes, where we build something like the interstate highway system that creates millions of jobs, where we build new schools and hospitals, where workers can live pretty well on their wages.
What has socialist Bernie got to offer compared to Republician Ike?
What has socialist Bernie got to offer compared to Republician Ike?
16
And just who would you put forward as the next Republican Ike (a man who, btw, would not be welcomed by the current GOP)? Heck, I would even prefer Nixon as opposed to any of today's Repubs.
6
Everything.
As a former Eisenhower Republican, myself, who is now a social democrat, I don't think you understand Democratic Socialism. It calls for all the things you mention: economic justice through a fair distribution of income, meaning if the rich won't pay it in good wages, we extract what's needed from them in the form of taxes; a secure social safety net, including Medicare for all; expanding the middle class and strengthening our nation by rebuilding our infrastructure and providing free, quality education as far as any child can achieve; protecting the environment, so we have a healthy planet for all...
We've been manipulated to be afraid of words like socialism and secularism, but these are good things. Democratic socialism is not Communism, and a sectarian government is not preferable to a secular one — it's what the framers of the Constitution intended.
As a former Eisenhower Republican, myself, who is now a social democrat, I don't think you understand Democratic Socialism. It calls for all the things you mention: economic justice through a fair distribution of income, meaning if the rich won't pay it in good wages, we extract what's needed from them in the form of taxes; a secure social safety net, including Medicare for all; expanding the middle class and strengthening our nation by rebuilding our infrastructure and providing free, quality education as far as any child can achieve; protecting the environment, so we have a healthy planet for all...
We've been manipulated to be afraid of words like socialism and secularism, but these are good things. Democratic socialism is not Communism, and a sectarian government is not preferable to a secular one — it's what the framers of the Constitution intended.
5
Don't forget how Ike was a big supporter of labor unions and the benefits that they insured for the working people who constituted their membership.
7
I'm an "old head" (72). I remember Harry S. Truman. He loved his wife Bess. He loved his daughter Margret. He loved his country. Most of all, he was squeaky clean (very unusual for politics).
Now here comes Bernie Sanders. I really haven't seen anyone like this guy since Harry S. Truman. He has no scandals that I know of. I don't believe he has that much money (a flaw for a politician), he's susceptible.
I don't think we're on a sliding slope anymore, I think it's turned into a ski slope. I don't believe anyone anymore, maybe I'm stupid, (remember
Jonathan Groober from MIT?). That's the great thing about this country.
Things can change.
Now I've got to write a check for Bernie.
Now here comes Bernie Sanders. I really haven't seen anyone like this guy since Harry S. Truman. He has no scandals that I know of. I don't believe he has that much money (a flaw for a politician), he's susceptible.
I don't think we're on a sliding slope anymore, I think it's turned into a ski slope. I don't believe anyone anymore, maybe I'm stupid, (remember
Jonathan Groober from MIT?). That's the great thing about this country.
Things can change.
Now I've got to write a check for Bernie.
43
I love Harry Truman, too, but his political career received a boost from the Pendergast machine in Missouri. True to his nature, Truman attended Tom Pendergast's funeral despite a firestorm of criticism. I also love the fact that when his Presidency was finished he carried his own luggage into his Missouri home. No servants or sycophants for Give ' Em Hell Harry.
3
The statement, about Hillary, is utter nonsense: "Her political life has been a continual, sometimes unedifying, struggle to get the power to do what she believed were the right things for the country." Really? Like voting in support of the authorization to use force in the war in Iraq, despite the certain knowledge that the country was being lied to and that the power she was giving Bush and Cheney was un-Constitutional? Or, how about her support for her husband's moves to overturn Glass-Steagall and unleash the Wall Street gambling with derivatives using public money which directly led to a global financial crisis and then voting to bail out the bank criminals and cover up their crimes? Were those the right things for the country she believed in?
Hillary Clinton has spend her entire political career cozying up to moneyed interests, particularly on Wall Street, while pretending she was a woman of the people.
https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid...
That's why the Sanders campaign is important. Not because it will cause Hillary to pretend she is more progressive. But because it will help shed light on her corruption that the mainstream left versus right political news media can't seem to face. He gives America a candidate with integrity and principles and we are desperate for that.
Hillary Clinton has spend her entire political career cozying up to moneyed interests, particularly on Wall Street, while pretending she was a woman of the people.
https://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/contrib.php?cycle=Career&cid...
That's why the Sanders campaign is important. Not because it will cause Hillary to pretend she is more progressive. But because it will help shed light on her corruption that the mainstream left versus right political news media can't seem to face. He gives America a candidate with integrity and principles and we are desperate for that.
35
Let's not forget that Secretary of State Clinton gave away 20% of the United States' uranium reserves to a Russian Corp and the Clinton Foundation got a sizable payload for her effort.
2
Gail, how much do you want to condescend? You seem to be plenty dismissive here, will you get worse?
24
Bernie has my vote. He is principled and isn't out just for himself. He will fight for the common people.
He treats the common people with respect. He deserves the same.
He treats the common people with respect. He deserves the same.
43
Folks, we have a real candidate. Senator Sanders has proven his worth, his honesty and I think we should really give him our consideration and vote!
30
...and money, don't forget to give him money.
8
The only time I didn't see eye to eye with President Sanders was when he pulled his filibuster. I agreed with his every word but I fretted about his health and the strain. Not once did he waste my time reading "Green Eggs and Ham". In fact, he has never wasted my time. He's a true Yankee Gentleman. He has my vote.... and he has my money, that average of $43.
19
The idealism of Ralph Nader never effected the course of history…wait, it did.
We still need pragmatism--don't waste your vote.
We still need pragmatism--don't waste your vote.
3
Sanders is running as a Democrat. If he does not win the primaries, he will no longer be in the race. So there is no need to worry that he will be like Nader and draw votes away in the final election.
3
Independent Democrat
2
Sanders has already addressed this issue and says that he will not run as an third party candidate. That's why he's running as a Democrat.
1
Bernie Sanders is so refreshing and such a wonderful antidote to our corporatized, oligarchic, dizzying media-PR spin, and money-talks political system.
Bernie, like Elizabeth Warren, is the "real deal"--what you see is what you get, speaks truth to power, tells it like it is, understands what democracy is and is not, truly cares about the middle class and the little people, and believes in taking action against corruption, rising inequality, and injustices.
And what should be scary to the mighty right-wing power mongers is that Bernie (and Elizabeth) communicate clearly and effectively and refuse to be intimidated and threatened.
Watch the GOP try to bully and shame Bernie by calling him a liberal, progressive, or a socialist/democratic socialist. He can say "of course" and then proudly describe what he really means and stands for (in the Enlightenment tradition of our founding fathers):
*favors progress and reform to deal with a changing world
*stands against authoritarian government dominated by a power elite
*tries to actualize government of, by, and for the people
*values civil society and the social contract, balancing individual rights with citizen and government responsibilities
*opposes bigotry and prejudice in favor of tolerance and respect for human dignity
Who can be against that? As Bernie campaigns, he will help us find out.
Now the dreaded 2016 presidential campaign of predictable and inevitable candidates is getting interesting. Thanks Bernie!!
Bernie, like Elizabeth Warren, is the "real deal"--what you see is what you get, speaks truth to power, tells it like it is, understands what democracy is and is not, truly cares about the middle class and the little people, and believes in taking action against corruption, rising inequality, and injustices.
And what should be scary to the mighty right-wing power mongers is that Bernie (and Elizabeth) communicate clearly and effectively and refuse to be intimidated and threatened.
Watch the GOP try to bully and shame Bernie by calling him a liberal, progressive, or a socialist/democratic socialist. He can say "of course" and then proudly describe what he really means and stands for (in the Enlightenment tradition of our founding fathers):
*favors progress and reform to deal with a changing world
*stands against authoritarian government dominated by a power elite
*tries to actualize government of, by, and for the people
*values civil society and the social contract, balancing individual rights with citizen and government responsibilities
*opposes bigotry and prejudice in favor of tolerance and respect for human dignity
Who can be against that? As Bernie campaigns, he will help us find out.
Now the dreaded 2016 presidential campaign of predictable and inevitable candidates is getting interesting. Thanks Bernie!!
33
Great news! At the very least, Bernie will tamp down the Clinton overdrive.
7
Bernie is a Sociologist not a Socialist. When you understand that, most of the fear is removed. He doesn't have the money to bear Hillary. and wont prostitute himself to get it. But he may get enough votes in the primaries to make him the most viable person to be number two on the ticket
6
" Government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth." Then it was the Civil War, now it's rule by plutocrats. Thank you, Bernie Sanders, for letting us dare to dream again.
24
In all my years of following Bernie Sanders I have never once heard him yell. So why does the headline writer come up with, and the editors allow, a cutesy, slightly snarky headline that has no basis in reality? This is hardly the first time this has happened. What exactly is going on in those editorial offices?
45
I and millions of working class Americans have everything to gain and as far as I'm concerned nothing to lose in supporting Bernie Sanders. We want a true reprentative of American values and not the self serving greed of corporatists democrats or the neo fascistic ecology of far right Republicans and their billionaire benefactors. I have long hoped and encouraged Mr. Sanders to run. In Sanders there is tremendous character, intelligence and a willingness to innovate. These were the things we came to experience in FDR.
37
Nice vignette, Gail. I actually watched Bernie Sanders's announcement on C-SPAN. Having no life enables one to do that. The very interesting thing about his speech is that it was devoid of a lot of the hopey-changey nonsense that all of the other candidates since anyone can remember evoke when they announce that they are not only going to run for president, but stand in the South Bronx to announce that they will turn it into Oz.
Bernie simply gave more or less a check list, and one could actually hold him to it were he elected. But the bad news is not so much that he is tagged as a socialist, but that he gives the specifics, as you indicate. Romney won the 2012 primary by attacking all of the programs of his opponents (admittedly, this was an easy task given the various looney ideas that they put forth). Romney won the primary with exactly, uh, nothing. But it was a great strategy.
Sanders is really infectious. You say to yourself, meh, another Liberal. But if one is reasonably intelligent. I know, I know, it sounds like Goldwater where, in your heart you knew he was right, if you could understand his book, "The Conscience of a Conservative". But in your mind you know Bernie Sanders is right. He makes it painful not to support him.
Who knows, Gail? It's one primary at a time. That's how W did it. Bernie could possibly get New Hampshire, and maybe the right folks come out to vote in the Iowa caucuses. And Bernie is a shoe-in in the South. Er... no... wait..
Bernie simply gave more or less a check list, and one could actually hold him to it were he elected. But the bad news is not so much that he is tagged as a socialist, but that he gives the specifics, as you indicate. Romney won the 2012 primary by attacking all of the programs of his opponents (admittedly, this was an easy task given the various looney ideas that they put forth). Romney won the primary with exactly, uh, nothing. But it was a great strategy.
Sanders is really infectious. You say to yourself, meh, another Liberal. But if one is reasonably intelligent. I know, I know, it sounds like Goldwater where, in your heart you knew he was right, if you could understand his book, "The Conscience of a Conservative". But in your mind you know Bernie Sanders is right. He makes it painful not to support him.
Who knows, Gail? It's one primary at a time. That's how W did it. Bernie could possibly get New Hampshire, and maybe the right folks come out to vote in the Iowa caucuses. And Bernie is a shoe-in in the South. Er... no... wait..
4
Charles: how W did it? No, W. was losing primary after primary to John McCain, then during the South Carolina primary his people, Karl Rove, put out rumors that McCains wife was a drug addict and that McCain fathered black children. That didn't go over too well in South Carolina, as you can imagine.
The Bushes: pretend to be nice, but they fight vicious campaigns. Expect the same from if not more so from Jeb Rove.
Herbert Bush's campaign manager, Lee Atwater, apologized to Michael Dukakis on the former's death bed for the brutal racist campaign Bush senior ran against Mike.
And the concern here is not how the label "socialist" will be used against Sanders but how it will be used against mainstream pro-capitalist Democrats like Hillary. Republican propagandists are masters of the big lie and it is a powerful technique. Hard for ordinary people to resist political elites coming forth with such stuff.
Time for Democrats to try to educate the populace about how Republicans run for office. How they run by smearing and slander. Beyond the fancy hair cuts and the fine clothes, they're dirty, uncivilized fighters. And if you think democracy can be present when elections are gamed in that way, you're mistaken.
Without prevarication where would the Grand Old Party be? Nowhere.
The Bushes: pretend to be nice, but they fight vicious campaigns. Expect the same from if not more so from Jeb Rove.
Herbert Bush's campaign manager, Lee Atwater, apologized to Michael Dukakis on the former's death bed for the brutal racist campaign Bush senior ran against Mike.
And the concern here is not how the label "socialist" will be used against Sanders but how it will be used against mainstream pro-capitalist Democrats like Hillary. Republican propagandists are masters of the big lie and it is a powerful technique. Hard for ordinary people to resist political elites coming forth with such stuff.
Time for Democrats to try to educate the populace about how Republicans run for office. How they run by smearing and slander. Beyond the fancy hair cuts and the fine clothes, they're dirty, uncivilized fighters. And if you think democracy can be present when elections are gamed in that way, you're mistaken.
Without prevarication where would the Grand Old Party be? Nowhere.
1
I hope Bernie Sanders stays in the race. I'm tired of voting for the lesser evil. It's time to vote for someone who has a track record that favors Americans and our Constitutional rights!
20
The mocking tone of Collins is offensive to those of us who believe Sanders's nascent platform is right on the money. He'd make a great President and I will vote for him in any election.
43
Was there a point to this column?
4
Isn't Bernie older than Hillary, who it has been already said is too old to be President?
3
We, the sensitive Americans, who hate holding our noses when we vote, are very happy to have Bernie Sanders to vote for in a primary. You crusty realists don't know how much it means to us. You crusty realists also don't know that he Could win the Presidency.
21
People, people.... Bernie Sanders has zero impact in Congress, none. He can afford to be principled because he doesn't have to negotiate anything or achieve anything. Anyone commenting here is just as principled - because there are no consequences to one's principles if it's just talk.
Great, let Bernie run. But PLEASE do not let your unhappiness with the way things are do a Nader on us. Republican control of government would be a nightmare from which we would never recover. i.e. you Bernie fans need to compromise, too, to elect the better candidate not the ideal candidate.
Great, let Bernie run. But PLEASE do not let your unhappiness with the way things are do a Nader on us. Republican control of government would be a nightmare from which we would never recover. i.e. you Bernie fans need to compromise, too, to elect the better candidate not the ideal candidate.
6
I disagree with the motivation to your comment, Grant, but it's a great, hard-headed argument to make. If mine is the only "thumb" you get for it in this community, it would be a shame.
When I hear Bernie Sanders I hear George McGovern and Jimmy Carter, principled and honest. It didn't end well for them.
The dilemma for progressives is whether to go down in a blaze of glory or find a show pony that looks like, talks like and walks like the absurd politicians who get elected these days, but isn't really one of them.-wink, wink.
The dilemma for progressives is whether to go down in a blaze of glory or find a show pony that looks like, talks like and walks like the absurd politicians who get elected these days, but isn't really one of them.-wink, wink.
3
Joe Lieberman was the first Jewish candidate for president. Barry Goldwater was half-Jewish, but on his father's side. Warren Harding's middle name was Gamaliel, but no need to go there. Brooklyn-born Bernard Sanders would be the first Jewish presidential candidate who sounds and acts like one--which is to say truly progressive. Listening to him is like entering a kosher deli circa-1955 and inhaling deeply. He could become president--but only if America were reconfigured from 50 states into five or six zones, each with its own president. He'd make a great president of either the Northeast Zone or the Left Coast Zone.
2
If he is what they say he is -- I'm interested, and I'm in the Midwest Zone.
1
Go, Bernie, take us where you want America to be headed.
Do it with debates worth watching, ideas worth pondering, analyses worth dissecting, a career worth studying, and ethics worth emulating: Bernie, you have what all the cartoon GOP nominees lack. And you are far less blemished by opportunism than Hillary. Both of you are brighter and more humane than GOPville's clown car candidates. Each accepts climate change, carbon fuel's inevitable decline, and oligarchy's threat to American life and dreams. We will recall Eugene McCarthy's poetry and George McGovern's anti-war prescience as we cannot forget Agnew's criminality, and Nixon's, Cheney's, Dubya's. Go, Bernie, take us where we want to be.
Do it with debates worth watching, ideas worth pondering, analyses worth dissecting, a career worth studying, and ethics worth emulating: Bernie, you have what all the cartoon GOP nominees lack. And you are far less blemished by opportunism than Hillary. Both of you are brighter and more humane than GOPville's clown car candidates. Each accepts climate change, carbon fuel's inevitable decline, and oligarchy's threat to American life and dreams. We will recall Eugene McCarthy's poetry and George McGovern's anti-war prescience as we cannot forget Agnew's criminality, and Nixon's, Cheney's, Dubya's. Go, Bernie, take us where we want to be.
34
I'm glad Collins ultimately ended this column on a positive. As many comments here indicate, Mr. Sanders is widely respected for his integrity and consistency, and his entrance into the race is a positive. Many think he would make an excellent president. But this column raises the question: why can't opinion columnists ever be enthusiastic about anything or anyone? It's too bad that opinion columnists seem to have given up on deeper analysis of the issues, and instead, lazily adopt cynicism as a virtue in order to turn in their bi-weekly assignments, generate clicks, and collect their paychecks.
11
Good luck, Bernie. I'd rather vote for what I want and lose, than vote for what I don't want and win.
10
Bernie Sanders isn't a long shot candidate because he's an extremist. He's a long shot because he offers real, concrete proposals for dealing with our real, concrete problems.
The other candidates, announced and unannounced, offer nothing but vague generalities. They're for good and against bad. (And yadda, yadda, yadda.) But they never articulate the mechanisms they want to put in place to achieve anything good or prevent anything bad.
Bernie DOES, and neither the public nor (apparently) the press has any appetite for that.
I don't agree with his positions on every issue, but at least with him I know what those positions are. The vote I plan to cast for him will be the first entirely enthusiastic vote I've cast in MANY years.
The other candidates, announced and unannounced, offer nothing but vague generalities. They're for good and against bad. (And yadda, yadda, yadda.) But they never articulate the mechanisms they want to put in place to achieve anything good or prevent anything bad.
Bernie DOES, and neither the public nor (apparently) the press has any appetite for that.
I don't agree with his positions on every issue, but at least with him I know what those positions are. The vote I plan to cast for him will be the first entirely enthusiastic vote I've cast in MANY years.
20
I do give him credit, Gail. I always have. He's just what this campaign needs - someone with true principles. He may be in it to win it, but we all know who really wins in it our current republic. Still, he can have a true effect on the campaign. I love the guy - smart, real, and honest, You don't get better than that!
11
A lifelong liberal, I whimpered and shed a couple of tears in the night, when I heard that Reagan had become President. When George W. Bush won, I was more disgusted with Republicans than with him, as I recognized him as a boy playing King.
But Bernie Sanders has given me a way to focus my thinking and hopes, and truly is someone I can relax and support with my heart. The fact that at least some of my fellow Americans see him as a possible President gives me at least the illusion that one day this mostly insane country will return to its senses and work to include all.
I am a very low income Vietnam Vet, but as long as Bernie stays in the race, I will be sending financial help to him. It helps transform the election process from one of division and hate, to one of love and devotion to a person and an ideology that includes us all.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene
But Bernie Sanders has given me a way to focus my thinking and hopes, and truly is someone I can relax and support with my heart. The fact that at least some of my fellow Americans see him as a possible President gives me at least the illusion that one day this mostly insane country will return to its senses and work to include all.
I am a very low income Vietnam Vet, but as long as Bernie stays in the race, I will be sending financial help to him. It helps transform the election process from one of division and hate, to one of love and devotion to a person and an ideology that includes us all.
Hugh Massengill, Eugene
35
I always look forward to reading Collins’ column but this one left me with a feeling of uneasiness. This is the kind of politician we have been waiting for, for many long years now and too many echo her. Why in the world do we insist on demeaning a candidate that echoes the thoughts and philosophy of so many of us?
Gruff is good! He doesn’t have time to tap dance like Hillary. He has work to do.
Harry Reid is worse. He got a reputation for just hanging up without even saying goodbye, much less a kind thank you.
I can’t wait to vote for Bernie. He may surprise us, just like Truman did when he beat Dewey so many years ago.
Gruff is good! He doesn’t have time to tap dance like Hillary. He has work to do.
Harry Reid is worse. He got a reputation for just hanging up without even saying goodbye, much less a kind thank you.
I can’t wait to vote for Bernie. He may surprise us, just like Truman did when he beat Dewey so many years ago.
28
It would be nice if the 2016 campaign was about issues important to our nation. Rather than focused on not offending anyone. We have many issues to resolve including how to pay for highway improvements, what role should our military have, how to balance our budget including tax increases, improving the nations police departments which requires lowering the number sent to prison and many more issues. Let the real campaign begin.
7
Sander's candidacy is huge gift for Hillary. He will divert attention and money from the anti-Clinton Left and eat up t v air time that might go to a serious Democratic challenger.
Sanders is so rude and obnoxious that he makes Hillary seem nice by comparison. He will be comic relief for the horror show of "Bush or Clinton" that I fear is coming.
Sanders is so rude and obnoxious that he makes Hillary seem nice by comparison. He will be comic relief for the horror show of "Bush or Clinton" that I fear is coming.
1
Probably the most honest politician we have. Of course his peer group has set the bar for integrity at a very low level. Regardless, even if you don't always agree with Bernie, he cares about doing his job well with fairness, honesty and intelligence. Go Bernie, Push the conversation to the left for a change!
17
This is the first article i've read (the first of many i'm sure) to begin the process of marginalizing Sen Sanders - sad that it had to come from Gail Collins who i greatly admire - In Sen Sanders we have a wise, honest and dedicated candidate with a history of common sense and fighting for what is right - isn't that what we have all hoped for? He has my vote and whatever monetary help i can give him.
Jerry Willard
Jerry Willard
24
Go Bernie go.
Gee, I wish we had a Bernie in Florida.
Gee, I wish we had a Bernie in Florida.
8
Alas for Bernie; he has principles, clearly. But he lacks a sense of humor, even more clearly. Without any sense of irony, nobody can make any headway within today's American politics at a national level.
Plus it helps to have a strong stomach.
Plus it helps to have a strong stomach.
2
Bernie Sanders decision to run for the Democratic nomination is poignant because he embodies all that we have lost in American politics over the past several decades.
The "fact" that he will not be elected president -- (is this something like the "fact" that Hillary Clinton has a lock on the Democratic nomination?) -- needs to be questioned, especially if it is true. Why are we electing the worst people and not the best? Why is it so simple for us to just give up and to let things slide? Why do we make jokes about our decision-making incompetence and just laugh it off? "Oh, well...."
Bernie Sanders gives me something positive to follow in the upcoming election.
The "fact" that he will not be elected president -- (is this something like the "fact" that Hillary Clinton has a lock on the Democratic nomination?) -- needs to be questioned, especially if it is true. Why are we electing the worst people and not the best? Why is it so simple for us to just give up and to let things slide? Why do we make jokes about our decision-making incompetence and just laugh it off? "Oh, well...."
Bernie Sanders gives me something positive to follow in the upcoming election.
15
What does the headline, "Bernie Yells His Mind," have to do with this article.? For one thing, I've never heard Senator Sanders yell. The article itself, while filled with trivialization and condescending put down, never once says that the Senator yelled anything.
20
I lived in Vermont when Bernie Sanders first ran for Congress, and I voted for him twice. I'm a bit dismayed that journalists report the announcement that he is running for president as a kind of joke. He's no joke. He is the rare politician who is actually engaged in making the lives of his constituents better. That's why Vermonters keep reelecting him.
It would be gratifying -- and good for the country -- if this time around, journalists would focus on candidates' experience and policies rather than the horserace. Bernie Sanders would shine. Also, Americans treat "socialism" like a nasty word, but there is a world of difference between Denmark and North Korea, and it would be really helpful if journalists could educate on that point, too. I'm not holding my breath, though.
It would be gratifying -- and good for the country -- if this time around, journalists would focus on candidates' experience and policies rather than the horserace. Bernie Sanders would shine. Also, Americans treat "socialism" like a nasty word, but there is a world of difference between Denmark and North Korea, and it would be really helpful if journalists could educate on that point, too. I'm not holding my breath, though.
36
The MSM generates endless words and opinion columns to cover the important political process to select the next President of the United States. The level of daily coverage is somewhere between that of a popularity contest "who would you like to have a beer with?" and a horse race "the candidates are running neck and neck". Gail Collins snarky headline says it all "Bernie Sanders Yells His Mind".
Bernie Sanders has excelled in an executive role as Governor of Vermont. As a US Senator he has consistently been a voice of reason and integrity who stands apart from a dysfunctional Congress that increasingly gives our democracy a bad name.
I would gladly give Bernie Sanders the power of the Presidency to help all of the American people to have better lives. Some of the issues for this election are the economic insecurity of Americans, prevention of global disaster from man made climate change, promotion of peace and international security, extension of healthcare to all, rebuilding our infrastructure, reversal of the "Security State" misnamed in the "Patriot Act", and selection of Supreme Court Justices who understand what "Justice" means.
