While Warren's supporters may align more closely with Sanders than Biden ideologically, her supporters also know Bernie will probably be a disaster with key down-ballot elections. Consequently Bernie would be an ineffective blowhard as president if he loses the House and the Senate. So practicality will trump ideology and Warren's supporters will break heavily to Biden.
324
@Dan Stoll
Warren supporters also reflect the woman herself: they're generally pretty sensible and hard-nosed.
And by that measure they'll also be looking at the fate of other right-wing Democrats who won the Democrat nomination. Clinton and Kerry and Gore all lost. Same fate awaits Biden.
Definition of madness and all that.
20
Heres the problem I have with this argument:
While the young progressive turnout for bernie has been disappointing, I don’t understand why everyone is so confident that biden is best for the down ballot.
I think its safe to assume that joe will be able to turn out moderates and never trumpers better than bernie, but wouldn’t moderates and never trumpers also be more apt to split thier ballot?
13
@FromBrooklynWithLove
1 Gore and Clinton won the popular vote. Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and Obama (ultimately) ran as moderates.
2 Biden's platform would make him the most progressive candidate ever. With Warren's influence, he'd probably embrace a 2% wealth tax and other policy choices.
3 Your certainty about what fate awaits Biden is where you really lose me and I don't think I'm alone here. Bernie supporters more than any other demo seem to be so very sure of what the future entails. It's preposterous and it's insulting and it's not winning you any converts. As a former Warren supporter, you lost me a long time ago with that rigidity and arrogance. It's the Sander's campaign m.o. and it's deserved. That's what I call a flawed campaign and candidate.
50
Whatever the wise ones are thinking about whom she will or will not endorse, if it's not Bernie I predict she may need a new security detail. I want to like Bernie, I really do, but the company he keeps ...
5
The answer is that Warren's supporters do not really care about the 99% neither the media. But the truth is if Bernie Sanders is the 46 president there will be HUGE CUT in spending and great transitions to services citizens pay dearly in taxes to get years for now. People will be hopeful and stop turn to crime. The world would be pleasantly functioning. People will stop bragging about how much money they made from being a wise guy and brag about their philanthropies . Then we can hear Louis Armstrong sing again "What a wonderful world". ONLY BERNIE SANDERS will do that.
3
Dear Michal,
Sorry but that's a fantasy. Bernie has made no clear explanation of how he could accomplish any of that. Since he isn't a Democrat, and can't help centrist dems get elected, he would lose Congress completely and be unable to do anything. If he got elected, there would be a lot of angry shouting and divisiveness, but no progress. Definitely no free college or universal health care, which he has never explained how either would be funded.
7
I'm astounded that there are this many people who push integrity aside and vote based on someone being mean to them on Twitter. It's actually painful to watch people making important life decisions based on such nonsense. I fear for this country that people are so weak that they can't tolerate a little online trolling and use important votes for the future of this country as an act of revenge.
Blaming Bernie Sanders for this is completely ridiculous, but actually changing your vote because of it is childish beyond belief, not to mention irresponsible.
This country needs to grow up and get it together.
2
I supported Warren to the bloody end. I still do. But if Warren is not to be president IN THIS CYCLE then I will support whoever takes her policies most seriously and can plausibly execute on them. For me Warren was the only candidate capable of squarely facing REALITY, something her country desperately needs to do. It was pretty clear after Iowa and New Hampshire that Warren was playing for VP in this cycle but she did not accumulate enough delegates to attain leverage to force this outcome in a contested convention. This and only this is the reason she left the race. While eradicating the Trump illness from the body politic must be every thinking patriot's highest priority, I would consider a BIDEN-WARREN ticket unstoppable. Certainly this is now a low probability, but it would position Warren for 2024 since Biden will not run and give her time to accrue the public trust which is the single thing she needs.
As a card carrying member of the traditional liberal wing of the democratic party, for me, BIDEN-WARREN would get my vote and every stinking dime I could spare.
7
I live in Florida. Real Florida, within ten miles of both Disney property and the headwaters of the Everglades. People can make jokes, but we are the third most populous state and we are multicultural, multigenerational, and we have the ability to decide elections. Why the sudden swagger on behalf of Florida? Because we had virtually no say in choosing the Democratic candidate. The primary system is severely flawed.
1
The more I read about Bernie the more he is like Trump. They both go for the uneducated working class base. Neither can get the Black vote. They both want to help Putin by pulling troops out from overseas. The both oppose trade agreements to appeal to their base. There families have both run educational enterprises that were forced out of business. They only differ in their attitude towards billionaires, although Bernie owns more houses than Trump.
4
Just a thought: Joe Biden must choose Elizabeth as his VP - she would balance the ticket (particularly by insisting that the Democratic platform include elements of her progressive plans), and the name Warren on the ballot would get me (white, college educated, suburban, female Warren supporter) TURNED OUT AND EXCITED to vote for yet another old white guy. The black women and disaffected Republicans of Super Tuesday chose Biden, Biden needs to choose Warren.
3
So many commentators, Warren supporters, are saying "I don't like Biden on..." the environment... abortion... income inequality... and yet they are resigned to voting for him. People, it doesn't have to be Biden! Sanders is so much more in line with Warren's policy positions! What is so awful about Sanders? You don't like that he yells? Have you seen Biden in the last several debates/town halls/speeches? He makes Sanders look downright sedate. Sanders shouts out of conviction; Biden screams in anger. Electability? This article notes that polling shows no difference between either candidate in head-to-head competition with Trump. A caretaker? Really? Biden can't even complete a sentence; you expect him to complete four years? Please vote for the candidate who would make the best president, who is most in line with Warren's -- and your -- values.
1
According to the NYT
Delegates Won So Far
Biden 568
Sanders' 495
Warren 41
By any measure this is what is known as getting blown out!
Maybe the NYT should just tell it like it is. There are not enough Warren supporters out there to make any difference anyway. You don't have to be a Harvard professor to know her endorsement wont tip the scales.
If Biden wants to win he needs to take Hilary.
2
I voted for Warren. If elections are not held in my state, it would have been a difficult choice for me to choose between Sanders and Biden. I voted for Warren because she can accomplish a great deal to change the direction the country is heading. Now, it is a choice between some one who cannot accomplish anything versus incremental changes. I probably would go for Biden irrespective whom Warren endorses.
1
I'm willing to hear anyone out about Joe Biden being a good president and why Warren should support him. What is your case?
