Meanwhile at least two of the activists leading in Michigan on the Flint lead contaminated water crisis have been murdered in the last month.
6
A beleaguered Clinton supporter among Ivy League Sanders enthusiasts laments being subjected to the kind of treatment typically reserved for Republicans. Pleas for plurality notwithstanding, the writer fails to take on the manner in which Republicans are (and have, for some time, been) treated. Too often, opposition takes the form of mob obstruction or, more subtly, social coercion by the in group, rather than substantive confrontation with ideas the beg for it. A furious protest or a dismissive sneer (or worse, boycott, exile or censorship) is offered in the face of bad policy when lucid and persuasive argument (the kind that might, perhaps, appeal to those not yet in agreement) is badly needed. Sooner or later, a bigger mob or bolder social movement will adopt the tactics so aptly modeled by an elite few from within the seeming safety of the academy. And find a candidate.
7
If you start off uncritically adulating one candidate and demonizing his opponent, its a logical progression to end up demeaning people who support the opponent - the Sanders phenomenon in a nutshell. What amazes me, from reading many of the comments to articles here about the Democratic Primaries, is the mindset that the more insulting you become, the more likely you are to win over to your cause, those voters who don't share your fervor.
18
Bernie is inspiring but he has zero chance to win. Clinton is a centrist technocrat and is much more likely to win. What's the quote? "A person at 20 who is not a socialist has no heart; someone at 40 who is a socialist has no brain".
17
I have two words (rather, four words): Ralph Nader and George MCGovern.
Look what that got us.
Look what that got us.
22
Writing as a 69-year-old, and not at all a young person supposedly possessed by peculiar ideology, to all the Clinton supporters who find those who back Bernie Sanders excessive or offensive: Those who admire Bernie simply want a candidate who really believes in the principles of the New Deal and the Great Society, and they certainly have little resemblance to the leftist radicals of the 1960s. Believing in Bernie Sanders is not a matter of ideological purity. It means attempting to ensure that Democrats are democrats, which seems to have been problematic in too many cases for some time. I support Sanders, but of course I will vote for Hillary Clinton, as I am sure most of us will. At times, however, I do think that Clintonism seems a bit sanctimonious.
13
Authoritarianism left or right solely benefits right wing plutocrats. This kind of campus based left wing authoritarianism has been a terrible curse on progressive politics since the sixties, shredding the FDR coalition and killing every progressive groundswell at its birth.
Authoritarianism - politics imbued with hatred and intolerance for the ideologically impure - is rooted in a dangerously irrational and emotional psychology. A decade ago, a brain scan study of political haters right and left at Emory revealed haters' brains to be euphoric and detached from facts and logic. What's not said in the study is that the haters are pretty obviously aware of their intense pleasure but unaware of their devastating loss of rationality.
The hell of it is left wing authoritarians often end up flipping to right wing authoritarianism.
Authoritarianism - politics imbued with hatred and intolerance for the ideologically impure - is rooted in a dangerously irrational and emotional psychology. A decade ago, a brain scan study of political haters right and left at Emory revealed haters' brains to be euphoric and detached from facts and logic. What's not said in the study is that the haters are pretty obviously aware of their intense pleasure but unaware of their devastating loss of rationality.
The hell of it is left wing authoritarians often end up flipping to right wing authoritarianism.
16
I am 73. You and your foolish school mates will have to live with a 7-2 Republican right wing Supreme Court majority for the next 40 years. I will be long dead as they discover their political naivete and stupidity have ruined their lives and led to the exact opposite of what Bernie told them.
The reason people my age demonstrated against the Vietnam War was to declared "don't draft me" or "don't draft my boyfriend". There was an ounce of sincerity of comprehension in 99 percent of them. Today they are old, angry and voting for Trump.
The reason people your age are so in love with the ranting old fool Sanders is because they think next Jan. 21 he is going to wave a magic wand and give them free tuition and wipe away their college debt. He can't do it. It ain't gonna happen and the only thing they are really interested in is themselves.
They can grow up and vote for Hillary or they can spend the next 40 years living in a world in which seven Antonin Scalias decide what kind of lives they will have as they take away all of their rights, all of their prospects, all of their possibilities, hopes and condemn them to a miserable life in a miserable country.
The next president will appoint at least three justices because Judge Garland isn't getting confirmed this year and at least two and maybe four more will have to retire or will just simply die of old age.
Do all these foolish young people want a Democrat to make those appointments of a Republican? That's their choice.
The reason people my age demonstrated against the Vietnam War was to declared "don't draft me" or "don't draft my boyfriend". There was an ounce of sincerity of comprehension in 99 percent of them. Today they are old, angry and voting for Trump.
The reason people your age are so in love with the ranting old fool Sanders is because they think next Jan. 21 he is going to wave a magic wand and give them free tuition and wipe away their college debt. He can't do it. It ain't gonna happen and the only thing they are really interested in is themselves.
They can grow up and vote for Hillary or they can spend the next 40 years living in a world in which seven Antonin Scalias decide what kind of lives they will have as they take away all of their rights, all of their prospects, all of their possibilities, hopes and condemn them to a miserable life in a miserable country.
The next president will appoint at least three justices because Judge Garland isn't getting confirmed this year and at least two and maybe four more will have to retire or will just simply die of old age.
Do all these foolish young people want a Democrat to make those appointments of a Republican? That's their choice.
38
What's interesting is that the Harvard kids are the privileged ones - whoever wins the presidency, they will be fine. So they can afford to vote by ego, according to whatever club they want to be a part of. They don't need to worry about the poor who will suffer when Trump is president - or anyone but themselves and their bragging rights.
25
In Hillary Clinton you're supporting a neocon Wall Street Republican passing as a Democrat. Why would you expect a different reception?
Hillary, happy to take millions of dollars from them for a few hours "work," is merely Wall Street's latest political mascot and operative. It's her task to quiet and co-opt progressive unrest while leaving the global corporate structure essentially intact, minus the few cosmetic changes necessary to the appearance of a responsive centrist government.
Libya in 2011 reminds us she clearly learned nothing from her disastrous, deadly support of Bush's bombing, invasion, and military occupation of Iraq, that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. It was her voice that tipped the scales for Obama and caused him to agree to the deadliest blunder of his presidency, the destruction of what remained of the Libyan state.
Her summary was the revolting, realpolitik "we came, we saw, he died." Her chortle over that at the end of her CNN interview was sickening, all the more so coming from a Secretary of State whose support for that extrajudicial execution of Muammar Gaddafi ended up killing thousands upon thousands of ordinary Libyan men, women, and children.
She is so indifferent to the inhumanity of her foreign policy disasters that she somehow thought it wise to boast of her ongoing connections with war criminal Henry Kissinger, someone who cannot travel outside the US without fear of arrest for war crimes.
What reception did you expect?
Hillary, happy to take millions of dollars from them for a few hours "work," is merely Wall Street's latest political mascot and operative. It's her task to quiet and co-opt progressive unrest while leaving the global corporate structure essentially intact, minus the few cosmetic changes necessary to the appearance of a responsive centrist government.