In a four to eight year administration other issues will arise that will require prioritization and judgment. I would trust Bernie Sanders to make the right decisions rather than any of the "Dark Money" candidates.
Bernie Sanders expresses himself clearly. Maybe the press should listen to what he says and report it.
Bernie Sanders has excelled in an executive role as Governor of Vermont. As a US Senator he has consistently been a voice of reason and integrity who stands apart from a dysfunctional Congress that increasingly gives our democracy a bad name.
I would gladly give Bernie Sanders the power of the Presidency to help all of the American people to have better lives. Some of the issues for this election are the economic insecurity of Americans, prevention of global disaster from man made climate change, promotion of peace and international security, extension of healthcare to all, rebuilding our infrastructure, reversal of the "Security State" misnamed in the "Patriot Act", and selection of Supreme Court Justices who understand what "Justice" means.
In a four to eight year administration other issues will arise that will require prioritization and judgment. I would trust Bernie Sanders to make the right decisions rather than any of the "Dark Money" candidates.
Bernie Sanders expresses himself clearly. Maybe the press should listen to what he says and report it.
21
I agree with all you say. I, too, was disappointed with GC's headline (and Jon Stewart's grouchy, old man the other night) which seem to reduce a sincere effort to a joke. He would make smart, honorable President of this benighted country. The press is really remiss in their 'reporting' of the issues and personality focused writing. At least we know from his own words where Mr. Sanders stands on issues, However, he was never Governor of Vermont, Mayor of Burlington, Congressman and now 2nd term Senator. All positions served with honor, integrity and results.
2
The breath of fresh air that has been wafted through the barren political landscape of this country with the candidacy of Bernie Sanders for president is exhilarating! Hallelujah!
10
Ah, Gail, he brings a progressive array of talent to the upcoming fun and games, but did Bernie ever have any dogs on the roof of his car?
3
Hillary got what she needed most for the debate stage. Not someone who could make her look more left or more right, but the rare candidate who could make her look young.
2
Mrs. Clinton is a corporatist. Sen. Sanders is a populist. In the 14 months between now and the Democratic National Convention, it will be interesting to see which value is a better reflection of the party's conscience. There's plenty of time for 50 debates -- one in each state -- to find out the answer. Hiding behind a veil of inevitability shouldn't be allowed.
10
Short and sweet(you believe that you haven't read my posts, sometime short never sweet). He is best person for the job. A true man for all seasons, but especially this one, a time of rampant corruption and abuse of the citizens by the uber rich and industrial-military police state. I don't pray, but I am gonna start. Win one for the good guys Bernie.
7
No, Senator Sanders is not extreme and yes his platform is the closest thing to sanity recently postulated by a presidential candidate. And also, yes, he has a better chance of appearing in a Playboy centerfold than on the swearing-in stand in 2017.
Our political landscape is littered with the decomposing cadavers of intelligent, articulate candidates espousing rational, enlightened causes, whose candidacies went south in the face of someone who was obviously a superior drinking partner.
Seriously, would you really like to have a beer with Bernie Sanders? Does he even drink beer and if he does, would he do it in public and even more importantly, would he really like to do it with you?
Thank God we have another beer-drinkable Bush waiting in the wings to lead our great nation into another eight years of chaos, madness and decline.
Thanks Bernie, you get the Ralph Nader award for well-intentioned stupidity.
Our political landscape is littered with the decomposing cadavers of intelligent, articulate candidates espousing rational, enlightened causes, whose candidacies went south in the face of someone who was obviously a superior drinking partner.
Seriously, would you really like to have a beer with Bernie Sanders? Does he even drink beer and if he does, would he do it in public and even more importantly, would he really like to do it with you?
Thank God we have another beer-drinkable Bush waiting in the wings to lead our great nation into another eight years of chaos, madness and decline.
Thanks Bernie, you get the Ralph Nader award for well-intentioned stupidity.
30
Condescension much? I would love to have a beer with Bernie, or a coke, or a shot of Jack Daniels, or whatever he drinks.
1
Putting beer and whiskey drinking aside with or without Mr. Bush, this American wishes that Mr. Obama would serve as a Third Term President, but having been told that this is not within the realm of possibilities, I am remembering how enthusiastic I was when Mr. Clinton won and also served two terms.
Mrs. Clinton, as of today, is increasingly my choice as our next leader because she has more in-House Washington experience as First Lady and Secretary of State, and I believe she will look to rebuild our Nation, developing and supporting programs and jobs for the poorest among us, while raging the war on drugs and ensuring that each and every child gets a fair share when it comes to education. This voter senses that Mrs. Clinton has a view to the future of our younger generation, and it gives one hope.
As for Mr. Sanders, he has served his time and generation well, and many Americans will now feel at ease and at home with this venerable Senator, while we prepare to follow a very rough and ugly political presidential election, where even the campaign manager for Mr. Jeb Bush may not be able to predict the outcome, until much later in the months to come.
Mrs. Clinton, as of today, is increasingly my choice as our next leader because she has more in-House Washington experience as First Lady and Secretary of State, and I believe she will look to rebuild our Nation, developing and supporting programs and jobs for the poorest among us, while raging the war on drugs and ensuring that each and every child gets a fair share when it comes to education. This voter senses that Mrs. Clinton has a view to the future of our younger generation, and it gives one hope.
As for Mr. Sanders, he has served his time and generation well, and many Americans will now feel at ease and at home with this venerable Senator, while we prepare to follow a very rough and ugly political presidential election, where even the campaign manager for Mr. Jeb Bush may not be able to predict the outcome, until much later in the months to come.
1
Not very good, John.
2
I was among the volunteers in John Anderson's 1980 Independent campaign (vs Reagan & Carter)for president despite knowing the two major parties are too well organized to beat. The end result was sad but worth it just for feeling we had fought for the best person and perhaps left a residue of sound thought. If you go with Bernie, enjoy the ride: even a defeat can have positive influence on society.
4
I, too, supported Anderson in 1980. I even changed party affiliation temporarily, specifically to vote for him in the Republican primary. What did Anderson's candidacy accomplish? Granted, he wasn't a Nader. Although he did split the moderate vote, Carter would not have won even with all Anderson supporters on board. But possibly he did undercut Carter early on, weakening him that much more when he might have built support and given Reagan a real challenge. And now 45 years later, Anderson is barely a footnote to history. We didn't accomplish anything; we didn't even push the major-party candidates one micron off their established stances. That, at least, Sanders might accomplish.
2
I'm a Republican but I think that Bernie Sanders brings an important perspective to the 2016 presidential race. The GOP candidates to date have basically tried to out-Tea Party each other, which from where I sit is a road to nowhere come general election time. HRC has been unchallenged to this point so her "campaign" so far has all the trappings of a coronation. While I don't believe that Sanders will be the nominee of the Democrats, he has the opportunity to push HRC towards a more progressive stance, which I think will be a good thing. Remember that much of the commonly accepted wisdom - progressive income taxes, social security - were originally progressive initiatives in the late 19th/early 20th century and were eventually co-opted by the mainstream parties. While I don't buy all of the progressive agenda, we need a presidential campaign that gives the voters a clearer choice rather than candidates who represent various shades of the moneyed interests.
3
I agree with Sanders on most issues. This country really needs to be turned around. CEO's earning 22 million dollars a year while workers earn $7.25 an hour? Either that stops or we tax them so heavily that they they're left with a half million dollars. Can you imagine what Ryan, Boehner, McConnell and the rest of the clowns would do if Sanders became President?
3
Always loved him from afar. Now I will vote for him, the consistently smart leader!
7
"Her political life has been a continual, sometimes unedifying, struggle to get the power to do what she believed were the right things for the country."
Wow, what a hit piece, Gail. Even the yell title, which I assume is supposed to bring back memories of how the media torpedoed Howard Dean's campaign.
I am really disappointed in you.
As to Hillary's "struggle" to get the 'power to do the right things,' what a laughable assertion. That's like saying Wall Street looks out for the average American. Hillary is greed personified.
Let's just take a look at what she did to Libya when she had power: it went from a country with free healthcare and free education including college for all its citizens, and equal rights for women, into an unsafe hellhole full of chaos and Islamic extremism. But, hey, she loves it: "We came, we saw, he died cackle cackle" that's her simplistic view of LIbya.
Juts like voting for the Iraq war, that killed a million civilians.
Is that your idea of the right thing? Shame on you, Gail.
Wow, what a hit piece, Gail. Even the yell title, which I assume is supposed to bring back memories of how the media torpedoed Howard Dean's campaign.
I am really disappointed in you.
As to Hillary's "struggle" to get the 'power to do the right things,' what a laughable assertion. That's like saying Wall Street looks out for the average American. Hillary is greed personified.
Let's just take a look at what she did to Libya when she had power: it went from a country with free healthcare and free education including college for all its citizens, and equal rights for women, into an unsafe hellhole full of chaos and Islamic extremism. But, hey, she loves it: "We came, we saw, he died cackle cackle" that's her simplistic view of LIbya.
Juts like voting for the Iraq war, that killed a million civilians.
Is that your idea of the right thing? Shame on you, Gail.
9
I LOVE BERNIE SANDERS! I will send him what money I can, I will vote for him on the wildest chance he in nominated.
What a crazy thought, wanting a truly honorable, caring, honest person as our President.
What a crazy thought, wanting a truly honorable, caring, honest person as our President.
23
Welcome indeed, Bernie. Issues schmissues, Sanders is the real deal. By "real" I mean that he's not posturing as someone or something he isn't. He passes the character test and doesn't need a "just plain folks" van to prove it.
He's the only candidate on either side of the great American party divide who aces this test.
He's the only candidate on either side of the great American party divide who aces this test.
6
To the naysayers. Your assumptions of loss are misdirected are based on an old paradigm. we are in the midst of HUGE change.
If Bernie can get the word out.......
His ideas resonate with 99% of the world's population.
Sanders for President 2016
If Bernie can get the word out.......
His ideas resonate with 99% of the world's population.
Sanders for President 2016
7
Welcome to the race Bernie...any candidate running against Koch Brothers is my candidate and it is highly critical for A Democrat to win the election to be the President.
I am looking forward to the debates particularly the circus among the Republicans.Those are the ones with no particular agendas except to be in the grace of the rich and mighty.
I am looking forward to the debates particularly the circus among the Republicans.Those are the ones with no particular agendas except to be in the grace of the rich and mighty.
5
Finally someone I can vote for. He is another old white man, but oh how diffrent he is from the pack!
9
Now for another woman to step forward that is wanting to run for President to have debates of diversity.
Yo Gail:
What a gift the gruff voice of integrity over the modulated voice of hypocrisy would be for the eight years this exceptional man could give us as president.
Go Bernie.
What a gift the gruff voice of integrity over the modulated voice of hypocrisy would be for the eight years this exceptional man could give us as president.
Go Bernie.
12
At least we have one REAL Democrat running. Go Bernie!
5
I'm gonna vote for him, and send him money.
6
My cheque for more than $43 is in the mail.
2
Bernie Sanders for President and Elizabeth Warren for Vice President would be a winning ticket for the Democratic Party and the Nation.
6
No, it would be McGovern all over again. You need to get out of the NYT echo chamber now and then.
go get them Bernie
4
"You've got to give him credit." Though you spent this entire piece trying to diminish him because he isn't Hillary.
People in the media love to tell us who's going to be president long before any of us have a chance to vote. Remember President Giuliani? President Perry? President Fred Thompson? And President Hillary?
When you look at his policy preferences and his values, Bernie Sanders is about as mainstream as it gets - clear majorities of Americans agree with him on most issues. But Ms. Collins ignores that, because what the American people want means very little to those who run the country.
We could have President Bush for two terms - a son of excessive privilege who was dishonest, careless, and could barely read - and that was perfectly acceptable. Yet a principled person like Sanders who is real, knowledgeable, reliable, honest, and intelligent is not only unacceptable, but impossible.
Think about what this article suggests, and what many have already posted here in the comments: In the U.S., it is simply not possible for Sanders, or someone like him, to be president.
This country is screwed.
People in the media love to tell us who's going to be president long before any of us have a chance to vote. Remember President Giuliani? President Perry? President Fred Thompson? And President Hillary?
When you look at his policy preferences and his values, Bernie Sanders is about as mainstream as it gets - clear majorities of Americans agree with him on most issues. But Ms. Collins ignores that, because what the American people want means very little to those who run the country.
We could have President Bush for two terms - a son of excessive privilege who was dishonest, careless, and could barely read - and that was perfectly acceptable. Yet a principled person like Sanders who is real, knowledgeable, reliable, honest, and intelligent is not only unacceptable, but impossible.
Think about what this article suggests, and what many have already posted here in the comments: In the U.S., it is simply not possible for Sanders, or someone like him, to be president.
This country is screwed.
11
What a pleasure to have Bernie Sanders announce for president. To me he's the "Conscience of America", speaking out and working for all of us who are not part of the 1% power structure. A man of principle and conviction, not driven by polls and advisors, one of the few in politics whom I trust (and Elizabeth Warren makes two). Hillary has enough money; my contributions will go to Bernie Sanders.
Now we just have to hope that the media will give him the coverage he deserves. The Times burying his announcement on page 22 yesterday was not a good start.
Now we just have to hope that the media will give him the coverage he deserves. The Times burying his announcement on page 22 yesterday was not a good start.
9
Will be interesting to see how other Democrats deal with Sanders stated Socialist party affiliation. When pushed Sanders reflexively moves so far left that the normally overstated accusations of Socialism fit nicely. Will other Democrats be bothered by this or politely bring him into the center of the party?
2
Socialist party affiliation? Where do you come from?
2
You may want to actually learn his party affiliation. Socialist is his term.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/30/bernie-sanders-socialist_n_7182...
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/30/bernie-sanders-socialist_n_7182...
Please name some of Bernie's policies that are socialism. BTW he is not affiliated with the Socialist Party. Do not be tied up by labels. Look at the record.
2
Imagine - the United States as a democracy! Bernie can help bring it back from the plutocracy it is now. I can believe in his chance to do it - "with a little help from his friends." Count me , and I hope lots of more, as one.
8
I've known and voted for Bernie Sanders for more than 35 years, and there is one thing even his worst enemies will concede about him: what you see is what you get. Bernie the public politician says EXACTLY the same thing behind closed doors as he does in front of the cameras. He's not kidding when he says he's in it to win it. In American politics, that's not just refreshing, that's revolutionary!
Not to mention, it's not as if the "inevitable" Hilary Clinton hasn't been beaten before by a relative unknown.
Not to mention, it's not as if the "inevitable" Hilary Clinton hasn't been beaten before by a relative unknown.
401
Someone that actually says one things and sticks to it? Are you saying this man does not lie? Are you sure he's a democrat much less a politician?
3
Theodore Roosevelt was very much the same. Check out his biography. The power brokers of his own party did not take him seriously. In an era very similar to ours, he took on the "special interests" and gave the country a progressive boost in a new and better direction, for a time.
2
I know him personally. He doesn't lie. Which means he can't possibly be a science-denying, wealth-kowtowing, education-hating Republican.
1
What comes to mind when one of "the little people" enter this race is just one item in our Big Money Atmosphere: Stevenson from Illinois. His divorce was, from the start, a huge obstacle in his campaign.
The fact that such a fact has nothing to do with succeeding in the job just didn't enter the picture. Sad. But then maybe ours is an uninformed electorate in the first place.
The fact that such a fact has nothing to do with succeeding in the job just didn't enter the picture. Sad. But then maybe ours is an uninformed electorate in the first place.
In 1952 divorce was considered by many to be evidence of a character flaw. Today, it would not matter at all. Ironically, we now know that it would not have mattered in 1952 if the public had been aware of what the media (the "press" in those days) kept hidden. Ike had a long-standing extramarital affair.
I like Bernie. He is obviously plain-spoken and appears to have an honest concern about the welfare of people. Of course, as a socialist he has zero chances of becoming president. That's too bad since a good dose of socialism might help to counterbalance the extremism of the Republicans and the tea party.
7
I enjoy your snark, Gail, as much as anyone. But, if someone like Bernie, who has been right on the issues and courageously stood up for his beliefs for decades, is just the butt of your humor, what does that say about where we are headed as a country ?
18
I'm for a lot of what he's nominally 'for', in broad terms anyway. And yet, and yet ...
''His [Sanders' political career] began with a long list of principled and totally hopeless campaigns whose dismal outcomes he recounts proudly in speeches.'
This, I fear, is the core of his appeal. He's in a tradition of Beautiful Losers to which a certain subset of the left must attach itself: The Quixotic Idealists. The QI's identity is invested in brave opposition, they're defined by the struggle. Professional outsiders. Sanders appeals to them specifically because he hasn't a chance. (Winning is, in some sense, antithetical and despicable - accomplishment is the mark of a sellout, a compromiser.)
I don't prize consistency over adaptability. To me it speaks in Hillary's favour that she changed on gay rights- and in fact, that she undoubtedly changed more for pragmatic reasons than for idealistic ones. The only one who never changes his mind is one who hasn't got a mind to change - and Learned Hand said the spirit of liberty is that which is not too sure it is right. Sanders is a little too sure he's right. I don't trust True Believers.
My heart is Fabian Socialist - I grew up reading Shaw. But my head whispers that this is a wildly diverse post-industrial nation of more than 320M people, one of many in a similarly diverse and roiling global context. Would socialism work here? Another author, Hemingway, whispers: 'Wouldn't it be pretty to think so?"
''His [Sanders' political career] began with a long list of principled and totally hopeless campaigns whose dismal outcomes he recounts proudly in speeches.'
This, I fear, is the core of his appeal. He's in a tradition of Beautiful Losers to which a certain subset of the left must attach itself: The Quixotic Idealists. The QI's identity is invested in brave opposition, they're defined by the struggle. Professional outsiders. Sanders appeals to them specifically because he hasn't a chance. (Winning is, in some sense, antithetical and despicable - accomplishment is the mark of a sellout, a compromiser.)
I don't prize consistency over adaptability. To me it speaks in Hillary's favour that she changed on gay rights- and in fact, that she undoubtedly changed more for pragmatic reasons than for idealistic ones. The only one who never changes his mind is one who hasn't got a mind to change - and Learned Hand said the spirit of liberty is that which is not too sure it is right. Sanders is a little too sure he's right. I don't trust True Believers.
My heart is Fabian Socialist - I grew up reading Shaw. But my head whispers that this is a wildly diverse post-industrial nation of more than 320M people, one of many in a similarly diverse and roiling global context. Would socialism work here? Another author, Hemingway, whispers: 'Wouldn't it be pretty to think so?"
1
Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hooray
Hip Hip Hooray
9
He most certainly does deserve credit, and I hope that the NYT will give him his due. Independent, rational thinking used to be called leadership.
Imagine his principled, uncorrupted thought in the White House. Imagine!
Imagine his principled, uncorrupted thought in the White House. Imagine!
16
Good article. One minor quibble:
"[Hillary's] political life has been a continual, sometimes unedifying, struggle to get the power to do what she believed were the right things for the country."
No, Hillary's--and Bill's--continual, definitely unedifying, struggle has been to get into the good graces of the banksters and transnational corporations so that they could become personally wealthy. Which they have done, mainly by doing everything they could to frustrate and sidetrack the progressive movement, much to the delight of said banksters and corporations.
Take Bernie seriously. He did raise a million and a half dollars in the first 24 hours (I gave him $100) and this is just the beginning. I have been a progressive Democrat for decades, and I can tell you that we progressives do NOT want Hillary Clinton. He's in it to win--and he may just do it.
RUN BERNIE RUN!
"[Hillary's] political life has been a continual, sometimes unedifying, struggle to get the power to do what she believed were the right things for the country."
No, Hillary's--and Bill's--continual, definitely unedifying, struggle has been to get into the good graces of the banksters and transnational corporations so that they could become personally wealthy. Which they have done, mainly by doing everything they could to frustrate and sidetrack the progressive movement, much to the delight of said banksters and corporations.
Take Bernie seriously. He did raise a million and a half dollars in the first 24 hours (I gave him $100) and this is just the beginning. I have been a progressive Democrat for decades, and I can tell you that we progressives do NOT want Hillary Clinton. He's in it to win--and he may just do it.
RUN BERNIE RUN!
9
Gail, thanks for choosing to talk about Bernie Sanders' admittedly uphill road to the White House...when you could easily have focused the conversation on the Texas and Idaho hotbeds of Republican Party craziness. Every once in a while we need a respite from confronting GOP lunacy, to remind ourselves of the good people with integrity who make a positive contribution in the lives of Americans.; people like Bernie Sanders who give us reason to hope for a better America. And here's a thought: While Elizabeth Warren has declared she wont run for the Democratic nomination, perhaps she would consider running on the ticket as Bernie Sanders' VP running mate.
Bernie is a good man to illustrate the truth of Lincoln's “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.” Senator Sanders has never tried to fool anyone and has always addressed political issues with a confidence in the truth. Whether the American people are ready to face the truth that the military industrial and banking complex has created is the question that his campaign poses. Bon courage
13
Bernie Sanders for president v. billionaire political puppet-masters, the Koch brothers: a 21st-century David and Goliath tale!
8
As a Vermonter of many decades, I was there when Bernie became the Mayor of Burlington. As Gail said, "he governed well". I should add: VERY well.
Voting has become almost pointless; the candidate of my choice is too many times to keep the other candidate from winning.
I will vote for Bernie and I will send him money. Some may consider my vote as thrown away. Well, it is anyhow, so I'm going to vote for someone I truly believe in, throwaway or no.
~TRT
Voting has become almost pointless; the candidate of my choice is too many times to keep the other candidate from winning.
I will vote for Bernie and I will send him money. Some may consider my vote as thrown away. Well, it is anyhow, so I'm going to vote for someone I truly believe in, throwaway or no.
~TRT
7
Bernie Sanders would be better for the country than Bush III or Clinton II. He sure as heck is better than the other clowns running on the GOP side.
The problem Mr. Sanders faces is summarized in an article titled, "'I'm Right and Everybody Else Is Wrong. Clear About That?" http://tinyurl.com/mdsyykt
In case the article's title doesn't give a clue about the trouble Mr. Sanders will face, here's a key quote from the article (about Mr. Sander's speech to the Progressive Democracts of America) that could spell trouble for his candidacy:
"The performance was vintage Sanders: brimming with umbrage and entirely lacking in charisma."
Umbrage coupled with lack of charisma is not exactly a recipe for success in the brutal presidential primaries, leave alone the general election.
The problem Mr. Sanders faces is summarized in an article titled, "'I'm Right and Everybody Else Is Wrong. Clear About That?" http://tinyurl.com/mdsyykt
In case the article's title doesn't give a clue about the trouble Mr. Sanders will face, here's a key quote from the article (about Mr. Sander's speech to the Progressive Democracts of America) that could spell trouble for his candidacy:
"The performance was vintage Sanders: brimming with umbrage and entirely lacking in charisma."
Umbrage coupled with lack of charisma is not exactly a recipe for success in the brutal presidential primaries, leave alone the general election.
3
Never heard of his husband or his father or his brother, how refreshing. Don't have to listen how his parents were struggling immigrants or how he dropped out of college, now I'm totally refreshed. Bernie, you breath of Spring, thank you.
10
Finally, a reasonable alternative . I would vote for Sanders in a heartbeat.
7
And so the takedown of any candidate other than the pre-ordained favorites by the press begins.
4
Here are my questions: is Bernie Sanders the spoiler candidate in the 2016 Democratic presidential race and can he siphon off enough votes to deny Hillary Clinton the Democratic nomination? Bernie Sanders is 73 years old. Is anyone going to ask whether or not he's too old to run for president? I've heard again and again that Hillary Clinton, now in her late 60's, shouldn't bother running because she's too old and would find it difficult to handle the rigors of a long presidential campaign. Talk about a double standard!!! And finally, the most important question of all--is America ready to elect an outspoken ultra liberal leftwing Brooklyn born Jewish Democratic Socialist as the 45th President of the United States???
62
Answer to Sharon. No he is not a spoiler. Too many people don't understand the difference between running in the party primary and running as a third party candidate in the general election.
Bernie is running in the primary. If he loses, he will have done a great service by talking about the real issues and helping people focus on them, but he won't be in the general election. We probably will have to hold our noses as Democrats and vote for Hillary, but she will have heard Bernie and all the people who respond to his points about the issues that matter. It could help her turn her back on some of those money boys if Bernie pulls real Democrats out of the woodwork and they vote instead of staying home to sulk about the imperfection of the candidate.
Not voting is how we lost the House and the Senate!
Bernie is running in the primary. If he loses, he will have done a great service by talking about the real issues and helping people focus on them, but he won't be in the general election. We probably will have to hold our noses as Democrats and vote for Hillary, but she will have heard Bernie and all the people who respond to his points about the issues that matter. It could help her turn her back on some of those money boys if Bernie pulls real Democrats out of the woodwork and they vote instead of staying home to sulk about the imperfection of the candidate.
Not voting is how we lost the House and the Senate!