I'm asking because, although he's better than Trump, I think he's an embarrassment and I think I'll feel even more strongly about that if he's elected president. I wish someone could convince me otherwise. I see a lot of red flags, starting with an inability to speak coherently and a platform that is just as incoherent as he is.
1
I cannot believe the number of people who said in these comments and in other article comments that they “love” Warren, but they didn’t vote for her.
Shame on you for letting her and the rest of us down! She told you to vote with your heart, and you listened to pundits and misogynists instead.
They also said that women could never be doctors or lawyers or business leaders or university presidents or scientists or astronauts...
Don’t you get it yet? Someone has to be first, and that someone is going to need all of us to take a chance on her.
Next time, be brave and support a more than qualified woman, who, like Warren, might be the smartest person in the room.
Personally I think a woman, especially Warren, had the best chance of beating Trump, and I think that was what he feared the most.
6
Sad to see Warren go. I didn’t believe sexism was the main reason Hillary Clinton lost. But after this race, it seems pretty clear. Because of the branding of Sanders as sexist (in part due to some of his supporters), I believe the majority of women who went for Warren will go to Biden. Although he has his own issues there, the sexist narrative hasn’t been pushed as hard against him.
We could have had an inspiring and transformational candidate, which is always how Democrats have won in the past. We won’t be getting that this year. Sadly I think that means we will end up with four more years of Trump.
One thing we did learn this cycle: Money, political organization, and “ground game” do not seem to matter much in American politics anymore. How well you control the media narrative, or how inclined they are to push a positive narrative for you, are really the only determining factors. Trump’s, and now Biden’s primary victories have proven that there has been a paradigm shift here. I’m not sure how individual Americans are supposed to influence our choices in the general election anymore.
6
I think your point about controlling the media narrative is valid, but only if you include controlling the social media narrative. I think those factors are all important in the Information Age, which seems natural.
1
I think Biden and Sanders are both quite electable, and recent polling (e.g., realclearpolitics, most recent general election matchup polling results March 2, IBD/TIPP) shows:
General Election: Trump vs. Biden Biden 49, Trump 46 Biden +3
General Election: Trump vs. Sanders Sanders 49, Trump 47 Sanders +2
So in both polls, Biden and Sanders equal overall support at 49%, and both beating Trump.
I believe the composition of each 49% result would be different, though: Biden taking Trump supporters from the more centrist Republicans that supported Trump in 2016, and Sanders from the angrier "forgotten people" that voted for Trump in 2016, falsely believing (or at least desperately hoping) he represented real change from the political status quo.
My take is that these people, basically the losers of NAFTA, etc., rural white working class and so on, are less worried about ideological labels and more concerned with the pragmatics of what any candidate is actually proposing. Sanders speaks directly to the concerns of many of these people.
So fear not! Biden or Sanders, they both have a very good shot at dislodging Trump, even if with different coalitions, and that should be consolation enough for Democrats who won't get to see their first choice of candidate get the nomination.
Just vote Blue, no matter who. Make it your mantra!
4
I will vote for Bernie. He is an intellectual giant compared to Joe. Don't get me wrong, Joe is a good guy, but have you heard him speak lately? I feel very uncomfortable listening to him. He cannot form coherent thoughts. Not sure if it's intentionally or because of senility. I expect much more of a Presidential candidate that will shepherd more than 327 million people. He also lies all the time. The next one on one debate with Bernie will substantiate this point. And, I'm sorry to say it but the republicans will tear him to pieces.
4
As far as I am concerned: A vote for Sanders is a vote for Trump -- you only need to look at what happened in U.K. recently when socialist Jeremy Corbyn of their Labor Party lost to Boris Johnson in a landslide. Our country is sick. Let's get rid of the sickness first. Now is not a time for social revolution.
5
My 18-year old daughter--a first-time voter--and I both supported Warren and were deeply saddened by her exit. Today we ripped off the Bandaid of our hurt feelings and voted early. She went for Sanders and I for Biden. For my daughter, a progressive policy agenda is paramount. I moved to the center because I desperately want a chance for Democrats to take the Senate. I'm proud of my daughter for her principled choice, and at the same time entirely comfortable with my pragmatic one.
6
@AC: Proof that the voting age should be raised back up to 21.
1
I think the reason that a number of Warren folks might not back Bernie is due to some of his supporters’ tone. The vitriol online spewing from some Bernie supporters toward other Democrats who are not quite liberal enough for them is incredibly off-putting.
5
My wife and I are 85 year old white, educated liberal Democrats. Liz Warren was our candidate for several reasons, she is super smart, she cares about people, she has decency and compassion and last, because she is a woman who would make a great president and it is time for a women president.
When she suspended her campaign my heart sank and I said to my wife that I do not think that Bernie could defeat Trump who will cheat and need a landslide to be removed from office and a 2nd term means a fascist, kleptocracy. And yes Bernie scares too many Americans.
If Liz indorces Bernie it would be meaningless because there is little that she could transfer to Bernie that would change votes; but if she indorced Joe and told the people why, she could bring most of her supporters with her and make it all the more important that Democrats hold the House, flip the Senate and have the ear and gratitude of the president. Then we can begin the work of repairing the damage and then moving forward. The reason will not be to hurt Bernie but to torpedo that dictator in the WH and sending his henchmen packing.
4
Maybe because his supporters labeled her a snake?
Maybe because his surrogates appeared on podcasts whose hosts denigrated her over, and over, and over again?
I wouldn’t surprise me if Warren supporters don’t really feel welcome in that camp.
6
Perhaps Warren supporters, like me and many others, remember quite clearly Sanders essentially calling Warren a liar during the debate. And I believe her when she said he told her that a woman was unelectable because he so clearly believes it. The current combination of backpedaling and mansplaining by Sanders will not get me to support him for that reason alone, plus many others.
7
Warren supporter from the start. For what it's worth, every other Warren fan I know is switching to Biden.
6
@Stan Sallies
That says a lot about their lack of commitment. It was never really about progressive policy and going after the forces of corruption, was it? You're giving all of that up with Joe Biden.
1
"“For most suburban or upper-middle-class white women, Joe Biden is a pretty comfortable place to land,” Mr. Maslin said."
Anyone who thinks women are comfortable with this situation of two white septuagenarians going up to face a THIRD white septuagenarian needs to have their head examined.
Biden, at least, hasn't stated openly that he thinks being a woman is a problem if you want to become president in this country (see articles dated January 19, 2020).