Libya in 2011 reminds us she clearly learned nothing from her disastrous, deadly support of Bush's bombing, invasion, and military occupation of Iraq, that killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. It was her voice that tipped the scales for Obama and caused him to agree to the deadliest blunder of his presidency, the destruction of what remained of the Libyan state.
Her summary was the revolting, realpolitik "we came, we saw, he died." Her chortle over that at the end of her CNN interview was sickening, all the more so coming from a Secretary of State whose support for that extrajudicial execution of Muammar Gaddafi ended up killing thousands upon thousands of ordinary Libyan men, women, and children.
She is so indifferent to the inhumanity of her foreign policy disasters that she somehow thought it wise to boast of her ongoing connections with war criminal Henry Kissinger, someone who cannot travel outside the US without fear of arrest for war crimes.
What reception did you expect?
24
Bernie Sanders and his supporters call for a "political revolution," the overthrow of the existing order. In a revolution there is no compromise. Stridency and radicalism create a situation where dialogue over.
I disagree with certain fundamental premises of Bernie Sanders argument, and find it disturbing and dangerous that it seems impossible to engage Sanders supporters in dialogue. I also fear for the effect that this closed-mindedness will have on the election in November.
I disagree with certain fundamental premises of Bernie Sanders argument, and find it disturbing and dangerous that it seems impossible to engage Sanders supporters in dialogue. I also fear for the effect that this closed-mindedness will have on the election in November.
30
Why would anyone expect the left to act any differently than it did with respect to Gore in 2000 and Humphrey in 1968? Supporting Clinton will be too great a leap for a good number of them, even against Trump or Cruz. Ideological purity is a powerful and dangerous thing. Clinton will, of course, attempt outreach and Sanders will be a major factor in promoting unity or not. Inevitably, Clinton must hope to gain the votes of suburban Republican women, a huge demographic, to counteract losses she will sustain in the white male working class and the aforementioned left.
19
The left, all of it, has a view that the first amendment is something that protects their free speech, and blocks anything that may hurt them. The violence at the Trump speech yesterday was disgusting.
Stand by your candidate; I will stand by my (Republican) one. Together, listening to the other side, the country will function as it was supposed to.
Stand by your candidate; I will stand by my (Republican) one. Together, listening to the other side, the country will function as it was supposed to.
7
"Listening to the other side," rather than "examining their statements and assertions in a rational manner"?
I ask, because one side is telling me most undocumented Mexican immigrants are criminals, while the other is as warlike as John McCain and Dick Cheney.
"Listen" to what? Nonsense?
I ask, because one side is telling me most undocumented Mexican immigrants are criminals, while the other is as warlike as John McCain and Dick Cheney.
"Listen" to what? Nonsense?
5
The First Amendment doesn't apply, as no one is talking about government censoring speech. It would be great if people could finally understand what the Bill of Rights is about.
9
Ironic that the thought police on campuses have joined forces with the blind Hillary haters on the right. Students wept openly when McGovern lost to Nixon and when W was reelected. I guess they'll weep along with Republicans when Hillary crushes Trump. Strange bedfellows indeed.
15
To Bernie Sanders supporters..He will not have the nomination. How about doing some good with your donations? I understand that you don not want to support Hillary, but you should send them to support Democratic Party candidates for Congress and your State Legislatures. And vote, not just in Presidential years.
It takes more than the President to make changes and the President needs the support of other Democrats.
It takes more than the President to make changes and the President needs the support of other Democrats.
38
I'm a (very disappointed) Bernie Sanders supporter.
This makes sense. Spend your money to turn the Senate blue and to make inroads into the House of Representatives. More campaign donations to Bernie cannot make him the nominee now.
I would donate directly to the campaigns of those candidates that you have researched. Bypass the Democratic House and Senate fundraising organizations.
If you can help a Democratic candidate for Senator buy phone banking or knocking on doors, that is better than donating. And cheaper!
This makes sense. Spend your money to turn the Senate blue and to make inroads into the House of Representatives. More campaign donations to Bernie cannot make him the nominee now.
I would donate directly to the campaigns of those candidates that you have researched. Bypass the Democratic House and Senate fundraising organizations.
If you can help a Democratic candidate for Senator buy phone banking or knocking on doors, that is better than donating. And cheaper!
10
It's more than a little strange that you believe support for a genuine progressive can translate into support for the party that is forcing the Clinton nomination down our throats through vote-rigging, vote suppression, the front-loading of Southern primaries, the viciously anti-democratic trumpeting of the endorsements of preselected, unelected superdelegates, and by convincing state parties to effectively exclude millions of one candidate's supporters from their primaries after writing rules that make it all but impossible for an Independent to win election outside the two-party system.
Why would we send money to such a corrupt institution rather than directly to candidates we actually support?
Why would we send money to such a corrupt institution rather than directly to candidates we actually support?
11
You know what would be a real outlier? A Sanders supporter emloyed by the Time$.
22
This is a case of Liberals eating their own. It's a scary thought that someone who holds the views this writer does could be thought in any way to be conservative.
What happens when Trump wins?
What happens when Trump wins?
25
Sam: you're definitely not alone. I suspect that there are many people around you who will actually vote (and voted) for Clinton. It's simply more fashionable to support Sanders in that environment.
-(Harvard grad student...started out supporting Sanders, but the bloom is off the rose and I changed my mind.)
-(Harvard grad student...started out supporting Sanders, but the bloom is off the rose and I changed my mind.)
20
Nobody should call anybody names. Emotions are high on both sides, and I hope we can stick to the issues. But for many Bernie supporters, this is a watershed moment: Will the Party stand for the middle and lower classes, the environment, and cautious foreign policy? Or will it stand for corporations and lobbyists, and the continuing influence of Big Money in politics? The money is the crux of these questions, and I haven't heard a Clinton supporter yet who will even talk about it.
According to a Bloomberg poll last fall, 83% of Democrats want to overturn Citizens United. They believe that money affects politics. But Clinton won't promise to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would overturn Citizens United. She is the first candidate ever, to take millions of personal money from special interests before the election. She stood with the Party's overturning Obama's ban on lobbyist contributions. And, she raises millions from bankers, corporations, and lobbyists. Banking regulation, fracking and climate change, healthcare, private prisons, military suppliers--Clinton's money comes from the wrong side of all these issues. Her advisors come from these industries. Shoot, her campaign chairman is a major lobbyist for them.
Clinton's choices put her square in Big Money; and against the working classes, the environment, and cautious foreign policy. Which do Democrats want?
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-04-22/heres-who-paid-hillary-cl...
According to a Bloomberg poll last fall, 83% of Democrats want to overturn Citizens United. They believe that money affects politics. But Clinton won't promise to appoint a Supreme Court justice who would overturn Citizens United. She is the first candidate ever, to take millions of personal money from special interests before the election. She stood with the Party's overturning Obama's ban on lobbyist contributions. And, she raises millions from bankers, corporations, and lobbyists. Banking regulation, fracking and climate change, healthcare, private prisons, military suppliers--Clinton's money comes from the wrong side of all these issues. Her advisors come from these industries. Shoot, her campaign chairman is a major lobbyist for them.
