In 1968, not being able to stomach Hubert Humphrey, I threw my vote away on Eldridge Cleaver. And we got Nixon. In 1972, I worked and voted for McGovern. And we got Nixon. Sander's fans may feel feel Hillary is evil but, if it comes down to her and Trump or Cruz or Rubio, she is, by far, the lesser of 2 evils. To Sanders fans who feel they can sit this one out if Hillary is the nominee, I have one thought: who do you want making Supreme Court nominations, Hillary or Cruz?
43
“ How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?”
This question really echoes my hesitation with Bernie! And I think that all #whichhillary contributors ought to ask themselves the same question.
I DON’T KNOW HIM. And I don’t know of anyone who can share a single memorable experience or encounter, shared with Bernie with regard to race & inequality. He doesn’t get to get FREE VOTES just because we are still mad about Clinton’s remarks from decades ago.
He doesn’t get to have a pass (specifically with the black vote), simply because he’s the ‘other candidate’. We must confront the fact that he has ZERO record on championing our issues. Where was he when Ferguson happened? Did he make any remarks following Trayvonne Martin’s death? Where HAS HE BEEN?
Clinton’s mistakes don’t give him free reign. They don’t remove the need for accountability on his part. He doesn’t get to get the black vote simply because ‘we hate’ what H. Clinton said. Remarks relating to a bill that Sanders actually voted for by the way!
Thank you for this great article Sir.
This question really echoes my hesitation with Bernie! And I think that all #whichhillary contributors ought to ask themselves the same question.
I DON’T KNOW HIM. And I don’t know of anyone who can share a single memorable experience or encounter, shared with Bernie with regard to race & inequality. He doesn’t get to get FREE VOTES just because we are still mad about Clinton’s remarks from decades ago.
He doesn’t get to have a pass (specifically with the black vote), simply because he’s the ‘other candidate’. We must confront the fact that he has ZERO record on championing our issues. Where was he when Ferguson happened? Did he make any remarks following Trayvonne Martin’s death? Where HAS HE BEEN?
Clinton’s mistakes don’t give him free reign. They don’t remove the need for accountability on his part. He doesn’t get to get the black vote simply because ‘we hate’ what H. Clinton said. Remarks relating to a bill that Sanders actually voted for by the way!
Thank you for this great article Sir.
27
Great analysis of the division and difference in the Black voter bloc. If anyone knows anything about the US, it's that our country is "huuuuuuuuuuge," and geography plays a very important role in ideology and history.
In the North, there is a more progressive, unconventional, and even aggressive approach to electoral politics and socioeconomic issues among the Black voting bloc. The North, especially the Midwest, is known for its 'whiteness' but heavily concentrated poverty geographically and along racial/ethnic lines. Interestingly, there is not a strong "Black identity" seen in the churches, Civil Rights Movement, or lead by old guard leaders, leaving room for the young to be involved and much of the work operating in organizations.
The Southern Black voting bloc seems to always have been more conservative on issues across the board (economy, gay rights, sexual reproductive rights) although they are more comfortable with Black culture/history and 'following' authority under Black leaders from the Civil Rights era.
So is it a surprise to see that Sanders has a large following the North among Blacks than the South? The agressiveness and willingness to adopt so called 'white progressive values' seems to show a political identity that challenges, while in the South, it seems almost, the Black voting block leads with caution and rallies behind Clinton.
In the North, there is a more progressive, unconventional, and even aggressive approach to electoral politics and socioeconomic issues among the Black voting bloc. The North, especially the Midwest, is known for its 'whiteness' but heavily concentrated poverty geographically and along racial/ethnic lines. Interestingly, there is not a strong "Black identity" seen in the churches, Civil Rights Movement, or lead by old guard leaders, leaving room for the young to be involved and much of the work operating in organizations.
The Southern Black voting bloc seems to always have been more conservative on issues across the board (economy, gay rights, sexual reproductive rights) although they are more comfortable with Black culture/history and 'following' authority under Black leaders from the Civil Rights era.
So is it a surprise to see that Sanders has a large following the North among Blacks than the South? The agressiveness and willingness to adopt so called 'white progressive values' seems to show a political identity that challenges, while in the South, it seems almost, the Black voting block leads with caution and rallies behind Clinton.
6
Interesting, that this column appeared on the same day as the NYT published a map of the US showing parts of the country where the Great Recession rages on. The south--to be precise, the southeast--has the greatest number of distressed local economies and the fewest areas where recovery is well-established. It really will be interesting to see how the two Democratic candidates fare, especially since Hillary spent so many years in one of the most consistently distressed states. Will they view her as one of the reasons? Will Bernie's messages resonate, or will southerners be put off by his identity as a Socialist? It seems to me that the greatest outrage over Communism comes out of the south, and a lot of people can't tell the difference, or see Socialism as a gatekeeper persuasion on the way to becoming a minion of the Red Menace.
I am talking for the most part about white Southerners, with whom I am most familiar. I'll look to you, Charles, for insights into how black Southerners are thinking about the Democratic race.
I am talking for the most part about white Southerners, with whom I am most familiar. I'll look to you, Charles, for insights into how black Southerners are thinking about the Democratic race.
4
Black folks are as able as their white counterparts when it comes to voting against their own economic interests.
22
How about a ticket of Clinton/Sanders. That way, the age issue is not an issue, we get a woman president, and the Bern can act as a moral compass for the President somewhat as Joe Biden has done for Barack Obama. Oh, by the way, this ticket would be pretty tough to defeat and might also carry the Senate and House and give the United States a chance to get back on course to its best ideals rather than its lowest common denominators.
15
Over and over Bernie supporters are claiming the south doesn't matter, because Republicans always win it.
Psst... Florida. Think about it.
Psst... Florida. Think about it.
15
African Americans in the South seem to have internalized the sense that they are outsiders in America and that America, despite what it describes about it's principles and way of life, is just a continuation of the old antebellum South with few white rich people ruling over a de facto oligarchical state, a country that is based upon both white supremacy and a ruling class of extremely rich white men. Therefore, Bernie Sanders is just another crazy person who thinks that he lives in a free country.
6
Charles,
Hillary is less of a democrat than Obama. Sanders is a real democrat. Hillary will co-opt Bernie's policies to try and win, but everyone knows that she will "turncoat" the minute she becomes president. You can dress her up anyway you want but she is a Corporatist Republican as with the majority of senators calling themselves democrats. What is called the Republican party is just the other aspect of a one party system in which the charade is to create the illusion of opposition so that the unmitigated power grab that kicked in full throttle after 2008 can continue unabated. Bernie is clarifying this for the voters and they are waking up.
Hillary is less of a democrat than Obama. Sanders is a real democrat. Hillary will co-opt Bernie's policies to try and win, but everyone knows that she will "turncoat" the minute she becomes president. You can dress her up anyway you want but she is a Corporatist Republican as with the majority of senators calling themselves democrats. What is called the Republican party is just the other aspect of a one party system in which the charade is to create the illusion of opposition so that the unmitigated power grab that kicked in full throttle after 2008 can continue unabated. Bernie is clarifying this for the voters and they are waking up.
35
Limited employment opportunities, inadequate economic growth to provide either enough jobs nor a fair share of the productivity produced by workers, and unaffordable educational opportunities for middle and low income people are the greatest blocks to the improvement of the lives of African Americans who are living in poverty, just as it is for all Americans who are living in poverty. Does anyone really think that the conditions in which rural Southern African Americans are that makes them impoverished can only be corrected by candidates who sympathize specifically with that group and have visited their communities? I guess so. Clinton is unlikely to push to raise taxes to make education available to all. Clinton will not compel Wall Street investors to invest in America before they invest in foreign countries. Clinton will sympathize but actions will alienate a lot of establishment support that has no reason to help alleviate the conditions of poorer Americans if it mean foregoing substantial material gains for themselves.
14
I believe that Sanders understands very well the disadvantages he faces: age, religion, race, ideology, voter recognition etc, but the important thing is to finally put the real issues front and center that are adversely affecting the vast majority of Americans and try to finally do something about them.
27
It is mystifying that the NY Times would run a campaign offering a deep discounts for new subscribers while at the same time alienating potential new subscribers by pursuing an editorial policy that shuns the choice of most Democrats in favor of the establishment candidate.
26
This column is right on target. Sanders does not have much of a profile at all in the south, while the Clintons have worked these communities for decades. Will it matter? who can tell? The black vote is not monolithic, and no, they don't love to be told what they "should" do.
The right wing is very powerful, and extremists are ascendant. It may look like they are falling apart if you're in NYC, but they run the show down here. 25 states in our nation have Republican supermajorities. That is our political reality. Many of us are already living the nightmare.
Congress is controlled by Republicans, and the extremists can bend the other GOPers to their will. Whoever gets elected, that's the world they will live in. Whether it's Hillary or Bernie, they will have to compromise if they wish to accomplish something rather than nothing.
The Clintons are wily strategists, they fight hard, and they don't quit. Down here, that's not weakness.
I see both Hillary and Bernie as having strong negatives. But in watching the debates, I've found their debates to be intelligent and focussed on issues. Meanwhile, the Republican debates are like food fights at the monkey house. So either Democratic candidate will get my vote in November.
At the end of the primaries we will have to abandon the circular firing squad and start training our fire on the Republican candidate--Trump, I guess. Start getting ready for that day, because it's only a few months away.
The right wing is very powerful, and extremists are ascendant. It may look like they are falling apart if you're in NYC, but they run the show down here. 25 states in our nation have Republican supermajorities. That is our political reality. Many of us are already living the nightmare.
Congress is controlled by Republicans, and the extremists can bend the other GOPers to their will. Whoever gets elected, that's the world they will live in. Whether it's Hillary or Bernie, they will have to compromise if they wish to accomplish something rather than nothing.
The Clintons are wily strategists, they fight hard, and they don't quit. Down here, that's not weakness.
I see both Hillary and Bernie as having strong negatives. But in watching the debates, I've found their debates to be intelligent and focussed on issues. Meanwhile, the Republican debates are like food fights at the monkey house. So either Democratic candidate will get my vote in November.
At the end of the primaries we will have to abandon the circular firing squad and start training our fire on the Republican candidate--Trump, I guess. Start getting ready for that day, because it's only a few months away.
20
This may sound like heresy but perhaps Bernie Sanders doesn't need to win the Southern states. Perhaps his path to the nomination and his coalition is a different one. He is drawing independent voters, Democrats who had left the fold, and huge numbers of millennials and college students.
He also apparently split the Hispanic vote with Hillary in Nevada (the campaigns are still arguing about who won Latinos.) It's clear younger Latino voters were in Bernie's corner.
His campaign team recognizes his path to the nominations runs through different states than Hillary's and is moving to capitalize on that.
Given Bernie is polling even or slightly ahead in national polls I'd say we have a long Democratic primary season ahead however many super delegates Hillary gathers. The Democratic Party establishment and its surrogates should be wary of appearing too biased.
He also apparently split the Hispanic vote with Hillary in Nevada (the campaigns are still arguing about who won Latinos.) It's clear younger Latino voters were in Bernie's corner.
His campaign team recognizes his path to the nominations runs through different states than Hillary's and is moving to capitalize on that.
Given Bernie is polling even or slightly ahead in national polls I'd say we have a long Democratic primary season ahead however many super delegates Hillary gathers. The Democratic Party establishment and its surrogates should be wary of appearing too biased.
22
A single article mentioning Sanders today in the NY Times. And that article tells southern African Americans they should vote for Clinton because nobody should tell them how to vote. Pathetic.
A voter for Clinton is a vote for moderate Republican policies, because Clinton differs from moderate Republicans in name only.
The polls I've read on other news websites show Sanders would do better against Trump than Clinton would. That makes sense because people are fed up with congress people and presidents from both parties engaging in a war on the middle class.
A voter for Clinton is a vote for moderate Republican policies, because Clinton differs from moderate Republicans in name only.
The polls I've read on other news websites show Sanders would do better against Trump than Clinton would. That makes sense because people are fed up with congress people and presidents from both parties engaging in a war on the middle class.
33
Charles you are missing the point - just what are Hillary's qualifications - please spare us by pointing out Scty. of State, and please spare us by pointing out NY State Senator, both positions were equally vilified by a person totally out of her/his depth and unwilling to make a personal contribution. After all why should she, knowing she would be up for coronation in 2016, The middle class have awaken, know the 'happy face' she presents is as false as her character and persona!
21
Clinton's a way better snake-oil salesman than Sanders. Sanders has been a leader in advocating and legislating on issues that specifically benefit the underprivileged in our society for his whole career. Clinton has been traveling around the south shaking hands and going to black churches talking in a fake southern drawl her whole career, knowing it could only help her personal ambition to power. (Not to mention help to draw attention away from her dismal record on issues relating to poverty and prison reform). I suppose we should now lament that Sanders wasn't more gratuitously opportunistic in the past, wasting time glad-handing instead of actually focusing on policy.
26
Because the faux-blonde, Goldwater-supporting baby boomer from suburban Chicago lived in the Guvnah's mansion in Little Rock, she's considered more "southern"--read more 'likable', 'relatable', or simply less untrustworthy--than the Brooklyn Jew from Vermont? I guess that makes some sort of sense.
Not because the south has been so kind to black voters and their ancestors, but rather--as you put it so well in your last column on the subject--because the devil you know. . .
Bernie has a problem: how to convince an element of the voting population that is central to his campaign goals to believe--against all cultural experience and evidence--that what he represents and intends to fight for will translate to real change in society at large, in the economic interests of African-American communities in general, and specifically in the improvement of minority life in the US as a whole.
Not possible.
No one on the other side can be trusted. Not happy about it, but for the time-being, Hillary's the best bet to keep us afloat and disaster-free.
Not because the south has been so kind to black voters and their ancestors, but rather--as you put it so well in your last column on the subject--because the devil you know. . .
Bernie has a problem: how to convince an element of the voting population that is central to his campaign goals to believe--against all cultural experience and evidence--that what he represents and intends to fight for will translate to real change in society at large, in the economic interests of African-American communities in general, and specifically in the improvement of minority life in the US as a whole.
Not possible.
No one on the other side can be trusted. Not happy about it, but for the time-being, Hillary's the best bet to keep us afloat and disaster-free.
7
Sir: Your logic and the one you impute onto Mr. Blow's is not to rock the boat and go with the candidate that will not at least make things worse. Hillary is that candidate for sure. But how about a candidate who is trying to go to the roots, the foundation, and yes, the causality of the problems that create the underclasses, the blatant racism that Mr. Blow constantly refers to in his articles and biographical book, the racism that makes his Yalie insecure when he even sees a law enforcement office in the elite New Haven campus. Sanders wants to change the United States into a fair, happy society where race, religious affiliation, hair-do's, pre-existing conditions don't matter. Do you understand that? Can you understand that?
16
If Hillary is the Democrats' candidate, I'll be voting Green. Even against Trump or Cruz I could not view her as the lesser of the evils. Reagan would have loved to have trashed the welfare system and to have deregulated the banks, but he couldn't get it done. The Clintons were able to accomplish both. Perhaps the Republicans are more crazy than the Clintons, but the Clinton's manage to accomplish worse deeds than can the Republicans. If Hillary is the Democrats' candidate, I'll have to cast my vote for the Greens. I cannot accept an argument that Hillary is the lesser of the evils. In terms of accomplishments, the Clintons have gotten more harmful things done. Hillary is a self-proclaimed pragmatic progressive who knows how to get regressive things done. I'd rather have Jill Stein appoint the next Supreme Court Justice.
27
Dear Che Beauchard:
Your choice to vote is a wise and thoughtful alternative. No need to go off the deep end and cast a vote of spite by voting Trump, a bona fide nut case. I never knew the Clintons by themselves destroyed the welfare system and the deregulated the banking system to boot. That would engender them with power beyond anything a free-marketer could come up with.
It seems you're convinced anything Hubby Bubba did during his tenure is also the fault of his wife. You must assume they are attached at the hip, except of course, when Bill was in the Oval Office engaged in some late-night dictation with his intern. It sure is something how much we know about this couple. Most of it is filled with suspicion, innuendo, rumor, somehow all that is bad in the world can be attributed to them. Is there any couple in this country as evil as they? I can't think of one.
But I also find it hard to believe all that is wrong with the world can be the fault of Bill and Hill. Being as old codger whose politics goes back a half century, I can't recall JFK's Bay of Pigs, LBJ's Vietnam, Nixon's Watergate, Reagan's Iran-Contra, Bush's Iraq incursion, and Obama caving in to the GOP on the PPACA as horrendous as the shenanigans concocted by Bill and Hill.
I'll be voting for Hill in April and November. Good luck with Jill Stein. May it keep your conscience clear and free of claiming any responsibility for who actually becomes president. Don't blame me, I didn't vote for..
DD
Manhattan
Your choice to vote is a wise and thoughtful alternative. No need to go off the deep end and cast a vote of spite by voting Trump, a bona fide nut case. I never knew the Clintons by themselves destroyed the welfare system and the deregulated the banking system to boot. That would engender them with power beyond anything a free-marketer could come up with.
It seems you're convinced anything Hubby Bubba did during his tenure is also the fault of his wife. You must assume they are attached at the hip, except of course, when Bill was in the Oval Office engaged in some late-night dictation with his intern. It sure is something how much we know about this couple. Most of it is filled with suspicion, innuendo, rumor, somehow all that is bad in the world can be attributed to them. Is there any couple in this country as evil as they? I can't think of one.
But I also find it hard to believe all that is wrong with the world can be the fault of Bill and Hill. Being as old codger whose politics goes back a half century, I can't recall JFK's Bay of Pigs, LBJ's Vietnam, Nixon's Watergate, Reagan's Iran-Contra, Bush's Iraq incursion, and Obama caving in to the GOP on the PPACA as horrendous as the shenanigans concocted by Bill and Hill.
I'll be voting for Hill in April and November. Good luck with Jill Stein. May it keep your conscience clear and free of claiming any responsibility for who actually becomes president. Don't blame me, I didn't vote for..
DD
Manhattan
13
Dear C. Beauchard:
A second thought here; I'll vote for Hillary in November. She cleans Trump's clock sending him back to lick his wounds in his garish golden penthouse Tower. Then, and here's where it gets good, I write an actual letter to President H. Clinton suggesting she nominate President Obama to the Supreme Court and a very capable and competent Jill Stein Sec. of Health. How's that for reaching political compromise and making the government work for us?
DD
Manhattan
A second thought here; I'll vote for Hillary in November. She cleans Trump's clock sending him back to lick his wounds in his garish golden penthouse Tower. Then, and here's where it gets good, I write an actual letter to President H. Clinton suggesting she nominate President Obama to the Supreme Court and a very capable and competent Jill Stein Sec. of Health. How's that for reaching political compromise and making the government work for us?
DD
Manhattan
13
Lord Charles, I liked your article, its politically correct, request you to do deeper analysis on couple of issues
Campaign contributions - HRC has got donations from Goldman Sachs (resulted in repealing Glass Steagall Act), Private-for profit prisons (leading to mass incarcerations), Priorities Action Super PAC (leading to NAFTA, TPP). If you report on this aspect alone, we can make our democracy stronger.
Civil rights and healthcare - Bernie Sanders has worked entire life for civil rights (opposing segregation) and advocating for universal healthcare for all Americans (currently its only for elites)
I am humbled by 4 million everyday Americans contributing to Bernie's campaign.
Campaign contributions - HRC has got donations from Goldman Sachs (resulted in repealing Glass Steagall Act), Private-for profit prisons (leading to mass incarcerations), Priorities Action Super PAC (leading to NAFTA, TPP). If you report on this aspect alone, we can make our democracy stronger.
Civil rights and healthcare - Bernie Sanders has worked entire life for civil rights (opposing segregation) and advocating for universal healthcare for all Americans (currently its only for elites)
I am humbled by 4 million everyday Americans contributing to Bernie's campaign.
24
and dotn forget HRC spent time working as a campaign worker for Barry Goldwater in 1964, couldnt have been more further to the right. i truly hope that charles is correct and the african american "vote" is not monoplithic; the party establishment is pushing hard for nlacks to support the party line and their annointed candidate, but i am a little stunned that people of color do not hear Bernie's message against Income inequality, rigged opportunity, corrupt financial and political parties and not immediately recognize a message that directly describes the lives they have been living. at some point i truly hope black democrats vote for their futures and not because someone told them to vote for HRC.
9
Maybe it's still not too late to separate out the South, if it turns out in fact that its present as part of the whole proves so problematic to any form of consensus. I mean, who are we helping by trying the artificially balance such an unstable relationship? Aren't there enough problems in this world already without keeping the old ones around for nostalgia? Let Hillary run the south and Bernie the north, that seems only fair. Then let people choose where they want to live. Then we can all stop talking about moving to Canada that way.
4
"On policy, Hillary Clinton... keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues."
For those of us who suspect that Hillary-the-anointed will get the nod no matter how strongly we support Bernie, this is not a paltry consolation prize. I want Bernie's platform out there on the convention floor and it looks more and more like it will be!
For those of us who suspect that Hillary-the-anointed will get the nod no matter how strongly we support Bernie, this is not a paltry consolation prize. I want Bernie's platform out there on the convention floor and it looks more and more like it will be!
11
At this point in time, any overtures or trying to build bridges with the African- Americans would tantamount to pandering to get their votes. As you rightly point out African-Americans are not monolithic and differs with regards to problems, wealth, experiences, history and geography. As I see it the building of bridge has come too late.
4
One thing that is very telling is where Clinton and Sander's are campaigning today. Clinton is in South Carolina meeting with African American groups and voters and Sander's is holding big rallies in the Midwest and Northern states. Is that the kind of president Sander's would be? Seems to me that Sander's has calculated that he can't win with African Americans so he will go to his white constituents instead of making his case to a new demographic. Sander's owed South Carolina some respect by campaigning and meeting with voters in that state right up until the primary on Saturday.
37
RJS Sanders was involved in civil rights efforts long before Hillary, in the very early 1960' Sanders was arrested for protesting against segregation in 1963 he was there in the march on Washington,. where was Hillary this time?she was an ardent supporter of Goldwater who voted against the civil rights laws,yes she changed, was it heartfelt or just another finger to the wind and pplling that decides her positions. WAKE UP
17
Morgan- maybe you wake up too. Clinton was a young Republican back in her high school years. Some people actually change between that time and when they become politically active as an adult. Mr Sanders did what MANY of that generation did for Civil Rights. Then he made a career in Vermont and Clinton went on to work in the broader world of politics. Judge away.
11
As a black voter in the south I have several issues with Bernie Sanders. He is 74 years old and is running for president for the first time. He and his wife are worth at least 1.2 million dollars but keeps on attacking the rich of which he is a member. His wife received a $200,000.00 golden parachute from the last job she held and is under investigation. These are issues that not just I am concerned but many of my friends are concerned about as well. It also does not help his cause that John Lewis or the Congressional Black Caucus is given their support to Hilary Clinton. I do not remember seeing him at the 50 year anniversary of Blooding Sunday in Selma. Mr. Lewis has also said the Bernie Sanders was not at bloody Sunday when it happened over 50 years ago or with Dr. King. I do not trust him nor do any of my friends.
38
There is footage of Bernie getting arrested for his civil rights work. That's a pretty big sacrifice. Lewis, has since backtracked on his "didn't see him" comments and has said:
"The fact that I did not meet him in the movement does not mean I doubted that Sen. Sanders participated in the Civil Rights Movement, neither was I attempting to disparage his activism. Thousands sacrificed in the 1960s whose names we will never know, and I have always given honor to their contribution."
That's the problem with malice and rumors, is that they just keep going…and snowball into something completely inaccurate.
"The fact that I did not meet him in the movement does not mean I doubted that Sen. Sanders participated in the Civil Rights Movement, neither was I attempting to disparage his activism. Thousands sacrificed in the 1960s whose names we will never know, and I have always given honor to their contribution."
That's the problem with malice and rumors, is that they just keep going…and snowball into something completely inaccurate.
21
Sec'y. Clinton has some hurdles of her own. At the moment, a major one is that Sen. Sanders polls better against all the GOP contenders than she does. In addition, and this is anecdotal on my part, there are lots of "hold my nose and vote for Hillary" Democrats who are not Sanders supporters. I'd call that hurdle an "enthusiasm gap".
18
Anthony,
There are some progressives who can't pinch their noses tightly enough to vote for Hillary. I think I'm one, but we'll see.
Hillary would have helped her cause considerable if over the years she and Bill hadn't taken the "us first" attitude. Examples:
-- Let's get progressive, but let's first get rich.
-- After Bill's presidency, let's keep Hillary in Democratic politics by running her for the Senate, but let's do that in New York where being a Democrat is easy. Never mind that Democratic candidates are much more needed and could do more good if they represented a southern state, like Arkansas where she was First Lady.
There are some progressives who can't pinch their noses tightly enough to vote for Hillary. I think I'm one, but we'll see.
Hillary would have helped her cause considerable if over the years she and Bill hadn't taken the "us first" attitude. Examples:
-- Let's get progressive, but let's first get rich.
-- After Bill's presidency, let's keep Hillary in Democratic politics by running her for the Senate, but let's do that in New York where being a Democrat is easy. Never mind that Democratic candidates are much more needed and could do more good if they represented a southern state, like Arkansas where she was First Lady.
12
Sanders has faced zero opposition so far from the Republicans who would love for him to be the candidate. Hillary Clinton has had close to $1 billion spent in negative marketing against her by the Koch brothers.
A 74-year-old Socialist who has accomplished almost nothing in a few decades in Washington, who honeymooned in the USSR and has a son by a woman to whom he was never married, has proposed raising taxes a trillion dollars each year which economists say would cost the average American more than $10,000 each year, who wants universal health care from a Congress that has tried to repeal the ACA almost 60 times -- has zero chance in a general election. He has no appeal to minorities, and many women would prefer Clinton as would older voters.
This will hand the presidency to Trump.
A 74-year-old Socialist who has accomplished almost nothing in a few decades in Washington, who honeymooned in the USSR and has a son by a woman to whom he was never married, has proposed raising taxes a trillion dollars each year which economists say would cost the average American more than $10,000 each year, who wants universal health care from a Congress that has tried to repeal the ACA almost 60 times -- has zero chance in a general election. He has no appeal to minorities, and many women would prefer Clinton as would older voters.
This will hand the presidency to Trump.
16
Add to that is with her considerable baggage and connection to Wall Street and the influence of money, it could be her undoing in a head to head match against the Republicans. It was divulged recently that during the latter part of her husbands administration, when a bill was put forth under the heavy influence of the credit card industry that was designed to significantly restrict the ability to declare bankruptcy, Bill Clinton vetoed the bill and she, of course, enthusiastically supported his actions.
Later on when Hillary Clinton became the Senator from New York and the same bill was introduced, she voted FOR it. So much for her claim not to be influenced by Wall Streets money.
Later on when Hillary Clinton became the Senator from New York and the same bill was introduced, she voted FOR it. So much for her claim not to be influenced by Wall Streets money.
18
The Bernie-splaining many of the commenters here are doing to Southerners (of any and all colors) is nothing short of insulting. Feeling the need to explain to Southerners what is best for them plays into a long history of assuming they're stupid because they're from the South (which is also tied to stereotypes of being rural/poor/uneducated).
I am quite frankly fed up of hearing that if I only knew what was good for me, I'd vote for Bernie. Please. 90%+ of his proposals will never, ever get a hearing in this Republican-controlled Congress. And based on his own statements, I doubt Sanders will be willing to compromise with said Congress to get even portions of his agenda passed. He is proud of his refusal to compromise. Idealism may be a respected, desirable trait in the great humanists and activists of our time (Gandhi, MLK Jr), but it is NOT the best trait in people whose task is to ensure that government functions. That's what has gotten us into the political logjam we face now, where nothing gets done because one or more groups refuse to come together for a greater good.
So, please, stop Bernie-splaining to your Southern friends. Most of us are intelligent and perfectly capable of thinking for ourselves. Some of us just happen to think differently.
I am quite frankly fed up of hearing that if I only knew what was good for me, I'd vote for Bernie. Please. 90%+ of his proposals will never, ever get a hearing in this Republican-controlled Congress. And based on his own statements, I doubt Sanders will be willing to compromise with said Congress to get even portions of his agenda passed. He is proud of his refusal to compromise. Idealism may be a respected, desirable trait in the great humanists and activists of our time (Gandhi, MLK Jr), but it is NOT the best trait in people whose task is to ensure that government functions. That's what has gotten us into the political logjam we face now, where nothing gets done because one or more groups refuse to come together for a greater good.
So, please, stop Bernie-splaining to your Southern friends. Most of us are intelligent and perfectly capable of thinking for ourselves. Some of us just happen to think differently.
20
Then it seems, unfortunately, and once again people like yourself feel the status quo is acceptable.
8
No point in trying to communicate with the Bernie-Bots. Living in the South as I do, somehow the Bernie people think that other regions of the country other than the whitest part of the Northeast are not needed to win a general election.
They do not want anything to do with reality, or with the diversity of the country's demographics including in different regions.
They do not want anything to do with reality, or with the diversity of the country's demographics including in different regions.
11
Deus -- Why attack the commenter? Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion. I agree strongly with the commenter, and I actually live in the South (where I have already voted for Clinton). There are different ways to change the status quo, and some of us believe that Hillary Clinton has a more realistic plan.
9
How does it feel to be referred to as Hillary's "firewall?" Is it one step up from being identified as a super-predator?
By all means, everyone should vote his/her conscience and best interests; nevertheless, please look at the constancy of the candidates and of the underlying meaning of their platforms.
The Clintons, being lacking in any ethical center, are dividers of the electorate. Bill campaigned as a Democrat and then ruthlessly governed as a Republican, cutting deals left and right with the GOP that exported jobs, left black men disproportionately in prison and disenfranchised and put the poorest and most vulnerable among us into extreme poverty. Hillary supported that platform in all respects and she continues to this day to be late and slow to adopt important social stands that would benefit ALL poor and under-represented Americans. Like the $15/hour minimum wage; expansion of Social Security; clear commitment to reduced student debt and low or no-cost higher education. She also fails on environmental issues.
By way of contrast, Sanders is the rising tide that will raise ALL ships from the reef of trickle-down poverty and disenfranchisement. Sanders will not be throwing blacks or the elderly or immigrants under the bus so that he can cut deals with his profit-addicted puppet masters -- because he hasn't any pharmaceutical companies, insurance executives, media moguls, hedge fund managers or banks to report to.
The Clintons peddle influence for money.
By all means, everyone should vote his/her conscience and best interests; nevertheless, please look at the constancy of the candidates and of the underlying meaning of their platforms.
The Clintons, being lacking in any ethical center, are dividers of the electorate. Bill campaigned as a Democrat and then ruthlessly governed as a Republican, cutting deals left and right with the GOP that exported jobs, left black men disproportionately in prison and disenfranchised and put the poorest and most vulnerable among us into extreme poverty. Hillary supported that platform in all respects and she continues to this day to be late and slow to adopt important social stands that would benefit ALL poor and under-represented Americans. Like the $15/hour minimum wage; expansion of Social Security; clear commitment to reduced student debt and low or no-cost higher education. She also fails on environmental issues.
By way of contrast, Sanders is the rising tide that will raise ALL ships from the reef of trickle-down poverty and disenfranchisement. Sanders will not be throwing blacks or the elderly or immigrants under the bus so that he can cut deals with his profit-addicted puppet masters -- because he hasn't any pharmaceutical companies, insurance executives, media moguls, hedge fund managers or banks to report to.
The Clintons peddle influence for money.
27
Charles is starting to "Feel the Bern". Welcome aboard Charles.
14
Charles, you are 1 creative writer—I have to admire how you use words to spin variations on a theme. Fannie Lou Hamer talking back to Powell--what does that really have to do with this campaign?
Being 1st Lady of Arkansas back in the day means little. What are her intentions now? She is also a great spinner.
We're waiting for a list of what Hillary has actually done for minorities. Working for children and education is a generality. Sanders is right--today’s economic equality and well paying, secure jobs are the 1st basis for a just society. Candidates firmly tethered to big money can’t represent the majority. Since off shoring millions of jobs, corporate profits have soared, and wages are stuck.
Michelle Alexander and others wrote vividly about Bill’s policies that hurt minorities ---from job offshoring to prison/sentencing expansion, to financial deregulation setting up the pattern leading to the 08 crash, and the loss of home values for ordinary earners.
Imagine the families that got multiple hits from these policies--job gone to Mexico or China, male breadwinner in prison for low level drug offense, then loss of savings or home in the crash. Huge debt burdens from credit cards or loans for college or vocational schools. Many people could have suffered all these slings and arrows. Even the democrats couldn't protect them.
This is what the country has to reverse. Which candidate is most likely to do this? Relatives of former presidents?
Being 1st Lady of Arkansas back in the day means little. What are her intentions now? She is also a great spinner.
We're waiting for a list of what Hillary has actually done for minorities. Working for children and education is a generality. Sanders is right--today’s economic equality and well paying, secure jobs are the 1st basis for a just society. Candidates firmly tethered to big money can’t represent the majority. Since off shoring millions of jobs, corporate profits have soared, and wages are stuck.
Michelle Alexander and others wrote vividly about Bill’s policies that hurt minorities ---from job offshoring to prison/sentencing expansion, to financial deregulation setting up the pattern leading to the 08 crash, and the loss of home values for ordinary earners.
Imagine the families that got multiple hits from these policies--job gone to Mexico or China, male breadwinner in prison for low level drug offense, then loss of savings or home in the crash. Huge debt burdens from credit cards or loans for college or vocational schools. Many people could have suffered all these slings and arrows. Even the democrats couldn't protect them.
This is what the country has to reverse. Which candidate is most likely to do this? Relatives of former presidents?
10
The picture accompanying this piece shows Bernie laboriously walking down the flight of stairs, holding on to the side rails, and suggests that he will do well with stairlift to transport him up and down the stairs.
Are you suggestive selling that he is too old to want to be the president?
Are you suggestive selling that he is too old to want to be the president?
8
Mr. Blow: I would have thought that it is Black intellectuals like that would be among the most vocal supporters of Sanders and his cause. After having read your poignant words about the angst your Ivy-League enrolled son feels , afraid of being falsely arrested or worse just because the color of his skin, I am so surprised that you write they way you do now. Do you really feel under Hillary Clinton, the structural reasons that give rise to such conditions, that is, the chronic economic inequality that manifests itself in a growing income and wealth distribution skew that leaves so many of unfortunate in a bind. Do you think, Blacks will not benefit from universal health care, free public education from kindergarten through doctoral degrees, paid sick leave, decent minimum wages, decent public transportation, decent inner city infrastructure? Do you really believe the economic interests of people supporting Hillary Clinton would want to pay for all that through taxation of the top fifth of the income distribution? I don't think you are naïve. You are just content in what you have achieved for yourself and your family through hard work but don't want to risk anything to help those who haven't been as fortunate as you. Ta-Nehisi Coates very recently told the press that he is voting for Bernie after having conversations with his son, whom he wrote his wonderful book for. Maybe you should look him up and meet Father and Son for a coffee.
20
If blacks want to prove that they're not monolithic, and actually vote for their own best interests, and not because they're pandered to, they should vote for Sanders. His ideas are the only ones that will set them free.
10
Why not just call it for what it is: Southerners, including Southern blacks, have a hard time voting for a Northeastern Jew with a New York accent. Sanders is running into the same sort of impasse that Al Smith encountered as an Irish Catholic candidate in the South in 1928. Unfortunately bigotry continues to run every which way and people still have trouble seeing past surface differences to their own commonality of interests.
20
A fine, useful, insightful, nuanced column after the last two howlers. I was beginning to wonder if I should any longer bother to read Mr. Blow. Glad to see he's back in form, no longer carried away by feelings of the moment. This is good explaining without the foot-in-mouth "splaining" gaffe of the other week.
5
View from Australia- It would be nice to see restoration of democracy in the USA when citizens choose their next President and representatives in the Senate and Congress.
17
We're trying, but we have an electorate who prefer the status quo, to researching the candidate's track record.
6
Southerners have seen thousands of Sanders-types. They call them carpetbaggers, and there is no love lost.
8
Which is why the poorest states are the southern states.
9
Unfortunately, I doubt that you would find many with Bernies ideology currently originating in the South. The fact is, if he has good ideas that appeal to everyone, what is the difference where he comes from?
9
I can only find one of my comments from last night. Everyone was well thought out, on point, and polite. If you guys are going to blacklist me, let me know so I can stop wasting my time.
9
Why can I only find one of my comments? Every one of them was on point and polite. If you guys are going to blacklist me at least let me know so I can stop wasting my time.
10
Stop whining. They haven't posted my comment at all today.
But then, mine was not even very polite.
It's their website, they can post what they want. I respect that.
But then, mine was not even very polite.
It's their website, they can post what they want. I respect that.
3
Interesting article Mr Blow. One thing I would like to point out is you seem to make a little bit of a critique against Sanders for being not well known in the South despite being active in the civil rights movement. I think its important to keep in mind that institutional racism against Jews was very common in this country back then as well (eg in my city of Seattle Jews were prevented from owning property in large parts of the city due to racial covenents). So, while its true that he was fighting for rights for people of all races, he really didn't need to go to the South to fight racial injustice, including against Jews.
Second, I don't know if you can blame Sanders for the fact that he's not well known in the South. Our national media (of which the Times is a member) tends to move to silence voices like his when they're linked to terms like 'Socialism'. Despite that fact, he's not from the West where I live but he's been my favorite national politican for over 2 decades now, because there certainly are news sources that carry stories about him, they just can be hard to find sometimes (which imo is more due to bias on the part of national media outlets, like the Times, than it is on him personally).
Second, I don't know if you can blame Sanders for the fact that he's not well known in the South. Our national media (of which the Times is a member) tends to move to silence voices like his when they're linked to terms like 'Socialism'. Despite that fact, he's not from the West where I live but he's been my favorite national politican for over 2 decades now, because there certainly are news sources that carry stories about him, they just can be hard to find sometimes (which imo is more due to bias on the part of national media outlets, like the Times, than it is on him personally).
17
Young people don't vote. Whether or not they are on spring break is irrelevant. Turnout overall for the Democratic primaries is down, and Clinton is projected to easily win most of the Super Tuesday states = the Sanders message is not resonating.
9
They did in 2008, and 2012. And polls would suggest otherwise about whether Sanders message is resonating.
16
If his message isn't resonating, why is he leading the polls nationally against all opposition?
18
My kids couldn't wait to vote! And thus time around they mailed in their absentee ballots, for Bernie!
9
The Walter Mitty career of Mr. Sanders and his various dabbles in a 30year Non-Revolution from the hills of Vermont while serving in the US Senate, naming post offices, and staying pure as fresh maple syrup deserves as much scrutiny as anyone else. I guess he finally got the motor started to the Revolution once he was running for President, not before, for some reason. His smitten and thin-skinned supporters think everyone has an obligation to feel like them under pain of their shunning, which seems pretty welcome at this point. They have the fire of converts and paid writers. The rest of us have to look at his record, his ability to DO something, not just TALK.
15
Your observations are patently false. If you look at videos of Bernie, you will see him fighting for the exact same things 25 years ago, that he is now. Hillary has a record of doing something, which has mostly to do with wars, being against gay marriage and taking donations from corporations. Bernie has NOT been involved in any of that. It depends what's important to you.
12
Kay:
"Despite the fact that the most right-wing Republicans in a generation controlled the House of Representatives between 1994 and 2006, the member who passed the most amendments during that time was not a right-winger like Bob Barr or John Boehner. The amendment king was, instead, Bernie Sanders."
I've tried several times to post the link to this. If you care to actually do research, you can find it easily enough. Just type: Bernie gets it done in google.
"Despite the fact that the most right-wing Republicans in a generation controlled the House of Representatives between 1994 and 2006, the member who passed the most amendments during that time was not a right-winger like Bob Barr or John Boehner. The amendment king was, instead, Bernie Sanders."
I've tried several times to post the link to this. If you care to actually do research, you can find it easily enough. Just type: Bernie gets it done in google.
8
An actual nought full and incite full piece from Mr. Blow. A fascinating analysis regarding northern vs southern black politics. Although I do fear Charle's age may be showing a bit. The South is not what he remembers from the days of marches. It is by and large far more integrated and less monolithic then the North. Southern blacks are more than capable of drawing their own conclusions about a candidate regardless of the candidates geographic point of origin. They just don't like the NYT dictating who they should vote for based on their skin color.
Mr. Blow does avoid the two elephants in the room though. Turnout, and Trump. Hillary has a large problem with both. What good does winning the Black vote do even in SC, if Black turnout falls to levels of 2010 or 2014, and Bernie dominates every other demographic? While the average black voter may prefer Hillary over Bernie at the end of the day they both remain the whitest white people in any room.
And that's where we come to the never spoken of X factor. Trump. Has anybody been paying attention to the interest levels of Trump in the actual black community? Not the talking heads. Not the media elites. Actual working class blacks. Black males. The people most directly impacted by uncontrolled immigration taking jobs and depressing wages, and poorly thought out trade policies sending work overseas? Yeah when they say that 20% of Dem's are swinging to Trump, it's not just White Blue Collar Men.
Mr. Blow does avoid the two elephants in the room though. Turnout, and Trump. Hillary has a large problem with both. What good does winning the Black vote do even in SC, if Black turnout falls to levels of 2010 or 2014, and Bernie dominates every other demographic? While the average black voter may prefer Hillary over Bernie at the end of the day they both remain the whitest white people in any room.
And that's where we come to the never spoken of X factor. Trump. Has anybody been paying attention to the interest levels of Trump in the actual black community? Not the talking heads. Not the media elites. Actual working class blacks. Black males. The people most directly impacted by uncontrolled immigration taking jobs and depressing wages, and poorly thought out trade policies sending work overseas? Yeah when they say that 20% of Dem's are swinging to Trump, it's not just White Blue Collar Men.
2
This column illustrates why Trump might be the next president and why Democrats have such trouble getting elected in the states. Without welfare reform and the crime bill there would virtually no chance of Democrats winning the White House. How many Americans are willing to use their earning to fund people not to work? Crime was running rampant since the late sixties into the nineties. It is nice now to know crime was going to go down but at the time crime and fear of crime was one of the greatest issues of the day.
3
I would say there may be one more factor in Ms Clinton's favor in the South, the fact that she is female and a mother. Black females have been the pillars of their families, the ones that make sure the bills are paid, their kids go to school and get fed. Like in third world countries where small loans are given to mothers to better their families lives, the women are more successful in paying back the loans and making the business endeavor prosper. So I say blacks may relate more to a woman who says she has their best interest at heart. Nothing against fathers here, they are critical in raising children. But statistics show that many women raise kids on their own, and those kids trust mom a lot.
11
Does the free man create the free economy? Or the free economy creates the free man?
Sanders wants to liberate the economy from the crony Politicians that work for their Super pac financial backers. Only then can people have a fair chance and live like a free man.
Sanders wants to liberate the economy from the crony Politicians that work for their Super pac financial backers. Only then can people have a fair chance and live like a free man.
18
It will be interesting to see what happens at the Democratic convention if Clinton has the most delegates because of the "Supers" but looses the popular vote and matches up poorly against Trump and/or Rubio.
6
Wouldn't it not be ironic if the Black vote in Southern states is the boost Clinton needs to secure the nomination while those same Southern states insure that she does not get elected.
All the importance given to democratic primaries in the South do not balance the fact that Southern states are not going to vote for a Democrat for the White House.
All the importance given to democratic primaries in the South do not balance the fact that Southern states are not going to vote for a Democrat for the White House.
13
Perhaps voters from both north and south remember that Hillary called President Obama an empty suit during her primary contests with him. Perhaps voters from both north and south remember how Hillary called candidate Obama's idea naive and pie-in-the-sky. Perhaps voters from both north and south will wonder why Hillary is suddenly tying her campaign to Obama's success while pledging to continue pushing his achievements.
Obama believed in the possibility of change. He achieved a great deal of progress in light of staunch Republican obstructionism and cynical blue dog Democrats. Now Sanders takes the torch from Obama. Hillary lacks the strength of her own convictions that is necessary to carry it.
Obama believed in the possibility of change. He achieved a great deal of progress in light of staunch Republican obstructionism and cynical blue dog Democrats. Now Sanders takes the torch from Obama. Hillary lacks the strength of her own convictions that is necessary to carry it.
23
Yesterday, I donated again to Bernie Sanders. I'm not giving up yet. I get to vote in my primary on March 1st. And where I live, in Western Mass, there are plenty of older people who are Bernie voters. We deserve the world and life Bernie Sanders is describing. Feeling the Bern.
22
One thing Mr. Blow mentions but only obliquely is Clinton Rules. When Senator Sanders changes his position on sensible gun legislation and specifically the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), he is seen as "evolving" even though he has been for this for over 10 years. However is Secretary Clinton changes a view, it is "triangulating" or a "poll tested" position. Thats the legacy of Richard Scaife.
4
The frequency of changing views has a lot to do with whether is it seen as evolving or triangulating.
9
Many of those who are commenting on this article seem to completely miss Mr. Blow's point. He is not advocating for Hillary Clinton. He is patiently explaining why she will win the South Carolina primary and probably win the southern states on Super Tuesday. Explanation is not justification! Explaining why Hillary will win this round of voting is not the same thing as saying that this will be a good thing.
4
Blow misses the bigger divide between black voters--the black middle class has become just as materialistic as the rest of us and, increasingly, abandoned its activist sensibilities or any notion of allegiance to poor black America. The tensions between the two sides, cited by more progressives like Kevin Alexander Grey, have been challenged recently by the fact that fully half of the black middle class has slipped back into poverty since 2008, helped little by the tokenist aspirations of Mr. Obama, and by the shocks that have coursed through the black body politic at recognition of just how racist the police and much of America still are toward them. We desperately need a new, more sophisticated politics of class to transcend these divides, not only to mend fences across black America but to reach the many hurting poor white Americans drawn--for lack of a coherent Dem party address to them--to Mr. Trump.
5
I believe, Ms. Clinton will win the nomination and ultimately the Presidency against Trump. I also believe that 'the establishment', will, also, therefore win.
Placing another plug in the steamer of an economically deprived and declining middle class.
I suspect the Sanders/Trump indicated consequences of 'the establishment' winning this election will be serious and written 5 to 10 years down the road.
Placing another plug in the steamer of an economically deprived and declining middle class.
I suspect the Sanders/Trump indicated consequences of 'the establishment' winning this election will be serious and written 5 to 10 years down the road.
2
I notice very few of the commenters here extolling Sanders actually live in the South. There are very different issues that people here deal with, from the lack of expansion of Medicaid to guns everywhere policies to systematic suppression of voters and the constantly more restrictive policies on women's health.
Hillary Sanders has a much stronger and long-term record on these issues. CHIPS alone has saved millions of children. Her record on women's rights is second to none. She has strongly supported gun control (unlike Sanders' many, many votes in favor of guns in national parks, on Amtrak, against the Brady Bill, against trigger locks, for immunity for guns' manufacturers).
Maybe Southerners are staring down the mouth of Republican madness much closer than Northerners are.
Fortunately, I already voted for Hillary Clinton in early voting. I will have plenty of company.
Hillary Sanders has a much stronger and long-term record on these issues. CHIPS alone has saved millions of children. Her record on women's rights is second to none. She has strongly supported gun control (unlike Sanders' many, many votes in favor of guns in national parks, on Amtrak, against the Brady Bill, against trigger locks, for immunity for guns' manufacturers).
Maybe Southerners are staring down the mouth of Republican madness much closer than Northerners are.
Fortunately, I already voted for Hillary Clinton in early voting. I will have plenty of company.
15
The author here says "How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?"
You might not know him because he has been a mayor, representative, and senator in Vermont. He has not run for national office.
You haven't seen him in the South because he lives in the North and you live in the South. Again, he has not been a candidate for national office before.
Hillary lived much of her life in the South, i.e. in Arkansas, so you are bound to be more familiar with her.
Where a presidential candidate has lived or worked is not a reasonable criterion on which to vote. Look at the relevant criteria like public service record, educational and work background, positions on the issues, clarity and honesty in communication, leadership skills, and character. If you do this, then I think you will come to the same conclusion as I have -- Bernie is a better candidate than Hillary.
You might not know him because he has been a mayor, representative, and senator in Vermont. He has not run for national office.
You haven't seen him in the South because he lives in the North and you live in the South. Again, he has not been a candidate for national office before.
Hillary lived much of her life in the South, i.e. in Arkansas, so you are bound to be more familiar with her.
Where a presidential candidate has lived or worked is not a reasonable criterion on which to vote. Look at the relevant criteria like public service record, educational and work background, positions on the issues, clarity and honesty in communication, leadership skills, and character. If you do this, then I think you will come to the same conclusion as I have -- Bernie is a better candidate than Hillary.
14
The vitriol and misinformation from the Sanders' camp is laughable were it not so destructive. Bernie VOTED FOR THE CRIME BILL! They use every available innuendo and deceit that Bernie sends out there, and then discuss the Clintons like Republicans do. He's such a king-hearted Gentleman. No, he carries deceit and sneaky innuendo to a new level. But be proud, as you indirectly elect Donald Trump.
10
Seen from some distance, it will take longer before the overwhelming power of money, of the Koch's (as a pars pro toto for anything conservative and greedy), the advance to a climate neutral economy, a fair chance for everybody in health care and education, will be effectuated, when Hillary Clinton will be your next president. I think that she wants those things too, but too little and too late. I have other fears too, Sanders getting defeated by Trump, for instance, but as long as it goes, Sanders is the better choice!
5
Sanders was involved in the civil rights effort long before Hillary,starting at a minimum in the early 1960's, being arrested for protesting segregation and attended the march on Washington in1963, where was Hillary at this time., she was an ardent supporter of Goldwater who voted against the civil rights laws of that era, she changed over time, hopefully it was heartfelt, as in contrast to many of her present positions which involve fingers to the wind and the result of polling, Sanders is steady in his outlook and positions. BTW 57 percent of Democrats do not trust her and almost 70 percent of independents think she is untrustworthy, so many of her answers are extremely calculating and weasily, i.e. the speech transcripts and so mush more, she says Obama received money from wall street, yes, for his campaign, not for speeches to wall street, another example of her dishonesty.
6
"On policy, Hillary Clinton, at least in her public appearances, keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues."
1
One thing that confounds me among the infinite criticisms of Hillary Clinton is that she changes her positions. Two questions:
1) Don't we want leaders who listen to and are guided by their constituents, rather than ideologues?
2) Don't we want leaders who aren't too proud to learn from us?
I do.
1) Don't we want leaders who listen to and are guided by their constituents, rather than ideologues?
2) Don't we want leaders who aren't too proud to learn from us?
I do.
8
While someone can change their opinion on certain issues, their base principles shouldn't change. Sanders has had the same philosophy for over 50 years. Contrast that with Hillary who started out as a Goldwater Girl, and eventually became a Republican-In-Dem-Clothing along with her husband, as they implemented policies that harmed the working and middle class. Now Hillary says she's for those she worked against, but she's still taking money from Wall St. and Big Pharma and other groups that are opposed to the improvement of working people. I call that pandering, and she won't "learn" anything from us until after she's defeated yet again.
12
It is a little unnerving to see "progressive" journalists fighting the good fight for the status quo.
One might almost suspect that they are in essence saying "I have a great life right now, and I don't want to risk it - let's just keep things the way they are".
One might almost suspect that they are in essence saying "I have a great life right now, and I don't want to risk it - let's just keep things the way they are".
10
It's actually sad that we can contrast MLK's "I have a dream!" with HRC's "I have half a dream!"
8
The 94 crime bill was abhorrent. But it is not responsible for the rise in incarceration. That bill only dealt with federal prisons and the trend of post 94 was the same as pre 94. The growth in prison population was at the state level. So let's not conflate the two things.
3
It is apparent that Sanders is clueless and out of his element with Black Americans from his offensive pandering to his dismal interactions with BLM and his failure to hire Black Advisors on his senate staff.
It is revealing as well to note no elected Black leaders in Vermont support or endorse Sanders. Sanders patronizing posturing will never carry any weight with Black Americans in any region of America nor will ancient photos of his obligatory civil rights efforts.
It is revealing as well to note no elected Black leaders in Vermont support or endorse Sanders. Sanders patronizing posturing will never carry any weight with Black Americans in any region of America nor will ancient photos of his obligatory civil rights efforts.
8
Two weeks ago, Mr. Blow accused Sanders supporters of racially tinged condescension to African Americans. (“Stop Bernie-Splaining to Black Voters,” February 10) Here he repeats the allegation, this time having to do with Southerners generally: “Southerners…don’t want to be told, ‘Once you just learn about Bernie, you’ll like him and realize he’s the best candidate for you.’”
According to Mr. Blow, this attitude pops up all the time on his Facebook; but, in fact, there is little sign of it there, nor in the posts of Sanders supporters to his columns.
What can Mr. Blow’s motivation be for alleging something obviously untrue? The purpose appears to be to drive a wedge between the Sander’s camp and African Americans – making African Americans distrust Sanders supporters, and silencing pro-Sanders voices fearful of being accused of condescension.
Impugning Sanders advocates in this way is unscrupulous, it exploits racial tensions, and it undermines free speech.
According to Mr. Blow, this attitude pops up all the time on his Facebook; but, in fact, there is little sign of it there, nor in the posts of Sanders supporters to his columns.
What can Mr. Blow’s motivation be for alleging something obviously untrue? The purpose appears to be to drive a wedge between the Sander’s camp and African Americans – making African Americans distrust Sanders supporters, and silencing pro-Sanders voices fearful of being accused of condescension.
Impugning Sanders advocates in this way is unscrupulous, it exploits racial tensions, and it undermines free speech.
13
You mention in passing that Sanders voted for the 1994 crime bill. Yes he should "own" that vote. But the reality is that he voted for it largely because it contained an assault weapons ban and violence against women provisions. He was vocally concerned about other aspects of the bill that led to over-incarceration, disproportionately of blacks. This video of his speech on the floor of the House proves it. Sometimes it is important to explore the nuances of votes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnZjZ8CstwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnZjZ8CstwI
13
Sorry Charles, I have taken to going right to your commenters and avoid reading your column since it's so predictable.
I'm pretty sure though that your opinion says something to the effect that the former senator from New York, of all places, has lots more in common with the Southeasterners...probably by virtue of once residing in Arkansas...so many, many years ago. Doubtful that she experienced the same life as the common folk there though, what with being a lawyer and governor's wife and all.
I'm not sure what has blinded you Mr. Blow to the facts that Senator Sanders causes and integrity would benefit you as well as your fellow African-Americans much more than Clinton...she of the Super-Predator labeling.
Spike Lee has done his homework, and he knows about Bernie fighting for the rights of African-Americans in the early 60's..getting arrested and marching with Dr. King. And did so with no benefit to himself.
The Clinton dynasty, on the other hand, passed laws establishing more prisons and making it easier to incarcerate blacks for lengthier periods. Add to that the Clinton welfare reform.
Please tell me what exactly did the Clintons do to help our black citizens, and why aren't they better off now than during the Clinton days?
Bernie Sanders wants to be president because he cares about people.
Hillary Clinton cares about people because she wants to be president.
I'm pretty sure though that your opinion says something to the effect that the former senator from New York, of all places, has lots more in common with the Southeasterners...probably by virtue of once residing in Arkansas...so many, many years ago. Doubtful that she experienced the same life as the common folk there though, what with being a lawyer and governor's wife and all.
I'm not sure what has blinded you Mr. Blow to the facts that Senator Sanders causes and integrity would benefit you as well as your fellow African-Americans much more than Clinton...she of the Super-Predator labeling.
Spike Lee has done his homework, and he knows about Bernie fighting for the rights of African-Americans in the early 60's..getting arrested and marching with Dr. King. And did so with no benefit to himself.
The Clinton dynasty, on the other hand, passed laws establishing more prisons and making it easier to incarcerate blacks for lengthier periods. Add to that the Clinton welfare reform.
Please tell me what exactly did the Clintons do to help our black citizens, and why aren't they better off now than during the Clinton days?
Bernie Sanders wants to be president because he cares about people.
Hillary Clinton cares about people because she wants to be president.
17
So Bernie Sanders, who has been working on civil rights since the 1960s, doesn't have credibility on the issue because he didn't go to the South to do it? Yet, in this very column, you talk about Fannie Lou Hamer objecting to Adam Clayton Powell telling her delegation what to do because he had not grown up in the South? By your own logic, a New York Jew would have more credibility working on the issues where he lived at the time, rather than going to the South. You might also remember that when Bernie started working on these issues, many people didn't even think the North had a racial problem. Bernie should get credit for his life's work, and often being ahead of the curve.
13
Mr Blow- excellent piece. Personally I would resent Berniesplainin'. I cant understand Hillary's drive to be president, her resilience baffles me. I do not think any presidential candidate is without a huge ego with a touch of narcism- how else can anyone prevail?. The steady beat of media driven accusations from whitewater to filegate to monicagate to Benghazi and email- is just that. A really effective way to diminish the accused. She is the best candidate- of all them. She and Bernie have similar views on many things, in fact are more alike than different. The problem with Bernie is not his ideas, but the lack of a plan to implement these ideas.
6
Mr. Blow talks about Hillary's 'Southern roots,' and questions why Sanders is not well known in the South. I find that ironic, as no sooner was Bill Clinton out of office did the Clintons establish residency in NY State, and Hillary aggressively seek election as NY State Senator. If she were not married to the former President, who also conveniently established his Foundation there and not in Arkansas, what would her chances have been of being elected NYS Senator?
Let's be realistic about another fact. No one can deny that Hillary is smart and savvy, and qualified on many levels. But would she have ever been considered, less appointed, Secretary of State without having been married to Bill? What "foreign experience" did she have before that appointment?
It may not be her "Southern roots" at all, but rather the Bill connection and brilliant maneuvering on the part of the Clintons that has propelled her career beyond what she may have rightly qualified for on her own.
Let's be realistic about another fact. No one can deny that Hillary is smart and savvy, and qualified on many levels. But would she have ever been considered, less appointed, Secretary of State without having been married to Bill? What "foreign experience" did she have before that appointment?
It may not be her "Southern roots" at all, but rather the Bill connection and brilliant maneuvering on the part of the Clintons that has propelled her career beyond what she may have rightly qualified for on her own.
17
One only needs to read Michelle Alexander's book "The New Jim Crow" to discover how so many black lives suffered after Bill Clinton signed into law the Welfare Reform bill. Hillary during that time also referred to black children as "super predators." Just yesterday, while Hillary Clinton was giving a $500 a ticket fundraiser speech, she was interrupted by someone from "Black Lives Matter, carrying a big banner stating, "I am NOT a superpredator," It was pretty telling how Hillary handled her with great annoyance. Then upon having her escorted out the door, Hillary just turned around and said to her elite audience, "Now, back to the issues." Perhaps Charles Blow should pay a little more attention to Michelle Alexander’s accounts, more than Hillary’s who we all know has had a tenancy of over exaggerating her role in certain places!
14
It is a little unnerving to see "progressive" journalists fighting the good fight for the status quo.
One might almost suspect that they are in essence saying "I have a great life right now, and I don't want to risk it - let's just keep things the way they are".
One might almost suspect that they are in essence saying "I have a great life right now, and I don't want to risk it - let's just keep things the way they are".
5
Just when I had lost all hope of reading a rational, objective view of the Sanders campaign in comparison to the Clinton campaign in The New York Times – I read your article. Thank you.
So much of the Times' past reporting has been fatalistic about Bernie Sander's probability for success in the primaries. It seemed as if someone from Clinton's campaign was writing those articles.
However, you have written a cogent, objective, comparative analysis between "The Children of the Migration" and "the children of those that stayed behind" that provides the best context for understanding the dynamic between the two campaigns, and both sets of “children.”
It's the best analysis of the two different campaigns that I have read in the Times so far.
Bravo. And thank you again.
So much of the Times' past reporting has been fatalistic about Bernie Sander's probability for success in the primaries. It seemed as if someone from Clinton's campaign was writing those articles.
However, you have written a cogent, objective, comparative analysis between "The Children of the Migration" and "the children of those that stayed behind" that provides the best context for understanding the dynamic between the two campaigns, and both sets of “children.”
It's the best analysis of the two different campaigns that I have read in the Times so far.
Bravo. And thank you again.
If Hillary wins the nomination, it will be because southern Black voters chose to remain skeptical that Bernie’s proposals for Medicare-for-all and free college education will actually help them more than any policy proposals Democrats have ever put forward. If Hillary wins, it will be because black Democrats voted against their own best interests, just what we’ve been accusing white Republicans of doing for the last three decades.
If Bernie wins, it means that enough white Democrats are tired of the continued level of injustice and unfairness of our health care system and other aspects of our economy and are tired of the incremental approach to change that Hillary represents. Raise the minimum wage? Yeah sure, but let’s only raise it to $12.
People on the Democratic side are tired of waiting for justice. On the Republican side, people are tired of hearing about how the conservative agenda is going to make everything better. How’d that work for Bush? or any of the other Republican candidates besides Trump for that matter?
Hillary vs. Bernie = incremental change vs. revolution
Trump vs. Hillary = revolution vs. incremental change
Trump vs. Bernie = revolution to divide vs. revolution to unite for more justice
The stakes are high.
If Bernie wins, it means that enough white Democrats are tired of the continued level of injustice and unfairness of our health care system and other aspects of our economy and are tired of the incremental approach to change that Hillary represents. Raise the minimum wage? Yeah sure, but let’s only raise it to $12.
People on the Democratic side are tired of waiting for justice. On the Republican side, people are tired of hearing about how the conservative agenda is going to make everything better. How’d that work for Bush? or any of the other Republican candidates besides Trump for that matter?
Hillary vs. Bernie = incremental change vs. revolution
Trump vs. Hillary = revolution vs. incremental change
Trump vs. Bernie = revolution to divide vs. revolution to unite for more justice
The stakes are high.
9
How many people are in Vermont ?
Clinton leads most state by state polls by double digits, but somehow is only up single digits nationally ?
Clinton leads most state by state polls by double digits, but somehow is only up single digits nationally ?
1
Even those single digits could vaporize..
5
Regardless of how any of us feel about this opinion piece, thanks Mr. Blow for allowing comments. This is the first intelligent forum I've seen on this topic without any name calling. Finally we can all agree to disagree in harmony. PS there is nothing more frustrating than to read an opinion piece on the NYT and not be able to comment!
3
Another piece that uses "proximity as causative" for the Hillary campaign. Remember Bernie won NH because it's next door to VT. (and Sarah Palin had foreign policy creds because Alaska was next door to Russia.) Now from Charles Blow, a Clinton quisling, we get Clinton is better for Southern Blacks because she spent time there, and Bernie's not because he has no "Southern touchstones", whatever they might be. So maybe Strom Thurmond or George Wallace is our guy. Plenty of "stones" there. This argument is so devoid of an reasoning or substance that were it a high school essay it would get a D.
Nobody is telling any body in the south what to do. We are asking for thoughtful consideration based on past record and future policy. Seem like more than Charles Blow is willing to do.
Nobody is telling any body in the south what to do. We are asking for thoughtful consideration based on past record and future policy. Seem like more than Charles Blow is willing to do.
12
It doesn't matter who Hillary Clinton was referring to when she uttered the comment, “They are often the kinds of kids that are called ‘super-predators.’ No conscience, no empathy. We can talk about why they ended up that way, but first we have to bring them to heel.”
Definition of Bring to Heel: Force to obey, subjugate. For example, The prisoners were quickly brought to heel. This term transfers commanding a dog to come close behind its master to similar control over human beings or affairs. [Second half of 1800s]
Definition of Bring to Heel: Force to obey, subjugate. For example, The prisoners were quickly brought to heel. This term transfers commanding a dog to come close behind its master to similar control over human beings or affairs. [Second half of 1800s]
15
I appreciate this comment. Nice language parsing.
3
How can someone, who clearly has no empathy, suggest it doesn't exist in our children.
Oh, wait, she called them "Super-Predators", not children.
Oh, wait, she called them "Super-Predators", not children.
6
The Dem champion is picked in states they will never win in November...
Genius.
Hope Trump loves "hail to the chief"...
Genius.
Hope Trump loves "hail to the chief"...
3
It's fascinating watching the two democratic presidential candidates jump through hoops to prove their black bona-fides. It's like watching Trump clutch his bible to prove how Christian he is.
Unlike Evangelicals, however, blacks seem a lot more fickle. Their turnout is unreliable. They can only be relied upon to vote in record numbers when the candidate is black, as they did for Obama. Evangelicals, on the other hand, only stay home for a Mormon.
Unlike Evangelicals, however, blacks seem a lot more fickle. Their turnout is unreliable. They can only be relied upon to vote in record numbers when the candidate is black, as they did for Obama. Evangelicals, on the other hand, only stay home for a Mormon.
3
Can't we just wait and see? If Bernie does as well as I expect in the south, that will be that, and the commentary from a few NYT readers won't matter one way or the other. If southerners decide Bernie's plans will be acceptable to enough of their fellow Americans to risk running him against one of the Republicans, so be it.
1
If Sanders loses the nomination to Clinton, that’s the end of the agenda he represents and the effort to realign the party. The establishment will have met its greatest challenge, and quash what remains of protest: those on the margins of political engagement will drop back into irrelevancy, and the rest will fall in line behind Clinton. It will disappear from the Democratic mainstream without a trace, other than Sanders as the subject of a PBS documentary and his movement as the theme of doctoral dissertations. His supporters will tell anyone who’ll listen, for the rest of their lives, If only Sanders had been elected. In politics, you win, or lose: live, or die.
They’ll feel like black voters.
They’ll feel like black voters.
3
Wrong, wrong, wrong. The Bernie phenomenon, win or lose, has already swayed the conversation tremendously. It has energized many voters, esp the young. I will gladly support either Bernie or Hillary, whoever is the nominee. The movement dies only if those who are moved give up. And they need to stay energized during off-election years to keep Congress Democratic too. The biggest "if only" I see in recent years if is if only the Dems retained control of the House and Senate, Pres. Obama could have achieved much more. For one thing, his Supreme Court nominee to replace Scalia would be heard and voted on swiftly. Anyone who cares has to be in it for the long haul. As Dr. King said, "the moral arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice." We have to keep doing that bending, as long as it takes. And take every step, however small (including voting for Hillary instead of Trump), in that direction. The biggest "if only" we should fear coming up this year is "if only we'd kept the Republicans out of the White House." If that happens, everything progressives wish for will be immeasurably harder to achieve for decades to come.