Sanders--Warren was polite to him during this campaign (too polite, is my personal opinion), and Sanders's payback was to tell her that... a woman could not be elected president in the United States.
There are many, many issues here. "Comfortable" they ain't.
2
@Kathy Gardner
I believe she thinks he said it, but isn't it odd that he would have said that after trying to convince her to run for president? It doesn't add up. She lost support when she played that card for all the world to see at the debate. Stay classy, Liz.
I for one am shocked that wealthy white women would prefer the more conservative candidate in a presidential contest.
2
Biden with a Warren VP is my preferred ticket.
If we can't get a woman president in the front door, let's find another way. Biden is old!
2
“I got in that fight because [families] just didn’t have anyone and Joe Biden was on the side of the credit card companies,” Warren said after an April rally in Iowa. “It’s all a matter of public record.”
The bill made it harder for individuals to file for bankruptcy and get out of debt, a legal change that credit card companies and many major retailers had championed for years. The bill passed Congress with large majorities, but most Democratic senators, including Barack Obama, voted no. Biden voted yes and was widely seen at the time as one of the bill’s major Democratic champions.
https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2019/5/6/18518381/baccpa-bankruptcy-bill-2005-biden-warren
I too am a strong Warren and Sanders supporter, because Biden could never be close to Warren in ideology. Biden's strong support of the Bankruptcy Reform bill, his strong support of the Iraq war and his treatment of Anita Hill are 2 reasons for me to choose Sanders and Warren over Biden.
3
I will vote whoever is the nominee! I’m done with Trump!! I’m a supporter of E Warren! I’m going to vote for either Bernie or Biden. They are better than Trump anyway!!
2
We also need to focus on the senate races!!
2
I gave money to Kamala, Elizabeth, and Amy over the past year. I had no idea until Monday March 2 that I would be casting my vote for an old white man on Super Tuesday, and giving him 25 bucks the following Wednesday. I am so over old white men being the boss of me but Joe Biden is the most electable and he has my vote. It's not time for the Revolution right now.
5
Is is logical to assume that some Warren’s supporters will support Biden.
Apparently those who don’t mind being lied to.
Biden lied being arrested in South Africa.
Warren lied being a Native American.
Yet they support them.
Now on the other hand, have you ever seen Bernie lie?
Bernie needs to slap back his Bernie Bros and tell them to grow up, play nice or go home. Unless and until he does that he won't get my support.
3
"You can still support a woman in this election. You can support a woman who is drowning in student loan debt. You can support a woman who can't afford childcare. You can support a woman whose life depends on access to insulin. You can't do any of this by voting for Joe Biden." --Kate Willett
3
Biden sounds like the earliest stages of senility. You can try to pass that off as a relic of a stutter or misspeaking, but you're left with a son who parlayed his name to big bucks (reminds me of the first daughter, but I seem to be the only one.)
2
@Theodore R: Which first daughter? Chelsea Clinton, who got a high-paying job at NBC with absolutely no broadcast experience or qualifications?
If the DNC had any honor at all, which I doubt, they would have found a way to allow Liz Warren and Tulsi Gabbard on stage for the next debate.
1
My candidate was Elizabeth Warren. I voted for her in the California primary on Tuesday. I feel that she made the correct and courageous decision to withdraw; she just wasn't going to be President.
Count me among those that will NOT migrate to Bernie Sanders. While some ideology is comparable between the two, so is the case with all the Democrats. Joe Biden will be an excellent President.
1
Perhaps those commenters who wish to characterize ALL Warren supporters a certain way should reflect on all the varied perspectives and experiences that make us all human. Anyone who speaks with such confidence about an entire group of people needs to spend some time LISTENING to others.
5
I am an old white male (63) (though I don't feel old and bike 6,000 miles each year).I voted for Warren in the Washington primary. There's no way I'd vote for Bernie. Warren and he may share ideas, but Warren got things done. She's pragmatic. She helped create the Consumer Protection Bureau. I can't name one thing Bernie has gotten passed. If Bernie ends up being the nominee, I'll vote for him to get rid of Don the Con, but that would be it. I wouldn't expect Bernie to be able to get much of anything done in Congress.
11
@Methow Skier
I hope you understand that being president isn't the same as being one of 100 senators. They call it the bully pulpit. If given the choice between a president who pushes the ball down the field, even if he doesn't get it in the end zone, and one who doesn't even try, the first one is my guy.
You don't get things done by being meek and giving up on them, which is what the Democratic Party has done. That's why Republicans have been kicking their butts for decades and why the Democrats have moved right. They're not up for the fight, so they've met the Republicans on their ground and beg for money from the same donors.
Republicans hammer their priorities until they get the public aboard and they get it passed. By any means necessary. Democrats are too polite and care too much about "bringing the country together" (whatever that means) and compromising to get anything done.
It's time to get in the fight. Joe Biden isn't going to do that. What does he even stand for? What hill is he willing to die on?
Democrats don't fight Republicans. They fight each other. Moderate Democrats are at war with progressive Democrats, as if they're the real enemy. Focus, people. This isn't the fight.
2
Obviously the majority of Americans don't agree with the Warren supporters. I am one of those. I would like a woman President, but that doesn't mean I will vote for someone just because she is a woman. I didn't like Warren's constant bickering with other Democrats, her constant reference to selfie lines, and embellished stories making herself look good. I wasn't sure how that would translate into being the Leader of the Free World. We already have a President who thinks he is God's gift. I still would have voted for her if she had won the ticket, because I am an American and that is my duty.
I love, love, love Elizabeth Warren; I was really disappointed when she didn't make a run in 2016 (and I think that she could have done a LOT better than Hillary). Despite all the encouragement that I gave myself and my friends about voting your heart in a primary, I didn't vote for her on super Tuesday.
My vote had nothing to do with fitting any of the demographic patterns described in the article. I don't like Joe Biden. But to paraphrase an old descriptor used in the South for unshakeable Democrats, I would vote for a YELLOW DOG, if it was running against Donald Trump. I voted for the one I thought could actually get on the ticket and gather enough voters to banish DT forever. And by dawn on super Tuesday it appeared that Warren had no chance, so that looked like Biden. Bernie is not bringing anywhere near the young voters that he keeps promising, he cannot muster a truly solid African American turnout, and he completely freaks out a whole lot of moderates - even a lot of people who voted for Trump in 2016 and want to vote against him this time. But they won't take the leap for Sanders.