Clinton's choices put her square in Big Money; and against the working classes, the environment, and cautious foreign policy. Which do Democrats want?
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-04-22/heres-who-paid-hillary-cl...
21
Pinpointed truth! Thanks for a powerful statement.
5
Agreed. I don't see Clinton as a reformer or as any kind of advocate for working people. My fear is that once safely in office, she will fill her economic posts with Rubinites; cut closed-door deals favoring plutocrat-donors; and dismiss any reforms, incremental or otherwise, that serve the public interest as being unrealistic and too expensive.
9
It's not just on college campuses, Sam. My husband and I recently moved from one apartment to another on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. Our new apartment is further uptown, inching near Columbia.
A few weeks ago, with the primary looming, a woman on Broadway was registering people to vote. Even though I went through the process online, I wasn't taking any chances, and decided we should fill out the paperwork on the street, just to cover all bases. During the course of conversation, we memtioned we were supporting Hillary. What had been a friendly exchange up until that point turned on a dime. We were demeaned, belittled, and inappropriately pigeonholed by this woman, who treated us like Public Enemy Number One. She made so many incorrect assumptions about us because we were supporting Clinton.
We had moved to Bernie Country where a vote for Hillary, it seemed, was treated with as much disdain as if we were voting for Cruz. It got so heated my husband asked if our voter registration papers would even make it to their final destination. Irritatedly, she said she would submit them.
With the freak show that is the GOP, this is not the time for Democrats to be so divided. If we don't come together in record numbers come November, and the unthinkable happens, I'm apt to join Lena Dunham and become a Vancouver, B.C. resident. Hillary, who has been fighting for the progressive cause her entire adult life, is not the enemy. And, fellow Upper West Siders, neither are we.
A few weeks ago, with the primary looming, a woman on Broadway was registering people to vote. Even though I went through the process online, I wasn't taking any chances, and decided we should fill out the paperwork on the street, just to cover all bases. During the course of conversation, we memtioned we were supporting Hillary. What had been a friendly exchange up until that point turned on a dime. We were demeaned, belittled, and inappropriately pigeonholed by this woman, who treated us like Public Enemy Number One. She made so many incorrect assumptions about us because we were supporting Clinton.
We had moved to Bernie Country where a vote for Hillary, it seemed, was treated with as much disdain as if we were voting for Cruz. It got so heated my husband asked if our voter registration papers would even make it to their final destination. Irritatedly, she said she would submit them.
With the freak show that is the GOP, this is not the time for Democrats to be so divided. If we don't come together in record numbers come November, and the unthinkable happens, I'm apt to join Lena Dunham and become a Vancouver, B.C. resident. Hillary, who has been fighting for the progressive cause her entire adult life, is not the enemy. And, fellow Upper West Siders, neither are we.
47
This is so sad!
Well, I adore HRC. Psst, but I like BS as a Senator.
Well, I adore HRC. Psst, but I like BS as a Senator.
15
I am looking forward to voting (enthusiastically) for Hillary in November. I am also looking forward to working with fellow progressives, including many of my friends who are Sanders supporters, to begin building a widespread power base at the local level. I would love, for instance, to see us achieve sane redistricting after the 2020 census. That will mean working hard to win back state legislatures and governorships all across the country. Right now I am thankful that we have a clear shot at keeping the presidency and taking back the senate.
24
Bravo, Sam!
In the way that the Emperor had to be called naked, the Bernie Sanders campaign, with its legions of sanctimonious, viciously self-righteous, acolytes, must be called a cult.
Keep the courage of your convictions, do not be bullied into submission or silence by the crowd or the cult.
In the way that the Emperor had to be called naked, the Bernie Sanders campaign, with its legions of sanctimonious, viciously self-righteous, acolytes, must be called a cult.
Keep the courage of your convictions, do not be bullied into submission or silence by the crowd or the cult.
20
College kids knew little in high school and now merely don't know much. They've read a couple of books, attended some lectures, and now are certain of what's right and wrong in the world. And those are the engaged ones. The others are following them.
4
I support Bernie Sanders, both for his decades of consistent service to the ideas of economic and political fairness, and for his plans to make things fairer.
Huffington Post has a great op-ed with links to videos and quotes from her, studies of various aspects of her policies (foreign policy, contributions, etc.).
There are numerous links to sites like the Washington Post, NY Times, Mother Jones, the Nation, Int'l Business Times, Salon, Bloomberg. These are not Faux News services.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kris-seto/questions-for-hillary-supporters...
Huffington Post has a great op-ed with links to videos and quotes from her, studies of various aspects of her policies (foreign policy, contributions, etc.).
There are numerous links to sites like the Washington Post, NY Times, Mother Jones, the Nation, Int'l Business Times, Salon, Bloomberg. These are not Faux News services.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kris-seto/questions-for-hillary-supporters...
6
Martin
It is wonderful that you support Sanders, however he will not have the nomination. Who you vote for in November is important. If you really believe in Progressive ideals, you must vote for Clinton. Any other vote or not voting will help elect Trump or whichever Republican is nominated.
It is wonderful that you support Sanders, however he will not have the nomination. Who you vote for in November is important. If you really believe in Progressive ideals, you must vote for Clinton. Any other vote or not voting will help elect Trump or whichever Republican is nominated.
8
And people wonder why Trump gains apace among the populace! In more and more sectors!
Consider two examples among many:
-The raucous applause by the approximately 20,000 at the convention of AIPAC, that bastion of rightwing reaction, when he applauded the end of the Obama regime; and later when he denounced the Obama-Hillary performance.
-And the fact that he carried every economic demographic from under $50,000 to over $200,000 in both Conn and Md primaries.
Those who to varying degrees fear and/or oppose The Donald are left with no other option.
Consider two examples among many:
-The raucous applause by the approximately 20,000 at the convention of AIPAC, that bastion of rightwing reaction, when he applauded the end of the Obama regime; and later when he denounced the Obama-Hillary performance.
-And the fact that he carried every economic demographic from under $50,000 to over $200,000 in both Conn and Md primaries.
Those who to varying degrees fear and/or oppose The Donald are left with no other option.
1
You go Sam. I am for Hillary, after thinking long and hard about who I wanted to support. And there are so many who mearly don't support her, they think Hillary is pure evil. Not Trump, Hillary. Makes you wonder who these supposetly good Leftists are really for. I have never been mainstream/moderate anything, but this time I am, if it means being far left unapproved. Go Hillary!
56
This letter has really hit home. When I say I'm backing Hillary, I can feel the distrust from certain friends and family members that are Bernie backers. I feel lumped in with the millionaires and billionaires that Bernie keeps attacking. We are far from it. We have no inherited wealth, no ivy league education, no investments, yet I feel apologetic about what we've managed to kluge together through years of going to work. In 2008 I backed Hillary, but worked hard to help get Obama elected when she didn't get the nomination. I'm not sure if the same will be true for the Sanders supporters. Many of them feel so bitter.