4
Hillary is a Democrat in name only. She has the soul of a Republican, and would have done well, for true Democrats/Progessives, to switch parties before she could convince the less informed among Democratic voters that she is the inevitable candidate to represent them (while parroting Sanders' principles). Once she is safely seated in the White House (gawd forbid), there will be many disappointed Democrats bemoaning her assured slide back into Republican policies.
14
I find it rather ironic that Mr. Bow and other black leaders comments cannot seem to come to grips with the facts that much of the present day serious issues for the black community have come about because of the establishments unwillingness to wish to deal with them. In the case of the Republicans, they take the stand of ignoring the community because by and large, they do not vote for Republicans anyway.
Bernie Sanders is the only candidate for the last thirty years whom has talked continuously about the abnormal rate of incarceration of blacks in American jails and how the rigged nature of the government and the economy have significantly contributed to all of that. If one is young and cannot get a job, what would one expect? The problem is and always has been primarily economic and that should start to resonate with the black community whose unemployment rate among the youth is off the chart.
If anyone has noticed, when it comes to these particular important issues, so far, not a peep has come out of any of the Republican candidates. Surprised? They are too busy insulting each other anyway.
Bernie Sanders is the only candidate for the last thirty years whom has talked continuously about the abnormal rate of incarceration of blacks in American jails and how the rigged nature of the government and the economy have significantly contributed to all of that. If one is young and cannot get a job, what would one expect? The problem is and always has been primarily economic and that should start to resonate with the black community whose unemployment rate among the youth is off the chart.
If anyone has noticed, when it comes to these particular important issues, so far, not a peep has come out of any of the Republican candidates. Surprised? They are too busy insulting each other anyway.
13
Well Charles, in thinking about Hillary Clinton's rapport with black citizens, I keep in mind the wise conclusions of someone who wrote about the history of the New Deal jobs programs, versus those from the 1960's "War on Poverty,' and we could think of them as the universal vs the particular, the latter being seen as targeted to just black people in the urban ghettoes. His conclusion in "Long Range Public Investment" was that the universal programs targeting all those who want but can't find work is far better, less devisive, and that would be my answer as to where the black call for "reparations" should meet the "white" blue collar demand for "compensation" for their missing share of inflation of productivity gains since the 1970's, which would put the minimum was somewhere between $16 and $26 dollars per hour. The way to merge the two needs, those who have been hit hardest by the neoliberal economy championed by Bill and Hillary all these years is to move to Sanders' call for "A Second Bill of Rights" and the first right is the right to a job. Sanders focused on this in his November Georgetown speech but has not yet called for a program based on the "right to a job." It's the logical partner to his "right to health care" and the only way to blend working class needs for all races with the needs of the middle class.
Clinton cannot go near this nor can her comfortable economic advisors.
Clinton cannot go near this nor can her comfortable economic advisors.
7
Like many Hillary supporters, I fear that Bernie, if nominated, will be badly beaten in the fall, leading to a down-ticket electoral disaster, and spelling the triumph of the extreme Right wing agenda for the next generation. And yet, the vast majority of us know without a doubt that we will vote for Sanders if he is nominated. That sentiment, however, is not reciprocated by many Sanders supporters, who do the Right's dirty work for them by spreading anti-Hillary propaganda, and, if some of the comments on this thread are to be believed, despise her as much as they do Trump or Cruz. This reminds me of the 2000 campaign, when Nader supporters bought into the illusion that there was "no difference between Gore and Bush," resulting in a real tragedy for the country and the world.
Progressives often claim that Republicans fail to learn the lessons of their defeats. But in their willingness to be divided and conquered, it is the progressives who are failing, even now, to embrace the lessons of their own.
Progressives often claim that Republicans fail to learn the lessons of their defeats. But in their willingness to be divided and conquered, it is the progressives who are failing, even now, to embrace the lessons of their own.
9
Whatever do you base your fear on? If anything, Hillary will lead a "down ticket disaster", not Bernie. And we haven't even heard the last of the email scandal yet! BTW: In case you haven't noticed, Sanders is leading the polls nationally against ALL opposition, so I might suggest that you take a step back from your apparently preconceived notions and look at the reality.
6
Nader ran as a third party candidate and never, for even one day, had the poll numbers that are currently Sanders. This is a very, very different climate than 2000 and it belittles people fighting for the causes that Sanders supports. And it is incendiary, and frankly counter productive to say Sanders supporters "do the right's dirty work". We have to keep Trump out of office, and I think you are underestimating how many republicans would show up in droves voting for him if Clinton is the democrats nomination. Nearly all polls show Sanders with a better margin of winning going head to head against Trump, than what they show for Clinton. Democrats need to show up in droves and vote for Sanders if there is a possibility of keeping the Republican candidate out of the White House.
Propaganda is one thing, but she ran a slimy campaign in 2008 (remember 'who would you call' commercials? or media blitz against what she claimed was Obama's inability/inexperience?) and currently has an ongoing FBI investigation while running for the nomination.... it is fact that her aides have been requested to appear before court. Not to mention all of her financial aide and support from prison developers.
Propaganda is one thing, but she ran a slimy campaign in 2008 (remember 'who would you call' commercials? or media blitz against what she claimed was Obama's inability/inexperience?) and currently has an ongoing FBI investigation while running for the nomination.... it is fact that her aides have been requested to appear before court. Not to mention all of her financial aide and support from prison developers.
9
Bernie is my guy but I'm all-in for Hillary - donations and volunteering (and voting, of course) - if she gets the nomination. I promise I'll reach out to other Bernie-supporters, should this come about. Take hope. :)
5
Some support Hillary because they admire her strength. resilience, against years of blistering attacks. But others want more than that.
She uses the rw Gop attack machine in how she portrays herself. But she still got to where she is as the wife of a president.
The main question is what are her true beliefs, and what will be her actions for the majority?
There are other strong ambitious women out there but with truly progressive belief systems---and who aren't married to a former president, whose negative policies she feels bound to not contradict.
We have huge issues as we struggle to free the nation from extreme inequality, a weakened democracy, a broken criminal justice system, and dominance by monopoly banks that keep us vulnerable to future 08 type crashes.
Right now, America is one of the least successful of world democracies by a number of crucial measurement standards.
There are only 2 democratic party candidates to deal with this, while the party most responsible for the problems has so many more, and dominates the news.
She uses the rw Gop attack machine in how she portrays herself. But she still got to where she is as the wife of a president.
The main question is what are her true beliefs, and what will be her actions for the majority?
There are other strong ambitious women out there but with truly progressive belief systems---and who aren't married to a former president, whose negative policies she feels bound to not contradict.
We have huge issues as we struggle to free the nation from extreme inequality, a weakened democracy, a broken criminal justice system, and dominance by monopoly banks that keep us vulnerable to future 08 type crashes.
Right now, America is one of the least successful of world democracies by a number of crucial measurement standards.
There are only 2 democratic party candidates to deal with this, while the party most responsible for the problems has so many more, and dominates the news.
2
As a 60-something native white Southerner, daughter of generational family farmers, I have lived through the changes of both the Southern economy and the Civil Rights movement. Others can comment on race relations and the black experience. First, I saw both black and white workers leave the farms for textile factories, which a generation to two later left for China and Mexico. I have seen Main Streets shuttered when Walmarts, Home Depots, McDonald's, Auto Zones, and Krogers came in devastating small businesses and offering a few good managerial jobs but more minimum wage jobs. I have seen major industries like GE provide good union jobs with good benefits and middle class lifestyles for a while, despoil our water and air, and then move on to Third World countries. And now I see temp agencies thriving to fill jobs that were once fulltime and permanent and many immigrants of unknown legal status in the construction industries doing jobs that pay well above minimum wage. Black as well as white working class Southerners are affected by these changes. Dividing us by race or color as we try to find our footing and raise our children amid huge economic shifts is just another way of keeping all workers scared, dependent and compliant. Any politician, white, black or brown, and any voter or activist, white, black or brown, who prioritizes race, color or national origin over our common needs and interests does none of us respect or justice.
71
The whole primary system needs to be changed. Allowing mostly southern, conservative states that aren't going to help elect Democrats in the general elections is undemocratic. By the time the big blue states vote, the choices have been winnowed down by people whose votes won't matter in the general election because they are red states. Primaries should be all on one day in every state.
6
Not Mark
Whoa Blow, that was a blow. But your analysis got it right. I am a non-Black woman of color who has lived in Kansas, New York, California, Iowa and Florida...and have traveled to 46 States. I remember driving from Iowa to Florida in 2007 through the primaries. There were folks down South who were divided between Obama and Hillary. There was a sense that Sen. Barak because he was a biracial guy who grew up in Hawaii with an Indonesian step father and went to an Ivy League university was not really a Southern guy. As one funny Southern Black woman put it: "He is so multicultural I am not sure where he is Black except for his hair. Ha, ha,ha"
The relationships in the South are based on many years of "knowing, growing up together and deep loyalties in spite of racial divides and tensions through decades".
The Black saying,, "Don't worry I got your back..." comes for a Southern history of loyalty to your soul Black or White brother. I heard that from some Black activists canvasing for Bill Clinton way back in the early 1990s on the radio through all the sex scandal muck that Republicans were through at him and Hillary. Black activist for his campaign would say, "Don't worry brother Bill we got your back".
We forget how big and subtle the regional differences across the US are. And you are right, Sanders' activists got to work on that.
You got it right this time bro...
Whoa Blow, that was a blow. But your analysis got it right. I am a non-Black woman of color who has lived in Kansas, New York, California, Iowa and Florida...and have traveled to 46 States. I remember driving from Iowa to Florida in 2007 through the primaries. There were folks down South who were divided between Obama and Hillary. There was a sense that Sen. Barak because he was a biracial guy who grew up in Hawaii with an Indonesian step father and went to an Ivy League university was not really a Southern guy. As one funny Southern Black woman put it: "He is so multicultural I am not sure where he is Black except for his hair. Ha, ha,ha"
The relationships in the South are based on many years of "knowing, growing up together and deep loyalties in spite of racial divides and tensions through decades".
The Black saying,, "Don't worry I got your back..." comes for a Southern history of loyalty to your soul Black or White brother. I heard that from some Black activists canvasing for Bill Clinton way back in the early 1990s on the radio through all the sex scandal muck that Republicans were through at him and Hillary. Black activist for his campaign would say, "Don't worry brother Bill we got your back".
We forget how big and subtle the regional differences across the US are. And you are right, Sanders' activists got to work on that.
You got it right this time bro...
4
Sanders doesn't scale. What works in a bucolic, cheese and ice cream producing state and in lefty campus rallies won't work on a national stage.
He's a fantasy, like McGovern 1972. And he will suffer the same results.
He's a fantasy, like McGovern 1972. And he will suffer the same results.
10
Apples and oranges. McGovern ran against an incumbent from a party fractured by divisive issues that pushed the Blue Dog Dems into the Republican Party where they reside still. The platform he ran on wasn't supported widely across America. Contrast that with Sanders who is running on economic equality for all, overhaul of campaign financing, for Single Payer for all, an against Wall Street. Based on the latest polls that show him leading everyone, I'd say his message is resonating widely. Add to this his proven ability to get consensus across party lines, and he's far better suited than Hillary.
6
100-year storm, freak wave, pick your non-linear event. It could happen.
Why don't you point out, Mr. Blow, that Marian Wright Edelman denounced the Clintons' welfare reform legislation which ended the entitlement to help for poor women and children?
Funny how this has been missed.
Funny how this has been missed.
18
Why would you fault Bernie for doing all of his activism in the north? Itʻs where heʻs from. Fighting for civil rights above or below the Mason-Dixon line is still the same thing: Fighting for civil rights.
11
"Black voters are not monolithic". Seriously??? If black voters don't represent a monolithic voting block what does? In the last 12 presidential elections the lowest % of blacks voting democrat is 85%. In 9 of those the % was 90+.
2
Unlike other readers, I don't find this nearly as one sided as earlier pieces, and actually more pragmatic. I am not sure why it is necessary to do another post-mortem on a race that hasn't been run, and do agree that saying Sanders lacks credibility because he wasn't in the South almost 50 years ago seems a little tortured given that at the same time Hillary was a Goldwater Republican. But, it may be a true perception on the part of Southern African-Americans, particularly the older ones. It seems short-sighted, but that is what it is to live in democracy.
1
The students on Spring Break aren't Bernie supporters anyway
Okay - no matter how it is written it is getting to the point that Bernie's supporters see a pro Hillary article. A few days ago another columnist wrote what believed to be a very balanced explanation for the discrepancy in the Latino vote count in Nevada. Immediately the Sander's supporter were out in force lambasting him.
I have seen nothing but news articles in the NYT and others about Clinton
1. Not trustworthy
2. Indictments may be pending
3. She has been around too long for voters to like her
4. She.........well you name it.
Everyone of the articles written on her is seldom positive. When something positive is pointed out there is always that caveat about "she is just not liked."
I understand people being defensive about their candidate, but please take off your blinders for a minute and stop the vitriol.
At the end of the day my fear is that if Bernie does not win people will stay home and not vote - which is their right. It would also be the right of a Rethug Whitehouse, Rethug Senate and Rethug Congress to do whatever the hell they like with the country.
I have seen nothing but news articles in the NYT and others about Clinton
1. Not trustworthy
2. Indictments may be pending
3. She has been around too long for voters to like her
4. She.........well you name it.
Everyone of the articles written on her is seldom positive. When something positive is pointed out there is always that caveat about "she is just not liked."
I understand people being defensive about their candidate, but please take off your blinders for a minute and stop the vitriol.
At the end of the day my fear is that if Bernie does not win people will stay home and not vote - which is their right. It would also be the right of a Rethug Whitehouse, Rethug Senate and Rethug Congress to do whatever the hell they like with the country.
4
Poverty in south shares something in common with poverty elsewhere in the country. Poorest areas have missed prosperity in America..."While the problems in many poorer cities predate the recession, what has felt like a real recovery for Americans in healthier cities and towns has left the worst-off locations — many of them concentrated in the nation’s old industrial heartland — even further behind."
"To come up with the rankings in the Distressed Communities Index, analysts focused on seven factors: the prevalence of adults with a high school degree, home vacancy rates, adults in the work force, the percentage of people living below the poverty line, median income as a percentage of the state average, change in employment and change in the number of businesses."
"Over all, the South is home to more than half of the 50.4 million Americans living in distressed ZIP codes. It is also the only region in which more people live in distressed locations than in prosperous ones."
"In some cities, especially those in the South and Southwest, booming newer areas coexist uneasily with poorer zones, creating what the Economic Innovation Group terms “spatial inequality.”
That's what Senator Bernie Sanders is talking about!!
"To come up with the rankings in the Distressed Communities Index, analysts focused on seven factors: the prevalence of adults with a high school degree, home vacancy rates, adults in the work force, the percentage of people living below the poverty line, median income as a percentage of the state average, change in employment and change in the number of businesses."
"Over all, the South is home to more than half of the 50.4 million Americans living in distressed ZIP codes. It is also the only region in which more people live in distressed locations than in prosperous ones."
"In some cities, especially those in the South and Southwest, booming newer areas coexist uneasily with poorer zones, creating what the Economic Innovation Group terms “spatial inequality.”
That's what Senator Bernie Sanders is talking about!!
5
I'm afraid the Bernie "the perfect candidate" will end up being a perfect failure in the general election. But if he is elected I'm almost 100% sure he will be a perfect failure as President, a one term president and thus will turn the nation back over to the Republicans in 2020 when they can use their power to further rig the system through congressional reapportionment. THINK SUPREME COURT and THINK 2020.
4
Mr. Blow has missed one cortical point (actually many critical points, but here's just one) that may need explaining, or maybe what Mr. Blow would call "whitesplaining." It pertains to Spike Lee's and Cornel West calling Mr. Sanders "Brother Bernie."
First, whether or not Spike Lee are as trendy as Beyonce or JayZ, they are over the long term monumentally impactful and quite probably culturally more significant. Their endorsements, contrary to Mr. Blow's evident wishes, are not to be trivialized. Unlike the current media megastars, West and Lee devoted much of their creative lives to examining renewing the civil rights legacy, not merely personally realizing its pop cultural possibilities and profitability (even granting their salutary political messages).
West and Lee, calling Mr. Sanders "Brother Bernie," assert a new radical stage in the racial equality movement: a man is embraced as a BROTHER for his commitment to general social justice (which includes racial equality, without that necessarily being the worn-on-sleeve centerpiece), not because of what he "does for blacks." The civil rights movement/legacy is honored when its heirs can call a man "Brother" not by checking off the "what he does for blacks" checklist, but his integrity and commitment to social justice.
(Hillary: saying "ya'll" till blue in the face and other solidarity-with-blacks gimmickry won't cut it.)
First, whether or not Spike Lee are as trendy as Beyonce or JayZ, they are over the long term monumentally impactful and quite probably culturally more significant. Their endorsements, contrary to Mr. Blow's evident wishes, are not to be trivialized. Unlike the current media megastars, West and Lee devoted much of their creative lives to examining renewing the civil rights legacy, not merely personally realizing its pop cultural possibilities and profitability (even granting their salutary political messages).
West and Lee, calling Mr. Sanders "Brother Bernie," assert a new radical stage in the racial equality movement: a man is embraced as a BROTHER for his commitment to general social justice (which includes racial equality, without that necessarily being the worn-on-sleeve centerpiece), not because of what he "does for blacks." The civil rights movement/legacy is honored when its heirs can call a man "Brother" not by checking off the "what he does for blacks" checklist, but his integrity and commitment to social justice.
(Hillary: saying "ya'll" till blue in the face and other solidarity-with-blacks gimmickry won't cut it.)
9
Representative Clyburn is a "gimmick"? Hmm.
5
Add Spike Lee to your list of non-Southern black endorsers of
Bernie. And Hillary's tenure as first lady of Arkansas and as a
board member of Walmart don't give her a ton of cred in Dixie
among ANY voters, black or white. Bernie's empathy for black
people is palpable and legit. Just because he isn't Baptist and
doesn't eat collared greens in a contrived television spot does
not mean he is indifferent to black folks in the south.
Bernie. And Hillary's tenure as first lady of Arkansas and as a
board member of Walmart don't give her a ton of cred in Dixie
among ANY voters, black or white. Bernie's empathy for black
people is palpable and legit. Just because he isn't Baptist and
doesn't eat collared greens in a contrived television spot does
not mean he is indifferent to black folks in the south.
10
I like Spike, but that radio ad advertising his own old movies was tacky.
1
It is getting more and more tedious to hear the drumbeat of support for Hillary Clinton in the NYTimes. As long as there is little reporting or analysis of substance, the media - as the Fourth Estate of democracy - is failing miserably at its job. I suppose the end result, if in fact Clinton gets the nomination, will be some kind of "told you so". What's fascinating is that Trump's dramatic lead in the Republican race has led to stories that justify his downfall; whereas with Clinton and Sanders tied in voters' delegates (let's please not include the superdelegates until they have made their final pledges - undemocratic as the system is), we hear only about Hillary's inevitable triumph. This is journalism at its worst.
10
I'm originally from VT & I've met Bernie. He's a good guy. His charm for those who haven't heard it all before is that he gives voice to some leftist economic principles that haven't been forcefully articulated nationwide in a long, long time. A lot of democrats, including me, are saying: "there, was that so hard? Couldn't we have done this a long time ago?"
But most of Blow's arguments are right. Bernie's not well traveled, not multifaceted, not very knowledgeable about the world or even about most of the U.S. (It's not just Southern blacks.) Bernie has an attractive ideological purity and a lovely way of demonizing Wall St. Billionaires and championing economic justice... but he's not a magician and he wouldn't be very effective at making any of the dreams come true. He hasn't dealt seriously with the counterarguments to most of his proposals, and his infatuated supporters don't want to hear ANY OF THAT.
To my mind he's a little too much like the school student who runs for class president promising to double recess and eliminate homework.
But most of Blow's arguments are right. Bernie's not well traveled, not multifaceted, not very knowledgeable about the world or even about most of the U.S. (It's not just Southern blacks.) Bernie has an attractive ideological purity and a lovely way of demonizing Wall St. Billionaires and championing economic justice... but he's not a magician and he wouldn't be very effective at making any of the dreams come true. He hasn't dealt seriously with the counterarguments to most of his proposals, and his infatuated supporters don't want to hear ANY OF THAT.
To my mind he's a little too much like the school student who runs for class president promising to double recess and eliminate homework.
6
Thanks Charles. This is interesting analysis
Bernie Sanders doesn't do identity politics that well. His big issues (Wall St., income inequality, etc.) cut across most lines. It's not hat he isn't on board with the litany of social and cultural issues that make up the Party. It's just that those things are on the shelf below the biggies. Hillary (and Bill) are great at identity politics. That's they're thing. While it may work this time around the Dems rely too much on social/cultural issues and not enough on economic issues. That needs to change. The very serious (i.e. very wealthy) people who fund our big time politics are happy to let us fight over anything that doesn't really affect their investment portfolios. We can argue about race and religion and culture until we're red and blue in the face. This side might win for awhile and then the other side might win for awhile but the billionaire class will never let one side win outright for all time because then they lose their ability to divide and conquer. It's a game of misdirection that the economic elites in America have been playing since before the country was founded.
1
Sanders is done. His has feverish supporter but mainly from young, white millennials who want free health, free tuition and essentially, free money in terms of doubling the minimum wage.
But the democratic party is broader than that. We have blue-collar workers, blacks, hispanics, older-voters etc., who support Hillary and Sanders hasn't been able to make in-roads. If he hasn't made in-roads over the last year, he isn't going to make in-roads in the next month
We have a done deal. Hillary is the nominee. God help her against Trump because Trump isn't going to give her a free pass on her emails or her connections to Wall Street like Sanders has.
But the democratic party is broader than that. We have blue-collar workers, blacks, hispanics, older-voters etc., who support Hillary and Sanders hasn't been able to make in-roads. If he hasn't made in-roads over the last year, he isn't going to make in-roads in the next month
We have a done deal. Hillary is the nominee. God help her against Trump because Trump isn't going to give her a free pass on her emails or her connections to Wall Street like Sanders has.
3
Where did you get young white millennials from?
1
Perhaps the point Andrew Cherlin in a NY Times Op-Ed this week is correct: that African Americans have been less affected by the increase in economic inequality over the last 30 years (since as a group they had already been marginalized) and have more to lose if a Republican captures the White House. Perhaps their shared history allows African Americans to be more tolerant of 'incremental' change instead of 'instant' revolution.
3
A very thoughtful piece.
1
SUMMARY: Hillary is stronger than Sanders only in the states that the Dems have absolutely no chance of winning in the general election ie., the South. Why is the Democratic party hellbent on self-destruction?
7
Uhh that's exactly how Obama did it in 2008. Look it up.
3
Bernie talks to college kids. he brags about his support for the black community. I too marched in the sixties, went o Chicago to hear MLK's speech in a ball field, fought in the work place for fair treatment of women and minorities. Bernie was in congress for 25 years plus... His voting record is mixed.... As a woman, I am tired of the excuses for his voting record on gun reform. That is the one thing that makes me wonder , Does he really care about the children, women and families who live in fear in our communities today. His votes in this area tells me he is a politician who votes where it helps him stay in his position. He is not courageous, brave and authentic. I worry today about my grandchildren going to school. That was a worry I did not have in the 70"s and 80"s when my children went to school. Action, not name recognition gets my vote.
50
And, as a conscientious objector, how will he be able to function as Commander-in-Chief? Or was he just objecting to going to Vietnam?
1
Elizabeth Cohen
Nixon was a Quaker and he carpet bombed North Vietnam unmercifully. So, whats your point.
Nixon was a Quaker and he carpet bombed North Vietnam unmercifully. So, whats your point.
2
This is one of the most insightful and coherent pieces that I've come across in this, or any other, election cycle. Thank you.
2
Yes, Bernie has many challenges ahead of him. Many of them are anchored in cultural perceptions. But he also has political challenges, namely the DNC and super delegates. Reportedly the DNC has shown favoritism to Hillary in terms of resources because she is their choice for the Democratic candidate. And Bernie isn't even a Democrat. God forbid! (The archaic two- party system says, de facto, that you have to be a member of one of the two clubs to run. Not very democratic, but there it is.) The DNC is supposed to be impartial, but it isn’t. And over the years the Clintons have wormed their way into the smoky back room of the Democratic Party and are insider pets of the DNC , and certain super delegates that have supposedly committed already to Hillary. So - the Democratic primary is not taking place on a level playing field. Is this any way to run a democracy?
2
HRC is a career politician who will bend whichever way the wind blows. That's been her mantra for years and years. And it's no different in the Southern States. I have watched all of the debates and and can clearly discern that Hillary's choice of topics and language have morphed - and now mirror those of Sen. Sanders. We need a president with original thought of mind and a willingness to challenge current thinking. That's called "progressive", n'est ce pas? Hopefully, people in all communities, Black, White, old, young, etc., et al., will take a good look at Bernie and see what he's all about rather than just relying on one newspaper headline or one or a few "talking heads" on television. This is a President of the United States we are electing - to direct the future for all of us and not just a "chosen" few of us. It's time to be informed - and not indifferent. Get out there and vote in the primaries and vote in the general election. Have your say and direct your future and the future of those around you.
38
"On policy, Hillary Clinton, at least in her public appearances, keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues." I thought the rationale for voting for Hillary was that Bernie's proposals are so far out of the mainstream that they could never be achieved, especially if Republicans control Congress. But if Hillary is now adopting many of Bernie's positions, why vote for Hillary?
"How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?" Take a poll and see how many African-American children have heard of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (other than as a day off from school). Ignorance of a person does not mean the person has not been fighting for your interests. Maybe it says more about the people who have not heard of Bernie Sanders than it says about Bernie Sanders.
I wonder how many people south of the Mason-Dixon line know of Hillary's support for laws that led to mass incarceration of black men, ended welfare as we knew it, and sent jobs overseas to NAFTA and other trade "partners." Maybe none of it matters since Hillary is not likely to win any states south of the Mason-Dixon line in the general election.
"How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?" Take a poll and see how many African-American children have heard of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (other than as a day off from school). Ignorance of a person does not mean the person has not been fighting for your interests. Maybe it says more about the people who have not heard of Bernie Sanders than it says about Bernie Sanders.
I wonder how many people south of the Mason-Dixon line know of Hillary's support for laws that led to mass incarceration of black men, ended welfare as we knew it, and sent jobs overseas to NAFTA and other trade "partners." Maybe none of it matters since Hillary is not likely to win any states south of the Mason-Dixon line in the general election.
17
Come on, there is no comparison between MLK and Bernie Sanders in the civil rights department. The point is a valid one that people who have made a name on big issues transcend their local politics.
2
Bernie voted for the mass incarceration law you mention. Look it up: 1994 crime bill: Sanders - Yea
He voted for it !!!
Did Hillary ?
You are arguing against yourself and you don't even realize it.
He voted for it !!!
Did Hillary ?
You are arguing against yourself and you don't even realize it.
2
You are like sunlight on dust, Fran. Thank you.
1
The Clintons, since 1999, have lived in Chappaqua in Westchester County, a wealthy white suburb of New York City. Chappaqua's residents are mostly racists, who have been fighting to keep out affordable housing for "low income people of color". The Clintons have been part of the fight to keep out the "low income people of color".
11
Good Morning and welcome to the MoveOn.org comments section in the New York Times.
12
Poor baby! You can't stand it that the people who respond to the article don't agree with your usual comment: CLINTON IS THE MOST QUALIFIED etc. Heaven forbid that a liberal activist political group took a poll among its millions of members, and 85% voted that they should back Sanders. It appears that there are some of us who find that he, not this warmongering woman, is the best choice for president. If you didn't have blinders on and read some of the information out there regarding Clinton you would agree.
6
It is striking that not even Blow seems to know here that Sanders was one of the volunteers in the Mississippi Freedom Summer Project organized by Bob Moses of SNCC. This campaign culminated in the anecdote that Blow tells of Ms. Hamer at the Democratic Convention.
Sanders was a civil rights activist in the 60s, and he was in the South witnessing the poverty and oppression of Jim Crow. His campaign needs to do a better job of publicizing that.
Sanders was a civil rights activist in the 60s, and he was in the South witnessing the poverty and oppression of Jim Crow. His campaign needs to do a better job of publicizing that.
13
Bernie preaches love for his fellow man, and that's why I will love having Bernie as the next president.
Choose love over hate, unity over division. Choose Bernie Sanders!
Choose love over hate, unity over division. Choose Bernie Sanders!
12
He's not very good at getting that point across to his hateful and negative supporters who flood this site daily with anti-Hillary hate speech.
His problem is that he has lost control over his people.
Even Trump controls his people with little games: "Who's going to build the Wall ? Who's going to build the Wall ? Who's a good boy ? Who wants a treat ? "
His problem is that he has lost control over his people.
Even Trump controls his people with little games: "Who's going to build the Wall ? Who's going to build the Wall ? Who's a good boy ? Who wants a treat ? "
4
Since when does any candidate for office have "control over" his or her people?
3
At least Sanders doesn't lapse into fake accents like Clinton. And doesn't have a historyy of dumping friends, the way Clinton dumped Lani Guinier.
And Marion Wright Edelman. Yes, Clinton worked with her. And then Bill Clinto got elected and cut children off at the knees. Marion Wright Edleman had something to say about that.
So the Clintons have a longer and infinitely more entangled history with the Black South than Sanders. Are you so sure that is a good thing?
And Marion Wright Edelman. Yes, Clinton worked with her. And then Bill Clinto got elected and cut children off at the knees. Marion Wright Edleman had something to say about that.
So the Clintons have a longer and infinitely more entangled history with the Black South than Sanders. Are you so sure that is a good thing?
17
The abject hatred of the Clintons by the Republican electorate is not a compelling reason for any Democrat to vote for Hillary. And if Bernie is so unelectable, why is Hillary trying to mimic his positions in spite of her blemished record on progressive issues? With Hillary, what we've seen, not what we see, might well be what what we'd get. And we haven't even seen the Wall Street transcripts .
12
If the number of bales of cotton picked and the number of beatings taken are the true measures of blackness in this country, then Obama is not black by any stretch of the imagination.
Sanders is not going to win not because he did not go down to the South to champion black cause but because taking on Wall Street, while it makes sense to a person seething with envious anger, will not guarantee that the social problems afflicting the blacks will just go away, leading to bettered lives for blacks in the south in particular, and for blacks across this country in general.
Sanders' idea of fixing social problems is to distribute poverty, and to make the rich poor. The focus should be on how to make the poor rich. Sanders has no silver bullet that will make his promises work.
He is less of a miracle maker than Obama is. We all know how hopelessly helpless our miracle-making messiah turned out to be.
Sanders is not going to win not because he did not go down to the South to champion black cause but because taking on Wall Street, while it makes sense to a person seething with envious anger, will not guarantee that the social problems afflicting the blacks will just go away, leading to bettered lives for blacks in the south in particular, and for blacks across this country in general.
Sanders' idea of fixing social problems is to distribute poverty, and to make the rich poor. The focus should be on how to make the poor rich. Sanders has no silver bullet that will make his promises work.
He is less of a miracle maker than Obama is. We all know how hopelessly helpless our miracle-making messiah turned out to be.
2
Only the most naive would expect miracles of Sanders. Sanders represents the inevitable discontent of the American public with the outcome of Reaganomics, which, while more than doubling the GDP by 1990, cut the size of the middle class to far less than half of what it was. While Sanders' policies aimed at fighting the disproportionate endorsement of corporate interests in government policy are certainly no fix-all, they represent a valid and important protest that does not come convincingly from the lips of an insider like Hillary Clinton.
3
Obama did pretty well for working with a bunch of cement statues in Congress.
1
I find it increasingly difficult to understand that if Bernie's program is as great as his partisans here claim, why it doesn't speak for itself without the need of so many of them to demonize Hillary in terms that would make Trump proud. Is it that they harbor doubts themselves, or simply feel that the greatness of his proposals is too far above the understanding of many Americans, hence the requirement to bring the debate down to the level of personal attacks?
9
The same could be said of President Obama and the need for his defenders to demonize his critics.
3
Bernie Sanders' "street cred" in civil rights for African-Americans may appear to lazy journalists to be less than that of Hillary Clinton, but on a closer look his is routed in a long history of occasionally-courageous actions, while hers is built on posturing and fairy dust.
Sanders was in the streets of Chicago getting roughed up and arrested by Mayor Daley's racist police thugs while Hillary was stumping for "Mr. Conservative", Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.
Bernie continued to actively support real racial equality, in schools, jobs, salaries, housing, however and whenever he could, while Hillary was talking a good game to support her husband politically while doing virtually nothing to help blacks anywhere in the country.
Now Sanders is only one single delegate behind Clinton in the primaries, a feat that reminds us of how Senator Obama came from way behind in voter recognition to beat Hillary soundly in the primaries and go on to be elected President twice.
Obama didn't carry South Caroline or much of the old South in the general election and neither would any Democrat, but to the pundits and major media, Sanders has all but lost.
Get real. No one expects him to win South Carolina, but he'll go on to win California, New York, and other major blue states, the nomination, and beat Trump after that.
Sanders was in the streets of Chicago getting roughed up and arrested by Mayor Daley's racist police thugs while Hillary was stumping for "Mr. Conservative", Senator Barry Goldwater of Arizona.
Bernie continued to actively support real racial equality, in schools, jobs, salaries, housing, however and whenever he could, while Hillary was talking a good game to support her husband politically while doing virtually nothing to help blacks anywhere in the country.
Now Sanders is only one single delegate behind Clinton in the primaries, a feat that reminds us of how Senator Obama came from way behind in voter recognition to beat Hillary soundly in the primaries and go on to be elected President twice.
Obama didn't carry South Caroline or much of the old South in the general election and neither would any Democrat, but to the pundits and major media, Sanders has all but lost.
Get real. No one expects him to win South Carolina, but he'll go on to win California, New York, and other major blue states, the nomination, and beat Trump after that.
12
Mr. Blow, with all due respect, Hillary Clinton may have worked decades ago for the Children's Defense Fund, but Peter and Marian Wright Edelman now repudiate Clinton policies. Peter Edelman resigned from Bill Clinton's administration. Hillary talked a very different talk when she ran against Obama and that campaign is not ancient history. Whether you use charts and graphs or your now more evenhanded admissions of Hillary Clinton's glaring and egregious mistakes you're still playing for the Clinton team and it's tiresome. Hillary does politics by the weather vane. What makes Hillary "Say Anything to Win" Clinton a reliable candidate? How can you assure me she will do anything she now says given how many different opinions she has offered through the years? These have nothing to do with her "evolving" as a candidate, but rather always being opportunistic and saying what she now thinks people want to hear. In the current political climate without Bernie's strong candidacy the word progressive would not have passed Hillary's lips.
9
Just a little reminder that a Primary challenge to Hillary was too push her to the Left. Mission accomplished. To the question about 'why haven't more Black people know about Sen Sanders? ' I would ask 'how many Southerners can even find Vermont on a map' or New England for that matter. Vermont is so much more diverse now than in 1981. I understand the support Clinton has from Black people and I find it wickedly ironic that White liberals having to go along with who Black voters pick, instead of the opposite. Stop blaming Sen Sander's from being a Vermonter, but his primary challenge is welcome. Who can guess how far Right Clinton would have gone without one?
6
The difference between the Sanders' positions that Hillary is tacking toward and the principles that Sanders holds in is core is that Sanders isn't tacking. He's already there and he's not going to abandon them.
As for Hillary? Well, it's Hillary, and tacking to and fro for the advantage du jour is her core.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
As for Hillary? Well, it's Hillary, and tacking to and fro for the advantage du jour is her core.
www.endthemadnessnow.org
9
I will never ever understand why anybody would vote for Hillary Clinton, Wall Street's girl. NAFTA, the end of welfare for families, the crime bill and the school to for-profit prison pipe line, the pipe line and fracking, $12 minimum wage, Iraq War, Libya, Syria, the Clinton Foundation and arms deals with Saudi Arabia, the slurs against Obama in 2008, her funding by Wall Street, Big Banks, Big Pharma, Big Insurance.
I will never vote for Hillary Clinton. Never.
I will never vote for Hillary Clinton. Never.
7
The Democratic nominee will be running against Trump. That fact alone means that this election is a completely different than any election in history.
Trump has a good chance of completely destroying Hillary. Even current polls show her with a tiny, within-the-margin-of-error lead over him. No matter whether you believe any of the accusations against her, there is a gold mine of material for him to use. All the pundits talk about how she's been put through the wringer already, but that's not true in a general election and it's especially not true against Trump. She will have no defense against it. She will look weak, unlikable, and insincere.
Bernie, on the other hand, leads Trump by 10 points. There's nothing Trump can use against him. Call him a dirty socialist? Bernie has owned it since day one - he makes no apologies and people like him for that. Call him weak? It's not going to work against someone who's been arrested protesting and has filibustered for 8 1/2 hours on behalf of the poor and middle class. There's no hypocrisy or triangulation with Bernie. And if Trump critiques his policy positions, that's just playing Bernie's game - and Trump will be revealed for what he is.
If we want to defeat Trump, we need to get behind Bernie.
Trump has a good chance of completely destroying Hillary. Even current polls show her with a tiny, within-the-margin-of-error lead over him. No matter whether you believe any of the accusations against her, there is a gold mine of material for him to use. All the pundits talk about how she's been put through the wringer already, but that's not true in a general election and it's especially not true against Trump. She will have no defense against it. She will look weak, unlikable, and insincere.
Bernie, on the other hand, leads Trump by 10 points. There's nothing Trump can use against him. Call him a dirty socialist? Bernie has owned it since day one - he makes no apologies and people like him for that. Call him weak? It's not going to work against someone who's been arrested protesting and has filibustered for 8 1/2 hours on behalf of the poor and middle class. There's no hypocrisy or triangulation with Bernie. And if Trump critiques his policy positions, that's just playing Bernie's game - and Trump will be revealed for what he is.
If we want to defeat Trump, we need to get behind Bernie.
13
Ok, I'd be happy with Bernie as the nominee, but if he can't win the nomination then by definition he would be unable to win the general. And it will be imperative for progressives to close ranks to defeat the Republican nominee. I sincerely hope that Bernie's supporters will be there when it counts either way.
2
CBC: not so. It is well known that Hillary's strongest advantages of Bernie are in states most likely - - even certain -- to go republican in a general election. If she prevails in the primaries based on these states, what will that avail her in November? Ticket back to Chappaqua.
1
Right, who could forget Senator Hillary Clinton of Arkansas who stuck to her roots and didn't become senator of New York? And nobody would have heard of Hillary Clinton's civil rights work either if she wasn't First Lady from 1992 to 2000, Bernie didn't have the luxury of such a platform
9
How can a man spend so many years in the Senate and not have more Senators support him? Bernie is a fine person, but how many of those lofty ideas has he managed to turn into legislation. I want someone who can get things done, as Hillary often exclaims. I'm with her.
11
I just don't get how Bill Clinton signed legislation that ended up locking up so many people, particularly African-American men, how Hillary Clinton referred to African-American men as "super predators," how she said they needed to be "brought to heel," how she had the Secret Service eject a peaceful protester from a fundraiser that she had last night (and that the protester had paid to attend) for asking questions about this, and then the Clintons can still be seen as sympathetic to African-American causes. Mr. Blow did ignore some of the lawmakers in Southern states who have switched their endorsement from Hillary to Bernie in the past few weeks, but then again the mainstream media has been largely ignoring Bernie for most of the primary season so far.
12
Any African-American, or Hispanic for that matter, needs only peer at the donor list of Hillary Clinton to know for whom the wind blows in a Hillary presidency.
Will inmates and refugees, and thus their families, fare better? Not if private prison corporations' money has anything to say.
Will poor people of color get a Post Office banking system that would let them cash their paychecks and pay their bills without high fees that cripple their buying power? If donations from Wall Street and the biggest financial banking conglomerates hold sway for their overwhelming cash gifts to the Clintons, it sure isn't likely.
For a columnist that dedicates this many paragraphs to the nuance of Southern black sensibilities vis-a-vis migration blacks, you're awfully comfortable to dance around the Plantation campfire singing songs while good men are doomed to the whip just out of earshot.
Oligarchy is the new lash, and it's falling on backs of every color in America. Maybe you should write more about that.
Will inmates and refugees, and thus their families, fare better? Not if private prison corporations' money has anything to say.
Will poor people of color get a Post Office banking system that would let them cash their paychecks and pay their bills without high fees that cripple their buying power? If donations from Wall Street and the biggest financial banking conglomerates hold sway for their overwhelming cash gifts to the Clintons, it sure isn't likely.
For a columnist that dedicates this many paragraphs to the nuance of Southern black sensibilities vis-a-vis migration blacks, you're awfully comfortable to dance around the Plantation campfire singing songs while good men are doomed to the whip just out of earshot.
Oligarchy is the new lash, and it's falling on backs of every color in America. Maybe you should write more about that.
18
This comment should be read across the airwaves of South Carolina and beyond.
This generation's civil rights struggle is that for economic fairness and against skyrocketing inequality and corporate oligarchy.
American democracy has been a series of struggles to better realize the democratic dreams of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and what has been called the Second Declaration of Independence affirming "government of the people, for the people, by the people." The War of Independence and Declaration challenged and vanquished arbitrary and abusive monarchy; the Civil War the same for slavery, the civil rights similarly for racial injustice, and in its wake the feminist movement seeking attacking and uprooting gender discrimination. Today's primary struggle, honoring and continuing the legacy, is the economic one.
Rather than honor MLK's legacy of seeking a perspective seeing beyond color, for broad social justice, for Mr. Blow color is -and should remain- everything. In their endorsement of Mr. Sanders as their "brother" Cornel West and Spike Lee show where *they* stand vis a vis that legacy.
This generation's civil rights struggle is that for economic fairness and against skyrocketing inequality and corporate oligarchy.
American democracy has been a series of struggles to better realize the democratic dreams of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution, and what has been called the Second Declaration of Independence affirming "government of the people, for the people, by the people." The War of Independence and Declaration challenged and vanquished arbitrary and abusive monarchy; the Civil War the same for slavery, the civil rights similarly for racial injustice, and in its wake the feminist movement seeking attacking and uprooting gender discrimination. Today's primary struggle, honoring and continuing the legacy, is the economic one.
Rather than honor MLK's legacy of seeking a perspective seeing beyond color, for broad social justice, for Mr. Blow color is -and should remain- everything. In their endorsement of Mr. Sanders as their "brother" Cornel West and Spike Lee show where *they* stand vis a vis that legacy.
7
The NYT hasn't even bothered to report the huge crowds Bernie Sanders has drawn in Tulsa, Kansas City Missouri,and in Denver (I know, not the south), which some people might consider to be actual news. I am also having trouble locating information about the numbers attending Clinton rallies. I wonder how those figures would compare? It is ridiculous to give South Carolina so much importance when they tend to vote republican, anyway. It is just one of many states. Even if HRC wins big there, many more states have yet to weigh in, and there is no reason to throw in the towel at this early juncture. Why deprive ourselves of many more months of the NYT playing down the popularity of Bernie Sanders?
16
"Black voters are not monolithic and of one mind. "
Well, they clearly are. Proof is in their voting history.
Well, they clearly are. Proof is in their voting history.
2
sort of like old white people?
1
I would like to know Mr. Blow's opinion on Hillary Clinton advocating for the crime bill of the 90's and making reference to young African American as "Super Predators" and her opinion that "we must bring them to heal", which meant, we must have mandatory jail time sentences. This policy was the foundation for the mass incarceration problem that so heavily targets blacks and Latinos.
9
"How many bales of cotton have you picked? How many beatings have you taken?"
Certainly it is not just Bernie Sanders who could not answer those questions in the way Ms. Hamer, and apparently Mr. Blow, believes a candidate for President must answer them.
If taken literally, then, we must look for a whole new cadre of candidates, both Republican and Democratic - from a relatively small field of eligible voters these days - thanks be.
If figurative, I believe Bernie has "picked" more and been "beaten" more than Hillary could ever profess to, has "toted" and "lifted" more barges and bales for the poor, the downtrodden, the little guy, the man on the street, the Main street.
And maybe that's why more people haven't heard about him - his name not as well known as "Clinton" - because he was working for, and by and with the common man, not behind closed doors with Goldman Sachs executives but in Congress drafting amendments that didn't get press but got results, not rubbing elbows with the rich and famous but rubbing his fingers raw trying to close the gap between those rich and famous and his constituency.
I hope the good people of South Carolina will recognize one of their own.
Feel the Bern.
Certainly it is not just Bernie Sanders who could not answer those questions in the way Ms. Hamer, and apparently Mr. Blow, believes a candidate for President must answer them.
If taken literally, then, we must look for a whole new cadre of candidates, both Republican and Democratic - from a relatively small field of eligible voters these days - thanks be.
If figurative, I believe Bernie has "picked" more and been "beaten" more than Hillary could ever profess to, has "toted" and "lifted" more barges and bales for the poor, the downtrodden, the little guy, the man on the street, the Main street.
And maybe that's why more people haven't heard about him - his name not as well known as "Clinton" - because he was working for, and by and with the common man, not behind closed doors with Goldman Sachs executives but in Congress drafting amendments that didn't get press but got results, not rubbing elbows with the rich and famous but rubbing his fingers raw trying to close the gap between those rich and famous and his constituency.
I hope the good people of South Carolina will recognize one of their own.
Feel the Bern.
12
With all due respect to Mr. Blow, you are a northerner writing for a northern paper.
Down here in the Carolina's there are trends and indeed monolithic voting blocks. You can't deny them by repeating something you wish to be true.
Sanders will struggle not because of any policy (his policies in effect are much more helpful for southern blacks) but because he is deemed a northerner with a Jewish ancestry.
There will be bias and hesitation. This is not the fault of a candidate but a shortcoming of certain voters.
Some voters like to be pandered to and want someone to say something that is relatable. They tend to prefer style over substance.
If you don't believe me, then we need to look at the officials in Baltimore, Chicago, Ferguson and Cincinnati and inquire why those elected officials fail the community that has elected them and time and time again they are reelected to the offices they hold.
Down here in the Carolina's there are trends and indeed monolithic voting blocks. You can't deny them by repeating something you wish to be true.
Sanders will struggle not because of any policy (his policies in effect are much more helpful for southern blacks) but because he is deemed a northerner with a Jewish ancestry.
There will be bias and hesitation. This is not the fault of a candidate but a shortcoming of certain voters.
Some voters like to be pandered to and want someone to say something that is relatable. They tend to prefer style over substance.
If you don't believe me, then we need to look at the officials in Baltimore, Chicago, Ferguson and Cincinnati and inquire why those elected officials fail the community that has elected them and time and time again they are reelected to the offices they hold.
6
To be fair, I believe Mr Blow was born and grew up in Louisiana
Clinton, on the other hand, although born in Chicago, spent nearly two decades in Arkansas, much of that time serving as first lady of the state and working on education and children’s issues.
=================
When Bill Clinton took office, Arkansas ranked 48th in most measures of education and health. When Bill Clinton left office Arkansas still ranked 48th in most measures of education and health.
Mrs. Clinton during that time also served on the Walmart and Tyson corporate boards
After Bill Clinton's term of office ended in 2001, rather than moving home to Arkansas (like most presidents do), both Bill and Hillary immediately moved to New York. They never even kept a token vacation home in Arkansas. They couldn't get out of the South fast enough.
You don't think Southerners remember that?
=================
When Bill Clinton took office, Arkansas ranked 48th in most measures of education and health. When Bill Clinton left office Arkansas still ranked 48th in most measures of education and health.
Mrs. Clinton during that time also served on the Walmart and Tyson corporate boards
After Bill Clinton's term of office ended in 2001, rather than moving home to Arkansas (like most presidents do), both Bill and Hillary immediately moved to New York. They never even kept a token vacation home in Arkansas. They couldn't get out of the South fast enough.
You don't think Southerners remember that?
12
I don't think Southerners remember that, no.
4
Clinton's hypocrisy is intolerable. Support the President? Hardly ... she said using her private email was approved - but she reported to the Presdient, and the White House has insisted it was never approved. So who do you think is lying?
In all of her many $225,000 one hour dalliances with Wall Street firms, who does she think we are to believe they only want to hear about her world and becoming a grandmother??!!
We're not stupid Hillary. Bernie - 2016!!!!
In all of her many $225,000 one hour dalliances with Wall Street firms, who does she think we are to believe they only want to hear about her world and becoming a grandmother??!!
We're not stupid Hillary. Bernie - 2016!!!!
7
I'm amazed at how many of your readers think spending time in Alabama undercover for civil rights and 20 years in Arkansas fighting for the rights of women and children is a *tactical* maneuver. The liberal arrogance of this view is ridiculous.
Great article Charles, but too bad you continue to paint Clinton's campaign in such cynical tones. Southerners who wonder where Bernie Sanders has been for the last 40 years are asking the right questions.
Great article Charles, but too bad you continue to paint Clinton's campaign in such cynical tones. Southerners who wonder where Bernie Sanders has been for the last 40 years are asking the right questions.
11
No mention of Justin T. Bamberg, the black South Carolina state senator and lawyer who represented the family of Walter Scott, switching his endorsement from Hillary to Bernie? It's glaring omission from this column.
10
Bernie doesn't have support in the South because Hillary Clinton is a much, much better candidate for President - smarter, better experience, tougher. Bernie is a Senator from a tiny, virtually all-white, very liberal State. That's it. And he got arrested at the Chicago Dem Convention and joined the March on Washington - with millions of others. Um, fine, but - big deal. Not much in the way of civil rights bona fides. He's a nice man, but a pretty thin resume.
Hillary's undercover work to expose structural school segregation was so brave - my God, people (including white people) in the civil rights movement were routinely beaten and killed. Yikes.
I am delighted that she is running, and I can't wait to vote for Hillary! I think a lot of fellow Democrats in the South feel the same. Go, Hillary!
Hillary's undercover work to expose structural school segregation was so brave - my God, people (including white people) in the civil rights movement were routinely beaten and killed. Yikes.
I am delighted that she is running, and I can't wait to vote for Hillary! I think a lot of fellow Democrats in the South feel the same. Go, Hillary!
12
What's ironic is that Clinton's main selling points are her experience and judgment yet she keeps apologizing for past decisions. She's apologized for voting for the war in Iraq and now for her previous positions on the issues mentioned by Mr. Blow.
What is important that none of these positions affected her personally. Her vote on the war sent other people's children to their deaths while her's stayed safely at home. And that criminal justice bill didn't affect any among her family or friends.
At which point do we accept that someone has poor judgment and that apologies aren't sufficient to cover this.
What is important that none of these positions affected her personally. Her vote on the war sent other people's children to their deaths while her's stayed safely at home. And that criminal justice bill didn't affect any among her family or friends.
At which point do we accept that someone has poor judgment and that apologies aren't sufficient to cover this.
8
I believe only three states have held a primary or a caucus. Coming out of those three states, Sanders and Clinton are practically tied in earned delegates. Anything about what will happen in the future is conjecture. Why don't we let the American people decide, before assuming HRC will be the nominee?
7
Clinton needs to atone. Bernie doesn't need to atone. That is it in a nutshell!
13
Margaret, we all need to atone.
2
Sanders's army of revolutionaries are college kids who'd prefer to go on spring break than to stay on campus to vote or at least have the foresight to apply for an absentee ballot.
Viva la Revolucion...from Cancun!
Viva la Revolucion...from Cancun!
6
The most telling point in this column is the one that highlights that on policy HRC "keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues. Sanders’s popularity has forced the shift."
Sanders, meanwhile, just stays his course. He is a no guile kind of guy. He may not have any southern surrogates, but he also is not disingenuous. He is not about appearances or using the tragedy of others to advance his campaign.
His inability to exploit may be what hurts him most in his campaign, but for his supporters, it is what they like most about him. If voters, regardless of geography, ethnicity, race, etc., paid closer attention to the candidate instead of the side show, we would have a different outcome.
Bernie is steadfast and true. He has nothing for which he needs to "atone." The media and the DNC have done all they can to thwart him and favor Hillary, but their own efforts have been thwarted. Just read the comments in the Times...lots of Bernie support there even if the Times itself supports Hillary. The people are speaking and Mr. Blow, you, at least, seem finally to be listening.
Sanders, meanwhile, just stays his course. He is a no guile kind of guy. He may not have any southern surrogates, but he also is not disingenuous. He is not about appearances or using the tragedy of others to advance his campaign.
His inability to exploit may be what hurts him most in his campaign, but for his supporters, it is what they like most about him. If voters, regardless of geography, ethnicity, race, etc., paid closer attention to the candidate instead of the side show, we would have a different outcome.
Bernie is steadfast and true. He has nothing for which he needs to "atone." The media and the DNC have done all they can to thwart him and favor Hillary, but their own efforts have been thwarted. Just read the comments in the Times...lots of Bernie support there even if the Times itself supports Hillary. The people are speaking and Mr. Blow, you, at least, seem finally to be listening.
8
Sanders should be gone back to Burlington by next weekend.
But, since he is an angry old hippie he will stay in until the money runs out. Which means two things, Hillary will go broke fighting him off, and she has no time to properly spin the FBI and now DOJ that is breathing down her neck.
In either case, the Dem field is weak. Very weak.
But, since he is an angry old hippie he will stay in until the money runs out. Which means two things, Hillary will go broke fighting him off, and she has no time to properly spin the FBI and now DOJ that is breathing down her neck.
In either case, the Dem field is weak. Very weak.
5
Many Americans do not know or understand the issues much less could they vote on them.
3
I am hopeful that the idealistic voting pattern of college students is not likely to win the day. It is great to see their enthusiasm--I remember that from my own days of Viet Nam era protests. But without the experience, without the ground game, that passion should not win the day in a battle for the chief executive of this nation. I hope those youthful votes will come out and support Secretary Clinton should she be the nominee.
What corporation, university, NGO, etc. would hire a chief executive without the experience for the job? Why should a major company or country hire someone who just has a nice face and a good TV/twitter pitch? In these circumstances Senator Sanders still easily surpasses Reality Host Trump. Secretary Clinton still beats both of them.
As for the issue of trustworthiness, someone please point to a major national leader who could always be bluntly honest and manage to coalesce support from diverse factions. Maybe read the recent book, "The Virtues of Mendacity: On Lying in Politics." Every iconic president has had warts.
What corporation, university, NGO, etc. would hire a chief executive without the experience for the job? Why should a major company or country hire someone who just has a nice face and a good TV/twitter pitch? In these circumstances Senator Sanders still easily surpasses Reality Host Trump. Secretary Clinton still beats both of them.
As for the issue of trustworthiness, someone please point to a major national leader who could always be bluntly honest and manage to coalesce support from diverse factions. Maybe read the recent book, "The Virtues of Mendacity: On Lying in Politics." Every iconic president has had warts.
12
There is coming a day--perhaps sooner, but maybe later--when Democrats of all stripes will need to come together behind either Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton. At that time we will need to put the acrimony aside and work together as one to make sure that Bernie or Hillary has the tools and support to both win the general election and flip the Senate.
I have been a Sanders supporter from the beginning, because I know that Bernie is less likely to waffle than Clinton on the issues or take the most expedient route in the name of pragmatism. I don't have to worry about that should he win the nomination. With Hillary, she will naturally want to triangulate back towards the center once she feels she has the liberal wing locked up. That will require extra energy from the progressives to keep her from doing that. But should she win the nomination, we will know that going in.
But the point here is that either candidate is miles above any candidate the the Republicans put forth. And as the recent Senate's unprecedented stonewalling of President Obama's constitutional right to select Scalia's demonstrates, neither candidate will do well without a Democratic majority. So let's have this fight. But remember that we will soon need to direct our battle outward, and in this we will need all hands working together, regardless of who eventually gets chosen.
I have been a Sanders supporter from the beginning, because I know that Bernie is less likely to waffle than Clinton on the issues or take the most expedient route in the name of pragmatism. I don't have to worry about that should he win the nomination. With Hillary, she will naturally want to triangulate back towards the center once she feels she has the liberal wing locked up. That will require extra energy from the progressives to keep her from doing that. But should she win the nomination, we will know that going in.
But the point here is that either candidate is miles above any candidate the the Republicans put forth. And as the recent Senate's unprecedented stonewalling of President Obama's constitutional right to select Scalia's demonstrates, neither candidate will do well without a Democratic majority. So let's have this fight. But remember that we will soon need to direct our battle outward, and in this we will need all hands working together, regardless of who eventually gets chosen.
5
Come on. It is simply clear that Sanders does not pander. He spent most of his life in New York, Chicago, Vermont, and Washington DC. He focused on his local duties there and his national duties as a Senator. Why should he be going to the deep South, except to pander or prepare for a run for president? He focused on what he should have. You can support Hillary and not find silly things to talk about why.
10
The REAL problem that should be scaring the dickens out of both Hillary and Bernie is the gross disparity in voter turnout in the primaries. The Republicans are seeing record-breaking numbers coming to the polls, but the Democrats have seen historic drop-offs in participation. What that means is obvious: Republicans are excited by what's happening in their primaries, but Democrats are basically bored and uninterested. I know the Bernie fans will jump on me about this but the numbers don't lie: Turnout is terrible.
The "why" is obvious: The plan of the Clintons and Debbie Wasserman Schultz to rig the nomination for Hillary made all but one of the interesting opponents (like Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren) stay home. Yet again, Democrats sigh and think "Why bother? It's all fixed already." So they stay home instead of voting. NOBODY is excited about a Hillary Presidency, despite all the precedents it will set, and despite her being far more capable than anyone else. And frankly, Bernie excites a limited group. People like me LIKE Bernie Sanders but doubt he can be elected and know he can't deliver on his agenda. He's another McGovern, sadly. So turnout suffers.
I cannot speak for how Black voters think, but I do know this: If they stay away from the polls in November, Trump, Cruz or Rubio will be President, and McConnell will remain as Senate Majority leader. And another Scalia will join the Supreme Court.
The DNC MUST do something to generate voter turnout.
The "why" is obvious: The plan of the Clintons and Debbie Wasserman Schultz to rig the nomination for Hillary made all but one of the interesting opponents (like Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren) stay home. Yet again, Democrats sigh and think "Why bother? It's all fixed already." So they stay home instead of voting. NOBODY is excited about a Hillary Presidency, despite all the precedents it will set, and despite her being far more capable than anyone else. And frankly, Bernie excites a limited group. People like me LIKE Bernie Sanders but doubt he can be elected and know he can't deliver on his agenda. He's another McGovern, sadly. So turnout suffers.
I cannot speak for how Black voters think, but I do know this: If they stay away from the polls in November, Trump, Cruz or Rubio will be President, and McConnell will remain as Senate Majority leader. And another Scalia will join the Supreme Court.
The DNC MUST do something to generate voter turnout.
3
Both parties have a particularly poor selection this year, and with Trump emerging as the GOP choice this election is now the democrats to lose. If they select Clinton, a shallow, insincere politician who has to be told what her positions are (and they are all taken from Sanders or O'Malley) with a long history of Clinton first, it will likely be a fight. If they select Sanders they won't have a cake walk but they will very likely win since republicans or independents tired of the same old same old will cross the line to vote for him rather than Trump or Cruz. Minority voters should carefully consider the past when choosing which party to vote for. The democrats have taken the "keep them on the plantation" approach, promise the moon then ignore minorities until the next election except to give them just enough to keep them "in line" while misleading them about the GOP intentions. The GOP at least treats minorities like adults capable of acting as such if given the opportunity despite the xenophobic rantings of the Trump crowd which scares and worries most of the republicans I know. . Bernie is the most honest of the politicians running with double digit support. He and his supporters have little idea how or why jobs are created but he does have a strong sense of right and wrong, unlike Clinton who has only a sense of what helps her and what doesn't.
3
I am constantly baffled by the attempts of Sanders supporters trying to revise history. To hear them tell the story, Bill Clinton is responsible for the mass incarceration of black men. I am a black man. I have never been in jail. I obey the law. Were all these jailed black men innocent men picked up for no reason and jailed? If so, let's hear the evidence.
What I do remember is the 80's and 90's were violent times when blacks were victims of violent crimes mostly at the hand of their fellow blacks. What should the police have done? Let them out on the streets to terrorize their communities? There is a myth out there that most blacks were jailed simply for possession of harmless drugs like pot. Simply not true. Many were members of violent drug gangs peddling crack cocaine destroying entire communities.
And then there is the welfare revision. What I remember was a time when people gamed the system by figuring out how to have kids, not getting married and making enough off welfare to live. This was what finally destroyed the black family structure.
Now here come the Sanders crowd, mostly young people who were not there, who want to go back to the bad days of welfare, and going easy on lawbreakers. They also in a misguided belief they are doing good, wanting to send violent criminals back into their communities and the streets. This black man says "thanks but no thanks".
What I do remember is the 80's and 90's were violent times when blacks were victims of violent crimes mostly at the hand of their fellow blacks. What should the police have done? Let them out on the streets to terrorize their communities? There is a myth out there that most blacks were jailed simply for possession of harmless drugs like pot. Simply not true. Many were members of violent drug gangs peddling crack cocaine destroying entire communities.
And then there is the welfare revision. What I remember was a time when people gamed the system by figuring out how to have kids, not getting married and making enough off welfare to live. This was what finally destroyed the black family structure.
Now here come the Sanders crowd, mostly young people who were not there, who want to go back to the bad days of welfare, and going easy on lawbreakers. They also in a misguided belief they are doing good, wanting to send violent criminals back into their communities and the streets. This black man says "thanks but no thanks".
9
Quite a few politicians in Washington signed the anti-crime bill in the 90s including the esteemed Joe Biden. Bill Clinton has publicly apologized, and Hillary too has acknowledged her errors. If elected, I think Hillary would be committed to reforming the justice system which is where we, as a country, need to start. The black community is alien to Sanders, and it's a little late to make up for lost time. By the way, Mr. Blow referring to Bill Clinton's gift as a griot in one of his previous columns was a supreme compliment.
4
First Mr. Blow tells us that Sanders doesn't have the support of African Americans. Then--due to the overwhelming evidence to the contrary--he tries to tell us that Sanders doesn't have the support of African Americans from the South. What will he tell us next? That Sanders doesn't have the support of African Americans from the South who drive Pintos?
Meanwhile, he wishes us to believe that African Americans from the South will more readily relate to a millionaire New York Senator who hobnobs with the super-rich and accepts hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees from the major Wall Street Banks.
Okay, Mr. Blow. Whatever.
Meanwhile, he wishes us to believe that African Americans from the South will more readily relate to a millionaire New York Senator who hobnobs with the super-rich and accepts hundreds of thousands of dollars in speaking fees from the major Wall Street Banks.
Okay, Mr. Blow. Whatever.
9
Excellent and fair analysis Charles Blow, this is going to be an exiting election not knowing who will win the nomination. There is one thing though so many people not in college years are too busy earning a livings sometimes works 2-3 work shifts to have food on the table, so many of them did not even knew of Sanders existence a few months ago. When home perhaps watching entertainment instead of political shows.
Does Sanders have enough time to win them ever ?
Does Sanders have enough time to win them ever ?
1
Your analysis of the northern/southern divide in the black community is excellent. It reminds of the reason that James Meredith ended up working for Jesse Helms: the insufferable arrogance -- and not-so-hidden racism -- of white, northern liberals. I do, however, think this resentment has lessened somewhat over the years; young people of all colors seem to be coming together on many economic and social issues. But I fear the divisions in the Democratic party by the time the nomination process is done will cripple any Fall campaign.
16
Rights don't trickle down. People need to be able to go to federal court and sue for their rights. Currently most people can't do so. The reason is that it costs about $100K to start a lawsuit in federal court with an attorney so only the 2% can.
The alternative is "pro se". But the problem with "pro se" is that 99.9% of all "pro se" claims are "dismissed" with no trial and no settlement. Most of the time there is no airing of disputed facts, no discovery. Complaints are dismissed on the basis that they are "too long" or "too conclusory" or lacking some magical term. It used to be that all a complaint had to do was give notice and then there would be an oral discussion. The Supreme Court wanted to make it harder for prisoners to get relief, so they made it impossible for all of us to get our cases heard in federal court unless we are part of the 2%. The exception is those who have a video of a police beating or were held for 18 years and freed by DNA evidence. That's only a small percentage of those who might have grounds to sue the police, local government, employer, etc.
To the best of my knowledge neither of the Clintons have ever done anything at all to help with real access to federal court for resolution of grievances. Offering legal aid for divorce and tenant disputes doesn't help these issues one bit. Carolyn Lamm, past ABA president, is against the procedural due process rights of pro se litigants and thinks no lawyer = no rights. Lamm endorsed Clinton.
The alternative is "pro se". But the problem with "pro se" is that 99.9% of all "pro se" claims are "dismissed" with no trial and no settlement. Most of the time there is no airing of disputed facts, no discovery. Complaints are dismissed on the basis that they are "too long" or "too conclusory" or lacking some magical term. It used to be that all a complaint had to do was give notice and then there would be an oral discussion. The Supreme Court wanted to make it harder for prisoners to get relief, so they made it impossible for all of us to get our cases heard in federal court unless we are part of the 2%. The exception is those who have a video of a police beating or were held for 18 years and freed by DNA evidence. That's only a small percentage of those who might have grounds to sue the police, local government, employer, etc.
To the best of my knowledge neither of the Clintons have ever done anything at all to help with real access to federal court for resolution of grievances. Offering legal aid for divorce and tenant disputes doesn't help these issues one bit. Carolyn Lamm, past ABA president, is against the procedural due process rights of pro se litigants and thinks no lawyer = no rights. Lamm endorsed Clinton.