1
God I hope so! How refreshing to have someone who has not waved whichever way the political wind has blown and kowtowed to every extremist group who yells the loudest. Something tells me Bernie could give anyone a run for their money even at 73. Thanks for electing a genuine person Vermont, lets keep him running.
1
In answer to your final question -- I certainly hope so!!!!
1
Bernie might prompt HRC to become more "populist", and move to the left a bit more. But would it be genuine? I'm afraid she's part of the oligarchy and thus wouldn't be too eager to challenge it.
4
It is instructive that Republican candidates make their announcements in southern sinkholes: Reagan at Philadelphia, Miss., where three young civil rights workers were martyred, Bush43 at Bob Jones U., Ted Cruz at Liberty U., founded by segregationist Jerry Falwell.
A Sanders-Warren ticket would be my dream, and a path out of the feudalistic fascist state we are heading for.
A Sanders-Warren ticket would be my dream, and a path out of the feudalistic fascist state we are heading for.
8
Please stop calling democratic socialists, "extreme." Denmark is a social democracy, and it's been described as the "happiest county in the world." I'm a American of Danish descent, and it seems perfectly natural — and highly desirable — to me, that we would aspire to become a peaceful, egalitarian social democracy like Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. The extremists in this country are the right-wing Republicans, who are leading us down the road to a fascist oligarchy — now *that's* extreme!
34
Denmark is a small, comparatively homogenous nation. America is a wildly diverse post-industrial superpower of 320M. Not even remotely comparable. I like socialism, too, in principle, but I don't think it would scale up.
Ever watch Mythbusters? In one episode, they attempt to recreate a Newton's Cradle - those five click-clacking balls on strings that decorate many a desktop - using five wrecking balls suspended on cranes. It doesn't work, because the effect doesn't scale up. And it does not do in politics or sociology, any more than in physics, to reply, a la Adam Savage, 'I reject your reality and substitute my own'. When Savage says it, he's joking. When the American left says it, unfortunately, they believe it.
Ever watch Mythbusters? In one episode, they attempt to recreate a Newton's Cradle - those five click-clacking balls on strings that decorate many a desktop - using five wrecking balls suspended on cranes. It doesn't work, because the effect doesn't scale up. And it does not do in politics or sociology, any more than in physics, to reply, a la Adam Savage, 'I reject your reality and substitute my own'. When Savage says it, he's joking. When the American left says it, unfortunately, they believe it.
1
Rand Paul says he wants to take our country back. Bernie Sanders wants to take our country forward. What is wrong with that? Right now the press is not talking about anything but the horse race. What Bernie will do is to force a discussion on issues.
9
A "Weekend with Bernie" ( where he remains alive for the whole campaign) is a far better choice then watching the GOP perform in their version of "Marat-Sade."
4
I see Bernie Sanders as worthy of support. Hillary Clinton, not so much.
9
As other commenters have implied, you know you're finished as a country when a candidate such as Sanders is given literally no chance. I thus give our country no chance of avoiding the loss of our democracy to oligarchy. In fact, it's a done deal, as Sanders' no-chance candidacy attests. So, let's just let the auction begin, shall we?
9
I've been mulling over the idea that Bernie Sanders should compete in the Republican primaries. Wait, hear me out. Sure, he's a bit to the left of your run-of-the-mill conservative. But really, when you look at what the current crop of R. candidates are advocating, some are so wacko that Bernie wouldn't be much more than one standard deviation in the other direction. And he'd get to participate in, what, maybe 20 debates, or however many the RNC is scheduling? That's a lot of exposure; some low-info Faux News voters are gonna tune in, listen for a few minutes, and realize Sanders makes more sense than anybody else in the room. I'll bet he'd get a pile of votes, even in states with closed primaries; some of those "libertarians" pushing Paul might just realize that "liberal" is the original brand. And he'd bust the little air-tight bubble R. candidates live in wide open...
Bernie says he's in this to win, so I guess he ain't gonna run as an R. But you can say I'm a dreamer...
Bernie says he's in this to win, so I guess he ain't gonna run as an R. But you can say I'm a dreamer...
1
I'm already sick of the "Bernie will keep Hilary honest" narrative and it's only been days. How about side stepping Hilary and being part of a revolution? I'm not afraid of being for Bernie, and maybe we could all love our troubled country a little more.
14
Can America fall in love with a grumpy old Jewish socialist from Brooklyn? I don't know, but given the likely field now he has my vote. He's been on the right side of all the issues, knows who he is and what he believes. If he catches fire though, watch for the empire to strike back with a vengeance. Ideas such as his cannot be allowed to be taken seriously in our American oligarchy.
11
If Bernie's the best one can find to counter Hillary, then Bernie it must be.
1
He makes me want to vote.
8
I am a 10th and 12th generation Yankee WASP. My vote and my guns are at Bernie Sanders' service. I am sick to death of what corporate capitalism has done to all my ancestors labored and fought for over the past 385 years. Socialism was a cornerstone of New England's colonial culture--it gave us the town meeting, town commons, town forest, town schools, town militia, and personal responsibility within a social cohesiveness. That stood us well at Bunker Hill and Little Round Top. Corporate Capitalism has become the AIDS virus in our body politic; it's time to put limits on it and return it to its original status as a useful tool in a community of equals.
14
I would vote for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton any day.
7
I am with Gail on this. When do the specific proposals start to pop up candidates? Saying you are very liberal is like spouting "liberty", "sovereignty" and "freedom from sharia law" mindlessly like a clown from the clown car. Who cares what keeps popping out of their moving lips? Where are the proposals for tax rates? Give Hillary something specific to respond to and then we as Democrats will be ready for that mysterious "auto-pen" that Grover used to dream about in 2012; ready to tackle the .1% so they don't have extra billions laying around to subvert our democracy to further their religious wars in the ME, and their own enrichment.
2
Almost any other Democrat would be an improvement over Sheila the Shapeshifter, and Bernie is certainly a lot more than just any old Democrat, though he would surpass Ronnie Reagan, and by over five years, as the oldest-ever POTUS.
3
Senator Sanders has my vote. How fortunate we are that a truly principled individual has entered the race for president. Stop laughing America, and think what your skepticism about him says about us as a whole….. That no one with principles, intelligence, and inexhaustible dedication to the the people and doing what's right by them, can possibly become president of the United States.
Think about this… The "worst" thing one can say about Bernie is that he's described himself as a Democratic Socialist. What are some of the worst things that can be said about the other candidate hopefuls who have tossed their hats into the ring?
I'll say it again, you have my vote, Bernie!
Think about this… The "worst" thing one can say about Bernie is that he's described himself as a Democratic Socialist. What are some of the worst things that can be said about the other candidate hopefuls who have tossed their hats into the ring?
I'll say it again, you have my vote, Bernie!
6
Anyone but Hillary! If it comes down to Hillary against a Republican in 2016 Wall Street has already won.
4
Some time ago I met Bernie in his constituency office to talk about funding for science - as a dual national and on behalf of my professional organization. He asked serious questions informed by his own broad interests in public health for all, GMOs, agriculture and water quality. He talked and he listened. It was the best such "lobbying" experience I've ever had and I've had plenty.
On Labor Day 2014 by chance I caught his speech at a local rally in Burlington.
A city where my family still lives - and where he made such a difference as a mayor. Under blue skies in a wonderful park overlooking Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and Green Mountains he gave us a rousing stump speech laying out just about everything I believe in as a Democrat. His participation can only lift the discourse in this election - we need him!
On Labor Day 2014 by chance I caught his speech at a local rally in Burlington.
A city where my family still lives - and where he made such a difference as a mayor. Under blue skies in a wonderful park overlooking Lake Champlain, the Adirondacks and Green Mountains he gave us a rousing stump speech laying out just about everything I believe in as a Democrat. His participation can only lift the discourse in this election - we need him!
9
There's no way Bernie can win the presidency. He's never been involved in any type of scandal, never sponsored legislation promoted by lobbyists who've lined his campaign pockets with cash, never invoked the blessings of God to protect the rights of his constituents. Bernie has irresponsibly and irrepressibly promoted the concept of the United States as a place where everyone should have the right to get healthcare and enough income to live a decent life. There's no place for someone of Bernie's ilk. And there's no way he will raise a dime from the Koch Brothers or Sheldon Adelson, so he may as well quit the race now.
11
Sanders has heart and it does matter in this sea which seems headed to oblivion. More of the same has given us a crumbling infrastructure, an oligarchy, a Right Wing desperate to reconstitute the Middle Ages and its glorious hate in the name of some morality which was better practiced in the breach, even then. Yes, I'll likely vote for Hillary, but I would actively campaign for Bernie were he to become the nominee. Seeing as how the business community out spends the rest of us by a margin of 34 to 1 on elections, and Hillary has a lock on them, Bernie may be tilting at windmills, but we all should dream the Impossible Dream sometimes!
8
Time soon for HRC & Sen. Bernie Sanders to debate, face to face, direct Qs from each to each, no town hall format cop-outs. And enough of the 'conversations' with a few carefully screened everyday folks. As for the expensive insurance company style HRC infomercials, spare us these insults to the brain.
3
It’s 3:30 AM, couldn’t sleep but still blurry; and I swear that when I looked at the op-ed title what I saw for a second was “Bernie Sanders Still Has a Mind”.
Indeed. And, like Liz Warren, he seems to be pulling the Hillster left with it, isn’t he? But we Republicans shouldn’t look gift horses in the mouths. Bernie is very serious in his socialism, while Hillary is only serious about what might snag a couple of poll points on any given day. That makes Bernie the more dangerous by far. But no worries among the washed: Bernie has no chance of securing the Democratic presidential nomination next year, much less the presidency. Yet I'd almost be willing to give Bernie's campaign money, if it succeeds in pulling Hillary far enough left to make the videos entertaining during the actual election. One has to wonder whether Bush can win ALL the electoral votes.
$1.5 million in 24 hours? Betcha it all came from Republicans.
If Senator Liz jumps on the train by saying she’d run as Bernie’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus, then I’d be FORCED to give the campaign money.
But Gail seems to have a problem with Texas and Idaho, yet Vermont’s legislature (Bernie’s) passed a law that prohibits outlawing clotheslines. Governments clearly don't always abuse their powers.
I’m glad that Bernie is in this to win. With O’Malley seemingly out of the race, too busy explaining Baltimore, I was beginning to think that I’d never laugh again: heaven knows, neither the Hillster nor the Jebster crack anyone up.
Indeed. And, like Liz Warren, he seems to be pulling the Hillster left with it, isn’t he? But we Republicans shouldn’t look gift horses in the mouths. Bernie is very serious in his socialism, while Hillary is only serious about what might snag a couple of poll points on any given day. That makes Bernie the more dangerous by far. But no worries among the washed: Bernie has no chance of securing the Democratic presidential nomination next year, much less the presidency. Yet I'd almost be willing to give Bernie's campaign money, if it succeeds in pulling Hillary far enough left to make the videos entertaining during the actual election. One has to wonder whether Bush can win ALL the electoral votes.
$1.5 million in 24 hours? Betcha it all came from Republicans.
If Senator Liz jumps on the train by saying she’d run as Bernie’s Julia Louis-Dreyfus, then I’d be FORCED to give the campaign money.
But Gail seems to have a problem with Texas and Idaho, yet Vermont’s legislature (Bernie’s) passed a law that prohibits outlawing clotheslines. Governments clearly don't always abuse their powers.
I’m glad that Bernie is in this to win. With O’Malley seemingly out of the race, too busy explaining Baltimore, I was beginning to think that I’d never laugh again: heaven knows, neither the Hillster nor the Jebster crack anyone up.
3
An image of republicans waving pieces of clothesline or even clothespins came to mind, like those flip-flops they were waving at the convention.
Yup, worth a donation to have a democratic presidential candidate say something like it's not corporations or businesses that create jobs.
Yup, worth a donation to have a democratic presidential candidate say something like it's not corporations or businesses that create jobs.
4
AACNY:
And we thought 2016 was going to be boring.
And we thought 2016 was going to be boring.
1
If all that I read in this column and in the comments is true, then Mr. Sanders perfectly meets the intellectual integrity standard espoused by Prof. Krugman yesterday. Hence I am looking forward to what he will have to say about Mr. Sanders.
6
I'm going to consider him as a legitimate candidate. He sticks up for everyday people and always has. Shouldn't we want such qualities in a President?
25
When Ms. Collins tries to write about Sen. Sanders, she ends up snarky, not funny. The most important thing about his candidacy is that he yelled? Really?
Nobody thought Gene McCarthy would amount to anything either. But he received 42% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary, knocked a sitting president out of the race, and went on to win Wisconsin and Oregon against Robert F. Kennedy.
I'm eager to see how Bernie Sanders does in this race. I can read the conventional wisdom anywhere; I don't need to get it in The New York Times.
Nobody thought Gene McCarthy would amount to anything either. But he received 42% of the vote in the New Hampshire primary, knocked a sitting president out of the race, and went on to win Wisconsin and Oregon against Robert F. Kennedy.
I'm eager to see how Bernie Sanders does in this race. I can read the conventional wisdom anywhere; I don't need to get it in The New York Times.
10
Um, about the election that McCarthy then was in? Ugly memory; no thanks - my first vote for president. No, call me older (or wiser) but a vote for Bernie is a vote for Republican ownership of government.
1
Gail, how could you leave out Howard Dean?!
2
Today is the 58th anniversary of the last breathe of the founder of today's GOP, Joseph Raymond McCarthy. It was not that long ago that Senator McCarthy rode roughshod over our rights and freedoms and American democracy.
It was William F Buckley Jr who had Senator McCarthy as the hero of his novel Redhunter and it was William F Buckley Jr who wrote McCarthy and his Enemies. It was Senator McCarthy and his focus on destroying free expression and ensuring oligarchy who recruited the great communicator into the GOP.
In the 240 years years of American history we have seen America evolve during its first 170 years into a fairer more democratic society with an expansive and empowered middle class. When McCarthy took power in Washington we saw a change in direction with precipitous decline in the last 35 years..
Senator Sanders is the most American man to run for President in my lifetime. Sanders understands the constitution and the promise of America. It is McCarthy's GOP and its passive and cooperative Democratic opposition that are the radicals. When we let the right wing reactionaries take power in Washington 70 years ago America stopped being America. America was supposed to be about a better life for people not corporations.
Maybe Bernie can remind us what government of the people by the people and FOR the people was supposed to be. Bernie is no radical except for his belief in America's people and his understanding that money is not speech and corporations are not people.
It was William F Buckley Jr who had Senator McCarthy as the hero of his novel Redhunter and it was William F Buckley Jr who wrote McCarthy and his Enemies. It was Senator McCarthy and his focus on destroying free expression and ensuring oligarchy who recruited the great communicator into the GOP.
In the 240 years years of American history we have seen America evolve during its first 170 years into a fairer more democratic society with an expansive and empowered middle class. When McCarthy took power in Washington we saw a change in direction with precipitous decline in the last 35 years..
Senator Sanders is the most American man to run for President in my lifetime. Sanders understands the constitution and the promise of America. It is McCarthy's GOP and its passive and cooperative Democratic opposition that are the radicals. When we let the right wing reactionaries take power in Washington 70 years ago America stopped being America. America was supposed to be about a better life for people not corporations.
Maybe Bernie can remind us what government of the people by the people and FOR the people was supposed to be. Bernie is no radical except for his belief in America's people and his understanding that money is not speech and corporations are not people.
21
Time for a Sanders-Warren ticket!
5
Jon Stewart's treatment of Bernie Sanders was shabby. If Bernie is a crabby old man, then he was such when he was a young man as I can find no "evolution" in his thinking. He had a core set of principles publically in place forty years ago and those principles have remained rock-steady. It is Mr. Stewart who sounded like a crabby old man.
16
Senator Sanders is a breath of fresh air, who, if successful, could become a great president, exactly what the nation, country and the world need during these perilous and unpredictable times.
Hopefully, the voters will respond favorably and seriously to his candidacy.
Senator Sanders will no doubt, however, be challenged by powerful special interest groups, corporations and lobbies, who will be saturated with unlimited billions of dollars in campaign funding, which they will use to defeat him.
Yet for the sake of preserving our democracy, these powerful groups must not be allowed to succeed. We, the people, should defeat them.
We should counter the corrupting influence of the billions of unlimited money contributions made by the powerful interest groups by, we the people, making millions of our own small, modest and unselfish contributions in order to help Senator Sanders’ campaign.
By defeating these forces and by rejecting the corrupting influence of the billions of dollars they will no doubt pour into this election campaign, we may be able to elect a decent, honorable and capable president.
Equally importantly, we may also weaken if not vitiate the corrupting influence of Citizens United.
Hopefully, the voters will respond favorably and seriously to his candidacy.
Senator Sanders will no doubt, however, be challenged by powerful special interest groups, corporations and lobbies, who will be saturated with unlimited billions of dollars in campaign funding, which they will use to defeat him.
Yet for the sake of preserving our democracy, these powerful groups must not be allowed to succeed. We, the people, should defeat them.
We should counter the corrupting influence of the billions of unlimited money contributions made by the powerful interest groups by, we the people, making millions of our own small, modest and unselfish contributions in order to help Senator Sanders’ campaign.
By defeating these forces and by rejecting the corrupting influence of the billions of dollars they will no doubt pour into this election campaign, we may be able to elect a decent, honorable and capable president.
Equally importantly, we may also weaken if not vitiate the corrupting influence of Citizens United.
19
Reading "The Bully Pulpit" by D.K. Goodwin, I realize this country is in a worse position now than in 1901. As Theodore Roosevelt took on JP Morgan and the Trusts, we need an honest man like Bernie Sanders to take the ever-growing greed and power of the 1%.
Ms. Collins, in describing Sanders, does him an injustice. She did not bother to write of his record and his positions. Rather, she uses words like "gruff', "yell", "riled up", "resent" to paint the picture of a hothead. She plants a seed that Sanders is extremist because he calls himself a Democratic Socialist and is as fringe as those paranoid about Sharia Law and gun confiscation.
I'd like to know what question prompted Sanders to ask, "“You don’t know much about me, right?”. Because if Ms. Collins knew about his positions on the budget, taxes, jobs, income inequality, the environment, energy, health care, and infrastructure, she would have written an in-depth thoughtful column about how his positions are forward thinking solutions for the betterment of the American people and our democracy.
However, Ms. Collins gets paid to write snarky columns. Here she dumbs down the electoral process to a horse race between caricatures. The candidacy of Sanders poses a challenge to voters and the media: can we get beyond a person's looks and the sound of their voice and listen to their positions and prescriptions? Can we think beyond with whom we'd have a beer? Can we take this election more seriously than class president
Ms. Collins, in describing Sanders, does him an injustice. She did not bother to write of his record and his positions. Rather, she uses words like "gruff', "yell", "riled up", "resent" to paint the picture of a hothead. She plants a seed that Sanders is extremist because he calls himself a Democratic Socialist and is as fringe as those paranoid about Sharia Law and gun confiscation.
I'd like to know what question prompted Sanders to ask, "“You don’t know much about me, right?”. Because if Ms. Collins knew about his positions on the budget, taxes, jobs, income inequality, the environment, energy, health care, and infrastructure, she would have written an in-depth thoughtful column about how his positions are forward thinking solutions for the betterment of the American people and our democracy.
However, Ms. Collins gets paid to write snarky columns. Here she dumbs down the electoral process to a horse race between caricatures. The candidacy of Sanders poses a challenge to voters and the media: can we get beyond a person's looks and the sound of their voice and listen to their positions and prescriptions? Can we think beyond with whom we'd have a beer? Can we take this election more seriously than class president
25
Sanders is looked at as kind of a joke, the same way equality of condition is. The same way 'democratic socialism' (say, like the most livable countries of Sweden, Finland, Germany, etc.) is pronounced a joke. We're not ready for the real changes necessary to create a better country, at least our media and it's owners and largest shareholders are not. Baltimore's just another link in the chain of what happens when great extremes of wealth and poverty occur in a nation. Bernie Sanders - exactly what we need.
18
I'm so glad Bernie Sanders is running - he has my vote for as long as he lasts.
I was one of those who voted for Ralph Nader and who contributed mightily to the defeat of Al Gore. I don't care - Nader was right on the issues. If Al wanted my vote he should have supported my issues more strongly.
When Bernie looses to Hillary he should run in the general election, and he would get my vote again. After all shakes out, we are going to have another Bush or another Clinton in the White House. Oh, glory days!
I was one of those who voted for Ralph Nader and who contributed mightily to the defeat of Al Gore. I don't care - Nader was right on the issues. If Al wanted my vote he should have supported my issues more strongly.
When Bernie looses to Hillary he should run in the general election, and he would get my vote again. After all shakes out, we are going to have another Bush or another Clinton in the White House. Oh, glory days!
Let's see: tepid recovery six years after the financial crisis; massive inequality; infrastructure in ruin; the social safety net in tatters; educational standards plunging; the environment on the brink; Russians in the Ukraine and the Middle East tearing itself apart over an 800 year old feud; one party that only wants to deport immigrants and seal off the borders, restrict healthcare,repress women and gays, deprived minorities of the vote, arm everyone just like themselves to the teeth and every now and then threaten to push the government into default in the name of fiscal responsibility and another party that thinks all that is terrible, really, but can't be bothered to come up with any real solution to the mess because thanks to Citizens United they have to kowtow to the same wealthy interests that do not care about any of the above. Then we have an old curmudgeon with progressive ideas who isn't afraid to look the emperor in the eye and tell him he has no clothes, metaphorically speaking.
I'd vote for Bernie.
I'd vote for Bernie.
31
Now that's a fair assessment.Thanks.
1
I want my country back.
In general, Democrats are spineless weasels who often run from doing what is right because the country as a whole has become a mental ward, and getting elected is a prerequisite for doing anything helpful. However, Bernie is hoping to inspire a liberal-to-progressive Silent Majority that understands that America was not always an oligarch-osculating warmonger. He remembers the real messages of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy: Stop the distraction of foreign wars, and be willing to ease the suffering from Aroostook to Arizona.
I will vote for the Democratic nominee. The Supreme Court is far too important to allow a Bush or a Walker to seat another Roberts or Alito.
However, just as some of us went Clean for Gene and then supported the candidacies of Bobby Kennedy in 68 and George McGovern in 72, we will tilt at the windmills once more in hopes of an America that will refrain from invading other countries while calling such offense “defense,” one that once, while fighting a Civil War against a slave aristocracy that now has morphed into a super-rich cabal that stuffs cash into Congressmen’s pockets in order to keep the minimum wage as low as possible, passed the Morrill Act of 1862, which provided free higher education to its citizens.
Imagine giving kids free higher education rather than siphoning out their lifeblood via predatory student loans. That’s the America I want back.
Send Bernie your best wishes and a few bucks. It couldn't hurt.
In general, Democrats are spineless weasels who often run from doing what is right because the country as a whole has become a mental ward, and getting elected is a prerequisite for doing anything helpful. However, Bernie is hoping to inspire a liberal-to-progressive Silent Majority that understands that America was not always an oligarch-osculating warmonger. He remembers the real messages of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy: Stop the distraction of foreign wars, and be willing to ease the suffering from Aroostook to Arizona.
I will vote for the Democratic nominee. The Supreme Court is far too important to allow a Bush or a Walker to seat another Roberts or Alito.
However, just as some of us went Clean for Gene and then supported the candidacies of Bobby Kennedy in 68 and George McGovern in 72, we will tilt at the windmills once more in hopes of an America that will refrain from invading other countries while calling such offense “defense,” one that once, while fighting a Civil War against a slave aristocracy that now has morphed into a super-rich cabal that stuffs cash into Congressmen’s pockets in order to keep the minimum wage as low as possible, passed the Morrill Act of 1862, which provided free higher education to its citizens.
Imagine giving kids free higher education rather than siphoning out their lifeblood via predatory student loans. That’s the America I want back.
Send Bernie your best wishes and a few bucks. It couldn't hurt.
58
The line of succession to the Presidency of the United States dictates that Hillary Clinton will ascend to the Oval Office. We cannot and must not go against the natural order of succession.
Also, Hils has the most money.
Also, Hils has the most money.
When Hillary Clinton announced she was running, media commentators kept asking where does she stand? When Bernie Sanders announced there was no question where he stood as it is the same place he has stood and worked for many years. His positions have consistently sought to advantage the greatest number of Americans not some pseudo elites at the top of the income distribution scale. He is real, determined, a hard worker, effective and accomplished as a legislator. I think President Sanders would be great for all Americans.
24
Sanders is to be admired - a person worthy of the esteemed title ' Senator '.
15
Having Sanders in the race will also help Hillary talk about the future instead of the seemingly endless plowing thru the past for misdeeds. He can confront the disloyal opposition on things that really matter, and on issues that no other person in the Presidential race really wants to discuss. Sanders and Warren, Warren and Sanders, either would be a dream ticket. And in that dream, also future nominations of Obama, Obama, Clinton, and Clinton to fill the Supreme Court vacancies when Alito, Scalia, Thomas, and Roberts are impeached. And a 90% top tax bracket. That would pump trillions into the economy.
Dreams.
Dreams.
4
Looking forward to watching "Eight Years With Bernie".
"I will appoint judges who don't confuse money with speech, corporations with people, the Bible with the Constitution and Up With Down.