57
Thanks for your comments. I have, only over the past six weeks or so, become increasingly aware of just how widespread this mentality and its implications really are.
I note this because it is present not only among college students and millennials, but also among people my age---65 and over. After a lifetime of being a card-carrying member of the ACLU, marching for civil rights, being arrested during a protest against the war in Vietnam, canvassing neighborhoods for liberal candidates (not an easy task here in the Deep South), becoming involved in voter registration drives, organizing lobbying efforts for this or that as best I could, etc., I have suddenly discovered that supporting Secretary Clinton means the forfeiture of my "progressive" bona fides. Apparently my "liberal" bona fides are still secure, though worthless since they only identify me as another "establishment incrementalist."
Indeed, I wrote for a liberal/progressive website and recently resigned as a result of two consecutive columns going unpublished because they suggested, for substantive and well-researched reasons, that Secretary Clinton might be a better candidate than Senator Sanders. It probably didn't help that I also suggested the site lose the "Dedicated to the Truth" part of its masthead. Or that, in order to be a true progressive, one must apparently carry water for the grumpy old fellow from Vermont.
Sorry, but, at 65, I'm done carrying water for anyone.
I note this because it is present not only among college students and millennials, but also among people my age---65 and over. After a lifetime of being a card-carrying member of the ACLU, marching for civil rights, being arrested during a protest against the war in Vietnam, canvassing neighborhoods for liberal candidates (not an easy task here in the Deep South), becoming involved in voter registration drives, organizing lobbying efforts for this or that as best I could, etc., I have suddenly discovered that supporting Secretary Clinton means the forfeiture of my "progressive" bona fides. Apparently my "liberal" bona fides are still secure, though worthless since they only identify me as another "establishment incrementalist."
Indeed, I wrote for a liberal/progressive website and recently resigned as a result of two consecutive columns going unpublished because they suggested, for substantive and well-researched reasons, that Secretary Clinton might be a better candidate than Senator Sanders. It probably didn't help that I also suggested the site lose the "Dedicated to the Truth" part of its masthead. Or that, in order to be a true progressive, one must apparently carry water for the grumpy old fellow from Vermont.
Sorry, but, at 65, I'm done carrying water for anyone.
76
There are blockheads on both sides of the spectrum. Something to keep in mind.
16
"I’m a Hillary supporter. In their eyes, I might as well be a College Republican."
It's not 'bigotry' to support Mrs. Clinton, your political choices are yours to make, of course - but you should know that Hillary (and the rest of the Third-Way Democratic establishment) are, in actual fact, to the right of Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican president from 1952-1960.
So to me (a Sanders supporter) you might as well be a College Republican, except not - present day Republicans are insane sociopaths.
It's not 'bigotry' to support Mrs. Clinton, your political choices are yours to make, of course - but you should know that Hillary (and the rest of the Third-Way Democratic establishment) are, in actual fact, to the right of Dwight Eisenhower, a Republican president from 1952-1960.
So to me (a Sanders supporter) you might as well be a College Republican, except not - present day Republicans are insane sociopaths.
18
Sam, In addition to Henry Kissinger look up Michelle Alexander's piece in the Nation on the damage the last Clinton presidency did to African-Americans. Don't get hung up on words like "conservative" and "liberal." They're meaningless at this point. Bernie supporters are more concerned with corruption, bribery, and oligarchy. I don't care what Hillary says in her speeches. I care about who's funding her. Your generation recognizes what their professors unfortunately don't -- (I assure you. Your professors voted overwhelmingly for Hillary.) -- there is no future for you and your kids until we get money out of Washington. We cannot tackle climate change when our government is owned by Big Oil. We cannot stay out of Middle East wars when our government is owned by the military-industrial complex. We cannot pass legislation that benefits the middle- and working classes when our government is owned by Wall St. It's time to stop with the name-calling and the string of meaningless adjectives. Sam, Bernie supporters are ALWAYS called privileged and stupid. We want the same things you want for our country. We don't believe that a candidate who has been bought by Wall Street has any chance of doing what is right by our country and our planet.
27
I am completely sick of the mindless Sanders sycophants that seem to dominate my generation, but this is over-the-top. I attend a liberal arts school in New England, and the political climate on campus is extremely progressive and laden with Sanders supporters; a recent survey showed that Sanders was the student body's favorite candidate by a wide margin. But I have never felt shy or uncomfortable about my support of or my vote for Clinton, and when I talk to Sanders supporters, they have never mistook me for a fake progressive. If university students elsewhere are getting grief from Sanders supporters, I am sorry for them, but I have a hard time believing this account.
14
Sam, have you heard of something called the Iraq War? How about the crash of 2008? The Gaza strip? In my view you aren't "conservative." You are either uninformed, privileged, or both.
11
Your experience shows that political correctness can easily turn into intolerance to opposing viewpoints. You may be too intelligent for Harvard.
17
Too wise for Harvard is how I'd say it. Intelligence is the knowledge of facts, wisdom is what we do with that knowledge.
5
Bernie Sanders got the cards stacked against all Hillary supporters with his hinting around the edgers of getting the Student Loan Debt of all the Millennials drowning in it forgiven, and his promising to propose free education at State funded colleges and universities. And there's really nothing new to everything else he rants about at his rallies. Many, many of our Democrat leaders in office of every stripe have been begging for things like Finance Reform, getting our jobs back from overseas, protecting the environment, et al for years. So lets call Sanders out on the crafty scheme he came up with to run for president, how he kept an entire generation of Millennials from making up their minds objectively as to whether they could support Hillary Clinton. His success was no accident. he planned this from the get-go.
25
Interesting that the Donald mentioned - in his victory address Tuesday night - twice! That he thought Bernie Sanders was a better candidate than Hlilary Clinton and suggested (twice) that Bernie run as an independent. Now this is Trump's path to the whitehouse: split the democrats! He is a trickster, which makes me very suspicious of recent face-book posts written by alleged former Hillary supporters and current Bernie enthusiasts stating that they would never vote for her because: and a mega-list of Hillary's sins ensued. Then they implore Bernie to run as an Independent. I wouldn't put it past Trump and the Republicans to place many ADS like this and start a huge campaign to splinter the Dems by getting Bernie to run as an independent. This is his only path to victory. And why not? This election is really about the two or three supreme court justices that will be appointed during the next presidency, who will shape the morality of this country for the next 20 - 30 years.
33
Intolerance is surely rampant in colleges these days if you can't even admit to supporting Hillary Clinton.
21
Similar feelings on campus at UC Berkeley. If you're not for Bernie, you're a traitor. I've dared to have policy based conversations with of few of these "Bernie or Bust"ers and despite the clear intelligence that they possess, they are absorbed by the singular mentality that surrounds them day in and day out and cannot even see the logic of another perspective. I love Berkeley, but it's an island that's not very friendly to outsiders....also, since when is being a moderate democrat an outsider thing in California? Jeeze!
58
Sam, look up "Henry Kissinger" when you have a chance. Another search to try is: "Kissinger and (Suharto or Pinochet)".
19
Kaari Look up "Brady Bill" which Sanders voted against 5 times.