6
Interestingly, the Clintons' lack of integrity and ethics are not even a consideration in these discussions. Their only crimes are those that personally affected black voters.
Gives you insight into what's important to certain voters -- and what isn't.
Gives you insight into what's important to certain voters -- and what isn't.
4
I think the basic problem is that Bernie is working from a philosophy that is totally colorblind. So when people ask what have you done for my color , the answer is nothing in particular.
What has Bernie done for the left handed folk?
I think the only way for him to communicate is to speak to people in his own terms, to appeal to voters as individuals rather than as colors.
Racial equality by focusing on equality rather than on race.
What has Bernie done for the left handed folk?
I think the only way for him to communicate is to speak to people in his own terms, to appeal to voters as individuals rather than as colors.
Racial equality by focusing on equality rather than on race.
10
When I read the readers' comments engendered by most articles on Hillary Clinton, I'm amazed at the number of people who don't like her, yet still continue to read the NYT which so clearly does. Are there no other US papers those who aren't quite so fond of Hillary can read?
2
Charles, the kids are dismayed at the hurry the democratic establishment seems to be in, Harry Reid is calling for democrats to fall behind Hillary. What the heck, they say. We haven't even had a chance to vote yet. They send in their absentee ballots, for Bernie, yay! Its done.
Regarding the South, yes it seems the southern states are stuck in times, they hold on to their ancestry stories (who is a more authentic slave who is not) which is really great because each of us craves to know where we came from. But the other part of us wants to move forward, wants to give our kids better lives than we had. Speaking as a naturalized citizen, I can related with Bernie, whose father came to America at 17. His mother already lived in the US, herself a daughter of immigrants from Eastern Europe.
For many black folks, Obama himself is not black enough, whatever that means. That he was raised by white mother and white grandparents. That his father never knew slavery because he was from an African country, Kenya. Never mind that the First Lady Michelle Robinson is a direct descendant of slaves and her mother who lives in the White House with them, is testimony to how far slaves have come, today in 2016.
Regarding the South, yes it seems the southern states are stuck in times, they hold on to their ancestry stories (who is a more authentic slave who is not) which is really great because each of us craves to know where we came from. But the other part of us wants to move forward, wants to give our kids better lives than we had. Speaking as a naturalized citizen, I can related with Bernie, whose father came to America at 17. His mother already lived in the US, herself a daughter of immigrants from Eastern Europe.
For many black folks, Obama himself is not black enough, whatever that means. That he was raised by white mother and white grandparents. That his father never knew slavery because he was from an African country, Kenya. Never mind that the First Lady Michelle Robinson is a direct descendant of slaves and her mother who lives in the White House with them, is testimony to how far slaves have come, today in 2016.
1
I can't help skipping out on a column that starts with a faulty premise. I've never done it with one of your columns. But . . . absentee ballots. Saunders attracts exactly the type of passionate enthusiasts who will find out how to legally vote - home state or school state - and take care of that
5
No matter how much I admire Bernie's ideas, I fear we already know the outcome. Republicans win. Either he will recapitulate the electoral arc of George McGovern--or if Bernie somehow is elected, then it is likely the electorate will select republicans for congress. He will accomplish exactly zero.
9
You are not seeing the full picture, Mom (with the handle "Mom", I can't say you are wrong).
Here's the way I see it:
Sanders wins by an historic landslide, 70% kind of landslide.
He will be in office for 2 terms, 8 years, during which there will be 2 midterm elections, which will give us, the now empowered electorate the opportunity to tear apart our obstructionist Congress, and send those who do not accede to our wishes, packing.
We will do it during the first midterm, and if the remaining corporate owned charlatans in our Congress do not get religion at that point, come through next midterm, they will be gone.
Methinks, once Congress sees Sanders elected, next November, they will very quickly know the scam is over, and they will be falling over each other, in an effort to prove they can represent the wishes of the people.
Regardless, we intend to throw them out; who could thrust bums such as they, after what they have done to the people of our great nation.
Likewise, who could trust the windvane we know as Hillary Clinton. Makes my head spin with her evasive answers.
Here's the way I see it:
Sanders wins by an historic landslide, 70% kind of landslide.
He will be in office for 2 terms, 8 years, during which there will be 2 midterm elections, which will give us, the now empowered electorate the opportunity to tear apart our obstructionist Congress, and send those who do not accede to our wishes, packing.
We will do it during the first midterm, and if the remaining corporate owned charlatans in our Congress do not get religion at that point, come through next midterm, they will be gone.
Methinks, once Congress sees Sanders elected, next November, they will very quickly know the scam is over, and they will be falling over each other, in an effort to prove they can represent the wishes of the people.
Regardless, we intend to throw them out; who could thrust bums such as they, after what they have done to the people of our great nation.
Likewise, who could trust the windvane we know as Hillary Clinton. Makes my head spin with her evasive answers.
4
Shorter Blow: If 90% of America's black voters chose Sanders, it would not really change the party's capacity to use its arcane and undemocratic (ironic indeed) methods to push its own candidate to victory.
3
Maybe a simple explanation is that for all their long journey trying to live the American dream, black people have a healthy dose of "this sounds too good to be true let me wait and see." Don't forget many blacks did not support Obama in the beginning because it was hard for them to imagine that a black man would become President. Indeed many elderly blacks said they were afraid to vote for him because it might get him killed. Yet they rallied around and for many the single issue was the ability to look up at their television screens and see a black family in the White House.
Bernie's move to embrace the black community is no different to Hillary's "tacking" more to the left. Expediency in politics is the watchword for all candidates.
"I know the Clintons" echoed by many black people is not to be disparaged. "I never saw this guy before, didn't know his name, never saw him in and around our churches" is the opposite of that and also not to be disparaged. Many black people are willing to listen and learn. That is their right without all the psychoanalyzing.
Bernie's move to embrace the black community is no different to Hillary's "tacking" more to the left. Expediency in politics is the watchword for all candidates.
"I know the Clintons" echoed by many black people is not to be disparaged. "I never saw this guy before, didn't know his name, never saw him in and around our churches" is the opposite of that and also not to be disparaged. Many black people are willing to listen and learn. That is their right without all the psychoanalyzing.
4
Since people are allowed to link to their own personal blogs as well as articles on other news sites, here is a link to CNN covering the fact that the Sanders' campaign was caught sending misleading content in an email out just on the cusp of the South Carolina vote. Coupled with his campaign breaking into (cyber crime) the DNC private database to get names to contact, this really points to the pure Sanders' people being just as sleazy as they insist on painting others.
What did the guy below accuse Mr. Blow of being -a hypocrite? Heal thyself, buddy.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/politics/bernie-sanders-email-fundraising-...
What did the guy below accuse Mr. Blow of being -a hypocrite? Heal thyself, buddy.
http://www.cnn.com/2016/02/23/politics/bernie-sanders-email-fundraising-...
2
The easiest prediction: Hillary defeats Sanders for the nomination, largely due to the support of African Americans (but also because the nomination process has been rigged by the Clintons to coronate her via the vast majority of "Superdelegates" for Hillary).
Then, Trump trounces Hillary in the general election, because most Americans are sick of "free trade" and military interventions in foreign civil wars, two of Hillary's favorite policies.
So, the irony is that a vote for Hillary is a vote for a Republican President.
Then, Trump trounces Hillary in the general election, because most Americans are sick of "free trade" and military interventions in foreign civil wars, two of Hillary's favorite policies.
So, the irony is that a vote for Hillary is a vote for a Republican President.
9
I'm white (as I suspect are most of the commenters here) so I'm not going to offer any comments about the direct issues of this column ... but to keep it simple .. the South Carolina and Florida primaries are coming up soon.
Florida is a swing state -- to win the presidency these days it's a necessity to a Republican and very near to a necessity to a Democrat. Think about how close Florida was in 2000, Nader and butterfly ballot and hanging chads and all, and what has happened to the nation because Bush won ... in Florida.
Florida is (today) the state in the deep south were minority voters are effectively enfranchised -- the others are all so "solid red" (white) they are not in play. A Democrat is not likely to take South Carolina, but it does serve as a cultural surrogate for Florida and the south.
Look here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/fl/florida_democr...
Hillary polls 64%, Sanders 25% among Democrats in Florida. He's running a little better in SC, but still a wipeout. For those supporting Sanders ... I'm sorry for you but these are numbers you cannot ignore. Unless Bernie could turn-around voter preferences in Florida by the time of the election, very high probability that Bernie would lose, even if he took the national popular vote.
Bernie has effectively conceded SC & Florida -- he's not there, instead spending his time in northern states he thinks he can win.
Florida is a swing state -- to win the presidency these days it's a necessity to a Republican and very near to a necessity to a Democrat. Think about how close Florida was in 2000, Nader and butterfly ballot and hanging chads and all, and what has happened to the nation because Bush won ... in Florida.
Florida is (today) the state in the deep south were minority voters are effectively enfranchised -- the others are all so "solid red" (white) they are not in play. A Democrat is not likely to take South Carolina, but it does serve as a cultural surrogate for Florida and the south.
Look here:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2016/president/fl/florida_democr...
Hillary polls 64%, Sanders 25% among Democrats in Florida. He's running a little better in SC, but still a wipeout. For those supporting Sanders ... I'm sorry for you but these are numbers you cannot ignore. Unless Bernie could turn-around voter preferences in Florida by the time of the election, very high probability that Bernie would lose, even if he took the national popular vote.
Bernie has effectively conceded SC & Florida -- he's not there, instead spending his time in northern states he thinks he can win.
5
The Clintons left Arkansas in 1992 and never looked back.
On leaving the White House, the Clintons moved to Chappaqua, New York, part of Westchester County, where whites are 91.8% of the population, and blacks are 0.94%. The Clintons had the money to live anywhere in the country and chose one of the whitest, richest counties in America, where the median household income is $198,000.
The Clintons own a 2nd home in Washington D.C. - in Embassy Row/Observatory Circle, an overwhelmingly wealthy white neighborhood in D.C.'s Ward 3 'white suburbs' the only part of overwhelmingly black D.C. home to wealthy white people.
The Clintons are 'honorary' black folks if you disregard their choice to live in the whitest, wealthiest parts of America.
Bernie Sanders is well-known to Vermont residents, where he walks around Burlington and famously stops to talk to anyone who addresses him. I lived in Washington for 30+ years and the only time I ever saw either of the Clintons in public was when the Secret Service cleared K Street in 1994 so Bill could breeze past. This was the same block where, in 1987, I saw Premier Mikhail Gorbachev walk around talking and shaking hands with the public.
Yesterday at a private fundraiser in Charleston, Hillary was confronted by a young woman from Black Lives Matter who said "I know you called black people 'super predators' in 1994." She and a friend contributed $500 to attend the event. The Secret Service physically led her out.
On leaving the White House, the Clintons moved to Chappaqua, New York, part of Westchester County, where whites are 91.8% of the population, and blacks are 0.94%. The Clintons had the money to live anywhere in the country and chose one of the whitest, richest counties in America, where the median household income is $198,000.
The Clintons own a 2nd home in Washington D.C. - in Embassy Row/Observatory Circle, an overwhelmingly wealthy white neighborhood in D.C.'s Ward 3 'white suburbs' the only part of overwhelmingly black D.C. home to wealthy white people.
The Clintons are 'honorary' black folks if you disregard their choice to live in the whitest, wealthiest parts of America.
Bernie Sanders is well-known to Vermont residents, where he walks around Burlington and famously stops to talk to anyone who addresses him. I lived in Washington for 30+ years and the only time I ever saw either of the Clintons in public was when the Secret Service cleared K Street in 1994 so Bill could breeze past. This was the same block where, in 1987, I saw Premier Mikhail Gorbachev walk around talking and shaking hands with the public.
Yesterday at a private fundraiser in Charleston, Hillary was confronted by a young woman from Black Lives Matter who said "I know you called black people 'super predators' in 1994." She and a friend contributed $500 to attend the event. The Secret Service physically led her out.
10
While Clinton is atoning, maybe she can apologize for recently using Henry Kissinger as a job reference.
9
Mr. Blow,
We hardly have to look back to the 60's 70's, 80's or 90's. I might be too old to remember. But I do recall the Hillary of 2008 when her appeals were to those working Americans. You know, white Americans. I also recall that Sen. Obama might be christian instead of muslim. I even remember her platform now where those same southern states continue to execute black men in their prisons way out of proportion to anywhere else in the country, but we should keep the death penalty for those really, really bad guys.
Did the president pick her for Sec. Of State or was that a demand to get out of a race she was losing and to gain much needed experience for her run now? I'm not so impressed that a white woman in the south posed as a white woman in the south. I will be waiting for you column on what she has done for black people ever. And while your're at it, please look at why she is just a bad candidate who can't win even when all the cards are given to her.
No Mr. Blow, she won't get this 50+black female vote anytime soon. Taking my vote for granted was her first mistake. #IAmNotHerFirewall
We hardly have to look back to the 60's 70's, 80's or 90's. I might be too old to remember. But I do recall the Hillary of 2008 when her appeals were to those working Americans. You know, white Americans. I also recall that Sen. Obama might be christian instead of muslim. I even remember her platform now where those same southern states continue to execute black men in their prisons way out of proportion to anywhere else in the country, but we should keep the death penalty for those really, really bad guys.
Did the president pick her for Sec. Of State or was that a demand to get out of a race she was losing and to gain much needed experience for her run now? I'm not so impressed that a white woman in the south posed as a white woman in the south. I will be waiting for you column on what she has done for black people ever. And while your're at it, please look at why she is just a bad candidate who can't win even when all the cards are given to her.
No Mr. Blow, she won't get this 50+black female vote anytime soon. Taking my vote for granted was her first mistake. #IAmNotHerFirewall
10
Neither the Fox nor the Reuters polls are compelling nor especially trustworthy, though it's clear that Sanders has significant support.
Nor is there much doubt that Sanders has worked against racism. But there are enormous differences between these candidates that make Hillary the far more compelling choice as President.
Sanders greatest impact, beyond moving the dialogue, going forward would be as a diligent foot soldier in a Democratic Congress with a Democratic president... no longer the exile and the outlier. He has earned the right to serve.
But from foreign policy expertise, to allies around the country and the world, to experience, to history to values, and more imperfect Hillary is the one to lead in the fight for change.
I wouldn't hire a well-intending 74 year old needing OJT to run my organization, but would be happy to find a suitable position for him.
Love Bernie, Love America, Hillary for President.
Nor is there much doubt that Sanders has worked against racism. But there are enormous differences between these candidates that make Hillary the far more compelling choice as President.
Sanders greatest impact, beyond moving the dialogue, going forward would be as a diligent foot soldier in a Democratic Congress with a Democratic president... no longer the exile and the outlier. He has earned the right to serve.
But from foreign policy expertise, to allies around the country and the world, to experience, to history to values, and more imperfect Hillary is the one to lead in the fight for change.
I wouldn't hire a well-intending 74 year old needing OJT to run my organization, but would be happy to find a suitable position for him.
Love Bernie, Love America, Hillary for President.
7
As a radical born in the South Southerner, I cannot for the life of me figure out why people would want Sanders. We of the 60s marched and protested the war in vietnam, we marched for civil rights, and we wanted equal rights and equal pay for women. We were not socialists in any sense. We now in old age want health care for all, and still want equal rights for women, blacks and gays, etc.
But we don't want a grumpy old atheist (he can talk about his spirituality but we know what he means) communist who has been on the public payroll for years, and before that (he) had a spotty work record. We want a woman running the country.
But we don't want a grumpy old atheist (he can talk about his spirituality but we know what he means) communist who has been on the public payroll for years, and before that (he) had a spotty work record. We want a woman running the country.
4
"But we don't want a grumpy old atheist (he can talk about his spirituality but we know what he means) communist who has been on the public payroll for years, and before that (he) had a spotty work record. We want a woman running the country."
So he's grumpy...seems to me he's fed up with the state of the country, so I can't blame him.
Has he said he's an atheist? Is Christianity a requirement for president? Should it be?
Communism is not socialism and not democratic socialism. Look it up.
Why, again, does Hillary being a woman make her the best choice for president?
So he's grumpy...seems to me he's fed up with the state of the country, so I can't blame him.
Has he said he's an atheist? Is Christianity a requirement for president? Should it be?
Communism is not socialism and not democratic socialism. Look it up.
Why, again, does Hillary being a woman make her the best choice for president?
5
Methinks it entirely cloudy in Methingham County.
A woman President would be nice, but let's wait for one who has some teeny little bit of character, one who doesn't wear her insincerity like a second very tight skin.
The woman truly is not at all concerned about anything, other than herself.
A narcissist who believes the people of the United States should not question her desire to return "home", to "her", White House.
Well, guess what, it's our White House, as Bernie Sanders so eloquently said, when asked, "It's the Peoples House".
What a man, what a true gentleman he is.
Selfless in every way.
A woman President would be nice, but let's wait for one who has some teeny little bit of character, one who doesn't wear her insincerity like a second very tight skin.
The woman truly is not at all concerned about anything, other than herself.
A narcissist who believes the people of the United States should not question her desire to return "home", to "her", White House.
Well, guess what, it's our White House, as Bernie Sanders so eloquently said, when asked, "It's the Peoples House".
What a man, what a true gentleman he is.
Selfless in every way.
6
Proposing a public option in response to Sanders is not being "disingenuous" since Hillary had this in her platform 8 years ago. There also is no contradiction to being for law abiding citizens being able to own guns then and being against criminals being able to buy them now. Also, I have known many African Americans who are for being tough on crime.
1
These comment if full of right wing talking points against Clinton and for Sanders.
3
@linda5,
Your comment isn't clear. Did you mean to say "is full"?
2-25-16@1:17 pm
Your comment isn't clear. Did you mean to say "is full"?
2-25-16@1:17 pm
2
"We have to bring them to heel . . .", referencing Black Youth as super predators. Hillary refers to Black youth as dogs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALXulk0T8cg&feature=youtu.be
As for any discussion about circumstances creating an environment of Black crime and gang activities, we only talk about that after we bring them to heel.
Disgusting.
As for any discussion about circumstances creating an environment of Black crime and gang activities, we only talk about that after we bring them to heel.
Disgusting.
5
Hillary never injected race into her comments. It sounds like you are injecting race. She never once mentioned black kids. And don't forget that Bernie voted for that crime bill.
1
For all the enthusiasm you say Sanders generates, it has not turned his adoring fans into voters in the first three primaries. People crowding to see a candidate and screaming wildly about the positions he advocates means nothing if those people do not go out and vote. Barack Obama stirred people's emotions so they thronged to see him but more importantly they voted. Sadly Trump enthusiasts are voting in high numbers. Despite all of your soft bashing of the Clinton's on issues of race, they have and will always be strong advocates on behalf of people of color, poor people , the less fortunate and workers. Those are facts. Yes , they have compromised on issues in order to make deals and get things done, that's how its done in the real world and that's why Mr. Sanders despite the fiery rhetoric and pie in the sky programs has a poor legislative record. He would have a worse one as President. Yes Hillary has taken Wall Street money, it does not mean she is corrupt or bought just smart enough to recognize the economy needs Wall Street as does America and the World. The Republicans are awash with far more money so you need plenty of it to fight them. Get realistic Mr. Blow about the upcoming election and " do the right thing" or else you will be watching Mr Trump or worse yet Marco Rubio inaugurated come January 20, 2017.
6
RE: benjamin - hello? Sanders won the only primary so far (the other two were DNC-influenced caucuses) by the largest vote-count margin in primary HISTORY - after closing a double-digit deficit with adoring VOTERS, not fans.
Secondly, Wall Street money always means corruption, just like big-pharma money, big-coal money, big-military-industrial-complex money, big-let's-close-the-Postal-Service money, big-destroy-public-transprotation-infrastructure money. You name it, and the money has been there to divert the social aspects of our society towards the corporate and financial aspects.
Bernie Sanders' campaign has not taken any of the foul-smelling strings-surely-attached billionaire money, and does not plan to stack his Cabinet and administration full of Wall Street and Establishment revolving-door insiders. As a Democratic Socialist, he has gathered more and more ordinary citizen supporters who recognize his authentic dedication to improving the situation for our American society as a whole. Take a deep breath and then feel the Bern!
Secondly, Wall Street money always means corruption, just like big-pharma money, big-coal money, big-military-industrial-complex money, big-let's-close-the-Postal-Service money, big-destroy-public-transprotation-infrastructure money. You name it, and the money has been there to divert the social aspects of our society towards the corporate and financial aspects.
Bernie Sanders' campaign has not taken any of the foul-smelling strings-surely-attached billionaire money, and does not plan to stack his Cabinet and administration full of Wall Street and Establishment revolving-door insiders. As a Democratic Socialist, he has gathered more and more ordinary citizen supporters who recognize his authentic dedication to improving the situation for our American society as a whole. Take a deep breath and then feel the Bern!
3
Um...he won NH by 22 points, tied in Iowa, and lost NV by 5 point. Those are facts.
4
I don't blame Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton or Joe Biden, for the drug-war legislation of the nineties that resulted in mass-incarceration. Large majorities elected Nixon, Reagan, and Bush (the first).They engaged in vicious rhetoric against any Democrat who opposed them. To survive politically, compromises were made.
FBI statistics show over 700,000 arrested for marijuana possession in 2014. The numbers show that blacks, latinos and poor whites bear the brunt of discriminatory enforcement. Hillary Clinton's stated policy allows these arrests to continue. Bernie Sanders says arrests for simple possession should end. Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party should adopt Sanders' position. The official party platform should call for regulating pot like alcohol.
Let the Republican party be the party of marijuana prohibition. Democrats who continue to prop up prohibition make few friends among 18-29 year old voters who have been pulled over, searched, and processed through our criminal "justice" system. Hillary Clinton should be fighting for marijuana reform, not acting embarrassed every time the subject comes up.
FBI statistics show over 700,000 arrested for marijuana possession in 2014. The numbers show that blacks, latinos and poor whites bear the brunt of discriminatory enforcement. Hillary Clinton's stated policy allows these arrests to continue. Bernie Sanders says arrests for simple possession should end. Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party should adopt Sanders' position. The official party platform should call for regulating pot like alcohol.
Let the Republican party be the party of marijuana prohibition. Democrats who continue to prop up prohibition make few friends among 18-29 year old voters who have been pulled over, searched, and processed through our criminal "justice" system. Hillary Clinton should be fighting for marijuana reform, not acting embarrassed every time the subject comes up.
3
Charles,
If you don't see the Clintons double-dealing and triangulation in regard with African-Americans, then I submit to you a quick brief on how the Clintons used the Black votes to advance their fortunes and careers.
Same Clintons who sat on WalMart board for six years collecting $350000/year and never tried to help poor store workers(50% Blacks) get living wages or basic benefits
Same Clintons who did sister Souljah ( I trust you know why)
Same Clintons who end welfare as we know it
Same Clintons who declare the " era of big government is over"
Same Clintons who called Obama "a big fancy tale"
Same Clintons who viciously attacked Obama foreign policy in 2014
!
South Carolina primary is next week
The Clintons desperately needs the Black votes, they now worship Mandela and Obama.
And all the spineless careerists-do nothing- congressional Black Dems are lining up in SC to delver the needed Black votes to help the Clintons!
If you don't see the Clintons double-dealing and triangulation in regard with African-Americans, then I submit to you a quick brief on how the Clintons used the Black votes to advance their fortunes and careers.
Same Clintons who sat on WalMart board for six years collecting $350000/year and never tried to help poor store workers(50% Blacks) get living wages or basic benefits
Same Clintons who did sister Souljah ( I trust you know why)
Same Clintons who end welfare as we know it
Same Clintons who declare the " era of big government is over"
Same Clintons who called Obama "a big fancy tale"
Same Clintons who viciously attacked Obama foreign policy in 2014
!
South Carolina primary is next week
The Clintons desperately needs the Black votes, they now worship Mandela and Obama.
And all the spineless careerists-do nothing- congressional Black Dems are lining up in SC to delver the needed Black votes to help the Clintons!
12
Dear morGan:
All your statements being true, what then are YOU going to do?
Senator Sanders? Our primary is April 19th. I am voting absentee ballot for Hillary because despite all you say I think she will clean Trump's clock. Sanders already is exhausted and looking frail. He's a one-trick in my mind, but of course these are our opinions, morGan, and as Senator Moynihan said, we are entitled to them, but not the facts.
The facts are hard to fathom. Blacks must demand more from Democrats than mere checks on police brutality. Demand better schools, the only real way out, demand things needed to improve their lot in life, and it's not more welfare, it's more good schools which lead to self-actualizing real jobs, real independence. When Democrats are in office believe me is the time to strike out with these demands. When Blacks loyally deliver the DNC 95% of their vote, the threat of withholding that will turn their heads toward those concerns. Republicans who haven't had the Black vote since the Civil Rights Law was passed are not going to help. They're so filled with Hate and losing the White majority vote, these good white Christian soldiers are ready to take up arms and whoop it up for that huckster The Donald as their president. They are nuts beyond belief.
So, morGan, do something this April, and vote and again this Fall. Like the Lottery, you gotta be in it to win it.
DD
Manhattan
All your statements being true, what then are YOU going to do?
Senator Sanders? Our primary is April 19th. I am voting absentee ballot for Hillary because despite all you say I think she will clean Trump's clock. Sanders already is exhausted and looking frail. He's a one-trick in my mind, but of course these are our opinions, morGan, and as Senator Moynihan said, we are entitled to them, but not the facts.
The facts are hard to fathom. Blacks must demand more from Democrats than mere checks on police brutality. Demand better schools, the only real way out, demand things needed to improve their lot in life, and it's not more welfare, it's more good schools which lead to self-actualizing real jobs, real independence. When Democrats are in office believe me is the time to strike out with these demands. When Blacks loyally deliver the DNC 95% of their vote, the threat of withholding that will turn their heads toward those concerns. Republicans who haven't had the Black vote since the Civil Rights Law was passed are not going to help. They're so filled with Hate and losing the White majority vote, these good white Christian soldiers are ready to take up arms and whoop it up for that huckster The Donald as their president. They are nuts beyond belief.
So, morGan, do something this April, and vote and again this Fall. Like the Lottery, you gotta be in it to win it.
DD
Manhattan
2
I am 70 years old and voted in every election since 1968. There has never been an election where none of the candidates were appealing to me. Voting for Obama twice was the only times I voted foe a Democrat for President.
Sanders lacks experience. He has put the time in but has very little experience on the national stage. It seems like Clinton has been on the national stage all of her life. The problem is I am not fond of her performance including her emails and the Clinton Foundation. The press has not did a good job of brining the Clinton Foundation out of the closet. The only thing that may save her is looking at Trump as the alternative. ... http://lstrn.us/1TkPpbK
Sanders lacks experience. He has put the time in but has very little experience on the national stage. It seems like Clinton has been on the national stage all of her life. The problem is I am not fond of her performance including her emails and the Clinton Foundation. The press has not did a good job of brining the Clinton Foundation out of the closet. The only thing that may save her is looking at Trump as the alternative. ... http://lstrn.us/1TkPpbK
2
Ah Charles, ever the shrewd one, here I thought you were coming to your senses when you address Hillarys "tacking toward Sanders" and then you go into a monologue about African American voters preference for "The Chameleon". I feel you do every man, woman and child, black, brown, white, yellow or rainbow striped a disservice when you attempt to diminish the reason Bernie is leading in the Reuters poll: number one is Bernies addressing the seminal issue of our time and crosses all lines of race, color or gender, that of a degree of inequality and the lack of the ability to close the gap without family money or connections seen since the golden age, and considering the incararceration rate among African American men the issue of inequality should be number one, folks don't end up in prison when they have the option of a meaningful life with meaningful work and a fair shake at success. The actions that have allowed this degree of unfairness have been brewing since the seventies when the elites adopted Milton Friedmans ethos of voodoo economics, accelerated in the eighties with Thomas Friedmans "world is flat" tome espousing the glories of globalization and the nineties and beyond by deregulation of Glass Steagall under Clinton opening the door for the biggest financial fraud in our history which along with a war of choice voted for by Hillary brought the middle class of America and Europe to its knees. Color is not the issue Charles saving all working Americans is the issue.
4
Very informative in many ways, particularly that blacks play such a disproportionate role in determining who will be the Democratic nominee for President. The fact that there might be many disparate factions among blacks is amusing, but the article would be more informative, if it articulated the differences in terms of what they want from a nominee, rather than who will get the nod because of promenading around in the South. As if that would matter much, since there is really only one candidate likely to win and that is Ms. Clinton. Bernie has moved the discussion in the right direction, though. It is pretty clear that equality is much like having a job, and he has also helped to show just how unexciting a candidate Ms. Clinton actually is, so you wonder what kind of turn out the Democrats will get in the end. As for Mr. Sanders college students will figure out in the end where to vote, just as they did in 2008, but it will not make a difference. With that said, it should be obvious that in the National election, Ms. Clinton does not do as well as Bernie against Republicans because the turnout would not be the same for both. Perhaps, working class people, who would normally vote Democratic might switch to Trump, for example. I would be quite worried if I was a Democrat. People still need a reason to turn out, and this article does not suggest any.
1
Yes people who use their minds are free to make them up as they care to, Charles. But my question is this: Why do you speak of Senator Sanders in such disparaging tones? Bernie-come-lately? This man marched and was arrested in '63...so he at least took one beating. If someone is suggesting Southerns of African descent need help to decide who's best for them to vote for, it certainly isn't the senator. Yet you write as though he has. Is it because he's Jewish?
4
Southern African American voters are voting for Hillary Clinton because she has always shown concern for the issues that concern them while it's Sanders student voters who are corralled toward him by peer pressure. As for these polls, since when has a Fox poll been viewed as accurate and without ulterior motive.
3
Shown Concern lol ... Not done much about it tho.
2
Bernie's consistent attack on an oligarchic system is what this debate is about. And underneath that attack the well-being of poor whites and blacks, Latinos, Native Americans and the middle class are included.
Hillary has shown herself as being too close to the 1% when she accepted speaking fees from the banks. Those were large fees indicative of close ties.
The fact that these issues are not making their way into all of black America simply means more work needs to be done. Bernie Sanders only becomes relevant when his real constituency become politically aware of the benefits and costs. But this is the same litmus test for all voters.
If Bernie gets the vote he will still need the support from those who voted for him.
Whereas, Hillary, if she gets the vote, will have her insiders - the Clinton machine - fight for what she thinks is necessary to keep her job.
Hillary has shown herself as being too close to the 1% when she accepted speaking fees from the banks. Those were large fees indicative of close ties.
The fact that these issues are not making their way into all of black America simply means more work needs to be done. Bernie Sanders only becomes relevant when his real constituency become politically aware of the benefits and costs. But this is the same litmus test for all voters.
If Bernie gets the vote he will still need the support from those who voted for him.
Whereas, Hillary, if she gets the vote, will have her insiders - the Clinton machine - fight for what she thinks is necessary to keep her job.
3
Hillary is a long way from being what Blow wants to portray her as: the daughter of the South who identifies easily with southern African Americans.
Blow observes that Hillary "keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders's position." Blow thus notes that there is not much difference between Hillary and Bernie in policy.
Blow notes that Hillary however is more familiar with the South, having lived for considerable time in Arkansas and having often visited the South. For Blow, Hillary's familiarity with the South is reason enough for southern African Americans to prefer her over Sanders.
One might point out that when Hillary went looking for a state to reside in to represent in the Senate, she didn't choose Arkansas, or any other southern state. She made her home in New York to become in quick order its Senator.
One might also point out that Bill and Hillary's politically related activities, after they left the White House, allowed them to become multimillionaires. Bernie hasn't climbed that high on the economic ladder. He knows far better than Hillary what a less than wealthy life style is.
Southern African Americans, like everybody else, are trying to cope with the economic pressures put on the working and middle classes. Bernie is a better representative of those working and middle class southern African Americans, and everybody in the working and middle classes, than is Hillary, who long ago climbed up to 1% status.
Blow observes that Hillary "keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders's position." Blow thus notes that there is not much difference between Hillary and Bernie in policy.
Blow notes that Hillary however is more familiar with the South, having lived for considerable time in Arkansas and having often visited the South. For Blow, Hillary's familiarity with the South is reason enough for southern African Americans to prefer her over Sanders.
One might point out that when Hillary went looking for a state to reside in to represent in the Senate, she didn't choose Arkansas, or any other southern state. She made her home in New York to become in quick order its Senator.
One might also point out that Bill and Hillary's politically related activities, after they left the White House, allowed them to become multimillionaires. Bernie hasn't climbed that high on the economic ladder. He knows far better than Hillary what a less than wealthy life style is.
Southern African Americans, like everybody else, are trying to cope with the economic pressures put on the working and middle classes. Bernie is a better representative of those working and middle class southern African Americans, and everybody in the working and middle classes, than is Hillary, who long ago climbed up to 1% status.
4
Give me a break, if Sanders gets the nomination, the Republican's will paint him as a pinko, communist, socialist, non christian, 24/7, i love the Bern, but that is the way it will be. It would be a disaster for the Democrats and hand the Presidency to the Pubs, the whole country and the world, would suffer for decades.
4
Your astute observations about provincial thinking in the minds of blacks who remained in the South raises questions about whether the people of the South are generally predisposed to distrust and dislike any candidate who isn't a Southerner.
2
Sadly for the Democrats ( and the nation) this election will be about checking off the boxes. So, Clinton will win. "Check". Female President. Them nothing changes for the people of the South or for America. The Republicans will continue the obstruction and the standard of living of blacks in the South will decline steadily. Back to the "cotton" days?
1
And once again identity politics is proposed as the scaffolding on which Bernie's "electability" is tested. Not to mention the irony of first stating that "Black voters are not monolithic..." followed by "Southerners in general bristle..". I also find it interesting that Blow mentions Belafonte, Glover, but not Adolph Reed Jr.'s support of Bernie. Let me fill in that egregious absence by quoting Reed on race and Sanders:
"You can go down Sanders’s platform issue by issue and ask, “so how is this not a black issue?” How is a $15 minimum wage not a black issue. How is massive public works employment not a black issue. How is free public college higher education not a black issue. The criminal justice stuff and all the rest of it."
"The idea that Bernie Sanders becomes the target of race-line activists now, and not Hillary Clinton, is just beyond me and it smells. It smells to high heaven."
- http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2016/02/adolph-reed-on-sanders-coates-and...
"You can go down Sanders’s platform issue by issue and ask, “so how is this not a black issue?” How is a $15 minimum wage not a black issue. How is massive public works employment not a black issue. How is free public college higher education not a black issue. The criminal justice stuff and all the rest of it."
"The idea that Bernie Sanders becomes the target of race-line activists now, and not Hillary Clinton, is just beyond me and it smells. It smells to high heaven."
- http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2016/02/adolph-reed-on-sanders-coates-and...
5
If Sanders had been interested in civil rights, he would not have moved to the whitest state in the nation and then lived there for 40 + years
7
What can one say about Hillary's choice of homes? When she wanted to become an elected politician, she and Bill chose to move to New York where she could get elected as Senator much more easily as a Democrat than in the South. Hillary could have done so much more good for African Americans as an elected official in one of the southern states. Arkansas had been her home for a long time. But getting elected in New York was the better path for her. When it came to selecting a home after Bill's presidency, Hillary and Bill turned their backs on the South to further Hillary's political career.
3
During non election years, Blow is a tireless advocate for the underdog, the outsider, the seeker of justice, however conceived. But when the election year is upon us, he becomes oddly conservative and resigned to allow the powerful have their way. It makes one wonder which is the real Blow: the firebrand or Democratic party apparatchik.
5
Mr. Sanders has the advantage of being genuine. He is who he is. Once he gives that up, he's on the road to being Mrs. Clinton. Play it as it lays.
7
Senator Sanders must reach back to the radical Sixties to present us with his civil rights bona fides because in the Green Mountain there just ain't too many Black folk. Sanders hasn't jettisoned his civil rights roots, he just doesn't have the constituency who has much need for racial awareness in placid Burlington, pop. 40,000, its largest city on Lake Champlain. Skiing at resorts in Stowe, like The Trapp Family Lodge, dominate the conversation in cafes, bars and restaurants. Oh yes, and gun rights. Up there in Vermont most of its rural populace love their guns. They do not see the need for interference by Uncle Sam, for President Obama to come and take their guns away, which is broadcast daily on Right Wing radio airwaves. And here is where we see the radical Sanders turn into the politician who knows which side his bread is buttered on. Hillary's proposals put that of Senator Sanders to shame. But let's not go there.
How about we address health care, another one of Senator Sanders hallmarks? Recently Vermont, with the governor's approval, proposed to institute a single payer program. It would be better than RomneyCare in neighboring Massachusetts. It failed. Yes, Sanders supporters, it failed, in one of the nation's smallest, least populated liberal states. Now, good people out there "feeling the Bern" why have you not mentioned this to the good senator as to what happened? Is it because most are unaware it even occurred?
DD
Manhattan
How about we address health care, another one of Senator Sanders hallmarks? Recently Vermont, with the governor's approval, proposed to institute a single payer program. It would be better than RomneyCare in neighboring Massachusetts. It failed. Yes, Sanders supporters, it failed, in one of the nation's smallest, least populated liberal states. Now, good people out there "feeling the Bern" why have you not mentioned this to the good senator as to what happened? Is it because most are unaware it even occurred?
DD
Manhattan
6
"... calling some children “super predators,” and accepting donations from the private prison industry..."
Charles, did you forget to mention the part where Hillary states "we must bring them to heel"!!! or was that intentionally left out? Who exactly is "them"? How is Hillary going to make them "heel"?
What a tangled web you weave, Charles.
Charles, did you forget to mention the part where Hillary states "we must bring them to heel"!!! or was that intentionally left out? Who exactly is "them"? How is Hillary going to make them "heel"?
What a tangled web you weave, Charles.
4
I think Bernie Sanders would make a pretty good president. I think Hilary would make a better one, larger because she seems to have a better mind for details. I believe this largely because Paul Krugman has given some effective analysis of the weak spots in Bernie's numbers. Anyone who thinks that Krugman is anyone's rightwing shill is deluding him or herself. I was also very impressed with her ability to stand up for 10 hours to the lying abuse of a Bengazi commitee. That kind of grace and clear thinking under pressure would be very useful to anyone in the Oval office.
I have long been frustrated with Hilary (and Bill). Their assumption that Liberals will never vote for any of the Republican Candidates has led them to tilt to the right and take liberal votes for granted. Thanks to Bernie, they can no longer do that, and now Hilary's positions are pretty much the ones I want (and I believe the ones she herself would prefer). Hilary for President! Bernie for Gadfly in Chief!
I have long been frustrated with Hilary (and Bill). Their assumption that Liberals will never vote for any of the Republican Candidates has led them to tilt to the right and take liberal votes for granted. Thanks to Bernie, they can no longer do that, and now Hilary's positions are pretty much the ones I want (and I believe the ones she herself would prefer). Hilary for President! Bernie for Gadfly in Chief!
3
"Black voters are not monolithic". Seriously??? If black voters don't represent a monolithic voting block what does? In the last 12 presidential elections the lowest % of blacks voting democrat is 85%. In 9 of those the % was 90+. Find me a more monolithic voting block. And what has it gotten them over these 50 years? It has gotten them politicians who, in the era of a twice elected black president and back to back black attorneys general , and a black female secretary and a black head of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, have convinced them that having to get a photo ID to vote is a bigger threat to their future and freedom than a 73% out of wedlock birth rate. That cops pose a more dangerous threat to their lives than do black criminals. That the Justice Dept. oversight of congressional district lines holds more impact on their future than taking personal responsibility to ensure their kids take advantage of the educational opportunities that exist for them. I'm sorry Mr. Blow, if that doesn't define monolithic, I don't know what does.
6
Little Mike brings up Hillary's uterus and Mr. Blow, whom I really respect, thinks that was a smart move? To me, it's just another example of tone deafness on the part of the Sanders supporters. Sexism is just as ugly as racism, except in this reverse universe. Black women suffer from both. Still waiting for Bernie to reach out to women over 25.
6
@Isabella Saxton,
I'd like to clarify something. I just checked online and saw a clip of Killer Mike's speech. He was quoting activist Jane Elliot. Please feel free to see and hear for yourself. Several websites came up, including CNN.
2-25-16@1:32 pm
I'd like to clarify something. I just checked online and saw a clip of Killer Mike's speech. He was quoting activist Jane Elliot. Please feel free to see and hear for yourself. Several websites came up, including CNN.
2-25-16@1:32 pm
4
Mr Blow,
Thank you for a balanced, nuanced assessment at how, in your opinion, the dichotomy of the African-American vote will effect Sen. Sanders' chances in the primary. As always, your column provides a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, politics and culture. And in this case, even diaspora!
Please do ignore the proxy war in the comments. Both Mr. Sanders and (in my experience to a lesser degree) Mrs. Clintons supporters often see any negative mention of their candidate's chances as a personal attack/bias.
Don't become discouraged by the petty intra-party squabbles. We'll need your wit and insight in November, once we get to fighting the actual enemies of the poor and marginalized: the GOP!
Thank you for a balanced, nuanced assessment at how, in your opinion, the dichotomy of the African-American vote will effect Sen. Sanders' chances in the primary. As always, your column provides a unique perspective on the intersection of policy, politics and culture. And in this case, even diaspora!
Please do ignore the proxy war in the comments. Both Mr. Sanders and (in my experience to a lesser degree) Mrs. Clintons supporters often see any negative mention of their candidate's chances as a personal attack/bias.
Don't become discouraged by the petty intra-party squabbles. We'll need your wit and insight in November, once we get to fighting the actual enemies of the poor and marginalized: the GOP!
1
Tell us, Mr. Blow, do black women from either the north or south agree with Mrs. Clinton that welfare is a moral failing that should be punished by withholding welfare checks unless they take a parenting class or withheld if they miss a parent/teacher conference? Clinton has said these things and they speak volumes about her world view.
I believe that people apply for welfare because of lack of money and that it has nothing to do with being a "bad" parent. How about you? Does it make me a sexist?
I believe that people apply for welfare because of lack of money and that it has nothing to do with being a "bad" parent. How about you? Does it make me a sexist?
4
Mr Blow,
You write: "And Clinton’s Southern roots, relationships and seemingly superior understanding of regional sensibilities gives her a built-in advantage."
Don't forget her age: she's 6 years younger than Bernie, which is 3/4 of a 2-term presidency, and the fact that she's actually electable. Can you see a majority of Americans voting for Bernie Sanders? This is an unusual election cycle, one where the next president could very well be Donald Trump, but I fail to see how moderates, independents, disgruntled Republicans, non-college educated Democrats, would choose a 75-year-old Vermont senator over Donald Trump. Even over Donald Trump. Sanders has a very attractive message, but the president doesn't govern alone. Who's going to transform that message into legislation? The Republicans who have voted 63 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act? Who refuse to raise the federal minimum wage but will grant everyone free college education? Who will break up the banks and go after Wall Street? Not even in your dreams!
You write: "And Clinton’s Southern roots, relationships and seemingly superior understanding of regional sensibilities gives her a built-in advantage."
Don't forget her age: she's 6 years younger than Bernie, which is 3/4 of a 2-term presidency, and the fact that she's actually electable. Can you see a majority of Americans voting for Bernie Sanders? This is an unusual election cycle, one where the next president could very well be Donald Trump, but I fail to see how moderates, independents, disgruntled Republicans, non-college educated Democrats, would choose a 75-year-old Vermont senator over Donald Trump. Even over Donald Trump. Sanders has a very attractive message, but the president doesn't govern alone. Who's going to transform that message into legislation? The Republicans who have voted 63 times to repeal the Affordable Care Act? Who refuse to raise the federal minimum wage but will grant everyone free college education? Who will break up the banks and go after Wall Street? Not even in your dreams!
2
Black Americans are not monolithic nor are they geographical voting blocks. The story of Emmett Till was not a story until it left the south with his mutilated body and returned to the north where the press displayed it for the world to see the deranged psychopathy of the south. Black voters have long relied on the efforts of persons like Sanders to advocate for them. To suggest that Sanders has been anything other than a champion of civil rights is just dishonest.
2
As much as I agree with several proposal that Sanders has been defending the Democratic Party and the voters need to understand that politics is the art of what is possible.Revolution that Sanders is so much talking about can put in the hands of the GOP all branches of government and if this happens we are going to see a reversal of years of social progress.The end of Obamacare that needs still a lot of improvement,Johnson's Medicare,FDR new deal,they cannot win in fact they need to lose the Senate and the House and the Government and the Supreme Court.Gerrymandering needs to end.Vote limitation needs to end.Integration needs to continue.Our children cannot end college with a huge backpack of debt and paying interest that are a lot higher,a lot,then the banks pay when going to the Central bank,to get money.
Sanders represent a jump that even I as an old guy would be willing to see it happen knows that he will fail and with him all progress this society so slowly had conquered and see the trickle down economics prevail.
Sanders represent a jump that even I as an old guy would be willing to see it happen knows that he will fail and with him all progress this society so slowly had conquered and see the trickle down economics prevail.
1
I can count the number of times I've been in disagreement with Charles Blow on two fingers.I may have to add a toe(small).In this example of their dichotomy of appeal to African Americans in South Carolina and beyond,bernie and Hillary present two realms of electability.Mr.Blow's emission of this electability quotient registers as a major error.African Americans from whatever region of the country they roam realize that 'losing this election,is NOT an option.So,while the perfect(near perfect)vision of paradise of bernie is laudatory,it is less than probable or even possible.The consequences of a republican victory are just too evil to contemplate.As an African American,frankly,I wish they both could win(hint,hint).However,given the choice between the two,all American 'minorities,imho,must choose the probable over the possible in this election cycle.At some future point conservatives will be compelled to moderate politically,in order to attract a wider electoral pool.Perhaps then,center/left leaning Americans can chance a 4 year presidential setback that won't present the same withering republican political consequences.That is not the case that presently confronts 'us.Ultimately,Hillary Clinton connects with a greater portion of the democratic coalition,which provides the electoral strength for a general election victory.Charles doesn't mention this important aspect.I'll do it for him...
3
It seems likely that Clinton will get more African-American votes in the deep South States. Please, will someone remind me what the chances are of any of these States voting for a Democrat in November? So, all of these primary votes will be wasted. The real issue will be the seriously contested States in November. This is where votes of African-Americans, Latinos and everyone else will be crucial.
2
"the South, which has not been particularly favorable in recent history to Democratic candidates not from that region"
The South has not been particularly favorable in recent history to Democratic candidates from anywhere. Neither Clinton nor Sanders can expect any electoral votes from the South. Any advantage Clinton may have in the South is meaningless in the long run.
The South has not been particularly favorable in recent history to Democratic candidates from anywhere. Neither Clinton nor Sanders can expect any electoral votes from the South. Any advantage Clinton may have in the South is meaningless in the long run.
2
Mr. Blow if you are right (and I fear you are) then we have a train wreck happening in slow motion with no way to stop it.
Picture this scenario...
- Senator Sanders wins the overall vote in the primaries and the battleground states but...
- Hillary Clinton wins the nomination because of Super delegates , delegates from red states that the Democrats have no chance of winning and the vagaries of a primary process which allows for astute manipulation to harvest delegates so that...
...come November the Republicans win the House, Senate and White House as disenfranchised Sanders supporters stay away from the polls in droves...
...and come January the new President nominates a conservative for the Supreme Court locking our country into a cycle of despair for decades to come.
Picture this scenario...
- Senator Sanders wins the overall vote in the primaries and the battleground states but...
- Hillary Clinton wins the nomination because of Super delegates , delegates from red states that the Democrats have no chance of winning and the vagaries of a primary process which allows for astute manipulation to harvest delegates so that...
...come November the Republicans win the House, Senate and White House as disenfranchised Sanders supporters stay away from the polls in droves...
...and come January the new President nominates a conservative for the Supreme Court locking our country into a cycle of despair for decades to come.
5
This column reflects a much more reasoned approach toward both Sanders and Clinton than you have taken in the past. I don't agree with that approach, but I appreciate your sharing it us.
1
As usual with some columns in the NYT, the comments section is more interesting and enlightening than the column itself.
8
@will w,
That does seem to happen (at least sometimes) doesn't it?
2-25-16@1:11 pm
That does seem to happen (at least sometimes) doesn't it?
2-25-16@1:11 pm
2
A couple of things Mr. Blow. 1964 was 52 years ago. I expect that the attitude that people expressed back then and the attitudes they hold now would be quite different.
You wrote "Black voters are not monolithic", 95% of them voted for Obama and 90% of them reliably vote Democratic. They are indeed monolithic and the Democratic party wants to keep it that way.
You wrote "Black voters are not monolithic", 95% of them voted for Obama and 90% of them reliably vote Democratic. They are indeed monolithic and the Democratic party wants to keep it that way.
3
I thank Mr. Blow for writing this opinion with a fair grasp of the challenges that Bernie Sanders face to win the Democratic nomination for President. It has given me a better understanding of the different ways that blacks may consider a candidate like Bernie based on regional differences. It is human to not want to give a fair shake to someone who has been in politics for as many years as Bernie has with no track record of really fighting for them. However, it is rather unfortunate that the majority of blacks will not support Bernie. He has been right for so many years about the way our economy has been rigged to benefit the rich. The poor get Walmart wages and fast food joints and cheap goods while losing good paying skilled jobs. The tax code is to benefit the rich. We do need a political revolution, not only in this election but the next election and the election after that to purge out the dead weight, comprising of career politicians who pander more to their donors than their people. Where is the courage of lawmakers to work together and develop policies and laws that reduces poverty, starvation and suffering? Where is the courage among us to look at most of these losers in Congress and flush them down the toilet. This is the revolution we need.
4
Hillary has no intention of enacting a single financial institutional reform. What she's laying out right now is the "Bait" part of the equation. Any idea what comes next?? She'll "Switch" back into a Republican in the blink of an eye when she doesn't need to pander for votes anymore.
5
Clinton will end up with the nomination on the strength of delegates from states that she can never carry in the national election, while Sanders will lose despite (at worst) splitting delegates from purple and blue states. That's a real problem for the way these primaries are run.
3
Time for Bernie to call Don Draper. Graphs of income distribution don't have the gut-punch impact he needs in the South.
Suggested ad. A group of people suffering from diabetes. A majority are black (blacks are nearly twice as likely to have diabetes). A grandmotherly woman in her seventies talks about how she can no longer afford her insulin. She's afraid of losing a limb. Others chime in about high cost of insulin. Switch to Bernie (facts from NY Times article Breaking Up the Insulin Racket) From 2010 to 2015 Eli Lily raised the price of insulin by 325 percent. They have blocked the appearance of generic insulin. Big pharma has two lobbyists for every congressman. Hillary - working within the system as it is - has accepted huge donations from big pharma. My campaign has been financed by individual donors. Who do you think will fight for you?
Suggested ad. A group of people suffering from diabetes. A majority are black (blacks are nearly twice as likely to have diabetes). A grandmotherly woman in her seventies talks about how she can no longer afford her insulin. She's afraid of losing a limb. Others chime in about high cost of insulin. Switch to Bernie (facts from NY Times article Breaking Up the Insulin Racket) From 2010 to 2015 Eli Lily raised the price of insulin by 325 percent. They have blocked the appearance of generic insulin. Big pharma has two lobbyists for every congressman. Hillary - working within the system as it is - has accepted huge donations from big pharma. My campaign has been financed by individual donors. Who do you think will fight for you?
15
Roy, genius! You should mail it to the Sanders campaign.
5
Let's be frank. Hillary's support among blacks, north or south, isn't because of anything she's done, other than being the wife of a president and ex-president who is enormously popular among blacks.
9
I agree with what Mr. Blow writes about black voters not being a monolithic, as every other race in America. I also believe that Hillary Clinton's husband Bill, was the worse president Democrats have had in the last 100 years, but that she is NOT her husband. The fact that she is moving closer to Sanders is in her favor and she deserves my vote if she wins the primary. It doe snot do the Democrats jsutice if they continue attacking each other unnecessarily before the elections, instead of attacking the Republican right wing extremists running for president.
2
The Sanders-like ideals that Hillary Clinton has taken to mimicking do not strike me as genuine - they are the antithesis of her own deeply entrenched conservative policies. I have not one hope that she will follow through on any of her newfound 'principles'. If you like Sanders' policies, why not vote for him instead of someone who imitates him only to obtain votes?
3
This isn't a "southern" issue. It's a Black issue. Blow writes that "Most black voters don't seem to need the forthright addressing of these issues that I deem necessary." He would be of more service if he tried to explain why. Yes, Mrs. Clinton lived in the south for 20 years, but so did George Wallace. Since then the only times she's been in the area have been when she wanted votes. Yet somehow southern Black voters think she's their champion (despite Welfare Reform and much else) and regard any surrogates as "not black enough." It's part of the longstanding con game the Clintons have played with voters, and perhaps Mr. Blow can explain it better.
72
"perhaps Mr. Blow can explain it better" : I would certainly hope so - the post above is speculative gossip, so as far as that goes for explaining anything I wouldn't know. Sharing the same quadrant of the United States does not make one guilty of crimes of others in that quadrant as lazily convenient as that is. Living 20 years in the South does give you some cred there, like it or not.
1
It's not with a light heart that I comment on this article, because though white, I have been involved in two wrenching civil rights related cases in the South over the past 10 years. In the case that is ongoing, there is a similar schism between factions of the black community to what Mr. Blow describes - those who endured Jim Crow for much of their lives and want some sort of recompense, vs those who would rather look forward, and not even have to remember the sordid past. The pain of the first group is as real as the determination of the 2nd group to move forward without a full fledged viewing of what the 1st group has had to endure. Like Clinton said Tuesday night, few whites can place themselves in the shoes of what blacks endure, or have endured day by day. I would venture to say "none."
The current rift between blacks goes far beyond a welfare bill during Newt Gingrich's reign as the initial Tea Partier Speaker of the House, or a long ago crime bill during a time when the Dems had to prove that they could be tough - also 20 years ago. It's a generational rift now, and it's understandable that both views clash - young black people deserve to be able to move forward, and older blacks deserve to be able to mourn what was lost.
Sanders doesn't have the experience in the South that Mr. Blow mentions. Clinton has some Southern experience, but she offers less to the young than Sanders. The choice involves what someone was vs what someone wants to become.
The current rift between blacks goes far beyond a welfare bill during Newt Gingrich's reign as the initial Tea Partier Speaker of the House, or a long ago crime bill during a time when the Dems had to prove that they could be tough - also 20 years ago. It's a generational rift now, and it's understandable that both views clash - young black people deserve to be able to move forward, and older blacks deserve to be able to mourn what was lost.
Sanders doesn't have the experience in the South that Mr. Blow mentions. Clinton has some Southern experience, but she offers less to the young than Sanders. The choice involves what someone was vs what someone wants to become.
The disparity of support for Clinton versus Sanders has led to much speculative analysis. What about the findings of ADL surveys that african americans are more likely to hold anti-semitic views? Could that be a factor?
from wikipedia
According to surveys begun in 1964 by the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization, African Americans are significantly more likely than white Americans to hold antisemitic beliefs. There is a strong correlation between higher education levels and the rejection of anti-Semitic stereotypes for all races. Black Americans of all education levels are significantly more likely than whites of the same education level to be anti-Semitic. In the 1998 survey, blacks (34%) were nearly four times as likely as whites (9%) to have answers that identified them as being of the most anti-Semitic category (those agreeing with at least 6 of 11 statements that were potentially or clearly antisemitic). Among blacks with no college education, 43% responded as the most anti-Semitic group (vs. 18% for the general population). This percentage fell to 27% among blacks with some college education, and 18% among blacks with a four-year college degree (vs. 5% for the general population).[83]
from wikipedia
According to surveys begun in 1964 by the Anti-Defamation League, a Jewish organization, African Americans are significantly more likely than white Americans to hold antisemitic beliefs. There is a strong correlation between higher education levels and the rejection of anti-Semitic stereotypes for all races. Black Americans of all education levels are significantly more likely than whites of the same education level to be anti-Semitic. In the 1998 survey, blacks (34%) were nearly four times as likely as whites (9%) to have answers that identified them as being of the most anti-Semitic category (those agreeing with at least 6 of 11 statements that were potentially or clearly antisemitic). Among blacks with no college education, 43% responded as the most anti-Semitic group (vs. 18% for the general population). This percentage fell to 27% among blacks with some college education, and 18% among blacks with a four-year college degree (vs. 5% for the general population).[83]
Bernie Sanders has to realize that just by walking in a college march and taking the issues of the minority communities while as a mayor of Burlington in Vermont is not good enough to snag all the Black votes from Mrs. Clinton.
Black communities in the South, have totally different life experiences than the Black people of the north.
Mr.Sanders will have a hard time understanding that , compared to Mrs. Clinton's spending almost two decades in Arkansas and getting some real life experience as to what Black communities go through on a daily basis which is nothing but extreme poverty,low esteem and humiliation.
So its really good to see that both the candidates from the Democratic Party is fighting hard to get all the Black votes specially on Super Tuesday .
But Mr.Sanders has to know that he's way behind in pocketing all the Black votes specially in south which will always have a blotter in the American History as a bedrock of subjugation and exploitation of the Black communities.
So as a White Senator from the north coming to the South on Super Tuesday and clamoring for Black and Hispanic votes will be too much of a stretch .
The Clinton family has a long association with the Black community for more than 40 years, first in Arkansas and then in Washington where the Black caucus in Congress saved Bill's reputation when he was hammered by the Republicans on a daily basis.
This time they'll make sure Bill's wife gets to the White House.
And no body can stop that.
Black communities in the South, have totally different life experiences than the Black people of the north.
Mr.Sanders will have a hard time understanding that , compared to Mrs. Clinton's spending almost two decades in Arkansas and getting some real life experience as to what Black communities go through on a daily basis which is nothing but extreme poverty,low esteem and humiliation.
So its really good to see that both the candidates from the Democratic Party is fighting hard to get all the Black votes specially on Super Tuesday .
But Mr.Sanders has to know that he's way behind in pocketing all the Black votes specially in south which will always have a blotter in the American History as a bedrock of subjugation and exploitation of the Black communities.
So as a White Senator from the north coming to the South on Super Tuesday and clamoring for Black and Hispanic votes will be too much of a stretch .
The Clinton family has a long association with the Black community for more than 40 years, first in Arkansas and then in Washington where the Black caucus in Congress saved Bill's reputation when he was hammered by the Republicans on a daily basis.
This time they'll make sure Bill's wife gets to the White House.
And no body can stop that.
4
Obama won the presidency in 2008 due, in no small part, to a record black turnout that was almost undivided in support. Then it increased in 2012. But he's not running this year. It's a legitimate question to ask what the impact will be on turnout in Nov. '16. If it returns to pre-2008 percentages, then Clinton's purported edge over Sanders may be of little value should she be the nominee. Yes, I know you've got to win the primaries first, but why aren't we asking this question? It's almost inconceivable that either Clinton or Sanders will get the support that Obama received, yet the discourse seems to assume that the Dem nominee will. Clinton may fare better with blacks than Sanders, but does she do well enough to ensure high turnout in November? If not, will it compensate for turnout lost from other strong Sanders demographics?
2
While Mr. Blow, you may be correct in your analysis of why black voters in the south remain tepid with respect to Sanders, the reason why is disheartening. Essentially the explanation is that they know Hilary, she is close to being one of 'us' (Southerners?).
The Powell/Hamer anecdote can also be read through the lens of social justice. While it indeed invokes Powell's absence of experience suffering in the south, Hamer's response also invokes deeper moral principles that transcend geography. Hamer was right and Powell was wrong.
The fact is that Sanders' policies stand to benefit blacks- northern and southern, as they disproportionately suffer from unemployment and poverty-more than HRC's do, even if she is opportunistically tacking left. His stance on police brutality, institutional racism, and private prisons also serves to advance the cause of black people as they disproportionately suffer from these social pathologies.
I think people should vote their interests. And one of the interests of the black community is to address these pathologies. I think working class people , while also not a monolithic block, also have shared interests that should trump (hah!) silly considerations like 'how much time has the candidate spent in my state' . These are infantile disorders that take presidential politics to be about some special familiarity and asserting one's right to 'set their own course', as opposed to federal policies that make our lives better.
The Powell/Hamer anecdote can also be read through the lens of social justice. While it indeed invokes Powell's absence of experience suffering in the south, Hamer's response also invokes deeper moral principles that transcend geography. Hamer was right and Powell was wrong.
The fact is that Sanders' policies stand to benefit blacks- northern and southern, as they disproportionately suffer from unemployment and poverty-more than HRC's do, even if she is opportunistically tacking left. His stance on police brutality, institutional racism, and private prisons also serves to advance the cause of black people as they disproportionately suffer from these social pathologies.
I think people should vote their interests. And one of the interests of the black community is to address these pathologies. I think working class people , while also not a monolithic block, also have shared interests that should trump (hah!) silly considerations like 'how much time has the candidate spent in my state' . These are infantile disorders that take presidential politics to be about some special familiarity and asserting one's right to 'set their own course', as opposed to federal policies that make our lives better.
5
Writing from Arkansas and having lived in many places in the North and South.
I can not tell anyone how to vote, but it is the tradition of citizens of all backgrounds to advocate to other citizens for the candidate they support- regardless of race, creed, sex, faith or non-faith, economic background, sexual orientation/identity or educational level. The whole "Bernie-splaining" meme is non-productive & a diversion from an honest discussion of issues.
Good political stands on issues that impact us all should be more important than where were you when we were singing "We Shall Overcome". The issues impacting most Americans are also the issues impacting most African-Americans. Equality, opportunity, fairness, and justice serve all people's interests.
Michelle Alexander- Author, Attorney, & Associate Professor of Law at The Ohio State University- recently wrote an article in The Nation titled "Why Hillary Clinton Doesn't Deserve The Black Vote". Ms Alexander has spent time in the trenches of Racial Justice with the ACLU and is the author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Her article is available at The Nation & not behind a pay wall. You can read it here:
http://www.thenation.com/article/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserve-black-...
Ms Clinton- despite her claims otherwise - has a record that is less than stellar on economic justice, and Incarceration Nation. I recommend all voters do some research before coming to a decision.
I can not tell anyone how to vote, but it is the tradition of citizens of all backgrounds to advocate to other citizens for the candidate they support- regardless of race, creed, sex, faith or non-faith, economic background, sexual orientation/identity or educational level. The whole "Bernie-splaining" meme is non-productive & a diversion from an honest discussion of issues.
Good political stands on issues that impact us all should be more important than where were you when we were singing "We Shall Overcome". The issues impacting most Americans are also the issues impacting most African-Americans. Equality, opportunity, fairness, and justice serve all people's interests.
Michelle Alexander- Author, Attorney, & Associate Professor of Law at The Ohio State University- recently wrote an article in The Nation titled "Why Hillary Clinton Doesn't Deserve The Black Vote". Ms Alexander has spent time in the trenches of Racial Justice with the ACLU and is the author of The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. Her article is available at The Nation & not behind a pay wall. You can read it here:
http://www.thenation.com/article/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserve-black-...
Ms Clinton- despite her claims otherwise - has a record that is less than stellar on economic justice, and Incarceration Nation. I recommend all voters do some research before coming to a decision.
8
It's not just a matter of finding suitable surrogates. Candidates can't just show up at election time. Sanders has focused his advocacy on income inequality, but he doesn't have much to show for it and his position has never been intersectional, and that is a problem for those of us who aren't laser-focused on the issue he deems most pressing. Clinton has more than just undercover work under her belt. Even her most ardent critic should acknowledge that.
Sanders not only voted for that crime bill, which was in response to a tremendous surge in violent crime, but said that some people were "sociopathic" and Clinton's comment was in response to a larger discussion about community policing.
I am mystified why people are so angry about "welfare reform." One, while cash transfers diminished, earned income for low-income people went up. The EITC and childcare were expanded, SCHIP was enacted and Medicaid was expanded. Were time limits imposed? Yes, they were, but why is that a bad thing? I thought it was supposed to be a hand up--not a way of life? I suspect that people who have decided that it is a terrible thing haven't been poor. My family used food stamps when I was younger. I hated it, because poverty in this country is seen as a moral failing and people judge. I am not poor now, because I took advantage of the opportunities available. The people who are standing with Clinton now have decided that she stands with them. Many Southern voters are listening.
Sanders not only voted for that crime bill, which was in response to a tremendous surge in violent crime, but said that some people were "sociopathic" and Clinton's comment was in response to a larger discussion about community policing.
I am mystified why people are so angry about "welfare reform." One, while cash transfers diminished, earned income for low-income people went up. The EITC and childcare were expanded, SCHIP was enacted and Medicaid was expanded. Were time limits imposed? Yes, they were, but why is that a bad thing? I thought it was supposed to be a hand up--not a way of life? I suspect that people who have decided that it is a terrible thing haven't been poor. My family used food stamps when I was younger. I hated it, because poverty in this country is seen as a moral failing and people judge. I am not poor now, because I took advantage of the opportunities available. The people who are standing with Clinton now have decided that she stands with them. Many Southern voters are listening.
50
Before the end of AFDC, the streets of America were not home to children and their parents. The National Association of Social Workers has a slew of research on the effects of "welfare reform", which is really welfare denial. Why don't we ask Mr. Blow to look it up and tell us what he finds.
2
"And Clinton’s Southern roots, relationships and seemingly superior understanding of regional sensibilities gives her a built-in advantage." Plus Hillary can affect a Southern drawl when speaking to a black audience as she does repeatedly here in Charleston; while Bernie - let's face fact - it's hopeless.
Still, Blow doesn't even question the sensibility of blacks remaining staunch Democrats when it's Trump who is best addressing the economic policies of both party's elites that damage black prospects. Reading in today's NYTimes how Trump differs from Ryan on almost every GOP held view I suddenly concluded that - hey - I agree with Trump. Free trade - a disaster for blacks and whites; open immigration - similarly destructive; high corporate taxes - a real job creation killer; planned parenthood - OK support for health not abortion; and on and on.
Trump, as the article notes - is the one and only non-idealoge! His plans would help blacks achieve economic independence while the Democrat's perpetuate government dependence. Why doesn't Blow see this?