Sadly, it looks as if the Trump camp is going to continue to push on the Hunter Biden story forever. Using our government funds for investigations that will have no value except to help his campaign. Let's hope it doesn't work.
4
If Warren does not endorse and support Sanders, any thought of her 'legacy' as a progressive is gone.
2
Warren, like Biden and most of the other now withdrawn Democratic candidates, makes an effort to be nice.
Bernie does not, and of course Trump does his best to be downright unpleasant.
3
It's no surprise Warren has not endorsed Sanders the way Mayor Pete and Amy K endorsed Biden immediately after dropping from the race.
Warren has no core beliefs she just does what is politically expedient for herself. In the 2016 Dem presidential primary in Mass. she was too chicken to endorse Sanders or Clinton. She waited until after the primary and endorsed the winner (Clinton.) That is exactly why Warren is not presidential material.
4
Sanders supporters are completely tone deaf. That really is the only term for it. It is the one thing they all have in common. It’s like a terrible band people really seem to love, and you wonder why, until you realize that the people who love them just don’t understand music.
5
As a senator, Liz would make a great chairperson overseeing The Subcommittee on Economic Policy. But for that we have to win the senate. So vote!
This 2016 Bernie voter was moving on to Warren this time until she ended her campaign. Now, Bernie or Joe isn't even close. Even though I'm ideologically much closer to Bernie, it has to be Joe. One egotistical and angry occupant of the WH is quite enough, thank you.
The Democratic Party as a whole, Biden included, now leans more left of center than in its recent past, and a President Biden won't be its only player. FDR once said to people who wanted their policies enacted: “You’ve convinced me. Now go out and make me do it.” That can be our playbook with President Biden, with Elizabeth Warren as a prominent driving force.
18:20 EST, 3/06
10
I honestly Biden will just be genial figurehead “Uncle Joe” while the actual running of the government is done by a team of competent, experienced professionals. And I look forward to the calm of such an administration after four years of Trump.
2
I left this post alone for a while, since it was missing a verb in the first sentence. I just, after many hours, upvoted it. Then I immediately checked back. Yes, someone else had managed to recommend my post in that brief window. Someone is patronizing me.
I was a Warren supporter precisely because she was not Bernie. I am 32 years old, an elder millennial if you may. And I will vote for Biden. I want someone that will actually be able to work with Congress. Sure, sure; Bernie’s camp will tell you “Biden won’t energize the young!”; well that didn’t go to well for Bernie either. He energized them in California, nowhere else. So Biden 2020 it is for me. Not even going to bother and watch the debates; not for this, and not for the general election. So tired of this primary season and this ridiculously long campaign season to be president.
8
I live in a university town with a lot of woke but NIMBY liberals who are leading very comfortable lives. That seemed to be Warren's base here. And a surprising number of them hate Bernie. Their progressivism is mostly a performance designed to assuage their white guilt and not a calling to actually effect change in the world.
I fully expect those people to switch to Biden and use "electability" or "Bernie's attitude" or some such as the excuse. The reality is that they aren't actually committed to the progressive cause because they aren't wanting for anything, so it's not an imperative for them.
7
Sanders people have really got to cut it out with the scapegoating. Bernie is as well-situated to win this as he could be - energetic supporters, no competition on the progressive flank, plenty of funding. So let him do it if he can.
I quote Yoda : "Do or do not; there is no try"
4
Nice article, but you missed an important reason Warren supporters, like me, won't vote for Bernie: Many of his supporters on social media were out and out - nasty! I thought we were on the same team! But his supporters just trashed Elizabeth. It was completely uncalled for. That is one of the main reasons I will not support Bernie. The second reason is without Elizabeth, Bernie just seems too far to the left. Elizabeth was the better candidate.
9
So you never really cared about the policy, then. Some of his supporters were mean to you online, so... thirty some million Americans don’t deserve healthcare?
2
Will Warren supporters really be the straw that breaks the camels back for Sanders or Biden? Before we start wringing our Democratic hands acting like Chicken Little we all need to hit the pause button. After Iowa and New Hampshire we all thought Biden was toast and Bernie was heading to the nomination. In South Carolina the true base of the party demonstrated what it wanted. We need to stop worrying about where supporters are going and keep our eyes on the prize. The prize is to send Trump and cronies packing.
2
@Steven McCain
If Biden can take those same southern states as the presidential nominee, that would be game changer and I would give him all the credit. But he won't, so that support means nothing.
1
I honestly don’t understand how a Warren supporter could now vote for Biden.
Warren wants to end the corporate corruption of our political system and our economy. Biden actually enables this corruption.
Warren wants to give control of our country back to the people. Biden wants to keep it in the hands of the super wealthy.
It’s as simple as that. The ONLY reason Biden sounded like he was moving to the left was because he knew that was the only way to get elected.
He doesn’t have the fight in him to help the average working person, partly because he doesn’t get it, and partly because he doesn’t really care.
Sanders and Warren are the only ones I trust to put workers first.
6
I think Bernie Sanders’s supporters don’t get that the vast majority of Democratic voters aren’t interested in the “revolution.” They want to get Trump out of office and they honestly don’t believe Sanders can win.
5
@Oliver
So you get Trump out of office with Biden. Then what? Not much, I suspect. Why should he do anything when so many of his voters set the bar at "not Trump". Boom, job done! Wow, what a relief. Let's all go back to sleep.
Sorry, but I still care deeply about what happens after inauguration day. If actually solving some of our biggest problems, rather than just putting another band-aid on them, is considered "revolutionary", it just shows how lost in the woods this party is.
When Trump won, the Republicans were caught flatfooted with no plan to govern and they lost the House. The same is going to happen to us if we aren't actually voting for something and we're not really interested in getting anything done. We'll either have another Republican in 4 years or they'll get the House back. Or both.
1
I want Elizabeth Warren for VP or Sander Atrorney General Secretary of the Treasury or other Cabinet Member or perhaps most importantly Senate Majority Leader!
For Warren supporters who were robbed by the DNC to vote in a legitimate primary season, vote for Warren anyway.
Send a message to both male candidates that your vote is not to be taken for granted.
1
If the theory is that being wealthier and with more education equates to being better informed as to which candidate actually supports the deep and pressing needs of our nation and our world, then the argument that Biden is a better choice for wealthier "college-educated women" should tell you a lot about how wrong that theory is.
Biden has always been a major supporter of the TBTF Wall Street interests that have long been the biggest funders of fossil fuel companies, fracking, deregulation of every kind and those same interests are the primary backers of Trump. But Joe would be an "ok" alternative as he'll say one thing and do what they say instead.