"I will sign legislation to increase the minimum wage and freeze the maximum wage; if you can't accept lower than 350:1 CEO:worker pay ratios, then I'm sorry, go open a slavery plantation in the 3rd world where executive wage theft is more welcome...:"
"We will implement a global warming tax on coal and drill-baby-drill fossil fuels and all of the hot air coming from Mitch McConnell's and Jim Inhofe's fossilized craniums...and we will invest in new energies like solar, wind, thermal, biomass and tidal to give our great-grandchildren an Earth that is not an over-roasted chicken."
"I will sign legislation that outlaws private campaign financing and eliminates the corporate and 0.1% lobbying that has turned our nation into a cesspool of Greedonomics and eliminated our functioning democracy. Instead, we will have complete public campaign financing that will be much cheaper and much more effective than our current government by the gilded class"
"I will sign single-payer healthcare legislation that will shrink America's disgraceful 17% of GDP healthcare costs to the 10- 12% level enjoyed by civilized countries."
"And I will sign legislation to heavily regulate and psychologically treat the narcissistic sociopaths and psychopaths running Wall Street".
"Now excuse me, I have to govern."
"I will appoint judges who don't confuse money with speech, corporations with people, the Bible with the Constitution and Up With Down.
"I will sign legislation to increase the minimum wage and freeze the maximum wage; if you can't accept lower than 350:1 CEO:worker pay ratios, then I'm sorry, go open a slavery plantation in the 3rd world where executive wage theft is more welcome...:"
"We will implement a global warming tax on coal and drill-baby-drill fossil fuels and all of the hot air coming from Mitch McConnell's and Jim Inhofe's fossilized craniums...and we will invest in new energies like solar, wind, thermal, biomass and tidal to give our great-grandchildren an Earth that is not an over-roasted chicken."
"I will sign legislation that outlaws private campaign financing and eliminates the corporate and 0.1% lobbying that has turned our nation into a cesspool of Greedonomics and eliminated our functioning democracy. Instead, we will have complete public campaign financing that will be much cheaper and much more effective than our current government by the gilded class"
"I will sign single-payer healthcare legislation that will shrink America's disgraceful 17% of GDP healthcare costs to the 10- 12% level enjoyed by civilized countries."
"And I will sign legislation to heavily regulate and psychologically treat the narcissistic sociopaths and psychopaths running Wall Street".
"Now excuse me, I have to govern."
170
Let's hope, for liberals' sake, someone asks Senator Sanders how, exactly, he intends to actually achieve his goals. After all, he will still have to govern with the Congress elected by the people, not with a mythical Congress that goes along with him.
1
I lived in Vermont for twelve years, enduring Bernie in various positions throughout, and folks, believe me, you're in for some comic relief over the next year or so. A Christopher Lloyd character from "Back to the Future", he is now combing his hair and reduced the volume, but it's the same guy.
His "improbable win" for mayor of Burlington was the result of two events; (1). The voting age was reduced from twenty one to eighteen, thereby including at the polls a horde of uninformed minds influenced by a certain weed and lunatic lib professors at the University of Vermont, located in Burlington, and (2.) a decision by the Supremes from Berkeley, California, that enables college students to vote in local elections, notwithstanding they live elsewhere. (These students, when they mature, get a job, get married, kids, own a home, usually vote Republican, but that's another story.)
My local Congressman in New York, when he heard I was moving to Vermont where Bernie had just won a House seat, remarked about Bernie "When any House member sees him coming, they duck into doorways."
I love Vermonters, but only they could elect to public office a pure, unadulterated demagogue who is preaching a philosophy discredited universally over one hundred years ago.
Drive out the wealthy and business owners and the jobs go with them.
I can't wait for the first debate with Hillary, if she allows it.
Come to think of it, for all the hilarity Bernie produced, I've never seen him laugh, or smile.
His "improbable win" for mayor of Burlington was the result of two events; (1). The voting age was reduced from twenty one to eighteen, thereby including at the polls a horde of uninformed minds influenced by a certain weed and lunatic lib professors at the University of Vermont, located in Burlington, and (2.) a decision by the Supremes from Berkeley, California, that enables college students to vote in local elections, notwithstanding they live elsewhere. (These students, when they mature, get a job, get married, kids, own a home, usually vote Republican, but that's another story.)
My local Congressman in New York, when he heard I was moving to Vermont where Bernie had just won a House seat, remarked about Bernie "When any House member sees him coming, they duck into doorways."
I love Vermonters, but only they could elect to public office a pure, unadulterated demagogue who is preaching a philosophy discredited universally over one hundred years ago.
Drive out the wealthy and business owners and the jobs go with them.
I can't wait for the first debate with Hillary, if she allows it.
Come to think of it, for all the hilarity Bernie produced, I've never seen him laugh, or smile.
1
This comment is strong on opinions, but weak on examples, data or logic.
1
What possible standard can Sanders be held to that would make him an inferior President? As long as he swears not to impregnate Rosemary, I'm in his corner. It seems to me that over the sixteen years our Presidents have fathered so many Rosemary's babies that just leaving that poor woman alone is a giant step for mankind.
4
I love Bernie, and I hope he adds to the Democratic primary debate. I just hope he doesn't mount an independent campaign after Hillary gets the nomination and become the Ralph Nader of 2016.
6
What a snarky tone. Apparently Ms. Collins now feels that the idea of normal Americans filling public office is an affront to elitists. A government of and by its citizens is what the original plan was all about, and not the protracted anointing of someone from the inner circle that Ms. Collins feels best. So, Sanders is not the polished media tool you wanted, and actually cares about the issues and is invested in solutions? Shocking, just shocking.
15
I am disappointed in this column. Ms. Collins prefers to focus on personality and tone of voice, rather than actual issues. She manages to say that "he governed well" in her final paragraph, which seems almost like an afterthought. What a shame that his stellar record didn't warrant more of her attention and respect. It's a missed opportunity for a columnist in her position.
20
Bernie opposes the big increases in guest worker programs that are part of 'Comprehensive Immigration Reform.'
'I feel, very much, that a lot of the initiative behind these guest workers programs, a very large expansion of guest worker programs — H2B visas would go up to as many as 195,000, H1B to as many as 205,000 a year — is coming from large corporations who want cheap labor from abroad.' - WaPo
Bernie believes in protecting American workers from excessive immigration, which Scott Walker expressed recently, leading to the media from both left and right descending on him like screaming banshees. As an independent, Bernie is outside the charmed circle of the corporate-funded establishment, which is making 'This Town' very prosperous, both Democrat and Republican, while the flyover part is not doing well.
'I feel, very much, that a lot of the initiative behind these guest workers programs, a very large expansion of guest worker programs — H2B visas would go up to as many as 195,000, H1B to as many as 205,000 a year — is coming from large corporations who want cheap labor from abroad.' - WaPo
Bernie believes in protecting American workers from excessive immigration, which Scott Walker expressed recently, leading to the media from both left and right descending on him like screaming banshees. As an independent, Bernie is outside the charmed circle of the corporate-funded establishment, which is making 'This Town' very prosperous, both Democrat and Republican, while the flyover part is not doing well.
1
If one third of eligible voters vote and most are not tuned in to the issues but more into prejudices and personalities , there will be business as usual.
I will vote for Bernie if his name is on the ballot.
I will vote for Bernie if his name is on the ballot.
10
Vermont is a delightful place with great people. Bernie Sanders is a breath of fresh air for the entire country.
9
Senator Sanders is undoubtedly an honest man but I fear that if he develops much traction with the population he will be scorned by both sides of the isle. He will have my vote because he has stood up to the status quo in Congress.
It would indeed be novel to have a politician elected by the people instead of the AIPAC, Adelson or the Kochs.
It would indeed be novel to have a politician elected by the people instead of the AIPAC, Adelson or the Kochs.
7
Much of what Sen. Sanders says makes a lot of sense. However, sense has not much value in politics these days. What matters these days is cents. How much has Ms. Clinton raised so far?
3
What is really interesting, and informative, about Bernie Sanders' running for president is that most of us Doms love him and want to support him, but we have gotten so cynical that we probably won't vote for him knowing that he can't win. What a statement about the USA.
7
Paul Tsongas, Barack Obama, now Bernie Sanders. I will be able to go to my grave in the proud knowledge I never voted for a Clinton in a Democratic primary (I don't expect I'll be around when Chelsea's turn comes up).
1
As long as they stay focused on weakening the other side's arguments and not each other's, I hope it's a shouting match! But, most of all, we need a few good, know their subjects well, and patient teachers to inform the masses.
2
I still remember the slogan "We Like Ike" from when I was a little kid. I repeated it a lot all though I had no Idea if Ike was nice or not but what I can attest to now is that Bernie is the first politician that I can say that I love.
I went to his website and listened to his: "Agenda for America;" he might even get the evangelical vote too.
I went to his website and listened to his: "Agenda for America;" he might even get the evangelical vote too.
9
Ms. Collins, you have spent too many years as a so-called political insider who has lost her journalist's instincts and mission. Mr. Sanders is a good man whose record is impeccable. He stands up for what is right, and not what is politically expedient. Your column could have investigated and confirmed his correct, compassionate stands in support of all Americans on dozens of issues. (Compare his votes to Ms. Clinton's and see how she suffers by comparison for having sometimes taken politically expedient wrong turns.) But his actions don't matter to you, clearly. Instead, you joke as if it's somehow worthy of a few chuckles that a good, decent and hard-working man should contemplate running for president. Shame on you.
13
I recently bought an app for my ipad called "marine tracker" that lets you monitor ship traffic world wide. It also lists the number of ships operating in a given sector at any time. Interestingly there are maybe a thousand ships off the US, that many off of Europe, and Zero around Cuba. Get the picture? This is what the Bernie Sanderses would bring to the US. No thanks!
1
Oh please! If you don't know the difference between a democratic socialist (think Angela Merkel) and a communist (see Fidel Castro), you shouldn't be commenting on a New York Times blog.
3
Dear Mr. Holl, THe application you refer to displays information from commercial shipping: Automatic Identification System, AIS. It is required equipment on commercial vessels of all classes although there are exceptions. Therefore it displays information from fishing vessels, freighters, US flag vessels traveling between US ports, tugs barges, ferries. It also displays private vessels meeting the requirements and it is option in any case if not required. With respect to the difference between the number of signals between the US and Europe versus Cuba, it is possible there are other reasons. Cuba is about the size of Colorado and has a population just south of 12 million. This you probably realize is about the size of the environs immediately surrounding New York City. What this comparison is intended to demonstrate, I will not assume.
I will tell you that I am sick to death of the ruling class of politicians and their bed mates, the oligarchs. There is so much in this country that is presently just blatantly untenable for the vast majority of the population that it cannot continue. One is reminded of the dominance the British early in the history of the US and the result when the populations is completely fed up with the unfairness of the rulers.
Sincerely Joe Cooper
I will tell you that I am sick to death of the ruling class of politicians and their bed mates, the oligarchs. There is so much in this country that is presently just blatantly untenable for the vast majority of the population that it cannot continue. One is reminded of the dominance the British early in the history of the US and the result when the populations is completely fed up with the unfairness of the rulers.
Sincerely Joe Cooper
1
I, too, have already sent Bernie Sanders money. I've been happily sharing his reasonable and practical ideas on Facebook for some time now. What I like is his straightforward, down-to-earth, seemingly non-scripted ideas for how to run the country. In fact, he reminds me of how candidates sounded when I was growing up before all the slick PR advertising corrupted the genuine flow of ideas.
15
In the end Goldwater won, didn't he. Goldwater kicked off America's lurch to the right. And after 51 years of conservatism we're in a God awful economic and ethical mess. I hope Bernie is the antidote to the. Win or lose, the United States of Amnesia needs to be reminded about how we became a rich and powerful nation. Believe me, it wasn't because of conservatives.
9
I find it strange that Collins and others are so quick to dismiss Sanders while otherwise taking the various characters the right offers and the idiotic things they say seriously. Sanders is criticized for being too consistent, too often right,too serious - weird.
37
One hallmark of people who make remarkable discoveries or create great change is that others call them "crazy." Until one day, they say that they were "right."
12
I just don't want Bernie to get "Gored". I get nervous when so much ink is given to personality and idiosyncracies. I'm glad Hillary's posirtons are evolving - that's what thoughtful people do - they learn. I'm glad Bernie has always been there. I'm intereseted in Mr. Sanders' causes and whatever ideas he has to make them happen. I don't care if he's "ready for his closeup."
7
Got my vote. Got my money. Got my support.
Bernie's integrity will blow a whole a yard wide through any of the Republican candidates. And I urge Hilary supporters (I know, we still have a Hillary For President sticker on the fridge) to come over. Yes we need a woman for President, but what this country needs now, and much more is a candidate to can rise up, independent of super PACs, the Kochs and their ilk, and begin to restore sanity to our political process.
Bernie's integrity will blow a whole a yard wide through any of the Republican candidates. And I urge Hilary supporters (I know, we still have a Hillary For President sticker on the fridge) to come over. Yes we need a woman for President, but what this country needs now, and much more is a candidate to can rise up, independent of super PACs, the Kochs and their ilk, and begin to restore sanity to our political process.
29
Bernie Sanders has one thing many politicians can claim but few if any have, and that is integrity. He is unwavering in his support for the everyday non-billionaire citizen. Indeed, welcome to the race Bernie.
54
If you are going to "bridge the economic divide," what are the best models and markets to build and sustain progress? What mistakes are to be avoided? And what countries and markets offer great paths now?
As voters, let's shift the paradigm and push against the endless looping of dead-end discussions of taxes and safety nets (and defense!) to look forward to best practices globally and how they can be mirrored and adapted at home.
Why is the US missing from the global rail market (only 3%!), a conglomeration of 500+ industries including heavy equipment manufacturing--industries that favor America's skill sets and financing muscle--and that are a staple of global infra-structure growth and open markets? (New York's subway cars are Canadian!)
What does China's Pearl River zone share with North Carolina's Research Triangle (whose new master plan calls for adding a 100,000 jobs)? Why is Botswana's Africa's leading middle class and growing as America's struggles?
A round up of global models and models to stimulate a much needed domestic conversation can be found in this article and applied to any campaign; in fact, it probably best fits Bernie Sanders approach to problem-solving and solutions for families and the American future.
Hillary Clinton: Will Her Economic Policy Follow Global Best Practices? — One Mule Drag — Medium [bit.ly/1GNIaYe].
As voters, let's shift the paradigm and push against the endless looping of dead-end discussions of taxes and safety nets (and defense!) to look forward to best practices globally and how they can be mirrored and adapted at home.
Why is the US missing from the global rail market (only 3%!), a conglomeration of 500+ industries including heavy equipment manufacturing--industries that favor America's skill sets and financing muscle--and that are a staple of global infra-structure growth and open markets? (New York's subway cars are Canadian!)
What does China's Pearl River zone share with North Carolina's Research Triangle (whose new master plan calls for adding a 100,000 jobs)? Why is Botswana's Africa's leading middle class and growing as America's struggles?
A round up of global models and models to stimulate a much needed domestic conversation can be found in this article and applied to any campaign; in fact, it probably best fits Bernie Sanders approach to problem-solving and solutions for families and the American future.
Hillary Clinton: Will Her Economic Policy Follow Global Best Practices? — One Mule Drag — Medium [bit.ly/1GNIaYe].
8
I had dinner with my life-long friend & his wife last night and we talked about the Clintons. While he is a lot more successful and a bit more conservative - he recalled fondly about President Clinton's welfare reform - than me, he is no raging reactionary. He's all set for Hilary Clinton for president because he'd rather have a pragmatist in the White House. And I understand that kind of thinking perfectly, even though I view not from a businessman's perspective. Instead, extremists of either stripe, left or right, can only exacerbate the problems America is facing
A lot of labor folks blame President Clinton for doing NAFTA but they are not seeing the power of globalization. Look at China now, even it might have to give up the manufacturing crown to places like Vietnam. Need we say more?
The progressives fight for ultra liberal causes and the reactionaries ultra conservative causes, what happen to those in the middle? People blame the people like the two Koch brothers to cause the 1% divide. But no matter how they distort reality, with the help of outfits like Faux News, there is still a hint of truth they can use to manipulate the disillusioned. Remember, Gov Walker managed to defeat the public union folks with the help of labor unions. And now it is the latter's turn! So, sometimes we need to look into mirror before we blame one or two individuals for the injustice of the world
So for those who prefer the middle way, Sheila the Shapeshifter may just be the choice
A lot of labor folks blame President Clinton for doing NAFTA but they are not seeing the power of globalization. Look at China now, even it might have to give up the manufacturing crown to places like Vietnam. Need we say more?
The progressives fight for ultra liberal causes and the reactionaries ultra conservative causes, what happen to those in the middle? People blame the people like the two Koch brothers to cause the 1% divide. But no matter how they distort reality, with the help of outfits like Faux News, there is still a hint of truth they can use to manipulate the disillusioned. Remember, Gov Walker managed to defeat the public union folks with the help of labor unions. And now it is the latter's turn! So, sometimes we need to look into mirror before we blame one or two individuals for the injustice of the world
So for those who prefer the middle way, Sheila the Shapeshifter may just be the choice
Please name some "ultra liberal causes." I think I may like them.
1
I don't know much about Bernie Sanders, but at two dinner parties with die-hard Democrats last month, Hilary Clinton's name came up and we all looked gloomily around the table. Not a glimmer of enthusiasm in the bunch. I welcome a democrat with fresh ideas (even if they are a bit old). The election screams to be shaken up!
295
I was a college student in N.H. 35 years ago when Bernie Sanders was Socialist mayor of Burlington, Vt., and Jerry Brown was running for the 1980 Democratic presidential nomination. Back then, both were political gadflies. People made fun of them. Now, all their issues have gained traction, so no more "Governor Moonbeam," no more "left-wing Socialist gadfly" - income inequality, global warming, energy, sustainability, climate change, etc., are front and center. I wish Bernie and Jerry well, and I hope they inspire the younger generation to take up the cause and never give up.
649
The younger generation could see their own '60s moment with Bernie as someone to ignite their passion and sense of community. It's been a very long time since any political candidate did that. (Obama is a good speaker, but there is very little "there" there. He was a newbie.)
4
Bernie is so right on nearly every issue, however ideological purity, as much as I admire it, doesn't work. The nature of political accomplishment is compromise; something that's in short supply these days and would remain in short supply should Bernie win.
I will send him some money, though, because I want him to have as big a microphone as he can get. While his voice is loud, most Americans haven't heard him yet and that needs to change.
I will send him some money, though, because I want him to have as big a microphone as he can get. While his voice is loud, most Americans haven't heard him yet and that needs to change.
240
Compromise as a stand-alone idea is great. But the Republicans have a firm principle that they never compromise. All compromise, in their book, has to be by Democrats. We need real principles.
6
Look at his record. He has been compromising (meaning listening to and working with others) his entire public life, and managed to stay true to his principles. I don't know how many times I've heard him say "the bill is not perfect, but I will support it because..." How could he have survived in office this long, with overwhelming support, if he didn't deliver, and how could he deliver in this system if he didn't compromise?
299
My friend, perhaps it's time for the intransigent far right to compromise. Even better, we can remove them from office and get the nation back to its true identity. As Sanders gains popular momentum the downtrodden and disenfranchised will rise behind a candidate that represents them.
7
Around election day in Vermont, when Bernie is on the ballot, you will see his lawn signs in progressive Burlington and in Vermont's conservative Northeast Kingdom. He gets support from independents, Progressives (yes, we have an active Progressive party in Vermont), Democrats, and Republicans.
I believe Bernie when he says he's in it to win. After what might have looked to some like humiliating defeats in his early days running for office in Vermont, he continued to run and share his passion for economic justice, and he began to win. And win big.
He speaks directly to people about the issues that matter to them. What more could we ask?
I believe Bernie when he says he's in it to win. After what might have looked to some like humiliating defeats in his early days running for office in Vermont, he continued to run and share his passion for economic justice, and he began to win. And win big.
He speaks directly to people about the issues that matter to them. What more could we ask?
10
The liberal media is fond of labeling people with alternative views as "outside the mainstream." I know this is true because Fox news says it (sarcasm).
Yet Ted Cruz and Ron Paul have views that might kindly be described as "alternative" and they are treated as serious candidates.
On the other hand, Bernie has much far real government experience than those guys. He was a Senator much longer and a Representative before that. And the media on both sides treat him as an oddity. Maybe that is because he spends his time trying to govern sensibly, instead of grandstanding like Senators Cruz and Paul.
Well, sometimes, the media doesn't treat him like an oddity. Sometimes it doesn't treat him at all. Like when he announced, I saw no article on cnn.com. The NY Times covered it, but of course, they also had to have an opinion piece that proved conclusively Hillary would win (they also proved she would win in 2008).
Maybe the $1,500,000 dollars will open the media's eyes. Voters want a real message and Bernie's got one.
Yet Ted Cruz and Ron Paul have views that might kindly be described as "alternative" and they are treated as serious candidates.
On the other hand, Bernie has much far real government experience than those guys. He was a Senator much longer and a Representative before that. And the media on both sides treat him as an oddity. Maybe that is because he spends his time trying to govern sensibly, instead of grandstanding like Senators Cruz and Paul.
Well, sometimes, the media doesn't treat him like an oddity. Sometimes it doesn't treat him at all. Like when he announced, I saw no article on cnn.com. The NY Times covered it, but of course, they also had to have an opinion piece that proved conclusively Hillary would win (they also proved she would win in 2008).
Maybe the $1,500,000 dollars will open the media's eyes. Voters want a real message and Bernie's got one.
8
" This week, the governor of Texas announced he was putting a special watch on U.S. military exercises this summer, due to public speculation that the soldiers might take over the state and confiscate everyone’s guns."
Gail, that's good but we can top that without even going out of the state. This is a state sales tax free weekend for the purchase of firearms. No, really. Honest. That way, when those pesky U.S. soldiers come marching in to take over and confiscate our guns and our women we'll have plenty of additional firepower to greet them with. Is Texas a great state or what. Our current batch of leaders in Austin, not to mention such protectors of the realm as Sens. Cruz and Cornyn and the entire Texas congressional delegation are really setting new standards for crazy. The inmates have surely taken over the asylum. Compared to Texas (and we have plenty of competition), Bernie Sanders looks like the most rational man left alive!
Gail, that's good but we can top that without even going out of the state. This is a state sales tax free weekend for the purchase of firearms. No, really. Honest. That way, when those pesky U.S. soldiers come marching in to take over and confiscate our guns and our women we'll have plenty of additional firepower to greet them with. Is Texas a great state or what. Our current batch of leaders in Austin, not to mention such protectors of the realm as Sens. Cruz and Cornyn and the entire Texas congressional delegation are really setting new standards for crazy. The inmates have surely taken over the asylum. Compared to Texas (and we have plenty of competition), Bernie Sanders looks like the most rational man left alive!
11
Bernie is the real deal. No triangulation. No pandering. He believes in old-fashioned ideas like fairness, transparency, opportunity, and a rule of law that applies to corporations and the billionaires too.
To the mainstreamers: go ahead, underestimate him. When people get a chance to hear him directly there will be a groundswell of support the like of which will astonish the establishment pundits. Those who try to marginalize him now will look very foolish when he wins.
To the mainstreamers: go ahead, underestimate him. When people get a chance to hear him directly there will be a groundswell of support the like of which will astonish the establishment pundits. Those who try to marginalize him now will look very foolish when he wins.
9
I usually like Gail Collins' writing, but this piece is depressing. Why the condescension? Bernie Sanders has been a fantastic senator, he is honest and, unlike other candidates, he is not in the pocket of special interests. He is exactly what the country needs. In the eyes of Ms Collins, I guess this makes him a quaint misfit. Perhaps she sees the presidential campaign as a high school popularity contest in which Hillary is the prom queen and Bernie is the nerd who helps with her homework.
600
I, too was annoyed by the condescension. Bernie deserves better; he's earned better.
3
I generally like Sen. Sanders, but asking someone if they know what DOMA is smacks of condescension to me.
I sort of got the impression that Gail Collins was suspended between condescension and admiration. I have been watching Senator Sanders now for about a year. I am very impressed with what I see as his sincerity, his knowledge of exactly what is wrong with the country, and what is needed to fix things. Given his ability to explain complex issues in a clear and compelling way, and his history of outstanding and exemplary public service, he is a much stronger candidate than the initial response to his candidacy may indicate. Sanders is, as you say, SP, "exactly what the country needs". While the mountains of money behind Hillary Clinton may make Sanders' candidacy seem impossible, the new element in this situation is the emerging power of social media. which may alter the influence of big money in ways not now foreseen. Sanders' candidacy may be much more viable than is apparent at this early stage. After all, chariot warfare was invincible until the phalanx made it obsolete.
2
Does Bernie have a chance of winning the nomination? Of course not.
But his presence and occasionally grating voice of reason reminds us what honesty, consistency, and common sense looks like in a politician.
Hold up any candidate against Sanders and the glaring differences in authenticity shine forth. Bernie is beholden to nobody but himself.
Now isn't that a refreshing image in this age of perpetual scandal, corruption, and slavish devotion to one's donors and "handlers"?