Still, Blow doesn't even question the sensibility of blacks remaining staunch Democrats when it's Trump who is best addressing the economic policies of both party's elites that damage black prospects. Reading in today's NYTimes how Trump differs from Ryan on almost every GOP held view I suddenly concluded that - hey - I agree with Trump. Free trade - a disaster for blacks and whites; open immigration - similarly destructive; high corporate taxes - a real job creation killer; planned parenthood - OK support for health not abortion; and on and on.
Trump, as the article notes - is the one and only non-idealoge! His plans would help blacks achieve economic independence while the Democrat's perpetuate government dependence. Why doesn't Blow see this?
I don't see Bernie being unable to attract minority votes in the South as his biggest problem with a couple of exceptions
Mississippi It wouldn't matter if Bernie got 2% of the Black vote or 98% of it. That State will almost certainly come Nov be awarded to the Republican candidate in the general election.
The problem lies in Florida, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina
Lets take Ohio - Pres Obama won it twice and the saying is;
"As Ohio goes, so goes the nation!" In 2012 Mr. Obama won Ohio largely because of a tremendous turnout in Northern Ohio specifically Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) of minorities.
Some of us to this day remember watching Karl Rove have a "reality melt down" on Fox news as the Ohio results were announced...
If Bernie is to win Ohio and win he must in the General Election were he to be the nominee...
I'm not listening to the same line as McGovern's campaign used in '72 -the don't worry once minorities hear Bernie they'll support him...
No thanks it didn't work 44 years ago it won't work to make Bernie #45!
Florida - Same equation as Ohio except now we are talking about Miami Dade
North Carolina and Virginia for a Democrat to win they need a strong minority turnout.
Mrs. Clinton can do that and unless Bernie pulls a Yuge upset and wins the black vote in SC, Florida, Ohio etc, then he can't be the Dem nominee because he can't win in November
Hillary can win Ohio
Hillary can win Florida
Hillary can win Virginia
Hillary can win N.C.
I'll go with her!
Mississippi It wouldn't matter if Bernie got 2% of the Black vote or 98% of it. That State will almost certainly come Nov be awarded to the Republican candidate in the general election.
The problem lies in Florida, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina
Lets take Ohio - Pres Obama won it twice and the saying is;
"As Ohio goes, so goes the nation!" In 2012 Mr. Obama won Ohio largely because of a tremendous turnout in Northern Ohio specifically Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) of minorities.
Some of us to this day remember watching Karl Rove have a "reality melt down" on Fox news as the Ohio results were announced...
If Bernie is to win Ohio and win he must in the General Election were he to be the nominee...
I'm not listening to the same line as McGovern's campaign used in '72 -the don't worry once minorities hear Bernie they'll support him...
No thanks it didn't work 44 years ago it won't work to make Bernie #45!
Florida - Same equation as Ohio except now we are talking about Miami Dade
North Carolina and Virginia for a Democrat to win they need a strong minority turnout.
Mrs. Clinton can do that and unless Bernie pulls a Yuge upset and wins the black vote in SC, Florida, Ohio etc, then he can't be the Dem nominee because he can't win in November
Hillary can win Ohio
Hillary can win Florida
Hillary can win Virginia
Hillary can win N.C.
I'll go with her!
7
The mothers of children slain by police are campaigning for Clinton. Why? Because Clinton called them:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/hillary-clinton-bernie-sand...
Everyone likes the personal touch, to be listened to. But what is Clinton proposing to do about the problem? Just keep making phone calls and listening? Is that going to stop the violence?
In fact, what these women don't seem to either know about, or care about, is that a lot of their problems, and the consequences they have lived, are direct results of Clinton policies from the 1990s. Have these women ever heard Hillary Clinton talk about "super predators?"
Let Black American legal historian Michelle Alexander tell the story:
Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote
From the crime bill to welfare reform, policies Bill Clinton enacted—and Hillary Clinton supported—decimated black America.
By Michelle AlexanderFEBRUARY 10, 2016
www.thenation.com/…/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserv…/
And by the way: Marian Wright Edelman and her husband Peter Edelman both worked in Bill Clinton's administration, and both left because of the Clinton's betrayal of their work, with the Children's Defense Fund, etc.
www.truth-out.org/…/how-hillary-clinton-betrayed-the…
www.washingtonpost.com/…/n…/longterm/welfare/quit.htm
But Hillary will be there at election time, when she needs Black American votes.
www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/02/hillary-clinton-bernie-sand...
Everyone likes the personal touch, to be listened to. But what is Clinton proposing to do about the problem? Just keep making phone calls and listening? Is that going to stop the violence?
In fact, what these women don't seem to either know about, or care about, is that a lot of their problems, and the consequences they have lived, are direct results of Clinton policies from the 1990s. Have these women ever heard Hillary Clinton talk about "super predators?"
Let Black American legal historian Michelle Alexander tell the story:
Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote
From the crime bill to welfare reform, policies Bill Clinton enacted—and Hillary Clinton supported—decimated black America.
By Michelle AlexanderFEBRUARY 10, 2016
www.thenation.com/…/hillary-clinton-does-not-deserv…/
And by the way: Marian Wright Edelman and her husband Peter Edelman both worked in Bill Clinton's administration, and both left because of the Clinton's betrayal of their work, with the Children's Defense Fund, etc.
www.truth-out.org/…/how-hillary-clinton-betrayed-the…
www.washingtonpost.com/…/n…/longterm/welfare/quit.htm
But Hillary will be there at election time, when she needs Black American votes.
3
Charles, you are 1 creative writer—I have to admire how you use words to spin variations on a theme. Fannie Lou Hamer talking back to Powell--what does that really have to do with this campaign?
Being 1st Lady of Arkansas back in the day means little. What are her intentions now? She is also a great spinner.
We're waiting for a list of what Hillary has actually done for minorities. Working for children and education is a generality. Sanders is right--today’s economic equality and well paying, secure jobs are the 1st basis for a just society. Candidates firmly tethered to big money can’t represent the majority. Since off shoring millions of jobs, corporate profits have soared, and wages are stuck.
Michelle Alexander and others wrote vividly about Bill’s policies that hurt minorities ---from job offshoring to prison/sentencing expansion, to financial deregulation setting up the pattern leading to the 08 crash, and the loss of home values for ordinary earners.
Imagine the families that got multiple hits from these policies--job gone to Mexico or China, male breadwinner in prison for low level drug offense, then loss of savings or home in the crash. Huge debt burdens from credit cards or loans for college or vocational schools. Many people could have suffered all these slings and arrows. Even the democrats couldn't protect them.
How far would Bill's wife go in contradicting these policies at all?
Spin that.
Being 1st Lady of Arkansas back in the day means little. What are her intentions now? She is also a great spinner.
We're waiting for a list of what Hillary has actually done for minorities. Working for children and education is a generality. Sanders is right--today’s economic equality and well paying, secure jobs are the 1st basis for a just society. Candidates firmly tethered to big money can’t represent the majority. Since off shoring millions of jobs, corporate profits have soared, and wages are stuck.
Michelle Alexander and others wrote vividly about Bill’s policies that hurt minorities ---from job offshoring to prison/sentencing expansion, to financial deregulation setting up the pattern leading to the 08 crash, and the loss of home values for ordinary earners.
Imagine the families that got multiple hits from these policies--job gone to Mexico or China, male breadwinner in prison for low level drug offense, then loss of savings or home in the crash. Huge debt burdens from credit cards or loans for college or vocational schools. Many people could have suffered all these slings and arrows. Even the democrats couldn't protect them.
How far would Bill's wife go in contradicting these policies at all?
Spin that.
59
He used the Fanny Lou Hamer anecdote to show both the difference in how northern and southern African Americans look at civil rights and politics, more broadly, and to also point out that Bernie, who claims to have such a substantial civil rights record, was strangely invisible on the actual geographical terrain where the battles were fought---the South. It is a legitimate inquiry because Bernie is the one claiming civil rights legitimacy and is benefiting from his proximity to that era's activities.
2
While you're waiting, go on ahead and post that list of what Bernie's done for us over the past few decades!
1
Absolutely. And please say something about her "hard working black folks won't vote for him" and Bill's "Jesse Jackson won South Carolina too."
Don't those quote carry weight?
Don't those quote carry weight?
The Fannie Lou Hamer story is a good one, and it applies. "How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?"
What does Bernie Sanders know about the problems of African Americans or others in the South? This is the region that often bears the harshest costs of Republican policies these days, whether you are an immigrant, a woman, a black person, a gay person, or other. This is not just about enlightening Southerners about the greater glories of "Feel the Bern." The Bern should pay some attention to the South, and learn about it instead of expecting people here to learn about his (unimpressive) record -- culturally, politically, and otherwise. He has shown no interest, no concern. Ranting about Wall Street and its evils doesn't mean a lot.
The South includes states with the lowest life expectancy. People in Mississippi or Alabama have a life expectancy of 75 - Why would they be interested in a Bernie Sanders candidacy about a Revolution?
Bernie Sanders may have made visits to the South for civil rights, but the people here lived it, and are still living through voter suppression, denial of expanded Medicaid, restriction of abortion rights, and other tactics.
Try walking in the shoes of someone else for a change. As a real civil rights protester said, "My feets is tired, but my soul is rested."
What does Bernie Sanders know about the problems of African Americans or others in the South? This is the region that often bears the harshest costs of Republican policies these days, whether you are an immigrant, a woman, a black person, a gay person, or other. This is not just about enlightening Southerners about the greater glories of "Feel the Bern." The Bern should pay some attention to the South, and learn about it instead of expecting people here to learn about his (unimpressive) record -- culturally, politically, and otherwise. He has shown no interest, no concern. Ranting about Wall Street and its evils doesn't mean a lot.
The South includes states with the lowest life expectancy. People in Mississippi or Alabama have a life expectancy of 75 - Why would they be interested in a Bernie Sanders candidacy about a Revolution?
Bernie Sanders may have made visits to the South for civil rights, but the people here lived it, and are still living through voter suppression, denial of expanded Medicaid, restriction of abortion rights, and other tactics.
Try walking in the shoes of someone else for a change. As a real civil rights protester said, "My feets is tired, but my soul is rested."
4
Clinton victories in the upcoming primaries in Southern States will be meaningless to Clinton or any other democrat in a general election. Obama lost all the Southern States and their electoral votes in 2012 with the exception of Florida, which he won by mere 50.1%,. These states include South and North Carolina, Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. To prevail the Democrats must carry the crucial swing states that with the exception of Florida are not in the South. Clinton is already losing to Rublo by 4.7% in a nationwide matchup and Sanders tied with Rubio. See Real Politics site. Even worse, the State polls show Clinton losing to Rubio in five crucial swing states: Florida by 2% (29 electoral votes); Pennsylvania by 3% (20 votes); Ohio by 2% (18 votes); Michigan by 4% (16 votes) and Minnesota by 4% (10 votes). Obama won these states which account for 93 electoral votes by 52% or less in 2012. Assuming the same results in the non swing states in 2016 as in 2012 (none of non swing states were close) the Republicans will pick up an additional 93 electoral votes—more than the additional 64 electoral votes they need-- and win the election While it is possible the Democrats may get a gift if Trump is nominated, the latest polls show Clinton barely beating Trump while Sanders is beating Trump by over 10%. Clinton needs to energize her campaign or the Democrats should select a candidate who can prevail in 2016.
35
There is no national vote, now or on election day. Polls may ebb and flow between now and then. Let's see what actually occurs.
1
This is an excellent analysis and should be referred to whenever the question of electability of Sanders comes up.
One more point: of course Sanders won't be able to accomplish everything he wants to. But given his unquestioned authenticity, he will try, and in trying may move the country, as he has so obviously moved (granted the very movable) Hillary Clinton.
One more point: of course Sanders won't be able to accomplish everything he wants to. But given his unquestioned authenticity, he will try, and in trying may move the country, as he has so obviously moved (granted the very movable) Hillary Clinton.
Wins in the south meaningless? that is more than silly.
Energize her campaign?: She has the momentum and is leading in every state polled, beyond Vermont with its 16 delegates. Bernie keeps yelling about turn-out but can't quite produce it or turn-out the turn out he needs.
Why? because Democrats are standing enthusiastically for her. Do the real math.
Energize her campaign?: She has the momentum and is leading in every state polled, beyond Vermont with its 16 delegates. Bernie keeps yelling about turn-out but can't quite produce it or turn-out the turn out he needs.
Why? because Democrats are standing enthusiastically for her. Do the real math.
1
Hillary Clinton is the mistress of the manor house. She can get more than a half million dollars for a speech to the plutocrats, and they don't ante up to hear what they don't like. In fact she told them that the blow up of the National Financial System was on all of us, and not on them. "It takes a village," she said, and this is an example of why she appeals to the establishment. The status quo gets to be crooks, and keep the swag with no consequences.
She has burnished her image as a bonafide tough guy at the administration of empire, and brown people are pretty much fair game, if they reside on top of oil. She loves the banksters, and the banksters do love her, although they don't seem to love our black President, even though he has allowed them to slip off the hook completely for wrecking the American Economy by forgery and fraud.
Spike Lee and Danny Glover have come out in favor of the Yankee Bernie Sanders, but it looks like African Americans are going to throw their vote to the Mistress of the Manor House for reasons that not many of us Yankee white folks can understand.
Bill Clinton wasn't the first black President as some in the Democratic myth factory have asserted, Barack Obama was, but he did nothing for African Americans unless they were among the bankster class. I wish I could understand it, but I can't.
She has burnished her image as a bonafide tough guy at the administration of empire, and brown people are pretty much fair game, if they reside on top of oil. She loves the banksters, and the banksters do love her, although they don't seem to love our black President, even though he has allowed them to slip off the hook completely for wrecking the American Economy by forgery and fraud.
Spike Lee and Danny Glover have come out in favor of the Yankee Bernie Sanders, but it looks like African Americans are going to throw their vote to the Mistress of the Manor House for reasons that not many of us Yankee white folks can understand.
Bill Clinton wasn't the first black President as some in the Democratic myth factory have asserted, Barack Obama was, but he did nothing for African Americans unless they were among the bankster class. I wish I could understand it, but I can't.
2
This south vs north issue is phony.
It’s just stunning that the one black columnist on the Times, who stands up for racial minority rights against injustice and exploitation does not write about Bill/Hillary’s policies in the 90s that harmed minorities the most.
Harmed is a weak word. Their was destruction and suffering, with effects we see today from loss of jobs with Nafta, the war on drugs, prison and sentencing expansion, ending welfare for the needy, And of course, deregulating banks to set the destructive pattern of financial crime culminating in the Crash that ruined savings and home values. How far would Hillary ever go to repudiate her husband’s policies?
One advantage of Sanders is that he’s not married to a former president! And isn't the brother of one. This is now something to be thankful for.
When are you going to write about this? Never? The stats are there. Because you don’t like Hillary’s progressive rival for the nomination?
It’s just stunning that the one black columnist on the Times, who stands up for racial minority rights against injustice and exploitation does not write about Bill/Hillary’s policies in the 90s that harmed minorities the most.
Harmed is a weak word. Their was destruction and suffering, with effects we see today from loss of jobs with Nafta, the war on drugs, prison and sentencing expansion, ending welfare for the needy, And of course, deregulating banks to set the destructive pattern of financial crime culminating in the Crash that ruined savings and home values. How far would Hillary ever go to repudiate her husband’s policies?
One advantage of Sanders is that he’s not married to a former president! And isn't the brother of one. This is now something to be thankful for.
When are you going to write about this? Never? The stats are there. Because you don’t like Hillary’s progressive rival for the nomination?
2
Charles, I too was a child of the great migration; Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. was my Pastor and was responsible for my Baptism at Abyssinian Baptist Church, in Harlem at age 19; personally, never trusted him.
I never lost my roots in the south, but I was educated in New York City to be open to listening to what some one else had to say; and I would add, respect for other ideas as opposed to insulation and withdrawal from new ideas was cherished in my family.
So, my great grandparents were slaves in Virginia just as many Blacks in the south are the decedents of slaves.
What I know is that faith is very important to us, but just as many slaves let go of their Islamic faith when they came to America, not by choice but by force, to adopt Christianity, we could also take a leap of faith to hear other ideas.
Hillary is not the best Pastor.
I never lost my roots in the south, but I was educated in New York City to be open to listening to what some one else had to say; and I would add, respect for other ideas as opposed to insulation and withdrawal from new ideas was cherished in my family.
So, my great grandparents were slaves in Virginia just as many Blacks in the south are the decedents of slaves.
What I know is that faith is very important to us, but just as many slaves let go of their Islamic faith when they came to America, not by choice but by force, to adopt Christianity, we could also take a leap of faith to hear other ideas.
Hillary is not the best Pastor.
3
So what you are saying, Charles, is that no matter black or white, the South is and will always be the South, and anyone who doesn’t prostrate themselves before that age-old sweet tea of southern ‘sensibilities’ and mythology of special privilege and gentility must be from the outside world that the South has always seen as other and not to be trusted.
How shallow must you and your black southerners be if the only voices of reason and hope worth listening to are those that speak from below the Mason-Dixon Line. To say that Senator Sanders and his message gets less a fair hearing until he can prove having spent time in the ‘ante bellum’ years is to say that the only music worth playing are the tunes of one’s native land, or that Dr. King’s message would have had less weight or perhaps no weight if he had come from Chicago instead of Atlanta.
I watched Fannie Mae Hammer live on television in 1964. Her stand was heroic because it came from the soil of the cotton fields, and that it spoke to those of the Migration and the wider conscience of a segregated America.
The uniqueness of the South and its 'sensitive way of life.’ We've heard this tripe since the beginning of the Republic. For whites, it was the defense of the “peculiar institution”, and now you tell us that black southerners are no better when it comes to supporting anyone who isn’t them.
Will the Confederacy never end? Charles tells us that from the black perspective, it is has no desire to end.
How shallow must you and your black southerners be if the only voices of reason and hope worth listening to are those that speak from below the Mason-Dixon Line. To say that Senator Sanders and his message gets less a fair hearing until he can prove having spent time in the ‘ante bellum’ years is to say that the only music worth playing are the tunes of one’s native land, or that Dr. King’s message would have had less weight or perhaps no weight if he had come from Chicago instead of Atlanta.
I watched Fannie Mae Hammer live on television in 1964. Her stand was heroic because it came from the soil of the cotton fields, and that it spoke to those of the Migration and the wider conscience of a segregated America.
The uniqueness of the South and its 'sensitive way of life.’ We've heard this tripe since the beginning of the Republic. For whites, it was the defense of the “peculiar institution”, and now you tell us that black southerners are no better when it comes to supporting anyone who isn’t them.
Will the Confederacy never end? Charles tells us that from the black perspective, it is has no desire to end.
3
Southerners have a word for Yankees who arrive at their doorstep promising to help. Carpetbaggers.
So, another installment of "Don't Bother Voting For Bernie - He Can't Win Anyway".
Yes, yes, we all know by now - thanks to the NYT and most of the MSM - that Bernie has NO chance to win in S.Carolina, and most of the Super Tuesday states. Worse, Hillary has the majority of Super Delegates "locked up". Sanders should just quit.
But oddly, his support keeps rising. Maybe it's because people are sick and tired of the status quo that has sent them in a four decade long downward spiral. And they see Hillary as part of that status quo. Maybe they aren't satisfied with accepting "incremental changes" when they're of the "one step forwards; two steps back" variety we've lived through all this time. And maybe they're actually PRAGMATIC enough to know that Sanders has the better chance to beat any of the Republicans, including the Donald.
If the people of the South - black, brown, or white - are going to base their vote simply on which candidate has visited the South more often, they deserve the disappointment they'll feel if Hillary is elected and she fulfills her promises to the only constituency she's ever served: the 1%.
Yes, yes, we all know by now - thanks to the NYT and most of the MSM - that Bernie has NO chance to win in S.Carolina, and most of the Super Tuesday states. Worse, Hillary has the majority of Super Delegates "locked up". Sanders should just quit.
But oddly, his support keeps rising. Maybe it's because people are sick and tired of the status quo that has sent them in a four decade long downward spiral. And they see Hillary as part of that status quo. Maybe they aren't satisfied with accepting "incremental changes" when they're of the "one step forwards; two steps back" variety we've lived through all this time. And maybe they're actually PRAGMATIC enough to know that Sanders has the better chance to beat any of the Republicans, including the Donald.
If the people of the South - black, brown, or white - are going to base their vote simply on which candidate has visited the South more often, they deserve the disappointment they'll feel if Hillary is elected and she fulfills her promises to the only constituency she's ever served: the 1%.
2
I hear the roar of the Republican Army behind me, and I too am afraid of the backlash to President Obama. The Republican Army is revolting against the generals, and falling victim to a con man. In my lifetime there is one Democrat who has felt the fall force of the Republican assault and survived intact. That is Hillary Clinton. I can think of no one more qualified to defend against the enemy.
Hillary Clinton will win in the South for the same reason she will win with all of us who feel the Republican boot at our throats: she survives and she wins.
Hillary Clinton will win in the South for the same reason she will win with all of us who feel the Republican boot at our throats: she survives and she wins.
3
As in other columns, Mr. Blow once more attacks Sanders by waving the bogeyman of the dreaded patronizing Sanders supporter who ‘explains’ to African Americans why they ‘should’ vote for Sanders.
According to Mr. Blow this time, “Southerners…don’t want to be told, ‘Once you just learn about Bernie, you’ll like him and realize he’s the best candidate for you.’”
The problem is, this bogeyman is a figment of Mr. Blow’s imagination. Its purpose is to warn African Americans away from Sanders ('Psst! Can't you see how they're talking down to you!?') and to squelch Sanders supporters by impugning their enthusiastic free speech.
Debunking a candidate's ideas in this way is unscrupulous. It exploits racial tensions and undermines free speech.
According to Mr. Blow this time, “Southerners…don’t want to be told, ‘Once you just learn about Bernie, you’ll like him and realize he’s the best candidate for you.’”
The problem is, this bogeyman is a figment of Mr. Blow’s imagination. Its purpose is to warn African Americans away from Sanders ('Psst! Can't you see how they're talking down to you!?') and to squelch Sanders supporters by impugning their enthusiastic free speech.
Debunking a candidate's ideas in this way is unscrupulous. It exploits racial tensions and undermines free speech.
2
Way back when, Bernie Sanders was marching for desegregation while HRC was stumping for Goldwater, as you and most all well know, Mr Blow.
Currently, "On policy, Hillary Clinton, at least in her public appearances, keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues. Sanders’s popularity has forced the shift."
Quite right, if HRC wasn't either endorsing or refuting Sanders' agenda she'd have nothing to say at all.
Also, as time and interest allow, you're invited to a memorial get-together for Tony Robinson Junior here in Great Migration Madison the weekend after next, a year following his death on Williamson Street 6 March 2015. Don't know as it'd change your mind on anything, might add a touch of intimate veracity to your commentaries.
Currently, "On policy, Hillary Clinton, at least in her public appearances, keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues. Sanders’s popularity has forced the shift."
Quite right, if HRC wasn't either endorsing or refuting Sanders' agenda she'd have nothing to say at all.
Also, as time and interest allow, you're invited to a memorial get-together for Tony Robinson Junior here in Great Migration Madison the weekend after next, a year following his death on Williamson Street 6 March 2015. Don't know as it'd change your mind on anything, might add a touch of intimate veracity to your commentaries.
3
We can discuss the relative merits of Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders until the cows come home, but what really matters in this election year is that one of the two must be elected, because the alternative is mind-numbing.
I've been a supporter of Sen. Sanders for almost a year, mostly because his progressive platform is closer to my own than that of Ms. Clinton. But if Hillary wins the nomination I will NOT take my toys and go home, as so many fellow Sanders supporters claim they will. I will then make calls, donate money, go door-to-door, whatever I can do to insure that a Democrat is elected in November.
Anyone who can't see the very real differences between a savvy, left-leaning politician like Hillary Clinton and any of the remaining Republican candidates, is in need of better glasses.
I've been a supporter of Sen. Sanders for almost a year, mostly because his progressive platform is closer to my own than that of Ms. Clinton. But if Hillary wins the nomination I will NOT take my toys and go home, as so many fellow Sanders supporters claim they will. I will then make calls, donate money, go door-to-door, whatever I can do to insure that a Democrat is elected in November.
Anyone who can't see the very real differences between a savvy, left-leaning politician like Hillary Clinton and any of the remaining Republican candidates, is in need of better glasses.
2
Great column, Mr. Blow. What it all comes down to, however, is that the President should be for ALL of America. Not Black, White, Latino, Asian, or otherwise. And, aside from all the racial, ethnic religious overtones, it all comes down to: What kind of President do we want?
I believe that there should be three major issues in the General Election: the Economy, Health Care and National Security. Several of the candidates are enticing campaigners; however, our final decision should totally be based on the issues. Who can lead us through today’s minefield?
Sanders’, Trump’s, Cruz’s and Rubio’s Plans don’t add-up, while Hillary Clinton has allowed the Boys to advocate for their pie-in-the-sky promises. On Health Care, she led husband Bill’s unsuccessful Universal Health Care Plans back in the 1990s; so, she is realistic on this issue. And when it comes to National Security and Foreign Affairs, she’s been there and done that,
Oh, and Benghazi, where four Americans were killed. Think about the 241 military that were killed in the Marine Barracks, in Beirut, the same year as 63 in the Embassy. That was on President Ronald Reagan’s watch in 1983.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
I believe that there should be three major issues in the General Election: the Economy, Health Care and National Security. Several of the candidates are enticing campaigners; however, our final decision should totally be based on the issues. Who can lead us through today’s minefield?
Sanders’, Trump’s, Cruz’s and Rubio’s Plans don’t add-up, while Hillary Clinton has allowed the Boys to advocate for their pie-in-the-sky promises. On Health Care, she led husband Bill’s unsuccessful Universal Health Care Plans back in the 1990s; so, she is realistic on this issue. And when it comes to National Security and Foreign Affairs, she’s been there and done that,
Oh, and Benghazi, where four Americans were killed. Think about the 241 military that were killed in the Marine Barracks, in Beirut, the same year as 63 in the Embassy. That was on President Ronald Reagan’s watch in 1983.
http://thetruthoncommonsense.com
1
This election might come down to generational, more than geographical, barriers. Hillary Clinton is running on how much she's done for the African American community, whereas Bernie Sanders is talking about issues that affect African Americans, and all Americans, today, i.e. economics, free education, access. More simply put, Sanders is giving the common people a voice.
3
Well, we Democrats certainly have experience with winning the popular vote but losing the race... Will the Supreme Court have to step in to make Hillary the winner?
1
Charles seems to understand the dynamics of the black voter in the Democratic Party. This seems to be where he can clearly explain political developments.
When he attempts to understand the Republicans, though, he might as well be explaining why deuterium-tritium fusion reactions are not going to be the end-all cure for the need for electricity.
When he attempts to understand the Republicans, though, he might as well be explaining why deuterium-tritium fusion reactions are not going to be the end-all cure for the need for electricity.
I thank the heavens for the people of color everywhere who are saving us from a Sanders/Trump election. Their good sense is all that is standing between us and that horrifying possibility.
2
On Saturday South Carolina will overwhelmingly endorse Hillary Clinton. In November whoever the Republican run will trounce Hillary. Hillary will win most of the states where the Republicans will have two Senators and state houses in the primaries and will win zero votes in the electoral college.
This is not Hillary's fault this just what is in a country that is shackled to a political system that continues to become angrier and more impotent every year.
In Canada we have affordable education, parental leave and a strong social safety net. We have it , we voted for it and we aren't giving it up.
The citizens of 21st century democracies understand economic turmoil will be the norm for the next century. We understand regardless of you effort, your skills, your intellect or your education life will not always be fair. We do know however we can take care of everybody's basic needs and for most people there will be more than enough stuff.
I believe in Democracy but I do not believe in Divine Justice. The people in places like South Carolina are entitled to their beliefs but their's is not the promise of America. America was to be a nation where we were governed by men selected to legislate justice.
Sadly too much of the United States has never become part of the United States a nation dedicated to the separation of Church and State.
This is not Hillary's fault this just what is in a country that is shackled to a political system that continues to become angrier and more impotent every year.
In Canada we have affordable education, parental leave and a strong social safety net. We have it , we voted for it and we aren't giving it up.
The citizens of 21st century democracies understand economic turmoil will be the norm for the next century. We understand regardless of you effort, your skills, your intellect or your education life will not always be fair. We do know however we can take care of everybody's basic needs and for most people there will be more than enough stuff.
I believe in Democracy but I do not believe in Divine Justice. The people in places like South Carolina are entitled to their beliefs but their's is not the promise of America. America was to be a nation where we were governed by men selected to legislate justice.
Sadly too much of the United States has never become part of the United States a nation dedicated to the separation of Church and State.
2
Sanders message to any question in a nut shell. : "not only will we do that we will increase it..." The question is who's line of credit is going to pay for it?
2
I guess it's like Where's Waldo and no one can see him when he's there...
http://i.imgur.com/R1nRlK6.jpg
There was a list of things that Hillary has to "atone" for, but not so for Bernie Sanders. Tell your Southern Black friends to think about policy. Policy is what presidents do. Showing one's face is cheap and it achieves little. How much time did Obama spend in the South? Why did they vote for him? Because he's Black? That's not a policy, either.
What about a $15 minimum wage? A trillion dollar infrastructure program? Tuition-free public colleges? Universal single-payer health care? Putting an end to mass incarceration? Decriminalizing marijuana? Are such things not of value to Southern (as opposed to Northern!) Black voters?
http://i.imgur.com/R1nRlK6.jpg
There was a list of things that Hillary has to "atone" for, but not so for Bernie Sanders. Tell your Southern Black friends to think about policy. Policy is what presidents do. Showing one's face is cheap and it achieves little. How much time did Obama spend in the South? Why did they vote for him? Because he's Black? That's not a policy, either.
What about a $15 minimum wage? A trillion dollar infrastructure program? Tuition-free public colleges? Universal single-payer health care? Putting an end to mass incarceration? Decriminalizing marijuana? Are such things not of value to Southern (as opposed to Northern!) Black voters?
3
I do not know what Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton can provide economically to their supporters with Congress the way it is. I do believe that either would be a fire wall against Republican ambitions. My hunch , and it is only a hunch , is that Hillary will do a better job of standing up to the rabid Republicans arrayed against Progressive ideals.
Sanders as a Senator never taken seriously until now has never taken the brutal attacks that Hillary has weathered. She has needed to weather attacks within her own Party. She is tough, smart and I believe compassionate and not easily swayed in her course. It takes a special kind of person to dish out and withstand what Republicans will hand to any Democratic candidate.
Sanders vs. Trump or Cruz? I will support him no matter what., but will great ideals be enough to withstand the Republican juggernaut.
Sanders as a Senator never taken seriously until now has never taken the brutal attacks that Hillary has weathered. She has needed to weather attacks within her own Party. She is tough, smart and I believe compassionate and not easily swayed in her course. It takes a special kind of person to dish out and withstand what Republicans will hand to any Democratic candidate.
Sanders vs. Trump or Cruz? I will support him no matter what., but will great ideals be enough to withstand the Republican juggernaut.
3
Bernie will lose the general election.
That's all anyone needs to know, and that's why much of the Hillary-bashing sounds like nothing more than Republican trolling.
For all the triangulating and compromising that people complain about, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have appointed 4 SCOTUS Justices, and who knows what will happen on the current opening.
If you don't win, you can't play.
If you want Citizens United overturned, and women's reproductive rights protected, and minority voting rights, and gay marriage rights, and so on, the choice is easy. Hillary will appoint someone who will support those things.
Now, I'm sure one of the Bernie-bots will tell us about some poll that shows Bernie winning-- and then some other BB will tell us to ignore polls that show Hillary beating Bernie because "look what happened in New Hampshire, the polls were wrong". Sigh.
Take a look at election matchups going back to Jimmy Carter. Bernies lose, Hillarys win. It's that simple.
That's all anyone needs to know, and that's why much of the Hillary-bashing sounds like nothing more than Republican trolling.
For all the triangulating and compromising that people complain about, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama have appointed 4 SCOTUS Justices, and who knows what will happen on the current opening.
If you don't win, you can't play.
If you want Citizens United overturned, and women's reproductive rights protected, and minority voting rights, and gay marriage rights, and so on, the choice is easy. Hillary will appoint someone who will support those things.
Now, I'm sure one of the Bernie-bots will tell us about some poll that shows Bernie winning-- and then some other BB will tell us to ignore polls that show Hillary beating Bernie because "look what happened in New Hampshire, the polls were wrong". Sigh.
Take a look at election matchups going back to Jimmy Carter. Bernies lose, Hillarys win. It's that simple.
5
Sanders is more popular with independents, 2:1.
Sanders does better than Clinton in head to head match ups against Republicans in almost every poll.
Hillary's unfavorable ratings are above 51%'
Hillary is unelectable. Sanders is the better candidate.
If the American People wanted a dynasty, Bush would be winning.
Sanders does better than Clinton in head to head match ups against Republicans in almost every poll.
Hillary's unfavorable ratings are above 51%'
Hillary is unelectable. Sanders is the better candidate.
If the American People wanted a dynasty, Bush would be winning.
1
The black communities, both North and South, know they can count on Hillary Clinton. These are smart people who know who their friends are, and who they are not. I question why you, Mr. Blow, feel an apology from Secretary Clinton, in a moment of self reflection, is not enough; for too many of you, nothing the secretary does is enough. Her lifetime of public service is being cast aside by those who failed math only a few years ago, in favor of a career politician who failed to distinguish himself in the Congress in a twenty-five year career.
77
Mrs. Clinton's "lifetime of public service" is filled with errors and recalculations and the first person singular I. Mr. Sanders's commitment as a spokesperson for the disadvantaged has been unswerving over a lifetime and Is represented by his use of the first person plural we. It's hard not to recognize the crucial difference.
Public service? Public service rewarded by: 153 million cash for speeches; 2 billion in the Foundation; a life time of privilege and black tie events as 1st lady of Bill in Arkansas and White House; as a senator of secretary of state. The real public servant here is Bernie Sanders, with a small bank account, a lifetime of service, no spouse to carry him at the top, and no foundation where he can leverage and sell his influence.
If a "lifetime of service" is the deciding factor, then why are so few known, trusted career politicians running for president on the Republican ticket or still running?
As Blow continues his dismissal and down right disdain for Sanders, I'm beginning to sense a degree of defensiveness. I think Blow's defensiveness is because Sanders is making a lot of the same promises that President Obama made yet failed to deliver on, or didn't even try to address, during his administration. A Clinton win would be a win for Obama and a chance to add some embellishment to Obama''s rather mediocre term in office.
2
Southern blacks should vote for Sanders because more than any other group southern blacks understand the perpetual struggle to better fulfill the broken promises of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The monumental civil rights struggle of the 50s and 60s was never narrowly about blacks, but more broadly about the soul and aspirations of a nation purportedly committed to principles of democracy and equality, a tradition beginning with the War of Independence against an oppressive monarchy, the Civil War ending slavery, the racial equality movement, and in the wake of the movement led by MLK, Medgar Evars and others, equal status for women in the workplace and public sphere. Each generation saw this struggle in its own particular challenge, and today's challenge is economic fairness and income inequality. The civil rights movement and tradition, the revolutionary tradition of which it was one PIVOTAL chapter, is honored and continued in today's struggle best represented by Bernie Sanders.
7
Who cares who wins the Democratic primaries in the south.
Those electoral votes will ultimately be given to whomever the Republican candidate is.
I care about how each Democratic candidate does in Blue or Purple states.
Hillary can have South Carolina.
It's like having a great job interview when you know that the company is going through the motions before they 'decide' to hire the owner's son for the position.
Those electoral votes will ultimately be given to whomever the Republican candidate is.
I care about how each Democratic candidate does in Blue or Purple states.
Hillary can have South Carolina.
It's like having a great job interview when you know that the company is going through the motions before they 'decide' to hire the owner's son for the position.
7
Southern Democrats must examine their hearts and choose the candidate with the most direct involvement in the civil rights movement (not Clinton) the one who doesn't mention religion (not Clinton) the one who wants the wealthy to pay their fair share (not Clinton) the one with the most integrity (NOT Clinton.) Please attend the primaries and keep Bernie's campaign alive. At the very least, he challenges Clinton to avoid coasting, which she will do if she gets the chance. Her ONLY goal is to be the first woman president. The rest in incidental.
4
The Democratic Establishment knows, as does Charles Blow, that Bernie Sander will never get the nomination, no matter how many votes he gets. As has been widely reported, including in these pages, should Sanders win the popular vote, super-delegates overrule rank-in-file Democrat voters and pledged delegates, and nominate Clinton.
But, Charles also knows that it’s important that he keep up a steady barrage of hope-killing columns, drilling home the message that Sanders can’t beat Clinton for whatever reasons. It’s all about optics. If superdelegates overrule voters it will be a disaster for Democratic voter turnout.
So look for Blow and the Establishment to eventually ‘Feel the Bern.’ Right after Clinton is nominated and the her campaign and the DNC, who have treated Sanders so poorly, beg him to endorse Clinton and push his supporters to her campaign. No doubt, the honest and dignified Sanders will genuinely try, but it’s not going to happen.
Perhaps a third of Sanders supporters will support Clinton, another third will support the GOP candidate, and a third will either vote for a third party candidate or just stay home.
But, Charles also knows that it’s important that he keep up a steady barrage of hope-killing columns, drilling home the message that Sanders can’t beat Clinton for whatever reasons. It’s all about optics. If superdelegates overrule voters it will be a disaster for Democratic voter turnout.
So look for Blow and the Establishment to eventually ‘Feel the Bern.’ Right after Clinton is nominated and the her campaign and the DNC, who have treated Sanders so poorly, beg him to endorse Clinton and push his supporters to her campaign. No doubt, the honest and dignified Sanders will genuinely try, but it’s not going to happen.
Perhaps a third of Sanders supporters will support Clinton, another third will support the GOP candidate, and a third will either vote for a third party candidate or just stay home.
1
After super tuesday, the primaries move north. There are a lot of states in which the black northern vote is important. Suppose Sanders picks up a lot of younger black voters (and a substantial piece of the hispanic electorate in those states). Important as the southern primaries are, if there is a regional divide in Sanders' reach for black support, it cuts both ways.
3
Now it's Southern voters. I'm tired of reading every day how everything in America is always divided up along different groups' selfish interests. Surprise us some day and write about something where we don't disagree . . . if that's even possible. Dwelling on it all the time only enforces it and makes it worse.
3
Surprisingly, Charles, this time I beleive you have it wrong. It is less important for Southern blacks that Bernie Sanders hasn't spent time in the South than it is that his policies will benefit the poor, the disadvantaged and the middle class so much. In short, he represents the interests of Southern blacks. There is no substitute for delivering the goods. Hillary Clinton and the new Democratic Party engineered by Bill and perpetuated by Hillary and her supporters in the party leadership may make nice by visiting the right people, but they mean the Southern black constituency no good. On the other hand, they have consistently substituted empathy and oratory for real assistance.
Indeed, the politics of visiting is patronizing, as though deigning to recognize the black community by one's personal presence changes anything in the economic and political system that is stacked against them. We're long past that.
Sanders is a national figure and, as such, has as much connection to people he hasn't personally met as to those he has. This is a real chance to better the lives of those left behind by the oligarchization of American life. HeSandersought to have the support of the black community throughout the nation.
Indeed, the politics of visiting is patronizing, as though deigning to recognize the black community by one's personal presence changes anything in the economic and political system that is stacked against them. We're long past that.
Sanders is a national figure and, as such, has as much connection to people he hasn't personally met as to those he has. This is a real chance to better the lives of those left behind by the oligarchization of American life. HeSandersought to have the support of the black community throughout the nation.
3
Sadly, this sounds like a convoluted excuse for simply saying that Blacks in the South support Clinton mostly because of name recognition. The advantage of name recognition holds true for all demographics, not just Black Americans, but it's not the best way to choose leaders and not a condition that should prompt an op-ed writer to use an entire column to present excuses, especially when he starts out by emphasizing the freedom and diversity of thought among Southern Blacks (which my experience would say is accurate) and then making excuses for why so many's thinking is the same.
3
Neither Mrs. William Jefferson Clinton nor Mr. Bernard Sanders have any idea how it feels to live and die black in either the rural South or the urban North. But at least they are trying to listen with humble humane empathy. Which is much more than can be said for the Republicans running for office.
Bill Clinton was not the first black President. Neither Bernie nor Hillary will be the second black POTUS. Yet they will be much closer to being sympathetically realistically black than any of the Republicans including Ben Carson. The governing political reality is that since 1964 blacks have voted 90+% for the Democratic POTUS nominee.
Just as Bill Clinton's sun glass wearing, saxophone playing and clapping in time with gospel music identified him to some as black, Bernie Sanders can call upon his Brooklyn streetwise roots, Chicago educational sojourn and civil rights advocacy to identify with blacks.
Bernie Sander's did not marry his only child's mother. How culturally black is that when most single parents are white? There is only one biological human race that is both culturally divided and united by color.
Bill Clinton was not the first black President. Neither Bernie nor Hillary will be the second black POTUS. Yet they will be much closer to being sympathetically realistically black than any of the Republicans including Ben Carson. The governing political reality is that since 1964 blacks have voted 90+% for the Democratic POTUS nominee.
Just as Bill Clinton's sun glass wearing, saxophone playing and clapping in time with gospel music identified him to some as black, Bernie Sanders can call upon his Brooklyn streetwise roots, Chicago educational sojourn and civil rights advocacy to identify with blacks.
Bernie Sander's did not marry his only child's mother. How culturally black is that when most single parents are white? There is only one biological human race that is both culturally divided and united by color.
1
After outlining all the hard work that the Clintons have put into connecting with African-American voters in the South, and the less convincing credentials that Sanders acquired, it seems odd to speak of a "built-in" advantage for Clinton in the South. By your own argument, if she has an advantage, she earned it over two decades,
70
The DNC and their allies in the press have no idea how many Sanders supporters see Donald Trump as their fallback if Hillary wins the Democratic nomination. The fact that the DNC and the press rig the primaries with the super delegate count is lost on no one. Each DNC insider has more electoral power than 10,000 mortal voters. The press including the NY Times counts and disseminates misleading projections as fact rather than speculation, months before the super votes are cast at the convention. This super delegate pre counting is designed to suppress the popular vote in the primaries. This does not go over very well with this crowd.
The only other candidate that isn't in the pockets of the donor class and lobbyists is Trump. The power of that stance is extremely underestimated despite all the false equivalence columns comparing the two.
Try running these numbers before she's coronated.
Sanders supporters :
1/3 to Clinton, 1/3 to Trump, 1/3 stay home or write Sanders in.
An earlier column today estimated 6% would cross over from Sanders to Trump. That number is fatally low.
Democrats have some waking up to do. Trump has the Republican nomination all but wrapped up. If the DNC scams these primaries for Clinton then all bets are off. Establishment Democrats will wonder what hit them just as the Republicans are today. Why they can't see this train coming full speed down the tracks is beyond me.
The only other candidate that isn't in the pockets of the donor class and lobbyists is Trump. The power of that stance is extremely underestimated despite all the false equivalence columns comparing the two.
Try running these numbers before she's coronated.
Sanders supporters :
1/3 to Clinton, 1/3 to Trump, 1/3 stay home or write Sanders in.
An earlier column today estimated 6% would cross over from Sanders to Trump. That number is fatally low.
Democrats have some waking up to do. Trump has the Republican nomination all but wrapped up. If the DNC scams these primaries for Clinton then all bets are off. Establishment Democrats will wonder what hit them just as the Republicans are today. Why they can't see this train coming full speed down the tracks is beyond me.
3
Sanders, who is pro-gun and anti-Obamacare, is incapable of working within the system. He is a leftist who opposes liberalism. Leftists and rightists are united in opposing liberalism. Leftists and rightists are united in thinking that the the government of the United Sates stinks, and that radical changes are needed.
1
Mr. Blow, reading your columns is like reading a movie review and not being able to tell if you thought the movie was good or bad. Instead, you talk endlessly about the movie's likely success in the box office with certain demographics.
Who cares whether certain demographics are likely to vote for Sanders or Clinton? I want to know who they SHOULD vote for. I want to know YOUR opinion about the candidates.
To put it bluntly, Mr. Blow, if don't like white people telling black people how to vote, why don't you, as black man, give us your opinion on how the different candidates would best serve black interests? Of course, we acknowledge that not all black people have the same interests and not one monolithic voice, but you know as well as I do, that the system is rigged against blacks disproportionately, when it comes to the justice system, employment opportunities, educational opportunities, etc. So, which candidate is more likely to give disadvantaged blacks a fairer shot in life?
Maybe no candidate is a clear winner on all the issues, but these questions are more interesting and relevant than this kind of horse-race analysis that dominates NYT and other media coverage.
And I am pretty sure that if the media covered more about what Sander's actually stands for, he would be leading by a lot more in the polls among both blacks and whites. But that is just my opinion.
Who cares whether certain demographics are likely to vote for Sanders or Clinton? I want to know who they SHOULD vote for. I want to know YOUR opinion about the candidates.
To put it bluntly, Mr. Blow, if don't like white people telling black people how to vote, why don't you, as black man, give us your opinion on how the different candidates would best serve black interests? Of course, we acknowledge that not all black people have the same interests and not one monolithic voice, but you know as well as I do, that the system is rigged against blacks disproportionately, when it comes to the justice system, employment opportunities, educational opportunities, etc. So, which candidate is more likely to give disadvantaged blacks a fairer shot in life?
Maybe no candidate is a clear winner on all the issues, but these questions are more interesting and relevant than this kind of horse-race analysis that dominates NYT and other media coverage.
And I am pretty sure that if the media covered more about what Sander's actually stands for, he would be leading by a lot more in the polls among both blacks and whites. But that is just my opinion.
6
the answer to why blacks like Clinton is very simple: Clinton's policies more closely resemble Obama's. as for why young people like sanders, its because they haven't been around for all those years where democrats were convinced that we had to be moderates in order to do anything. republicans must not of got that memo, and yet somehow they are not sinking like stones.
2
My mother and grandmother (now gone) were women of the South, and would at first have supported Clinton for the reasons Charles describes: they've known her for a long time, and she says the right things. My mother might have stuck with Clinton because my mother saw her as a friend. But as you say, Charles, folks are different. My gran'ma would have wanted to talk. Even in the day, she didn't like the Clinton policies, and the Clinton friendships, that did so much harm. She would have wanted to know more, about Clinton.
"How many bales of cotton have you picked?" My granma would've frowned at the millions from Big Money. "How many beatings have you taken?" Clinton has been attacked for some decisions that she made. But has she been fighting for our rights and our well-being? No, she spent her time pretty easy--by taking money, and building relationships with the very industries my granma despised.
If I told my granma that Clinton's campaign chairman is a major lobbyist, with clients in private prison industry, banking, pharmaceutical etc, my granny's eyes would flash. She'd be sad. She'd feel betrayed. She wouldn't want to hear right away about a Jew with a strong New York accent. But when she learned that this New Yorker had no millions, no corporate friends, but had spent 40 years fighting for the underdog, I think she would have wanted to learn more.
"How many bales of cotton have you picked?" My granma would've frowned at the millions from Big Money. "How many beatings have you taken?" Clinton has been attacked for some decisions that she made. But has she been fighting for our rights and our well-being? No, she spent her time pretty easy--by taking money, and building relationships with the very industries my granma despised.
If I told my granma that Clinton's campaign chairman is a major lobbyist, with clients in private prison industry, banking, pharmaceutical etc, my granny's eyes would flash. She'd be sad. She'd feel betrayed. She wouldn't want to hear right away about a Jew with a strong New York accent. But when she learned that this New Yorker had no millions, no corporate friends, but had spent 40 years fighting for the underdog, I think she would have wanted to learn more.
6
In Appalachian Kentucky Obamacare has been an unalloyed blessing to hundreds of thousands of poor people. Nevertheless, most of the beneficiaries could never bring themselves to vote for a black intellectual from Chicago. Obama was just too alien.
A white intellectual from Vermont is having the same problem appealing to black votes down South. Ideologies first require ideas.
In both cases the problem is ignorance. Concepts like Wall Street and oligarchy are literally meaningless in communities where high school valedictorians often score at a grade school levels on exit exams.
Clinton has built her campaign down South channeling money from her corporate sponors into local patronage networks, which mostly means churches. It's corrupt top and bottom.
A white intellectual from Vermont is having the same problem appealing to black votes down South. Ideologies first require ideas.
In both cases the problem is ignorance. Concepts like Wall Street and oligarchy are literally meaningless in communities where high school valedictorians often score at a grade school levels on exit exams.
Clinton has built her campaign down South channeling money from her corporate sponors into local patronage networks, which mostly means churches. It's corrupt top and bottom.
2
Up front, my bias: I am a passionate supporter of Bernie Sanders for President. That's my opinion. I believe that those who hold a different opinion are wrong. That's the definition of an opinion.
Mr. Blow's recent writings strike me as journalistic excellence, a commodity that is in short stock in our time. Mr. Blow explores the complexity of the Sanders vs. Clinton choice with crackling urgency and incomparable clarity. He is making it possible for me to understand the origins of opinions different than mine. All the passionate and reasoned comments posted here are testimonial to Mr. Blow's provocation of thought.
As a pale man out here on the windy prairie, that's about all I can ask from a newspaper.
Mr. Blow's recent writings strike me as journalistic excellence, a commodity that is in short stock in our time. Mr. Blow explores the complexity of the Sanders vs. Clinton choice with crackling urgency and incomparable clarity. He is making it possible for me to understand the origins of opinions different than mine. All the passionate and reasoned comments posted here are testimonial to Mr. Blow's provocation of thought.
As a pale man out here on the windy prairie, that's about all I can ask from a newspaper.
2
You forgot to mention that one of Sanders main black surrogates is the radical socialist Cornell West.
West "retracted his support for Obama in an April 2011 interview, stating that Obama is "a black mascot of Wall Street oligarchs and a black puppet of corporate plutocrats. And now he has become head of the American killing machine and is proud of it." In November 2012, West said in an interview that he considered Obama a "Rockefeller Republican in blackface"
"In 2014, West gave an interview slamming Obama, calling him a "counterfeit" who posed as a progressive. West defined Obama's presidency as "a Wall Street presidency, a drone presidency, a national security presidency"
West "retracted his support for Obama in an April 2011 interview, stating that Obama is "a black mascot of Wall Street oligarchs and a black puppet of corporate plutocrats. And now he has become head of the American killing machine and is proud of it." In November 2012, West said in an interview that he considered Obama a "Rockefeller Republican in blackface"
"In 2014, West gave an interview slamming Obama, calling him a "counterfeit" who posed as a progressive. West defined Obama's presidency as "a Wall Street presidency, a drone presidency, a national security presidency"
3
Ambition in a leader clouds judgment. Greed ruins objectivity. Entitlement strangles duty to serve authentically. Obama is a true leader and Black and White Americans should be genuinely proud to call him our president. Clinton feels entitled to be president. She sold herself to $300000 speeches to Wall Street. She embraces Hawks like Kissinger to prove she is as macho as men. She shifts positions so often she does not even know her own ideas. Her actual civil rights record is intermittent and in some instances destructive in major and terrible ways.
Sanders I would offer is a replica of Obama on so many ways. A true person of service. Not entitled. Objective. A true leader. Balanced. A,much stronger civil,rights record and a lifetime committed to,equality for the races for the working person for the poor. He is so like Obama. No 300000 Wall Street speeches or Pac funds like Obama.
Tell your wonderful southern voters this and vote for Berne because he will gather us all together like having Obama another eight years not Hillary
Sanders I would offer is a replica of Obama on so many ways. A true person of service. Not entitled. Objective. A true leader. Balanced. A,much stronger civil,rights record and a lifetime committed to,equality for the races for the working person for the poor. He is so like Obama. No 300000 Wall Street speeches or Pac funds like Obama.
Tell your wonderful southern voters this and vote for Berne because he will gather us all together like having Obama another eight years not Hillary
3
I am surprised that so little attention has gone to Sanders' groundbreaking Racial Justice Platform, issued last summer, that calls for "addressing the five central types of violence waged against black, brown and indigenous Americans: physical, political, legal, economic and environmental." https://berniesanders.com/issues/racial-justice/ Sanders' entire life has been spent fighting for fairness in many dimensions: economic, social, racial, legal, gender, educational, medical and more. Whether in Vermont or in the national arena of the House and Senate, he has tirelessly fought for the rights of all Americans, particularly those who are disenfranchised. One can only help this deeply ethical and honest man will be given fair consideration by all Americans, including those who write for the New York Times.
6
Of course Hillary represents the Democratic Party establishment that would have the Fanny Lou Hamers back off, take a promise of half a loaf and trust them to straighten things out when the time is right. Bernie Sanders represents quite the opposite, calling for a grass roots movement to hold elected officials feet to the fire. Not a very apt analogy - were Adam Clayton Powell alive today he would certainly be one of Hillary's emissaries. Sanders also is pushing an economic agenda that echoes Dr. King's (read his final work, "Where Do We Go a From Here?") as well as the all but abandoned "Jobs" half of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.
People are welcome to vote for whom they choose for whatever reason, but invoking the civil rights movement on behalf of Hillary and against Bernie, who has real roots in the protests and never abandoned the agenda King laid out, is disingenuous. Let's not forget that the Clintons made their way onto the national stage with Bill, in an act of cold calculation, leaving the campaign trail to oversee, as a white Sputhern governor, the execution of a mentally deficient black man to prove his "tough on crime " bona fides to white voters.
People are welcome to vote for whom they choose for whatever reason, but invoking the civil rights movement on behalf of Hillary and against Bernie, who has real roots in the protests and never abandoned the agenda King laid out, is disingenuous. Let's not forget that the Clintons made their way onto the national stage with Bill, in an act of cold calculation, leaving the campaign trail to oversee, as a white Sputhern governor, the execution of a mentally deficient black man to prove his "tough on crime " bona fides to white voters.
100
Oh yes, let's have another creative writing exercise about all the reasons it will be difficult for Sanders to win. It's Krugman's turn tomorrow, isn't it?
You people keep missing the point that he is the one speaking to the issues of the people with actual knowledge and concern. That is why most of us support him. HRC's ever shifting, plastic facade is no match for a man honest enough to have labeled himself a socialist during years when that was akin to admitting to necrophilia as far as US politics went. I hope the people are watching carefully, however; for it is here in the primaries that our democracy is always stolen.
You people keep missing the point that he is the one speaking to the issues of the people with actual knowledge and concern. That is why most of us support him. HRC's ever shifting, plastic facade is no match for a man honest enough to have labeled himself a socialist during years when that was akin to admitting to necrophilia as far as US politics went. I hope the people are watching carefully, however; for it is here in the primaries that our democracy is always stolen.
1
Since Hillary was there in the South working to help children and their families, was the first director of a Legal Aide Clinic at the Arkansas Law School, and active in helping get health care to rural areas in the south, it is reasonable that they would trust her more than the friendly old white guy who just showed up to ask them for something, with a smile on his face. Danger Stranger.
3
Frankly, I'm not too concerned about the debate going on within the Democratic party. We were in a similar position 8 years ago, with Obama overtaking HRC in the national polls right about this time. The nomination was contested all the way. And the Democrats turned out in record numbers to emphatically elect Obama. Obama and HRC buried the hatchet, and America got a Democrat in the White House and a great SecState.
As with Obama, Sanders becomes more popular the more people hear him. He's going to have to continue to gather support, and that's a good thing. If he obtains the nomination, he's going to need to generate excitement and energy and earn the trust of the Democrats, including southern blacks, who disproportionately trust HRC.
Without a Sanders/HRC race, the Democrats would have a sleepy, unenergetic primary season. Would that lead to November victory? I doubt it.
As with Obama, Sanders becomes more popular the more people hear him. He's going to have to continue to gather support, and that's a good thing. If he obtains the nomination, he's going to need to generate excitement and energy and earn the trust of the Democrats, including southern blacks, who disproportionately trust HRC.
Without a Sanders/HRC race, the Democrats would have a sleepy, unenergetic primary season. Would that lead to November victory? I doubt it.
1
As long as most blacks are still controlled by their modern era slaveholders, that huge plantation known as the Democrat Party, and their promise of quotas, entitlements and other assorted Free Stuff, Clinton has a lock on their vote.
1
All right, Mr. Blow, this Bernie supporter (who lives in "the North" and has only been south of the M-D Line a few times) is fully aware that he will probably not be nominated, for the reasons you mention and others.
But is he disqualified as a possible President because he doesn't have an intimate relationship with the Southern states? Personally, I think the Southern and Western states have had much too great a political role for a long time, ever since Johnson and Nixon's Southern strategy. It would be nice for the northeastern part of the country to get a little love for a change.
But is he disqualified as a possible President because he doesn't have an intimate relationship with the Southern states? Personally, I think the Southern and Western states have had much too great a political role for a long time, ever since Johnson and Nixon's Southern strategy. It would be nice for the northeastern part of the country to get a little love for a change.
1
The critical South Caeolina primary is in two days, and this forum, which hopes to be a factor by getting voices, ideas and opinions to both the candidates (particularly Sanders) and the voters, has been virtually suspended too a trickle.
Either the moderating staff is incapacitated or there is some kind of deliberate sabotage occurring, presumably out of sympathy with Mr. Blow and support for Clinton. Firings are in order (if sabotage, jail time as far as I'm concerned).
Either the moderating staff is incapacitated or there is some kind of deliberate sabotage occurring, presumably out of sympathy with Mr. Blow and support for Clinton. Firings are in order (if sabotage, jail time as far as I'm concerned).
You lost me at the last sentence where you assert that "Clinton’s Southern roots, relationships and seemingly superior understanding of regional sensibilities gives her a built-in advantage". That is not "built in". not even the "roots", but rather something she worked at and built up during many, many years. There is nothing accidental about it; it is the result of tons of hard work and of decisions and preferences. Sanders could have built similar relationships and understanding of regional sensibilities but apparently had other priorities during those years. I am not saying that he was in any way morally obliged to work on Southern political relationships, but if you don't, you can't complain that you don't have any once you start a national campaign.
2
The most important passage of Charles Blow’s analysis of Hilary is that “This proclivity toward expedient alteration is precisely what fuels some people’s sense of her in particular as disingenuous and even dishonest.”
Hillary would NOT be a winning Presidential candidate or President because she has the capacity more to repel people (read voters) than to lead unity on important issues. She would be divisive as President in being unable to pull consensus together (read Congress), to generate new ideas (read policy building) and to build a just America (read Blacks). She was a failure as Secretary of State because she never produced solutions to significant issues nor did she undo knots of problems.
Bernie resonates with Americans in the issues he is focusing on. In addition Bernie has a long record of supporting civil rights issues among Black communities. But is his lack of “Southern touchstones” or “black Southern surrogates” an issue? It should not be. Bernie’s issues appeal particularly the Black community. Bernie’s public policy proposals would support the disadvantaged, the poor, the middle class and correct the injustices and other wrongs in America that have hurt too many Americans since the onset of the last two recessions. The Black community identifies with Bernie’s objectives. The Black community will need to recognize that they would be better served by Bernie as President than Hilary who is an opportunistic chameleon who is “disingenuous and even dishonest.”
Hillary would NOT be a winning Presidential candidate or President because she has the capacity more to repel people (read voters) than to lead unity on important issues. She would be divisive as President in being unable to pull consensus together (read Congress), to generate new ideas (read policy building) and to build a just America (read Blacks). She was a failure as Secretary of State because she never produced solutions to significant issues nor did she undo knots of problems.
Bernie resonates with Americans in the issues he is focusing on. In addition Bernie has a long record of supporting civil rights issues among Black communities. But is his lack of “Southern touchstones” or “black Southern surrogates” an issue? It should not be. Bernie’s issues appeal particularly the Black community. Bernie’s public policy proposals would support the disadvantaged, the poor, the middle class and correct the injustices and other wrongs in America that have hurt too many Americans since the onset of the last two recessions. The Black community identifies with Bernie’s objectives. The Black community will need to recognize that they would be better served by Bernie as President than Hilary who is an opportunistic chameleon who is “disingenuous and even dishonest.”
3
“…But most black voters don’t seem to demand the forthright addressing of these issues [1994 crime bill and 1996 welfare reform bill]….”
Well, one does. Her name is Ashley Williams, she a young BlackLivesMatter activist. She interrupted a private Clinton fundraiser and confronted her about her record on issues important to blacks. She held up a sign that said:
“We have to bring them to heel."
She repeatedly asked Clinton if she would apologize for her support of mass incarceration.
Clinton refused to answer and aids had the courageous young lady physically thrown out of the event she paid $500 to get into.
The video is compelling and inspiring.
Here’s what Ashley had to say about Clinton afterwards:
“I wanted to bring her to confront her own words… We did this because we wanted to make sure that black people are paying attention to her record, and we want to know what Hillary we are getting… Hillary Clinton has a pattern of throwing the Black community under the bus when it serves her politically… She called our boys ‘super-predators’ in ’96, then she race-baited when running against Obama in ‘08, now she’s a lifelong civil rights activist. I just want to know which Hillary is running for President, the one from ’96, ’08, or the new Hillary?”
Since it's unlikely we'll hear much about this in Charles Blow's column, here's the link:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/clinton-black-lives-matter-south-car...
2
Courageous, truthful, and balanced. Pulitzer!
Add to your counsel to Bernie, that he should seek the public endorsement of Jimmy Carter.
Bernie's priority to take money out of campaigns and eliminate the barriers to voting such as gerrymandering of districts, voter registration restrictions and voting on workdays. The Clinton's have compromised their anti-Big Money agenda. It is possible for her to seek redemption but so far she has not cast Big Money out of her life.
You are the age of my son and I am proud of you both. Your generation has made mine very proud.
Add to your counsel to Bernie, that he should seek the public endorsement of Jimmy Carter.
Bernie's priority to take money out of campaigns and eliminate the barriers to voting such as gerrymandering of districts, voter registration restrictions and voting on workdays. The Clinton's have compromised their anti-Big Money agenda. It is possible for her to seek redemption but so far she has not cast Big Money out of her life.
You are the age of my son and I am proud of you both. Your generation has made mine very proud.
1
One thing about Sanders is that he is promising a lot that requires the cooperation from a Republican Congress that he won't get. Hillary is mostly promising things that don't require the cooperation from congress, such as defending Obamacare. The Republicans will not cooperate with either one of them.
2
My take away from this article is that because of the Southern black vote, Hillary Clinton is likely to win the Democratic nomination by winning the primaries of the southern states that she can not hope to carry in the general election. That is a good strategy for Clinton, but a terrible strategy for the future of the nation.
3
The Clintons may be "politically savvy," as you put it, but they are not invincible, as Barack Obama proved.
Mr. Sanders was attracting thousands of people today in red states such as Oklahoma. So, the loss in Nevada or his poor poll numbers in SC seems to have had no effect on the voters' enthusiasm for Sanders.
So the race is not yet over, but unless Senator Sanders aggressively points out the differences between him and Mrs. Clinton, he may not prevail in the end.
Sanders also needs to respond to Clinton attacks effectively. For example, when he is attacked by Mrs. Clinton about his disagreements with President Obama on policy issues, Sanders needs to point out the lowly things that the Clintons did when Hillary was running against Obama in 2008. They were hardly embracing Obama then.
Mr. Sanders was attracting thousands of people today in red states such as Oklahoma. So, the loss in Nevada or his poor poll numbers in SC seems to have had no effect on the voters' enthusiasm for Sanders.
So the race is not yet over, but unless Senator Sanders aggressively points out the differences between him and Mrs. Clinton, he may not prevail in the end.
Sanders also needs to respond to Clinton attacks effectively. For example, when he is attacked by Mrs. Clinton about his disagreements with President Obama on policy issues, Sanders needs to point out the lowly things that the Clintons did when Hillary was running against Obama in 2008. They were hardly embracing Obama then.
1
Does anyone doubt that the opportunitic and always changeable HRC would turn against African American interests in a micro-second if she believed that would somehow aid her in gaining the presidency?
2
"A bit of advice: It would behoove Sanders to include in his stump speeches travels to the South to advocate for civil rights before this election cycle, assuming there are such forays, so that no one assumes he’s a Bernie-come-lately."
Last Op-ed, Bernie-splaining was offensive. Now it's suggested. That's a lot of flip-flopping….Hillary would approve.
Last Op-ed, Bernie-splaining was offensive. Now it's suggested. That's a lot of flip-flopping….Hillary would approve.
4
College going Bernie Supporters need to spend spring break on the Great Lawn in Washington DC. Not to party, but to show the People what peaceful revolution looks like. And everyone else who can should be doing it sooner.
No candidates coattails are long enough to make a bunch of risk-adverse politicians do the right thing. Look at the opportunity that was wasted when Obama came into office with a filibuster proof majority that proceeded to do as little as possible.
History shows that you need private citizens actively organizing street protests and creative actions to scare politicians more than their billionaire campaign contributors do. Women's suffrage, the end of child labor, the 40 hour week, minimum wage, weekends, the New Deal, Civil Rights legislation, Roe V Wade, the end of the Vietnam War, No Nukes built since 1980, the Fight for Fifteen... None of these things happened because some politician woke up some morning and decided to do the right thing. They did it because they were afraid not to. Whenever people get comfortable and lazy and rely on politicians to get things done, they get robbed. When they wake up and make noise things get better.
The Republicans and "centrist" Democrats are not going to do anything because Clinton says "experience" or Sanders says "revolution."
It would be great to have Bernie as our inside man in the White House, but more important is a true movement on the outside. And if you want Bernie to win we can't wait until November.
No candidates coattails are long enough to make a bunch of risk-adverse politicians do the right thing. Look at the opportunity that was wasted when Obama came into office with a filibuster proof majority that proceeded to do as little as possible.
History shows that you need private citizens actively organizing street protests and creative actions to scare politicians more than their billionaire campaign contributors do. Women's suffrage, the end of child labor, the 40 hour week, minimum wage, weekends, the New Deal, Civil Rights legislation, Roe V Wade, the end of the Vietnam War, No Nukes built since 1980, the Fight for Fifteen... None of these things happened because some politician woke up some morning and decided to do the right thing. They did it because they were afraid not to. Whenever people get comfortable and lazy and rely on politicians to get things done, they get robbed. When they wake up and make noise things get better.