12
Kara, look up Salvador Allende, Stalin, Mao, when you get a chance. Just a few Socialists to have proceeded Mr. Bernie Sanders. Fine company?
10
I'm old enough to remember when Hilary lost the health care battle in '94. She put together a pragmatic plan, the AFL-CIO insisted on single-payer, and they lost.
I'm sure a lot of progressives went to bed congratulating themselves on having fought the good fight, and millions of people went another 25 years getting burned on pre-existing conditions, insurance limits, and the general iniquity of the health insurance industry.
I consider myself a pretty good lefty, but politics isn't (or shouldn't be) a celebration of righteousness or groupthink. Weber pointed out that the essence of politics as a vocation, in contrast to politics as essentially a form of literary self-expression, is a sense of responsibility for outcomes given the intransigence of existing circumstances. Your fellow students may simply not get this yet -- if they ever do.
Keep thinking for yourself, and thinking hard. I'm with you in supporting Hillary.
I'm sure a lot of progressives went to bed congratulating themselves on having fought the good fight, and millions of people went another 25 years getting burned on pre-existing conditions, insurance limits, and the general iniquity of the health insurance industry.
I consider myself a pretty good lefty, but politics isn't (or shouldn't be) a celebration of righteousness or groupthink. Weber pointed out that the essence of politics as a vocation, in contrast to politics as essentially a form of literary self-expression, is a sense of responsibility for outcomes given the intransigence of existing circumstances. Your fellow students may simply not get this yet -- if they ever do.
Keep thinking for yourself, and thinking hard. I'm with you in supporting Hillary.
151
what vagaries.
2
Sorry Rich but I remember Hillary's health care plan, the dilberations of which were kept secret from the American people. It was her penchant for secrecy that killed the plan because it gave the Republicans an opening to take over the narrative. Before you blame labor, take a long look at how Hillary bungled it. I'm a Bernie supporter because this country needs more than the incremental change she offers. But, if she is the nominee, I will hold my nose and vote for her using the hashtag #UnenthusiasticForHillary.
14
Bill -- sure, there were lots of things weighing it down, and the tactics weren't always brilliant. She got a lot of flack for "secrecy" (was that her fault or Magaziner's?)
This will sound absurdly entitled to non-Beltway people, but I remember all sorts of young DC Hill staff and activists ("insiders," I guess) who found it really easy to jump into task forces, working groups, and other parts of the process that from that, rather specialized perspective, seemed remarkably open to ideas and input (if not always to disclosure of what the principals were thinking.)
I think the Republicans' "ability to take over the narrative" was kind of over-determined. I wouldn't reduce it to one thing. Of course the NFIB and insurance industry mobilized (remember Harry and Louise?). Big business caved and disappointed. So, of course it was a fight. Do we expect anything else? We needed to pick a strategy and go all out for it.
I was interning at AFT at the time it went down, so sure, maybe I have a "glory days" perspective here. But I think it was key in the end that labor was adamantly pushing for more, chasing chimeras like single-payer -- I think unrealistically, and self-destructively -- and wouldn't get with the program. That critically divided the democrats as they tried to push it through, and at the time it certainly felt like the critical factor in the legislative failure. And that's why this sort of intransigence, posing as idealism, still drives me crazy.
This will sound absurdly entitled to non-Beltway people, but I remember all sorts of young DC Hill staff and activists ("insiders," I guess) who found it really easy to jump into task forces, working groups, and other parts of the process that from that, rather specialized perspective, seemed remarkably open to ideas and input (if not always to disclosure of what the principals were thinking.)
I think the Republicans' "ability to take over the narrative" was kind of over-determined. I wouldn't reduce it to one thing. Of course the NFIB and insurance industry mobilized (remember Harry and Louise?). Big business caved and disappointed. So, of course it was a fight. Do we expect anything else? We needed to pick a strategy and go all out for it.
I was interning at AFT at the time it went down, so sure, maybe I have a "glory days" perspective here. But I think it was key in the end that labor was adamantly pushing for more, chasing chimeras like single-payer -- I think unrealistically, and self-destructively -- and wouldn't get with the program. That critically divided the democrats as they tried to push it through, and at the time it certainly felt like the critical factor in the legislative failure. And that's why this sort of intransigence, posing as idealism, still drives me crazy.
9
I feel your discomfort Sam. I have felt like I have to keep my support for Hillary a secret, especially on social media. The one time I mentioned it I got jumped on by three people within five minutes. I can't imagine what it's like for a college student.
I realized only recently that my kids had health insurance and were immunized and had a few surgeries and repaired broken bones thanks to Mrs. Clinton's work on the CHIP program under her husbands tenure. She's practical, she's a doer, and I particularly appreciate how she really doesn't seem too concerned with being popular or adored. That hurts her as a candidate but it's a wonderful quality to possess as a leader of a country.
Thanks for speakin' up!
I realized only recently that my kids had health insurance and were immunized and had a few surgeries and repaired broken bones thanks to Mrs. Clinton's work on the CHIP program under her husbands tenure. She's practical, she's a doer, and I particularly appreciate how she really doesn't seem too concerned with being popular or adored. That hurts her as a candidate but it's a wonderful quality to possess as a leader of a country.
Thanks for speakin' up!
152
"When defending Mrs. Clinton becomes as unacceptable as bigotry, when her supporters are called privileged, oppressive and stupid, we lose the central feature of our democracy - pluralism."
There is no doubt in my mind that this primary has been extremely divisive and has brought out the worst in all of us. But the thing is the attacks have been brought about on both sides. Some brief introspection by Hillary supporters will reveal how they too have managed to call Bernie supporters as "privileged, oppressive and stupid" too. Just because the media has been pushing the inaccurate narrative of the 'Bernie Bro' doesn't mean it's true. In fact, one of Hillary's superPAC has spent 1 million dollars to pay people to attack Bernie supporters online. A few days ago, groups of Bernie Sanders supporters were shut down, supposedly because Hillary supporters infiltrated the groups and posted child pornography, and then proceeded to report the groups themselves. To me, that is simply unacceptable.
There is no doubt in my mind that this primary has been extremely divisive and has brought out the worst in all of us. But the thing is the attacks have been brought about on both sides. Some brief introspection by Hillary supporters will reveal how they too have managed to call Bernie supporters as "privileged, oppressive and stupid" too. Just because the media has been pushing the inaccurate narrative of the 'Bernie Bro' doesn't mean it's true. In fact, one of Hillary's superPAC has spent 1 million dollars to pay people to attack Bernie supporters online. A few days ago, groups of Bernie Sanders supporters were shut down, supposedly because Hillary supporters infiltrated the groups and posted child pornography, and then proceeded to report the groups themselves. To me, that is simply unacceptable.
22
The child pornography thing is a complete and total lie fabricated by Bernie supporters.
The reason this one particular Facebook group was shut down was because people were advocating violence against Hillary Clinton and at the Democratic Convention.
This violence included such acts as riots, attacking the delegates, destruction of property and even threats of assassination against Hillary.
And I've encountered these types of people online, people that use language very unsuitable for the Times, to describe Hillary.