But his presence and occasionally grating voice of reason reminds us what honesty, consistency, and common sense looks like in a politician.
Hold up any candidate against Sanders and the glaring differences in authenticity shine forth. Bernie is beholden to nobody but himself.
Now isn't that a refreshing image in this age of perpetual scandal, corruption, and slavish devotion to one's donors and "handlers"?
6
Mr Smith is in Washington, he was elected by real folks. Why can't he move to 1600 Penn Ave? Just a vote or two will make it happen.
4
Bernie Sanders, despite his record of consistently voting in the people's interest, received few votes in a number of past elections, proving the the American people really don't seem to want to know the truth. It will be interesting to see how he fares this time around. I'd say Diogenes has finally found his honest man.
1
I always had to vote for the lesser evil and I am tired of it. Bernie, win or lose, I am going to follow my conscience and vote for you. We need a third party desperately. Someone once said there isn't a dimes worth of difference between the two Parties that we are stuck with now and he or she was right.
9
He's a principled man who actually cares about working Americans and what is happening to them and their families. He knows American jobs have been reduced to nothing but service jobs with low wages that can't provide livable wages. He gets it that our bad trade agreements basically outsourced millions of American jobs and H-1B Visas immigrants are taking our stem jobs that are in America. American workers are being hit hard everywhere they turn. He understands that our elections are bought by billionaires who hire their lobbyists to help write legislation that enriches them while impoverishing the rest of America. Bernie understands the super rich aren't paying their fair share and our infrastructure, education, and research is eroding to the point America is falling behind other countries. Bottom-line, we should be so lucky to have Bernie Sanders as President and by the way he's a democratic socialist big difference from socialist. The Scandinavian countries, Canada, and Germany are democratic socialist countries that are doing very well so let's not allow the republicans to try and paint Bernie as a communist. If anything, the republicans are getting mighty close to fascism when they push for multinationals to have power over American citizens and control our government . The republican laden Supreme Court said corporations are people ... frightening interpetation.
4
Win, loose or draw, Bernie Sanders is a winner. It is fashionable these days to diminish an elder statesman because he is an elder statesman. It may be that the very people in the press and media who now make their tawdry jokes about this fine man, will soon have to start back paddlng when they realize the popularity of this man by Americans who do not see politics as some form of 24/7 entertainment.
9
Let us remember that socialism started to correct the many wrongs of the prevailing economic system. Recall the 12 hour day, the elderly dying in poverty, child labor. In its essence, it is to use the power of society to remedy the ills of society. For those who fear the term, remember that many of what we consider the elements of our national life are measures that were termed socialistic: SS, Medicare, 40 hour week, the right to unionize, unemployment compensation, etc. The modern world is a mixture of capitalism and socialism, there is nothing to fear there. Go Bernie!!
10
A progressive agenda to make corporations "start paying their fair share of taxes" sounds great Bernie but how?? Vermont had a chance to lead the way in 2004 but dared not go the distance. Instead of adopting unitary worldwide combined reporting (approved by the US Supreme Court three times!), Vermont adopted water's edge combined reporting which should be called watered-down and unAmerican combined reporting. Why, because it excludes "overseas business organizations" profit rich foreign subsidiaries in tax havens from the state's tax base - profits that are not repatriated if the parent corporation is based in a foreign country. Bernie wants to go after the foreign profits (i.e., US profits shifted to tax haven subs) of US-based multinationals but has said naught about foreign based-multinationals operating in the US that shift US profits offshore. What about them Bernie? What about Unilever that owns Ben & Jerry's, French-based Sodexo, Ireland- based Pike Industries, and Canada-based Irving Oil operating in Vermont? Do any of these foreign-based corporations pay any income taxes in Vermont?? Did they lobby for water's edge combined reporting? Threaten to leave Vermont if worldwide combined reporting was adopted?
1
Al Gore had Ralph Nader, who's 97,000 votes in Florida cost Gore the election. Now Hillary has Bernie Sanders to do the same. I wonder who will get more $$ -- Hillary from Wal-Mart, her Arkansas patron since way back? Or Bernie from Ben & Jerry? An original thinker nipping at the heels of a Chappaqua plutocrat.
2
We have to have someone with a chance of winning. I won't throw Minorities, women, and the poor under the bus or approve of a loss that would set this country back 100 years, dooming us to full control of our government by the right wing. Please wake up and see reality before we have more extremist right-wingers in the Supreme Court and as President of our country. This is no time to nominate an unelectable candidate again for a feel-good moment for unrealistic people that ends with a GOP win.
53
I understand your concern, but if Bernie somehow won the nomination he would have a chance in the general election. I do not, however, think that he will get the nomination, and I think his supporters will vote for Hillary Clinton in preference to any Republican.
I just hope the Clinton-Sanders debates are civil and intelligent, as I expect them to be. A good contrast to the GOP nonsense hour "debates." Clinton operatives would be VERY foolish to try trashing Bernie. Unfortunately the news media will focus on personalities and the horse race.
I am pleased that the Democrats have people running for the nomination who do not preface their remarks, "I am not a scientist..." or cannot tell the difference between climate and weather, or think that the Bible is a text to be read literally, poverty is invariably the result of personal moral lapses, or that there should be fewer National Parks.
My best wishes to Sec. Clinton, who is likely to win and win again. Best wishes to you Bernie, the best US a Senator ever.
I just hope the Clinton-Sanders debates are civil and intelligent, as I expect them to be. A good contrast to the GOP nonsense hour "debates." Clinton operatives would be VERY foolish to try trashing Bernie. Unfortunately the news media will focus on personalities and the horse race.
I am pleased that the Democrats have people running for the nomination who do not preface their remarks, "I am not a scientist..." or cannot tell the difference between climate and weather, or think that the Bible is a text to be read literally, poverty is invariably the result of personal moral lapses, or that there should be fewer National Parks.
My best wishes to Sec. Clinton, who is likely to win and win again. Best wishes to you Bernie, the best US a Senator ever.
Lark, wait for a bit before you pronounce him a loser. When Heartland America starts to hear this forthright man talk about personal responsibility, about fairness in the economy and the courts, you may just find that his message strikes a chord with a lot of folks in the red states.
1
lark Newcastle
If we keep electing corporatized Dems like Obama and Hillary the slide into total oligarchy will continue, greased by the overlay of fine-sounding but hypocritical rhetoric ("Hope and Change," "I feel your pain"). History shows that real change comes when the exploiters are allowed to go too far as in the case of Hoover opening the door for FDR.
Listening to Senator Sanders, as I have for years. has convinced me of the dangers of voting only for "electable" candidates.
If we keep electing corporatized Dems like Obama and Hillary the slide into total oligarchy will continue, greased by the overlay of fine-sounding but hypocritical rhetoric ("Hope and Change," "I feel your pain"). History shows that real change comes when the exploiters are allowed to go too far as in the case of Hoover opening the door for FDR.
Listening to Senator Sanders, as I have for years. has convinced me of the dangers of voting only for "electable" candidates.
2
Why can't Bernie and the folks in Texas both be considered extremeists?
There is a lack of specifics, becasue soaking the rich, while good politics in today's age of middle class insecuirty, offers little in the way of solutions to our economic problems, most of which are beyond governing and the stale solutions of both parties.
Since Mr.Sanders opposes wealth inequality, I hope he at least consdiers the role ultra-loose monetary policy has played in exxagerating it. Doubt it though.
There is a lack of specifics, becasue soaking the rich, while good politics in today's age of middle class insecuirty, offers little in the way of solutions to our economic problems, most of which are beyond governing and the stale solutions of both parties.
Since Mr.Sanders opposes wealth inequality, I hope he at least consdiers the role ultra-loose monetary policy has played in exxagerating it. Doubt it though.
Actually Bernie knows how to reduce inequality. He knows to compare periods of high inequality (the 1920's and the 2000's) with the long period (1946 - 1973) of low inequality to see what can be done.
1. Strengthen unions - Outlaw "right-to-work" laws which allow deadbeats to enjoy the benefits obtained by unions without paying dues. Prevent companies from coercing employees against unions, e.g. threatening to close plants. As in Germany, require union representation of boards on directors.
2. Have very high tax rates on the Rich and higher real corporate tax rates. This will encourage the Rich to take lower compensation and discourage companies from leaving oodles of cash sitting around. Today corporate taxes actually paid as a percent of GDP are about a third of what they were after WWII and are the lowest among developed nations.
Higher tax rates on the Rich will also discourage wild financial speculation.
3. Strongly regulate speculation, e.g. outlaw naked credit default swaps, require buyers of future contacts to show ability and willingness to take delivery, etc.
4. Pump more money into the private sector and get it to the people who will spend it. Have the federal government finance worthwhile projects like fixing infrastructure, grants to state for education and police, more research, a new efficient power grid, etc. Realize that debt and deficits do not and have not ever hurt us.
1. Strengthen unions - Outlaw "right-to-work" laws which allow deadbeats to enjoy the benefits obtained by unions without paying dues. Prevent companies from coercing employees against unions, e.g. threatening to close plants. As in Germany, require union representation of boards on directors.
2. Have very high tax rates on the Rich and higher real corporate tax rates. This will encourage the Rich to take lower compensation and discourage companies from leaving oodles of cash sitting around. Today corporate taxes actually paid as a percent of GDP are about a third of what they were after WWII and are the lowest among developed nations.
Higher tax rates on the Rich will also discourage wild financial speculation.
3. Strongly regulate speculation, e.g. outlaw naked credit default swaps, require buyers of future contacts to show ability and willingness to take delivery, etc.
4. Pump more money into the private sector and get it to the people who will spend it. Have the federal government finance worthwhile projects like fixing infrastructure, grants to state for education and police, more research, a new efficient power grid, etc. Realize that debt and deficits do not and have not ever hurt us.
2
I just sent Bernie's campaign fifty bucks. I doubt he'll end up in the Oval Office. I'm hoping he will be an effective force to move the political center of gravity in this country away from childish and stupid toward grown-up and intelligent. Recent events in Baltimore seem to be doing the same thing. A recent NYT story indicated that the Snowden NSA revelations have inspired a bipartisan effort to rein in some of the more massively intrusive parts of the Patriot Act. This might be the pendulum swinging and I'm hoping Bernie can put a little tail wind on that swing.
7
I will give Bernie my vote. In the meantime I already gave him 100 of my dollars. My opinion counts for little, thus I won't try to guess if Bernie thinks he can win, or if he is running for VP, or if he wants to push Hillary to the left. Those are idle speculations for media political astrologers.
For me it means that the core of the Democratic agenda will have a voice, albeit with the Brooklyn accent of Bernie Sanders. Not long ago another Vermonter, Howard Dean, grabbed the attention of the nation with a simple anti-war message that was on the verge of bursting through. He was sandbagged by the Dem establishment --- terrified of the idea of having to take a real stand on something fundamental. It's time for another try - and this is the right moment to do it, not because of a tactical calculus, but because now is the last chance left to stop the decline. Apres nous, le deluge.
For me it means that the core of the Democratic agenda will have a voice, albeit with the Brooklyn accent of Bernie Sanders. Not long ago another Vermonter, Howard Dean, grabbed the attention of the nation with a simple anti-war message that was on the verge of bursting through. He was sandbagged by the Dem establishment --- terrified of the idea of having to take a real stand on something fundamental. It's time for another try - and this is the right moment to do it, not because of a tactical calculus, but because now is the last chance left to stop the decline. Apres nous, le deluge.
11
Sen. Sanders has consistently been a champion for expanding social security, providing young working families with free child care until children reach school age, providing every American with universal health coverage, providing free college education at state and community colleges, acknowledging and combating global warming, protecting the environment, requiring corporations to bring home the trillions of dollars in profits that they keep in foreign tax havens and to pay taxes on those profits, and making sure that Americans who work full time are paid an hourly wage on which they can live to alleviate the need for government subsidies.
He argues that all his ideas are affordable without cost to the vast majority of Americans. He cites, as an example, the GOP elimination of the inheritance tax for married couples with estates over 10 million dollars, which will cost $270 billion over 10 years, as the kind of loophole that could contribute towards the $70 billion annual cost of providing free state and community college education for every American. He also cites the hundreds of billions of dollars that will flow into the Treasury if the corporate practice of stockpiling money in tax havens that was initiated and first approved during the Reagan years is repealed to require corporations to pay taxes the way they always did - when incurred. Bernie Sanders is the voice of the average American in a time when average Americans have been stripped of any say.
He argues that all his ideas are affordable without cost to the vast majority of Americans. He cites, as an example, the GOP elimination of the inheritance tax for married couples with estates over 10 million dollars, which will cost $270 billion over 10 years, as the kind of loophole that could contribute towards the $70 billion annual cost of providing free state and community college education for every American. He also cites the hundreds of billions of dollars that will flow into the Treasury if the corporate practice of stockpiling money in tax havens that was initiated and first approved during the Reagan years is repealed to require corporations to pay taxes the way they always did - when incurred. Bernie Sanders is the voice of the average American in a time when average Americans have been stripped of any say.
31
Go Bernie! Years ago I met Bernie in a small bookstore in Burlington when the owner, who always knew I would buy a book when in the store, offered to sell me a copy of Bernie's book "Outsider in the House" and told me that Bernie would sign it for me. We went upstairs and sure enough Bernie did sign my copy. Bernie has my support. And I won't put the book on e-bay. Sorry.
11
I lived in Vermont for twelve Bernie Saturated years. The country is in for a year or so of comic relief.
His "improbable win" was the result of the voting age being reduced to eighteen, thereby including a horde of unformed minds under the influence of lunatic lib professors at the University of Vermont who were further enabled by a decision by the Spremes in a case from Berkeley, Cal. That said the students could vote in local election. "Notwithstanding thee
His "improbable win" was the result of the voting age being reduced to eighteen, thereby including a horde of unformed minds under the influence of lunatic lib professors at the University of Vermont who were further enabled by a decision by the Spremes in a case from Berkeley, Cal. That said the students could vote in local election. "Notwithstanding thee
2
"of the voting age being reduced to eighteen; thereby including a horde of unformed minds."
That's insulting to the young voter, especially considering that line could be applied to most of the people that vote, including many who actually vote against their own interest and welfare.
That's insulting to the young voter, especially considering that line could be applied to most of the people that vote, including many who actually vote against their own interest and welfare.
4
Don't underestimate Bernie Sanders. The term Democratic Socialist may scare some people but, when he speaks they will listen and be amazed at the difference between the usual political rhetoric and Sander's expressions of impassioned values. He's a fighter for people over corporations, a documented crusader for the less privileged, a man unafraid of the billions about to be deployed to defeat him. Thank you Bernie Sanders for making the Presidential contest worth watching.
27
A Democrat must win the White House in 2016. That, above all else, is what matters, because our fundamental right to a safety net, health care, social programs, education, justice and the vote are all at stake. I happen to believe that Bernie Sanders will do the right thing more often than any other Democratic candidate, real or imagined, but what matters far more is that NO Republican will do the right thing, on any of these issues, ever. If America wakes up on November 2, 2016 to the news that a Republican won the election, of/by/for the people will perish from the earth.
5
Burlington is indeed a "small city," but a little perspective is called for here. With 43,000 residents, it is by far the largest city in Vermont. By contrast, Vermont's capital Montpelier is under 8,000 population. And yes, it is still called a "city."
1
..And as Vermonters like to say about Burlington..."It's nice to have a city so close to Vermont."
I've registered as a Green for many years, but I'm changing my affiliation to Democrat just so I can vote in the primary. #ReadyForBernie
14
By entering the race for the Democratic nomination for president, Bernie Sanders probably qualifies for Secret Service protection -- whatever that’s worth these days. It may now be illegal to joke about Senator Sanders by alluding to a certain movie with “weekend” in its title. At any rate, judging by his telephone interview with Gail Collins, Bernie Sanders is full of life, but may possibly need a hearing aid.
It will be good to have Bernie in the presidential race. For some of us who have been fans for years of the irascible Vermont socialist (it’s even fun to type those improbable words), it may be our last chance to vote for a candidate who is older than we are. Unless, of course, Joe Biden decides to join the fray.
It will be good to have Bernie in the presidential race. For some of us who have been fans for years of the irascible Vermont socialist (it’s even fun to type those improbable words), it may be our last chance to vote for a candidate who is older than we are. Unless, of course, Joe Biden decides to join the fray.
187
Love Bernie Sanders--always have. I really wish he could be a candidate who could refuse large contributions, say a limit of $20, and run on that platform along with his life-long views. Wouldn't that be grand? We need to become more educated, rather than being swayed by TV ad lies and endless mailings. To read that the Koch brothers and Wall Street are going to "choose" the next candidate for us is extremely upsetting. We are sick of seeing so much money being thrown at candidates. Think of all the good that money could be used for--education, creating jobs so that people can live with dignity, etc. I am grateful to have Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren in the Senate. And we'd love to see Russ Feingold join them in the next election.
7
Good thoughts, though I'm not sure why you would consider $21 a large contribution. Many working folks and retirees, even some students, could give more than that. The Koch brothers are going into primary season with a propaganda war chest of $900 million to put in play. I doubt if that includes any contributions under $10,000. Maybe none under $100,000.
Bernie Sanders isn't slick, smooth and calculating, nor a panderer. He's real, a rarity in Washington. That's part of his appeal.
9
I'll be writing a check for Sanders tomorrow. Warren begged off a presidential run, but Vice-President on Sanders ticket...talk about a dream team. Of course Sanders will immediately be marginalized by the press and professional beltway opiners as soon as some other Democrat throws their hat in the ring. He will never get a hearing. The only thing we will hear from the pundits is "socialist, socialist, socialist". Then Hillary or the Koch's candidate can ignore him and obfuscate their way into the WH. Let's hope no one else throws their hat in the ring.
1
"Bridgegate Loves Bernie" popped into my head. Don't think there will be a Christie candidacy, but as an independent I would appreciate if the GOP could come up with a centrist candidate more convincing than Mitt.
"Then came an improbable win for mayor of the small city of Burlington, which he governed well."
Call me irresponsible, but I kind of like the idea of a President who comes to office with actual, successful executive experience. Add to that someone with a depth of legislative experience. Add to that someone who is about as well informed as anyone I know of. Add to that someone who doesn't equivocate about whether he supports gay marriage, or whether the minimum wage needs to be raised substantially, or whether the very wealthy should pay income tax on all their income in the manner of everyone else.
Big money is getting close to sinking the democracy. All the charts of all the studies show the country trending towards terrible in the measurements that reflect a meaningful society--equality, opportunity, health, environment, education, safety, up-to-date transportation systems and well-maintained roads and bridges. We need to repair and improve. Bernie Sanders strikes me as the kind of a guy who would stay with a job he set out to do. So I'm going to enjoy watching him and hope that some of his approach will rub off on everybody else.
Call me irresponsible, but I kind of like the idea of a President who comes to office with actual, successful executive experience. Add to that someone with a depth of legislative experience. Add to that someone who is about as well informed as anyone I know of. Add to that someone who doesn't equivocate about whether he supports gay marriage, or whether the minimum wage needs to be raised substantially, or whether the very wealthy should pay income tax on all their income in the manner of everyone else.
Big money is getting close to sinking the democracy. All the charts of all the studies show the country trending towards terrible in the measurements that reflect a meaningful society--equality, opportunity, health, environment, education, safety, up-to-date transportation systems and well-maintained roads and bridges. We need to repair and improve. Bernie Sanders strikes me as the kind of a guy who would stay with a job he set out to do. So I'm going to enjoy watching him and hope that some of his approach will rub off on everybody else.
708
Beautifully said, Betsy
carol from Ct.
carol from Ct.
Well said, Betsy. Thank you.
Don't hold your breath. Bernie Sanders' sort of "call it as it is" does not exist in many areas. There are still a few pockets of New England where most do, but many Americans would not know real truth if they tripped over it.
Yes, Bernie Sanders is the best person to be in the White House Oval Office. I certainly hope he makes it. His ideas are good, and he is the one most likely to stick with his principles.
Yes, Bernie Sanders is the best person to be in the White House Oval Office. I certainly hope he makes it. His ideas are good, and he is the one most likely to stick with his principles.
Bernie was gruff, Gail, and his volume escalated? Omg, how alarming. Like Hillary is shrill? Ha, ha. Do you want a mellow, mellifluous, radio announcer voice?
But how about at least referencing a few crucial issues—like poverty/ wealth, health/sickness, justice/injustice---what does Sanders say? Too serious?
Any interest at all in what Sanders stands for? Seems he’s left wing, seen thru the fun house mirror of US political culture. But his views are centrist in other modern countries. This is not intriguing?
What a fascinating tidbit that there was once in our history another candidate from Vermont! And a Spanish American war hero! Thank you for that valuable context for Sanders.
If we had more information filled columns than this one in our media, our voters might understand the issues more, be less gullible, turn out to vote, and move our country out of its backward status vs other democracies.
Instead of using the words dismal and hopeless re Sanders, why not use these interesting tidbits?
“ Running as an independent, Sanders won 65 percent of the vote, easily beating his Gop opponent Tarrant, one of Vermont’s wealthiest residents.”
“Sanders became the first independent elected to the House in 40 years Thereafter Sanders continually won reelection with high margins.”
But how about at least referencing a few crucial issues—like poverty/ wealth, health/sickness, justice/injustice---what does Sanders say? Too serious?
Any interest at all in what Sanders stands for? Seems he’s left wing, seen thru the fun house mirror of US political culture. But his views are centrist in other modern countries. This is not intriguing?
What a fascinating tidbit that there was once in our history another candidate from Vermont! And a Spanish American war hero! Thank you for that valuable context for Sanders.
If we had more information filled columns than this one in our media, our voters might understand the issues more, be less gullible, turn out to vote, and move our country out of its backward status vs other democracies.
Instead of using the words dismal and hopeless re Sanders, why not use these interesting tidbits?
“ Running as an independent, Sanders won 65 percent of the vote, easily beating his Gop opponent Tarrant, one of Vermont’s wealthiest residents.”
“Sanders became the first independent elected to the House in 40 years Thereafter Sanders continually won reelection with high margins.”
15
Glad somebody is paying attention. Bernie is the grown up saying the emperor has no clothes. Will he be listened to? Gail.seems to have missed the chance.
4
The problem with the word "socialist" is that Joseph McCarthy did such an effective job mis-educating the American public that to this day many do not realize there's as wide a variance in Socialism as there is in countries that consider themselves to be republics (from the People's Republic of North Korea to the United States). He's not running as a Trotskyite Marxist or a Stalinist communist. He's running as a democratic socialists, and clearly prefers democratic social reform to revolutionary. There is nothing radical about elections.
466
True that. When you think about Bernie Sanders' socialism, think successful countries with contented people. Think Denmark, Sweden and Germany, Social Republics all
5
Today is the 58th anniversary of the death of the Senator McCarthy whose party the GOP has become. It is not the party of Lincoln anymore it is the party of identifying and vilifying the other.
There is no left in America, democracy is basically flat-lined and all that remains is a hope that Leonard Cohen is indeed the prophet who wrote the Bible when he wrote the Future back in 1992 and that "Democracy" is coming to the USA.
In the wake of Baltimore this week and Sander's announced candidacy the Cohen song of more than twenty years ago may indeed be the anthem for a new generation.
There is no left in America, democracy is basically flat-lined and all that remains is a hope that Leonard Cohen is indeed the prophet who wrote the Bible when he wrote the Future back in 1992 and that "Democracy" is coming to the USA.
In the wake of Baltimore this week and Sander's announced candidacy the Cohen song of more than twenty years ago may indeed be the anthem for a new generation.
4
Precisely. McCarthy was very successful in convincing Americans that anything left of fascism is equal to communism. They even invented a word intended to conflate the two, collectivism. Many of the policies Americans love most are socialistic, including Social Security and Medicare. Changing the public's view so that the term "democratic socialist" isn't perceived as anti-American will be very difficult.
1
Yes. George W. Bush was also proud of the fact that he hadn't changed his positions in 40 years, too. Sometimes evolving simply means more thinking, more listening, a host of life experiences, and global, mind broadening experiences with people who are "the other" to us. Consistency isn't always all it's cracked up to be.
Gail Collins' mockery of Bernie Sanders is cheap, stupid, and politically uninformative--probably the worst thing I've ever read by her. It's not even funny, either.
Gail isn't willing to say the obvious: Hillary will just advance the corporatist agenda of the Democratic Party and preside over the further deterioration of working people's lives. Bernie Sanders offers a clear choice for Americans. It's a very, very long shot--but it may be the only real shot we have. I'm for Bernie.
Gail isn't willing to say the obvious: Hillary will just advance the corporatist agenda of the Democratic Party and preside over the further deterioration of working people's lives. Bernie Sanders offers a clear choice for Americans. It's a very, very long shot--but it may be the only real shot we have. I'm for Bernie.
18
"You’ve got to give him credit." Bernie Sanders is the only presidential candidate talking about the real America, a neofeudal society of peasants and overlord, the American Dream degenerated and corrupted into the worst child poverty, the greatest incarceration and class stratification, the most hopelessness, all the grotesquerie of immense wealth buying ever greater privilege for a parasitic plutocracy at the cost of an underclass of 100 million.