The Republicans and "centrist" Democrats are not going to do anything because Clinton says "experience" or Sanders says "revolution."
It would be great to have Bernie as our inside man in the White House, but more important is a true movement on the outside. And if you want Bernie to win we can't wait until November.
2
The truth may be that the founders crafted a balance of power that limits what damage a madman (or woman) can do, but it also limits the power of a leader to lead in a certain direction if Congress resists. The job has certain constraints on the Executive that are difficult to overcome. As others have said here, out Democracy has been co-opted by powerful interests. Bernie gets this big time, and is pretty much running on overturning it. Sanders certainly has the conviction to throw the money lenders out of the temple, but will we the congregation be willing to follow? As he himself regularly reminds us: a revolution can't happen without the people's support. If I'm working (and I better be), I can't make the meet-up, rally, protest, or march. It looks like people can only show up for the revolution if they're not at a regular job. When enough people are unemployed, then the streets can fill and voices become too loud to ignore. It will take a crisis for that nature, for the structure of power and justice to change in this country. It would also be seriously traumatic, as it was in the 1960's. I think the government response would most likely be brutal, much worse than the 60's. But I'm willing to vote for Sanders and hope for a peaceful revolution, because true democratic change is long overdue.
2
Could it be that southern blacks realize that all the things Bernie says he is going to do are not possible. Think about who has been the most affected by the obstruction in congress. Both black and white poor feel the brunt of republicans blocking services and the help they need.
It takes experience to realize what can be done and what is pie in the sky at this point. Older blacks, especially the southern ones, realize Bernie is telling a good story but are wise enough to know with sport from congress his ideas will go nowhere. And let's face it, I do not see a dramatic change in congress coming anytime soon.
It takes experience to realize what can be done and what is pie in the sky at this point. Older blacks, especially the southern ones, realize Bernie is telling a good story but are wise enough to know with sport from congress his ideas will go nowhere. And let's face it, I do not see a dramatic change in congress coming anytime soon.
72
Starting from a position of defeat is no way to get anything done. It's also handing the Republicans a major win and ownership of this country.
1
Where will a Democratic Congress come from if not from either an inspired, organized grassroots movement or a leader in the Oval Office showing working and middle class voters what they could have if only they sent a him a supportive Congress member from their districts? Hillary could not bring a change in the composition of Congress with her half-loaf, same old, same old policies.
1
Please point us to the data saying the Republicans are anxious to have an opportunity to work with Hillary. I am sure it must be buried somewhere, maybe behind the Email Served file or the hoped for indictment, but I haven't seen it.
The only change Hillary will bring in Congress is a turn of the GOP focus from blocking Obama to one on blocking her. I guess it is better in your book to be told not to expect anything so you won't be disappointed when that is what you get.
If she is the "fighter" she claims to be, why didn't she ever fight for unions - or even a pay raise for workers - while on the Walmart board? We are what we are when no one is looking. What she is when no one is looking is a moderate Republican lady who goes along to get along.
The only change Hillary will bring in Congress is a turn of the GOP focus from blocking Obama to one on blocking her. I guess it is better in your book to be told not to expect anything so you won't be disappointed when that is what you get.
If she is the "fighter" she claims to be, why didn't she ever fight for unions - or even a pay raise for workers - while on the Walmart board? We are what we are when no one is looking. What she is when no one is looking is a moderate Republican lady who goes along to get along.
1
As an above-the-Mason Dixon line African American with Southern roots, I suspect Southern-state African Americans have a deep pragmatism-- a survival skill-- that others may misread as simple mindedness or ignorance of "fact."
Many African Americans voted year in and year out for Strom Thurmond, known segregationist. Why? Because he was a known entity-- they knew exactly what his positions were, what he was going to do in office, and how they could work around him. Better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don't know...
And here we have an unknown White man in his 70s with grand ideas who, despite many decades of public service, has not brought any these ideas to fruition on a national level. Or expressed very much interest in the lives of Southern Blacks until recently. Which may lead to suspicion that these exciting ideas will never come to bear or trickle down to help Southern Blacks or their families.
And therefore may not be worth a vote in his favor.
Many African Americans voted year in and year out for Strom Thurmond, known segregationist. Why? Because he was a known entity-- they knew exactly what his positions were, what he was going to do in office, and how they could work around him. Better to deal with the devil you know than the devil you don't know...
And here we have an unknown White man in his 70s with grand ideas who, despite many decades of public service, has not brought any these ideas to fruition on a national level. Or expressed very much interest in the lives of Southern Blacks until recently. Which may lead to suspicion that these exciting ideas will never come to bear or trickle down to help Southern Blacks or their families.
And therefore may not be worth a vote in his favor.
5
Black people don't own the disparity between south and the rest of America. It exists among whites as well. Two things are important to consider while voting. One, do I trust the person to whom I am voting. Second, do I agree with the direction he/she wants to take the country. The first reason is if you don't trust the person, then it is irrelevant what has to say. The second is you vote for the future and not for the past or present.
4
I have a new theme for you to explore in your pro-Hillary column: how does she beat Trump? Trump is the product of a strong anti-establishment wind blowing through this country. Hillary is the poster child for the establishment. Her unfavorable numbers almost equal Trump. She will inspire no movement; she represents no change; and she will rile up Republicans almost as much as Obama. Her purported strengths are her marriage to the best Republican president since Regan, her ties to corporate America, and her neoconservative hawkish bona fides. It's like voting for a pro-choice Bush.
5
Oh, that one's easy.
She simply runs on having a functioning brain, not being a bully and a coward, having a track record of actual accomplishments rather than a string of bankruptcies and bailouts by Saudis, and having a pretty good idea of what she's talking about.
Now if you're arguing that the country prefers the opposite of all that, well..
She simply runs on having a functioning brain, not being a bully and a coward, having a track record of actual accomplishments rather than a string of bankruptcies and bailouts by Saudis, and having a pretty good idea of what she's talking about.
Now if you're arguing that the country prefers the opposite of all that, well..
1
"How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?"
Please speak for yourself and not for all "southerners". How many people have heard the name Ernie Chambers, a true liberal active in NE legislature for more than 40 yrs?
Please speak for yourself and not for all "southerners". How many people have heard the name Ernie Chambers, a true liberal active in NE legislature for more than 40 yrs?
2
Dr. Cornel West's recently published Politico piece:
'Why Brother Bernie Is Better for Black People Than Sister Hillary'
(http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/bernie-sanders-african-am...
Notwithstanding Mr. Blow's qualifications for a 'Southern Surrogate', Dr. West was actually born in Oklahoma where the confederate flag flew for 22 years.
In contrast to that blond bigot from Queens, both Bernie & Hillary would seem well versed in the ongoing struggle for Civil Rights in the USA.
Dr. West says it's "Sanders, not Clinton, who is building on King’s legacy".
(Just sayin', not 'splainin!)
'Why Brother Bernie Is Better for Black People Than Sister Hillary'
(http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2016/02/bernie-sanders-african-am...
Notwithstanding Mr. Blow's qualifications for a 'Southern Surrogate', Dr. West was actually born in Oklahoma where the confederate flag flew for 22 years.
In contrast to that blond bigot from Queens, both Bernie & Hillary would seem well versed in the ongoing struggle for Civil Rights in the USA.
Dr. West says it's "Sanders, not Clinton, who is building on King’s legacy".
(Just sayin', not 'splainin!)
4
Great link!
Thx.
Thx.
I simply don't get this column. Bernie Sanders has done really nothing. For over 30 years, the socialist from Vermont. Didn't step forward on anything. Now he is a messiah, with an inspiring message of what America should look like.
With no experience in the realities of acConsitutional democacy, which, by the founding fathers wisdom, is all about what he derides: expediency and a willingness to adapt to the wishes of the electorate.
He derides President Clinton and President Obama for getting things done by negotiation. He is pro-civil rights but he never went into the South to support a colossal struggle.
He is a guy in a cabin in Vermont who has not clue what has made America great, but pretends to be the outsider savior.
Total garbage.
With no experience in the realities of acConsitutional democacy, which, by the founding fathers wisdom, is all about what he derides: expediency and a willingness to adapt to the wishes of the electorate.
He derides President Clinton and President Obama for getting things done by negotiation. He is pro-civil rights but he never went into the South to support a colossal struggle.
He is a guy in a cabin in Vermont who has not clue what has made America great, but pretends to be the outsider savior.
Total garbage.
6
Bad column Charles.
The important thing for the Democratic nomination now is not the timing of college students' spring breaks, or whether Sanders has enough African-American southern surrogates. It's the positions of the candidates, and the question of who is likely to make the best decisions when unanticipated problems arise.
I tend to favor Sanders on both domestic and foreign policy issues. If Charles has arguments for why breaking up the banks would be bad, or why caution vis a vis Middle East intervention would be bad, or why a $15 per hour minimum wage is bad idea, fine. But this essay seems to be intended to make Sanders supporters just give up because of the implausibility of a Sanders victory because of various secondary and tertiary issues.
And it ignores the fact that Sanders has gone from trailing by double digits in every relevant poll to being neck and neck with Clinton in the nomination battle, and doing *better* than Clinton vs. the Republican contenders in the election battle.
The important thing for the Democratic nomination now is not the timing of college students' spring breaks, or whether Sanders has enough African-American southern surrogates. It's the positions of the candidates, and the question of who is likely to make the best decisions when unanticipated problems arise.
I tend to favor Sanders on both domestic and foreign policy issues. If Charles has arguments for why breaking up the banks would be bad, or why caution vis a vis Middle East intervention would be bad, or why a $15 per hour minimum wage is bad idea, fine. But this essay seems to be intended to make Sanders supporters just give up because of the implausibility of a Sanders victory because of various secondary and tertiary issues.
And it ignores the fact that Sanders has gone from trailing by double digits in every relevant poll to being neck and neck with Clinton in the nomination battle, and doing *better* than Clinton vs. the Republican contenders in the election battle.
3
Unemployment in Chicago among young Black men is hovering around 50% according to one report. See: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-youth-unemployment-urban-leagu...
Gun violence and the ensuing slaughter is staggering. Job stimulus and training programs for inner city youth and young adults is nonexistent due to GOP obstinance. Our first Black President does not even try to overcome the obstacles to the breakdown of Black society in his own backyard. Of course the demagogues on the right take no responsibility for this situation. Instead they GOP candidates use the Chicago situation and poor economic growth for Blacks under Obama as a means to stir up votes. Bernie has alluded to this but I really do not see Hillary pushing for the stimulus money necessary to get the unemployment rate down in inner cities. Focusing on the crucial Southern Black votes does nothing for the racial disaster that exists up north.
Gun violence and the ensuing slaughter is staggering. Job stimulus and training programs for inner city youth and young adults is nonexistent due to GOP obstinance. Our first Black President does not even try to overcome the obstacles to the breakdown of Black society in his own backyard. Of course the demagogues on the right take no responsibility for this situation. Instead they GOP candidates use the Chicago situation and poor economic growth for Blacks under Obama as a means to stir up votes. Bernie has alluded to this but I really do not see Hillary pushing for the stimulus money necessary to get the unemployment rate down in inner cities. Focusing on the crucial Southern Black votes does nothing for the racial disaster that exists up north.
4
Unbelievable that no one has mentioned Bernie's record with black voters in his tiny little state- "Vt Black Leaders: We were invisible to Bernie Sanders" http://www.salon.com/2016/02/17/black_activists_in_vermont_complain_they... Many articles like this- Incarceration rate for people of color in VT 20 times national average- Get a grip -Sure he marched, sat-in in college- Big deal- we all did back in the day- Show me what he's done in the last 50 years? Hillary Clinton has a lifetime record no matter what the storyline the media & Bernie's campaign would like to pedal- There is a reason every iconic AA leader has endorsed Hillary not to mention basically all of his colleagues. Please do some vetting- not just for the most qualified candidate who happens to be a woman. If the media doesn't you can be sure the Republicans can't wait. Time for some balance-this is too important an election.
8
The Democratic Party tilted the playing field against Bernie Sanders from the start in a number of ways. And, Hilary has said a number of times that Sanders is not a "real" Democrat. There is no way that Bernie can get the party's nomination.
Trump, on the other hand, is likely to get the Republican nomination. Trump and Sanders should run together on a "national unity" ticket. Far fetched? Not really. A lot is at stake in this election.
Trump, on the other hand, is likely to get the Republican nomination. Trump and Sanders should run together on a "national unity" ticket. Far fetched? Not really. A lot is at stake in this election.
2
It is interesting to me that the states that will get Clinton the nomination are not the ones that will allow her to win the election. Once she has won the nomination, she will likely tailor her message to the voters of the states she needs to win, many of which will have voted for Sanders in the primaries and caucuses. The voters of the states that got her the nomination will no longer be as important, and may be forgotten. I suppose this points out one of the problems with the electoral college.
Many Bernie supporters have bought the Republican propaganda that Hillary isn't trustworthy--shame on Bernie supporters. Bernie supporters believe Hillary is not as pure as as Bernie in his social agenda--and she isn't, but how much of Bernie's social agenda is realistic? Bernie keeps telling us he will achieve his agenda with a revolution of millions of Americans. I still want to know, is Bernie telling us we must storm the offices of Paul Ryan and Mitch McConnell? The simple truth is neither Hillary nor Bernie will get much done while Congress is held by Republican nihilists with their desire to destroy America. I still believe that as flawed as Hillary may be, she is more electable in a general election than Bernie, who Trump will crucify as an un-American Stalin-like socialist. No matter the truth.
4
Someone mentioned that Hillary is a lot like Nixon. I think that is an apt observation. Nixon was very bright, a good politician, and had the makings to be one of our greatest presidents. But, he was corrupt and dishonest. Hillary is very bright and talented and is an excellent politician, In my opinion also corrupt. Mores the pity. To steal a quote "there's no there, there".
2
"On policy, Hillary Clinton, at least in her public appearances, keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues. Sanders’s popularity has forced the shift."
Then that leads me to believe that up against a Cruz or Rubio or Trump, she will shift to the right again, further right than we have ever seen her. And if elected president, faced with a Congress that we have now, she will mirror them also. Surrogates cannot hide a lack of consistency, a lack of center in a person.
Then that leads me to believe that up against a Cruz or Rubio or Trump, she will shift to the right again, further right than we have ever seen her. And if elected president, faced with a Congress that we have now, she will mirror them also. Surrogates cannot hide a lack of consistency, a lack of center in a person.
1
Clinton's "Southern Roots" are a fantasy.
With their political power and money, the Clinton's have bought off the so-called Black leaders to gain their support.
With their political power and money, the Clinton's have bought off the so-called Black leaders to gain their support.
4
The blatant Hollywood bias, press bias and party leader bias also stack against Sanders pretty hard. He's getting my money, and this is after I promised not to donate to politicians anymore.
After much thought I've determined my strategy. Democrats won't like it, but that's just too bad. I'm voting for Sanders in the primary, and if he's not on the ballot in November, I'm not going to vote. I'm sitting it out. I will not vote for either Trump or Hillary.
US politics are broken. I refuse to play a part in this game.
After much thought I've determined my strategy. Democrats won't like it, but that's just too bad. I'm voting for Sanders in the primary, and if he's not on the ballot in November, I'm not going to vote. I'm sitting it out. I will not vote for either Trump or Hillary.
US politics are broken. I refuse to play a part in this game.
2
Spring break timing. That's going to hurt Sanders when all those students complaining about student loans take advantage of that off week to work odd jobs so they have less debt when the graduate! Bernie-come lately is classic Mr Blow!
1
There's a curious dichotomy happening this week. As Sanders' poll numbers continue to rise, from nowhere 6 months ago, to just behind Clinton, to a statistical dead heat, and now to slightly ahead of Clinton nationally, his primary path to a nomination seems no less tenuous than it was in late 2015 according to 'experts'.
I think almost every Democratic primary voter, regardless of race or age, probably has a soft spot for Sanders, admires his consistency and knows the veracity of his message in their bones. But from a pragmatic standpoint most also know that he would have an uphill battle in the general election, and if he did make it to the Oval office would have perhaps a steeper uphill battle pushing through even a fraction of the policies that he's advocating, given the likely makeup of the Congress.
I think almost every Democratic primary voter, regardless of race or age, probably has a soft spot for Sanders, admires his consistency and knows the veracity of his message in their bones. But from a pragmatic standpoint most also know that he would have an uphill battle in the general election, and if he did make it to the Oval office would have perhaps a steeper uphill battle pushing through even a fraction of the policies that he's advocating, given the likely makeup of the Congress.
2
Charles....I do believe you Libs are going to get precisely what you don't really want: Hillary Rodham Clinton leading the country into a greater morass than we now find ourselves stuck in.
We elected the last candidate based on his color. So much for that and the correlation with leadership.
We stand ready to elect the next candidate based on gender. And believe me, that's all she's got.
Over half the electorate knows which side their bread is buttered on, so the election is a foregone conclusion. More of the same lackluster leadership, but without the dulcet tones.
We elected the last candidate based on his color. So much for that and the correlation with leadership.
We stand ready to elect the next candidate based on gender. And believe me, that's all she's got.
Over half the electorate knows which side their bread is buttered on, so the election is a foregone conclusion. More of the same lackluster leadership, but without the dulcet tones.
2
In contrast to that bigot from Queens, both Bernie & Hillary would appear well-versed in the ongoing struggle for Civil Rights in the USA.
Dr. Cornel West recently published a Politico piece entitled:
'Why Brother Bernie Is Better for Black People Than Sister Hillary'
(Notwithstanding Mr. Blow's criteria for a 'Southern Surrogate', Dr. West was actually born in Oklahoma where the confederate flag flew for 22 years).
Dr. West says it's "Sanders, not Clinton, who is building on King’s legacy".
(Just sayin', not 'splainin!)
Dr. Cornel West recently published a Politico piece entitled:
'Why Brother Bernie Is Better for Black People Than Sister Hillary'
(Notwithstanding Mr. Blow's criteria for a 'Southern Surrogate', Dr. West was actually born in Oklahoma where the confederate flag flew for 22 years).
Dr. West says it's "Sanders, not Clinton, who is building on King’s legacy".
(Just sayin', not 'splainin!)
The main reason Bernie can't win is that liberals don't care about electing a compulsive liar without a single accomplishment on her resume and lot of failed policies, most notably the Russian reset. Her drive to operate in secret is so overwhelming that she put our country at great risk with her unsecured private email server. This is compounded by lot of blood on her hands, including Benghazi, Vince Foster and the results of the disastrous Libya regime change. Anyone notice that about two or three weeks ago she started idolizing Obama, defending his every policy and praising him to the sky? I have no proof, but this smacks of a quid pro quo with Obama so that she will not be indicted. How else can she be so publicly cocky about not being indicted? Finally, the Super-Delegate mechanism will allow the de facto party leaders to steal the nomination even if the electorate actually votes for Bernie? Is there anything more UN-democratic? Maybe the party needs to change its name! Are there any standards left that a President of the United States should meet to hold this important office?
3
Dozens of comments here claim Hillary "is the same as a Republican" or "just working for the 1%, not the rest of us." But if that's true, why have Republicans spent MILLIONS of dollars and 25 years trying to discredit her -- but they never attack Bernie? Shouldn't Bernie be the big Republican target, if he's the only progressive? Yet they leave him alone or even run ads that help him. Surely Clinton would be their preferred candidate, but all their attacks are on her. Does that really make sense to you?
So either a lot of shrewd donors are throwing away vast sums by stupidly aiming at an obviously wrong target OR Hillary actually represents a threat to the plutocrats and oligarchs because she works for the 99%. Which is more likely?
So either a lot of shrewd donors are throwing away vast sums by stupidly aiming at an obviously wrong target OR Hillary actually represents a threat to the plutocrats and oligarchs because she works for the 99%. Which is more likely?
6
It is interesting to me that many of the states that will get Clinton the nomination are not the ones that will allow her to win the election. Once she has won the nomination, she will likely tailor her message to the voters of the states she needs to win, many of whom will have voted for Sanders in the primaries and caucuses. The voters of the states that got her the nomination will no longer be as important, and may be forgotten. I suppose this points out one of the problems with the electoral college.
1
Obama and Hillary took out bin Laden together. Obama trusted her. That must gain Hillary some trust with southern blacks, with all blacks. Bernie loses out without that visible relationship, without that endorsement.
1
The real question is if, at the end of the day. will Black voters vote for the eventual Democratic candidate to the degree they did for President Obama?
1
"Clinton, on the other hand, although born in Chicago, spent nearly two decades in Arkansas, much of that time serving as first lady of the state"
Serving as First Lady? Or being served by unpaid prison labor in the Arkansas governer's mansion?
"I was apprehensive, but I agreed to abide by tradition until I had a chance to see for myself how the inmates behaved around me and my family."
Abide by tradition? It takes a village indeed.
Serving as First Lady? Or being served by unpaid prison labor in the Arkansas governer's mansion?
"I was apprehensive, but I agreed to abide by tradition until I had a chance to see for myself how the inmates behaved around me and my family."
Abide by tradition? It takes a village indeed.
2
"I believe Clinton has things for which she must atone..' You got that right and if people (including and perhaps especially southern blacks) look at her voting record in the senate and compare it to Sanders' they'll see that we have two very different candidates that are hardly interchangeable. Clinton's alleged "superior understanding of regional sensibilities..." is part of her worthless gimmicks that have done little to empower the bottom tier down south. Even now, Clinton cant come around for a $15.- minimum wage. In contrast to Sanders lifelong fight for the middle class and the poor Clinton has been nothing but an anchor to hold off progress.
1
Economic and social justice appeals to Democrats of all skin colors and ethnic backgrounds. Who does not want economic security in old age, educational opportunity for all our children, clean air and water, an end to America's role in accelerating climate change? Who wants to see their savings gambled away by Wall Street speculators or their government officials bought by corporate elites?
Bernie Sanders has been arrested while fighting for African-American children.
Bernie Sanders has moved the discussion of America's actual problems in the right direction.
Bernie Sanders' plans to address these problems have been successful in many other countries and would work here.
Bernie Sanders is the true heir to the progressive wing of the Democratic party of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
When his message is heard by all Americans, the American people will elect Bernie Sanders President.
Bernie Sanders has been arrested while fighting for African-American children.
Bernie Sanders has moved the discussion of America's actual problems in the right direction.
Bernie Sanders' plans to address these problems have been successful in many other countries and would work here.
Bernie Sanders is the true heir to the progressive wing of the Democratic party of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
When his message is heard by all Americans, the American people will elect Bernie Sanders President.
2
Alas, Charles, depressing to read of Bernie Sanders's narrowest chance against Hillary Clinton in the southern states and how his life of advocacy above the Mason Dixon Line is "pale tea" - gorgous metaphor! - for black folks who didn't migrate north. Your story of Fannie Lou Hamer and Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. so well illustrates the great divide between black Americans children of the Great Migration and those who stayed behind (and are still there) in the South. It would appear that Hillary Clinton and her supporters have been hard at work spinning straw into the gold of primary and caucus votes all over the US. Mrs. Clinton does not want to lose her chance at being America's first Woman President. She suffered from FOMO in 2008 when our esteemed Illinois Senator passed her by on his meteoric rise to his miraculous Presidency of two terms. As always, Charles, thank you for your thoughts that resonate with your following.
Interesting good article-Thank you.
I do however miss the fact that when Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada is counted overall Sen Sanders have 51000 individual votes more than Sec Clinton.
On the subject of Black voters in the South this article from a black woman is interesting:
Of course it is also interesting that it is a journalist from the US writing in a UK paper.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/hillary-clinton/12172037/Black...
Personally I do think that Democracy issues must be taken seriously, any society that fail will get citizens that do not engage in democracy.
I think that Sen Sanders must get very much credit for raising this issue and making it a priority.
Without a sound democracy everything will crumble.
I do however miss the fact that when Iowa , New Hampshire and Nevada is counted overall Sen Sanders have 51000 individual votes more than Sec Clinton.
On the subject of Black voters in the South this article from a black woman is interesting:
Of course it is also interesting that it is a journalist from the US writing in a UK paper.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/hillary-clinton/12172037/Black...
Personally I do think that Democracy issues must be taken seriously, any society that fail will get citizens that do not engage in democracy.
I think that Sen Sanders must get very much credit for raising this issue and making it a priority.
Without a sound democracy everything will crumble.
2
A very thoughtful and thought-provoking piece Mr. Blow. You are correct in stating Senator Sanders is no slouch when it comes to being at the vanguard of the civil rights movement. As you point out, he was in the trenches when it wasn't popular fighting the good fight. But so was Hillary.
Long before Hillary became a "shill" for Wall Street, a wealthy woman ensconced in the Westchester suburbs, she was also in the trenches doing dangerous work in the cause for civil rights. What happens especially with young people whose historical knowledge of politics is extremely limited, look at Hillary and Bernie and see what images are set before them. The established woman versus the grumpy old geezer, Larry David doppelganger, Al Einstein hair a-flutter, wardrobe challenged, mensch from Vermont via Brooklyn. What's not to like?
Like Raymond, everybody loves Bernie. "Everybody" includes a lot of Democrats, but if anyone thinks almost half the nation, which hates President Obama, accusing him of being a socialist since Day One, are going to vote for an avowed socialist, who will be portrayed as a Commie Pinko by the Fall, Bernie supporters they may be filled with hope, but lack reality of seeing a major party about to nominate a buffoon like Trump.
Bernie's time started to tick away the moment the campaign began. Just as Barack Obama's organization beat Hillary it will be Hillary's org. that in the end beats Bernie. It's politics, and it's brutal.
DD
Manhattan
Long before Hillary became a "shill" for Wall Street, a wealthy woman ensconced in the Westchester suburbs, she was also in the trenches doing dangerous work in the cause for civil rights. What happens especially with young people whose historical knowledge of politics is extremely limited, look at Hillary and Bernie and see what images are set before them. The established woman versus the grumpy old geezer, Larry David doppelganger, Al Einstein hair a-flutter, wardrobe challenged, mensch from Vermont via Brooklyn. What's not to like?
Like Raymond, everybody loves Bernie. "Everybody" includes a lot of Democrats, but if anyone thinks almost half the nation, which hates President Obama, accusing him of being a socialist since Day One, are going to vote for an avowed socialist, who will be portrayed as a Commie Pinko by the Fall, Bernie supporters they may be filled with hope, but lack reality of seeing a major party about to nominate a buffoon like Trump.
Bernie's time started to tick away the moment the campaign began. Just as Barack Obama's organization beat Hillary it will be Hillary's org. that in the end beats Bernie. It's politics, and it's brutal.
DD
Manhattan
4
It's really annoying to listen to sanders supporters tell blacks and everyone else why Bernie would be better for them. Bernie hasn't accomplished any of what he aims to do and won't have success with everything. I espouse Bernies platform except on guns but just like everyone thought Obama was going to be our savior, he wasn't. Let's get real. Why bash Hillary because Bernie is moving her to the left, isn't that a good thing? Both candidates would make excellent presidents and their policies would help make this country better.
3
I'll certainly heed Mr. Blow's advice and not try to tell black voters what to do. Still, in regard to civil rights and race relations, there are a few things all voters need to recall about Sanders. As Mr. Blow mentions, he was in Washington in '63 with Dr. King (me, too); as Mr. Blow does not mention, he also endorsed Jesse Jackson for President in 1988. (There is a wonderful picture of him and Rev. Jackson shaking hands in The Nation.) As for bales of cotton picked and blows endured, those things certainly have been meaningful in the experience of southern blacks. But not having picked cotton or been beaten did not--very fortunately!--disqualify Barack Obama from becoming president. Sanders never lived in Arkansas, to be sure, but, as Spike Lee says, you can trust him to do the right thing.
1
This nation we all live is fast becoming a scary place, talking get up its false equality, trying to buy cooperation from nation states, everywhere on the planet, with one sided international trade agreements, such as NAFTA, and now the Transfer Pacific Trade Partnership (TPP), which as Ross Perot famously said about NAFTA, "if passed, that great sucking sound we will hear, will be all the manufacturing jobs leaving America"
The TPP, will be another weapon deployed against all Americans, including all minorities, to complete the destruction of our way of life, and our children's futures, all so our fully corporate owned government can further enrich the .01%ters, who have their foot planted firmly on or necks.
And guess who is their infamous knight, hiding in plain sight; Hillary the Great Pretender, out to subjugate black, white, and brown, alike.
God help us if she should make it.
The TPP, will be another weapon deployed against all Americans, including all minorities, to complete the destruction of our way of life, and our children's futures, all so our fully corporate owned government can further enrich the .01%ters, who have their foot planted firmly on or necks.
And guess who is their infamous knight, hiding in plain sight; Hillary the Great Pretender, out to subjugate black, white, and brown, alike.
God help us if she should make it.
4
I think Blow has a deep misunderstanding of why most people and the NY Times believe Clinton to be a congenital liar. Blow writes "The Clintons are nothing if not politically savvy, with a chameleon’s knack for blending seamlessly with the current political environment, whatever it may be. This proclivity toward expedient alteration is precisely what fuels some people’s sense of her in particular as disingenuous and even dishonest."
I think that Hillary's lies about landing under sniper fire, Benghazi, and a private email server are what really cause people, black and white, to find her to be dishonest and untrustworthy. Hillary's vacillations and inconsistencies on issues are perceived as just that.
I think that Hillary's lies about landing under sniper fire, Benghazi, and a private email server are what really cause people, black and white, to find her to be dishonest and untrustworthy. Hillary's vacillations and inconsistencies on issues are perceived as just that.
2
Southern Black voters as well as those in the North, West, and Middle West,know little about Bernie Sanders because of his doctrinaire focus on changing the class system in America. Racism is recognized as a class issue only.
Black leaders in Vermont stated that they have always been "invisible" to Bernie Sanders, their concerns, irrelevant.
40 members of the Congressional Black Caucus political wing, announced their support of Hillary Clinton. They included Jim Clyburn, the powerful, third ranking Democrat in the House, and John Lewis. In stating that Clinton has been there for them, they were signifying that Sanders has not.
Clyburn, beloved in South Carolina, stated that Sanders never asked for his endorsement. Apparently he did not think he needed the support of one of he most powerful members of Congress.
Only recently has Sanders veered from his endless and narrowly focused attack on the class system as if all issues would be resolved if only the banks and oligarchs, etc. were brought to heel. Overnight he is now supporting President Obama, revered among most Blacks.
His efforts ring hollow. Weeks ago, in his first club-footed, out of touch efforts to woo Black voters, he accepted the endorsement of Cornell West, who has for years viciously attacked the President. To many, that endorsement meant that Sander's also dismissed Obama's achievements including becoming the first Black President of the United States.
Black leaders in Vermont stated that they have always been "invisible" to Bernie Sanders, their concerns, irrelevant.
40 members of the Congressional Black Caucus political wing, announced their support of Hillary Clinton. They included Jim Clyburn, the powerful, third ranking Democrat in the House, and John Lewis. In stating that Clinton has been there for them, they were signifying that Sanders has not.
Clyburn, beloved in South Carolina, stated that Sanders never asked for his endorsement. Apparently he did not think he needed the support of one of he most powerful members of Congress.
Only recently has Sanders veered from his endless and narrowly focused attack on the class system as if all issues would be resolved if only the banks and oligarchs, etc. were brought to heel. Overnight he is now supporting President Obama, revered among most Blacks.
His efforts ring hollow. Weeks ago, in his first club-footed, out of touch efforts to woo Black voters, he accepted the endorsement of Cornell West, who has for years viciously attacked the President. To many, that endorsement meant that Sander's also dismissed Obama's achievements including becoming the first Black President of the United States.
6
The most often overheard conversation in the news room in recent months goes something like this:
"Hey Charles, there is more new information out showing Sanders is continuing to gain strength relative to HRC. Can you put another article together that somehow spins this new revelation about Sanders strength into our narrative that he is a non-serious and marginal candidate. I know this is getting harder to do each time, but if anyone can do it's you."
"Sure boss."
"And don't forget, if you can put Trump and Sanders in the headline together that is always a nice touch."
"Sure Boss"
"I know most readers are beginning to see through the math, but for the time being lets keep on asserting that only zany pie in the sky children are behind Sanders. Krugman is going to be hitting that again this week too."
"Got it boss."
"Hey Charles, there is more new information out showing Sanders is continuing to gain strength relative to HRC. Can you put another article together that somehow spins this new revelation about Sanders strength into our narrative that he is a non-serious and marginal candidate. I know this is getting harder to do each time, but if anyone can do it's you."
"Sure boss."
"And don't forget, if you can put Trump and Sanders in the headline together that is always a nice touch."
"Sure Boss"
"I know most readers are beginning to see through the math, but for the time being lets keep on asserting that only zany pie in the sky children are behind Sanders. Krugman is going to be hitting that again this week too."
"Got it boss."
3
I've always thought it was a cheap shot to include an unflattering picture of someone to help make your point--Democrat or Republican. A journalist shouldn't need such assistance unless words fail them, but then what is a journalist if not words?
1
The Clintons are such chameleons that in the 90's they blended right into the Republican party.
Bernie will get the majority of the national vote in the the polls, but Clinton will probably still steal the nomination.
This bodes ill for the fate of the Democratic party in the election. Many people who vote for Sanders will not vote for Clinton in the election because she carries so much baggage.
Bernie will get the majority of the national vote in the the polls, but Clinton will probably still steal the nomination.
This bodes ill for the fate of the Democratic party in the election. Many people who vote for Sanders will not vote for Clinton in the election because she carries so much baggage.
2
There is something interesting about the process. Clinton will rack up delegates from states that she will not win. She will then rely on voters from states that Sanders will likely win to carry the election. Thus, once she is nominated, she will likely focus her message on the voters of the states she needs to win, and, the concerns of those who got her the nomination will be of lesser importance. I suppose it points out the limitations of the electoral college.
1
Mrs. Clinton may be a chameleon to you, but others of us see her true colors, as she tailors her core message to her corporate and wealthy donors.
2
Thank you Mr Blow for explaining the Southern Black - Northern Black political dichotomy, however your characterization of the comparison between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders is another character assignation on the former First Lady, NY Senator and Secretary of State, and lifelong child advocate, gun control advocate, environmental advocate, criminal justice advocate and current Presidential candidate. It is absurd to compare Bernie's arrest in 1964 as a College student to the work that Hillary Clinton did as a young legal advocate and has dedicated her life to in many capacities, both private and public. When your Southern 74 year-old asks how come she never knew him and his work for civil rights, I ask how come I never knew the work that he did and I have lived in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and Virginia, and I never knew either. Bernie has never made things happen, and his pie-in-the-sky promises have as much chance of passing as his much-flaunted arrest changed the environment of civil rights in America. I guess politicians should be more gentle in their description of criminal gangs who murder, rape and deal drugs. Bernie's platform is rejected ideas from the socialist movement in New York City from the 50s and 60s. I pray that the American public does not prevent one of the most compassionate and knowledgable leaders, and one of the best candidates for President in my lifetime to be defeated by a 74 year-old do-nothing or a 69 year-old showman.
7
Again with the Bernie can't win! How about that Fox News poll? The Sanders campaign understands the hideous gavotte danced for the distribution of the delegates. The enthusiasm Bernie generates will turn out people who will vote for other progressive candidates. If his supporters actually show up and vote (and with the young that is a big if) and if the votes are properly counted (a serious issue here) then he can win this nomination. The New York Times won't like it..too bad.
4
Here's a bit of inside baseball. Although Mr. Blow argues that Spring Break will work against Sanders as students leave campus, note that ALEC-Controlled legislatures across the South have been passing legislation that forces students to vote from their parents' home district if the parents claim the student as a dependent. Who knows the impact on Democratic primaries, but these emerging laws probably would alter Mr. Blow's analysis. More clearly, the move is aimed at depressing the student vote in November, and it will be a legitimate factor in turnout in coming years, if allowed to stand.
1
To get the full measure of Clinton the black voters in the South would surely benefit from hearing her telling Wall Street how black lives were devastated by their reckless and immoral peddling of worthless sub prime mortgages and associated redlining and other color related financial predatory discrimination.
Surely, due to her laser-like focus on issues facing black Americans she most assuredly must have highlighted these issues in the speeches she gave to Wall Street that incidentally made her a multimillionaire.
It's rather strange that Clinton is so shy about releasing those speeches then isn't it? One would think her advocacy for black voters in front of the financial elite would certainly have some positive effect.
Maybe she can recount the facts about all the black soldiers who were killed, injured and maimed for life fighting in the Iraq war she voted for and what effect that has had on the lives of African American families and communities.
It's truly touching that a multimillionaire centrist Democrat engenders such loyalty from certain communities.
I must have missed the bills Clinton introduced in the Senate to address disproportionate young blacks' unemployment, disproportionate young blacks in prison, young blacks disproportionate lack of educational opportunities, and the economic segregation that has endured to this day in the form of unequal opportunity.
Maybe she's keeping those bills secret along with her speeches.
A good politician blurs the facts.
Surely, due to her laser-like focus on issues facing black Americans she most assuredly must have highlighted these issues in the speeches she gave to Wall Street that incidentally made her a multimillionaire.
It's rather strange that Clinton is so shy about releasing those speeches then isn't it? One would think her advocacy for black voters in front of the financial elite would certainly have some positive effect.
Maybe she can recount the facts about all the black soldiers who were killed, injured and maimed for life fighting in the Iraq war she voted for and what effect that has had on the lives of African American families and communities.
It's truly touching that a multimillionaire centrist Democrat engenders such loyalty from certain communities.
I must have missed the bills Clinton introduced in the Senate to address disproportionate young blacks' unemployment, disproportionate young blacks in prison, young blacks disproportionate lack of educational opportunities, and the economic segregation that has endured to this day in the form of unequal opportunity.
Maybe she's keeping those bills secret along with her speeches.
A good politician blurs the facts.
1
Considering the latest revelations about HR Clinton's willfully negligent compromise of national security, Senator Sanders should be hammering her and demanding that she withdraw from the race. Clinton is likely headed for an indictment for perjury and obstruction of justice. This means that the likely match-up in the general election will be Sanders v. Trump.
5
Sanders vs Trump? Sounds good to me!
Do Sanders supporters really believe that some indictment will come up at the last minute and save their candidate? This entire thing has been a Republican smear from beginning to end and frankly I think Bernie deserves better from you. You evidently believe his revolution can only succeed through a campaign of character assassination Note that that isn't6 the campaign Bernie is running. I imagine he would rather his campaign was successful on it's own merits.
3
Incredible. Blow paints Sanders as a "come lately" to civil rights. It's not Clinton that has an arrest record for fighting desegregation. It's not Clinton who publicly eviscerated a homophobic Congressman on the House floor (she was too busy saying marriage was only between a man and woman). Sanders has public record creds here. Maybe he isn't from the South and hasn't toured, not being a member of a political dynasty from Arkansas. And yet he's show far more fight.
And people wonder why Sanders supporters see corruption in the establishment. It's ugly NYTimes, Mr. Blow, Mr. Krugman, and others.
And people wonder why Sanders supporters see corruption in the establishment. It's ugly NYTimes, Mr. Blow, Mr. Krugman, and others.
23
Hillary has been working for Human Rights, Civil Rights and the rights of Women her entire career. Sanders cannot hold a candle to her achievements. He was largely unknown to most unless they listen to CSpan where he is said to put thousands asleep faster than Lunesta!
1
This column merely confirms my observation that Hillary Clinton supporters have to contort themselves to justify their posture.
Mr. Blow uses Bernie Sander's work fighting injustice against him because he did it from where he physically existed. Somehow it's inauthentic. He apparently didn't make pilgrimages to the proper locations.
He can't possibly have a innate revulsion and determination to fight racism and injustice because he wasn't the wife of the governor of Arkansas conveniently located in the south.
For whatever reason there seems to be a great deal of fealty and loyalty in the African American community towards the Clintons. I wouldn't presume for a moment to tell them they're wrong ,but I'm encouraged by a growing number of black intellectuals and thinkers making progress challenging that firewall.
I realize it comes across as patronizing and paternalistic coming from a white guy as myself and the black men and women, as usual, are left to do the hard work and heavy lifting required to defeat entrenched attitudes and convential wisdom.
Bernie is working laboriously to earn the African American vote. Hillary , (and Bill) seem to think it's their birthright.
Mr. Blow uses Bernie Sander's work fighting injustice against him because he did it from where he physically existed. Somehow it's inauthentic. He apparently didn't make pilgrimages to the proper locations.
He can't possibly have a innate revulsion and determination to fight racism and injustice because he wasn't the wife of the governor of Arkansas conveniently located in the south.
For whatever reason there seems to be a great deal of fealty and loyalty in the African American community towards the Clintons. I wouldn't presume for a moment to tell them they're wrong ,but I'm encouraged by a growing number of black intellectuals and thinkers making progress challenging that firewall.
I realize it comes across as patronizing and paternalistic coming from a white guy as myself and the black men and women, as usual, are left to do the hard work and heavy lifting required to defeat entrenched attitudes and convential wisdom.
Bernie is working laboriously to earn the African American vote. Hillary , (and Bill) seem to think it's their birthright.
17
Well tell that to the people in SC who imagine they know as much as you do about themselves. That "birthright" argument is beyond lame.
Bernie Sanders has been working but to no avail. He has been ineffective as a congressman and so will be worse in the WH. Let's not forget he is calling for things that have already legislated, so he must be dozing in the House and Senate as well. Good heavens, the man's face is bright red and he does not look healthy and his age and gender are handicaps. He also has a bad temper. NO to Sanders. Beyond the above, he has no handle on International policy and has been a FAIL on Single Payer where he might have made strides inside the legislative bodies. Hillary is so far superior to this man in so many ways it shouldn't be a question.
1
@jgell
He looks fine. Let's lose the agist hate-fest. Sanders is a smart, healthy man with a good heart and intent. I think Clinton is the better candidate, and I don't have to make-up smears against a good man to make the case.
He looks fine. Let's lose the agist hate-fest. Sanders is a smart, healthy man with a good heart and intent. I think Clinton is the better candidate, and I don't have to make-up smears against a good man to make the case.
This is advocacy for Clinton wrapped up in the guise of an analysis of strategy and policy. It's also a specious argument: to state as the basis for your thesis the inarguable fact that blacks aren't monolithic, and then to build on that to assert that the issues concerning Southern blacks and those concerning Northern blacks differ vastly (using Civil Rights-era examples as instances) is unconvincing at best. There is, to use your phrase, "little daylight" between the issues concerning the two constituencies. It's in the northeast, the midwest, and the west coast where urban poverty is concentrated; where young black men have routinely been executed by the police; where discrimination in housing and unemployment remain the norm. It's your prerogative to work for the wrong side, Mr. Blow. But don't distort the facts.
17
Despite the enthusiastic support of black voters for Barack Obama in 2008, nearly all of the Southern states' national delegates voted for McCain. African-Americans are outnumbered in the South, yet they're likely to determine the party's candidate nationwide.
I am white, have lived the majority of my life in the deep South. I vote as hard left as possible because I see daily the consequences of Republican policies on black people here. And it sickens me. I'm sure Hillary would try to do great things for people of color, but I am certain that Sanders' more left-leaniing policy stance would outweigh Clinton's by a wide margin.
Simply put, I cast every vote with the thought that dramatic changes need to take place down here because African-Americans are still lagging far behind all over the country. In the South, the treatment black people must deal with is the result of White Supremacy thinking that should be criminal. Yet that behavior is accepted even though all of its advocates know their agenda is based on centuries of hatred. Holding tight to that attitude is a way of honoring family elders. It's the way of the South if you're white. Anything else is considered disrespectful. That's why there are so many monuments to Confederate soldiers, the Rebel flag flies from flag posts in yards everywhere, schools are named for Confederate generals and statues of Confederate soldiers are central in many cities. Not only their legacies live on, so do their policies.
I am white, have lived the majority of my life in the deep South. I vote as hard left as possible because I see daily the consequences of Republican policies on black people here. And it sickens me. I'm sure Hillary would try to do great things for people of color, but I am certain that Sanders' more left-leaniing policy stance would outweigh Clinton's by a wide margin.
Simply put, I cast every vote with the thought that dramatic changes need to take place down here because African-Americans are still lagging far behind all over the country. In the South, the treatment black people must deal with is the result of White Supremacy thinking that should be criminal. Yet that behavior is accepted even though all of its advocates know their agenda is based on centuries of hatred. Holding tight to that attitude is a way of honoring family elders. It's the way of the South if you're white. Anything else is considered disrespectful. That's why there are so many monuments to Confederate soldiers, the Rebel flag flies from flag posts in yards everywhere, schools are named for Confederate generals and statues of Confederate soldiers are central in many cities. Not only their legacies live on, so do their policies.
13
Mr Blow offers valuable insights into why the cultural differences between the children of the great migration and those who stayed in the south will factor in this year's democratic primary. They make sense and will clearly make a difference in the SEC primaries.
However, as Mr Blow points out, black voters are not monolithic and of one mind. Probably not in the south nor in the north nor in the far west. It's likely that the generational differences between the >40 people and the <40 people will play at least as strong a role in the black population which might also include the category mentioned but not discussed; black immigrants. In that case, the odds still favor Ms Clinton since colleges are on spring break during the upcoming SEC primaries and college kids are notoriously unreliable when it comes to voting.
Another factor favoring Ms Clinton is the democratic national committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, strongly favors Ms Clinton and here handling of the committee events indicates her bias.
There are ~715 super delegates in the democratic party, which is ~30% of the 2383 delegates needed to win the party's nomination. Super delegates are democratic party officials. Virtually all of them are lining up behind Ms Wasserman Schultz in support of Ms Clinton.
To date, ~230 have declared for a candidate and Ms Clinton has a remarkable 97% of that total.
So, Bernie has a lot of obstacles to overcome here.
However, as Mr Blow points out, black voters are not monolithic and of one mind. Probably not in the south nor in the north nor in the far west. It's likely that the generational differences between the >40 people and the <40 people will play at least as strong a role in the black population which might also include the category mentioned but not discussed; black immigrants. In that case, the odds still favor Ms Clinton since colleges are on spring break during the upcoming SEC primaries and college kids are notoriously unreliable when it comes to voting.
Another factor favoring Ms Clinton is the democratic national committee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, strongly favors Ms Clinton and here handling of the committee events indicates her bias.
There are ~715 super delegates in the democratic party, which is ~30% of the 2383 delegates needed to win the party's nomination. Super delegates are democratic party officials. Virtually all of them are lining up behind Ms Wasserman Schultz in support of Ms Clinton.
To date, ~230 have declared for a candidate and Ms Clinton has a remarkable 97% of that total.
So, Bernie has a lot of obstacles to overcome here.
1
If she wins through superdelegates, the Democrat party looses. It may be decades before they win back the trust of the people they throw under the bus.
Dude, the superdelegate issue is heavy! That's got to be called out man. Ain't much time before it forces Bernie to bail. Maybe you want put DSW of DNC on blast! :))
I have to say that either Bernie or Hillary will be just fine with me. Why? Because the goal is no Republican in the Oval Office. To have that happen would be to fundamentally undermine what this country needs to do, how it needs to heal, and how we revitalize an American Dream that includes everyone.
4
Cogent and insightful analysis. I caution, however, that too many pundits (including the assumption here) that the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary is precedent nationwide among black voters. It is not. Once Barack Obama demonstrated by his Iowa victory that he could win white votes, and black voters knew that we were not throwing our votes way on a huge fantasy of a black President, we were all-in. It was not so much a verdict on Hillary Clinton, who would have ordinarily been the candidate-of-choice; there was the realistic hope of a black President. Period. That race factor is not present this election. Whatever she said then, or not, is not necessarily relevant today. She served in his cabinet. She was loyal. She still supports him. 2008 was not about Hillary among black people. It was about Barack Hussein Obama. Today, it's Bernie who?
4
Never forget that both Bernie and Hillary are parsecs ahead of the Republicans. Here is why I am happy to vote for Bernie in the primary. It appears that since 1968, the highest turnout in a national election was only about 58% of eligible voter (2008).
It is also true that turnout rates were much lower for minorities and young voters. I believe these non-voters are to a large extent, voters for the Democrats. One can conclude from this that Republican victories are not caused by the fact that a majority of eligible voters agree with them, but because the ones who do vote in a much higher percentage.
Therefore if we are to have a wave election, one in which the Democrats take the Presidency, the Senate (perhaps with 60 or more votes), and, yes, even the House (in spite of gerrymandering), all we have to do is get out the vote, This means getting minorities and young people to vote.
Now Bernie appeals to these potential voters and has started way behind Hillary. So if he can win in the primaries, it seems to me that this will demonstrate his ability to get these people out to vote. If they come out to vote in the primary, it seems likely they will come out to vote in the general.
Therefore it is not only not a risk of losing the general to vote for Bernie in the primary, it holds out the possibility of a great reward, a wave election.
If Bernie loses the primary, I will be very happy to vote for Hillary in the general election.
It is also true that turnout rates were much lower for minorities and young voters. I believe these non-voters are to a large extent, voters for the Democrats. One can conclude from this that Republican victories are not caused by the fact that a majority of eligible voters agree with them, but because the ones who do vote in a much higher percentage.
Therefore if we are to have a wave election, one in which the Democrats take the Presidency, the Senate (perhaps with 60 or more votes), and, yes, even the House (in spite of gerrymandering), all we have to do is get out the vote, This means getting minorities and young people to vote.
Now Bernie appeals to these potential voters and has started way behind Hillary. So if he can win in the primaries, it seems to me that this will demonstrate his ability to get these people out to vote. If they come out to vote in the primary, it seems likely they will come out to vote in the general.
Therefore it is not only not a risk of losing the general to vote for Bernie in the primary, it holds out the possibility of a great reward, a wave election.
If Bernie loses the primary, I will be very happy to vote for Hillary in the general election.
7
This is the strongest argument for Bernie I have seen. It might be true. I will vote for whichever of them wins the Democratic primary.
1
It's really annoying to listen to sanders supporters tell blacks and everyone else why Bernie would be better for them. Bernie hasn't accomplished any of what he aims to do and won't have success with everything. I espouse Bernies platform except on guns but just like everyone thought Obama was going to be our savior, he wasn't. Let's get real. Why bash Hillary because Bernie is moving her to the left, isn't that a good thing? Both candidates would make excellent presidents in their own way.
12
HILLARY'S Time as First Lady of Arkansas, married to a Southern good ole boy, has a very strong connection to the South that Sanders utterly lacks. I'm afraid that even Harry Bellafonte bringing home the banana boats is going to save the day for Bern in the South. Hillary also have a record of participating in projects as First Lady to help women and children. Indeed, she has continually sought to advocate for their needs. Bern's experience has been very different. I think that people in the South tend to vote with the Democrats, but like conservative ideas. Not enough to vote for the GOP, mind you. Since his greatest champions will largely be on vacation during Super Tuesday, I think it unlikely that there has been a big push for them to get absentee ballots so they can be sure to have their votes counted for Bernie. I'm pretty sure they'd advertise a Southern get-out-the-vote drive. Now if the Southern states had walk-in same day voter registration, the picture might be different. I do believe the Hillary is going to pull ahead of Bernie definitively. If not on Super Tuesday (which seems likely) then soon thereafter.
3
Hillary betrayed women and children as first lady of the US and celebrated Confederate Flag Day a first lady of Arkansas. No thanks to that racist.
http://www.salon.com/2015/10/15/the_worst_thing_hillary_clinton_has_ever...
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/hillarys-hypocrisy-clinging-to-obama-afte...
http://www.salon.com/2015/10/15/the_worst_thing_hillary_clinton_has_ever...
http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/hillarys-hypocrisy-clinging-to-obama-afte...
If people remained stuck in the ways of just voting for folks that came from the same place, or looked like them, we would not live and prosper in America, the land of immigrants..Hmmmm
Belafonte was a civil rights activist as well as a world renowned international entertainer who shared in and stood by Martin Luther King's efforts as his close friend and confidant.
Thank you for providing the Times' daily Sanders hit piece. I try finding the stories in your paper about the incredible excitement Bernie has brought to the political arena, the massive crowds he draws, how he has closed the gap in the polls and now is leading nationally - but no. We get "Bernie Sanders is Jewish, but He Doesn't Wan t to Talk About It" and all the code words, unelectable, socialist, angry, hurdles, etc. The Times is, unfortunately, beholden to its advertisers and must try to maintain the status quo.
I am asking you, as a long time reader, to be brave and report the truth of what is happening here. Bernie Sanders is the conscience of our Nation.
I am asking you, as a long time reader, to be brave and report the truth of what is happening here. Bernie Sanders is the conscience of our Nation.
23
One reasons Bernie has no track record is that he has no track record. He has a voting record, good on some things, bad on others--but he has sponsored no significant legislation at all, in years in the senate. and has held no office where he had to do anything other than vote. He has, I understand, renamed three post offices. I actually love his socialism, but it is likely to lead just where he had been--to no significant accomplishments. So his best accomplishment may ultimately be moving Clinton to the left, and for that he deserves praise. She may do something with that.
5
That is just NOT TRUE. And this is why we Bernie supporters get so aggravated with you Clinton supporters. In point of fact, Bernie has gotten through some very significant legislation, whereas it's Hillary whose biggest legislative achievement were naming post offices.
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record...
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record...
Clinton spends a few days under cover seeking information on school segregation in the south and Blow wants to put her on a pedestal next to Rosa Parks. Clinton is not what you think she is. She speaks from both sides of her mouth and at all times I think she's either boasting or lying. The real fear is the average voter won't go for the "entitled harridan" and Trump will be victorious in November 2017. That's the real fear Blow should be addressing. She won't beat Trump but Bernie has a better chance, in my view.
3
Amazing -- the liberal media establishment, including Charles M. Blow, is evidently terrified by this 74-year Vermonter. If they're not bashing him in opinion pieces day after day, they speculate on the front page as to why this not quite Marxist doesn't talk more about being Jewish.
Anyone watching this from afar would assume, improbably, pecuniary motives -- what else could account for the horror and chagrin induced by candidate who, in most of Europe, would be deemed a moderate. And who on matters of Empire is barely distinguishable from the bi-partisan
American "mainstream"?
What in the world is wrong with this country, that even the liberals run terrified from an actual one?
Anyone watching this from afar would assume, improbably, pecuniary motives -- what else could account for the horror and chagrin induced by candidate who, in most of Europe, would be deemed a moderate. And who on matters of Empire is barely distinguishable from the bi-partisan
American "mainstream"?
What in the world is wrong with this country, that even the liberals run terrified from an actual one?
6
Take a walk in my shoes, said Fanny Lou Hamer. Thanks for bringing up her name Charlie. I looked her up, quite the lady. "I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired," on her headstone.
2
You can keep telling me Sanders can't win until the cows come home but it does not matter. He has single handedly, with no PAC money, proven that there is a strong support among democrats to support what Hillary says she can't get support for.
The entire thing proves that there is grounds to reverse Citizen's United--in congress. Thank You Bernie!
Half of all people are still unhappy with health care. This gives whomever wins a backing to take more bold moves. Hillary's increments can be bigger than she thought and that people expect it. Thank You Bernie!
Hillary thought she had to play ball with Wall Street. The people are lining up to back up whomever wins to push back finance. Thank You Bernie!
The cost of inequality on citizens is now a much bigger part of the conversation and can't be shut down so whomever wins has the backing to address it straight forwardly rather than having to face Zombie reagan supply side garbage. Thank You Bernie!
I could go on but I'll stop with one I have not heard Hillary try to rebutt:
As a person in my 50's told I'm unemployable merely because my credit rating has been trashed by poverty imposed by the recession, Sanders shows that employers are bigots when it comes to age when transition boomers/genXers will be having to work well into their 70's if they live that long, that "old" people still got it, always did. Thank You Bernie!
The entire thing proves that there is grounds to reverse Citizen's United--in congress. Thank You Bernie!
Half of all people are still unhappy with health care. This gives whomever wins a backing to take more bold moves. Hillary's increments can be bigger than she thought and that people expect it. Thank You Bernie!
Hillary thought she had to play ball with Wall Street. The people are lining up to back up whomever wins to push back finance. Thank You Bernie!
The cost of inequality on citizens is now a much bigger part of the conversation and can't be shut down so whomever wins has the backing to address it straight forwardly rather than having to face Zombie reagan supply side garbage. Thank You Bernie!
I could go on but I'll stop with one I have not heard Hillary try to rebutt:
As a person in my 50's told I'm unemployable merely because my credit rating has been trashed by poverty imposed by the recession, Sanders shows that employers are bigots when it comes to age when transition boomers/genXers will be having to work well into their 70's if they live that long, that "old" people still got it, always did. Thank You Bernie!
12
It seems ironic that Hillary Clinton is likely to become the Democrat nominee due to her strength in Southern states that in November will cast all their electoral votes for the Republican candidate.
7
I lived in the deep south as a child of a single mother, and recall it as similar, though so much worse, than what you write about here. Although I am much older than you Charles, my life as a young person was similar to the life you wrote that you lived as a child many years later in Louisiana.
My hope is that voters will not take the Clintons on the face value of their double-speak history and broken promises made during their time in Arkansas and Washington DC. I hope that voters will recall the Clinton's partnerships in destructive policy making, because as you say, the Clintons do know their superficial southern talking points, backwards and forwards.
The Clintons remind me of nothing if not the old southern aristocracy, who would visit the poot now and again, voice support and facile empathy, maybe bring a small gift of charity, then leave until the next time they arrived to demand recompense for the marginal lives that the farmers and their families lived.
Sanders is offering us what may well blossom into an American renaissance in civil rights, social democracy, and we do need it desperately in this country. Our young people want it. I want it and I think that we are ready for it.
Please, give Bernie Sanders equal opportunity in South Carolina, listen to him and evaluate fairly as you did for President Obama during the 2008 campaign.
My hope is that voters will not take the Clintons on the face value of their double-speak history and broken promises made during their time in Arkansas and Washington DC. I hope that voters will recall the Clinton's partnerships in destructive policy making, because as you say, the Clintons do know their superficial southern talking points, backwards and forwards.
The Clintons remind me of nothing if not the old southern aristocracy, who would visit the poot now and again, voice support and facile empathy, maybe bring a small gift of charity, then leave until the next time they arrived to demand recompense for the marginal lives that the farmers and their families lived.
Sanders is offering us what may well blossom into an American renaissance in civil rights, social democracy, and we do need it desperately in this country. Our young people want it. I want it and I think that we are ready for it.
Please, give Bernie Sanders equal opportunity in South Carolina, listen to him and evaluate fairly as you did for President Obama during the 2008 campaign.
13
My curious mind wants to know how serious are those college or high school students participating in the rallies of Bernie cult only to be inclusive to their peers, or to be there for photo-ops don`t they have classes to attend ?
How many of them are shamed by the popular boys or girls if not in the rallies to feel the Bern .
I wonder if they are even registered to vote .
How many of them are shamed by the popular boys or girls if not in the rallies to feel the Bern .
I wonder if they are even registered to vote .
3
"How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?"
That's it, exactly. There is something insubstantial about Sanders, almost a mirage. HIs ambition to become the leader of the free world seems unbelievable, the depth of his knowledge about world affairs, about the complexity of American communities as thin as light butter. He seems to be a nice enough guy--a passionate old school Socialist/anti-capitalist-but as a presidential candidate, as the "Feel the Bern" guy, more a product of a mass hallucination. Hillary, whatever he faults, and whatever her mistakes, seems a genuinely large scale presence with a depth of understanding that is so unmatched in our season of imposters that it seems almost superfluous.
I think minority voters, people from at risk communities see the tarnish in Hillary, but they see the silver as well. "Bernie" may seem by comparison to be,well the metaphor suggests, fools gold.
That's it, exactly. There is something insubstantial about Sanders, almost a mirage. HIs ambition to become the leader of the free world seems unbelievable, the depth of his knowledge about world affairs, about the complexity of American communities as thin as light butter. He seems to be a nice enough guy--a passionate old school Socialist/anti-capitalist-but as a presidential candidate, as the "Feel the Bern" guy, more a product of a mass hallucination. Hillary, whatever he faults, and whatever her mistakes, seems a genuinely large scale presence with a depth of understanding that is so unmatched in our season of imposters that it seems almost superfluous.
I think minority voters, people from at risk communities see the tarnish in Hillary, but they see the silver as well. "Bernie" may seem by comparison to be,well the metaphor suggests, fools gold.
10
Sec. Clinton and her husband have been engaged in black issues for over 30 years and when they had the power to effectuate meaningful change during their White House years they did what? You provided the list Mr. Blow. Before southern blacks castigate Bernie Sanders for doing nothing to specifically to assist them, perhaps they should consider your list more carefully. Less is definitely more in this instance.
3
Dear Bernie supporters. HRC has spent her public life fighting for small p progressive reform. Yes, she has triangulated. Yes she has moved on issues over time ( Thank G-d, we do not need a rigid ideologue in the White House). The bottom line is she has always been a pragmatist, and that implies playing politics. Sorry, but that is our system. I find it distressing and ironic for Bernie supports to imply HRC supporters are ill informed because of the big bad "Media". It is insulting and the height of irony in that you all are pushing the 25 year dishonest smear campaign meme that "she cannot be trusted" perpetuated by that very same media. Come on, we Democrats had better stick together and stop doing the Republican's work. HRC can be trusted to protect and enhance Obamas legacy. In the zero sum game of presidential politics, that works for me.
11
You're wrong; she cannot be trusted. And she only has herself to blame for that reputation, not Republicans. She's a consummate liar and spinner of tales. She had to duck sniper fire, she never supported the TPP as the gold standard for trade deals, she opposed NAFTA from the beginning: ALL LIES. (And only just a small few of them.)
But even if you wanted to quibble about those, there's no getting around the fact that she lied to the public about not supporting trade deals while simultaneously lobbying Senators to support them. Just one of the more recent discoveries exposed by the investigation into her unprecedented use of a private email server in her personal residence (talk about secretive and untrustworthy).
http://hotair.com/archives/2016/02/21/latest-hillary-emails-show-her-pri...
it's time for you Clinton supporters to get with the fact that she is unelectable due to her enormous unfavorablility ratings and lack of trustworthiness. Not to mention she's absolutely terrible on policy. NOT that we could trust her on any of it anyway.
But even if you wanted to quibble about those, there's no getting around the fact that she lied to the public about not supporting trade deals while simultaneously lobbying Senators to support them. Just one of the more recent discoveries exposed by the investigation into her unprecedented use of a private email server in her personal residence (talk about secretive and untrustworthy).
http://hotair.com/archives/2016/02/21/latest-hillary-emails-show-her-pri...
it's time for you Clinton supporters to get with the fact that she is unelectable due to her enormous unfavorablility ratings and lack of trustworthiness. Not to mention she's absolutely terrible on policy. NOT that we could trust her on any of it anyway.
This is a better effort by Mr. Blow that creates at least the appearance of balance. I won't comment on Mr. Blow's perspectives on black voters because I am no position to argue them. However, the criticism of Sanders for inadequate regional sensibilities seems unfair.
Bernie Sanders is a Brooklyn guy whose political career was built in Vermont. Is it reasonable to expect that such a person would have spent substantial time building relationships and fighting for causes in the south? Has anyone ever criticized a candidate for insufficient attention to the north? Or is this really just a creative but subtle way to further denigrate Sanders in the eyes of black voters, which seems to be Mr. Blow's purpose for being over the past couple of weeks?
Clinton's relationship to the south is one of chance not intention. She married another fiercely ambitious political type who happened to be from Arkansas. Of course she engaged with the people of Arkansas. But not surprisingly, once the Clinton presidency ended, she was off to the more familiar territory of New York, and ever since has led a life that couldn't be further removed from the south.
This manufactured distinction seems like a thin reed on which to base support for Clinton over Sanders. What I would really like to see from Mr. Blow is an analysis of the respective policy positions of the candidates, and how those positions have or might affect black voters, divided into whatever groups Mr. Blow deems appropriate.
Bernie Sanders is a Brooklyn guy whose political career was built in Vermont. Is it reasonable to expect that such a person would have spent substantial time building relationships and fighting for causes in the south? Has anyone ever criticized a candidate for insufficient attention to the north? Or is this really just a creative but subtle way to further denigrate Sanders in the eyes of black voters, which seems to be Mr. Blow's purpose for being over the past couple of weeks?
Clinton's relationship to the south is one of chance not intention. She married another fiercely ambitious political type who happened to be from Arkansas. Of course she engaged with the people of Arkansas. But not surprisingly, once the Clinton presidency ended, she was off to the more familiar territory of New York, and ever since has led a life that couldn't be further removed from the south.
This manufactured distinction seems like a thin reed on which to base support for Clinton over Sanders. What I would really like to see from Mr. Blow is an analysis of the respective policy positions of the candidates, and how those positions have or might affect black voters, divided into whatever groups Mr. Blow deems appropriate.
12
Bernie Sander's in many ways is a stereotypical old fashioned white North Eastern liberal. Somebody who, despite their multicultural roots growing up, settles down in a white liberal upwardly mobile enclave and talks a good game on progressive principles. And let's be honest, we can spin all day long that Bernie, since getting to Burlington, has worked for racial discrimination. It's just not true. He has been a steadfast supporter of income inequality but to equate that wholesale with racial injustice is not accurate. In fact, the Sander's campaign has had to reach back 50 years to Bernies college days to try and demonstrate his civil rights bonafides. For a man that's been in the congress for the last 25 years that's rather embarrassing.