Joe is as liberal as Ronald Reagan but probably even more pro corporatist based on his voting record alone. Joe talks about a better Affordable Care Act but that Act never worked well he and Obama never pressed hard for a public option.
Joe backed the TBTF Credit card friendly 2005 Bankruptcy act that made it next to impossible for people with medical debt, student debt or credit card debt to get a clean slate the way corporations still can with Chapter 7.
Joe backed the repeal of anti-trust laws like Glass Steagal and between the 2005 law and those pro TBTF votes, we had the meltdown of 2008, and the middle class was malled.
Bernie's values are about people, healthcare, the environment, and doing what's right for All Americans.
Warren supported Hillary, who'd values are as neoliberal as Joe's. Take the red pill.
2
So is the author quietly making the point that a Sanders- Warren ticket will be the best combination?
2
Would have loved a president Warren. I am with Joe. hopefully she is his running mate
1
A candidate's campaign staff is a preview of what their administration would look like. Sanders has chosen to HIRE people with a reputation for nastiness.
He's also been bleating about progressive IDEAS for years, but there's no evidence, from his past history, he would actually be able to get anything DONE.
Warren did. She should be the nominee, and I'm proud to have voted for her. But of the two left standing, Biden is more likely to be able to build a decent administration and get a few things done, than the blowhard from Vermont.
4
Yes, some of Bernie Sanders followers are rude and disrespectful, but they will not be in office and is a lame excuse for not voting for Bernie. If you don't like his policies that's respectable, but Bernie and Warren agree on a lot more than Warren and Biden.
Reading through many of these comments, a fair number of points are raised about "my way or highway" and not getting much accomplished while being Senator. Two counterpoints-
One thing Bernie will be able to without having to compromise is work on many environmental issues, which we need to take an aggressive approach to immediately. Biden, on the other hand, has no problem with fracking away...If you like Warren's stances on the environment, Bernie can get some of those things enacted, whereas Biden will well below where we need to be in climate change.
While Bernie may not have a long list of accomplishments on what he has done over the years, he has always been on the right side of the coin. I can't say the same for Biden.
4
The main difference between Warren and Sanders has always been one of style, not substance. I am a Warren supporter, and I now see myself moving over to Sanders, who is very much aligned with Elizabeth’s vision for a more inclusive society. Sure Biden seems like a nice guy, but what we need right now is a true leader on climate, social justice and healthcare, and Sanders has the integrity and vision to get us there.
5
Unfortunately, people vote with their hearts, not their heads, because if Warren supporters used their heads they would gladly support Sanders. Their agendas are virtually identical, with the differences more in the execution than the direction. And were these Warren supporters to swing over to Bernie, the odds of his victory, and them seeing their objectives met, would be much stronger.
Instead, we see many of her supporters ruled by fear - that Bernie can't beat Trump - odd since polls say otherwise. And influenced by tales of rampaging Bernie Bros, and taking anecdotal reports of a few alleged incidents of ill treatment of female staffers and painting Sanders and all of his supporters with that broad brush.
Too bad these supporters don't follow Liz's lead in demonstrating courage and commitment to her causes. Choosing to vote for Biden is a betrayal to her example, and perhaps this explains why she didn't get the support she deserved. Maybe these well-educated, upper middle class voters have the lifestyle and means to wait for change, and aren't motivated sufficiently to overcome their fear and vote their consciences. They can afford to wait I guess.
But if they want to see Liz have a shot at President, they should hope Sanders offers her the VP job and she takes it. I suspect Bernie might agree to only running for one term, and more cynically, his health might make that decision for him. Liz would then be in line for the WH. Biden will offer no such option.
5
I dread a repeat of 2016 when Democrats coalesced around Hillary and felt so good. I see that happening with Biden here.
Surely, coalescing feels good. But to beat Trump, we need to take the working class votes away from Trump. And Bernie is better positioned to do that, rather than any establishment candidate who will appear as the gate keeper of the status quo. That turns off the working class.
Let's not get into the "feel good" trap that we fell into in 2016.
6
Warren is a Democrat not a Socialist. I hope she saves her endorsement for the convention floor. I get the vibe that she doesn't like Bernie so much and Joe is, well in spite of his gaffes, just a bit more likeable.
2
I supported Elizabeth Warren. Now I will support Biden. For two reasons: 1) We must defeat Trump, and I believe Biden is more electable than Sanders. 2) Bernie frightens me. He is ideologically rigid, he is self-righteous, and he adopts a combative and aggrieved stance towards those with whom he disagrees. He cultivates an “us vs. themness” - a cultishness that is scarily similar to Trump. Bernie’s belated, reluctant, grudging, and curmudgeonly support of Hillary in 2016 led many of his supporters not to vote, or to vote for an untenable third party candidate. If they had voted for Hillary in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, or Michigan, we might not have Trump now. But Bernie was - and I believe still is - all about Bernie.
I do hope that if Biden wins the nomination, Bernie's supporters (and Warren’s too) will vote for Biden. For this to happen, Bernie must - as he did not in 2016 – transcend his ego and ideologic rigidity and support the winner early, enthusiastically, and wholeheartedly, just as Hillary did for Obama in 2008. He must – as he did not in 2016 – make the election not about himself, but about beating Trump. Bernie supporters must understand that, if Biden wins the nomination, a decision not to vote, or to vote for an untenable third party candidate, is a vote for Trump. I beg his and Warren’s supporters – if Biden wins the nomination – do not make your vote about Bernie. Make it about the life and survival of your Country and Constitution. Vote for Biden.
17
I’m shocked by how many can so readily shift from Warren to Biden. To go from believing that the time for small ideas is over to supporting the ultimate status quo establishment candidate. I am the classic Warren-supporter demographic, mostly white progressive lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area. I would have been elated to vote for Warren in the general election and contributed to her campaign, but support and voted for Sanders in the primary because his ideas and vision are even bigger, which I believe is what we need. We must demand this change now. I understand Warren may not endorse Sanders, but her supporters should get behind him if they want to see anything close to the change she advocated for.
7
I find it odd that Bernie Sanders supporters expect Warren supporters to just fall in line and support Sanders. Where were they in 2016 when the needed to "fake in line" and support Hillary?
I for one will not support Bernie Sanders.