True single-payer national health insurance? That's not a dream, that's a cost-effective and patient-centred reality. Seven million children living in extreme poverty with less than $6 daily? No other wealthy country promotes such anti-child sadism. A ten per cent tax on the highest ten incomes could end homelessness in America.
Maybe a man who will end child poverty is not a curio for condescension but the a voice of truth and hope. Every other presidential aspirant from Clinton to Cruz is bought by wealthy patrons while Bernie knows the ordinary people.
Liveable wages? Australia has a minimum wage of $16/hr, Denmark $20/hr with less unemployment than the U.S. Wall Street bonuses alone last year were double the total incomes of all minimum wage workers.
America needs to end the spectacle of wannabe presidents kissing the feet of the likes of Adelson and Koch.
Bernie Sanders will restore hope and dignity to America.
True single-payer national health insurance? That's not a dream, that's a cost-effective and patient-centred reality. Seven million children living in extreme poverty with less than $6 daily? No other wealthy country promotes such anti-child sadism. A ten per cent tax on the highest ten incomes could end homelessness in America.
Maybe a man who will end child poverty is not a curio for condescension but the a voice of truth and hope. Every other presidential aspirant from Clinton to Cruz is bought by wealthy patrons while Bernie knows the ordinary people.
Liveable wages? Australia has a minimum wage of $16/hr, Denmark $20/hr with less unemployment than the U.S. Wall Street bonuses alone last year were double the total incomes of all minimum wage workers.
America needs to end the spectacle of wannabe presidents kissing the feet of the likes of Adelson and Koch.
Bernie Sanders will restore hope and dignity to America.
11
Everything he stands for is authentic. The man himself is authentic.
I think not just Progressives but many across the spectrum can see a real hope; most of us can see that we are in a death sprial with the oligarchs controlling our politics and are desperate for someone with the vision and the knowledge of Washington to do something about it.
He'll be a stark contrast to the R's. Hillary can't match his honesty or authenticity on the issues, nor his passion to try to help the country in a time of great need. She doesn't even define the problems the same but more carefully, more focus-grouped.
Be gruff, Bernie. How refreshing to not have a camera hog, sound bite or narcissistic politician! Be yourself Bernie,and get your message out there. America's not just ready to hear it, it's dying to hear it.
I think not just Progressives but many across the spectrum can see a real hope; most of us can see that we are in a death sprial with the oligarchs controlling our politics and are desperate for someone with the vision and the knowledge of Washington to do something about it.
He'll be a stark contrast to the R's. Hillary can't match his honesty or authenticity on the issues, nor his passion to try to help the country in a time of great need. She doesn't even define the problems the same but more carefully, more focus-grouped.
Be gruff, Bernie. How refreshing to not have a camera hog, sound bite or narcissistic politician! Be yourself Bernie,and get your message out there. America's not just ready to hear it, it's dying to hear it.
849
All of which gets you nothing if he can't win and he can't.
And if there EVER was a time to step in and stop the oligarchs from gaining complete control by waking up the American electorate, this is it! Otherwise it will be too late.
2
I am definitely supporting Bernie because I think Hillary came from the DLC, the Democratic Leadership Council, which sought to push the Dems to the right. I know the founding members of that organization were Bill Clinton and Al Gore.
This article was a bit funny, but sometimes the author's tendency to concentrate on the stylistic foibles of politicians annoys me. I don't care about their tone, or their image or their looks (G Washington had wooden teeth.) I care about the issues and Bernie is solidly behind the poor and the working class and the middle class (I hate the term middle class. People who make 50K a year and people who make 150 a year are both called middle class but their interests are highly divergent -- and I hate most pols for yapping about the middle class)
IN any event, while the Clintons ruled the country, the infamous 1994 crime bill was passed, Glass-Steegal was repealed, welfare was eviscerated and it was decided NOT to regulate derivatives, which is one of the reasons why AIG constantly needed money from the treasury.
This article was a bit funny, but sometimes the author's tendency to concentrate on the stylistic foibles of politicians annoys me. I don't care about their tone, or their image or their looks (G Washington had wooden teeth.) I care about the issues and Bernie is solidly behind the poor and the working class and the middle class (I hate the term middle class. People who make 50K a year and people who make 150 a year are both called middle class but their interests are highly divergent -- and I hate most pols for yapping about the middle class)
IN any event, while the Clintons ruled the country, the infamous 1994 crime bill was passed, Glass-Steegal was repealed, welfare was eviscerated and it was decided NOT to regulate derivatives, which is one of the reasons why AIG constantly needed money from the treasury.
8
I don't think it matters anymore what political party label a candidate claims anymore but rather how he/she plans to address income inequality & attend to the crumbling infrastructure of our country. Many advanced countries have Democratic Socialists as leaders including Australia, France, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Switzerland, Finland, and Greece to name a few. In fact, with Communist leaders in China, the country is able to produce 9% GDP, create its own global banking system poised to lend $200 billion to developing countries thus strengthening its alliances world wide as well as enrich its citizens with the fastest rise in middle class of any country. Meanwhile in the US both Republicans & Democrats have meager outlines for economic growth although robust plans for the US's continued military presence abroad. Koch Industries is spending up to 1 billion dollars to back a presidential candidate who pushes their pro fossil fuel & anti-science agenda. Yet the mainstream media laughs at Bernie Sanders as an extremist because he is determined to protect the safety net of America's citizens from the oligarch's plans to slowly chip away & create the opposite of China. A small wealthy elite running a country with a dwindling middle class.
4
Welcome indeed. It's invigorating for there to finally be a Democratic presidential candidate who has a spine of steel rather than elastic and who wants to earn our vote based on principle rather than pander for it through expediency.
Sen. Sanders' spontaneity and personal engagement are refreshing, to say the least, and perhaps he could even teach Mrs. Clinton a thing or two about authenticity. But first that would require her to come out of hiding and take part in unscripted dialogue. Which, on our part, may mean a very long wait.
The independent-minded senator is the kind of person who makes you want to actually believe in social justice, the American dream, even miracles. So, if just for that reason alone, he's already doing a tremendous public service by deciding to connect nationally.
In a country as great as ours, a rising tide ought to lift all boats, not just 1 percent of them. Now that Sen. Sanders is in the race, we'll at least get a crystal-clear explanation of why it doesn't. But how it could.
Sen. Sanders' spontaneity and personal engagement are refreshing, to say the least, and perhaps he could even teach Mrs. Clinton a thing or two about authenticity. But first that would require her to come out of hiding and take part in unscripted dialogue. Which, on our part, may mean a very long wait.
The independent-minded senator is the kind of person who makes you want to actually believe in social justice, the American dream, even miracles. So, if just for that reason alone, he's already doing a tremendous public service by deciding to connect nationally.
In a country as great as ours, a rising tide ought to lift all boats, not just 1 percent of them. Now that Sen. Sanders is in the race, we'll at least get a crystal-clear explanation of why it doesn't. But how it could.
677
We have an uninformed electorate primarily due to an American Press that is lazy and bought off.
We get endless stories about Right Wing Losers, and almost nothing about Bernie Sanders.
Most Americans would embrace Bernie Sanders' positions.
Instead we are only told about what he means for Hillary.
Paul Ryan's silly magic budget gets front page news. Bernie's progressive budget? Nothing.
It's a disgrace.
Well I don't care. I've voted for Bernie Sanders for President 3 consecutive times as a write in, and I'm doing it again. But this time I get to check a box.
America has shunned the Left. And it's destroying her.
It has allowed 2015 Democrats to occupy the space that 1990's Republicans once held, and allowed Republicans to move into insanity land.
We need to shift Left, and the bought off Press should allow Americans to see what the Left really looks like. And no, it's not raving mad Maoists and Stalinists.
We get endless stories about Right Wing Losers, and almost nothing about Bernie Sanders.
Most Americans would embrace Bernie Sanders' positions.
Instead we are only told about what he means for Hillary.
Paul Ryan's silly magic budget gets front page news. Bernie's progressive budget? Nothing.
It's a disgrace.
Well I don't care. I've voted for Bernie Sanders for President 3 consecutive times as a write in, and I'm doing it again. But this time I get to check a box.
America has shunned the Left. And it's destroying her.
It has allowed 2015 Democrats to occupy the space that 1990's Republicans once held, and allowed Republicans to move into insanity land.
We need to shift Left, and the bought off Press should allow Americans to see what the Left really looks like. And no, it's not raving mad Maoists and Stalinists.
92
Now the news media will have to cover Bernie Sanders because he is a declared, credible presidential candidate. No more:
"Paul Ryan's silly magic budget gets front page news. Bernie's progressive budget? Nothing."
"Paul Ryan's silly magic budget gets front page news. Bernie's progressive budget? Nothing."
1
Bernie has cast himself as Quixote and gone national. He has many windmills but Hillary is not one of them.
Running as a democrat because it avoids having to get on the ballot is not exactly free of inconsistency: he has bragged about being the longest serving independent for a long time. And yet he is really an independent in name only: he blessedly sides with us dems every time.
If he were truly opposing Hillary he would run as an independent but then he couldn't get out of the campaign before becoming a spoiler and splitting the vote to aid the Republicans.
He is Hillary's self-cast sparring partner, offering himself up to make her a better candidate while getting enough airtime to argue his vision of a fairer policy and helping Hillary eventually unite the party the way she eventually brought her voters to Obama.
He is 73 and will not be all over for the next 18 months. It is all pretend. He loves the legislative process too much to miss important votes. But he is doing a very graceful and useful thing: it even waters down Chaffee's and O'Malley's chances of causing Hillary problems
Running as a democrat because it avoids having to get on the ballot is not exactly free of inconsistency: he has bragged about being the longest serving independent for a long time. And yet he is really an independent in name only: he blessedly sides with us dems every time.
If he were truly opposing Hillary he would run as an independent but then he couldn't get out of the campaign before becoming a spoiler and splitting the vote to aid the Republicans.
He is Hillary's self-cast sparring partner, offering himself up to make her a better candidate while getting enough airtime to argue his vision of a fairer policy and helping Hillary eventually unite the party the way she eventually brought her voters to Obama.
He is 73 and will not be all over for the next 18 months. It is all pretend. He loves the legislative process too much to miss important votes. But he is doing a very graceful and useful thing: it even waters down Chaffee's and O'Malley's chances of causing Hillary problems
4
Someone has to make sure the left doesn't stay home during this election.
4
I disagree. He would run as an independent but it is impossible. Too many states have restrictive ballot access laws. He'd never be on the ballot in NC. Running as a Democrat he offers me a real choice.
1
God bless this man for his integrity, his courage, his ideals and his goals. No, he can't win. I could care less. This man speaks for me and if I could run, I would say exactly what he says. I can't be alone. Hillary, well, I hope she wins, but I hope that Bernie pushes her HARD to say something real instead of issuing platitudes. We all know that the Clintons are who they are. Bernie, however, is his own man and these days, that's a whole lot to say. The Koch Brothers will likely eat him alive, but I'm glad he is running and I truly hope that everyone in this country who is disgusted with the status quo, weather they be Dem or GOP, work for his cause. He is the only person in the race who gets it. If he actually won, the entire country would have to change and that would be an absolute miracle.
37
Can't win? Did you lose your right to vote? It starts there. Push the media to let us know what the candidates are saying rather than what they're wearing. Both Washington and Bernie have white hair, one was a wig and the other, the real unstyled hair of a well seasoned US Senator.
1
I'm not one of the NYT's most liberal readers. For example, when most of us are piling on David Brooks for his centrist pronouncements, I don't always agree with David, but I'm not usually part of the pile.
That said, I'm very intrigued by by Bernie Sander's candidacy. I agree with basically everything he says, from his sort-of-isolationist foreign policy positions (which align to some extent with country.
Sure, maybe Hilary Clinton is preferable to any of her Republican challengers, but maybe there is an even better choice.
That said, I'm very intrigued by by Bernie Sander's candidacy. I agree with basically everything he says, from his sort-of-isolationist foreign policy positions (which align to some extent with country.
Sure, maybe Hilary Clinton is preferable to any of her Republican challengers, but maybe there is an even better choice.
29
Go Bernie!
Hey Hillary, how about finally admitting your vote for the Iraq war was a mistake?
Hey Hillary, how about finally admitting your vote for the Iraq war was a mistake?
21
"I'm in this race to win," says the candidate who damns other candidates for not being honest with us.
1
Sniff all you want, Ms. Collins, but Bernie is that utter rarity in American politics, the real deal. And unlike Ron Paul, any thinking voter can readily back what Senator Sanders espouses. That's why I wrote him in for the 2012 election, and support his candidacy now.
59
Abraham Lincoln lost eight times. And then he won. Who knows?
6
Warren said she would not run for president. But she didn't say she wouldn't run to be vice-president. Sanders/Warren 2016.
11
Lady, what do you mean when you say (sic(k)!) :
"Question: Sanders self-identifies as a “democratic socialist.” Aren’t people going to think that’s a little extreme?"
Was FDR extreme when he tried to deal with economic collapse by
instituting a New Deal?
"Question: Sanders self-identifies as a “democratic socialist.” Aren’t people going to think that’s a little extreme?"
Was FDR extreme when he tried to deal with economic collapse by
instituting a New Deal?
8
I'll vote for Bernie Sanders because I trust him and I agree with him. And I am sure there are many other voters who will do the same thing.
40
How is his health? When did he last visit a doctor for a routine examination?
4
His health is a lot better than the health of this country.
1
Finally, we have the opportunity to vote for a candidate who actually deserves to be President instead of settling as usual for a lesser evil. That Bernie Sanders has no chance at all of being elected President says all you need to know about the state of politics in this country. I say vote for him anyway, write him in if you have to. It will be the only chance you'll have for a vote you can live with in 2016.
34
Excuse me, we had a chance to vote in the last two presidential elections for a man who actually deserves to be president and he became president.
I am writing this from an apt. some few blocks away from the White House and this Country is in better shape for Obama as President then we have a right to be.
Go Bernie!
I am writing this from an apt. some few blocks away from the White House and this Country is in better shape for Obama as President then we have a right to be.
Go Bernie!
So.....where do I get my Ready for Bernie bumper sticker?
No offense to her Highness HRC but I don't believe in dynasties - in either political party. As I lifelong Democrat, I'm appalled the Democratic bench is so obviously thin as we head into 2016. That said, Bernie Sanders is probably the last honest person in the U.S. Senate.
No offense to her Highness HRC but I don't believe in dynasties - in either political party. As I lifelong Democrat, I'm appalled the Democratic bench is so obviously thin as we head into 2016. That said, Bernie Sanders is probably the last honest person in the U.S. Senate.
17
I just sent Bernie some money on a monthly basis for the next six months. I have fallen in love with Bernie watching him on MSNBC. I have no problem with Hillary, however, I love Bernie and the main reason why is he cares about the people. His main priority is not the 1% and killing the social programs. I have paid into both Social Security and Medicare for 46 years and am within 2 months of the age of 62. Bernie has my back and maybe Hillary. The Republicans want to stab me in the back!
40
I wish Mr. Sanders well. The Republican Party uses distortion of the truth to frighten voters. Registering guns leads to confiscating. Income inequality leads to everyone earns the same amount. Health care for all means only the poor will benefit. Hopefully, Sanders can enlighten the fearful (will they be able to hear?) and continue to passionately advocate for a sharing of resources that benefits the well-being of the nation and individuals/families.
21
He's got my vote!
19
Consistency is a dubious quality in a politician. A tyrant, after all, is very consistent.
I wonder at those who dismiss a candidate because they respond to "focus groups". These are our representatives, people! If they don't listen to focus groups and every other form of feedback from those they represent, what kind of politician are they, exactly?
I wonder at those who dismiss a candidate because they respond to "focus groups". These are our representatives, people! If they don't listen to focus groups and every other form of feedback from those they represent, what kind of politician are they, exactly?
Its a Republic, sir, if you can keep it. And, yes that means the the representative should be exactly that. But its not a Democracy, and we don't govern ourselves by mob rule. We need to know who we are electing. I would much have someone with unshakable core values, and an agile mind to the possible solutions, than someone who 'changes their minds', after you've elected them. Worse, someone without a sense of core values we can depend on.
1
And if focus groups say 2 + 3 = 23, we should go with it?
1
It is certainly time for a progressive candidate to run. He or she would win. Obama won largely because he was perceived as a progressive, even though in office he disappointed many progressives (including me).
Al Gore actually won the presidential election in 2000. The Republican supreme court stopped the vote counting when it became clear that Gore actually won; remember that Justice Sandra O'Connor had been the head of the Republican caucus in her state government for 20 years before being appointed to the supreme court.
Centrist Bill Clinton did not win the election -- he did not get a majority of the votes. Instead, Tea Party precursor Ross Perot siphoned off enough of Bush's votes to give the victory to Clinton. Together, the conservatives Perot and Bush trounced Clinton.
We need a liberal progressive government. If Elizabeth Sanders supports Bernie Sanders, I will too. In fact, I will anyway. To see what a progressive government would do go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then invite me to speak to your group. You will be glad you did.
Al Gore actually won the presidential election in 2000. The Republican supreme court stopped the vote counting when it became clear that Gore actually won; remember that Justice Sandra O'Connor had been the head of the Republican caucus in her state government for 20 years before being appointed to the supreme court.
Centrist Bill Clinton did not win the election -- he did not get a majority of the votes. Instead, Tea Party precursor Ross Perot siphoned off enough of Bush's votes to give the victory to Clinton. Together, the conservatives Perot and Bush trounced Clinton.
We need a liberal progressive government. If Elizabeth Sanders supports Bernie Sanders, I will too. In fact, I will anyway. To see what a progressive government would do go to YouTube and watch Comedy Party Platform (2 min 9 sec). Then invite me to speak to your group. You will be glad you did.
4
"Question: Sanders self-identifies as a 'democratic socialist.' Aren’t people going to think that’s a little extreme?"
Liberals have their own brand of extremism. Most in the media are too busy branding republicans "extreme" to notice.
Liberals have their own brand of extremism. Most in the media are too busy branding republicans "extreme" to notice.
6
Some concrete suggestions:
1. Institute an efficient universal government run health care system, say Medicare for All. The data shows we could save over 1.5 TRILLION dollars each year which could better used elsewhere.
http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/oecdhealthdata2013-frequentlyrequ... (and get better care)
2. Return to much more progressive tax rates to encourage the Rich to leave more of their profits in their companies and their companies to pay their workers more, and to discourage the Rich from wild speculation.
3. Strengthen unions by requiring workers to pay for the union benefits they receive and by enforcing rules on coercion by companies against organization. Follow Germany and require union representation on the boards of large companies.
4. Strongly regulate speculation, e.g. require the buyer of a futures contract to take delivery, require banks to get a court order to sell its end of a mortgage contract, outlaw naked credit default swaps.
5. Stop worrying about the debt and invest in America--fix our crumbling infrastructure, build a better power grid, increase support for education at all levels, fund research, etc. If we grow the economy, the debt will fade into insignificance as in 1946 - 1973. On the other hand we can balance the budget. All 6 times we balanced the budget for more than 3 years, we got a major depression. Shall we go for #7?
If these policies are liberal extremism, count me in.
1. Institute an efficient universal government run health care system, say Medicare for All. The data shows we could save over 1.5 TRILLION dollars each year which could better used elsewhere.
http://www.oecd.org/els/health-systems/oecdhealthdata2013-frequentlyrequ... (and get better care)
2. Return to much more progressive tax rates to encourage the Rich to leave more of their profits in their companies and their companies to pay their workers more, and to discourage the Rich from wild speculation.
3. Strengthen unions by requiring workers to pay for the union benefits they receive and by enforcing rules on coercion by companies against organization. Follow Germany and require union representation on the boards of large companies.
4. Strongly regulate speculation, e.g. require the buyer of a futures contract to take delivery, require banks to get a court order to sell its end of a mortgage contract, outlaw naked credit default swaps.
5. Stop worrying about the debt and invest in America--fix our crumbling infrastructure, build a better power grid, increase support for education at all levels, fund research, etc. If we grow the economy, the debt will fade into insignificance as in 1946 - 1973. On the other hand we can balance the budget. All 6 times we balanced the budget for more than 3 years, we got a major depression. Shall we go for #7?
If these policies are liberal extremism, count me in.
1
Bernie Sanders is the antithesis of all of the other candidates, who come off as by-products of Citizens United. He does not try to be anyone other than who he is, or to create an image that might be more appealing to voters. He speaks his mind. His priorities are clear, and always have been.
We could do much worse than to have Bernie Sanders as president. Currently, those are the only other options.
We could do much worse than to have Bernie Sanders as president. Currently, those are the only other options.
72
The prospects of Bernie versus Rand Paul delights and frightens me. Bernie offers us a chance to return to the stable society of yore with sharing of the wealth of this land that truly comes with dedication to our whole nation of neighbors. Loving America must mean loving Americans. Loving Americans must mean assuring them meaningful endeavors with meaningful living wages. The benevolent industrialist was and is fiction so as a society we must rely on our collective wisdom, governmental rule, to build a structure assuring all citizens benefit from the bounty derived from having the roads and rivers, bridges and tunnels, fields and forests, intelligence and innovation built by all of us as well as all our forebears.
-That other guy? Self reliant while living in a pre-tamed, pre-built land, living among publicly educated collectively policed and protected citizenry, while supporting the concepts of a philosophy accepting and extolling selfishness.
The divisions of today may pale in comparison to the schism facing our nation if such a choice we must make in 2016.
-That other guy? Self reliant while living in a pre-tamed, pre-built land, living among publicly educated collectively policed and protected citizenry, while supporting the concepts of a philosophy accepting and extolling selfishness.
The divisions of today may pale in comparison to the schism facing our nation if such a choice we must make in 2016.
20
I wish Bernie had more than no chance. I've already sent him money.
The voters need to hear him. They then need to ask--or at least think--about Hillary in comparison. Hillary has already become a "populist" because of pressure from other candidates.
Who knows what she might also do or be if pressured hard enough by support for Bernie Sanders' other beliefs and ideas.
He is incredibly important for this election.
The voters need to hear him. They then need to ask--or at least think--about Hillary in comparison. Hillary has already become a "populist" because of pressure from other candidates.
Who knows what she might also do or be if pressured hard enough by support for Bernie Sanders' other beliefs and ideas.
He is incredibly important for this election.
57
I usually like your columns. This one I found your writing quite condescending toward Sen. Bernard Sanders.
Thousands of other people take him seriously...maybe you should wake up.
Demographics in this country have shifted...it is a different ballpark.
This country and the world are a mess. Someone has to be honest about it...it's honesty not "gruffness" as you would like to put on him.
Thousands of other people take him seriously...maybe you should wake up.
Demographics in this country have shifted...it is a different ballpark.
This country and the world are a mess. Someone has to be honest about it...it's honesty not "gruffness" as you would like to put on him.
289
"thousands of people take him seriously" ? is thousands enough?
Bernie Sanders is wonderful in a million ways but his campaign is a graceful way to help Hillary win: it only helps. I am sure her backers would happily fund Bernie's run if they could. I will love him even more for that.
There is a great line in the classic play, Our Town, where the stage manager says, "here is some scenery for the folks who need scenery". bernie running is the same thing: he offers himself up as an opponent for those progressive dems who need primaries for it to seem like a real campaign.
He will say great things and Hillary will have someone to run against: scenery! optics! Hillary supporters should donate to Bernie: it is a great thing.
He is not built to rally run: he is 73 and loves the senate. He will barely miss a vote. He won 70% of the vote in Vermont last election without any tv ads.
His skin will crawl if all the Hillary haters join his campaign just to hate Hillary but he will nurse them over time to believe that voting for Hillary is the way to go.
Bernie Sanders is wonderful in a million ways but his campaign is a graceful way to help Hillary win: it only helps. I am sure her backers would happily fund Bernie's run if they could. I will love him even more for that.
There is a great line in the classic play, Our Town, where the stage manager says, "here is some scenery for the folks who need scenery". bernie running is the same thing: he offers himself up as an opponent for those progressive dems who need primaries for it to seem like a real campaign.
He will say great things and Hillary will have someone to run against: scenery! optics! Hillary supporters should donate to Bernie: it is a great thing.
He is not built to rally run: he is 73 and loves the senate. He will barely miss a vote. He won 70% of the vote in Vermont last election without any tv ads.
His skin will crawl if all the Hillary haters join his campaign just to hate Hillary but he will nurse them over time to believe that voting for Hillary is the way to go.
"Thousands of other people take him seriously"
Unfortunately, thousands of people are not enough to elect you President. Anybody who honestly believes Bernie Sanders has any chance of winning is totally out of touch with the reality of the American electorate. A whole lot of these people probably voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 and cost Al Gore New Hampshire and gave the election to George W. Bush. Whatever you think of Hilary, she is the ONLY Democrat with a chance of winning and the alternative to her is any of the idiots running for the Republican nomination. I's time to wake up, get your head out of the clouds, come back from La La Land and face reality.