7
That's just flat out wrong. Bernie has been an advocate for racial justice his entire career. Just because YOU haven't heard about it doesn't mean it didn't happen. As a matter of fact, when the Congressional Black Caucus called a special meeting and invited all of their colleagues in the entire Congress to help find solutions to the illegal black voter purge in Florida in 2000, Bernie Sanders was the only white guy who showed up. Hillary Clinton was nowhere to be found.
https://m.facebook.com/AfricanAmericansForBernie/posts/601618156647849
https://m.facebook.com/AfricanAmericansForBernie/posts/601618156647849
In considering ties to the South, more significant than Clinton's work after law school are the six years she served on the Board of Directors of Walmart, one of the most viciously anti-union corporations in the country. As reported by ABC News during her 2008 run against Barack Obama, Clinton never spoke up about Walmart's anti-union policies: "An ABC News analysis of the videotapes of at least four stockholder meetings where Clinton appeared shows she never once rose to defend the role of American labor unions......A former board member told ABCNews.com that he had no recollection of Clinton defending unions during more than 20 board meetings held in private...... "I'm always proud of Wal-Mart and what we do and the way we do it better than anybody else," she said at a June 1990 stockholders meeting." "Clinton....now says she no longer shares Wal-Mart's values and believes unions 'have been essential to our nation's success.'" "In a campaign speech last year in New Hampshire, Sen. Clinton said, 'Now I know that Wal-Mart's policies do not reflect the best way of doing business and the values that I think are important in America.'" The article notes that, according to Bill Clinton, Hillary "did not try to change the company's minds about unions.... She knew there was no way she could change that, not with it headquartered in Arkansas, and she agreed to serve." http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/clinton-remained-silent-wal-mart-fought-un...
9
"She agreed to serve"? Is that like some kind of national service, like the Peace Corp? No, she was paid to serve and that is why she kept her mouth shut. With friends like these, who needs enemies
There would seem to me to be at least four "black communities"; those who moved out in the Great Migration; those who stayed in the South; those who got a college education and moved into the middle class; and those who remain largely uneducated, perhaps having dropped out of high school, and live in poverty.
Based on my exposure to the last two components after working in South Los Angeles over the last 15-1/2 years, Sanders will not play well for either of them. That's a shame, because a Sanders presidency would actually do more to level the racial playing field than anything a Clinton presidency promises to do.
Based on my exposure to the last two components after working in South Los Angeles over the last 15-1/2 years, Sanders will not play well for either of them. That's a shame, because a Sanders presidency would actually do more to level the racial playing field than anything a Clinton presidency promises to do.
6
It would? As much as I am drawn to many of Sanders specifics, unless this is all hogwash and he pivots to incremental changes (which seems utterly unlike him, and would implode what base he has), my view is he would be utterly ineffective on big policy issues, at least in the beginning. There is ample evidence that the "surge" in Democratic voters he is counting on just isn't coming. And there may be as many or more angry white men, blue-collar or not, and women, for that matter, whose obsession with immigrants and anxiety about a changing complexion of their country show up for Trump or, worrisomely, a more electable Republican.
Sanders is a party of one, buoyed up by idealism, anger about the Clintons' one-time "centrism" and fury at the corporate control of the Congress. Bernie may be able to clean up some of the regulatory corruption, but the likelihood of war with Congress -- overt with the GOP leadership, covert with the Dems who are less left and eventual targets of his anti-Big Money crusade -- is nearly 100%.
Like Jimmy Carter, Sanders is almost pre-programmed to fail, though from a left-ier stance. If Sanders had been running this campaign in 2008 -- if Obama had NOT been running -- perhaps he could have swept the tables nationally and really changed our politics, as the crisis opened up a real opportunity somewhat like 1932. Unfortunately, this year is different.
Sanders is a party of one, buoyed up by idealism, anger about the Clintons' one-time "centrism" and fury at the corporate control of the Congress. Bernie may be able to clean up some of the regulatory corruption, but the likelihood of war with Congress -- overt with the GOP leadership, covert with the Dems who are less left and eventual targets of his anti-Big Money crusade -- is nearly 100%.
Like Jimmy Carter, Sanders is almost pre-programmed to fail, though from a left-ier stance. If Sanders had been running this campaign in 2008 -- if Obama had NOT been running -- perhaps he could have swept the tables nationally and really changed our politics, as the crisis opened up a real opportunity somewhat like 1932. Unfortunately, this year is different.
1
"a chameleon’s knack for blending seamlessly with the current political environment"
This "knack" is also called "flip-flopping" -- and also meant to be insulting.
I respect politicians who courageously modify stances on issues as they learn additional FACTS, not more OPINIONS, realize potential upside to US, and are willing to take the flak from the hard-liners and ideological extremists.
This is political courage that rarely happens today--and never among the extremists.
This "knack" is also called "flip-flopping" -- and also meant to be insulting.
I respect politicians who courageously modify stances on issues as they learn additional FACTS, not more OPINIONS, realize potential upside to US, and are willing to take the flak from the hard-liners and ideological extremists.
This is political courage that rarely happens today--and never among the extremists.
3
One recalls a long-ago episode of ABC's "Happy Days" in which Richie Cunningham helped campaign for Adlai Stevenson...so reminiscent of this Sanders campaign.
4
None of these states will go for the Democrat candidate in November. What do residents of CA, NY, etc feel about this? This race is FAR from over. Although Senator Sanders never mentions it, the FBI will have a major impact on this race later this spring.
3
What if the national election, the final vote was between Clinton and Sanders> Who would you vote for?
". . . a chameleon’s knack for blending seamlessly with the current political environment, whatever it may be."
That says it all when it comes to believing that HRC would ever get tough on Wall Street.
That says it all when it comes to believing that HRC would ever get tough on Wall Street.
9
"Southerners in general bristle at this idea that they must be steered, that they can’t set their own course."
Which means...automatically voting for Hillary Clinton because black people are automatic fans of the Clintons?
You're a smart guy and an asset to the NYT, Mr. Blow, but this Bernie Can't Win angle got old a while ago.
Which means...automatically voting for Hillary Clinton because black people are automatic fans of the Clintons?
You're a smart guy and an asset to the NYT, Mr. Blow, but this Bernie Can't Win angle got old a while ago.
14
Dear Mr. Blow,
Among the many prominent African Americans whom you list as endorsing Sanders, why don't you mention Cornel West?
http://youtu.be/W8cex4VTrwg
Or Spike Lee? Or... (the list goes on and on)
Among the many prominent African Americans whom you list as endorsing Sanders, why don't you mention Cornel West?
http://youtu.be/W8cex4VTrwg
Or Spike Lee? Or... (the list goes on and on)
8
hey you forgot Spike Lee
6
Cornell West is from Tulsa Oklahoma
5
Why are Democrats even talking about South Carolina? Is there even the slightest chance a Democrat can take South Carolina in November?
7
Uh, we still don't have a nominee--isn't that what is happening now? These to are equal in delagates right now. SC is important.
1
I guess Charles Blow has never heard of an absentee ballot for a primary state. Doh.
3
The other divide you are fail to mention is: time. To protest and get arrested in the early 60's carries a lot more significance than taking up the banner in the 70's AFTER the Civil Richest & Voting Acts were passed.
9
Yeah, shame on Hillary for being a teenager in high school when Bernie was marching!
1
Sanders is about 6-7 years older than Clinton. For those who claim that Sanders has better bona fides than Clinton because he got arrested in Chicago and attended the 1963 March, do the math. She was 16 years old! For anyone old enough to remember the early sixties, children did not have the sensibilities and awareness - let alone freedom and autonomy they do today. Judge Clinton for her life's work. I could point out that after law school, Clinton was gainfully employed working to make peoples' lives better; Mr. Sanders was busy writing strange pieces for alternative newspapers, collecting unemployment and has still never discussed how he participated in raising his son, specifically, how did he contribute to Levi's well being financially and emotionally.
1
Excellent explanation, thank you.
2
You failed to mention her 6 years as Director of Wal-Mart during her Arkansas residency.
13
Is there any independent verification of Hillary's undercover trip to Alabama, or is it another "landing amid sniper" fire fiction? Has she contacted Brian Williams about being her running mate?
7
"... many of Sanders’s staunchest supporters, college students, will be on spring break when primaries are held in the states where they go to school."
And then there are states like NC that don't honor student IDs anyway, thereby suppressing student votes in the first place.
And then there are states like NC that don't honor student IDs anyway, thereby suppressing student votes in the first place.
9
I wonder when Hillary was giving her 3 speeches for $675,000,00 to the Wall Street Banksters , did they toss her little kibble treats every time she said the word deregulation? Bernie Sanders is the backhand to the face of Wall Street that everyone thought Obama was going to be.
16
Well, it wasn't when she was holding a public office and able to use influence to affect policy. She was a private citizen. I'm sure that if Sanders wasn't a career politician, barred by Congress from giving paid speeches, he would have cashed in, too.
1
Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton has been working for women of all ages and races and minority populations her entire adult life. FINALLY after 240 years a WOMAN is the MOST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE WITH THE MOST NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL POLITICAL CAPITAL to be OUR President and women of all ages and races - and the men who love them - MUST TAKE THIS CHANCE TO STEP UP AND PUT A WOMAN ON TOP. She is one of the most admired people in the world and we are fortunate she has been courageous enough to step up and take the trash thrown at her - usually just because she is a woman - to be OUR next President. She has my vote.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/1678/Most-Admired-Man-Woman.aspx
http://www.gallup.com/poll/1678/Most-Admired-Man-Woman.aspx
5
Ms. Hillary Rodham Clinton is a fake and a fraud. She has been working for herself her entire adult life, and living off the taxpayers generosity. She has done nothing especially for minority populations. She will never get my vote and I know many Democrats, including many women, who have told me the same.
The Reuters poll linked to in the article shows Clinton with a slight lead. I guess it was updated after this article was written?
2
Guess what, Charlie! Your "establishment creds" are showing quite prominently. For you to feign "fairness" by mentioning however subtly some of Hillary's missteps, but failing to mention that, while Bernie was a CORE leader in Chicago fighting for an end to racism, Hillary was a "Goldwater girl" campaigning for Barry Gold brightly lights up your obvious campaign for Hillary. Charlie, don't you know that Goldwater voted against the Civil Rights Act?
18
I am a Bernie Sanders supporter, but I feel Jim Michie's (and other Sanders supporters') harping on Hillary's decision as a teenager to support Barry Goldwater in 1964 is ridiculous. Not only was that 52 years ago, the ensuing years have brought numerous stories about teens in that era supporting Goldwater because of his "authenticity," and then later veering decidedly to the left. I know because I've read those stories, and also because I was one of them. Ms. Clinton has done enough damage during her years in public life, it shouldn't be necessary to bash her teenage choices in order to get the point across.
1
Clinton was 16 years old at the time from a solid Republican family - More important is to see how her world view expanded when she went to college. Most people don't know that Clinton was the first student chosen to deliver a commencement address at Wellesley College. She showed her talent and leadership skills at a young age.
1
For you to feign objectivity when everyone knows that Hillary was 16 and in high school at the time, with a Republican father, is laughable. She worked for the McCarthy and McGovern campaigns in college.
1
Despite Charles Blow’s pitiable attempt to rationalize why the vast majority of black voters support Clinton, 95% of blacks (i.e., the “Black Vote”) are a monolith and do vote in lockstep.
What’s more, in this primary cycle, the Black Vote is much like the poor, uneducated, white Midwestern voters that Thomas Frank describes and mocks in his NYT runaway bestseller, “What’s the Matter with Kansas.” They vote against their obvious best interests.
6
How can you know what their best interest is?
3
Dan Stewart: how insulting and dismissive!
1
And this is why most black folks have been giving the side-eye to some of the more doing-too-much Bernie supporters (I'm assuming that's where u r going with all this. If I'm wrong, my bad...)...U won't be able to convince blacks to support Bernie by insulting us....
1
Blow writes:
"I believe Clinton has things for which she must atone:...She said: “I’ve made my own mistakes. I’ve walked my own journey.” If that’s some sort of oblique apology or explanation, it’s insufficient."
Jeez but how self righteous, preachy and utterly arrogant. Who are you to demand contrition for supposed sins that you pin on Clinton. She's hardly perfect but the woman's a politician struggling to do the best with the conditions at hand. Have a little more humility.
Instead, we get a Blow hard.
"I believe Clinton has things for which she must atone:...She said: “I’ve made my own mistakes. I’ve walked my own journey.” If that’s some sort of oblique apology or explanation, it’s insufficient."
Jeez but how self righteous, preachy and utterly arrogant. Who are you to demand contrition for supposed sins that you pin on Clinton. She's hardly perfect but the woman's a politician struggling to do the best with the conditions at hand. Have a little more humility.
Instead, we get a Blow hard.
2
To the contrary, much of Hillary's " struggles" are self-inflicted wounds stemming from arrogrance. Blow is still carrying her water as are most of the men around her. For a "feminist" she sure hides behind the boys a lot. It is she who would benefit from some humility, not to mention honesty.
“…surrogates aside from Killer Mike…Keith Ellison…Nina Turner…Ben Jealous…Danny Glover…Harry Belafonte….”
Charles, you forgot to mention a few notables:
Michelle Alexander — author of NYT bestseller, “ The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” and the recent essay in The Nation titled “Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote.”—warning against Clinton's history of supporting policies which have "decimated black America."
Ta-Nehisi Coates — The Atlantic black author of “The Case for Reparations” who said on Democracy Now that he was going to vote for Bernie Sanders.
Cornell West — author, scholar and activist who recently wrote, “Why I Endorse Brother Bernie” and called Clinton the “Milli Vanilli” of politics.
Charles, you forgot to mention a few notables:
Michelle Alexander — author of NYT bestseller, “ The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness” and the recent essay in The Nation titled “Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote.”—warning against Clinton's history of supporting policies which have "decimated black America."
Ta-Nehisi Coates — The Atlantic black author of “The Case for Reparations” who said on Democracy Now that he was going to vote for Bernie Sanders.
Cornell West — author, scholar and activist who recently wrote, “Why I Endorse Brother Bernie” and called Clinton the “Milli Vanilli” of politics.
10
Or maybe it's simply because Northern African Americans are more comfortable with a Jewish man than those in the South. I'm Jewish and have lived in both the North and the South. That has been my experience.
17
Yes, I have wondered whether that is a problem. One remembers Jesse Jackson's and Mr. Farrahkan's (sp?) vicious remarks about Jews.
1
Do I understand that you're calling african americans from the south anti-semitic? Communities of people exquisitely sensitive to discriminalization, marginalization and and physical harm and murder solely because of the color of their skin.
I keep reading that NYT is backing Hillary but maybe I just ignored it but I am now looking for evidence daily. It would be just too bad because there are very few newspapers worth reading and I would hate to give it up. I would have thought there would be a "cabal" of Progressive opinion makers at the paper that would back Bernie but it looks like they are sticking with Conservative politicians...I include Hillary in the list.
This drip drip drip torture of early Primaries in mostly Red states really disadvantage voters in more populous states. Why can't we have a one day Primary like the General Election?
This drip drip drip torture of early Primaries in mostly Red states really disadvantage voters in more populous states. Why can't we have a one day Primary like the General Election?
10
The times must add more staff to moderate these forums if it is taking a half day for comments to appear after being submitted: the comments appearing now were submitted around 11 pm last night and it is approaching mid-day today. This election is a very time-critical matter and it is vital for these comments and voices to enter the discussion in a timely way. This is unacceptable.
Also you're tech dept. must addresseing ess a glitch preventing submission of new independent comments as opposed to responding up existing comments, a glitch I know pertains to at least my account and presumably many others'.
Also you're tech dept. must addresseing ess a glitch preventing submission of new independent comments as opposed to responding up existing comments, a glitch I know pertains to at least my account and presumably many others'.
This is a really good column, better analysis than I have read by others covering the campaign.
9
Except for the obvious bias against Mr
Sanders, and a couple of obfuscations, one such being that Hillary specifically used the term "Super-Predators", to describe young black people, she herself stated so, and Mr. Blow indicates she meant "some children.
It's astonishing that in this so obviously racist United States, that a black man, an influential black reporter for the NY Times, seeks to enable an avowed racist, Hillary, in her quest to continue the racism that has made us a place to be feared.
I've been a reader, and subscriber to the NY Times, for decades, and simply cannot understand how a newspaper I've trusted, and loved, can seek to manage perception, specifically so the establishment can continue to disenfranchise the people.
Sanders, and a couple of obfuscations, one such being that Hillary specifically used the term "Super-Predators", to describe young black people, she herself stated so, and Mr. Blow indicates she meant "some children.
It's astonishing that in this so obviously racist United States, that a black man, an influential black reporter for the NY Times, seeks to enable an avowed racist, Hillary, in her quest to continue the racism that has made us a place to be feared.
I've been a reader, and subscriber to the NY Times, for decades, and simply cannot understand how a newspaper I've trusted, and loved, can seek to manage perception, specifically so the establishment can continue to disenfranchise the people.
1
"On policy, Hillary Clinton, at least in her public appearances, keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions, so much so that there is getting to be little daylight between them on many issues. Sanders’s popularity has forced the shift."
And what will her positions be when the wind shifts?
And what will her positions be when the wind shifts?
28
Another way of saying that is that she recognizes political realities and works with them. That is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact it's a useful skill if you want to get things done.
1
Do we--black or white--really want another "Democrat" in office who "tacks" this way or that, depending on their own political self-interest?
If that's the best we, the 99% of us, have to depend on, we're in trouble indeed! Sanders' appeal, to me, is that he doesn't "tack." Those things he supports, he REALLY supports--even when it's not politically advantageous.
Who knows which way Hillary will "tack" tomorrow, much less next week or next month? It wasn't that long ago that she and her operatives were gearing up to run AGAINST Obama's record; once the Southern primaries loomed, all of a sudden she was a born again Obama believer!
To my mind the only thing consistent about Hillary is ambition and self interest...and for some time now, that opportunism has led her to "tack" in the direction of the wealthy and powerful, not the poor or the working class--as her "No We Can't" unofficial campaign slogan reflects, as well as her millions of dollars in "donations" from Wall Street.
As far as I can see, if you're not rich--black or white--a vote for Hillary is a vote wasted.
If that's the best we, the 99% of us, have to depend on, we're in trouble indeed! Sanders' appeal, to me, is that he doesn't "tack." Those things he supports, he REALLY supports--even when it's not politically advantageous.
Who knows which way Hillary will "tack" tomorrow, much less next week or next month? It wasn't that long ago that she and her operatives were gearing up to run AGAINST Obama's record; once the Southern primaries loomed, all of a sudden she was a born again Obama believer!
To my mind the only thing consistent about Hillary is ambition and self interest...and for some time now, that opportunism has led her to "tack" in the direction of the wealthy and powerful, not the poor or the working class--as her "No We Can't" unofficial campaign slogan reflects, as well as her millions of dollars in "donations" from Wall Street.
As far as I can see, if you're not rich--black or white--a vote for Hillary is a vote wasted.
1
I think there is difference in recognizing political realities to achieve a goal and recognizing what she must say in the short term to attract voters. It doesn't mean she has a firm conviction for any of the positions she recently claims to champion. And, if by some miracle she has suddenly seen the light and we can believe she truly supports her current positions, she won't be able to work with an obstructionist Congress any more than Obama has been able to with his willingness to compromise and attempts to reach bipartisan agreements - so the claim by some that she is the only one that can get things done is meaningless.
1
Political rhetoric calculated to appeal to the fears and rages of Southern white voters is what the Republicans do best, as the resounding triumph of their Southern Strategy has proved for decades. As for Southern Democrats, we expect them to use their brains and assess candidates on the merits of their records, or are they to be baited with group-tested rhetorical cliches as well?
The greatest impediment to advancement in the Black community is dysfunctional home environments, reflected in single-mother parenting with lower education and income, and high-school dropout rates often at twice the rates of White counterparts. This reality is statistically worse in many Hispanic and Native American communities, depending upon which statistical graphs are referenced.
The government can provide Head Start programs, race-based scholarships and college admission concessions, but Mr. Blow needs to outline how, exactly, either Sanders or Clinton can inspire Black girls to opt for a two-parent home for their children, and assist their children in completing their homework, and insist that their children graduate from high school, and exploit the above mentioned resources to plan a career development toward a reasonably profitable income.
The great social divide is not black or white or brown. It is green.
Everything else is, well, just political rhetoric...
The greatest impediment to advancement in the Black community is dysfunctional home environments, reflected in single-mother parenting with lower education and income, and high-school dropout rates often at twice the rates of White counterparts. This reality is statistically worse in many Hispanic and Native American communities, depending upon which statistical graphs are referenced.
The government can provide Head Start programs, race-based scholarships and college admission concessions, but Mr. Blow needs to outline how, exactly, either Sanders or Clinton can inspire Black girls to opt for a two-parent home for their children, and assist their children in completing their homework, and insist that their children graduate from high school, and exploit the above mentioned resources to plan a career development toward a reasonably profitable income.
The great social divide is not black or white or brown. It is green.
Everything else is, well, just political rhetoric...
9
Of course you could say Sanders enjoyed a cultural advantage in IA and NH.
9
Not being known is not a good thing if you've been around for 30 years in the same job. Sorry. It just isn't.
Sanders is riding on the coattails of the enormous efforts Obama has made to dig us out of the ditch of the GOP fiasco of 2000-2008 years, and he is showing ZERO respect for all that effort. He may be a nice guy with some good traits, I believe he is, but respect for other people's efforts isn't one of them. I don't think other people who are loyal to the toil of President Obama and Senator/Secretary of State Clinton like it either. It is very easy to knock things over. It is hard as hell to build them.
Sanders is riding on the coattails of the enormous efforts Obama has made to dig us out of the ditch of the GOP fiasco of 2000-2008 years, and he is showing ZERO respect for all that effort. He may be a nice guy with some good traits, I believe he is, but respect for other people's efforts isn't one of them. I don't think other people who are loyal to the toil of President Obama and Senator/Secretary of State Clinton like it either. It is very easy to knock things over. It is hard as hell to build them.
26
If the Sanders candidacy was made possible by anything other than his own hard work, than it was Occupy Wall Street, which forced the media to talk about every issue that Sanders is talking about from free college to the oligarchy.
If anyone is riding on Obama's coattails it is Hillary. I'm personally disappointed Sanders is not more critical of Obama. Obama had an opportunity to create a revolution when he came in after twelve years of Republican misrule, but instead hired Goldman Sachs to run the economy, gave bonuses to the people that crashed the economy, and managed to take credit for a recession that was technically over when he came into office. Hillary will follow the same establishment path as Obama.
If anyone is riding on Obama's coattails it is Hillary. I'm personally disappointed Sanders is not more critical of Obama. Obama had an opportunity to create a revolution when he came in after twelve years of Republican misrule, but instead hired Goldman Sachs to run the economy, gave bonuses to the people that crashed the economy, and managed to take credit for a recession that was technically over when he came into office. Hillary will follow the same establishment path as Obama.
Ta-Nehisi Coates and Spike Lee have both endorsed Bernie. He is getting there!
13
I think they are Northerners, which is Mr. Blows point.
Not surprisingly, Mr. Blow declined to mention these high profile endorsements severely discrediting his pro-Clinton thesis/agenda. Doesn't it rankle, Mr. Blow, when the facts - the truth - conflicts with your objectives?
1
Mr. Blow has missed one cortical point (actually many critical points, but here's just one) that may need explaining, or maybe what Mr. Blow would call "whitesplaining." It pertains to Spike Lee's and Cornel West calling Mr. Sanders "Brother Bernie."
First, whether or not Spike Lee are as trendy as Beyonce or JayZ, they are over the long term monumentally impactful and quite probably culturally more significant. Their endorsements, contrary to Mr. Blow's evident wishes, are not to be trivialized. Unlike the current media megastars, West and Lee devoted much of their creative lives to examining renewing the civil rights legacy, not merely personally realizing its pop cultural possibilities and profitability (even granting their salutary political messages).
West and Lee, calling Mr. Sanders "Brother Bernie," assert a new radical stage in the racial equality movement: a man is embraced as a BROTHER for his commitment to general social justice (which includes racial equality, without that necessarily being the worn-on-sleeve centerpiece), not because of what he "does for blacks." The civil rights movement/legacy is honored when its heirs can call a man "Brother" not by checking off the "what he does for blacks" checklist, but his integrity and commitment to social justice.
(Hillary: saying "ya'll" till blue in the face and other solidarity-with-blacks gimmickry won't cut it.)
First, whether or not Spike Lee are as trendy as Beyonce or JayZ, they are over the long term monumentally impactful and quite probably culturally more significant. Their endorsements, contrary to Mr. Blow's evident wishes, are not to be trivialized. Unlike the current media megastars, West and Lee devoted much of their creative lives to examining renewing the civil rights legacy, not merely personally realizing its pop cultural possibilities and profitability (even granting their salutary political messages).
West and Lee, calling Mr. Sanders "Brother Bernie," assert a new radical stage in the racial equality movement: a man is embraced as a BROTHER for his commitment to general social justice (which includes racial equality, without that necessarily being the worn-on-sleeve centerpiece), not because of what he "does for blacks." The civil rights movement/legacy is honored when its heirs can call a man "Brother" not by checking off the "what he does for blacks" checklist, but his integrity and commitment to social justice.
(Hillary: saying "ya'll" till blue in the face and other solidarity-with-blacks gimmickry won't cut it.)
1
Hillary Clinton may yet overcome a lifetime of assorted lies, betrayal, dishonesty and pandering to become President of the United States. I voted against her and for Barack Obama only to be disappointed in the lack of "change" after a campaign of "hope". An America where we are "led" by Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, etc., with the promise of Donald J. Trump is not the America I grew up in. Charles M. Blow, who surely never picked a bale of cotton, is the parvenu elitist Hillary is and they naturally flock together. They may have some abstract loyalty to the "ordinary citizen" but that's not expressed in any substantive action: that would endanger their own privilege. Bernie Sanders may survive being constantly written off by the Blows but the people may yet surprise them and even the Southern black majority may see Blow as a Tom currying favor with Miss Hillary.
17
Ronald Cohen
Wilmington, N.C.
Are all Sanders supporters as charming and well balanced as this?
Wilmington, N.C.
Are all Sanders supporters as charming and well balanced as this?
24
The truth lacks the aspect of either charm or malice. But the unhappy fact is that Hillary Clinton has been "on the stroll" since she represented clients before Arkansas State Commissioners appointed by her husband whose claims to fame are seducing an intern, committing perjury and being disbarred. The Clintons didn't rack up $100 million and 4 estate homes by being picky about their actions in favor of the elite and its no accident they are supported by that same elite with tens of millions of dollars and "speaking" fees. Go back an find an interview with Elizabeth Warren where Mrs. Clinton dissuaded enactment of bankruptcy laws favored by the credit card companies while First Lady only to vote for those same laws once she needed the banks when carpetbagger NY Senator.
10
Ronald Cohen
Wilmington, N.C
Q.E.D.
Wilmington, N.C
Q.E.D.
3
Two thoughts: 1) Where are all the "celebrity" black women supporting Bernie Sanders? I didn't realize until it was pointed out to me that all the famed names we're seeing are black men, save Nina Turner in the Midwest, whom I've never heard of. Why are virtually all of the black Sanders endorsements men-not women?
2) I had to smile at the Spike Lee endorsement of Sanders. As if! (That's going to do any good in South Carolina!) Chris Rock, who was actually born in South Carolina and did a brilliant satire about the Confederate flag once, would be the only slightly effective person from that world. Spike Lee hasn't made a good movie since 2006 (that would be Inside Man), and if your ad touting Bernie Sanders quotes lines from your movies from the '80s, then maybe you need to reconsider what you're doing (and make better movies)?
And I don't think Mrs. Clinton has to "atone" for anything. She's not perfect, but she's head and shoulders above this crowd. I'm amazed at the (small number of, I hope) Sanders folks who say they'll sit the election out/vote for Trump if Clinton is the nominee. Shaking my head. If Sanders is the nominee, I'll vote for him. They truly don't understand that many black people know how important it is to vote. We didn't always have the vote, so we can't be cavalier about "Yeah, I'm protesting by staying home! That'll show 'em!" That's why many politicians cater/pander/whatever to the "black vote". Because they know that we know voting is no joke, y'all.
2) I had to smile at the Spike Lee endorsement of Sanders. As if! (That's going to do any good in South Carolina!) Chris Rock, who was actually born in South Carolina and did a brilliant satire about the Confederate flag once, would be the only slightly effective person from that world. Spike Lee hasn't made a good movie since 2006 (that would be Inside Man), and if your ad touting Bernie Sanders quotes lines from your movies from the '80s, then maybe you need to reconsider what you're doing (and make better movies)?
And I don't think Mrs. Clinton has to "atone" for anything. She's not perfect, but she's head and shoulders above this crowd. I'm amazed at the (small number of, I hope) Sanders folks who say they'll sit the election out/vote for Trump if Clinton is the nominee. Shaking my head. If Sanders is the nominee, I'll vote for him. They truly don't understand that many black people know how important it is to vote. We didn't always have the vote, so we can't be cavalier about "Yeah, I'm protesting by staying home! That'll show 'em!" That's why many politicians cater/pander/whatever to the "black vote". Because they know that we know voting is no joke, y'all.
146
It should be remembered that while Bernie was marching on Washington and getting arrested for protesting segregated dormitories, Hillary was a Goldwater and later a Rockefeller Republican. This was a long time ago and clearly she has "evolved" on civil rights issues, still these facts should be discussed in any head-to-head comparison, like the one outlined here by Blow.
2
@Erika--I have had so many social media disagreements with friends who say that if Sanders doesn't get the nomination, they will write him in or vote for the Green Party candidate. All of these friends are white, Christian men with college degrees, whose lives really will change little on a personal level if one of these Republicans wins. I have asked them if they'd be so cavalier if they were Muslim or Latino. Of course they wouldn't. They also feel that if Sanders doesn't get the nomination, it will be because HRC has cheated in some way. I have asked them whether they have any respect for the political opinions of their fellow Democrats who are not white, because as we know almost all of Sanders's support lies in white voters. It's as if they cannot wrap their minds around the possibility that people who care about the same issues they do might find another candidate more suitable. Really, the whole unbearable whiteness of Sanders's campaign and his supporters has made him an undesirable candidate to me. I will vote for him if he's the nominee (because I am not a spoiled white man who will pick up my toys and go home), but it really turns me off.
8
Erika, I don't know of any Sanders supporters who said they would stay home if Sanders were not nominated. What most of us are saying is that if Sanders (or Clinton) receives the most votes from primaries and caucuses but the lower vote-getter is chosen to be the nominee by the super-delegates, we will stay home. You also have to realize that everything has already been manipulated and cooked by the Democratic National Committee so that Clinton gets more delegates per vote than Sanders. It sounds a bit to me like Jim Crow voting rules in favor of Clinton.
1
Here is the bottom line. Republicans are working and praying for Sanders to get the nomination. They have not even tried to lay a glove on him while they continue their multi-decades attacks on Secretary Clinton. Don't you think they may have some understanding of political dynamics. After all, they have elected enough candidates to control both Houses of Congress and two-thirds of the state legislatures. They know how to get their candidates elected, and they are betting the farm they can keep Hillary Clinton off the ballot in November. That may have something to do with those few national poll results that give Sanders a small edge in current polling.
It is the height of naivety to believe that if he gets the nomination voters will not be persuaded that Sanders is the second coming of Trotsky by the hundreds of millions of dollars that will be poured into attack ads by Republican independent expenditure groups whose sole interest is in electing Trump/Cruz/Rubio. Sanders may seem, in the absence of the attacks being continually made on Secretary Clinton, that he is electable. Don't kid yourselves. he may capture some part of the electorate, but George McGovern lost 49 states to Richard Nixon, and Sanders will fare no better if he is the nominee.
It is the height of naivety to believe that if he gets the nomination voters will not be persuaded that Sanders is the second coming of Trotsky by the hundreds of millions of dollars that will be poured into attack ads by Republican independent expenditure groups whose sole interest is in electing Trump/Cruz/Rubio. Sanders may seem, in the absence of the attacks being continually made on Secretary Clinton, that he is electable. Don't kid yourselves. he may capture some part of the electorate, but George McGovern lost 49 states to Richard Nixon, and Sanders will fare no better if he is the nominee.
30
Not Trotsky. They will go for Stalin. Look what happened in 1972 to a Democratic nominee who had been a bomber pilot.
3
Hillary can not win the general election.
Oh sure, Hillary will turn out voters, Republican voters.
There is no person more reviled by Republicans than Hillary Clinton, and they will turn out in droves on Election Day to vote against her. And Hillary’s meh campaign is unlikely to inspire a high enough turnout among Democrats, let alone independents or new voters, to offset the surge in Republican turnout she herself inspires.
What’s more, Hillary is anathema to Independents—the largest group of voters (43% of the American electorate), the one that actually decides elections. In 2008, she had a -3 favorability rating with Independents—now she has a -31 favorability rating. In the most recent YouGov poll, she is -43 (24 to -67) with Independents.
The recent Quinnipiac general election match-ups against GOP candidates bear this out; Independents decided every single one. Bernie Sanders won every match-up handily because he trounced everyone with Independents (Trump by 15, Cruz by 19, Kasich by 10, Rubio by 20, and Bush by 16). In sharp contrast, Hillary lost to everyone but Trump (whom she beat by 1 point overall as a result of winning by 2 with Independents).
She lost to everyone else because she lost Independents (lost to Kasich by 20, Rubio by 10, Cruz by 3, and Bush by 2). That's right - she lost Independents to the guy named Bush who just dropped out and is widely reputed to have run, dollar for dollar, the worse campaign in American history.
Oh sure, Hillary will turn out voters, Republican voters.
There is no person more reviled by Republicans than Hillary Clinton, and they will turn out in droves on Election Day to vote against her. And Hillary’s meh campaign is unlikely to inspire a high enough turnout among Democrats, let alone independents or new voters, to offset the surge in Republican turnout she herself inspires.
What’s more, Hillary is anathema to Independents—the largest group of voters (43% of the American electorate), the one that actually decides elections. In 2008, she had a -3 favorability rating with Independents—now she has a -31 favorability rating. In the most recent YouGov poll, she is -43 (24 to -67) with Independents.
The recent Quinnipiac general election match-ups against GOP candidates bear this out; Independents decided every single one. Bernie Sanders won every match-up handily because he trounced everyone with Independents (Trump by 15, Cruz by 19, Kasich by 10, Rubio by 20, and Bush by 16). In sharp contrast, Hillary lost to everyone but Trump (whom she beat by 1 point overall as a result of winning by 2 with Independents).
She lost to everyone else because she lost Independents (lost to Kasich by 20, Rubio by 10, Cruz by 3, and Bush by 2). That's right - she lost Independents to the guy named Bush who just dropped out and is widely reputed to have run, dollar for dollar, the worse campaign in American history.
67
Sanders has the highest likability numbers of any candidate, Democrat or Republican. Bernie has consistently outperformed Hillary in match ups against all GOP candidates. Polls also show Bernie is not only likely to inspire a high turnout of Democrats, but also independents and new voters. This was confirmed by a new Quinnipiac national poll showing Bernie Sanders erased a 30% point Clinton lead in to a dead heat.
Perhaps even more telling, the conservative Drudge Report ran an all-candidate online poll: Hillary placed 11th out of 13 candidates, while Sanders ran second only to Trump. Given the venue, one would have to assume the poll’s one million-plus respondents were overwhelmingly Republican. Yet, not only did Sanders get 30 times more votes than Hillary did, he beat all but one Republican.
An objective observer has plenty of reasons to conclude that Sanders is the more electable candidate.
Perhaps even more telling, the conservative Drudge Report ran an all-candidate online poll: Hillary placed 11th out of 13 candidates, while Sanders ran second only to Trump. Given the venue, one would have to assume the poll’s one million-plus respondents were overwhelmingly Republican. Yet, not only did Sanders get 30 times more votes than Hillary did, he beat all but one Republican.
An objective observer has plenty of reasons to conclude that Sanders is the more electable candidate.
3
Is there something no one is talking about? Is the fact that Bernie Sanders is Jewish a factor in gaining votes in the South? I don't know the answer, but I am asking the question.
13
And the only reason you would ask that is because of the caricatures of southerners you have doubtless seen over the years. I can tell you unequivocally that in more than 60 years of living in the south, I have never seen or heard a single denigrating remark about any Jew or about Jews in general.
However, there is one bigotry that I have personally seen and is very common to people in the south; individuals, like Hillary, who affect a (very poor) southern dialect when speaking down to southern crowds.
However, there is one bigotry that I have personally seen and is very common to people in the south; individuals, like Hillary, who affect a (very poor) southern dialect when speaking down to southern crowds.
Thank you for taking the time to answer my question.
If Hillary's power base is in the deep south, then she might win the primary, but she'll definitely lose the general. Those states aren't gonna flip blue for her.
20
Al
The single biggest factor going against Bernie is not that he or Hillary could win Alabama - neither is very likely to in the General Election.
The issue is the key swing States of which there are ~6 and of those 6 no two are more important than Ohio and Florida.
In Ohio in 2012 Pres. Obama largely won because of the YUGE Black
vote in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland).
Bernie not doing well with minorities will "kill his chances" of winning Ohio
He loses Ohio we get Pres. Trump that happens and we will all feel the Burn!
Now we're in Florida - In order to win that State and the Presidency we need a large and enthusiastic turnout among the State minority population.
Again Bernie's weakness in attracting minority voters is a deal breaker.
Bernie's campaign is giving the "Don't worry once voters get to know Bernie, they'll see that he is their best choice and will support him"
That is the same line George McGovern used in '72 against that Dick Nixon from California
McGovern's campaign was right about that in Massachusetts and they won there... Problem was they lost the other 49 States!
The single biggest factor going against Bernie is not that he or Hillary could win Alabama - neither is very likely to in the General Election.
The issue is the key swing States of which there are ~6 and of those 6 no two are more important than Ohio and Florida.
In Ohio in 2012 Pres. Obama largely won because of the YUGE Black
vote in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland).
Bernie not doing well with minorities will "kill his chances" of winning Ohio
He loses Ohio we get Pres. Trump that happens and we will all feel the Burn!
Now we're in Florida - In order to win that State and the Presidency we need a large and enthusiastic turnout among the State minority population.
Again Bernie's weakness in attracting minority voters is a deal breaker.
Bernie's campaign is giving the "Don't worry once voters get to know Bernie, they'll see that he is their best choice and will support him"
That is the same line George McGovern used in '72 against that Dick Nixon from California
McGovern's campaign was right about that in Massachusetts and they won there... Problem was they lost the other 49 States!
4
They're not going to flip blue for Bernie either.
3
I think it would be helpful if the media stopped trying to call the horse race before it has been run. I understand that they way the delegates are awarded it may be a forgone conclusion. But every state should get its say in who is elected without the media's influence in saying, more or less, "don't bother,. It's over, and Hillary is your candidate."
If every state votes and Bernie wins the popular vote, the delegates are close, and Hillary is still polling this poorly against the prospective Republican candidates, it would sure give the super delegates a lot to consider when casting their votes at the convention. There's no reason the few states should decide the election for the rest of the country.
The election needs to stop being treated like a reality TV show.
If every state votes and Bernie wins the popular vote, the delegates are close, and Hillary is still polling this poorly against the prospective Republican candidates, it would sure give the super delegates a lot to consider when casting their votes at the convention. There's no reason the few states should decide the election for the rest of the country.
The election needs to stop being treated like a reality TV show.
10
To the super delegates - all corporatist party insiders - a Trump presidency would probably be preferable to a Sanders presidency. Their allegiance to corporate America is far more powerful than party loyalty.
"How is it that a person (Bernie Sanders) could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him?"
The answer is: for the same reason that Americans of every race and ethnicity all over the US haven't heard his message and ideas: the mainstream media tend to ignore or dismiss them.
The answer is: for the same reason that Americans of every race and ethnicity all over the US haven't heard his message and ideas: the mainstream media tend to ignore or dismiss them.
38
Oh, come on....I have been watching him on Rachel Maddow for years. He has had as much exposure as, say, Sherrod Brown or Anthony Weiner (argh!).
If you don't admit that Bernie's ideas don't have a snowball's chance unless, as he says, we have a political revolution in the Congress, you didn't pay enough attention in Civics class. The reality is, Dems have chance in the Senate, but the House will be at death's door in Democratic terms until at least 2022 (possible new districts).
If you don't admit that Bernie's ideas don't have a snowball's chance unless, as he says, we have a political revolution in the Congress, you didn't pay enough attention in Civics class. The reality is, Dems have chance in the Senate, but the House will be at death's door in Democratic terms until at least 2022 (possible new districts).
2
There's a fine line between "running out of time" and arriving right on time. Peaking at the right time is an art, and I think those of us voting Democrat in November need to think about which of these candidates has the better shot to continue on past the primaries with momentum on their side. Bernie Sanders' popularity in the polls is directly correlated to an increase in his name recognition. Bernie has, in my estimation, a far greater potential to trend up than does Hillary when we're gonna need them to.
13
Charles, I was just thinking the same thing after Nevada: HILLARY (even more than Bill) is a POLITICAL CHAMELEON!
I will not vote for a politjcal lizard, or reptile, for president of the United States. (And I happily voted for Bill Clinton twice!)
Win or lose, Bernie rules!
The ground of liberty is gained by inches.
-- Jefferson
I will not vote for a politjcal lizard, or reptile, for president of the United States. (And I happily voted for Bill Clinton twice!)
Win or lose, Bernie rules!
The ground of liberty is gained by inches.
-- Jefferson
19
I guess Jefferson was an "incrementalist" like Mrs. Clinton- Lol.
4
You do know that your Jefferson quote flat-out contradicts all the claims you guys make about hating Hillary's gradualism and demanding Bernie's revolution, right?
4
I grew up in white working class, fairly conservative, Republican, Queens. Archie Bunker land except our neighborhoods were Catholic. I was surrounded by racism and bigotry. It took maturity and education for me to evolve beyond those narrow, hateful notions. I can't imagine what Southern blacks experienced, but I saw how Northern blacks were treated in NYC , LI, and Philly, Chicago, and Boston. Maybe Ms. Hamer was justified, but she was entirely correct. It was Northerners on Freedom Rides and in Congress who also challenged the white Southern system and helped bring about change. Bernie was part of that. You should not discredit his role. For me it was liberal Catholics and Jews (whom I met at Queens College) that opened my eyes and first helped me understand the real world. I'm grateful that I was drawn from that ignorance.
I don't know why the South, either white or black, is so insular and insecure that it can't hear good advice when offered or have the good sense to take it. Just because Bernie fought racism in Chicago and Burlington instead of Selma or Birmingham makes him no less a front-line fighter. I don't know how you can credit Hillary for her one journey for Edelman, raising $$ for CDF, and for advocating from her lofty perch as AR First Lady, while not acknowledging Bernie's lifetime of advocacy. To me, Hillary's brand of limousine liberal, white guilt, child of privilege charity should seem offensive to Southern blacks, but I'm just a guy from Queens.
I don't know why the South, either white or black, is so insular and insecure that it can't hear good advice when offered or have the good sense to take it. Just because Bernie fought racism in Chicago and Burlington instead of Selma or Birmingham makes him no less a front-line fighter. I don't know how you can credit Hillary for her one journey for Edelman, raising $$ for CDF, and for advocating from her lofty perch as AR First Lady, while not acknowledging Bernie's lifetime of advocacy. To me, Hillary's brand of limousine liberal, white guilt, child of privilege charity should seem offensive to Southern blacks, but I'm just a guy from Queens.
200
It may have to do with the fact that it was way more than one trip and waving from a balcony, and you're a willful ignoramus.
Look it up, okay? There're plenty of reasons not to vote for Hillary Clinton, but yours aren't any of them.
Look it up, okay? There're plenty of reasons not to vote for Hillary Clinton, but yours aren't any of them.
2
As an educated black woman born and raised in the south I consider myself neither "insular" nor "insecure." I and I suspect many others like me, take offense to the notion that my political choice is a reflection of not "having the good sense" to choose your candidate. I simply don't see any other advocacy from Mr. Sanders (whom I respect greatly and will vote for if it comes to it in the general) since his moments of protest 30 years ago. He seems almost uncomfortable and unfamiliar in the deep south settings I've seen him in recently.
2
Totally agree. Just show me the photos of Hillary being arrested in a protest in any location and I'll be in agreement with you Mr, Blow.
Very interesting article. It's funny, but Bernie Sanders looks old, and sounds old. And yet, he doesn't have experience. Senator of Vermont, but the population of Vermont is 600,000. If you've ever lived in Vermont, which I have, it's a very sleepy state. Really, the most complex issues involve maple syrup. Lots of poverty. No jobs. Not sure he did much about that. Hillary Clinton---Senator of New York, population 19.7 million. Married to a president, so she had access to the Oval Office. This alone should make anyone think twice about voting for Bernie Sanders. I'm not surprised southern voters are wary. Vermont has more in common with Montreal than the southern states.
19
Jeb Bush had access to the Oval Office too. Is this really the proper criteria for change?
4
But Bernie is the one who seems to understand the issues that are affecting Americans: expensive for-profit health care, onerous high-interest debt, no jobs. He has plans -- read all about them on his website.
The Clintons have done enough damage. NAFTA being one of the biggest hits to the American people.
The Clintons have done enough damage. NAFTA being one of the biggest hits to the American people.
Thank-you, Charles Blow, for what I find to be an astute, fair minded assessment. As a Sanders supporter, I hope that he reads this piece.
10
So Republicans aren't the only ones with a 'southern strategy'. Who knew?
BTW, the facts strongly disprove your "Black voters are not monolithic and of one mind" statement. In fact black voters have the highest party loyalty of any ethnic group, and have for decades.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/07/when-did-black...
BTW, the facts strongly disprove your "Black voters are not monolithic and of one mind" statement. In fact black voters have the highest party loyalty of any ethnic group, and have for decades.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/07/07/when-did-black...
6
The Democratic party does not support democracy if it threatens the power of its elites and the established order. Sanders threatens to upset that order. They probably regret that they don't have more secure super-delegates.
10
I taught at Mississippi Valley State, and Bill Clinton came to our entraprenuer meeting for support of our ventures when he was the Governor of Arkansas. You might recall he being quoted by Roger Mudd for saying "The Delta was like a Thrid world country, You can't get a job there; you have to create your own."
He asked me what I thought of the Delta, and that's what I told him :-). Happy to be a momentary small speechwriter :-).
The Clinton's didn't walk on water back then, but they did know where the rocks were. Folks down there didn't forget them.
He asked me what I thought of the Delta, and that's what I told him :-). Happy to be a momentary small speechwriter :-).
The Clinton's didn't walk on water back then, but they did know where the rocks were. Folks down there didn't forget them.
14
I think the Southern tolerance for "flawed figures" is something the Bernie folks could stand a dose of. The Purity angle is really tiresome/annoying and maybe plays better in other parts of the country. Not that they are looking for outreach ideas.
2
Charles over analyses why Bernie Sanders has little black support. He should familiarize himself with Occam's Razor. Bernie Sander's lack of support has nothing to do with the Great Migration,Fanny Lou Hamer, or paternalism. Hillary and Bill Clinton have supported black causes for 40 years. Bill was forgiven for his 2008 verbal gaff in South Carolina. When Bill finally revealed his relationship with Monica Lewinsky to the Grand Jury, Vernon Jordan was there that night in the White House to hold his hand.The Clinton ties to the black community are deep. Sanders has absolutely no chance in the SEC primary states, and it has nothing to do with whether or not he was "visible" in the South. It's about the Clinton's personal history, period.
10
I love having Sanders in this race! I think he brings some great ideas and HRC should be challenged. That said, I'm still voting for HRC. While I appreciate Sanders, he doesn't present ways to get his ideas accomplished. He never mentions way to deal w an obstinate GOP congress to pass his ideas.
While there is no doubt in my mind that if HRC is elected, our obstinate and ignorant GOP congress will continue their stupid and arrogant behavior, at least HRC will know not to ever trust the GOP and how to deal w them.
While there is no doubt in my mind that if HRC is elected, our obstinate and ignorant GOP congress will continue their stupid and arrogant behavior, at least HRC will know not to ever trust the GOP and how to deal w them.
18
When did Clinton explain how she would deal with Republicans that have hated her for the decades? I seem to have missed that. If you want government to do the right thing, we need a political revolution. I hope Sanders is revolutionary enough. I know Clinton is anything but.
Terrific column and I fully expect that a number of Sanders supporters will populate the column with accusations that Blow isn't giving their candidate enough credit. It's a shame because this is a piece with a generous degree of insight that Sanders' campaign could really use.
I love Bernie Sanders and I want his revolution. But until he shows me he's a smarter politician who can do more than preach the liberal gospel, someone who is flexible, resilient and has political savvy you may as well count me as a skeptical Southerner. Getting the nomination is the easy part. Winning the general is harder. And governing is much, much harder. Ask Bill Clinton. Ask Barack Obama.
I love Bernie Sanders and I want his revolution. But until he shows me he's a smarter politician who can do more than preach the liberal gospel, someone who is flexible, resilient and has political savvy you may as well count me as a skeptical Southerner. Getting the nomination is the easy part. Winning the general is harder. And governing is much, much harder. Ask Bill Clinton. Ask Barack Obama.
15
With "love" like that, who needs apathy?
2
Sanders has one 13 elections against Republicans. How many has Hillary won? Compare his accomplishments in the senate against Clinton's while they served together.
Based on the recent gaffe? miscue? indelicacy? from Killer Mike, I might not have thought "eloquent" would be the descriptor of the day.
6
You do your readers a grave disservice by glossing over Clinton's racism and brushing aside the dedication Sanders has had throughout his entire career. Hillary is an unrepentant racist who is using the black community to gain power, period. She couldn't care less about their plight regardless of where they reside relative the Mason Dixon line and you know it. Marian Wright Edelman has disavowed her and her husband quit Bill Clinton's cabinet because of his gutting of the social safety nets. The filth she spewed about then-Senator Obama in 2008 is so vile, I'm shocked a single black person is even considering her. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/geoffrey-dunn/hillarys-hypocrisy-clinging-... And that's not to mention that her stint as First Lady of Arkansas included supporting and celebrating Confederate Flag Day.
You're also dead wrong about the number of surrogates Bernie has who hail from the South. South Carolina state Rep. Justin Bamberg (who's also the Walter Scott family attorney) switched his support from Clinton to Sanders. The former chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party is backing Bernie Sanders. The South Carolina AFL-CIO executive board endorses Bernie. S.C. state Rep Terry Alexander, GA state Sen Vincent Fort, S.C. state Rep Wendell Gilliard, GA state Rep LaDawn Jones, TX state Rep Marisa Márquez, S.C. state Reps Joseph Neal and Robert Q. Williams among others, all endorse Bernie.
You should do the same.
You're also dead wrong about the number of surrogates Bernie has who hail from the South. South Carolina state Rep. Justin Bamberg (who's also the Walter Scott family attorney) switched his support from Clinton to Sanders. The former chairman of the S.C. Democratic Party is backing Bernie Sanders. The South Carolina AFL-CIO executive board endorses Bernie. S.C. state Rep Terry Alexander, GA state Sen Vincent Fort, S.C. state Rep Wendell Gilliard, GA state Rep LaDawn Jones, TX state Rep Marisa Márquez, S.C. state Reps Joseph Neal and Robert Q. Williams among others, all endorse Bernie.
You should do the same.
22
An eye-opener. Thank you, Jill.
3
No matter what, political endorsements don't seem to help much in this wild election season. Look at Rubio he has the who's who in republican greats to endures him but that hasn't helped him much to win votes in the primaries.
2
Great comment Jill. Thank you.
2
The Times selects an unflattering picture of Sanders picking his way down an airline stairway, making him look old and feeble. What does this have to do with the subject of Blow's column?
25
Noted the same thing. It has nothing to do with the subject of Mr. Blow's column. It has everything to do with the object of Mr. Blow's column. In fact, it's the same object of every NYT opinion piece and news piece on the subject of Clinton versus Sanders: To make Sanders look bad.
1
He always looks old and feeble. That's just how he looks His posture is terrible and he does not have the stature or strength in any way to be a world leader
1
This time around many democrats are sitting out the primaries. In some states as high as 20%. I can understand why. The left of the Democratic party insist most working class whites or those not college educated aren't smart enough to vote in their own interest. I'm pretty sure they feel the same about blacks. They have pretty much alienated me from their party. Sometimes I wonder if they still believe in one person one vote. After all a college education is proof of ones superiority. At one point I thought we were all equal or at least should be. I admit I am college educated. City University but that really doesn't count. In my book a person who bails cotton has as much to say as a Ivy League Lawyer.
7
How ironic. Hillary might win the Democratic nomination by winning primaries in a string of Southern states that form a solid block against the democrats and will never vote in a liberal candidate. The one primary (not caucus) that was held in a state that actually gave Obama a victory she was trounced. There is something wrong with such a system. And just who picked a primary date for super Tuesday in which students, the most liberal group in the nation, would not be around?
As an aside, Hillary this past weekend has used Sander's exact words about being "too big to jail" regarding corrupt business practices. I have not heard the press yet ask her if she has moved into Sanders camp. But for the rest of us, her Johnny come lately conversion is just one more mark of her untrustworthiness.
As an aside, Hillary this past weekend has used Sander's exact words about being "too big to jail" regarding corrupt business practices. I have not heard the press yet ask her if she has moved into Sanders camp. But for the rest of us, her Johnny come lately conversion is just one more mark of her untrustworthiness.
19
Regarding Hillary tacking toward Bernie.
That's politics and ever has been.
That's politics and ever has been.
1
Hello? Shouldn't Democrats in these red states have a say in who the Democratic nominee will be, even more so since their voices will be drowned out in the national election? What's "wrong" with that?
2
It's amusing how Blow is shilling for Hillary, just as Hillary continues shilling for Wall Street.
"Indeed, Sanders’s compelling narrative on civil rights advocacy is strangely devoid of Southern touchstones. He was arrested in Chicago, traveled to the March on Washington, and held honorable positions on race and social justice while mayor of Burlington, Vt., and a member of Congress."
Compelling narrative? He dabbled in Chicago politics then in the middle 1960's moves to a state that was about 1.5% Black. If the NY Times editorial page is to be believed that is one major case of "white flight". But he remains the progressives' darling. When working class folks moved from Detroit to majority or all white suburbs they were chastised by progressives (who for the most part had fled the city already) as being racists. When all they wanted was the same peace that Sanders found in Vermont. But there was no "back to the land" Bernie Sanders fig leaf available.
So Bernie if you plan on using the bully pulpit to chastise Americans for living in segregated cities and towns you'll hear many laughing and saying "you are joking, right?" You will be called out on your hypocrisy by many in that working class group that you think you lead. They have been victims of failed social engineering experiments but you wouldn't understand that because you were tucked away up in Vermont acting all progressive.
Compelling narrative? He dabbled in Chicago politics then in the middle 1960's moves to a state that was about 1.5% Black. If the NY Times editorial page is to be believed that is one major case of "white flight". But he remains the progressives' darling. When working class folks moved from Detroit to majority or all white suburbs they were chastised by progressives (who for the most part had fled the city already) as being racists. When all they wanted was the same peace that Sanders found in Vermont. But there was no "back to the land" Bernie Sanders fig leaf available.
So Bernie if you plan on using the bully pulpit to chastise Americans for living in segregated cities and towns you'll hear many laughing and saying "you are joking, right?" You will be called out on your hypocrisy by many in that working class group that you think you lead. They have been victims of failed social engineering experiments but you wouldn't understand that because you were tucked away up in Vermont acting all progressive.
16
White flight is when you move to the suburbs, not when you decide you like living in the country.
@J McGlein: And when you skip the suburbs to move to the country you're no longer part of white flight?
Your definition doesn't hold water.
Face it, Bernie fled. And I would agree with his doing so. The cities were becoming terrible places to live in the 1960's and those that could escape, well more power to them. They escaped the horrible effects of liberal programs.
But if he thinks for one second that he is going to preach to anyone about racial segregation and integration then he's delusional. He made the choice to move to a +98% white state which is only a dream to many Americans trapped in or near major cities.
It's really all straight forward.
Your definition doesn't hold water.
Face it, Bernie fled. And I would agree with his doing so. The cities were becoming terrible places to live in the 1960's and those that could escape, well more power to them. They escaped the horrible effects of liberal programs.
But if he thinks for one second that he is going to preach to anyone about racial segregation and integration then he's delusional. He made the choice to move to a +98% white state which is only a dream to many Americans trapped in or near major cities.
It's really all straight forward.
3
"There isn’t one black America, but two: The children of the Great Migration and the children of those who stayed behind in the South."
Isn't there also are large group of black Americans who, after living in Northern cities for decades, returned to the South? Many of them are looking for more job opportunities and lower taxes.
Isn't there also are large group of black Americans who, after living in Northern cities for decades, returned to the South? Many of them are looking for more job opportunities and lower taxes.
3
Black voters and white voters whether in the South or in the North should know very well what exactly to expect from politicians who come around election time,"tacking harder and harder toward(their) positions..." Vote for me, see ya next election.
9
As a minority (gay and Asian), I don't want to take a gamble with Sanders, because I have a lot to lose. Clinton is a known quantity, tried and tested, strong, progressive, and knowledgeable. Sanders is an unknown quantity, never been tested on such a national scale, and promises plans that we all know (and even his supporters know) will never pass. He has never really been attacked by the GOP machine.
No, I refuse to vote for empty promises and risk it all. I appreciate with all my heart the 8 years of progress Obama gave this country, and I look forward to Hillary's steady hand for another 8.
No, I refuse to vote for empty promises and risk it all. I appreciate with all my heart the 8 years of progress Obama gave this country, and I look forward to Hillary's steady hand for another 8.
31
Until 2013, Hillary was steadfastly against gay marriage. A "steady hand", or status quo, will not creat a speck of progress , a speck of relief, for our ailing nation.
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/06/hillary-clintons-gay...
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/06/hillary-clintons-gay...
2
current polling shows Clinton losing to Trump and Sanders winning..but that's just current polling..might change..only a poll..
2
This is the greatness of America: I supported, canvassed and voted for Obama, The result was a mixed bag. I will not support 8 more years of Obama via Hillary.
Oh. I started reading this and thought that for a change, Blow was writing an article that acknowledges the momentum of Sanders's campaign for the presidency. He was even giving Sanders some nice little tips on how to run for president. Then I realized he was building to his usual, relentlessly repeated, fact-free conclusion about Clinton's unavoidable predestined march straight into the White House.
23
Why is the NYT allowing commenters to come here and openly shill for hits on their personal self-serving blogs to try to become "somebody"? Aren't you supposed to edit out those links to protect readers from traps? Other sites do not allow this and I would be most grateful if you would considering editing posts like that. They don't belong here. Thank you.
42
@ de Rigeur - de R quite a few assumptions paced into that first sentence. NYT policy says blog OK. Not many look at my blog but it gives my Email address so many thoughtful Times readers write to me. I cann provide there inormation about renewable energy technology that is standard in Sweden but never even mentioned by NYT. I think the Times should require you to give full name but it does not.
OnlyNeverInSweden.blogspot.com
.
OnlyNeverInSweden.blogspot.com
.
1
De Rigueur, I posted on this exact same point the other day, after I inadvertently clicked on a link on one of the regular "green-check" posters and was directed to her personal website and then asked to donate money to her.
The whole green-check concept, while well intentioned, is being abused. It is discouraging for the casual reader to come on here and have to read the same people and repetitive comments over and over again, many of the comments dealing with personal agendas and not at all on topic.
I think that the green-check system should be abolished and all posts subject to moderation. At a minimum, this would eliminate many repetitive posts and force the regulars to take their place in line like everyone else.
The whole green-check concept, while well intentioned, is being abused. It is discouraging for the casual reader to come on here and have to read the same people and repetitive comments over and over again, many of the comments dealing with personal agendas and not at all on topic.
I think that the green-check system should be abolished and all posts subject to moderation. At a minimum, this would eliminate many repetitive posts and force the regulars to take their place in line like everyone else.
3
Don't click on it. I have found two very useful links lately and I'm glad they weren't censored.
When President Hillary Clinton leaves black Americans at the alter, with record black unemployment and overall poverty and joblessness unchanged, I hope they won't come crying to the white progressives they've been chastising as insensitive to their needs and for "whitesplaining" who they should vote for whenever they make an argument for Sanders.
30
Do you have any idea, ELK, how insufferably patronizing you sound? If I were black and saw your comment, I'd make a note NOT to vote for that Bernie guy who has such rude, self-righteous supporters.
6
Wow. This says a lot about the "or else" attitude that many are reacting to as obnoxious. Everyone else is "one down", i.e., dumb. Got it.
4
Sanders and Clinton each have 51 pledged delegates. He is considered the one that can beat Trump. According to current polling, she would likely lose against Trump. Any democratic primary voter needs to understand that. Do you want Trump as president or not?
38
"Current polling" is just a snapshot. Keep in mind, a big reason Sanders polls better is that he's never faced the Republican Character Shredder of Death, which Hillary has been up against for 25 years, always emerging bloody but unbowed. The GOP wants to run their candidate against Sanders, and once that happens, they'll run him through the shredder and his poll numbers will drop like a rock, faster than you can say, "Swiftboat!"
4
You need to count again. Clinton has over 500 pledged delegates. She had almost hat many before the Iowa caucus. Oddly enough, on right leaning sites there is talk about "we can't go with Trump because polls show he can't beat Hillary."
And the biggest thing that any Democratic primary voter needs to understand is that the DNC has tilted the table for Hillary with Super Delegates and rules for primaries and caucuses. She will be the DNC candidate. You might as well get on board that train right now.
And the biggest thing that any Democratic primary voter needs to understand is that the DNC has tilted the table for Hillary with Super Delegates and rules for primaries and caucuses. She will be the DNC candidate. You might as well get on board that train right now.
2
Hillary would like Bernie's supporters to eventually come over to her, so she is not attacking him the way that Republicans would should he become the nominee. Polls are tools and they are less useful to predict the future than you would think, they are more useful to look at trends or issues of concern. When the general population hears stories about honeymoon in Russia, Russian flags in his office, trips to Cuba and attending anti American rallies in Central America....they won't vote for him.
3
Mr. Blow:
I saw a video of a younger Hillary Clinton talking about "super predators", young black men who commit crimes. I was amazed. I understand that there are dangerous young black criminals, just as there are dangerous white politicians, and killer cops. But to hear that from a woman who takes thousands, millions of dollars from the true "super predators", the banks, health insurance and big pharma companies, Walmart, etc." was just too much for me. What is more amazing, is that you can support such an unethical, dishonest person for the highest elective office of our country.
I saw a video of a younger Hillary Clinton talking about "super predators", young black men who commit crimes. I was amazed. I understand that there are dangerous young black criminals, just as there are dangerous white politicians, and killer cops. But to hear that from a woman who takes thousands, millions of dollars from the true "super predators", the banks, health insurance and big pharma companies, Walmart, etc." was just too much for me. What is more amazing, is that you can support such an unethical, dishonest person for the highest elective office of our country.
55
I saw that video, too, and she doesn't mention race at all. In fact, I assumed she was talking about kids like Eric Harris and Dylan Kliebold -- young, white, well-to-do suburban teenagers -- who, a few years after that video, would perpetrate the Columbine High School shooting massacre, killing and maiming their friends, classmates and teachers.
Since then they have been emulated in many other settings by many other (mostly) young white males using the guns Bernie Sanders voted many times to keep widely available, along with voting to make sure gun manufacturers and sellers are never held liable for any of the tens of thousands of deaths, and many more thousands of injuries, lifelong disabilities and indelible traumas, from gun violence each year.
Since then they have been emulated in many other settings by many other (mostly) young white males using the guns Bernie Sanders voted many times to keep widely available, along with voting to make sure gun manufacturers and sellers are never held liable for any of the tens of thousands of deaths, and many more thousands of injuries, lifelong disabilities and indelible traumas, from gun violence each year.
2
One thing that I've noticed is that when Sanders has these huge rallies that thousands attend is that it's primarily a sea of white faces. It seems that his message does not resonate effectively with the minority community.
Perhaps because most minorities, especially blacks and new immigrant communities, are generally lower income and have to deal with the realities of life? Most minority children do not have the opportunity to go to college. That's a dream that's out of their reach. They have to work as soon as they're able to bring home a paycheck and help pay the rent and buy food. Life's necessities. They are not dreamers but instead are realists.
Perhaps because most minorities, especially blacks and new immigrant communities, are generally lower income and have to deal with the realities of life? Most minority children do not have the opportunity to go to college. That's a dream that's out of their reach. They have to work as soon as they're able to bring home a paycheck and help pay the rent and buy food. Life's necessities. They are not dreamers but instead are realists.
19
It's most likely name recognition. The world has known Hillary since the early 90's, while Sanders is a new name. Just because someone is lower income doesn't mean they wouldn't strive to get their children an education…healthcare and improved hourly wage.
Well shouldn't people that can't afford college for the one that wants it to be free? Shouldn't that be against the one that thinks it's impossible?
Shouldn't we as a sovereign people be more interested in investing in people (socialism) than investing in machinery and corporations (capitalism)?
Fight for humans and democracy.
Shouldn't we as a sovereign people be more interested in investing in people (socialism) than investing in machinery and corporations (capitalism)?
Fight for humans and democracy.
1
One thing that I've noticed is that when Sanders has these huge rallies that thousands attend is that it's primarily a sea of white faces.
===============
One thing that I've notice is that the Democratic party presently seems incapable of coming up with presidential candidates that aren't white and elderly
===============
One thing that I've notice is that the Democratic party presently seems incapable of coming up with presidential candidates that aren't white and elderly
1
Note that there are other Sanders-friendly demographics besides Blacks. Like Whites, Hispanics, Asians, South Asians (here) etc. So just sit back and feel the Bern, Mr. Blow.
30
Blacks are erring on the side of caution, and the greater the risk, the more one clings to the "devil you know."
Many blacks feel that Bernie does not know what he is up against. He is an older man. The job is stressful. And he is not Democrat. He was never at the center of the fights like the Clintons, so he is largely untested.
This new breed of Republican is vicious. I don't think American voters are ready to vote for someone who labels himself a "socialist," no matter how right he is. But, then again, Obama was not expected, either.
You don't have to be President to fight this fight. In fact, the Presidency is like a game of chess. The king has as much scope of movement as a pawn. The Presidency requires vision, leadership and insight with a bureaucrat's practicality.