Perhaps if Bernie supporters had more time building up their candidate instead of tearing down mine with sexist remarks, Bernie would have had more support.
The reason this one particular Facebook group was shut down was because people were advocating violence against Hillary Clinton and at the Democratic Convention.
This violence included such acts as riots, attacking the delegates, destruction of property and even threats of assassination against Hillary.
And I've encountered these types of people online, people that use language very unsuitable for the Times, to describe Hillary.
Perhaps if Bernie supporters had more time building up their candidate instead of tearing down mine with sexist remarks, Bernie would have had more support.
20
...we all have our woes. At work I am surrounded by moderate Republicans that now sound like Trump.
17
That liberals care above all about who our nation belongs to and whether it is truly a government of, by, and for the people. Unfortunately, the extreme righteousness that is a prime characteristic of radical thinking does not allow them to accept that what makes them special is not unique insights and principles but rather their demand for relatively extreme solutions and of course extreme intolerance of anyone who does not agree with them. They must be the only ones with the answer, and that means they usually refuse to work with others to seek solutions. That is the reason they are constantly sidelined in America. They sideline themselves while others, with or without coalition, have to try to fix things without their help. For them it's my way or no way, which usually ends up meaning no way.
The Bernie supporters threats to the superdelegates show them to be nothing more than a tea party of the left. They will happily reap destruction if they don't get their own way.
The Bernie supporters threats to the superdelegates show them to be nothing more than a tea party of the left. They will happily reap destruction if they don't get their own way.
61
No. The pressure we exert on the superdelegates is called "politics." Citizens putting pressure on the political system. If you can't take the heat, you shouldn't be in the kitchen. We Bernie supporters are dead serious about this. Most of us understand that not only is Bernie the better candidate, but that Clinton, if nominated, will lose to Drumpf. She depresses voter turnout. Wake up, America.
6
Interesting.
At the beginning of the campaign, the super delegates were just evil, a subversion of democracy, especially if they didn't support the person with the most popular votes and pledged delegates. They were going to subvert the will of the people.
Well, guess what? They are supporting the person with the most votes and the most pledged delegates. That person is Hillary Clinton.
Now, the Bernie supporters, like ellewilson above, are throwing a fit and pressuring super delegates to dump Hillary and to support Bernie, against the will of the voters. The irony and hypocrisy are so thick, one could cut it with a knife.
As for Hillary depressing voter turnout, I do not get that statement at all. She has more votes than any other candidate this primary season. Not just more votes than Bernie but more votes than Trump.
Bernie has lost this nominating contest and and being 'dead serious' about Bernie being the 'better candidate' is really unimportant at this point as around 3 million other people, the difference in votes between the two, are more 'dead serious' about Hillary being the better candidate.
American is rather quite awake. That is why they are nominating Hillary to be the next president of the United States.
At the beginning of the campaign, the super delegates were just evil, a subversion of democracy, especially if they didn't support the person with the most popular votes and pledged delegates. They were going to subvert the will of the people.
Well, guess what? They are supporting the person with the most votes and the most pledged delegates. That person is Hillary Clinton.
Now, the Bernie supporters, like ellewilson above, are throwing a fit and pressuring super delegates to dump Hillary and to support Bernie, against the will of the voters. The irony and hypocrisy are so thick, one could cut it with a knife.
As for Hillary depressing voter turnout, I do not get that statement at all. She has more votes than any other candidate this primary season. Not just more votes than Bernie but more votes than Trump.
Bernie has lost this nominating contest and and being 'dead serious' about Bernie being the 'better candidate' is really unimportant at this point as around 3 million other people, the difference in votes between the two, are more 'dead serious' about Hillary being the better candidate.
American is rather quite awake. That is why they are nominating Hillary to be the next president of the United States.
14
ellewilson
Wake up and smell the coffee. Trump is hoping that Bernie runs. That is his key to victory. As for the "Super Delegates" , if they are so bad, why is Bernie courting them?
Wake up and smell the coffee. Trump is hoping that Bernie runs. That is his key to victory. As for the "Super Delegates" , if they are so bad, why is Bernie courting them?
9
It's very amusing to see a lefty complaining about being ostracised and criticised for not being far enough to the left. Whenever we conservatives dare to criticise the 'Dear Leader' or his policies, we are labeled as homophobes, nativists, or bigots.
Even if your beliefs are strongly held and backed by perfect logic, you freedom of speech only applies if you agree with those who know better than you. Doesn't feel very nice, does it? Remember this next time you dismiss out of hand the position of others, especially those speaking from experience.
Even if your beliefs are strongly held and backed by perfect logic, you freedom of speech only applies if you agree with those who know better than you. Doesn't feel very nice, does it? Remember this next time you dismiss out of hand the position of others, especially those speaking from experience.
6
Sam Koppelman managed to state his case without once descending to name calling or insult. The same cannot be said of you.
41
Um, let's see, shall we? . . . the GOP is struggling to decide which of the two most un-liked politicians in decades will lead them, in a death spiral of a campaign, while you attempt to feel schadenfreude for this young man at Harvard.
Meanwhile, quite a few of their supporters seem to me to be, yes, "homophobes, nativists, or bigots."
Now THAT didn't feel very 'nice", either, did it?
Meanwhile, quite a few of their supporters seem to me to be, yes, "homophobes, nativists, or bigots."
Now THAT didn't feel very 'nice", either, did it?
16
Kaleberg and SSS, you have just illustrated John's point.
John, nothing Trump does surpasses the arrogance of the righteous liberal.
(And I just did it too!)
John, nothing Trump does surpasses the arrogance of the righteous liberal.
(And I just did it too!)
4
Someone the other night said to me they never bought books, but they bought one the other day. I said what book? He said: "Krauthammer's."
My reaction to that was no different than if hearing, "I’m a Hillary supporter."
Says so much, of both.
My reaction to that was no different than if hearing, "I’m a Hillary supporter."
Says so much, of both.
2
What it "says" is that you cannot tell the difference between Hillary Clinton and Charles Krauthammer. You should get that checked out.
27
First: you didn't read carefully what I wrote.
Second -- even w your misreading, how convenient of you not to mention what those differences are. Can't think of any? You've had ten hours.
Second -- even w your misreading, how convenient of you not to mention what those differences are. Can't think of any? You've had ten hours.
2
Heartily tired of Bernie Sanders and his essentially puerile, self-righteous supporters. Sounds like the same old nonsense we heard in the 1960s: anti business, anti banks, anti Wall Street, i.e., what moves our economy.
And now a new note in liberal nonsense: an ad or interview in which Sanders pontificates about American healthcare, as bad here as it is for "Palestinians on the West Bank of Palestine."
Come again? The Palestinians who live in the "Israeli-occupied West Bank" (as we began calling it after the long Jordanian occupation) have better health care than other Arabs. Palestinians in Gaza use their international aid to make bombs, bunkers, and tunnels, not the homes and businesses (and hospitals and clinics) for which such aid is earmarked.