Unfortunately, thousands of people are not enough to elect you President. Anybody who honestly believes Bernie Sanders has any chance of winning is totally out of touch with the reality of the American electorate. A whole lot of these people probably voted for Ralph Nader in 2000 and cost Al Gore New Hampshire and gave the election to George W. Bush. Whatever you think of Hilary, she is the ONLY Democrat with a chance of winning and the alternative to her is any of the idiots running for the Republican nomination. I's time to wake up, get your head out of the clouds, come back from La La Land and face reality.
I agree. Collins's dismissive characterization of Sanders seems more akin to the poison pen of her colleague Maureen Dowd, although admittedly written with much more wit.
Bernie's a little too extreme for me on some things, but he's a force against plutocracy, militarism, and bigotry, and a breath of fresh air.
19
"...a breath of fresh air."
So, you like breathing? Bernie "A little too extreme" Sanders is your only hope.
So, you like breathing? Bernie "A little too extreme" Sanders is your only hope.
2
Curious: which of his positions are too extreme in your opinion, and why?
2
Bernie is a full one percent of the US senate, and he aims to take on the top one percent of income earners in the country. He deplores the fact that they don't pay their "fair share" of taxes. The senator might want to call his campaign "One on One" and make money selling tee shirts emblazoned as such.
Really my point is, what's in a name? The word socialist kills any chances Sanders could have had, no matter how thoughtful his policies are. But, another one percent of the senate, and part of the other aforementioned one percent, Ted Cruz would stand a better chance by just associating the word freedom with his name, no matter how inane he and his policies are.
Cruz espouses a machine gun in every garage, but no abortion, no pot! So much for freedom of choice. What's in a name anyhow?
Sanders vs Cruz for president! X against 1/X! That would be fun.
Really my point is, what's in a name? The word socialist kills any chances Sanders could have had, no matter how thoughtful his policies are. But, another one percent of the senate, and part of the other aforementioned one percent, Ted Cruz would stand a better chance by just associating the word freedom with his name, no matter how inane he and his policies are.
Cruz espouses a machine gun in every garage, but no abortion, no pot! So much for freedom of choice. What's in a name anyhow?
Sanders vs Cruz for president! X against 1/X! That would be fun.
13
Bernie is no Socialist. Look it up. Of course if you change the meaning of Socialist, well then, you can call anyone you like a Socialist. A Democratic Socialist may be an oxymoron but for those who are well informed, it is not a contradiction of terms but a new enlighten view of the world today.
1
I sent his campaign $100 today. I hope others who are able will do the same.
109
People who don't like the word "socialist" should be prepared to give up their Social Security and Medicare, for starters.
And Sanders should say exactly that.
And Sanders should say exactly that.
1
I am doing the same!
1
While I usually appreciate (and chuckle over) columns by Gail Collins, this one does a real disservice to the senator. His voice is real, his politics are progressive, and he will help to awaken Americans to the plutocracy that exists today in the USA. Heed his message and consider his insights about right-wing threats to all of us and put country's future at risk. As a bonus, to my knowledge he has never strapped a dog on the roof of his car.
207
He's intelligent, articulate, committed to the issues of working men and women and he cares deeply about the future of our country. He says what he thinks and is usually proved right on the stands he takes. He's honest and forthright and he doesn't make deals with lobbyists. And, darn it, people like him!!! I may actually vote for him!!!!
99
He is like Lincoln. Listen to him, read his speeches. Learn about his voting record in the Senate. He is Presidential.
4
Definitely voting for Sanders in the primary--a thousand times better than Hillary. But Hillary is still an order of magnitude better than anyone in the GOP Clown Car. Not going to kid myself--though “Pres. Sanders” is a term that sounds wonderful, most Democratic voters (especially those not in megalopoli and away from the E., W. and SW Lake Michigan coasts) are on the liberalish-to-centrist side (with a sizable contingent among them economic and/or social conservatives).
Yes, Hillary’s a “corporatist.” It takes huge amounts of money ($1.5 million will buy a commercial) to win a national election these days, and ever since Citizens United the grassroots is no match for the super-PACs. But anyone who whines “they’re all alike” and sees no difference between Hillary on the one hand or Jeb Bush or Scott Walker on the other needs to remember Ralph Nader and the 2000 Green Party.....those wonderful folks who gave us 8 years of Dubya. (Nader’s share of FL vastly exceeded Bush’s allegedly “winning” margin).
Clinton’s not ideal. But even “bad” (much less imperfect) beats “worse" every time. Meanwhile, perhaps Sanders will force Clinton leftward enough to win liberals’ and centrists’ votes (while still financially able to maintain a viable campaign against Bush or--ugh--Walker).
Yes, Hillary’s a “corporatist.” It takes huge amounts of money ($1.5 million will buy a commercial) to win a national election these days, and ever since Citizens United the grassroots is no match for the super-PACs. But anyone who whines “they’re all alike” and sees no difference between Hillary on the one hand or Jeb Bush or Scott Walker on the other needs to remember Ralph Nader and the 2000 Green Party.....those wonderful folks who gave us 8 years of Dubya. (Nader’s share of FL vastly exceeded Bush’s allegedly “winning” margin).
Clinton’s not ideal. But even “bad” (much less imperfect) beats “worse" every time. Meanwhile, perhaps Sanders will force Clinton leftward enough to win liberals’ and centrists’ votes (while still financially able to maintain a viable campaign against Bush or--ugh--Walker).
435
No, actually a corrupt Supreme Court gave us "8 years of Dubya". I voted for Nader then, and would do it again.
And no, I do not see much difference between Hillary and Jeb Bush--though she may be marginally better than the rest of the clowns in the veedub. But we don't need another lesser-of-two-evils, we need a true progressive president.
RUN BERNIE RUN!
And no, I do not see much difference between Hillary and Jeb Bush--though she may be marginally better than the rest of the clowns in the veedub. But we don't need another lesser-of-two-evils, we need a true progressive president.
RUN BERNIE RUN!
2
In other words, Sandy, more of the Same Old, Same Old is good enough for you?
2
Again with the fallacy of Nader and the Green Party giving us Bush. The Supreme Court gave us Bush, the people who voted for Bush gave us Bush, and more importantly, Gore gave us Bush. He lost his own state of Tennessee.
That said, show me where it was written that at election time we must subordinate our conscience and choose either of the two parties. The absurdity to assume that progressives must vote for the Democrat, even when they are foul characters, or do not represent what we believe. FYI, every Green/Nader voter I know had no intension of voting at all. Nader gave them the ability to feel included. To assume those were Gore's votes is presumptuous to say the least, but in reality, it reflects ignorance of of what a vote really means.
Coke or Pepsi? What we want is just some cool clean water. C'mon Bernie!
That said, show me where it was written that at election time we must subordinate our conscience and choose either of the two parties. The absurdity to assume that progressives must vote for the Democrat, even when they are foul characters, or do not represent what we believe. FYI, every Green/Nader voter I know had no intension of voting at all. Nader gave them the ability to feel included. To assume those were Gore's votes is presumptuous to say the least, but in reality, it reflects ignorance of of what a vote really means.
Coke or Pepsi? What we want is just some cool clean water. C'mon Bernie!
3
Today I did something I have never done before in life. I googled the name of a politician to find his official website so I could donate my hard earned dollars.
And it made me very happy.
Whether he wins or loses does not matter to me. I just like that he is honest.
And it made me very happy.
Whether he wins or loses does not matter to me. I just like that he is honest.
167
For the first time I have contributed to a presidential campaig . Go Barney.
21
Me too. I may not be big pharma or big oil or big anything, but enough of little me's out there and it's Bernie all the way.
1
If elected, Sanders would stand a fair chance of being one of the greatest presidents that this country has ever had. He would be as far removed from the world of plutocrats as any president we have had in a very long time. Obviously, if joined by a Dem-controlled Congress, his domestic program would be one of the very best, notwithstanding the vicious battles to get 60 votes for anything substantial in the US Senate. Sanders has a sterling record on being right on the issues when it mattered the most and when taking the positions he took was far from the popular course of action.
Despite his crustiness and unapologetic opposition to Super PACs and dark money, he deserves to be taken seriously as a national candidate. He has significant experience in making government work for all, not merely the most privileged. Still, for all the praise one can justifiably bestow on him, he has a difficult decision to make: how hard to campaign against the Clintons. Sadly, it does not appear the press will take him at his word that he is, as another once said, in it to win it unless he does more than campaign to ensure that his issues are discussed in the race, but begins to lay out an argument why HRC should not be the Democratic presidential nominee.
The Clintons are going to treat him gingerly, at least at first, wagering that no matter his early small-donor success he won't have the money to seriously compete. That's probably accurate, if unfortunate. He's worthy of the presidency.
Despite his crustiness and unapologetic opposition to Super PACs and dark money, he deserves to be taken seriously as a national candidate. He has significant experience in making government work for all, not merely the most privileged. Still, for all the praise one can justifiably bestow on him, he has a difficult decision to make: how hard to campaign against the Clintons. Sadly, it does not appear the press will take him at his word that he is, as another once said, in it to win it unless he does more than campaign to ensure that his issues are discussed in the race, but begins to lay out an argument why HRC should not be the Democratic presidential nominee.
The Clintons are going to treat him gingerly, at least at first, wagering that no matter his early small-donor success he won't have the money to seriously compete. That's probably accurate, if unfortunate. He's worthy of the presidency.
73
I'm not going to say Mr. Sanders has no chance because many people said Senator Obama had no chance in 2008. However because of Citizens United, there is no way that his campaign contributions can remotely keep up with the Clinton's coffers and the GOP's Koch money.
Yet I have decided that, barring other possible Democratic entries into the race, I will be supporting Mr. Sanders' candidacy. He is the ONLY candidate currently who not only has principles, but sticks to them and speaks with conviction that exudes more credibility than all of Congress combined. People may speak of his age or his "socialist" positions but when you really analyze his policy stances, they look extremely normal compared to the far right pastures of the Republican cattle who parrot the same tired canards.
A week ago I was begrudgingly telling myself that voting for Hillary wouldn't be so bad but I believe in Bernie and you all should too.
Yet I have decided that, barring other possible Democratic entries into the race, I will be supporting Mr. Sanders' candidacy. He is the ONLY candidate currently who not only has principles, but sticks to them and speaks with conviction that exudes more credibility than all of Congress combined. People may speak of his age or his "socialist" positions but when you really analyze his policy stances, they look extremely normal compared to the far right pastures of the Republican cattle who parrot the same tired canards.
A week ago I was begrudgingly telling myself that voting for Hillary wouldn't be so bad but I believe in Bernie and you all should too.
80
Cattle and parrots and ducks, oh my! Love your mixed pasture metaphors.
I'm voting for Hillary, but I'm sending Bernie a kiss. I hope he is senator from Vermont for 100 more years, because America needs him.
6
Bernie Sanders for President !!!!!
45
Thanks for pointing out that compared with Republicans, Bernie Sanders is no extremist. Some of us know who the extremists are.
67
Why does he remind me so much of Bella Abzug?
6
Dear Bernie: I can guarantee you at least 10 million votes from Southern conservatives, residents of West Baltimore, Midwestern moderates, San Francisco leftists and everyone else . . . Just base you platform on Personal Accountability. If you do the crime you do the time, even if you are a billionaire, politically connected, a BP CEO, a Congressman who sends photos of his penis, a police officer or a young drug seller. A conservative and revolutionary concept at the same time.
10
I think Senator Sanders, oops Presidential Candidate Sanders, has the picture on what would lift the American people to live a better life. I am fortunate because I have listened to and read "The Speech", everyone should read it. It should also be available on the C-SPAN.org video archives.
This is tomorrow's President. I am reminded of the scene in Annie, where FDR and Elanor are visited by Annie and Mr. Warbucks. FDR is trying to persuade Mr. Warbucks that he should help with the New Deal, and they all break out in song to those uplifting lyrics by Songwriters
Charles Strouse & Martin Charnin.
"Just thinkin' about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'til there's none
When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh
The sun will come out tomorrow
So you gotta hang on
'til tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow
You're always a day away!
When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say oh
The sun will come out tomorrow
So you got to hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow
You're only a day away
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow
You're only a day away...
If you want someone who will shoot straight on issues, with a lot of clear headed thinking and leadership, Republican, Democrat, or Independent, he is your candidate.
He can bring the country together and give it purpose.
This is tomorrow's President. I am reminded of the scene in Annie, where FDR and Elanor are visited by Annie and Mr. Warbucks. FDR is trying to persuade Mr. Warbucks that he should help with the New Deal, and they all break out in song to those uplifting lyrics by Songwriters
Charles Strouse & Martin Charnin.
"Just thinkin' about tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'til there's none
When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say, oh
The sun will come out tomorrow
So you gotta hang on
'til tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love ya, tomorrow
You're always a day away!
When I'm stuck with a day that's grey and lonely
I just stick up my chin and grin and say oh
The sun will come out tomorrow
So you got to hang on 'til tomorrow, come what may!
Tomorrow, tomorrow, I love you tomorrow
You're only a day away
Tomorrow, tomorrow I love ya tomorrow
You're only a day away...
If you want someone who will shoot straight on issues, with a lot of clear headed thinking and leadership, Republican, Democrat, or Independent, he is your candidate.
He can bring the country together and give it purpose.
32
Hillary is making a very concerted effort concerted to distance herself from her husband's centrist policies with her stance on crime and trade agreements. With Sanders entering the race I would think that would force Hillary to tack further to the left which could jeopardize her standing with big business
My question is how serious a candidate is Sanders. I don't believe he has the money to be competitive so what is his strategy and does he focus on those states where his message will be received?
One final point. If Hillary moves further left does that finally silence the speculation about Warren entering the race? I believe they would be trying to stake out the same territory and it could weaken Hillary
My question is how serious a candidate is Sanders. I don't believe he has the money to be competitive so what is his strategy and does he focus on those states where his message will be received?
One final point. If Hillary moves further left does that finally silence the speculation about Warren entering the race? I believe they would be trying to stake out the same territory and it could weaken Hillary
4
Americans are not likely to let another liberal near the White House any time soon. This is an intra-party thing. The extreme left in the party is making itself heard. Good for them. (And good for the republican party.)
Bernie Sanders would make a terrible president for so many reasons! But I love him and am grateful to Vermont for sending him to the Senate. I'm sure he and President Hillary Clinton will agree 89% of the time.
Sounds good to me.
Sounds good to me.
4
Why not list your reasons? Just one.
1
Republicans are crazy and loud. Democrats are sane and quiet. Bernie is sane and loud. I welcome him to the debate. My wife, a Hillary supporter, told me in 2008 that then Sen. Obama wasn't ruthless enough to deal with the Republican opposition. She was right. I fear that Hillary doesn't have the passion to stand up for Democratic ideals. I hope I'm wrong. Sen. Sanders will not win the nomination but his fierce defense of democratic principals will be a joy to watch until we return to our regularly scheduled, corporate sponsored, election.
47
I don't know what Sanders' goals are: he says he's in it to win. But then he has to say that, doesn't he? If he doesn't act serious he won't be taken seriously; and how good a foil or goad to Clinton will he be then?
And perhaps he sees himself as the trailblazer for progressive candidates to come. He just might be.
If he wins, I'll be surprised. But not unhappy. He's getting my money in any case. Clinton doesn't need it.
And perhaps he sees himself as the trailblazer for progressive candidates to come. He just might be.
If he wins, I'll be surprised. But not unhappy. He's getting my money in any case. Clinton doesn't need it.
503
Any ideas for a good Bernie Sanders for Prez T-shirt?
How about these to start:
- "The Square Radical"
- "Cut the B.S. With B.S."
- "So Left He's Right"
How about these to start:
- "The Square Radical"
- "Cut the B.S. With B.S."
- "So Left He's Right"
57
My John Anderson tee shirt has developed a bunch of holes. Besides which it seems too have shrunk, particularly across the belly.
I logged on the Sanders site, thinking that perhaps I could be active, even a pinpoint, in his Georgia organization. Instead I was asked for my credit card number. Did it ever occur to any politian that "support" meant anything but money.
I logged on the Sanders site, thinking that perhaps I could be active, even a pinpoint, in his Georgia organization. Instead I was asked for my credit card number. Did it ever occur to any politian that "support" meant anything but money.
11
Try berniesanders.com/volunteer if you'd like to do work for his campaign. As for said campaign needing donations, that's the case with every political race - particularly when, as in Bernie's case, he's refusing the contributions of the big-money PACs and billionaires. The Senator's campaign is doing so in order to avoid the corruption that is entangling far too much of our political system.
14
So he should bring a chopstick to a gun fight?
1
Most politicians speak to us in a soothing, even unctuous way. This is most irritating in the case of a politician who, when it comes to policymaking, routinely favors special interests over the interests of the rest of us. I realize that I don't matter to any national politician, and I'm not sure why I should. I just wish they would say what they think and say it in the manner that is most natural to them.
Instead, these politicians present themselves like items in a grocery store. Most of them, in carefully designed packaging, are frozen pizzas and boxed macaroni and cheese product: over-produced, easy to prepare and eat, and, in the long-term, horrible for your health. But Sanders is a prickly pineapple or a whole chicken: more work to open, but you are eating close to the ground.
I read recently that the sales of prepared foods are down in favor of the real food like produce, dairy, and meats found in the perimeters. Great news. I say, let's shop for our politicians the same way.
Instead, these politicians present themselves like items in a grocery store. Most of them, in carefully designed packaging, are frozen pizzas and boxed macaroni and cheese product: over-produced, easy to prepare and eat, and, in the long-term, horrible for your health. But Sanders is a prickly pineapple or a whole chicken: more work to open, but you are eating close to the ground.
I read recently that the sales of prepared foods are down in favor of the real food like produce, dairy, and meats found in the perimeters. Great news. I say, let's shop for our politicians the same way.
74
"even, unctuous tone."
You are right! They do! I could not stand to listen to Ronald Reagan for that very reason. His tone said,
"Here is what I have very carefully calculated that I want you to hear me say."
You are right! They do! I could not stand to listen to Ronald Reagan for that very reason. His tone said,
"Here is what I have very carefully calculated that I want you to hear me say."
I'm for Bernie Sanders.
110
"The major issue is how do we create an economy that works for all of our people rather than a small number of billionaires, and the second issue directly related is the fact that as a result of the disastrous Supreme Court decision on Citizens United, we now have a political situation where billionaires are literally able to buy elections and candidates. Let’s not kid ourselves. That is the reality right now." It's time for Bernie.
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com
Tom Degan
115
It took the Republicans over a quarter century to turn their far-right ideas into the received wisdom but they did it. It may take the Democrats just as long to turn things around but with people like Sanders and Warren we have a chance. Just not this time.
National elections are based on what people already believe; they are not the time to change people's fundamental opinions. I would support Sanders in the primary on principle, but I will support Clinton in the election because she is the best we can do given what we believe today.
National elections are based on what people already believe; they are not the time to change people's fundamental opinions. I would support Sanders in the primary on principle, but I will support Clinton in the election because she is the best we can do given what we believe today.
26
In her antepenultimate paragraph, Ms. Collins has precisely told us what us Hillary skeptics find unsatisfactory (and sceptic) about Hillary: "Her political life has been a continual, sometimes unedifying, struggle to get the power to do what she believed were the right things for the country."
Mr. Sanders reminds me of the modest Eugene McCarthy, who was the first Democratic candidate to fight the re-election of Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Mr. McCarthy doomed his campaign when he said he thought he would make an "adequate president." But he opened the door for a more clever campaigner, Robert Kennedy. If not for the intervention of a crazy man with a gun, Mr. Kennedy might have spared us the ghastly experience of Watergate. It was in Watergate that Hillary learned the danger of a complete record of her political conduct. Nixon tried to protect his tapes, but Hillary learned the importance of guarding her e-mail.
Mr. Sanders reminds me of the modest Eugene McCarthy, who was the first Democratic candidate to fight the re-election of Lyndon Johnson in 1968. Mr. McCarthy doomed his campaign when he said he thought he would make an "adequate president." But he opened the door for a more clever campaigner, Robert Kennedy. If not for the intervention of a crazy man with a gun, Mr. Kennedy might have spared us the ghastly experience of Watergate. It was in Watergate that Hillary learned the danger of a complete record of her political conduct. Nixon tried to protect his tapes, but Hillary learned the importance of guarding her e-mail.
10
"Answer: This week, the governor of Texas announced he was putting a special watch on U.S. military exercises this summer, due to public speculation that the soldiers might take over the state and confiscate everyone’s guns."
Teabillies are so funny. That is Sanders problem he is dull to listen to. I tend to agree with him on many issues so largely consider myself part of the choir but he is better than a sleeping pill if you are restless at night. I wish him well but it is still Hillary's to loose.
Teabillies are so funny. That is Sanders problem he is dull to listen to. I tend to agree with him on many issues so largely consider myself part of the choir but he is better than a sleeping pill if you are restless at night. I wish him well but it is still Hillary's to loose.
10
Bernie Sanders is a true, honest progressive. He has spent many, many years telling people how it is in this country. I have a very strong feeling that when people who consider themselves centrists, independents or even moderate Republicans will shake their heads in stunned agreement when they find themselves in absolute agreement with his position on almost everything.
Paying people a living wage for full time work? Requiring millionaires and billionaires to actually pay higher tax rates than their secretaries? Expanding Social Security in an agr where pensions have disappeared? Free college educations for everyone who gets accepted? Universal, single payer health care?
None of these positions are radical in the rest of the developed world. I have a strong suspicion that a lot of very reasonable people may start considering themselves democratic socialists before the election.
Paying people a living wage for full time work? Requiring millionaires and billionaires to actually pay higher tax rates than their secretaries? Expanding Social Security in an agr where pensions have disappeared? Free college educations for everyone who gets accepted? Universal, single payer health care?
None of these positions are radical in the rest of the developed world. I have a strong suspicion that a lot of very reasonable people may start considering themselves democratic socialists before the election.
1459
There's no such thing as an "honest progressive." It's fundamental to the lot of them that lying, scheming, and conniving are all perfectly justifiable if it forwards their objective of consolidating power in their hands.
so why isn't every country a social democracy?
"I welcome him to the race," Mrs. Clinton tweeted about Sen. Sanders. If she's sincere about that, maybe she could let him ride along with her in the roomy Scooby van for a series of joint appearances and mini-debates. You know, in front of "everyday Americans." It no doubt would be enlightening.
To return the favor, he certainly would be glad to explain to her the difference between Main Street and Wall Street. They could even compare notes on that old Clinton mantra "Putting People First," because there are a lot of discrepancies in their definitions of exactly who those people are.
To return the favor, he certainly would be glad to explain to her the difference between Main Street and Wall Street. They could even compare notes on that old Clinton mantra "Putting People First," because there are a lot of discrepancies in their definitions of exactly who those people are.
79
I seriously doubt that that a Jewish democratic socialist from Brooklyn, via Vermont, can be elected President of the United States in 2016 - but I'm nonetheless delighted to have Bernie in the race.
When Sanders starts going toe-to-toe with Democratic contenders in the debates, including Madam Secretary, he's going to become the crowd favorite in short-order - since his stances tend to strongly resonate with Democratic primary voters, including myself (unlike Hillary).
Bernie may be shouting his discontent - but if you're a Democrat not vociferously voicing your frustration with the status quo at this point in our nation's history, you must have a physician prescribing excellent sedatives, or be a member of the one tenth of one percent.
My worry is that Bernie will become McGovern - which is to say popular enough to win the nomination, but too exotic to win the general election against a corporatist like Jeb Bush.
Then again, I well remember that bumper sticker from the post-Watergate era: Massachusetts 1, USA 0.
When Sanders starts going toe-to-toe with Democratic contenders in the debates, including Madam Secretary, he's going to become the crowd favorite in short-order - since his stances tend to strongly resonate with Democratic primary voters, including myself (unlike Hillary).
Bernie may be shouting his discontent - but if you're a Democrat not vociferously voicing your frustration with the status quo at this point in our nation's history, you must have a physician prescribing excellent sedatives, or be a member of the one tenth of one percent.
My worry is that Bernie will become McGovern - which is to say popular enough to win the nomination, but too exotic to win the general election against a corporatist like Jeb Bush.
Then again, I well remember that bumper sticker from the post-Watergate era: Massachusetts 1, USA 0.
87
It's about time Democrats started shouting.
9
What a sad state of affairs in this country when one of the most serious, ethical, hard-working, dedicated candidates for president in many years is viewed as an also-ran. No, Senator Sanders isn't a useful tool to pull Hillary to the left - he is, as many have pointed out, our best bet in redirecting America from its current trajectory toward oligarchy.
I agree with our current president that Hillary would make a good president - but the issue here is not who would be a good president; the issue is who can successfully pull America off this self-destructive path we are on.
The central issue in this campaign is Corporate Cash: Hillary craves it; Bernie abhors it. The question is whether America will again succumb to the advertising might of corporate America or find a way to break free of its deadly addiction.
I agree with our current president that Hillary would make a good president - but the issue here is not who would be a good president; the issue is who can successfully pull America off this self-destructive path we are on.
The central issue in this campaign is Corporate Cash: Hillary craves it; Bernie abhors it. The question is whether America will again succumb to the advertising might of corporate America or find a way to break free of its deadly addiction.