Blacks are terrified at the prospect of a Trump Presidency, and rightly so. If Bernie can't close the deal by getting superdelegates in line and playing the game on the Democratic Party's turf, how the heck is he going to beat Republicans? Blacks fear that when the chips are down, Bernie's supporters will go back to their lives and blame him for all the promises he couldn't fulfill, much like we did to Barack. We now have a Republican House and Senate. The kids lost interest when it mattered.
Blacks can't afford that. If we are going to move forward we need someone with a team in place who knows the job from Day One. Hillary it is.
Many blacks feel that Bernie does not know what he is up against. He is an older man. The job is stressful. And he is not Democrat. He was never at the center of the fights like the Clintons, so he is largely untested.
This new breed of Republican is vicious. I don't think American voters are ready to vote for someone who labels himself a "socialist," no matter how right he is. But, then again, Obama was not expected, either.
You don't have to be President to fight this fight. In fact, the Presidency is like a game of chess. The king has as much scope of movement as a pawn. The Presidency requires vision, leadership and insight with a bureaucrat's practicality.
Blacks are terrified at the prospect of a Trump Presidency, and rightly so. If Bernie can't close the deal by getting superdelegates in line and playing the game on the Democratic Party's turf, how the heck is he going to beat Republicans? Blacks fear that when the chips are down, Bernie's supporters will go back to their lives and blame him for all the promises he couldn't fulfill, much like we did to Barack. We now have a Republican House and Senate. The kids lost interest when it mattered.
Blacks can't afford that. If we are going to move forward we need someone with a team in place who knows the job from Day One. Hillary it is.
30
So, you ignore Clinton's betrayal?
HRC sure know who to serve from day one and it's not Average Americans black or white. It continues to amaze me that black leaders who were 8 short years ago calling HRC and Bill racists now she her as a friend. What has changed?
Kat,
While I understand your point of view, please remember when you're watching the inauguration in January 2017, that you mistakenly read the people wrong, and when Mr. Sanders stands in front of the world, with his hand on the bible, know that he is about to make America the great nation it once was, for all of us.
While I understand your point of view, please remember when you're watching the inauguration in January 2017, that you mistakenly read the people wrong, and when Mr. Sanders stands in front of the world, with his hand on the bible, know that he is about to make America the great nation it once was, for all of us.
1
You have no idea how passionate the collegiate fans are for Bernie Sanders. The lines at a UMass rally on Monday snaked around the campus for many hours. Young and families included. (8,000) The phenomena of Bernie is way under reported. The screaming and even crying of exhilarated supporters was not unlike a Rolling Stones concert. He is not your McGovern. These kids are not vacation kids, many work on campus or live at home. The old days of Florida vacations are just not in the budget.
46
WOW! 8000 people! Almost enough to be a home crowd for a mid-level basketball game.
And you're right, he's not like McGovern. He's more like Gene McCarthy - you know, the "Children's Crusade"? "Clean with Gene"? Been there, done that, grow up.
And you're right, he's not like McGovern. He's more like Gene McCarthy - you know, the "Children's Crusade"? "Clean with Gene"? Been there, done that, grow up.
5
we"ll see what happens
Sounds more like a cult of personality or a religious revival than anything else—both of which are disturbing in the context.
3
"Half the contests on that day will be in the South"
Only sort of. Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma are technically in the south, but they are pretty white and Bernie is doing quite well with blue-collar whites as was demonstrated in Nevada.
Only Alabama and Georgia have significant black voting blocks.
Charles, I understand your bias for Hillary, but to take your analysis seriously, you need to make more sense.
Only sort of. Virginia, Arkansas, and Oklahoma are technically in the south, but they are pretty white and Bernie is doing quite well with blue-collar whites as was demonstrated in Nevada.
Only Alabama and Georgia have significant black voting blocks.
Charles, I understand your bias for Hillary, but to take your analysis seriously, you need to make more sense.
27
Okay, perhaps this is a minor point but Oklahoma is NOT in the South. Oklahoma is a western state. Ask any Southerner or any Oklahoman.
2
OK. Get ready. Here it comes. The tumult of Sanders' supporters remarks. Assailing Charles Blow. Clinton supporters. Undecided voters. The New York Times....LISTEN PEOPLE!!!! --- The age of Trump is upon us.
If Democrats don't unite and get it together, we'll soon be marching backwards to the drumbeat of Mitch McConnell and a Republican Congress that wants to build Walls, abolish Women's and Gay Rights, repeal the Voting and Civil Rights Acts, eradicate what's left of the Middle-Class, and either put Jesus in every home and classroom, or bomb the rest of the world into submission by "Making America Great Again".
To Mr. Sanders and his supporters, Good Luck! Here's hoping you all truly recognize what's at stake in the bigger picture. Perhaps, he may not win South Carolina, but just remember we can't afford to lose our country to Donald Trump. No house divided stands. And we already have proof of that.
If Democrats don't unite and get it together, we'll soon be marching backwards to the drumbeat of Mitch McConnell and a Republican Congress that wants to build Walls, abolish Women's and Gay Rights, repeal the Voting and Civil Rights Acts, eradicate what's left of the Middle-Class, and either put Jesus in every home and classroom, or bomb the rest of the world into submission by "Making America Great Again".
To Mr. Sanders and his supporters, Good Luck! Here's hoping you all truly recognize what's at stake in the bigger picture. Perhaps, he may not win South Carolina, but just remember we can't afford to lose our country to Donald Trump. No house divided stands. And we already have proof of that.
20
Poll after poll shows that Sanders is more likely to beat Trump than HRC is. Open your eyes.
I'm sick of the regular Dem strategy of raising the shibboleth of the big bad republican president to shove the most conservative policies down the throat of Americans. Hilary and Trump stand for the same things. Trump is unhinged, yes, but there is no "age of Trump." Just as Obama has been ineffective in his policies, a "President Trump" too can be rendered ineffective by the senate and congress. The solution is not to nominate someone who is more conservative than Trump.
I'm sick of the regular Dem strategy of raising the shibboleth of the big bad republican president to shove the most conservative policies down the throat of Americans. Hilary and Trump stand for the same things. Trump is unhinged, yes, but there is no "age of Trump." Just as Obama has been ineffective in his policies, a "President Trump" too can be rendered ineffective by the senate and congress. The solution is not to nominate someone who is more conservative than Trump.
1
It's funny to me that Sanders beats Trump in polls by 4 points more than Clinton, but we are told to be realistic and understand that only Clinton can beat Trump.
Nope. In fact, even the New York Times admitted that there are groups (such as blue collar union voters) who are deciding between Trump and Sanders.
Clinton will certainly win South Carolina, but it doesn't matter. That state will never go blue in the general election anyway.
Nope. In fact, even the New York Times admitted that there are groups (such as blue collar union voters) who are deciding between Trump and Sanders.
Clinton will certainly win South Carolina, but it doesn't matter. That state will never go blue in the general election anyway.
1
current polling shows Clinton losing to Trump and Sanders beating Trump. So if you want to avoid Trump, vote for Bernie.
2
This is a bit more balanced, Charles. You have not gone completely over the cliff as has Prof. Krugman.
Your piece seems to say that Southern Blacks aren't impressed by anyone who hasn't been in the South, working with/for them to improve their situations for decades. Fine, if that's how they see it, that's how they see it.
But I still don't understand what in Hillary's past makes her resume, on balance, be one of a champion for Southern Blacks. Especially since the main thing you cited, working with Marian Wright Edelman, is somewhat blunted by the fact that Ms. Edelman repudiated Clinton in the '90s.
Take away that, and what do you have but the wildly anti-Black animus and effects of Bill Clinton's anti-crime, anti-welfare actions, fully supported by Hillary. How does any Black person weigh all those horrible things and come to the conclusion that Hillary is their friend?
I think Bernie is very uncomfortable pretending to be something he isn't. Anyone who has Googled him and spent half an hour watching clips of him in Congress and elsewhere can tell that he has consistently, since the 1960s, been a champion for all minorities. And his positions are very strong regarding the inexcusable mass incarceration of nearly an entire generation of young Black men, largely for petty crimes that whites do not get time for.
I fail to see how his past makes him an arriviste, or how Clinton's past makes her a good friend of Southern Blacks.
Your piece seems to say that Southern Blacks aren't impressed by anyone who hasn't been in the South, working with/for them to improve their situations for decades. Fine, if that's how they see it, that's how they see it.
But I still don't understand what in Hillary's past makes her resume, on balance, be one of a champion for Southern Blacks. Especially since the main thing you cited, working with Marian Wright Edelman, is somewhat blunted by the fact that Ms. Edelman repudiated Clinton in the '90s.
Take away that, and what do you have but the wildly anti-Black animus and effects of Bill Clinton's anti-crime, anti-welfare actions, fully supported by Hillary. How does any Black person weigh all those horrible things and come to the conclusion that Hillary is their friend?
I think Bernie is very uncomfortable pretending to be something he isn't. Anyone who has Googled him and spent half an hour watching clips of him in Congress and elsewhere can tell that he has consistently, since the 1960s, been a champion for all minorities. And his positions are very strong regarding the inexcusable mass incarceration of nearly an entire generation of young Black men, largely for petty crimes that whites do not get time for.
I fail to see how his past makes him an arriviste, or how Clinton's past makes her a good friend of Southern Blacks.
44
Well stated. It is baffling to me why Southern blacks think the Clintons have been so great to them. I just can't figure out what they've actually done.
1
Edelman reputed Clinton in the '90's you say? And yet here she is in the fall of 2013:
“CDF is pleased to recognize Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been a tireless voice for children. She’s brilliant. She cares deeply about children. She perseveres. She’s an incredibly hard worker, and she stays with it. She’s done extraordinarily well in everything she’s ever done. and I’m just so proud of her,” said Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense Fund.
Wow. Harsh.
“CDF is pleased to recognize Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been a tireless voice for children. She’s brilliant. She cares deeply about children. She perseveres. She’s an incredibly hard worker, and she stays with it. She’s done extraordinarily well in everything she’s ever done. and I’m just so proud of her,” said Marian Wright Edelman, President of the Children’s Defense Fund.
Wow. Harsh.
3
But it seems that it does. That apparently is the way they see it and I imagine they have at least as much information to go on as you do.
2
I was intrigued by the discussion of Northern versus Southern sensibilities. I am intrigued by how we are in some ways a country of North and South-and that evidently includes white and black Americans, albeit in different ways. Thank you for giving me this to think about.
14
Why do people in the south remain most poor, why do they repeatedly vote Republicans to power, why do southern states remain the most dependent on all kinds of aid and social services....why, what is the mystery behind this occurrence? Slavery was abolished centuries ago but has the mind set not changed for both Slave owners and Slave descendants? What's going on?
1
When questioned about releasing the transcripts from her paid speeches Ms. Clinton replied " Why am I being held to one standard and everyone else to another standard"
Maybe because you are the only democratic candidate to set that standard.
Maybe because you are the only democratic candidate to set that standard.
19
I read that Donald Trump receives $1.5M per Wall Street speech. Hillary's fees were small potatoes compared to his. Why is the press not requesting transcripts of Trump's speeches?
There is a double standard at work. Only Clinton is investigated and expected to be totally transparent. Out of all politicians who held office and are running for President, she is the only one who's email's are being investigated, she's the only one being blamed for terrorist attacks while she was SOS, she's the only one who is constantly subjected to sexual innuendos and harassment and her integrity called into question. This is a Republican ploy to discredit her because they know that she is the strongest candidate to beat the Republicans in the General Election and win the Presidency. So a smear campaign is being conducted. I'm just surprised that so many Democrats are happy to help the Republicans in this witch hunt.
There is a double standard at work. Only Clinton is investigated and expected to be totally transparent. Out of all politicians who held office and are running for President, she is the only one who's email's are being investigated, she's the only one being blamed for terrorist attacks while she was SOS, she's the only one who is constantly subjected to sexual innuendos and harassment and her integrity called into question. This is a Republican ploy to discredit her because they know that she is the strongest candidate to beat the Republicans in the General Election and win the Presidency. So a smear campaign is being conducted. I'm just surprised that so many Democrats are happy to help the Republicans in this witch hunt.
2
As pointed out, clearly Sanders doesn't have many southern roots, but I would hazard to say most northern politicians don't. In fact, let's take the most recent example of a prominent northern politician, Obama. If it's even possible I would say that Obama has even fewer southern roots or connections to the South than Sanders; and definitely less than the previous democratic president, Bill Clinton, and by connection his wife. Even Obama's well praised community activism took place in Chicago, far from the south (and very close to Sander's own experiences). Obama managed to overcome that “hostile” south somehow even without any southern credentials. I too wholeheartedly supported Obama over Hillary in the primaries. Though I didn’t support Obama because of any connections to the South (I’m from TX and white), but I supported him because I found him way more “genuine” than Hillary. I would like to say southern black voters could make the same distinction this year with Sanders compared to Hillary, but I have a nearly certain feeling that they won’t. Despite recent memories of an ex Southern white president’s comments in 2008 - “jessie Jackson also won South Carolina."
9
As pointed out, clearly Sanders doesn't have many southern roots, but I would hazard to say most northern politicians don't.
================
True. Obama and Kerry had no Southern roots.
================
True. Obama and Kerry had no Southern roots.
I think I hear the same attempt on the Democratic side, to derail the front runner that is occurring in the Republican race. The difference is that the Republicans are trying to derail a candidate they see as a loser in the general election. Blow and others in the Democratic party are trying to derail the candidate most likely to beat any Republican opponent. I'm not sure that Hillary can win the general election even if Trump is the nominee. But I'm almost 100% certain that Bernie cannot. So why not pull for a potential winner. THINK SUPREME COURT!
12
Do African-Americans really like white candidates pandering to them? As a (white) woman, I don't like candidates speaking to me as if my gender is my vote. Yes, I want a candidate whom I can trust to defend my reproductive rights and my health, my rights to equal pay for equal work and equal opportunity to rise in my career as far as my effort and talents can take me. I would never vote for any candidate who didn't. But after that, I am a voter like any other. I have many concerns and needs. I respect Bernie Sanders for, as I see it, speaking to black, brown, yellow, red and white citizens first and foremost as Americans. His early civil rights activism and his voting record prove his heart is in the right place and he has made the high rate of childhood poverty and high youth unemployment generally and specifically in black communities one of major agenda items. He has also forcefully denounced police intimidation and brutality against black citizens and unequal punishment for low-level crimes and committed himself to bringing justice to those so injured. I see him as a unifying candidate who recognizes racism when he sees it but has enough respect for working and middle class black people and their families to honor their needs and dreams equally with all others. I think that what our country needs now.
27
I read recently that Sanders is expected to win his home state of Vermont, one that he has represented for decades in the Senate, by a wide margin, as I recall with more than 80% of the vote. That speaks volumes to me. I expect few American politicians enjoy that kind of support from their constituents. Certainly we have none around here. We should consider that carefully as we evaluate the choices. If she is the nominee I will vote for Clinton. But I would far more enthusiastically vote for Sanders, and for what he represents.
42
Of course his fellow Senator from Vermont, the current governor of Vermont and two former governors of Vermont have endorsed Hillary - but what could they know? They're establishment, right?
5
I'm from Vermont. We are one of the most liberal states in the country. Democratic candidates almost always get huge percentages. If Bernie wasn't running I would expect Hillary to do nearly as well. And she isn't a native "son".
I should perhaps add that I was a town clerk for 30 years and am very well acquainted with the voting patterns in this state.
I should perhaps add that I was a town clerk for 30 years and am very well acquainted with the voting patterns in this state.
2
The truly shocking thing about this election cycle is that Republicans, in the shape-shifting form of Donald Trump, have found a more effective way to communicate with working people than have Democrats. The evidence is in voter turnout, which is up on the Republican side and down on the Democratic side.
Sadly, Trump flamboyantly declaims what most Republicans used to only dog whistle--that the plight of white working people has been made worse by blacks and immigrants. A master communicator in the modern age, he built his political brand as a birther questioning President Obama's nationality and legitimacy. Republicans did nothing to stop him as he proposed one un-Constitutional action after another. It is now too late for them, as it may be too late to halt his rise to the presidency.
Black voters, a critical component of the Democratic coalition, are an essential bulwark against a Trump presidency. Democrats have some particular challenges, such as ceding Reagan Democrats to Republicans for more than a generation and the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act, largely attributable to President Bill Clinton, IMHO. Sanders says his Medicare for all plan requires raising $1.38 trillion in new taxes, a 40% increase over the current level.
As Trump creates a frightening new movement on the right, Democrats need to get their act together.
Quickly.
Sadly, Trump flamboyantly declaims what most Republicans used to only dog whistle--that the plight of white working people has been made worse by blacks and immigrants. A master communicator in the modern age, he built his political brand as a birther questioning President Obama's nationality and legitimacy. Republicans did nothing to stop him as he proposed one un-Constitutional action after another. It is now too late for them, as it may be too late to halt his rise to the presidency.
Black voters, a critical component of the Democratic coalition, are an essential bulwark against a Trump presidency. Democrats have some particular challenges, such as ceding Reagan Democrats to Republicans for more than a generation and the 1994 Violent Crime Control Act, largely attributable to President Bill Clinton, IMHO. Sanders says his Medicare for all plan requires raising $1.38 trillion in new taxes, a 40% increase over the current level.
As Trump creates a frightening new movement on the right, Democrats need to get their act together.
Quickly.
9
How much time did Carter and Bill spend up North before running for Presidency? Did anyone outside the South know much about them?
The ever evolving NYT's double-standard for assessing Bernie's bid for Presidency.
The ever evolving NYT's double-standard for assessing Bernie's bid for Presidency.
63
In answer to your question: Yes.
I remember when Jimmy Carter got into the race. He was one of a group of young New South moderate Liberal Democrats who were changing that region. Jim Hunt in North Carolina, Ruben Askew in Florida, Dale Bumpers in Arkansas, and John West in South Carolina.
Clinton, of course, was known for his endless speech at the 1988 convention, but that wasn't a positive.
But back then, the South was STILL critical to any Democratic Presidential campaign. Obama was the FIRST non-Southern Democrat elected to the White House since John Kennedy in 1960--that's 48 years.
Clinton is kind of both. She was Arkansas's First Lady, but New York's senator.
I remember when Jimmy Carter got into the race. He was one of a group of young New South moderate Liberal Democrats who were changing that region. Jim Hunt in North Carolina, Ruben Askew in Florida, Dale Bumpers in Arkansas, and John West in South Carolina.
Clinton, of course, was known for his endless speech at the 1988 convention, but that wasn't a positive.
But back then, the South was STILL critical to any Democratic Presidential campaign. Obama was the FIRST non-Southern Democrat elected to the White House since John Kennedy in 1960--that's 48 years.
Clinton is kind of both. She was Arkansas's First Lady, but New York's senator.
2
The beauty of an "identity" lens is that it fits the scenario to the ideology. This northern-southern divide wouldn't be a consideration if Bernie Sanders were black.
1
ScottW, you've been getting upset about any coverage that leaves out Bernie, criticizes him, fails to praise him, analyzes his numbers, examines his challenges, expresses doubts about him...in short, anything that isn't about Bernie and isn't unreservedly positive in its viewpoint.
How on earth will you cope when the Republican attack machine stops aiming at Hillary and turns the big guns on Bernie? It will be much, much uglier. No quarter will be gjven. It will be unfair and dull of lies. Welcome to the race for the most powerful political office on earth!
A column like Mr. Blow's is about the nicest that anyone ever gets in a Presidential campaign. Whining just makes you look petulant and does your candidate no good. How about putting in more time canvassing or making calls for Sanders, which actually does help him.
How on earth will you cope when the Republican attack machine stops aiming at Hillary and turns the big guns on Bernie? It will be much, much uglier. No quarter will be gjven. It will be unfair and dull of lies. Welcome to the race for the most powerful political office on earth!
A column like Mr. Blow's is about the nicest that anyone ever gets in a Presidential campaign. Whining just makes you look petulant and does your candidate no good. How about putting in more time canvassing or making calls for Sanders, which actually does help him.
2
One of my college age kids is registered to vote at college. The other never changed registration from our home. Thus, an election during Spring Break would allow one to vote who otherwise would be away at school and unable. Not every college kid re-registers at college, and registration at their permanent home is perfectly valid.
My college age kids have their time heavily committed. They may want to be involved, but they also don't have much time. An election during Spring Break would allow them to do a lot more, getting involved.
The timing of Spring Break is a mixed thing. Not all students are going off somewhere to get drunk and naked, even if video porn suggests it.
Meanwhile, Hillary has some problems of her own in these states. Blow only mentions the problems of one side.
Hillary has huge negatives in polling everywhere, but especially in these states. They dislike her as a person over 2:1. THAT is a hurdle, and one not even mentioned here. There are the particular states in which she is disliked the most, on a personal basis, her and her husband both.
It always looks more one sided if you only look at the problems of one side, and only at the advantages of the other side.
My college age kids have their time heavily committed. They may want to be involved, but they also don't have much time. An election during Spring Break would allow them to do a lot more, getting involved.
The timing of Spring Break is a mixed thing. Not all students are going off somewhere to get drunk and naked, even if video porn suggests it.
Meanwhile, Hillary has some problems of her own in these states. Blow only mentions the problems of one side.
Hillary has huge negatives in polling everywhere, but especially in these states. They dislike her as a person over 2:1. THAT is a hurdle, and one not even mentioned here. There are the particular states in which she is disliked the most, on a personal basis, her and her husband both.
It always looks more one sided if you only look at the problems of one side, and only at the advantages of the other side.
48
@Mark, Mrs. Clinton appears to be popular in your state of Michigan where she leads in the polls by ten points or more. And likability is not necessarily a predictor of electability. Clinton scores high on leadership qualities, experience and foreign policy. People hold their nose all the time and vote for the person that they may not like the best but has the best chance to get things done and promote their values. Being liked is overrated.
5
So true; any article can be written as a one sided screed, which, for the most part, this one is, in keeping with the now well known bias, almost a news blackout, against Mr. Sanders.
Of late I notice a small shift to more coverage of Mr. Sanders, I gather because the Times, and the establishment it represents, fears being marginalized shouldr. Sanders be the nominee.
To address a few of the so called problems for Sanders -
Hillary specifically used the term "super-predators", to describe black children, not some children, displaying her innate racism.
The statement that it's now almost impossible to tell the difference between Hillary and Bernie, in terms of agenda, because of Hillarys' decision to emulate Bernies' off stated policies, is proof positive that she is the epitome of dishonesty, and will lie, cheat, steal, and obfuscate, in her "take no prisoners", relentless drive to rule the American people.
Why vote for the pretender, when the real deal is right there, the gentleman from Vermont, who as a young man,somewhat similar to the three boys in Mississippi, stood shoulder to shoulder with our oppressed brothers and sisters in the drive for civil rights.
Who are you, Mr. Blow, to try and make light of the dearly held principles of this wise man.
Give it a rest and let the people decide for themselves, and the future for their children and grandchildren.
Of late I notice a small shift to more coverage of Mr. Sanders, I gather because the Times, and the establishment it represents, fears being marginalized shouldr. Sanders be the nominee.
To address a few of the so called problems for Sanders -
Hillary specifically used the term "super-predators", to describe black children, not some children, displaying her innate racism.
The statement that it's now almost impossible to tell the difference between Hillary and Bernie, in terms of agenda, because of Hillarys' decision to emulate Bernies' off stated policies, is proof positive that she is the epitome of dishonesty, and will lie, cheat, steal, and obfuscate, in her "take no prisoners", relentless drive to rule the American people.
Why vote for the pretender, when the real deal is right there, the gentleman from Vermont, who as a young man,somewhat similar to the three boys in Mississippi, stood shoulder to shoulder with our oppressed brothers and sisters in the drive for civil rights.
Who are you, Mr. Blow, to try and make light of the dearly held principles of this wise man.
Give it a rest and let the people decide for themselves, and the future for their children and grandchildren.
3
Here in NC, college students need a "proper" id before they can vote, which for any that come from out of state that pretty much means getting a new driver's license (or joining the military).
1
Blow could have written this same column about Obama when he headed South in the '08 campaign. Everyone new Hillary. Few had heard much about Obama who had only been a Senator for a few years prior to declaring his candidacy.
How many civil rights speeches in the deep South did Obama give prior to running for President? My guess is between few and none. Obama never lived in the South--Just like Bernie. He spent his early years in politics in Chicago. A city in which you claim Bernie's civil rights protests did not count as much as if he had done them down South.
Hillary escaped the South with Bill a quarter a century ago and never looked back. Name her civil rights speeches given in non-election years in the South. Did Bernie ever call young Black men "super-predators"? Did he advocate gutting welfare in a manner only a Republican could admire? Did he advocate for NAFTA--ravaging employment opportunities down South?
Stick to the policies in discussing which candidate best represents the interests of the Black community.
Blow never would have intimated Obama was an "Barack-Come-Lately" in the South.
How many civil rights speeches in the deep South did Obama give prior to running for President? My guess is between few and none. Obama never lived in the South--Just like Bernie. He spent his early years in politics in Chicago. A city in which you claim Bernie's civil rights protests did not count as much as if he had done them down South.
Hillary escaped the South with Bill a quarter a century ago and never looked back. Name her civil rights speeches given in non-election years in the South. Did Bernie ever call young Black men "super-predators"? Did he advocate gutting welfare in a manner only a Republican could admire? Did he advocate for NAFTA--ravaging employment opportunities down South?
Stick to the policies in discussing which candidate best represents the interests of the Black community.
Blow never would have intimated Obama was an "Barack-Come-Lately" in the South.
90
And, curiously, John Lewis never criticized Obama for not seeing him at civil rights marches in the south.
2
Uh ... Obama is black.
2
Why not at least admit that the Democratic party has two good candidates, both with strong track records involving civil rights, but with two very different approaches to the advancement of African Americans in our society?
Hillary Clinton does have close ties to Southern Blacks, as you point out here, but more as a result of her presence in the Arkansas statehouse than from direct interaction with the people around her. As you point out, she has worked on education and children's issues. Bernie Sanders has been living in the North, it's true, but he has a long track record of working on civil rights issues and economic issues, knowing that equality cannot be achieved without both social and economic justice.
Neither candidate meets Fanny Lou Hamer's criteria of having picked cotton or taken beatings, so don't even go there. Bernie has spent his life working on consistent moral principles of equality. It's hard to gauge how effective he may have been, as he was often a lone voice, not a part of the larger coalition of Democratic party, playing by their dictates, agreeing to their compromises. Hillary has long aligned herself with black elected officials and business leaders, the African American power elite, and her goals for equality have always been tied to her personal goals for power. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is, Mr. Blow.
Hillary Clinton does have close ties to Southern Blacks, as you point out here, but more as a result of her presence in the Arkansas statehouse than from direct interaction with the people around her. As you point out, she has worked on education and children's issues. Bernie Sanders has been living in the North, it's true, but he has a long track record of working on civil rights issues and economic issues, knowing that equality cannot be achieved without both social and economic justice.
Neither candidate meets Fanny Lou Hamer's criteria of having picked cotton or taken beatings, so don't even go there. Bernie has spent his life working on consistent moral principles of equality. It's hard to gauge how effective he may have been, as he was often a lone voice, not a part of the larger coalition of Democratic party, playing by their dictates, agreeing to their compromises. Hillary has long aligned herself with black elected officials and business leaders, the African American power elite, and her goals for equality have always been tied to her personal goals for power. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is what it is, Mr. Blow.
59
And yes it's true Adam Clayton Powell never picked cotton (which was also true of virtually every other black born in Harlem) but that was also true of the children of black ministers, doctors, lawyers, and teachers in the south. Julian Bond grew up in the south but as the child of a prominent educator I don't think he ever picked up cotton.
1
People have to be allowed to make up their own minds and not be shamed into joining a mass of support but has an increasing tendency to be bully-like.this is even more true for southern AfricanAmericans Who have long been subjected to Jim Crow type voter restrictions and other barriers directed against them.
51
And does this apply to your candidate, Secretary Clinton, or Senator Sanders? Given her record, and her support for her husband's, the shaming going on is more about voting for Hillary because: 1) she's a woman; 2) she has the endorsement of the mothers of violence; 3) she has "stood by" the A-A community at every turn (a statement that is demonstrably false).
I admire her early work. She was idealistic. It went away when her husband's, and her own, political ambitions got in the way. So, despite her significant work on behalf of women throughout the world, she shamed the women abused by her husband and supported disastrous crime and welfare bills ( I know Bernie voted for the crime bill - she was a front-and-center advocate for it - quite a difference, in my mind - 1 of 435 vs. the bully pulpit of the First Lady).
As for making up their own minds, that's what the younger generation is doing, despite the enormous pressure/establishment endorsements, media bias and, undeniably, every thumb the DNC could put on the scale to swing the election in her direction. After all, it's her turn and shame on you if you don't vote for her.
I enjoy your thoughtful comments. I think you have this one backwards.
She and Bill have earned more than $150 million in speaking fees since 2000, much from Wall St./corps. She's going to tell her friends - sorry, I'm going to have to put you in jail for 10 years? I don't see that happening.
I admire her early work. She was idealistic. It went away when her husband's, and her own, political ambitions got in the way. So, despite her significant work on behalf of women throughout the world, she shamed the women abused by her husband and supported disastrous crime and welfare bills ( I know Bernie voted for the crime bill - she was a front-and-center advocate for it - quite a difference, in my mind - 1 of 435 vs. the bully pulpit of the First Lady).
As for making up their own minds, that's what the younger generation is doing, despite the enormous pressure/establishment endorsements, media bias and, undeniably, every thumb the DNC could put on the scale to swing the election in her direction. After all, it's her turn and shame on you if you don't vote for her.
I enjoy your thoughtful comments. I think you have this one backwards.
She and Bill have earned more than $150 million in speaking fees since 2000, much from Wall St./corps. She's going to tell her friends - sorry, I'm going to have to put you in jail for 10 years? I don't see that happening.
1
Black voter registration and black voter turnout is higher in the South than in the North. Black voter turnout is also higher than the white voter turnout in many Southern states. During the 2012 election, black voter turnout surpassed that of whites in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In 2012, Mississippi led all state with a 74.5 percent voter turnout compared to 58.7 in New York. About 84 percent of Mississippians are registered to vote compared to 67.9 of New Yorkers.
http://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/changes-in-voter-turnout-b...
http://www.governing.com/blogs/by-the-numbers/changes-in-voter-turnout-b...
2
The mothers of the young men and women lost to police violence have said it best. Hillary has been interested in them all along. Calling and trying to be part of the solution . Bernie has just now, after deciding to run, been looking into how to address issues important to black southerners. Why should anyone down there take him seriously, now. Sorry Charles. Those southern mothers are a heck of a lot wiser than you give them credit for.
55
Did you read the column? Bernie has a strong track record on civil rights, he just hasn't lived in the south. Is that now a requirement to be president?
3
That is exactly wrong. Clinton called groups of young black trends with no parks to hang out in super predators, was in favor of the strikes your out, and promoted the building of prisons and was taking money from private prisons until last October and still has one of their fundraisers on her team.
67
How about Bill Clinton rushing back to Arkansas on the eve of the New Hampshire primary in 1992 to sign the death warrant of a severely mentally retarded black man in order to burnish his tough on crime credentials. I guess that black life didn't matter.
Perhaps another thing that Hillary will apologize for.
Perhaps another thing that Hillary will apologize for.
3
Mr Blow, in your otherwise thoughtful analysis, you seem to miss a crucial element of Mrs. Clinton's appeal to southern African American voters, which is her faith or better put Bernie's lack thereof. An atheist —Jewish or otherwise — is simply not going to have much appeal for the devout black southern church goer.
64
" . . . Mrs. Clinton's appeal to southern African American voters, which is her faith"
Excuse me, her what? I'll take an honest atheist over someone with Clinton's 'faith' any day. I assume many others, black or white, in the south or not, feel the same and are not persuaded by false piety and religious platitudes.
Excuse me, her what? I'll take an honest atheist over someone with Clinton's 'faith' any day. I assume many others, black or white, in the south or not, feel the same and are not persuaded by false piety and religious platitudes.
1
Ah Faith! I am sure Jesus, like Hillary, would have accumulated hundreds of millions of dollars from the "ruling class" in speaking and access fees if they had only offered it.
1
Many republicans profess ample faith also. It does not sway me.
1
Mr. Blow,
You suggest that Bernie has a few things to learn from Clinton regarding African-American community. Are you sure it is not the other way around?
You say that Clinton has a better understanding of the African-American people because she spent more time below the Mason Dixon line. Considering that the black incarceration rate went up during Mr. Clinton's term, the Clintons must have lived in a bubble in Arkansas.
You continue to amaze me with your creativity - "Structural barriers" - that is nice word-smithing for the rigged, undemocratic, and biased super-delegates system.
You suggest that Bernie has a few things to learn from Clinton regarding African-American community. Are you sure it is not the other way around?
You say that Clinton has a better understanding of the African-American people because she spent more time below the Mason Dixon line. Considering that the black incarceration rate went up during Mr. Clinton's term, the Clintons must have lived in a bubble in Arkansas.
You continue to amaze me with your creativity - "Structural barriers" - that is nice word-smithing for the rigged, undemocratic, and biased super-delegates system.
120
Strange that you remember 16 years back to BILL Clinton's term, but can't remember that in the 2008 Democratic race, those same "rigged superdelegates" gave the nomination to Barack Obama instead of Hillary Clinton.
4
Sir, I remain confused. If Senator Sanders has issues with the clearly stated practices of the Democrats, why doesn't he simply choose to run as the independent he has professed to be? Why does he need the party, or the party's nomination?
It would appear that he is a Johnny-come-lately both in the South and the Democratic Party.
It would appear that he is a Johnny-come-lately both in the South and the Democratic Party.
3
@Bhaskar I have a comment that points out that Charles Blow never even mentions two other Black Ethnic groups although he does for the first time ever acknowledge that they exist but writes "that's another story".
They are:
African-immigrant Americans and their children
Caribbean-immigrant Americans and their children.
Bernie probably knows a bit about the first group since Burlington and neighboring Winooski VT have a highly visible Somali Bantu Diaspora.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen-USA-SE
They are:
African-immigrant Americans and their children
Caribbean-immigrant Americans and their children.
Bernie probably knows a bit about the first group since Burlington and neighboring Winooski VT have a highly visible Somali Bantu Diaspora.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen-USA-SE
1
"Earlier this month, Clinton gave a big speech on African-American issues at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem. She said: “I’ve made my own mistakes. I’ve walked my own journey.”
Not bad, but not as good as the line said by
Mary Astor (Bridgid O’Shaughnessy) to Humphrey Bogart (Sam Spade) in The Maltese Falcon:
“I’ve been bad. Worse than you could know.”
Not bad, but not as good as the line said by
Mary Astor (Bridgid O’Shaughnessy) to Humphrey Bogart (Sam Spade) in The Maltese Falcon:
“I’ve been bad. Worse than you could know.”
35
When Bernie made his one foray into Harlem, he met only with Sharpton for a half hour at Sylvia's and left immediately afterward. He saw no one else in the district, consulted with no other community leaders, made no speeches, visited no centers or churches. It was a pure political publicity stunt and nothing else.
Hillary spent a day there, met with numerous leaders, made a speech, listened to members of the community, visited several locations. It wasn't just a photo op: she showed actual interest and commitment, as she has throughout her entire adult life by her continuous advocacy for women and children in disadvantaged areas.
What has Bernie actually done for the Black community other than have a quick cup of coffe with Rev. Al and march for a single year in the Civil Rights movement? Why the sudden—and fleeting—"interest" now when there clearly hasn't been much before? Might it be that he's running for President? Doesn't look very authentic to me....
Hillary spent a day there, met with numerous leaders, made a speech, listened to members of the community, visited several locations. It wasn't just a photo op: she showed actual interest and commitment, as she has throughout her entire adult life by her continuous advocacy for women and children in disadvantaged areas.
What has Bernie actually done for the Black community other than have a quick cup of coffe with Rev. Al and march for a single year in the Civil Rights movement? Why the sudden—and fleeting—"interest" now when there clearly hasn't been much before? Might it be that he's running for President? Doesn't look very authentic to me....
2
Oh please. Spare us the empty one liners in an effort to pander to your Republican front runner. Sit Hillary down opposite Trump and it's clear before either opens their mouth who's a more principled and ethical human being, your wannabe email scandal not withstanding. Fellow- Liberal Bernie-or-busts, are you comfortable that your Hillary hatred will be fanned by cheap shots and knee slapping remarks from the other side like this? I hope not.
2
When Clinton tacks to Sanders's positions, she is lying. That's what needs to be said. If Sanders is indeed running out of time the fault lies squarely with the media for not informing the public. The Times has been horribly irresponsible.
Better coverage must be found elsewhere.
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/after_considering_the_clinto...
Better coverage must be found elsewhere.
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/after_considering_the_clinto...
224
You want to talk about lying? Sanders knows that "Medicare for all" is unworkable and impossible to pass through Congress. Now that's a lie!
5
Joe, insulting the intelligence of other Democrats by implying that those who support Ms. Clinton are somehow being misled by where they get their information is insanely ironic. You clearly have bought the 25 year dishonest smear campaign against Ms. Clinton by the very same "media". Why is it a lie when Hillary triangulates on Wall Street, but fine when Bernie does the same with Guns? Democrats, we need to stop perpetuating the false meme that HRC is not to be trusted. Support Bernie with your $27 and your primary vote, but stop doing the Republican's bidding by trashing the Democrat who will likely be our nominee. It's a zero sum game.
4
Ummm, Joe, this is not headline material. Hate to break it to you, but it's how virtually all politics actually operates. As candidates get a better sense of where the electorate is, they move toward it. That's a good thing. I believe Bernie's original goal was simply to pull Hillary left, like the Tea Party pulled the GOP rightward.
If moving toward the majority of voters is "lying," then every politician's positions would be frozen at the moment they entered politics, regardless of how the nation might change. A campaign is not an abstract exercise in purity. The goal is to choose someone who will (1) win an election, then (2) use the system to represent the expressed interests of the electorate, and (3) get results for that electorate. Shifting on policy is a feature, not a bug.
If moving toward the majority of voters is "lying," then every politician's positions would be frozen at the moment they entered politics, regardless of how the nation might change. A campaign is not an abstract exercise in purity. The goal is to choose someone who will (1) win an election, then (2) use the system to represent the expressed interests of the electorate, and (3) get results for that electorate. Shifting on policy is a feature, not a bug.
1
Charles, sometimes you amaze me. You write: "There isn’t one black America, but two: The children of the Great Migration and the children of those who stayed behind in the South. (Black immigrants are another story.)"
Black immigrants are another story, you say. I have never read, not even once, in countless columns by you about the American blacks who are "another story".
Here is what Professor Christina Greer,author of "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream" says in an Online version of the book:
"This chapter begins the conversation surrounding diverse black ethnic groups in the United States. It introduces the upcoming chapters and discusses why it is important and necessary to observe the opinions and behaviors of black American, Afro-Caribbean, and African groups in the twenty-first century."
So apparently, there are 4 Black Americas, the two you name and the two you see as another story.
Why don't you tell us why you never tell that other story? You might call one of those people whose story you never touch, Professor Dorothy Roberts, and ask her to tell you her story - or look at the opening to her Ted Talk http://www.ted.com/talks/dorothy_roberts_the_problem_with_race_based_med...
Looking forward to your "another story" column.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen-USA-SE
Black immigrants are another story, you say. I have never read, not even once, in countless columns by you about the American blacks who are "another story".
Here is what Professor Christina Greer,author of "Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream" says in an Online version of the book:
"This chapter begins the conversation surrounding diverse black ethnic groups in the United States. It introduces the upcoming chapters and discusses why it is important and necessary to observe the opinions and behaviors of black American, Afro-Caribbean, and African groups in the twenty-first century."
So apparently, there are 4 Black Americas, the two you name and the two you see as another story.
Why don't you tell us why you never tell that other story? You might call one of those people whose story you never touch, Professor Dorothy Roberts, and ask her to tell you her story - or look at the opening to her Ted Talk http://www.ted.com/talks/dorothy_roberts_the_problem_with_race_based_med...
Looking forward to your "another story" column.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen-USA-SE
40
@ myself - LL - Since some commenters ask "What has sanders done" I have filed a reply to RLS (RLS has 107 recommends so far) using RLS excellent observations on Sanders an expert on renewable energy and Clinton an expert on fracking to note Sanders extraordinary efforts as concerns especially the best renewable-sustainable energy source of all Ground Source heat pump geothermal. Any building in the south Charles writes about could be heated/cooled more efficiently and with less adverse environmental effect than any other system.
See Bernies 2010 Burlington VT conference here . http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/2010/04/17/geothe...
The New York Times has never had an article on this technology so Sanders and Geoexchange.org are the people you need to listen to.
Larry
See Bernies 2010 Burlington VT conference here . http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/recent-business/2010/04/17/geothe...
The New York Times has never had an article on this technology so Sanders and Geoexchange.org are the people you need to listen to.
Larry
A big attraction to Hillary from the black community, north or south, is that Obama chose her to be his secretary of state. She worked with him, he trusted her, they have a powerful relationship... they took out bin Laden together. This may create trust, maybe something southern blacks don't feel for Sanders.
50
If anything Clinton left the middle east a bigger mess than she found it.
1
It's no secret in DC that Obamas and Clintons absolutely hate each other.
2
No matter how vile, no unarmed person should have been murdered when they could have been taken alive. When possible, every human deserves a trial--before they are executed. This would include Hitler or Gandhi. Every person. Yet this is what you hold up for millions of Christians to follow?
So Hillary Clinton will win the Southern primaries, Sanders may be stronger in the North and West. What will this mean for each candidate in the November election? Is it likely that Clinton or a Republican would carry Southern states in the winner-take-all electoral college? I'm betting that national polls look at individual voters and don't take into consideration which state they are from. Will Hillary doing better than Bernie matter in Texas? What about Pennsylvania or New Jersey?
20
Andrea - Almost all Electoral college votes are winner-take-all by state. Nothing mandates this in the constitution, and in my view one of the greatest political reforms that could be achieved without a constitutional amendment would be to eliminate winner-take-all electors --- but as a nation we live with what we have.
The most populous states and electoral college votes are California (55), Texas (38), Florida, New York ( 2x 29), Illinois, Pennsylvania (2x 20) ....
In 2016 no Democrat is going to take Texas. No Republican will take California or New York.
When you look through the electoral college maps of the last few elections and consider voting trends ... something very stark and unfortunate appears -- to win the Presidency the candidate must win Florida. This is nearly absolute for a Republican, hard to create a path to winning without it. One can imagine that a Democrat might be able to squeak out a narrow electoral college victory without it, but as a practical matter Florida decides Presidential elections today -- hanging chads, butterfly ballots, voter suppression and all.
For a Democrat, winning Florida is about energizing the minority vote, getting them to the polls, and preventing them from being disenfranchised. For a Republican, it's the reverse.
Sad but true........
The most populous states and electoral college votes are California (55), Texas (38), Florida, New York ( 2x 29), Illinois, Pennsylvania (2x 20) ....
In 2016 no Democrat is going to take Texas. No Republican will take California or New York.
When you look through the electoral college maps of the last few elections and consider voting trends ... something very stark and unfortunate appears -- to win the Presidency the candidate must win Florida. This is nearly absolute for a Republican, hard to create a path to winning without it. One can imagine that a Democrat might be able to squeak out a narrow electoral college victory without it, but as a practical matter Florida decides Presidential elections today -- hanging chads, butterfly ballots, voter suppression and all.
For a Democrat, winning Florida is about energizing the minority vote, getting them to the polls, and preventing them from being disenfranchised. For a Republican, it's the reverse.
Sad but true........
I have been thinking exactly that thought, and wondering when the Sanders brain trust will start articulating the fact that there is amazing excitement for Bernie in all the states the Democrats rely on to win an election. We need to spread the a word when the corporate media goes wild if Hillary wins the South Carolina primary,
1
It will matter because much of the southern primaries and caucuses take place on super Tuesday. If Hillary is ahead of Bernie she may get to the needed delegate count first. The general election is a whole different ballgame because everyone votes at the same time.
1
When I read something like this I'd like to imagine this scenario... I'm sitting at a nice quiet diner with Mr. Blow listening to him making these points he's making in this op-ed. I'll say, "Mr. Blow, I know you're a smart guy, so why is it that in your analyses you fail to comment on the fact that it is transparently obvious that Secretary Clinton's recent embrace of ALL of Bernie Sanders' positions are nothing more than a dishonest attempt at pandering to the mood of the electorate? That what she's trying to do is basically adopt positions she's been against for decades in order to strip away Bernie Sanders supporters? Positions he has held, steadfastly, for decades?"
There is no doubt that the establishment, including the corporate media--having gotten away with duping the populations for generations--views the citizenry with total contempt, as totally incapable of understanding the true nature of the system.
The establishment is about to find out. If knowing what we know about how corrupt the entire system has become under neoliberalism, and the role the Clintons played (and continue to play) in its debasement, voters end up choosing Clinton, then you were right, and we would deserve what's coming: the entrenchment of the nascent oligarchy, police state, undermining of ALL our rights and all our institutions.
I argue that el pueblo has finally awakened to the reality of the situation and will choose Bernie Sanders. We'll see what happens.
There is no doubt that the establishment, including the corporate media--having gotten away with duping the populations for generations--views the citizenry with total contempt, as totally incapable of understanding the true nature of the system.
The establishment is about to find out. If knowing what we know about how corrupt the entire system has become under neoliberalism, and the role the Clintons played (and continue to play) in its debasement, voters end up choosing Clinton, then you were right, and we would deserve what's coming: the entrenchment of the nascent oligarchy, police state, undermining of ALL our rights and all our institutions.
I argue that el pueblo has finally awakened to the reality of the situation and will choose Bernie Sanders. We'll see what happens.
140
I get "the remove," Charles, I really do. You've helped me understand the complex challenge that Bernie Sanders will face in the South. But something is nagging at me: politics should be a two-way street. As much as the candidate needs to come to the voters, so it is incumbent on the voters to engage with the candidate and work to understand what he or she can offer. I hear your advice to Bernie and, with respect, offer my own advice to African-Americans in the South: instead of a cautious, even defensive crouch, meet the candidate head-on. Demand that he gets his ass down there.
Then see which candidate has the deepest commitment to transforming our society as it lurches reluctantly into the 21st century. Because that is the candidate will have your back. If you demand that this candidate gives Southern voters a full explanation of why he thinks he should be President and then decide that he falls short, so be it. But don't just suggest he pays a visit; demand it. I must admit that up here in New Hampshire we are spoiled for political attention. Still, I see political engagement. I see voters who want to do more than wait.
Then see which candidate has the deepest commitment to transforming our society as it lurches reluctantly into the 21st century. Because that is the candidate will have your back. If you demand that this candidate gives Southern voters a full explanation of why he thinks he should be President and then decide that he falls short, so be it. But don't just suggest he pays a visit; demand it. I must admit that up here in New Hampshire we are spoiled for political attention. Still, I see political engagement. I see voters who want to do more than wait.
25
Mr. Blow, while I’ve been critical of your recent pieces regarding Clinton/Sanders and the “black vote,” I must say that this one feels balanced. I appreciate the acknowledgement that blacks are not monolithic and are just as free as whites to vote any way we want to vote. Sanders attempt to fight for the so-called, firewall-sewn up-blacks-only-vote-for-Hillary crowd, has finally elevated certain issues that are of particular importance in the lives of blacks in this election. I greatly admire Sanders’ courage in not giving up on the so-called “black vote.”
As far as Mrs. Clinton sounding more and more like Sanders, let’s not forget how the crime and welfare bills came about…the Clintons “shifted” and adopted Republican ideas, because that too seemed popular at the time. The inability to stand firm on what she believes is what scares me the most. You say she has tacked towards Sanders positions, however what happens after she is in the white house and she begins to tack towards the positions of her superpac donors?
As far as Mrs. Clinton sounding more and more like Sanders, let’s not forget how the crime and welfare bills came about…the Clintons “shifted” and adopted Republican ideas, because that too seemed popular at the time. The inability to stand firm on what she believes is what scares me the most. You say she has tacked towards Sanders positions, however what happens after she is in the white house and she begins to tack towards the positions of her superpac donors?
381
Contrary to popular belief, Hillary was not actually the President when Bill was, and they are, in fact, two separate people. Should we judge her as a unit with her husband, or can a wife be her own person?
And if you're troubled by her moving in the direction she sees her voters going, you don't know much about politics or howvpeoplw get elected. Every politician in the world does this, but when Hillary does it, it's suddenly a big taboo. Double-standard here?
And if you're troubled by her moving in the direction she sees her voters going, you don't know much about politics or howvpeoplw get elected. Every politician in the world does this, but when Hillary does it, it's suddenly a big taboo. Double-standard here?
6
Naomi, you can't give credit for Hillary having "experience" for being first lady, than clear her of responsibility for policy. It's all or nothing.
My sentiments exactly. She is whatever the elites around her want her to be. Sanders has been who he is for his entire adult life and is not ashamed to say so.
1
Charles is probably right. But it is tragic that the one candidate, Bernie Sanders, who would do the most for the daily life of the average Black citizen of any president of this country since Lincoln (Obama included)- in terms of living standards, healthcare, education, etc.- may ironically be stopped from being able to do that by those very same people.
Obviously, politics, along with the rest of life, is not rational.
Obviously, politics, along with the rest of life, is not rational.
105
pfwolf01 -- with all due respect I think Bernie will accomplish none of our mutual agenda, and even drive it backward.
I admire Mr. Obama greatly, but the Obama presidency has been crippled since 2010 by loss of Congress. Any thinking liberal/progressive should understand why.
Please read here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-the-democratic-establishment...
Mr. Sanders is copying the Obama-campaign model -- I would agree that in some critical ways Bernie is more the follower of Obama than Hillary. Unfortunately these ways are self-limiting, if not self-destructive ... and the next President will come into office NOT having what Obama had when he came in: Democratic control of Congress. It's out of the question that the Dems will control the house.
Let me be blunt -- I support Hillary over Bernie because Hillary and her supporters are trying to rebuild the Democratic party. Bernie and Bernie's supporters see the rest of the Democrats as irrelevant, and assume that somehow if Bernie can be president all those hated little people will magically feel the Bern, sing Kumbayah, and deliver the votes.
Bernie will be a disaster as president. I'll vote for him if he gets the nomination, because he won't be as big a disaster as having any of the three wackos in the Whitehouse (actually I fear Rubio the most, another story).
I admire Mr. Obama greatly, but the Obama presidency has been crippled since 2010 by loss of Congress. Any thinking liberal/progressive should understand why.
Please read here:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/why-the-democratic-establishment...
Mr. Sanders is copying the Obama-campaign model -- I would agree that in some critical ways Bernie is more the follower of Obama than Hillary. Unfortunately these ways are self-limiting, if not self-destructive ... and the next President will come into office NOT having what Obama had when he came in: Democratic control of Congress. It's out of the question that the Dems will control the house.
Let me be blunt -- I support Hillary over Bernie because Hillary and her supporters are trying to rebuild the Democratic party. Bernie and Bernie's supporters see the rest of the Democrats as irrelevant, and assume that somehow if Bernie can be president all those hated little people will magically feel the Bern, sing Kumbayah, and deliver the votes.
Bernie will be a disaster as president. I'll vote for him if he gets the nomination, because he won't be as big a disaster as having any of the three wackos in the Whitehouse (actually I fear Rubio the most, another story).
3
@ pwolf01 - Yes experience with the Somali diaspora in Sweden and what Universal Health Care has given that diaspora, especially mothers to be and the mothers they are shows that Universal Health Care would benefit all Black Ethnic groups more than just about anything else. But Charles does not seem to be at all interested.
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen USA-Se
Only-NeverInSweden.blogspot.com
Dual citizen USA-Se
Can we give everyone who voted for the 1994 Crime Bill a break? That was over twenty years ago and crime was a very real problem then and Today, crime is at historic lows. The problem was not the bill, but the inability to mitigate the unintended consequences over the past two decades. Criminal justice reform is needed, but only someone with omniscient powers could have foreseen how things unfolded. Both candidates appear dedicated to reform.
35
I agree with that, Hayden. Hillary is also not responsible for all of Bill's decisions. Did we blame Laura Bush when George W lied us into the Iraq War?
"The perfect id the enemy of the good".
"The perfect id the enemy of the good".
3
It's funny. Here in the northeast I sense the Bern is cooling, just a tad, even while it seems to be firing up elsewhere. The millennials I speak with, at least the thoughtful, intelligent, probing ones, are looking for more substance from Bernie. Exactly HOW are you going to break up the big banks? Exactly WHY is that going to help me? Exactly HOW are you going to make college free? Why do you have no position on ISIS? Israel? NATO? Exactly how are you going to repeal NAFTA and why? What exactly is your path of success to single payer? Maybe it's just as well that college students will be reveling in Ft. Lauderdale. Too many awkward questions are starting to be asked.
53
My question for Bernie and Bernie's supporters is much more basic: how are you going to accomplish anything at all given your evident contempt for, and unwillingness to do any heavy lifting to help, the Democrats in Congress?
This attitude is particularly evident among the "BernieBros" and "feel the Bern" types -- it's not just that there's no plan, there's contempt for all the 'corrupt' politicians in Congress who 'don't get the message.' The idea that if Bernie gets elected these people will suddenly do his bidding (that will mean electoral suicide for a lot of them) is CRAZY.
At present only two House members support Bernie. All the rest have disowned his big-policy initiatives, they won't run on his platform. Bluntly, Bernie's big ideas are DOA in the next term.
If you love Bernie's big ideas -- you need to get a substantial majority in the House that loves them, and 60 solid (no Joe Liebermans) votes in the senate. That is out of the question next term. If you don't have the stamina and patience to accept a longer game, you will accomplish nothing. If you aren't willing to work the Congress, ditto.
Frankly, what we need here is another LBJ. He was the last Democrat who engineered really big change (the ACA wasn't like passing the Civil Rights Act). Neither Hill or Bernie brings anything like what LBJ brought to the table, and the electoral map is very different ... but the big-ideas-hates-congress northern socialist ideologue will be an epic failure.
This attitude is particularly evident among the "BernieBros" and "feel the Bern" types -- it's not just that there's no plan, there's contempt for all the 'corrupt' politicians in Congress who 'don't get the message.' The idea that if Bernie gets elected these people will suddenly do his bidding (that will mean electoral suicide for a lot of them) is CRAZY.
At present only two House members support Bernie. All the rest have disowned his big-policy initiatives, they won't run on his platform. Bluntly, Bernie's big ideas are DOA in the next term.
If you love Bernie's big ideas -- you need to get a substantial majority in the House that loves them, and 60 solid (no Joe Liebermans) votes in the senate. That is out of the question next term. If you don't have the stamina and patience to accept a longer game, you will accomplish nothing. If you aren't willing to work the Congress, ditto.
Frankly, what we need here is another LBJ. He was the last Democrat who engineered really big change (the ACA wasn't like passing the Civil Rights Act). Neither Hill or Bernie brings anything like what LBJ brought to the table, and the electoral map is very different ... but the big-ideas-hates-congress northern socialist ideologue will be an epic failure.
3
This is one of the first insightful and layered opinion articles I've read in the NYTimes regarding the Sanders vs Clinton nomination race. I'm a mid forties Sanders supporter who spent the first half of his life in the south and then New York and abroad. Blow is bringing up some legitimate points, but I also know that it is huge that Jesse Jackson has not endorsed Clinton ahead of his native South Carolina's voting day. And that the scandal of Whitewater has never really receded from the collective minds of many southerners, and that has been re-catalysed with the current FBI investigation (seemingly destined to be brought into court) into classified emails. So I don't read this as Clinton "is a heavy favorite to win-Saturday".
While Sander's is relatively unknown in the south, and certainly doesn't have as much history there as Clinton.... his proposed policies would absolutely benefit the predominate working class populations of South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia much more than Clinton's. She has only pandered to economic inequality discussions in relation to Sanders forcing it into the national conversation. If he hadn't, the Clinton campaign would not have spoke one iota of Wall Street, the 1%, not to mention the small business' that have been nearly eliminated in the south due to neoliberalist Clinton policies (nafta?). God help us if Trump or Clinton gains the reigns.
While Sander's is relatively unknown in the south, and certainly doesn't have as much history there as Clinton.... his proposed policies would absolutely benefit the predominate working class populations of South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia much more than Clinton's. She has only pandered to economic inequality discussions in relation to Sanders forcing it into the national conversation. If he hadn't, the Clinton campaign would not have spoke one iota of Wall Street, the 1%, not to mention the small business' that have been nearly eliminated in the south due to neoliberalist Clinton policies (nafta?). God help us if Trump or Clinton gains the reigns.
250
Jesse Jackson ? Really ?
@Jon: It is significant that Jesse jackson is not endorsing Bernie Sanders, in that the Sanders campaign makes a big deal that he endorsed Jesse Jackson in Vermont when he ran for President. If Jackson was so impressed with Bernie and so unimpressed with Hillary Clinton then why doesn't he return the favor? Once again half truths by Bernie Sanders and his followers are used to smear the Clintons. Thanks for your efforts to destroy the Democratic Party. Blow Donald Trump some kisses, because the Republicans would sure like to destroy the Clintons and the Democratic Party and you are just helping out.
4
Clinton mathematically is a heavy favorite. That is a mathematical fact not an opinion. That doesn't mean she will win just that she is very likely to win.
Secondly, Clinton's financial regulation plan is superior to that of Bernie Sanders. But his supporters don't want to hear wonky lectures about shadow banking because that is less fun than shouting banks are evil. Its not even clear to me that Bernie understands the issues. He keeps bringing up Glass Steagall as if it had something to do with the financial crisis. It wasn't traditional banks that caused the problem so GS was wholly irrelevant. This isn't just me talking this is basically every sensible analysis even from the left wing of the econosphere. But Bernie keeps bring us GS like it matters. He doesn't seem interested in learning how things actually work.
Secondly, Clinton's financial regulation plan is superior to that of Bernie Sanders. But his supporters don't want to hear wonky lectures about shadow banking because that is less fun than shouting banks are evil. Its not even clear to me that Bernie understands the issues. He keeps bringing up Glass Steagall as if it had something to do with the financial crisis. It wasn't traditional banks that caused the problem so GS was wholly irrelevant. This isn't just me talking this is basically every sensible analysis even from the left wing of the econosphere. But Bernie keeps bring us GS like it matters. He doesn't seem interested in learning how things actually work.
5
When was the last time a white Democrat from New York won Southern states in a Presidential election? When we read The Times, we learn that most Southerners are still living in the 19th century. So why is the anti-Bernie screed of any real relevance?
29
A great column, Mr. Blow. Thanks. Your suggestions for Bernie make sense, as far as they go….
As the primaries & Clinton's poll numbers both head south, the Clintons increasingly demagogue race. They manipulate blacks at election time & ignore blacks between elections–just ask Randall Robinson. It is critical that black voters hear what Robinson has to say about the Clintons.
Why isn't everyone appalled at Clinton's shameless race-card tactics? What kind of person is she? I don't understand why Bernie & other champions of racial equality don't expose the Clintons' horrific history with blacks.
"We are not Hillary's firewall" SC blacks cried as they flipped their votes to Bernie.
Both reducing blacks to "Hillary's Firewall" and the "drag & drop" are virulent, insidious forms of racism, vote-stealing and vote-denial disguised as voting rights. They've become so entrenched, no one seems to see them for what they are.
When the Clintons ran Arkansas, the NAACP sued them for intimidating black voters at the polls….
Pointing to Clinton expansion of mass incarceration, author Michelle Alexander writes, "there is such a thing as a lesser evil & Hillary is not it."
(The Nation: "Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote")
The Clinton role in the Rwandan genocide, the Haitian refugees' repatriation to certain death, the Ricky Ray Rector execution, and the expansion of mass incarceration, should have long ago disabused all blacks – and all whites – of Clinton nostalgia.
As the primaries & Clinton's poll numbers both head south, the Clintons increasingly demagogue race. They manipulate blacks at election time & ignore blacks between elections–just ask Randall Robinson. It is critical that black voters hear what Robinson has to say about the Clintons.
Why isn't everyone appalled at Clinton's shameless race-card tactics? What kind of person is she? I don't understand why Bernie & other champions of racial equality don't expose the Clintons' horrific history with blacks.
"We are not Hillary's firewall" SC blacks cried as they flipped their votes to Bernie.
Both reducing blacks to "Hillary's Firewall" and the "drag & drop" are virulent, insidious forms of racism, vote-stealing and vote-denial disguised as voting rights. They've become so entrenched, no one seems to see them for what they are.
When the Clintons ran Arkansas, the NAACP sued them for intimidating black voters at the polls….
Pointing to Clinton expansion of mass incarceration, author Michelle Alexander writes, "there is such a thing as a lesser evil & Hillary is not it."
(The Nation: "Why Hillary Clinton Doesn’t Deserve the Black Vote")
The Clinton role in the Rwandan genocide, the Haitian refugees' repatriation to certain death, the Ricky Ray Rector execution, and the expansion of mass incarceration, should have long ago disabused all blacks – and all whites – of Clinton nostalgia.
72
Perhaps not all of us see the world through the same Republican-backed Clinton-hating prism you do. I have to laugh sometimes at how far you need to reach for your excuses. It's like the Republicans refusing to give President Obama any credit for anything -- all his achievements were just affirmative action, a bad economy was his fault, a good one was just the cycle, the SEALs took down bin Laden on their own, Obama had nothing to do with it...
It's a bunch of old lies that never worked anyway. Clinton will be Presodent come next January.
It's a bunch of old lies that never worked anyway. Clinton will be Presodent come next January.
3
An interesting but bit heady treatment of this Problem: How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?
The answer being that Sanders is not a recognized brand that would ever have been heard of had he not entered this race and worked to get his idealized changes know across the society. Mr. Blow’s treatment is more balanced in this article and at least mentions Bernie’s supporters’ argument that his approach is aimed at Black southerners as well as all working class and middle class citizens every where. He was one of the many “idealistic” if you wish prointegration northerners who carried the signs and did the march when the opportunity arose and there is no reason for you sir not to give him a fair shake when ever the opportunity arises. He did see through the down side of Pres. Clinton’s programs, did Hillary?
The answer being that Sanders is not a recognized brand that would ever have been heard of had he not entered this race and worked to get his idealized changes know across the society. Mr. Blow’s treatment is more balanced in this article and at least mentions Bernie’s supporters’ argument that his approach is aimed at Black southerners as well as all working class and middle class citizens every where. He was one of the many “idealistic” if you wish prointegration northerners who carried the signs and did the march when the opportunity arose and there is no reason for you sir not to give him a fair shake when ever the opportunity arises. He did see through the down side of Pres. Clinton’s programs, did Hillary?
32
Bernie's only known engagement with the Civil Rights movement lasted one year; what was he doing after 1963? And what has he done in Congress over the past 30 years to improve the situation of African-Americans? The answer to both is nothing. Ideals and promises are great, but not if you don't do anything to back them up through action. Black Southerners have every reason to doubt Sanders.
2
He voted FOR the crime bill.
4
If it comes down to a choice between Mr. Sanders and Mr. Trump I won't be bothering to vote. Both are social liberals so there is nothing in that arena to choose. Beyond that neither have a chance of ever enacting one of their unworkable policies. And both are equally unqualified to be President.
At least when I travel and people in other countries ask what we were thinking, I can take the symbolic high ground and say, don't ask me. I didn't vote for him.
At least when I travel and people in other countries ask what we were thinking, I can take the symbolic high ground and say, don't ask me. I didn't vote for him.
5
Not bothering to vote seems to be so American these days.
But you cannot 'not bother' because not bothering is giving your choice to someone else.
That 'symbolic high ground' you hope for is an illusion. You are just 'passing the buck.'
But you cannot 'not bother' because not bothering is giving your choice to someone else.
That 'symbolic high ground' you hope for is an illusion. You are just 'passing the buck.'
54
Trump doesn't have any policies. He'll cut a series of deals, whatever he can manage to wrangle out of Congress.
Bernie does stand for something, but it's something with zero votes in Congress.
Bernie does stand for something, but it's something with zero votes in Congress.
2
Yeah, that'll fix 'em!
2
It's become so apparent that NYT cares less about a balanced approach analyzing the candidates and more a promoter of Clinton electoral determinism.
Like many nyt readers and subscribers, I'll be voting for Clinton if she gets the nomination. But I cannot help but feel that the paper, after so much criticism of our rigged system, has turned away from a candidate who is actually willing to use the appropriate language and call for the necessary action. That candidate is Sanders.
If I received millions of dollars from Big Banks, I'd toe their line publicly, privately, and in my actions. It's no different for politicians, regardless of the party.
Like many nyt readers and subscribers, I'll be voting for Clinton if she gets the nomination. But I cannot help but feel that the paper, after so much criticism of our rigged system, has turned away from a candidate who is actually willing to use the appropriate language and call for the necessary action. That candidate is Sanders.
If I received millions of dollars from Big Banks, I'd toe their line publicly, privately, and in my actions. It's no different for politicians, regardless of the party.
31
Sanders isn't actually calling for action! He's calling for RESULTS but he doesn't seem to have the remotest idea what ANCTION will get those results. Very likely there is no answer to this question; he's just dreaming. Pretty dream, but nothing in it.
That's what makes Sanders a very bad choice.
That's what makes Sanders a very bad choice.
29
Mr. Kay, either you're making stuff up or clearly you have no idea where Sanders' stands on the issues and the common-sense solutions he's proposed.
40
Mr. Kay: The first and most important action that Sanders calls for is increased participation in the political process by American citizens. Sanders is absolutely correct. Tearfully screaming "USA,USA, USA" at a rally doesn't make anyone a good citizen. Everyone seems to agree that "freedom isn't free" when it comes to supporting troops; but freedom isn't free also requires being informed and involved (at least to the extent of voting). I subscribe to the "use it, or lose it" school of thought. Americans are quite close to losing freedoms because they take that freedom for granted.
2
Simply put, Charles, it is a shame.