As they have for some time now, liberals are hiding their anti-Semitism beneath criticism of Israel. And please, as to Sanders's Jewishness: He left the complicated world of Brooklyn after college for the green valleys and hills of rural Vermont. It's as if he has no room for upset or compromise -- the basis of our democracy -- or subtlety.
So he goes on yelling, appealing to children with their either/or worldview.
And college students who see through him, and through other puerile, self-indulgent movements, are ostracized.
And now a new note in liberal nonsense: an ad or interview in which Sanders pontificates about American healthcare, as bad here as it is for "Palestinians on the West Bank of Palestine."
Come again? The Palestinians who live in the "Israeli-occupied West Bank" (as we began calling it after the long Jordanian occupation) have better health care than other Arabs. Palestinians in Gaza use their international aid to make bombs, bunkers, and tunnels, not the homes and businesses (and hospitals and clinics) for which such aid is earmarked.
As they have for some time now, liberals are hiding their anti-Semitism beneath criticism of Israel. And please, as to Sanders's Jewishness: He left the complicated world of Brooklyn after college for the green valleys and hills of rural Vermont. It's as if he has no room for upset or compromise -- the basis of our democracy -- or subtlety.
So he goes on yelling, appealing to children with their either/or worldview.
And college students who see through him, and through other puerile, self-indulgent movements, are ostracized.
45
unfortunately, as you can see from some of these comments, adults outside of college are no different than your Harvard cohorts. it just must be the nature of Sanders supporters.
I'm just happy you're voting for a democrat, even though it is likely to be HRC!
I'm just happy you're voting for a democrat, even though it is likely to be HRC!
26
And I'll bet you've got ten times the actual experience these armchair progressives do. Stick to your principles, Sam.
51
Awwwwww.
1
Ivies fear Hillary because she can give them a good fight.... As for Shaun.... he's just shilling for the Right.... a 'Shaun in Purity garb..."
Hey, just another reason to Love Hill !!
Hey, just another reason to Love Hill !!
20
I for one am very tired of the self-righteousness of Sanders and his supporters. He's not the only or necessarily even the most honest of all the candidates, will his charges that Hillary's votes were bought that are acknowledged to have no evidence whatsoever. He has voted for many of the things he now blames her for supporting, not to mention his strong support of guns. He was not even a Democrat and I think he still hasn't actually registered in the party. The Clintons have done more to help other Democrats and have accomplished more for the same liberal causes than Sanders the lone wolf. People have a right to support whomever they want, but let's knock off the pretense that Sanders is the Messiah, that anyone who even considers voting for Hillary is a crook or a fool, and that it's better to be pure than to vote for his rival Democrat. He is dividing the party and that may be enough to give us President Trump or Cruz.
115
Keep toeing the line. Establishment good, everything else bad.
11
Anne,
Many of us share your sentiments about the reckless and egotistical actions of Sanders. He has persuaded millions of young voters to believe that compromise is anathema to politics when in fact it is the grease. Sanders has created the left-wing equivalent of the Tea Party (the Latte Party)?
Many of us share your sentiments about the reckless and egotistical actions of Sanders. He has persuaded millions of young voters to believe that compromise is anathema to politics when in fact it is the grease. Sanders has created the left-wing equivalent of the Tea Party (the Latte Party)?
10
People can vote for whomever they want. The problem is that voting for Hillary Clinton is difficult for Americans who support her because they cannot even sustain the pretense that she is more than a well-connected mediocrity who might at best tinker at the edges of the economic status quo, will divert people with social issues, and possibly drag the country into war. Frankly, there’s nothing wrong with such a vote, and it’s better for younger people to be down-to-earth about it going in than to be disillusioned later. But there’s nothing wrong with a vote for Sanders in the hope of something more and better: he might turn out just as mediocre as President—or he might not.
26
I didn't find it difficult to vote for Hillary in the primaries and I won't have any trouble voting for her in the general. She is FAR better qualified than Sanders, is loved and respected by women around the world. Calling her a well-connected mediocrity is really wrong-headed.
68
Qualified for what? If you are satisfied with the status quo, sure she's qualified. She is a competent management technocrat, and she will do a good job of blunting some of the pain of the fall as we descent further down the black hole of plutocracy. And she can do an excellent job of helping us beg for scraps from the masters' table, since she is more or less one of them. How nice. But if you want to change this hideous status quo and want to demand a seat at the table, rather than just beg for scraps, she is not qualified in the slightest. She is too deeply invested in the system to challenge it.
8
A mediocrity? In that case, what should we call Mr. Sanders snug in his New England cocoon, who can't see the difference between Vermonters needing rifles to shoot deer for supper and inner-city thugs who shoot human beings for pleasure?
A man without the capacity to see shades of gray; the essence of his appeal to a certain sort of college student.
He has accomplished very little.
A man without the capacity to see shades of gray; the essence of his appeal to a certain sort of college student.
He has accomplished very little.
22
Poor baby! Of course you have a right to your own political opinion, but let's not forget that others do too, even if they outnumber you on your campus. You state “... the students who make up the liberal base on college campuses perpetuate the very oligarchical traditions they lament”. Really? If by “liberal base” you mean Sanders supporters, that's an interesting conclusion. Seems to me, Sanders and his supporters are quite focused on prying this country's institutions out of the choke hold of the oligarchy. I take it you're not a political science or even a sociology major, much less a keen observer of current events.
26
quite condescending you are g siegner, "poor baby" you must be part of the "liberal base" who chastises anyone who speaks against sanders. i'm with hillary and have been oh so harassed by the cry-bernies who are sooo self righteous. i take it you're just not open to other views. you close your comment like you are THE authority, all knowing... oh so exactly what the comment you were responding to was saying :O
35
In vilifying Hillary Sanders's supporters, especially the true believers, are risking giving the election to the Republicans and everything that goes with that, so yes, there is plenty wrong with how they approach the election. The time to work for change is in between elections--but the Sanders crowd has no interest in that.
30
With Aple, interesting strategy to convince Sanders supporters to vote for Hillary. Without Sanders' supporters, Hillary's campaign is deader than Elvis. Insulting us helps your cause how?
And now, this (to quote John Oliver): http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/magazine/how-hillary-clinton-became-a-...
And now, this (to quote John Oliver): http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/magazine/how-hillary-clinton-became-a-...
6
Good letter. There is no liberalism--and certain no diversity--for today's identity politics liberals. Nothing really rivals the dogmatism of the contemporary liberal mind.
18
I'm so tired of hearing about how everyone is picking on Hillary and her supporters, spreading nasty lies, etc. Regardless of whom you support, there will be pushback from the opposition - that goes for both parties. Unfortunately politics has gotten increasingly uncivilized, but it's certainly not limited to 'poor Hillary.'
14
Except the author didn't say anything about "picking on" or "nasty lies". All he said was that he's considered conservative.
Strawman argument, anyone?
Strawman argument, anyone?
41
Sorry, but Mr. Koppelman is describing a very real phenomenon on campus. You are just revealing a lack of scrutiny on your own part.
22
He's considered conservative? Might it be because his candidate of choice likes to present herself as the baddest warhawk left among the candidates? http://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/24/magazine/how-hillary-clinton-became-a-...