1425
Another terrible problem with Hillary is that she voted in favor of the Iraq invasion. Had she taken the correct position and voted against it, she would have a big cudgel to pound the Republicans with. As it is, she can't do this. And who is to say that, once in power, she wouldn't favor another imbecilic bully-boy invasion, this time, perhaps, of Iran -- the sort of thing so long favored by the chest thumpers (Theodore Roosevelt), chicken hawks (Bush, Cheney, Wolfowitz, Rice), and corporate interests among us? I'll vote unenthusiastically for Clinton over any Republican, but it certainly would be nice to have a better choice.
4
We currently have an idealistic and capable President who is hamstrung by an uncooperative Congress. If Sanders could, somehow, to be elected to the Presidency he would automatically lose the one potential supporter that he has in Congress. Presidents don't function in a political vacuum, so the idea of electing an "independent" to the office is an appealing absurdity.
In full agreement with "TM", and we can only hope that out of this primary will come the promise and the strategy to stop our magnificent country from becoming, like the so-called 'communistic' countries, just another "Capitalistic Dictatorship".
Bernie Sanders stressed during his announcement of his presidential run that the principal issue was at that most Americans are working longer hours for less money while the wealthy 1% corner 99% of the new money. Further, the same wealthy, such as the Koch brothers, spend vast fortunes on the right wing politicians they prefer. This money is corrosive to the integrity of a democracy and will continue to damage the American middle class.
160
Bernie Sanders speaks for a lot of voters who are concerned about the issues in the same way he is. It sometimes seems hopeless trying to have a conversation with conservatives who make up their own facts, deny reality, repeat the same slogans, generally serve as champions for moneyed interests and individuals like the Koch brothers and Sheldon Adelson, and want to return to the way things were however they imagine it to have been. So perhaps Bernie can shout loud enough to get the attention of the country. One thing his is not is Ralph Nader.
122
I'll not only remember why Gail Collins, "does not want to hear you calling Bernie Sanders an extremist", but remember gratefully for the great, unfailing humor of Gail Collins!
Collins thinks, "Sanders doesn't really want Democratic voters to compare him with Clinton to see who has the best positions on the issues. He wants them to decide who has the most consistent record is fighting for those issues".
Luckily, we'll never have to choose. Bernie Sanders, who has always been in it to win it, campaigns on both his policy positions and his record. The only advantage Sanders has always denied himself is negative campaigning.
Collins thinks, "Sanders doesn't really want Democratic voters to compare him with Clinton to see who has the best positions on the issues. He wants them to decide who has the most consistent record is fighting for those issues".
Luckily, we'll never have to choose. Bernie Sanders, who has always been in it to win it, campaigns on both his policy positions and his record. The only advantage Sanders has always denied himself is negative campaigning.
127
What I love about this is that there's no downside in supporting Sanders. Unlike many past idealistic protest candidates, he's not a spoiler - voting for him in the primary is not going to harm the Democrats' chances in 2016. Also, he's a seasoned politician with a real track record in both executive and legislative branches who knows how to reach across the aisle when needed, whether on the job or on the campaign trail. This is not just voting for an ideology - this is a job he could actually do.
He's consistent and principled enough that the right-wing hate mongers won't know what to do with him. He calls himself a socialist, so you can't insult him by calling him one. And he actually embodies a lot of the values that the Tea Partiers pay lip service to, including standing up for the working class.
But what's perhaps most important is that he also has some experience losing. He'll do so with grace, while serving the country by reminding us what the real issues are.
He's consistent and principled enough that the right-wing hate mongers won't know what to do with him. He calls himself a socialist, so you can't insult him by calling him one. And he actually embodies a lot of the values that the Tea Partiers pay lip service to, including standing up for the working class.
But what's perhaps most important is that he also has some experience losing. He'll do so with grace, while serving the country by reminding us what the real issues are.
1562
unfortunately - the 'real issues' for most americans never get addressed by politicians once in office.
1
Mr. Sanders is not running in any primary that can attract my vote. I am a Democrat and he is not on the Democratic primary slate of candidates.
That said, I do NOT want a replay of Ralph Nader and 2000 Florida. Bernie Sanders is a good man but a vote for him is a vote for the repub candidate. Vote the Democratic ticket (probably Mrs. Clinton!) and vote often!
That said, I do NOT want a replay of Ralph Nader and 2000 Florida. Bernie Sanders is a good man but a vote for him is a vote for the repub candidate. Vote the Democratic ticket (probably Mrs. Clinton!) and vote often!
He calls himself a socialist. The right wingers will call him a communist. Donald Trump will question his place of birth. I hope Sanders can find his birth certificate. This election is going to be very entertaining.
1
Bernard Sanders is an excellent principled man and would be as good a President as he was Senator and Mayor. I will never forget voting for him during his first election as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. The local Democratic and Republican power brokers predicted disaster for the city's economy, and Bernie and the Progressives proved them wrong, ushering in an era of good governance and economic growth. He did more for business in Burlington than any of the cronies that preceded him. He gets my vote. Too bad he has no chance of becoming President.
123
think he has a good chance…not no chance
24
Hurrah! Saunders is principled and tells the truth!
120
Bernie Sanders needs all the free publicity he can get, simply accurate representation and fact-based analysis of his policy proposals in the press. But the fix is already in.
Even Jon Stewart reduced him to a crabby old man last night on the most important source of news for a wide swath of younger Americans. I doubt that no one in the MSM is unfamiliar with Bernie's record or his views. It boils down to the oligarchy and their hired hands minimizing the man and making sure that voters who have not been following him for a decade or more dismiss him as a kook.
A shame because Bernie Sanders is exactly the president the USA sorely needs.
Even Jon Stewart reduced him to a crabby old man last night on the most important source of news for a wide swath of younger Americans. I doubt that no one in the MSM is unfamiliar with Bernie's record or his views. It boils down to the oligarchy and their hired hands minimizing the man and making sure that voters who have not been following him for a decade or more dismiss him as a kook.
A shame because Bernie Sanders is exactly the president the USA sorely needs.
555
They laughed over him on the NewsHour last night too.
3
This is exactly the treatment republicans get all the time. What's fascinating to watch is how the democratic candidates are getting similar treatment this time.
Hillary is actually getting treated like a republican candidate. The media is looking into her background and openly critical of her. Imagine that!
Perhaps the media's fawning over and infatuation with Obama burned them.
Hillary is actually getting treated like a republican candidate. The media is looking into her background and openly critical of her. Imagine that!
Perhaps the media's fawning over and infatuation with Obama burned them.
2
Bernie Sanders doesn't have a chance of that proverbial snowball of winning the nomination, but I don't care - he has my support anyway. I am progressive on most issues and Bernie is on the same side I am on all the important issues. He speaks his mind and, near as I can tell, does not flip-flop on issues but holds to his principles. Pardon me if I live in a fantasy world for a while and envision him as President.
1758
Maybe fantasy will become reality. Let's work to make it so.
13
Don't be pessimistic Tom.Bernie is a seed waiting to sprout
14
I suppose a Sanders administration couldn't be any worse than the clown parade known as the Obama administration.
2
It's the particular genius of the far right, that it has been able to frame politicians like Bernie Sanders as " far left" and "socialist" when in fact they are the ones who represent the real interests of the American people.
Bernie Sanders is our Mr. Deeds - unvarnished, civil, idealistic, his message appeals to all people who are tired of the wealthy and corporate interests getting all of the prizes in the Cracker Jack box, while we get the crumbs.
Bernie Sanders is our Mr. Deeds - unvarnished, civil, idealistic, his message appeals to all people who are tired of the wealthy and corporate interests getting all of the prizes in the Cracker Jack box, while we get the crumbs.
490
Bernie labels himself socialist. He does not need the far right to "frame" him as such.
2
I would point out that he engineered the appointment of Dr. Stephanie Kelton as Economic Advisor to the Senate Minority. This visionary move presents Democrats with a true alternative economic philosophy. I believe only a handful of Congressional members understand economics--particularly money. Democrats usually propose vapid fiscal plans and echo the GOP snorts about the US being broke (even the President has said this). Whether or not the great Senator Sanders achieves any traction in his bid, he will introduce Democratic economics to the nation.
193
Yeah. From Stephanie Kelton:
"We may strive to balance our work and leisure time and to eat a balanced diet. Our Constitution enshrines the principle of balance among our three branches of government. And when it comes to our personal finances, we know that the family checkbook must balance.
So when we hear that the federal government hasn't balanced its books in more than a decade, it seems sensible to demand a return to that kind of balance in Washington as well. But that would actually be a huge mistake.
History tells the tale. The federal government has achieved fiscal balance (even surpluses) in just seven periods since 1776, bringing in enough revenue to cover all of its spending during 1817-21, 1823-36, 1852-57, 1867-73, 1880-93, 1920-30 and 1998-2001. We have also experienced six depressions. They began in 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893 and 1929.
Do you see the correlation? The one exception to this pattern occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the dot-com and housing bubbles fueled a consumption binge that delayed the harmful effects of the Clinton surpluses until the Great Recession of 2007-09.
Why does something that sounds like good economics — balancing the budget and paying down debt — end up harming the economy? The answers may surprise you."
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/21/opinion/la-oe-kelton-fiscal-clif...
Also http://www.slideshare.net/MitchGreen/mmt-basics-you-cannot-consider-the-...
"We may strive to balance our work and leisure time and to eat a balanced diet. Our Constitution enshrines the principle of balance among our three branches of government. And when it comes to our personal finances, we know that the family checkbook must balance.
So when we hear that the federal government hasn't balanced its books in more than a decade, it seems sensible to demand a return to that kind of balance in Washington as well. But that would actually be a huge mistake.
History tells the tale. The federal government has achieved fiscal balance (even surpluses) in just seven periods since 1776, bringing in enough revenue to cover all of its spending during 1817-21, 1823-36, 1852-57, 1867-73, 1880-93, 1920-30 and 1998-2001. We have also experienced six depressions. They began in 1819, 1837, 1857, 1873, 1893 and 1929.
Do you see the correlation? The one exception to this pattern occurred in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the dot-com and housing bubbles fueled a consumption binge that delayed the harmful effects of the Clinton surpluses until the Great Recession of 2007-09.
Why does something that sounds like good economics — balancing the budget and paying down debt — end up harming the economy? The answers may surprise you."
http://articles.latimes.com/2012/dec/21/opinion/la-oe-kelton-fiscal-clif...
Also http://www.slideshare.net/MitchGreen/mmt-basics-you-cannot-consider-the-...
9
Len, thanks for the links. History should be the best teacher, but some students I fear resist the lessons and refuse to learn.
4
Bernie Sanders's candidacy is exhilarating. The battle against the inevitability of a Hillary nomination has been joined, no matter what the outcome. Moral rectitude, honesty, good policy prescriptions and an enviable progressive voting record make Sanders a formidable candidate, if he is able to run a decent campaign. And that requires money, lots of it. I'm not sure where that money is going to come from. But I'm ready to ride with you, Bernie, right to the finish line!
267
We all know it takes heaps of money for a national campaign. Most of that is spent on whitewash & swine lip gloss, neither of which are on Bernie's shopping list, although a comb might help. Being from Brooklyn, where rough edges are a local tradition, should lend some fresh air to the stuffy phoniness that is National Politics. Him being in it to win it is the best news this country has had in some time. Now all we need is for America to realize it.
9
It would be nice to have people like Sanders and Warren as presidents, but they are not what is needed. What is needed is arm twisters like LBJ. Even with the Viet war he was able to get the Civil Rights Act Passed.
Hillary has Bill, who is good at such tactics. That is why the Republicans dislike him so, he gets under their skin, he riles up the public, and show them what the GOP is up to.
It would be nice to have someone who is perfect in the office, but you can not name a president who was perfect, not even Lincoln. There is a good reason the attacks have already started on Hillary, as I have said previously, she makes many of those "good old Murican boys" wet their diapers.
Hillary has Bill, who is good at such tactics. That is why the Republicans dislike him so, he gets under their skin, he riles up the public, and show them what the GOP is up to.
It would be nice to have someone who is perfect in the office, but you can not name a president who was perfect, not even Lincoln. There is a good reason the attacks have already started on Hillary, as I have said previously, she makes many of those "good old Murican boys" wet their diapers.
68
David Underwood, I hope you're right about the Clintons and their good side and that it's enough to turn the country away from the path to oligarchy. (And of course, for the latter we must not let a Republican appoint Supreme Court justices; we now all know what that leads to.)
42
Yeah, some LBJ-like dude is what we need because that Vietnam thing that cost only 58,000 lives so a few of Lyndon's Democrat Buddies could make some serious dough wasn't really that big of a deal. This is a perfect example of why Democrats are having a hard time winning elections.
2
There's no question that Johnson was a very effective president in many very important ways, but, oh, that Vietnam policy. How did he go so wrong there? And think how much more progress the country might have made if Johnson had run for re-election in 1968 and won, as he almost certainly would have if not for Vietnam.
3
It;s certainly time for a candidate who speaks their own mind, rather than what tested well in focus groups (or among the lunatic fringe).
321
Bernie Sanders didn't simply govern Burlington, VT well. He transformed it. He knows how to run things. He'll run a great campaign.
The only thing he won't run is a negative ad against an opponent. Never. His campaigns are always about issues and policies for the Common Good and he is eloquent in getting that message out.
His decision to run for president is probably the best thing that's happened for progressives, the middle class and the poor in decades. Bernie Sanders was a founding father of the Progressive Caucus in Congress.
Let the race begin!
The only thing he won't run is a negative ad against an opponent. Never. His campaigns are always about issues and policies for the Common Good and he is eloquent in getting that message out.
His decision to run for president is probably the best thing that's happened for progressives, the middle class and the poor in decades. Bernie Sanders was a founding father of the Progressive Caucus in Congress.
Let the race begin!
1007
Sanders accomplishments as mayor are quite impressive.
"My administration took on the special interests. Against the wishes of developers and railroad, we created a people-oriented waterfront and bike path on Lake Champlain. We developed the first municipal housing land trust for affordable housing. We won recognition for urban beautification by planting thousands of trees and we made improvements to our streets and sidewalks. We implemented the largest environmental program in the state’s history by building a waste-water facility to prevent untreated waste from going into the lake. We started a Youth Office which created a day care center, a little-league program, after-school programs and a teen center – all of which exist today. We were the first city in Vermont to break its dependence on the regressive property tax. We made changes in the police department, moving in the direction of community policing. We started a successful Arts Council and Women’s Council. Burlington is now regarded as one of the most livable small cities in America."
Sanders on obstructionism:
"I took office with 11 out of 13 members of the City Council in strong opposition to my agenda. If you think Republicans have been obstructionist to President Obama, that was nothing compared to what my supporters and I experienced. One year later, in support of what I and my coalition had accomplished and wanted to do, candidates that I supported defeated a number of the obstructionists."
"My administration took on the special interests. Against the wishes of developers and railroad, we created a people-oriented waterfront and bike path on Lake Champlain. We developed the first municipal housing land trust for affordable housing. We won recognition for urban beautification by planting thousands of trees and we made improvements to our streets and sidewalks. We implemented the largest environmental program in the state’s history by building a waste-water facility to prevent untreated waste from going into the lake. We started a Youth Office which created a day care center, a little-league program, after-school programs and a teen center – all of which exist today. We were the first city in Vermont to break its dependence on the regressive property tax. We made changes in the police department, moving in the direction of community policing. We started a successful Arts Council and Women’s Council. Burlington is now regarded as one of the most livable small cities in America."
Sanders on obstructionism:
"I took office with 11 out of 13 members of the City Council in strong opposition to my agenda. If you think Republicans have been obstructionist to President Obama, that was nothing compared to what my supporters and I experienced. One year later, in support of what I and my coalition had accomplished and wanted to do, candidates that I supported defeated a number of the obstructionists."
286
The list of things Bernie Sanders has done right, just because that's how he is, is to join SNCC during the Civil Rights movement. He gets better from there.
We need someone who is principled, trustworthy, beholden only to those compatriots who aren't registered as an LLC or corp, empathetic, knowledgeable on all fronts, and who has the courage to see through the myriad of reforms our nation now needs. Bernie is that man. The others? Not so much.
Barack Obama turned out to be the man for the times when Hillary was thought to be the shoo-in. It isn't out of the realm of the possible that, in its wisdom, America will think better of her again.
We need someone who is principled, trustworthy, beholden only to those compatriots who aren't registered as an LLC or corp, empathetic, knowledgeable on all fronts, and who has the courage to see through the myriad of reforms our nation now needs. Bernie is that man. The others? Not so much.
Barack Obama turned out to be the man for the times when Hillary was thought to be the shoo-in. It isn't out of the realm of the possible that, in its wisdom, America will think better of her again.
305
Bernie is against the TPP. Here is my primer on it.: http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/04/the-tpp-what-everyone-should-know-econo...
The top priority for our nation is to put an end to police brutality and institutional racism. I'd trust Bernie to lead us away from the carnage we are now witnessing and reaching out across class and race to get the goal accomplished.
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/04/mlks-message-to-blacklivesmatter-moralm...
Bill Clinton said many times, over the years he was president, that we were all getting a two-fer. Hearing Hillary say that America needs to face hard truths didn't sit well with me.
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/04/william-jefferson-clinton-was-not-our-f...
The top priority for our nation is to put an end to police brutality and institutional racism. I'd trust Bernie to lead us away from the carnage we are now witnessing and reaching out across class and race to get the goal accomplished.
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/04/mlks-message-to-blacklivesmatter-moralm...
Bill Clinton said many times, over the years he was president, that we were all getting a two-fer. Hearing Hillary say that America needs to face hard truths didn't sit well with me.
http://www.rimaregas.com/2015/04/william-jefferson-clinton-was-not-our-f...
61
re: Hillary and Hard Truths
What that line means is she will cut social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA subsidies for the working class. Republicans may hate her candidacy but they will love working with her to cut these programs and/or privatize them.
With Hillary as the Dem nominee, the Reps don't need to win the presidency; she'll do their dirty work for them and the Dem Party will continue its rightward drift.
What that line means is she will cut social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the ACA subsidies for the working class. Republicans may hate her candidacy but they will love working with her to cut these programs and/or privatize them.
With Hillary as the Dem nominee, the Reps don't need to win the presidency; she'll do their dirty work for them and the Dem Party will continue its rightward drift.
17
Bernie Sanders is the FDR of the 21st century. As mayor of Burlington his administration successfully took on the special interests. While in Congress he voted against the Iraq War, the Patriot Act and its reauthorization. He opposed the repeal of Glass-Steagall, voted against all of the disastrous trade agreements and strongly opposes the TPP.
Sanders takes "no" corporate money.
Sanders' Speech at The Brookings Institution
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MOx1PYO_BnY
"The unprecedented struggle that we're engaged in now against the Billionaire Class is not just about preserving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, or whether we create the millions of jobs our economy desperately needs. It's not merely about whether we raise the minimum wage, make college affordable, protect women's rights or take the bold initiatives we need to reverse climate change. It's not just about creating a health care system which guarantees health care to all as a right, or addressing the abysmally high rate of childhood poverty.
"The real struggle is whether we can prevent this country from moving to an oligarchic form of society in which virtually all economic and political power rests with a handful of billionaires. And that’s a struggle we must win."
Sanders' Agenda for America: 12 Steps Forward
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/agenda/
The media portrays progressive policies as left or far left. Actually, a majority of Americans support the positions outlined in Sanders' economic plan.
Sanders takes "no" corporate money.
Sanders' Speech at The Brookings Institution
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=MOx1PYO_BnY
"The unprecedented struggle that we're engaged in now against the Billionaire Class is not just about preserving Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, or whether we create the millions of jobs our economy desperately needs. It's not merely about whether we raise the minimum wage, make college affordable, protect women's rights or take the bold initiatives we need to reverse climate change. It's not just about creating a health care system which guarantees health care to all as a right, or addressing the abysmally high rate of childhood poverty.
"The real struggle is whether we can prevent this country from moving to an oligarchic form of society in which virtually all economic and political power rests with a handful of billionaires. And that’s a struggle we must win."
Sanders' Agenda for America: 12 Steps Forward
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/agenda/
The media portrays progressive policies as left or far left. Actually, a majority of Americans support the positions outlined in Sanders' economic plan.
880
I'd love to see Bernie be the FDR of the 21st century. If nothing else, he is certainly its Eugene Victor Debs. He has been consistently on message for decades. i video taped him in speaking in Plainfield, NJ in 1984 for a community access broadcast, and while little has changed in his message, the situation has gotten much worse.
"So far as I am concerned, it does not matter what others may say, or think, or do, as long as I am sure that I am right with myself and the cause. There are so many who seek refuge in the popular side of a great question. As a Socialist, I have long since learned how to stand alone." - EVD
"So far as I am concerned, it does not matter what others may say, or think, or do, as long as I am sure that I am right with myself and the cause. There are so many who seek refuge in the popular side of a great question. As a Socialist, I have long since learned how to stand alone." - EVD
5
I admire Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren but the last 5 decades of Presidential races suggests that centrist Democratic candidates (Clinton, Obama) beat GOP candidates every time and more liberal candidates (Humphrey, McGovern, Mondale, Dukakis, Gore, Kerry) lose.
The progressive agenda is best advanced from
The progressive agenda is best advanced from
33
...the middle.
18
You say Clinton and Obama are centrist. To me, the more accurate description is corporatist. Sanders may prove your theory wrong. Contrary to how the Democrats have campaigned at the national level, he believes in a fifty-state strategy. In Sanders' first Senate campaign, his opponent was the wealthiest man in Vermont who ran a very negative campaign and who spent three times more money than had been spent in the state. Sanders received support from Independents and Republicans and won with 67 percent of the vote. In 2012, he won with 71 percent of the vote.
354
you forgot Carter, the original centrist.
2
His candidacy cheers me up. Just having a person with obvious integrity in the race I think is a benefit, regardless of whether his presence shifts anyone else -- reminds us that we don't have to accept the usual fare, that there are alternative ways of seeing the world and of comporting oneself.
748
.
Yes, he has certainly earned the right to be seen and heard for what he is and for what he has stood for -- not for how his presence might "shift" another candidate.
24 years in Congress is a substantial record to run on.
Yes, he has certainly earned the right to be seen and heard for what he is and for what he has stood for -- not for how his presence might "shift" another candidate.
24 years in Congress is a substantial record to run on.
24
I'm a Vermonter. Bernie has the backing of those Vermonters who also vote for republican governor candidates. That's because they know he has their back, and he tells the truth. He's as honest as a day is long. He won't talk about nonsense, and he won't put up with nonsense. Give him a chance, and he might turn the ear of those who usually vote against their own interests. Come on! Send him some money! At least for now. Help let his voice be heard.
126
For Bernie I'm certainly voting!
On his point of view I am doting,
If Bernie is deft
He'll shift Hill'ry left,
A victory for our side denoting.
On his point of view I am doting,
If Bernie is deft
He'll shift Hill'ry left,
A victory for our side denoting.
335
.
.
When Al Smith was our Number One,
His accent was fodder for fun.
Can Bernie survive --
Or more, can he thrive --
In making a national run?
Besides NYC, think of age:
Some think it's a war he must wage.
When ballots arrive
He'll be 75,
Not "old"! But not quite "middle-age".
His media standing is rough,
So I think his path will be tough.
Re: whether he will
Push left 'Secy Hill',
I don't think his heft is enough.
.
When Al Smith was our Number One,
His accent was fodder for fun.
Can Bernie survive --
Or more, can he thrive --
In making a national run?
Besides NYC, think of age:
Some think it's a war he must wage.
When ballots arrive
He'll be 75,
Not "old"! But not quite "middle-age".
His media standing is rough,
So I think his path will be tough.
Re: whether he will
Push left 'Secy Hill',
I don't think his heft is enough.
7
Larry,
Bernie chalanging Hil?
When "Pigs Fly" he certainly will.
Would cows vote 'twould be closer still.
The things you need recall are McGovern and Dukakis et al
Feingold could be his V.P
Warren is too smart, you see.
Custer's worst "bad hair day"
Was better than Bernie's, I'd say!
The Dems just want to win.
That's more than enough for them.
Standing for something is cool
But winning is their first rule.
Bernie chalanging Hil?
When "Pigs Fly" he certainly will.
Would cows vote 'twould be closer still.
The things you need recall are McGovern and Dukakis et al
Feingold could be his V.P
Warren is too smart, you see.
Custer's worst "bad hair day"
Was better than Bernie's, I'd say!
The Dems just want to win.
That's more than enough for them.
Standing for something is cool
But winning is their first rule.
4
Hi Gail----
I lived in Burlington 25 years and helped advertise Bernie's fight
for phones for the poor. (i was a republican.) Moved back to Vermont 22 years later and Bernie was still fighting for the people!
Hillary can win; how about Bernie for Vice President. It doesn't get any better than that.
i do not think that the Kochs could beat them.
Support Clinton-Sanders!!!!!
I lived in Burlington 25 years and helped advertise Bernie's fight
for phones for the poor. (i was a republican.) Moved back to Vermont 22 years later and Bernie was still fighting for the people!
Hillary can win; how about Bernie for Vice President. It doesn't get any better than that.
i do not think that the Kochs could beat them.
Support Clinton-Sanders!!!!!
6