13
@EMS I think it is a bit unfair and unreasonable to not back a candidate because of how the minority of his followers act. Bernie went out and advocated for Hilary once she beat him. Not much more he can do about that.
1
I volunteered a lot for Elizabeth Warren and sure wish she had made it. I will vote for whoever wins the nomination. But I won't work for either of them until at least after it is settled. Bernie is a demagogue promising things that he knows he cannot deliver. Biden seems to be looking toward the past and not the future. A sad state of affairs.
8
The absolute place of priveledge most of the commenters are coming from are evident with the "I support Warren and Sanders policies, but will pick Biden" is extremely evident here. People in America are hurting. We have almost 1/3rd of all Americans without health insurance or underinsured to the point they can get 0 health care.
But instead we have people quabiling about "his supporters turn me off"
Maybe his supporters are so frusterated with you because of the illogical non-policy based voting so many Americans do. We see the millions and millions of people in America who have been hurt by policies spearheaded by both Trump and Biden, and it is very hard to understand why someone would say "Not Trump" is good enough.
8
Warren is a problem solver. Sanders is an ideologue. What did Sanders do when his supporters harassed and threatened Warren supporters? He couldn’t even solve that problem and you think he can somehow manifest change in this country? I’ve seen little to support that he can. All I see is the democrats losing down the ticket if he is the nominee.
1
Quite the opposite of "place of privilege". I cannot afford to support someone who will never get anything done.
"People in America are hurting."
Better get the word out to all of the black Americans in the deep South who rejected Bernie and voted Biden on Tuesday.
2
My huband and I both supported Warren. We are now casting our votes for Joe Biden, in Florida. Joe Biden has a chance to win the general in Florida - Sander would get crushed. These factors did indeed influence our voting decision.
8
It will be interesting to see how Sanders does in the Washington state primary -- especially in the greater Seattle area, the most populous and liberal area. Some voters, such as me, voted for Warren before she suspended her campaign. If I were voting today, it would be for Sanders, but not because I'm all in for him as the nominee. I expect Biden to be the nominee, and I hope it doesn't happen after a fight that deepens the divisions in our forever fractious Party. If Biden and his team really want to win, down the ballot and across the country, they will have to move their part of the Party to the left -- perhaps by embracing several of Warren's well-conceived and famous Plans.
6
It's interesting to see how many Warren-to-Biden supporters here would still vote for Bernie if he gets the nomination. Where are the Warren-to-Sanders supporters who will vote for Joe if he gets the nomination?
9
Stop grandstanding over unity. We know you hate the guy.
There have been no bones about the establishment's disdain for Bernie. Warren's lack of support to the candidate closest to her platform while all the other candidates dropped out to specifically bouy Biden has me the most disenfranchised I've ever been.
I was a HRC is electable guy in 16, I hated the protesting Bernie voters who I blamed partly for HRC's loss. But this time I really really feel disenchanted with our process and the hope for anything meaningful being accomplished.
What will make Biden's victory so bitter sweet will be all the entrenching of Trump's policies as he reaches across the aisle to heal the nation with a party that is openly already discussing nothing but opposition.
That and the death of the ACA and Abortion rights regardless... but the knife stab will be the "we can't alienate the centrists and independents and try with something new". Biden will be to us what Benedict was to Catholicism.
Warren to Biden supporters are practical.
3
"That and the death of the ACA and Abortion rights '"
Biden did more for both than Bernie "no friends in the Senate" ever did. But whatever.
2
I've heard that Bernie can be a hard man to work with, but Warren should forget her animosity and give him her support.
She should also strongly urge her supporters to vote for Bernie.
Let's put the cause first.
8
Voted for Warren, would not vote for Bernie. If he gets the nomination I would vote for him, but reluctantly. Warren does not strike me as a radical, but as a reformer with a pragmatic streak. Bernie on the other hand....
28
Reformism has got us a functionally repealed ACA and the end of Abortion rights and the death of organized labor and the destruction of the planet.
You might have too much comfort to lose but the uncomfortable will only grow in number going forward without radical changes or outright suppression.
1
I won't cast a primary ballot for either Biden or Bernie. I'll skip that primary race altogether and focus on the down ballot for the primary. And yes, I will hold my nose and vote for whichever of them ends up with the nomination in November. I'm an adult and I'll do what I have to, even if I don't like it.
6
Here is one Warren supporter getting ready to vote for Biden. Betrayal of principles? Well, no, not really. Elizabeth would have had no reason to run just to be a carbon copy of Sanders. Here are a few points:
- Warren is a rational capitalist, while Sanders describes himself as a socialist. I understand exactly where Warren is coming from: she is an unrepentant New Deal Democrat. I genuinely don't know where Sanders is coming from - he seems like a European-style social democrat, which is really not socialist at all. I don't understand his fondness for the label at all.
- Warren is a Democrat. Sanders is an independent. I want to vote for Democrats this fall, up and down the ticket, and I don't want any distractions.
- Warren put together a whole series of serious, workable policy proposals which have given the entire Democratic party a sense of direction. Sanders has the same wishlist as before, with no particular roadmap of how to get to it, aside from waiting for "the revolution" to bring it about.
So it isn't much a stretch for me to get behind Biden. If as it appears he can mobilize the complete Democratic coalition it will get us a Democratic Congress to work with. Remember, the initiative for legislation is not all the president's. Congress may have a lot to say.
And by the way - the DNC is not stage-managing this: they can barely keep up with it.
38
Wow! Did I write this comment, because you captured my thoughts exactly. I voted for Pete, one day before he gave up the ghost.
At 64, I wanted the next JFK, not the next Grandpa Joe or Angry Bernie, but I’ll vote for the D come hockey sticks or high water.
2
Very well said.
2
What becomes very clear from reading these comments is that Warren supporters weren't really supporting her policies, just the person. If you can so easily and gladly switch to Biden when there is still a progressive in the race, you're probably not really that into progressive policies.
13
@J.C. You assume that policies translate into the ability to get things done in D.C. Sanders is not known as someone anyone much likes or works closely with. He yells, wave his arms, and has decided that it his way or the highway. He has no chips to play. I support most of his policies but he would be a disaster getting anyone to work with him.
8
jc, or maybe we are sick to death of Bernie supporters telling us what we should do. As a woman, I’m especially tired of that.
Warren said quite explicitly yesterday she was not running in the progressive or moderate lane. Her supporters knew that, and now we need some time to think about what we will do next. It’s not that complicated; we get a vote; we decide. Please back off.