10
The last time I bought into the idea that there is no difference between Democrats and Republicans was in 1980, and the country was treated to Ronald Reagan--who in retrospect seems like a progressive compared to today's offerings. I vowed then that I would never again let perfect be the enemy of better, or pretend that letting true right-wingers have their way will somehow spark a national movement. There are many things I like about Hillary, and there are other views I wish she would change. I truly hope that she is able to convince her husband that times have changed, and that some things were simply wrong and must be undone. But know this: I will be doing everything I can to insure that no Republican--Ryan, Cruz, or Trump or anyone else takes the Oval Office. Any of them will spark a world catastrophe and a national tragedy.
111
@Ftraylor: "I would never again let perfect be the enemy of better, or pretend that letting true right-wingers have their way will somehow spark a national movement."
Well said, Ftraylor. For me the election that drove that home was 2000, with the Naderites waving signs that said "Gore makes me want to Ralph!" As a result we got GW Bush, Cheney and his cronies at Enron, the Iraq war, a ballooning deficit to pay for said war, etc.
I am sick of moral absolutists foaming at the mouth about anyone they don't think passes their purity test. When I hear people gas about how Obama has been a sell-out, I want to tell them to grow up and get a clue. Thinking that Bernie Sanders is going to wave a magic wand and get Congress to enact free college, single-payer healthcare, etc. with no obstructionism? Get real! Do you not know how our government works?
When it's time to vote in the national election, study the two remaining candidates and pick the one whose positions are closest to your own. Don't stay home and pout because he or she isn't exactly who you hoped for.
Well said, Ftraylor. For me the election that drove that home was 2000, with the Naderites waving signs that said "Gore makes me want to Ralph!" As a result we got GW Bush, Cheney and his cronies at Enron, the Iraq war, a ballooning deficit to pay for said war, etc.
I am sick of moral absolutists foaming at the mouth about anyone they don't think passes their purity test. When I hear people gas about how Obama has been a sell-out, I want to tell them to grow up and get a clue. Thinking that Bernie Sanders is going to wave a magic wand and get Congress to enact free college, single-payer healthcare, etc. with no obstructionism? Get real! Do you not know how our government works?
When it's time to vote in the national election, study the two remaining candidates and pick the one whose positions are closest to your own. Don't stay home and pout because he or she isn't exactly who you hoped for.
9
She doesn't have to convince Bill Clinton of anything. She'll be president, not him. It kind of drives me crazy when people lump Hillary together with Bill. She is her own person with her own ideas, has always been. I remember the Bill Clinton years and I remember her disagreeing with him on issues, including welfare reform. If you're gonna reject Hillary, do it because you don't like her ideas and proposals, not because you didn't like Bill.
6
As an FYI, Hillary Clinton won the Democratic Primary here in the good ol' People's Republic of Cambridge.
https://www.cambridgema.gov/election/newsandpublications/news/2016/03/~/...
https://www.cambridgema.gov/election/newsandpublications/news/2016/03/~/...
51
Go, Sam. As a fellow alum, you make me proud of your thoughtfulness and knowledge of history, as well as the workings of a political system such as ours, which only succeeds based on practical solutions, meeting others halfway or more than halfway--yes, a system of COMPROMISES. Which politician in the thick of things has not made mistakes, such as support for the Iraq War? Also, Hillary began communitarian activities long before her husband was president (Children's Defense Fund). Her manner can irritate, and certainly she's not perfect. Neither is our system. But, at 74, I believe I soundly foresee the disastrous scenarios the other candidates (of both parties) offer. I too will vote for Hillary.
99
Dear Sam Koppelman, you ARE conservative. At the age of 72, I will not support a candidate who never met a war she didn't like. And my Social Security check is not an "entitlement." It is a form of insurance that I paid into all my working life--an earned pension. You are perhaps too young to know the difference. BTW, I registered voters for Obama in 2008. I have been sorely disappointed in him. We got the ACA (a giveaway to the insurance and pharmaceutical companies) instead of single payer or a public option. We got even more massive spying on U.S. citizens and prosecution of whistle blowers. He bailed out the banks and put Wall Street honchos in charge of the economy. He pressures for more "free-trade" agreements that will ship more U.S. jobs overseas. You may a Democrat in the vein of Obama, but I'm looking for someone in the vein of FDR.
65
Martha Shelley...I agree with everything you have said....have you noticed there seems to be a moratorium of criticizing Obama? .......why is that?..are people afraid of being called racist if they criticize Obama? I voted for Obama. I believe he let everyone get away with everything. When I saw him take the private donations for the campaign, I was afraid this would happen. I'm very discouraged about American politics!
6
An informed and cogent rebuttal of propaganda that's nothing more than a Hill of of beans. Thank you,Ms. Shelley.
6
Well said, Martha!
9
Thanks for your courage.
65
LOL, yeah it takes real "courage" being a Harvard undergrad (op-ed editor of the Crimson, no less) supporting an establishment candidate. Methinks a W.H. internship is in this courageous soul's future!
20
Remains strong...as you have proven to be the Progressive and inclusive Liberal. Sadly, so many lies have been spread about Hillary..and this generation has grown up with internet sites as their main source of information..and limiting more and more to only echo sites to their own preconceptions.
Strong, Experience, Progressive Hillary2016
Strong, Experience, Progressive Hillary2016
109
It wasn't quite this bad in 1968, when I was a Hubert Humphrey supporter. Humphrey, who had led the 1948 Democratic Party civil rights movement, who helped originate the Peace Corps concept (several years before JFK), who was on the Minnesota Democrat-Farmer-Labor (socialist!) end of the political spectrum.
But the "Clean Gene" McCarthy partisans weren't always nice. McCarthy dropped out of politics and had zero revolutionary impact, and we wound up with Nixon, Vietnam 2.0, and the Southern strategy. Good luck to us all for a better outcome this time. . . .
But the "Clean Gene" McCarthy partisans weren't always nice. McCarthy dropped out of politics and had zero revolutionary impact, and we wound up with Nixon, Vietnam 2.0, and the Southern strategy. Good luck to us all for a better outcome this time. . . .
84
You seem to be saying that HHH didn't support the Vietnam War.
1
Mr. Kavanagh, on Vietnam: our mission creep got started after HHH was elected Veep in November 1964. Only over time did it became clear to us all, even Daniel Ellsberg, Gene McCarthy, and Bobby Kennedy, that we were in the Big Muddy. In the meantime, major domestic initiatives were being enacted. Yes, as V-P, Humphrey defended administration policy in Vietnam. But behind closed doors, he and his foreign-policy buddy George Ball urged getting out. The choice in November 1968 was between Humphrey (who pointedly noted that the eagle on the V-P's seal held few arrows), Nixon, and George Wallace. We got 5 more years of U.S. troops in Vietnam.
6
Perhaps you're not aware that by the end of Nixon's presidency, all but a few hundred US troops had been withdrawn from Vietnam.
Hillary is change. Bernie is hot air--not unlike Trump, in a way.