Both are flawed candidates. I dislike HIllary. I like Bernie. I'm a white man, 69 years old. I believe the nation would be better with either of them in the White House than with any of the GOP offerings. I live in Texas. Electorally, regardless of which I select on the primary ballot or in the general election in November, my vote for President is worthless.
Why do I even care?
Both are flawed candidates. I dislike HIllary. I like Bernie. I'm a white man, 69 years old. I believe the nation would be better with either of them in the White House than with any of the GOP offerings. I live in Texas. Electorally, regardless of which I select on the primary ballot or in the general election in November, my vote for President is worthless.
Why do I even care?
9
First I'm very glad that you care! The country really NEEDS people who care!
I vote in Maryland and my vote won't be counted because the absentee ballots never amount to enough to change the result in Maryland. But at least I know that result will be for the Democrat.
You suffer far more than I do.
I vote in Maryland and my vote won't be counted because the absentee ballots never amount to enough to change the result in Maryland. But at least I know that result will be for the Democrat.
You suffer far more than I do.
7
Glen, I live in New York ... so effectively my vote for President is as worthless as yours, for the opposite party reason.
In my dreams I see the United States going to proportional electors in the Electoral College, proportioned by state-wide vote (not congressional-district-by-district and two statewide ... that rewards gerrymandering). This change could be made without amending the constitution, and it would bring much greater fairness ... also make disasters like the 2000 election in Florida much less likely to do national harm.
In my dreams I see the United States going to proportional electors in the Electoral College, proportioned by state-wide vote (not congressional-district-by-district and two statewide ... that rewards gerrymandering). This change could be made without amending the constitution, and it would bring much greater fairness ... also make disasters like the 2000 election in Florida much less likely to do national harm.
1
Grow up Glen - obviously your vote matters. It's a civic duty. Or to use an analogy - its like taxes. No one likes to pay - one could ask, what difference does my money make to the government? Maybe I could just not pay. But if everyone took that attitude the system would break. Apply to voting.
While the college students may be Bernie's most enthusiastic supporters, they do not vote nearly as heavily as older voters. Look at the New Hampshire numbers. Yes, the young demographic went for Bernie 73-27 or something but the final result was only 63% Bernie. He wiped Hillary in NH without the youth vote.
Bottom line, spring break may not affect the outcome very much. You don't mention Spike Lee's endorsement of Bernie. Maybe your article was written before that happened.
Bottom line, spring break may not affect the outcome very much. You don't mention Spike Lee's endorsement of Bernie. Maybe your article was written before that happened.
5
I'm not sure why you feel Clinton owes a serious apology for the crime bill she supported as First Lady though she had no vote, while Sanders, who also supported it -- WITH a vote as Congressman -- doesn't? I do get you re: her support for the welfare reform bill which I found appalling, though there again she was married to the sitting President and didn't have a vote. But again I don't get your support for Sanders, whose civil rights record is strong but seems never to have been centered at the center of the storm -- the South. Whereas (as you say) Clinton, whose civil rights record is also strong put her body on the line in 1972 and as a politically active resident of Arkansas. Sanders has pushed her left, which I appreciate -- but I think her heart's always been there when it comes to social issues. And Bill Clinton was only able to win the Presidency back from the neocons by co-opting their rhetoric, and yes, tacking to the right. But if he hadn't done so we'd be in far worse shape than we are today -- as bad as today is. Sanders is a good person, far as I can tell -- but so is Clinton. You, however, seem fully bought into the Republican conspiracy-theory insinuations that she's unprincipled and shady - a "chameleon". I don't believe that and you shouldn't either. Most voters -- most columnists -- certainly don't come close to the standards they hold politicians to. Seriously without the Clintons where would we be today -- ALL of us?
38
Your bias is showing, Mr. Blow, and it's quite annoying. You once were a favorite of mine, a source of freshness and vitality in peeling (or ripping) away comfortable layers of consciousness that were the refuge of the rigid and the fearful. Now (and it truly pains me to say this) it seems that you're along for the ride. I agree with you that Bernie Sanders is fighting a rearguard action. But your seeming fawning at Hillary Clinton's feet is disconcerting. You admit here that she takes arrows from Sanders's quiver and redirects them at him. Wise strategy, perhaps, but dishonest and disingenuous. She asks us to accept her at face value. So, then, why should blacks, North or South, reject him for her? That she, courtesy of her husband, has amassed Southern voting capital does not mean that she's earned it. Why should black people feel comfortable with someone they *think* they know than someone they don't? I'm not being naïve here, just wondering why you say blacks are not monolithic, but in the next breath, give it the big lie. Golly, Mr. Blow, sharpen your sword. There's still time.
26
So, Sanders has black supporters but according to Blow, not the 'right kind' of black supporters.
Bernie Sanders never sold out folks on welfare, was never repudiated by Marian Wright Edelman, never called black children "super predators," and never took donations from the private prison industry.
The Clintons are shape-shifters, always working to appear to be whatever is most politically beneficial to them in any contest, which they always rationalize or disown later. Hillary saying "I've walked my own journey" about choices she made that caused many black people to suffer - she's a hypocrite and a phony.
DNC's Super-delegates and frontloading Southern state primaries are political moves by the moneyed elite to ensure Hillary will be the nominee - despite evidence half the party doesn't want her. She's the most polarizing politician in America - even more so than Trump, who will likely attract Independents and many moderate Democrats who would ordinarily support the Democratic nominee.
Hillary is a disaster for the Democratic Party - chosen and protected by wealthy DNC elites just like her, who set up the electoral process for her advantage to keep out any challengers. The DNC has tried to strap rank and file Democrats to Hillary the way you'd strap a hostage to a bomb. But Democrats will flee Hillary and vote for Trump.
Hillary Clinton is the Democrat's Nixon. The DNC was stubborn and corrupt believing they'd push her on the rank and file. No thanks.
Bernie Sanders never sold out folks on welfare, was never repudiated by Marian Wright Edelman, never called black children "super predators," and never took donations from the private prison industry.
The Clintons are shape-shifters, always working to appear to be whatever is most politically beneficial to them in any contest, which they always rationalize or disown later. Hillary saying "I've walked my own journey" about choices she made that caused many black people to suffer - she's a hypocrite and a phony.
DNC's Super-delegates and frontloading Southern state primaries are political moves by the moneyed elite to ensure Hillary will be the nominee - despite evidence half the party doesn't want her. She's the most polarizing politician in America - even more so than Trump, who will likely attract Independents and many moderate Democrats who would ordinarily support the Democratic nominee.
Hillary is a disaster for the Democratic Party - chosen and protected by wealthy DNC elites just like her, who set up the electoral process for her advantage to keep out any challengers. The DNC has tried to strap rank and file Democrats to Hillary the way you'd strap a hostage to a bomb. But Democrats will flee Hillary and vote for Trump.
Hillary Clinton is the Democrat's Nixon. The DNC was stubborn and corrupt believing they'd push her on the rank and file. No thanks.
35
Mr. Blow, instead of writing yet another column on why Bernie can't win the votes of Southern African-Americans, could you possibly educate your readers as to why Bernie is leading in the Reuters poll? Obviously all Southerners know more about Hillary than they do about Bernie. What should they know about Bernie before voting? Here's what I'd want them to know. Money in politics has so corrupted our government that the will of the people has absolutely no effect on government policy. Our politicians are owned by Wall Street, so our laws favor the obscenely wealthy. They are owned by the military-industrial complex, so we are constantly killing people in the Middle East and perpetuating the radicalization of their young people. They are owned by the oil companies, so we are unable to tackle climate change, the greatest threat to our country and our planet. Bernie is owned by nobody. African-Americans struggled and died in order to be able to vote, and the Supreme Court has recently rolled back the Voting Rights Act. More than any other Americans, African-Americans should be aware that Bernie is the only presidential candidate willing to save what little is left of our democracy. Hillary is unwilling to release the transcripts of her Wall Street speeches. What is she hiding from us? What has she promised Goldman Sachs that she doesn't want us to know? Bernie is honest and transparent. He represents the voters, not the billionaires.
49
While this was a very interesting piece, it once again underestimates why Ms Clinton's supporters support her. We are just as passionate about her as any 20 year old white man is about Bernie. The difference is we are too busy working and taking care of our families to show up at rallies. Don't mistake that for any less fervor for our candidate. what we love, admire and support Ms Clinton for is her strength and resilience. Her limitless ability to withstand the blistering attacks mostly based on who she is (a strong, ambitious woman) and not her actual record. This resonates with women of all colors because we live it to varying degrees every single day.
28
Um ... not universally. I support Hillary over Bernie ... but the notion that I am just as passionate as the BernieBros we see here" ... no. And i see that as a sign of maturity. Reality is not as black and white, nor as simple, as those with deeply impassioned views think it is.
2
'...what we love, admire and support Ms Clinton for is her strength and resilience. Her limitless ability to withstand the blistering attacks mostly based on who she is (a strong, ambitious woman) and not her actual record. '
Well, if you're voting for woman of the year or some such accolade this would be fine. But to dismiss her 'actual record' when voting for a president is pathetic and smacks of the criteria republicans use.
Her record speaks to how she will govern, and nothing's more important.
Well, if you're voting for woman of the year or some such accolade this would be fine. But to dismiss her 'actual record' when voting for a president is pathetic and smacks of the criteria republicans use.
Her record speaks to how she will govern, and nothing's more important.
3
Charles, thanks for citing those polls showing Bernie ahead of Hillary nationwide. I wonder how you got that opening of your column past the NYTimes Election Thought Police.
But even that opening, as well as the rest of your column, fits into the pattern of the entire NYTimes election news-and-opinion plot: Fill all the space with stuff the voters do not need to know, so there will be no space for what they need.
What we need to know is not who is likely to win, but who SHOULD win, so our votes will be best for the future of The People, our Nation, our civilization and species. For that, we need information and analyses of our issue priorities and the merits of the candidates' positions on them.
On this, the NYTimes election coverage has been an eight-month void. There's been more of what we need in a single recent short piece in the Guardian, from Piketty.
Instead, in the NYTimes we've been drowned in PR for Trump and daily reports of the horses' maneuvers in what the NYTimes portrays as the great sport of the election horserace.
I appreciate and respect the point you make in this column. But it's not what we need.
But even that opening, as well as the rest of your column, fits into the pattern of the entire NYTimes election news-and-opinion plot: Fill all the space with stuff the voters do not need to know, so there will be no space for what they need.
What we need to know is not who is likely to win, but who SHOULD win, so our votes will be best for the future of The People, our Nation, our civilization and species. For that, we need information and analyses of our issue priorities and the merits of the candidates' positions on them.
On this, the NYTimes election coverage has been an eight-month void. There's been more of what we need in a single recent short piece in the Guardian, from Piketty.
Instead, in the NYTimes we've been drowned in PR for Trump and daily reports of the horses' maneuvers in what the NYTimes portrays as the great sport of the election horserace.
I appreciate and respect the point you make in this column. But it's not what we need.
30
Too bad you totally discredit yourself with a ridiculous accusation that the NYT has election thought police.
How little you know about.. anything actually.
How little you know about.. anything actually.
7
Actually, knowing who can win is at least as important as kbowing who ahould win. The best policies in the world are useless if you lose the wlection.
I believe we have two good candidates. My sole criterion is that question: which one has,the best shot of winning in November.
In,truth, the direction of Republican attacks has told me what I need to know about which one they consider a threat and which one an easy mark.
I believe we have two good candidates. My sole criterion is that question: which one has,the best shot of winning in November.
In,truth, the direction of Republican attacks has told me what I need to know about which one they consider a threat and which one an easy mark.
6
Dick -- I care that a Democrat wins this presidential election. I have no interest in "They won all the battles ... but hey, we won all the songs!"
6
It's become so apparent that NYT cares less about a balanced approach analyzing the candidates and more a promoter of Clinton electoral determinism.
Like many nyt readers and subscribers, I'll be voting for Clinton if she gets the nomination. But I cannot help but feel that the paper, after so much criticism of our rigged system, has turned away from a candidate who is actually willing to use the appropriate language and call for the necessary action. That candidate is Sanders.
If I received millions of dollars from Big Banks, I'd toe their line publicly, privately, and in my actions. It's no different for politicians, regardless of the party.
Like many nyt readers and subscribers, I'll be voting for Clinton if she gets the nomination. But I cannot help but feel that the paper, after so much criticism of our rigged system, has turned away from a candidate who is actually willing to use the appropriate language and call for the necessary action. That candidate is Sanders.
If I received millions of dollars from Big Banks, I'd toe their line publicly, privately, and in my actions. It's no different for politicians, regardless of the party.
8
As I wrote above, Sanders is calling for RESULTS but has not clue what actual ACTION might get those admirable results.
That's what is so wrong with Sanders. He's peddling a pipe dream. I want real action and not what will come from the GOP candidates-not ANY of them.
That's what is so wrong with Sanders. He's peddling a pipe dream. I want real action and not what will come from the GOP candidates-not ANY of them.
15
Race and wealth are key topics for Democrats this year, Beyond bias and inequity, the most debated pieces overlook race as a system, recalling Robert Merton, with conscious and deliberate elements (manifest functions) and unconscious, unintended units (latent functions). This is the year of latent dysfunctions!
Race is seen as a data set, of success stories, through crime stats--through a variety of tools (education!)--but seldom as a system. Much of it installed outside of education, race is system of customs and institutions with social consequences. We think and act together because we believe mutual effort will have positive effects for individuals and society. Racism is not about bias or prejudice, but about power: its worst and best cases, its hidden ties; its strategies and paradoxes, its use in pursuit of a prize.
Trump calls for a black protester's removal from an AL rally; he is kicked and punched by the crowd. He throws a peaceful Muslim woman out of a SC rally. Two social messages are sent: one, to blacks and Muslims, they are dispossessed; the other, to whites, political correctness is out. The system takes an incident and creates a message.
It's the messages this year that people hear differently. In play are Wall St. and white supremacists. But from Flint to the Emanuel massacre, the Right has exhibited manifest dysfunctionalism. Racism distributes its dysfunctions to benefit individuals or groups, even as it denies its trade-offs.
Race is seen as a data set, of success stories, through crime stats--through a variety of tools (education!)--but seldom as a system. Much of it installed outside of education, race is system of customs and institutions with social consequences. We think and act together because we believe mutual effort will have positive effects for individuals and society. Racism is not about bias or prejudice, but about power: its worst and best cases, its hidden ties; its strategies and paradoxes, its use in pursuit of a prize.
Trump calls for a black protester's removal from an AL rally; he is kicked and punched by the crowd. He throws a peaceful Muslim woman out of a SC rally. Two social messages are sent: one, to blacks and Muslims, they are dispossessed; the other, to whites, political correctness is out. The system takes an incident and creates a message.
It's the messages this year that people hear differently. In play are Wall St. and white supremacists. But from Flint to the Emanuel massacre, the Right has exhibited manifest dysfunctionalism. Racism distributes its dysfunctions to benefit individuals or groups, even as it denies its trade-offs.
8
Recently, I have offered tools and concepts to reframe race away from a back-and-forth about slights and success to a more advanced view of race at the center of a vast system of power.
I have argued a key tool of the system is denial, a concept that takes on different forms and content, and serves multiple functions. It can obstruct, project, and blame shift--and deny. Reader Annie, in any insightful reply, raised the obstruction and scorn aimed at Hillary, asking how is it different than the obstruction aimed at Barack: why is one racist and the other not?
Great question! In racial terms, denial conceals an intent to protect and advance beliefs and power relationships about race. Its concealment and separation of truth help leverage racism. In answer to Annie, I would say the same leverage applies women--that denial (as health safety) is used to take away reproductive choice, that Wendy Davis faced it in her run TX governor, that the excuses for not granting equal pay are doubled-sided denial, no's based on power and no's whose reasons intend to pretend power was not in play. Denial has a role in sexism.
If you think Barack has only faced obstruction and criticism because of his policies and actions ask: is there a single time or incident that correlates with race, although it would be denied as such?
Lastly, Trump thrives on denial: he loves all those he would deport.
I have argued a key tool of the system is denial, a concept that takes on different forms and content, and serves multiple functions. It can obstruct, project, and blame shift--and deny. Reader Annie, in any insightful reply, raised the obstruction and scorn aimed at Hillary, asking how is it different than the obstruction aimed at Barack: why is one racist and the other not?
Great question! In racial terms, denial conceals an intent to protect and advance beliefs and power relationships about race. Its concealment and separation of truth help leverage racism. In answer to Annie, I would say the same leverage applies women--that denial (as health safety) is used to take away reproductive choice, that Wendy Davis faced it in her run TX governor, that the excuses for not granting equal pay are doubled-sided denial, no's based on power and no's whose reasons intend to pretend power was not in play. Denial has a role in sexism.
If you think Barack has only faced obstruction and criticism because of his policies and actions ask: is there a single time or incident that correlates with race, although it would be denied as such?
Lastly, Trump thrives on denial: he loves all those he would deport.
2
Trump also mistreated the South Carolina school students who protested at his rally, and he mistreated veterans as well as a brave young Latino man. Trump has quite a record now of denying American citizens their First Amendment rights, especially if they aren't white.
2
"How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him? Why is it that I’ve never seen him here in the South?"
Another way to phrase it is how could a person who has served in office so long actually accomplish so little?
As idealistic and promising Sen Sanders may sound, people know that governing is about making trade-offs, compromising and holding people accountable. It's that messy stuff where you trade to get to the larger goal. If you look at any successful President, that's what they do. Go watch Lincoln again. You may not like the Clintons, but you know they are good at playing the game. They get things done.
Another way to phrase it is how could a person who has served in office so long actually accomplish so little?
As idealistic and promising Sen Sanders may sound, people know that governing is about making trade-offs, compromising and holding people accountable. It's that messy stuff where you trade to get to the larger goal. If you look at any successful President, that's what they do. Go watch Lincoln again. You may not like the Clintons, but you know they are good at playing the game. They get things done.
31
"[The Clintons] get things done"
For who? I can tell you if Clinton is elected she will not be working for the 99 percent.
Sanders is known as the Amendment King. Between 1994 and 2006, he passed the most amendments while in the House despite the fact that it was under Republican control. Sanders has also been able to get amendments passed in the Senate. A couple of examples:
Sanders put an $11 billion funding provision in the ACA for community health centers. He added an amendment to Dodd-Frank that allowed for a one time audit of the Federal Reserve. As a result, we found out that the Fed gave $16 trillion in virtually zero interest loans to financial institutions and corporations in the U.S. and around the world, but did nothing for Main Street.
In addition, Sanders negotiated veterans legislation to deal with the long wait times at VA hospitals with John McCain and Republican Jeff Miller of the House last spring. It was the only major piece of legislation passed in recent years.
Bernie Gets It Done: Sanders' Record of Pushing Through Major Reforms Will Surprise You
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record...
For who? I can tell you if Clinton is elected she will not be working for the 99 percent.
Sanders is known as the Amendment King. Between 1994 and 2006, he passed the most amendments while in the House despite the fact that it was under Republican control. Sanders has also been able to get amendments passed in the Senate. A couple of examples:
Sanders put an $11 billion funding provision in the ACA for community health centers. He added an amendment to Dodd-Frank that allowed for a one time audit of the Federal Reserve. As a result, we found out that the Fed gave $16 trillion in virtually zero interest loans to financial institutions and corporations in the U.S. and around the world, but did nothing for Main Street.
In addition, Sanders negotiated veterans legislation to deal with the long wait times at VA hospitals with John McCain and Republican Jeff Miller of the House last spring. It was the only major piece of legislation passed in recent years.
Bernie Gets It Done: Sanders' Record of Pushing Through Major Reforms Will Surprise You
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/bernie-gets-it-done-sanders-record...
101
What you say is just plain wrong. Sanders has been extremely productive and effective as Senator and Mayor. I urge you to do a little reading on Sanders web pages or on wiki/ There are a host of remarkable accomplishments as Senator and Mayor of Burlington Vt.
4
If Clinton really works for the 1%, why are they putting all their resources into attacking her instead of Bernie?
That makes no sense. Your narrative does not jive with the facts. I go with the facts, every time. Nice try.
That makes no sense. Your narrative does not jive with the facts. I go with the facts, every time. Nice try.
10
Bernie Sanders is about all of us. He's devoted his life to that mission. It's why "we" occurs in his speeches far more than "I."
I'd vote for either Democrat in a heartbeat to give the Supreme Court a Democratic appointed majority after 45 years of a Republican majority that has done little but step on those without power and uplift those who have it - business over labor, obscene voter suppression and money in politics decisions have limited the power of all our votes, making "one man, one vote" nothing more than a clever turn of a phrase and certainly no longer a linchpin of our democracy.
With Donald Trump getting stronger in every primary, drawing in new voters and and expanding the Republican base, Democrats will need a wave election if Trump is the Republican nominee. We need a huge turnout and so far, primary turnout is way down.
I just can't see Hillary Clinton being able to do that. The Democratic establishment needs to start closing ranks around Bernie Sanders and help him create that wave. Nothing against Hillary, but I don't see her having much of a chance of defeating Trump. His supporters love him and they will bring their friends and families to vote with them. Democrats need a candidate to get excited about like Bernie Sanders. His "we the people" message, all of us fighting together for social and economic justice could unite & inspire us to get out & vote and it would be so lovely to have the Supreme Court finally on the right side of history, again.
I'd vote for either Democrat in a heartbeat to give the Supreme Court a Democratic appointed majority after 45 years of a Republican majority that has done little but step on those without power and uplift those who have it - business over labor, obscene voter suppression and money in politics decisions have limited the power of all our votes, making "one man, one vote" nothing more than a clever turn of a phrase and certainly no longer a linchpin of our democracy.
With Donald Trump getting stronger in every primary, drawing in new voters and and expanding the Republican base, Democrats will need a wave election if Trump is the Republican nominee. We need a huge turnout and so far, primary turnout is way down.
I just can't see Hillary Clinton being able to do that. The Democratic establishment needs to start closing ranks around Bernie Sanders and help him create that wave. Nothing against Hillary, but I don't see her having much of a chance of defeating Trump. His supporters love him and they will bring their friends and families to vote with them. Democrats need a candidate to get excited about like Bernie Sanders. His "we the people" message, all of us fighting together for social and economic justice could unite & inspire us to get out & vote and it would be so lovely to have the Supreme Court finally on the right side of history, again.
80
Southern blacks should vote for Sanders because more than any other group southern blacks understand the perpetual struggle to better fulfill the broken promises of the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The monumental civil rights struggle of the 50s and 60s was never narrowly about blacks, but more broadly about the soul and aspirations of a nation purportedly committed to principles of democracy and equality, a tradition beginning with the War of Independence against an oppressive monarchy, the Civil War ending slavery, the racial equality movement, and in the wake of the movement led by MLK, Medgar Evars and others, equal status for women in the workplace and public sphere. Each generation saw this struggle in its own particular challenge, and today's challenge is economic fairness and income inequality. The civil rights movement and tradition, the revolutionary tradition of which it was one PIVOTAL chapter, is honored and continued in today's struggle best represented by Bernie Sanders.
1
Bernie would appear to be a lot more solid as a candidate if he had gotten SOME thing done in all those years as a member of Congress. Even McGovern played the role of the upstart at odds with the Democratic Party structure, but he had gotten serious things done in his life already.
Besides, who have most of us EVER known from Vermont? If VT can't put a single-payer program together, why expect Bernie's to work?
Besides, who have most of us EVER known from Vermont? If VT can't put a single-payer program together, why expect Bernie's to work?
3
He hasn't created a wave in voters yet. You're assuming it will materialize and ignoring the number of independents and moderates so disgusted with Trump, Cruz and Rubio that they'll pull the lever for Clinton, but reject Sanders as a socialist. (Yes, I know he's not one, but a lot of peiple don't, and most won't stick around for the explanation.)
2
I have a different take on why southron blacks cleave to Hillary and not to Bernie. One might think that Charles would offer the far better take on this issue than an aging white guy who, while he has travelled and worked extensively in the South, has never lived there. However, I’m also the guy who has been posting here for years regularly defending the South and its varied folkways, but not guns and the Confederate flag. I’ve also been watching the South for fifty years of political awareness, both the red clay of Georgia and the tony bars of Atlanta.
More than northern blacks, southern blacks are heavily invested in national politicians who can DELIVER what they promise. Their schools are the poorest, their living conditions on average far worse than those up North; and the attitudes that keep them subjugated far more ingrained down there than in our northern cities. They hear promises all the time from liberal candidates who take their votes then ignore issues central to their interests, including enfranchisement, jobs, racially insensitive policing, housing and education.
Bernie promises a lot; yet, what evidence has he offered that he can deliver ANY of it? He would benefit with southern blacks by defining how his priorities align with theirs, then in sketching out a plan for how he would get those priorities enacted. His failure to do that is affecting his white support, and it can’t help but affect his southern black support.
More than northern blacks, southern blacks are heavily invested in national politicians who can DELIVER what they promise. Their schools are the poorest, their living conditions on average far worse than those up North; and the attitudes that keep them subjugated far more ingrained down there than in our northern cities. They hear promises all the time from liberal candidates who take their votes then ignore issues central to their interests, including enfranchisement, jobs, racially insensitive policing, housing and education.
Bernie promises a lot; yet, what evidence has he offered that he can deliver ANY of it? He would benefit with southern blacks by defining how his priorities align with theirs, then in sketching out a plan for how he would get those priorities enacted. His failure to do that is affecting his white support, and it can’t help but affect his southern black support.
25
How will Sanders be able to move the country forward if elected? That’s where the political revolution comes in. Sanders tells the people at his rallies he will need them more after the election to let members of Congress know that they will lose their job if they don’t do the right thing. Sanders will also help to change the makeup of Congress if he wins. Not just in 2016, but every two years after that. That's what he did as mayor of Burlington. From Sanders' speech at The Brookings Institution:
“I took office [as mayor of Burlington] with 11 out of 13 members of the City Council in very strong opposition to my agenda. Trust me, if you think the Republicans have been obstructionist to President Obama during his time in office that was nothing compared to what my supporters and I experienced. But, one year later, in strong support of what I and my coalition had accomplished and wanted to do, a slate of candidates that I supported for the City Council defeated a number of the incumbent obstructionists. A year after that in an election in which the voter turnout was almost double what it had been when I was first elected, I pretty easily defeated the Democratic
and Republican candidates, and did so in two more elections.
“My administration took on virtually every powerful special interest in the city and the state. [Sanders then went on to list some of his accomplishments.] Burlington is now regarded as one of the most successful and livable small cities in America.”
“I took office [as mayor of Burlington] with 11 out of 13 members of the City Council in very strong opposition to my agenda. Trust me, if you think the Republicans have been obstructionist to President Obama during his time in office that was nothing compared to what my supporters and I experienced. But, one year later, in strong support of what I and my coalition had accomplished and wanted to do, a slate of candidates that I supported for the City Council defeated a number of the incumbent obstructionists. A year after that in an election in which the voter turnout was almost double what it had been when I was first elected, I pretty easily defeated the Democratic
and Republican candidates, and did so in two more elections.
“My administration took on virtually every powerful special interest in the city and the state. [Sanders then went on to list some of his accomplishments.] Burlington is now regarded as one of the most successful and livable small cities in America.”
88
RLS:
It will remain an overwhelmingly Republican House and most likely a barely Republican Senate. Bernie may assume that people sufficiently alienated by an inability to move forward to elect him also would abandon what has clearly become a generally more right-leaning electorate, but I see no evidence of it, at federal, state or local levels. Without that kind of movement in the electorate, his agenda would arrive stillborn in the Oval Office and he would become a lame duck at his inaugural.
Burlington ain't the USA. Burlington can afford to shift resources massively to other priorities and still not lose its identity as an American city, because funding priorities at the national level remain unchanged. But try to transform the very definition of what it means to be "American" by massively shifting taxing and funding priorities at the national level, and Bernie would get absolutely nowhere.
It remains that he's demonstrated NO plan to get to where he says we need to be other than "Hey, I can change minds"; and southern blacks undoubtedly look at such promises with great suspicion. Hillary, likely able to secure 25% of a far less ambitious agenda, would represent far greater material benefit to southern black interests than promises with no visible path defined between dreams and reality.
It will remain an overwhelmingly Republican House and most likely a barely Republican Senate. Bernie may assume that people sufficiently alienated by an inability to move forward to elect him also would abandon what has clearly become a generally more right-leaning electorate, but I see no evidence of it, at federal, state or local levels. Without that kind of movement in the electorate, his agenda would arrive stillborn in the Oval Office and he would become a lame duck at his inaugural.
Burlington ain't the USA. Burlington can afford to shift resources massively to other priorities and still not lose its identity as an American city, because funding priorities at the national level remain unchanged. But try to transform the very definition of what it means to be "American" by massively shifting taxing and funding priorities at the national level, and Bernie would get absolutely nowhere.
It remains that he's demonstrated NO plan to get to where he says we need to be other than "Hey, I can change minds"; and southern blacks undoubtedly look at such promises with great suspicion. Hillary, likely able to secure 25% of a far less ambitious agenda, would represent far greater material benefit to southern black interests than promises with no visible path defined between dreams and reality.
10
RLS:
"Burlington is now regarded as one of the most successful and livable small cities in America.”
****
The emphasis on "small". Minuscule, teensy-weensy, etc. compared to the rest of the country.
"Burlington is now regarded as one of the most successful and livable small cities in America.”
****
The emphasis on "small". Minuscule, teensy-weensy, etc. compared to the rest of the country.
9
If the Black community looks into Clinton’s record on racial justice they will find it to be problematic. Sanders came out with a detailed plan in July, while Clinton released hers recently. And it goes without say that Sanders’ economic plan would greatly benefit the Black community as it is superior to that of Clinton’s.
Black Lives Matter Activists Interrupt Hillary Clinton At Private Event In South Carolina
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/clinton-black-lives-matter-south-car...
Ashley Williams: “Hillary Clinton has a pattern of throwing the Black community under the bus when it serves her politically. She called our boys ‘super-predators’ in ’96, then she race-baited when running against Obama in ‘08, now she’s a lifelong civil rights activist. I just want to know which Hillary is running for President, the one from ’96, ’08, or the new Hillary?”
“Williams, who is from Charlotte, North Carolina, said she was motivated to protest because policies during President Bill Clinton’s administration led to an increase in mass incarceration that mostly affected black communities. She pointed to three-strike federal sentencing laws, the elimination of rehabilitative programs for drug abuse and an emphasis on prison construction as part of the destructive Clinton legacy on crime.”
Black Lives Matter Activists Interrupt Hillary Clinton At Private Event In South Carolina
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/clinton-black-lives-matter-south-car...
Ashley Williams: “Hillary Clinton has a pattern of throwing the Black community under the bus when it serves her politically. She called our boys ‘super-predators’ in ’96, then she race-baited when running against Obama in ‘08, now she’s a lifelong civil rights activist. I just want to know which Hillary is running for President, the one from ’96, ’08, or the new Hillary?”
“Williams, who is from Charlotte, North Carolina, said she was motivated to protest because policies during President Bill Clinton’s administration led to an increase in mass incarceration that mostly affected black communities. She pointed to three-strike federal sentencing laws, the elimination of rehabilitative programs for drug abuse and an emphasis on prison construction as part of the destructive Clinton legacy on crime.”
118
Clinton stopped taking campaign money from private prison companies and their lobbyists in October only after civil rights and immigrant groups urged her to stop accepting the contributions. Last May, Clinton said she was against having immigrant detention centers run by for-profit companies. Yet, her Ready for Hillary PAC accepted $133,000 from lobbying firms working for GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America.
Sanders doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He has introduced a bill to ban government contracts for private prisons and immigrant detention facilities. And he doesn’t take money from the prison lobby or other corporate interests. He never has during his time in office.
Sanders doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He has introduced a bill to ban government contracts for private prisons and immigrant detention facilities. And he doesn’t take money from the prison lobby or other corporate interests. He never has during his time in office.
131
Clinton stopped taking campaign money from private prison companies and their lobbyists in October only after civil rights and immigrant groups urged her to stop accepting the contributions. Last May, Clinton said she was against having immigrant detention centers run by for-profit companies. Yet, her Ready for Hillary PAC accepted $133,000 from lobbying firms working for GEO Group and Corrections Corporation of America.
Sanders doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He has introduced a bill to ban government contracts for private prisons and immigrant detention facilities. And he doesn’t take money from the prison lobby or any other corporate interests. He never has during his time in office.
Sanders doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks the walk. He has introduced a bill to ban government contracts for private prisons and immigrant detention facilities. And he doesn’t take money from the prison lobby or any other corporate interests. He never has during his time in office.
1
DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schulz has accepted money from lobbyists representing CCA - Corrections Corporation of American, which pushes laws that criminalize black Americans and migrants - to profit private prisons. Wasserman Schulz/the DNC tried to rig the nominating process in favor of Hillary.
2
I really wish the Civil War would come to an end. The Mason-Dixon line separates white people, and the Mason-Dixon line separates black people. The nation can't move forward until we drag everyone south of the Mason-Dixon line along with the rest of us. This has been going on for centuries. Enough already.
According to Mr. Blow, there isn't just a black America, there is affluent, middle-class and poor black America and all three are further subdivided by northern and southern black America. Maybe we should subdivide the Jews that landed on Ellis Island and stayed in New York from those that "migrated" to other locations like my people did and settled in the midwest. Am I not all all like a New York Jew? We share the same culture. The New York Jew can get better bagels and pastromie sandwiches.
There are many people involved in civil rights that can't let go of the 60's. They are still fighting the same battles. Unless you were there, nothing counts. Hillary didn't grow up in the hood. Neither did Bernie. So what?
Why does everyone in national politics have to be acceptable to Southerners to be a legitimate candidate? Frankly, I find all of these geographic divisions just as unproductive as racial, ethnic and religious divisions.
Policy is what's important. Where the speaker is from has nothing to do with it. Unless we throw off these artificial divisions, no one will ever be acceptable.
According to Mr. Blow, there isn't just a black America, there is affluent, middle-class and poor black America and all three are further subdivided by northern and southern black America. Maybe we should subdivide the Jews that landed on Ellis Island and stayed in New York from those that "migrated" to other locations like my people did and settled in the midwest. Am I not all all like a New York Jew? We share the same culture. The New York Jew can get better bagels and pastromie sandwiches.
There are many people involved in civil rights that can't let go of the 60's. They are still fighting the same battles. Unless you were there, nothing counts. Hillary didn't grow up in the hood. Neither did Bernie. So what?
Why does everyone in national politics have to be acceptable to Southerners to be a legitimate candidate? Frankly, I find all of these geographic divisions just as unproductive as racial, ethnic and religious divisions.
Policy is what's important. Where the speaker is from has nothing to do with it. Unless we throw off these artificial divisions, no one will ever be acceptable.
93
I agree 100%! Ben Carson now charges that President Obama is not as authentically black as he is because Obama was "raised by a white family". Why does we allow those who draw these unsubstantial distinctions sway our opinions of each other?
3
"How is it that a person could be 74 years old, spend his life championing my interests and spend decades as a politician, and I not know him?"
I'll tell you how. It's the same way hardly any American outside of Vermont didn't know him. OK, I wouldn't have expected it while he was Mayor of Burlington, but once in Congress, his message - even his 8+ hour Senate speech on the economy in 2010 - was blacked out by corporate media that didn't like it. Only in recent weeks could they no longer ignore him.
Bernie doesn't take a back seat on civil rights to anyone. But in his campaign he has made a point of emphasizing the gross inequities in the economy and the corruption of our politics by money because those huge issues affect everything else, including racial problems. I don't mean to diminish America's Original Sin of racial problems, but they are always worse in a bad local economy no matter how good the financial and executive class has it. If you want to stem police shootings of young men, nothing will work sooner than helping them get off the streets, through education and jobs.
Again, I know there's systemic racism beyond the economy, and the other side stokes it and encourages it. I don't like Blow's not-so-subtle and demeaning suggestion that Bernie would be less understanding or capable than Hillary in addressing it. It will take a mixture of law, education, and patience - not something that either of them can reduce to a campaign sound bite.
I'll tell you how. It's the same way hardly any American outside of Vermont didn't know him. OK, I wouldn't have expected it while he was Mayor of Burlington, but once in Congress, his message - even his 8+ hour Senate speech on the economy in 2010 - was blacked out by corporate media that didn't like it. Only in recent weeks could they no longer ignore him.
Bernie doesn't take a back seat on civil rights to anyone. But in his campaign he has made a point of emphasizing the gross inequities in the economy and the corruption of our politics by money because those huge issues affect everything else, including racial problems. I don't mean to diminish America's Original Sin of racial problems, but they are always worse in a bad local economy no matter how good the financial and executive class has it. If you want to stem police shootings of young men, nothing will work sooner than helping them get off the streets, through education and jobs.
Again, I know there's systemic racism beyond the economy, and the other side stokes it and encourages it. I don't like Blow's not-so-subtle and demeaning suggestion that Bernie would be less understanding or capable than Hillary in addressing it. It will take a mixture of law, education, and patience - not something that either of them can reduce to a campaign sound bite.
507
I agree with you, Mancuroc. This is definitely not the stuff of soundbites.
We, and I mean all of us, need to take care of the living - the here and now, if you will - as well as the long-term. systemic wrongs caused by America's original sin. The road to truth and reconciliation is one we must all travel together and getting to a point where we are able to truly do it means careful preparations.
I wrote down my thoughts on this, by way of a response to Ta-Nehisi Coates' first essay on Sanders. Since then, he has divulged that he will vote for Bernie. I hope you find my piece helpful.
http://www.rimaregas.com/2016/01/ta-nehisi-coates-bernie-sanders-martin-...
We, and I mean all of us, need to take care of the living - the here and now, if you will - as well as the long-term. systemic wrongs caused by America's original sin. The road to truth and reconciliation is one we must all travel together and getting to a point where we are able to truly do it means careful preparations.
I wrote down my thoughts on this, by way of a response to Ta-Nehisi Coates' first essay on Sanders. Since then, he has divulged that he will vote for Bernie. I hope you find my piece helpful.
http://www.rimaregas.com/2016/01/ta-nehisi-coates-bernie-sanders-martin-...
33
So Bernie, by your account, has no clue how the American political system works. So, bring on the devil, it is corporate America? No, it is a really out in the woods guy , claiming to be a true socialist, that no one is really interested in listening to.
1
Senator Sanders has been in Congress the whole time. What has he done about it? Vote against it? Big Whoop.
4
Sanders is gaining momentum in nationwide polls. This race will go all the way to the convention. In a poll released by Reuters yesterday, Sanders is leading Clinton by 6 points. A couple of previous Reuters polls showed Clinton and Sanders tied. Sanders had a 3 point lead in a Fox News poll last week.
If you want a healthy planet and want to move away from oligarchy and return to democratic values, Sanders is the right choice. He has received a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters. From his senate website:
“Among his many environmental accomplishments in 2015, Sanders introduced the Keep it in the Ground Act, which would ban future fossil fuel extraction on federal land, the Low Income Solar Act, a carbon tax, legislation to repeal all fossil fuel subsidies, a comprehensive renewable energy tax incentives package and the Residential Energy Savings Act to provide the upfront costs for residential energy efficiency.
“Sanders voted against the Keystone XL pipeline, lifting the crude oil export ban, expediting liquefied natural gas exports and ‘fast track’ trade promotion authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would give corporations the right to sue the U.S. for unlimited cash compensation for any environmental law that a corporation alleges will reduce its profits. He also voted to close the Halliburton loophole, which allows fracking to be unregulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and to reauthorize the Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund.”
If you want a healthy planet and want to move away from oligarchy and return to democratic values, Sanders is the right choice. He has received a perfect score from the League of Conservation Voters. From his senate website:
“Among his many environmental accomplishments in 2015, Sanders introduced the Keep it in the Ground Act, which would ban future fossil fuel extraction on federal land, the Low Income Solar Act, a carbon tax, legislation to repeal all fossil fuel subsidies, a comprehensive renewable energy tax incentives package and the Residential Energy Savings Act to provide the upfront costs for residential energy efficiency.
“Sanders voted against the Keystone XL pipeline, lifting the crude oil export ban, expediting liquefied natural gas exports and ‘fast track’ trade promotion authority for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which would give corporations the right to sue the U.S. for unlimited cash compensation for any environmental law that a corporation alleges will reduce its profits. He also voted to close the Halliburton loophole, which allows fracking to be unregulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and to reauthorize the Land and Wildlife Conservation Fund.”
329
As Secretary of State, Clinton promoted fracking abroad and was willing to sign off on the Keystone Pipeline.
193
But what kinds of concrete policies has Sanders proposed for correcting society's ills, apart from voting for liberal legislation or against conservative legislation? Did he sponsor or write any legislation that was passed that actually improved the educational system, or improved the lives of the poor? How does pointing out what's wrong with our nation provide a road map for fixing it? Who will vote for him in a general election when they find out that his schemes require massive tax increases? Who will vote for a socialist when polls have shown that a majority of Americans will not vote for a socialist?
How is Sanders going to get Republican governors to make their state university systems free? Or is Sanders just going to raise income taxes enough so that no college student has to get loans to go to college? Considering that Obama couldn't even get a public option passed with a Democratic Congress, how is Sanders going to get a single-payer plan passed, apart from raising the money to pay for it?
These are all valid questions that have not been addressed by Sanders. How, exactly, is he going to fix racial and gender inequality in this country? Will these go away just because he's elected?
What about immigration reform? If Sanders can't even unify the Democratic Party, how's he going to work with recalcitrant Republicans who do not have the stomach for tackling this problem?
How is Sanders going to get Republican governors to make their state university systems free? Or is Sanders just going to raise income taxes enough so that no college student has to get loans to go to college? Considering that Obama couldn't even get a public option passed with a Democratic Congress, how is Sanders going to get a single-payer plan passed, apart from raising the money to pay for it?
These are all valid questions that have not been addressed by Sanders. How, exactly, is he going to fix racial and gender inequality in this country? Will these go away just because he's elected?
What about immigration reform? If Sanders can't even unify the Democratic Party, how's he going to work with recalcitrant Republicans who do not have the stomach for tackling this problem?
3
She opposed Keystone. If you have to lie in support of Sanders, he's an even weaker candidate than we knew. And he is weak, all right.
I look forward to voting for Hillary - she's a fabulous candidate! Bernie's a nice man, but far less qualified.
I look forward to voting for Hillary - she's a fabulous candidate! Bernie's a nice man, but far less qualified.
6
I suppose it is no excuse that Bernie has spent his entire political career serving his constituents, who happen to be in Vermont.
But when Bernie was on the front line in the civil rights struggle when he was in a more diverse community in the early 1960s, Hillary was a Goldwater Girl. Even then, his judgement was better.
But when Bernie was on the front line in the civil rights struggle when he was in a more diverse community in the early 1960s, Hillary was a Goldwater Girl. Even then, his judgement was better.
576
OK. In the early 60s, Hillary was a teenager. Living at home. Not exactly the position from which one can choose one's community, diverse or otherwise.
And if we are demonising folks, well, another progressive darling, Elizabeth Warren, was a Republican till she was 47. That means she voted for Reagan!
And, yes, we know how Bernie serves his constituents -- voting against gun control, among other things. And now he's changed his stand -- but that's not political triangulation, it can't be because it's Bernie. Anyone else would be called... hmm, let's see -- shifty? Untrustworthy? Unprogressive?
I am extremely tired of the nonsense, the ad hominem attacks, the downright lies. And no false equivalency please -- there may be a bit coming from the Hillary camp, but it is a deluge from the Bernites.
If your candidate is so wonderful, then make the case to me based on appealing to my brain, not what you think may be my prejudices.
And if we are demonising folks, well, another progressive darling, Elizabeth Warren, was a Republican till she was 47. That means she voted for Reagan!
And, yes, we know how Bernie serves his constituents -- voting against gun control, among other things. And now he's changed his stand -- but that's not political triangulation, it can't be because it's Bernie. Anyone else would be called... hmm, let's see -- shifty? Untrustworthy? Unprogressive?
I am extremely tired of the nonsense, the ad hominem attacks, the downright lies. And no false equivalency please -- there may be a bit coming from the Hillary camp, but it is a deluge from the Bernites.
If your candidate is so wonderful, then make the case to me based on appealing to my brain, not what you think may be my prejudices.
9
RM-did you read this article? Clinton has an excellent civil rights track record. And her Goldwater days were when she was a high school student and wasn't even old enough to vote yet. So give that tired ol' refrain a rest please.
7
"But when Bernie was on the front line in the civil rights struggle..."
_____________________________________
Seriously? A white college kid getting arrested in a demonstration in Chicago? Signing people up to go on Freedom Rides but not getting on the bus himself? Taking a vacation to Washington D.C. to "march" with King?
There were real live people getting beaten up, shot and killed and fire-bombed on the actual front lines of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's and 70's. Sanders never got close.
You’re welcome to your high opinion of Bernie but, please, get your facts straight.
_____________________________________
Seriously? A white college kid getting arrested in a demonstration in Chicago? Signing people up to go on Freedom Rides but not getting on the bus himself? Taking a vacation to Washington D.C. to "march" with King?
There were real live people getting beaten up, shot and killed and fire-bombed on the actual front lines of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's and 70's. Sanders never got close.
You’re welcome to your high opinion of Bernie but, please, get your facts straight.
9
"On policy, Hillary Clinton...keeps tacking harder and harder toward Sanders’s positions....with a chameleon’s knack for blending seamlessly with the current political environment, whatever it may be."
Why would anyone - black, white or chartreuse - vote for Sanders-lite or Republican-lite - depending on what day it is for Hillary Clinton - rather than for the real New Deal Bernie Sanders ?
Fake meat is not as delicious or protein-and-iron rich as real meat.
I understand African Americans have their reasons for preferring Hillary, but Bernie Sanders' authentic ideas about economic justice are fundamentally compelling for Americans of every stripe.
Underlying Martin Luther King's campaign for civil rights and justice was a desire for economic justice.
MLK said: “This country has socialism for the rich and rugged individualism for the poor.... do you know that most of the poor people in our country are working every day? And they are making wages so low that they cannot begin to function in the mainstream of the economic life of our nation. These are facts which must be seen, and it is criminal to have people working on a full-time basis and a full-time job getting part-time income.”
Bernie Sanders is not MLK, but his message of economic justice is just as heartfelt and genuine as MLK's.
3 states have voted -- 47 states remain.
Why not give American voters a richer view of democracy rather than a stale, rotten media triangulation story of premature coronation, Charles ?
Why would anyone - black, white or chartreuse - vote for Sanders-lite or Republican-lite - depending on what day it is for Hillary Clinton - rather than for the real New Deal Bernie Sanders ?
Fake meat is not as delicious or protein-and-iron rich as real meat.
I understand African Americans have their reasons for preferring Hillary, but Bernie Sanders' authentic ideas about economic justice are fundamentally compelling for Americans of every stripe.
Underlying Martin Luther King's campaign for civil rights and justice was a desire for economic justice.
MLK said: “This country has socialism for the rich and rugged individualism for the poor.... do you know that most of the poor people in our country are working every day? And they are making wages so low that they cannot begin to function in the mainstream of the economic life of our nation. These are facts which must be seen, and it is criminal to have people working on a full-time basis and a full-time job getting part-time income.”
Bernie Sanders is not MLK, but his message of economic justice is just as heartfelt and genuine as MLK's.
3 states have voted -- 47 states remain.
Why not give American voters a richer view of democracy rather than a stale, rotten media triangulation story of premature coronation, Charles ?
733
Socrates, "why would anyone vote for Sanders lite?" Clearly because they'd
prefer it to Trump, Cruz or Rubio full strength. An obvious answer.
prefer it to Trump, Cruz or Rubio full strength. An obvious answer.
7
People of disadvantaged backgrounds don't appreciate grandiose claims that we know will never pass. His promises are empty, his rhetoric lost in his own dumbfounded belief he can pass what he is saying. His plans are not "for all stripes." We don't take gambles, because we have a lot to lose.
15
"Why would anyone - black, white or chartreuse - vote for Sanders-lite or Republican-lite - depending on what day it is for Hillary Clinton - rather than for the real New Deal Bernie Sanders ?"
Why indeed? The fact is, they are. Socrates, you wise person, instead of throwing your hands up in the air and haranguing us with the same arguments you trot out day in and day out, try to answer your own question. If your candidate isn't winning, is it because people are stupid? Or because he isn't convincing them to vote for him?
Why indeed? The fact is, they are. Socrates, you wise person, instead of throwing your hands up in the air and haranguing us with the same arguments you trot out day in and day out, try to answer your own question. If your candidate isn't winning, is it because people are stupid? Or because he isn't convincing them to vote for him?
5
Hillary may tack to Bern's position
But when it comes to a rendition,
Do not despair
If Hill' isn't there,
Her motives are under suspicion.
But when it comes to a rendition,
Do not despair
If Hill' isn't there,
Her motives are under suspicion.
172
Exactly, Larry!
She had to be pushed and pushed to pivot to her current position and you can bet your bottom dollar that, were she to get the nomination, she will pivot right back.
With Bernie Sanders, we *know* there was no pivot to, and there will be no pivot from, nor will there be odious attempts at influencing the media or, worse, dirty whisper campaigns a la David Brock.
She had to be pushed and pushed to pivot to her current position and you can bet your bottom dollar that, were she to get the nomination, she will pivot right back.
With Bernie Sanders, we *know* there was no pivot to, and there will be no pivot from, nor will there be odious attempts at influencing the media or, worse, dirty whisper campaigns a la David Brock.
266
Rima, I guarantee you that certain folks at Goldman Sachs expect precisely no less. She will indeed pivot back not just to the more economic conservative stance she really holds in her heart but conceals- she'll pivot all the way back to the Wall Street feeding trough that has so enriched her and her husband. The joke will be on us after her pro Wall Street administration ends and she collects many times the notorious $675,000 in speaking fees as a former president. Conflict of interest written all over Hillary's candidacy.
4
If Bernie Sanders had not run, can you imagine what her platform would be like? Truly Republican-lite, not as rw as the radical extremists.
5
I'm pleased to read a rational, reasonably sophisticated analysis of Bernie's situation. There are so few in the Times (and probably elsewhere).
52
Hillary Clinton has quite a complex relationship with the black community in her public life. She has done some good work on issues facing African Americans, but often I feel she gets a pass from the media for some of the truly awful decisions she has made. This is 2016 and the Internet does not let you truly forget that you left a video trail captured in the following clip:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uWu0nSsg7w
At one point of the video I was choking back tears, and realize that there is something deep that Ms. Clinton needs to atone for before she can claim good graces with the very people she has embraced.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uWu0nSsg7w
At one point of the video I was choking back tears, and realize that there is something deep that Ms. Clinton needs to atone for before she can claim good graces with the very people she has embraced.
171
That was a powerful video clip. Just watched it. Wow. Just wow.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
1
Thank you for posting this video.
1
Thank you for that link. Quite illuminating. Ms. Clinton never imagined all those horrible decisions she and her husband made would come back and bite her in the internet age.
Black voters - are you listening? Or are your minds closed, mired in the Clinton gospel?
Black voters - are you listening? Or are your minds closed, mired in the Clinton gospel?
2
I was pleased to read and learn this column today, Mr. Blow. I especially appreciate this expression: "a life of advocacy above the Mason Dixon Line can feel like pale tea".
I see you are giving some love out to Sanders. He probably needs it after Clyburn endorsed Clinton today and pointedly rebuffed the attempt of the Sanders' campaign to accuse Clinton of "pandering" to black voters. My guess is that he thought that was insulting to the experience and intelligence of black voters like his South Carolina constituency.
I see you are giving some love out to Sanders. He probably needs it after Clyburn endorsed Clinton today and pointedly rebuffed the attempt of the Sanders' campaign to accuse Clinton of "pandering" to black voters. My guess is that he thought that was insulting to the experience and intelligence of black voters like his South Carolina constituency.
22
HRC was the one who said of Obama "Is not a Muslim...as far I know"
19
Interesting about Clyburn - he gave his endorsement to a room filled with millennial Bernie supporters. One thing that the north & south are not divided on is the demographic split between young & old. If they show up to vote, it may be a lot closer than projected. The youth black or white are excited about Bernie & their renewed involvement should be celebrated. Hope the over 40 crowd is listening.
1
There's been no substantiation that I've seen of why so much black support for Clinton. How much of it is myth? Charles should be providing that evidence.
The super pac of the congressional black caucus endorsed her. Some of them are beholden to big corporate money and are separate from the caucus itself, per articles I've read. See Lee Fang on this in The Intercpt.
Both black and white politicians have to deal with the influence of power and wealth.
The super pac of the congressional black caucus endorsed her. Some of them are beholden to big corporate money and are separate from the caucus itself, per articles I've read. See Lee Fang on this in The Intercpt.
Both black and white politicians have to deal with the influence of power and wealth.
Of Charles' series of editorials on Bernie's struggle with the black vote in the south this piece seemed the softest and most optimistic while the others seemed to have been in support of Hillary.
It's nice to hear that Bernie has a chance. Maybe Killer Mike will make all the difference for him.
It's nice to hear that Bernie has a chance. Maybe Killer Mike will make all the difference for him.
30
Killer Mike? the one who said something to the effect that an "uterus" is not a qualification for president in spite of Hillary's credentials and experience?
7
How's that for convenience: under any other circumstance a rapper would be called a thug. Sigh.
There are few guarantees in life but here's one--Killer Mike will not "make all the difference" for Bernie. Do White voters take political advice from Kid Rock?
There are few guarantees in life but here's one--Killer Mike will not "make all the difference" for Bernie. Do White voters take political advice from Kid Rock?
6
Democrats love to cannibalize each other. No progressive is perfect. In truth Bernie completes Hillary and vice versa. But the purists want to destroy each other and in the end it could lead to disaster (Trump). This is a process and a winner and loser situation. Remember, when it was over for Hillary in 2008 she demanded that her followers go all in for Obama. I suspect she would do the same for Bernie. I hope he knows too much is at stake to not ask the same of his smart, passionate, committed followers if he fell short.
110
JR: agreed.
4
Amen
1
JR,
Thus the reason, again, this humble, servant of the people is not running as an Independent. He did not wish to split the vote.
Thus the reason, again, this humble, servant of the people is not running as an Independent. He did not wish to split the vote.
1
I think Mr. Blow will deny he is giving Mr. Sanders advice, although that is how he frames his comment. I think anyone who claims to have someone's best interest at heart as they give advice how to vote is manipulative. I think that Mr. Blow is being manipulative. I won't try to connect all the dots. Ms. Clinton is always saying, "Vote for me, not Bernie." She gives me no reason or basis or cause to vote for her except that she is running for president. She shifts her ground, always with her finger in the air to find a direction. I think the time is running out for Ms. Clinton. Mr. Sanders has identified the core issue, that most of us knew before he campaigned: the democracy is near death. But Mr. Blow may continue to neglect issues and discussion,preferring the pandering talk of who is going to win.
185
She gives you a lot of reasons. Try taking your dingers out of your ears when she talks.
3
Clinton is running ads accusing Sanders of being a one issue candidate. He should own it. If I were Bernie I would say,
"Yes I am a one issue candidate. Until we pry the oligarchy's tentacles off of our government, crony capitalists will continue to suck our economy dry. I bring up issues like universal healthcare and free college precisely because these policies are desired by large majorities of the American People, but our government only responds to the interests of their campaign contributors, the global billionaires. Political revolution means millions of Americans actively organizing not only to win elections, but to put constant pressure on their representatives. It is not so important who is elected president, as it is that the People make our voices heard. Join the movement to create true democracy."
"Yes I am a one issue candidate. Until we pry the oligarchy's tentacles off of our government, crony capitalists will continue to suck our economy dry. I bring up issues like universal healthcare and free college precisely because these policies are desired by large majorities of the American People, but our government only responds to the interests of their campaign contributors, the global billionaires. Political revolution means millions of Americans actively organizing not only to win elections, but to put constant pressure on their representatives. It is not so important who is elected president, as it is that the People make our voices heard. Join the movement to create true democracy."
1
Columnist and media are avoiding issues, to focus on pandering talk of personality, power plays, and constant 'breaking' news of who is up /down in the very latest polls.
Here we have some faux sociological analysis by Charles.
This is what voters in the world's 'greatest democracy' have to tolerate for almost 2 years of big spending on the campaign. Much of it going to the biggest expense--TV political ads. All a huge waste compared to other countries with 4 month campaigns, using more public funding and free media time to inform their voters of the candidates' programs.
But we can't do that--not enough private profit changing hands.
Here we have some faux sociological analysis by Charles.
This is what voters in the world's 'greatest democracy' have to tolerate for almost 2 years of big spending on the campaign. Much of it going to the biggest expense--TV political ads. All a huge waste compared to other countries with 4 month campaigns, using more public funding and free media time to inform their voters of the candidates' programs.
But we can't do that--not enough private profit changing hands.
"There isn’t one black America, but two: The children of the Great Migration and the children of those who stayed behind in the South."
Mr. Blow, I believe that you have forgotten about a 3rd black America: the grandchildren. Your own article from last week featuring conversations with your own children is a testament to that fact.
Black millennials from all over the United States have had 3 decades of shared mass media and cultural touch points that our parents and grandparents just simply didn't have, and we thank them everyday for their providing us with the opportunities they only dreamed of giving us at the time. However, the generational political divide that exists between our white counterparts and their elders is nearly as stark between us and our own. Every black kid who has tried to listen to rap with "cursing" in it, whether it was Kendrick, J. Cole, Kanye, Big Daddy Kane, Scarface, or Wu Tang in the car with their parents can attest to that.
Senator Sanders' real issue is that Secretary Clinton has him thoroughly beat with black women 40 and older, which includes my mother, aunties, and grandmothers, who make up the majority of the black voting population and a significant portion of the Southern Democratic electorate.
It took President Obama to siphon that off from Mrs. Clinton in '08. Senator Sanders may not have our parents' and grandparents' support, but he's definitely got their children's attention.
Mr. Blow, I believe that you have forgotten about a 3rd black America: the grandchildren. Your own article from last week featuring conversations with your own children is a testament to that fact.
Black millennials from all over the United States have had 3 decades of shared mass media and cultural touch points that our parents and grandparents just simply didn't have, and we thank them everyday for their providing us with the opportunities they only dreamed of giving us at the time. However, the generational political divide that exists between our white counterparts and their elders is nearly as stark between us and our own. Every black kid who has tried to listen to rap with "cursing" in it, whether it was Kendrick, J. Cole, Kanye, Big Daddy Kane, Scarface, or Wu Tang in the car with their parents can attest to that.
Senator Sanders' real issue is that Secretary Clinton has him thoroughly beat with black women 40 and older, which includes my mother, aunties, and grandmothers, who make up the majority of the black voting population and a significant portion of the Southern Democratic electorate.
It took President Obama to siphon that off from Mrs. Clinton in '08. Senator Sanders may not have our parents' and grandparents' support, but he's definitely got their children's attention.
435
He hasn't. He's made a choice and this op-ed is shade at an esteemed professor who wrote a piece in Time magazine about the "deficit of imagination."
"The media covers it like entertainment. You can hear pundits rattling off positions as the horses round the bend: “They are running neck and neck” or “so-and-so is pulling away from the pack.”
But if there’s one feature of the whole circus that sets my teeth on edge, it is the attack on our imaginations. This has been particularly the case this election season—and particularly from the Democratic side. You don’t have to be a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders to see the relentless assault on the “political revolution” he commends."
Professor Eddie Glaude is one of America's premier public intellectuals and academics. I highly recommend you read his piece in Time. http://time.com/4235720/democrats-sanders-clinton-black-voters/
"The media covers it like entertainment. You can hear pundits rattling off positions as the horses round the bend: “They are running neck and neck” or “so-and-so is pulling away from the pack.”
But if there’s one feature of the whole circus that sets my teeth on edge, it is the attack on our imaginations. This has been particularly the case this election season—and particularly from the Democratic side. You don’t have to be a supporter of Senator Bernie Sanders to see the relentless assault on the “political revolution” he commends."
Professor Eddie Glaude is one of America's premier public intellectuals and academics. I highly recommend you read his piece in Time. http://time.com/4235720/democrats-sanders-clinton-black-voters/
22
reply to Austin: Well; Clinton doesn't have THIS over 40 (+20) Black woman in her pant-suit pocket.
4
@Austin,
I respect what you're saying about Sanders and younger voters. When it comes to Clinton and Black women 40 and over, if you're saying that's all women in that age group, that's not accurate. I know Black women 40 + who're voting and some who're also campaigning for him where I live. I learned on democracynow.org that former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner is doing outreach for him.
2-25-16@12:20 am
I respect what you're saying about Sanders and younger voters. When it comes to Clinton and Black women 40 and over, if you're saying that's all women in that age group, that's not accurate. I know Black women 40 + who're voting and some who're also campaigning for him where I live. I learned on democracynow.org that former Ohio State Senator Nina Turner is doing outreach for him.
2-25-16@12:20 am
2
This is a fact. There's never before been an occupant of the White House more directly aware of or familiar with African American struggles (on either side of the Mason Dixon Line) than President Obama.
However, regardless of his first hand understanding of the plight of people of color and his empathy and desire for change, his hands have been tied since day one by Republicans who built an impenetrable "white" wall of obstructionism from day one. Many have concluded the basis for building that wall is solely and shamefully the color of his skin. (It clearly wasn't the content of his character.)
Thus, it seems that transformation must first happen in the hearts and minds of those on the other side before a Democrat in the Oval Office--either Bernie or Hillary--can achieve any of the long overdue changes that African Americans rightly deserve and desire.
However, regardless of his first hand understanding of the plight of people of color and his empathy and desire for change, his hands have been tied since day one by Republicans who built an impenetrable "white" wall of obstructionism from day one. Many have concluded the basis for building that wall is solely and shamefully the color of his skin. (It clearly wasn't the content of his character.)
Thus, it seems that transformation must first happen in the hearts and minds of those on the other side before a Democrat in the Oval Office--either Bernie or Hillary--can achieve any of the long overdue changes that African Americans rightly deserve and desire.
27
Because Barack Obama grew up in Indonesia and Hawaii? Because he went to school in New York and Boston? Because he lived in Chicago? Were any of those places south of the Mason-Dixon Line? Because his mother or father or grandparents ever lived in the South?
11
Obama's growing up wasn't in the American south, he had a very different upbringing from most American blacks. His father was African. and he was brought up by white mother and grandparents---in Hawaii??
We still haven't had a president who has had a life experience typical of American blacks.
We still haven't had a president who has had a life experience typical of American blacks.
2
Tony, Apparently you haven't read President Obama's book Dreams from My Father? To understand him and the bias and discrimination he also faced, read it. The Mason Dixon Line can also be figurative. Bias against skin color isn't limited to geographic location. Many African Americans identified with him and voted for him, so apparently they understand that.
6
What a bunch of apologist tripe. If these southerners were Republicans instead of Democrats and white instead of black, Mr. Blow and the New York Times would be screaming "anti-Semitism!!!!!" from the rooftops. Instead, all we hear about are "regional differences" and the like.
Hypocrite, heal thyself.
Hypocrite, heal thyself.
87
Would there not also be a lecture on morality and ethics were these voters white republicans choosing a soon-to-be indicted republican? The absence of ethics and honesty in this discussion is startling,
2
Please,you're so biased toward Hillary that any credibility is already lost.Understand that the pattern which defeated Hillary in 2008 is repeating...you may like it,or not.She cannot get traction and Bernie Sanders can.
108
Bernie was born into a New York City that was 92% white in the 1940 Census. As NYC filled up with blacks from the South and Puerto Ricans, Sanders white flighted to Vermont, which according to the 1970 Census was 443/445ths white.
27
So, Bernie moving to Vermont couldn't have had anything to do with the 60s "back to nature" ethic? Spare me.
129
So everyone leaving the 5 boroughs after WWII was/is a racist? Do you work for the Rafael Cruz campaign?
29
@Mattew: You probably mean "back to the land" and that was a good excuse for a progressive taking part in what the NY Times would characterize as white flight.
3
In the recent past Charles has been chided in comments following his articles for being an apologist for HRC. I felt that this column was much more balanced, although it could be seen not as a friendly suggestion to Bernie to involve additional black endorsers from the south, but as a critique that he has not previously done that. Blow's point that Bernie has few items in his biography that include involvement in southern civil rights activities could also be helpful, as we recently saw how similar claims lead to publicizing his arrest during the demonstration in Chicago. One thing that has not changed is the presence of coarse anti-Hillary trolls writing in the comments.
37
Charles' wise children are having an effect on him, they are finally able to convince him to please be open and see it from their perspective as inheritors of the country and the planet. Good job, kids.
3
I am not a troll. I am a citizen of the United States. I have a right to voice my opinion about a candidate that I consider to be dangerous to my country.
When I go on Fox news sites and interject facts into insulting racist diatribes, I may be considered a troll, but here I am a reader of the NY Times with an opinion.
When I go on Fox news sites and interject facts into insulting racist diatribes, I may be considered a troll, but here I am a reader of the NY Times with an opinion.
2
WHM,
How do you discern between anti-Hillary trolls and those simply voicing questions about her or a preference for Bernie?
2-25-16@1:43 am
How do you discern between anti-Hillary trolls and those simply voicing questions about her or a preference for Bernie?
2-25-16@1:43 am
3
The democrat nomination race is over once we get to Super Tuesday. She has too tight a grip on the delegates for Bernie to prise.
I think Mrs Clinton is a flawed candidate but a Clinton/Julian Castro ticket has the best chance at beating Trump (yes, it will be Trump).
I think Mrs Clinton is a flawed candidate but a Clinton/Julian Castro ticket has the best chance at beating Trump (yes, it will be Trump).
32
They each have 51 pledged delegates at this point. Superdelegates are for Clinton right now because she is a member of the Democratic party establishment. As Sanders gets more pledged delegates, he will start to get more of those superdelegates on his side. Clinton lost a lot of them to Obama for the same reason. And Sanders is the one who can beat Trump. He polls much better against Trump. Hillary is a very flawed and unpopular candidate. She does not have this wrapped up and will not after Tuesday.
2
Nonsense. Hillary won Super Tuesday in 2008 and we know how that turned out for her.
5
They are tied for delegates at 51 each!
3