5
@BB HERNANDEZ
Republicans said exactly the same thing about Trump. The party establishment fought tooth and nail against him and now he owns the party, for better or worse.
Real change doesn't happen in the halls of Congress. It happens when people demand change from Congress and use their votes accordingly. If you keep voting for these namby-pamby, do-nothing centrists who cater to the donor class, nothing will ever change.
Biden has gotten a lot done. Unfortunately, so much of it has been really bad for the country. If you care about policies, vote for people who support those policies. Stop voting for who you've been told by pundits is "electable". Nobody knows who is electable until they do or don't get elected.
I'm tired of hearing, "Now is not the time" or "America won't vote for that". Make it happen.
1
This commenter strike me as like most:
"I am a Warren supporter who won't get behind Biden or Sanders. No comparison."
That commenter probably will back whomever the Democratic Party picks as its nominee, but may not show up at the polls. Turnout will be key for the Democrats, and it's likely to be low regardless of whether the nominee is Biden or Sanders.
2
Above all else, Elizabeth is practical. I believe most of her supporters will vote for the Democratic nomination in November, no matter who wins it, and no matter how much they are holding their nose in the voting booth. A better question is what will Bernie supporters do if he doesn’t win the nomination (I.e., “get his way”)?
4
Warren supporters will show up to vote Trump out. We're old enough to do math.
2
Michigan hasn’t voted yet, no one should assume that Warren supporters are a lock for Sanders just because of policy overlap. Had Warren prevailed her approach would have been pragmatic instead of dogmatic. It’s why I supported her and would have voted for her. I happen to believe that both Sanders or Biden can beat Trump. I don’t believe Sanders will be the best for down ticket candidates & can win but still be powerless to enact most of his policies. So we will see by Tuesday next, but don’t bet on this old liberal supporting Sanders just because.
10
I hope Democratic voters from here on will step back and think about the whole "electability" thing some more. Each candidate has strengths and weaknesses and Trump will viciously assault either one.The way I'm looking at it is, "Which candidate could I whole-heartedly defend against Trump attacks?" Also, if the incumbent was not Trump but say, G.W. Bush or Ronald Reagan, which candidate's agenda would I support? A vote should represent the values, needs and wants of the voter for democracy to work. Trying to pick "the winner" subverts the will of the people.
3
I was for Warren, and now I'm for Biden.
My reason? Stated policy positions are not the only thing that matters. I wanted a candidate who fully and truly understood why this country is a mess, was willing to take bold action to fix it, and was not crazy. Warren was that candidate. Neither Sanders nor Biden really checks my boxes, but given a choice between timid and crazy, guess what: I'll take timid.
History has shown us, over and over, that putting crazy people in power always ends in disaster. And this applies double if you want a revolution. Revolutions with solid, reality-based leaders succeed; those led by nutjobs end in tragedy.
Sanders is not completely bonkers himself, but he freely associates with people who are, and is open to their dangerous influence. Warren never associated with them. Nor did she ever honeymoon in the Soviet Union, or praise Castro, or hang out with people chanting death to America. She was bold in what she was willing to advocate, but she never called for anything that didn't make sense.
The conventional wisdom that Sanders and Warren were competing for the same group of voters was always wrong. Turns out there were a lot of us who were down for some bold progressive change, but only with a leader who was clearly and solidly sane. I actually didn't realize how many of me there were until I saw the polling data. Call us the "Warren Forever, Bernie Never" crowd.
22
The simple fact is that Mr Biden will be a more difficult candidate for Mr Trump to run a fear campaign against than Mr Sanders. Under a sustained Trump fear campaign "Medicare For All" will become a discussion entirely focussed on increased taxes and losing private health insurance. It will be political poison by November. On the other hand, Mr Trump's attacks against Mr Biden are likely to be against his time in the Obama administration. This plays well to the Trump base and to Mr Trump personally but actually reinforces for Democrats the main appeal of Mr Biden. And the simple fact of Mr Biden's small policy agenda makes him a much smaller target for a Trump attack campaign. And that is why so many Democrat voters, whose only agenda is to remove Trump from the White House in November, have decided that Mr Biden is their man.
7
@Melbourne Town The black voters in the deeply conservative South takes a lot of credit for Joe's 'resurrection'. Talk about not having a voice - those states vote for Republicans almost 100% of the time. Imagine being a black person in Alabama and seeing MAGA hats and billboards everywhere, reminding them of Trump saying that some white nationalists are 'very fine people' (among many other atrocious dog-whistle tweets). They overwhelmingly trust Joe and that's good enough for me.
2
Senator Warren was my top pick and I voted for her in the California primary -- before the blowout in South Carolina. Among viable candidates, Bernie was the one I favored the least. I always saw him as an angry Old Testament prophet, railing against his wayward people to mend their ways. It doesn't matter how right Bernie is (and his diagnosis is correct on many counts). But Bernie is a sure-fire turn-off for indies, Republican women -- the people to hold the key to getting rid of a wannabe dictator.
16
So as a Warren voter this is what I would do if I hadn't already voted: Florida March 17, Pennsylvania April 28. That is what will tell you who can beat Trump in the electoral college. Those are the states that will matter. Of course, your primary may be earlier than that, but there are plenty of polls. Sad but true.
3
Latest polls continue to show growing landslide for Biden versus
Bernie. Bernie's socialism and interest in totalitarian socialist regimes is essentially his own business, his opinions are his own business. Americans are increasingly united that they don't want Bernie as their president. Stats show Bernie actually peaked in 2016 in his drive to be president.
7
My two cents to those who suggest a Biden/Warren ticket.
Ain't gonna happen. Above any other quality, every Veep has to be, if nothing else, loyal to the President. It's the critical role that Biden played so well as Obama's second.
There is no way anyone can constrain Warren. Simply put, she is independent-minded. She is NOT a team player.
If Biden chooses a woman for the ticket I'd put my money on Klobuchar or Abrams -- but never on Warren.
6
I understand your point of view but Biden, if elected will need a woman ready to take over for him sooner than later in his first term.. Warren is that woman. They don’t need to be on the same page for long. Warren will govern and bring a strong plan for Democracy into focus once more. We NEED HER. Biden needs her and she better make a deal with him. Make her his VP and she will throw her considerable machinery behind him!
2
@George S. Abrams if he is smart.
2
@George S.
You are so wrong. "There is no way anyone can constrain Warren." How so? All the VP does is go to ribbon-cuttings and funerals. What's Warren gonna do as VP - start vetoing bills?
1
I realize it is in the NYT's and media generally interest to keep up some suspense about the outcome of the Democratic nomination. And indeed, this year looks much different from prior quadrennial slugfests. Super Tuesday did just what a lot of folks figured it would do. It finalized the race in one fell swoop.
So let's be honest here.
Joe Biden is going to win the nomination. It's a done deal. Voters in the remaining primary states are less and less likely to favor Sanders. Turnouts will likely be low and only the faithful party regulars will schlep to the polls on their respective primary day.
We know this; the NYT and other media pundits know this, and Elizabeth Warren and most of her supporters know this.
The only remaining questions are will Warren get on board with the mainstream of the Democratic Party and back Biden? Or will she back Sanders if he were to mount a third-party spoiler campaign?
The first will win her accolades and possibly a cabinet position if she want one. The second will send her off to the political wilderness from which she'll be unlikely to return.
4
And what happens if Bernie doesn’t support Biden? Why is the question about Elizabeth’s political future? Pretty clear that Bernie and his cohorts, after undoubtedly doing all they can to destroy Biden through the convention at least, will give as much “support” to Joe as he did to Hillary. Which is to say nothing. Where will he land? Where should he land?
4
I wanted a President Warren. but i'll vote for Joe Biden now in the NY primary
i cant STAND Bernie and his Bros. He sabotaged President Clinton-so selfish. it makes me sick.
I will 100% vote for Bernie if he is the nominee. Everyone REMEMBER. the Cabinet Appointees and Judicial Nominees are WAY more important than the actual President
Vote BLUE
13
@Mary M
There won’t be judicial confirmations if Republicans still control the Senate. McConnell will give the Merrick Garland treatment to judicial nominees. The Senate has to turn blue for anything to be accomplished whether Biden or Sanders is elected President.
1
Bernie can not expand his base beyond college towns and would be a disaster for democrat candidates in the house and senate. It is now time to rally around Biden who is the best bet to defeat Trump and end this nightmare.
4
We live in Seattle. My spouse and I were Warren supporters. WA State has a mail in ballot due by March 10. We waited until today to mail them. We voted for Biden. We have friends that mailed in early for Buttigieg and are now Biden supporters. Our Bernie Bros friends in Seattle mailed early for Bernie and would never vote any other way, even if he dropped out.
Like the majority, we are anyone but Trump.
10
I’m unsure what people want to do about online Bernie Bros. I’m assuming I’m considered one because of how aggressive I can be going after topics and people I see as disingenuous. If they are actually serious about policy or discussion they hit me back and that’s good.
But what can Bernie do to stop this. I watched the view where they wanted Bernie to apologize daily for online issues. Many candidates have supporters that are aggressive. Bernie has stayed and denounced them. When progressives are bullied and attacked no one cares.
I supported Warren until I saw her numbers and chose Bernie. I don’t think many newer Warren supporters are aware of the constant attacks online from all quarters. It’s just insane but it is what it is. To blame Bernie alone for all of it seems disingenuous to me.
He has the largest supportive base. Biden simply got votes. He doesn’t have a base per say beyond wealthy people who attack with money silently.
I’m just not sure what he can do. Nina Turner talked about the Bernie Bros. Might want to check it out if you can find it. I didn’t exactly see the news make it headline news when Bernie denounces Bernie Bros.
2
@Mathias His denouncements are tepid at best, and usually include some caveat about how they might be Russian trolls. To be fair, some of them are. But there absolutely is a toxic segment of Bernie's supporters, anyone who doesn't support Bernie has experienced it personally, and it is probably the single biggest reason for his failure in this election.
In short, you don't win people over to you side if your pitch is basically, "If you disagree with me, you are a neoliberal corporatist shill."
And drawing a false equivalency is not going to convince anyone who's experienced this. My typical experience with Bernie supporters goes something like this:
Me: says something positive about another candidate
Bro: explains why that candidate is a "neoliberal corporatist shill" and I'm an idiot
Me: attempts to defend my position, and myself against the accusation that I'm an idiot
Bro: tells me I'm not a "real progressive," and that I deserve Trump, including a lot of colorful language I can't type here
Me: gets annoyed, pushes back, tells Bro I'm sick of the toxicity of his "movement"
Bro: quotes me getting mad at him and claims I'm the one who's toxic
If that's the thinking here, attack people and then claim they are just as bad as you when they defend themselves, that's just gaslighting.
2
I will write in Elizabeth Warren on my Oregon ballot in May, and in November I will vote for whichever less than ideal choice gets the nomination.
I appreciate Guitarman’s honesty about not hearing or appreciating Warren fully (until it was too late), though it’s hard not to lash out at him and the millions of others who, I suspect, acted and may be feeling the same way.
I am beyond disgusted at the double standard and misogyny in this country and even more so that women are some of the worst offenders. And I am distraught that the notion of a woman president is a nonstarter for so many. It makes me sick and it makes me sad.
And to all the Sanders supporters who heckled Warren every chance they got, accusing her of splitting the progressive vote, they may have ideological similarities, but they are not remotely the same. And in my humble opinion, Elizabeth Warren would have made a far superior president.
10
Both Biden and Sanders need Warren as their VP.
I am a Warren supporter who will never get behind Bernie. Too polarizing with a rabid base of supporters who wallow in their own brand of divisiveness. No thank you.
12
Given the three old white guys—Trump, Biden and Sanders—Biden has demonstrated the least amount of narcissism...I guess. The strongest track record in getting things done is Biden, so I suppose he’s the best out of an unimpressive lot.
My hope is that voters don’t feel so discouraged that they skip voting altogether. We need every single voter to come out and make the Senate and Congress as blue as possible.
5
I think Sanders is a lousy candidate because he’s divisive and I think Biden is a lousy candidate because his heart isn’t in it and I’m way to the left of him.
But I guess people may vote for him over trump...or they may vote for both of them over trump. Whatever. I don’t care any more. I still have a vote in the NY State primary, but I may sit it out and just vote Blue all the way in the general. I would vote for a vacuum cleaner over trump, but now I feel like a vacuum cleaner is what I’ve got.
3
Read as many top comments down as I could handle, so I ask all you Liz supporters who somehow find her policy wine in the Bernie bottle repugnant because of his persona or "nasty" supporters, will you be blaming Bernie or "Bernie Bros" if Biden goes down to ignominious defeat this fall?
I don't understand your denial of plain reality here, that Biden is a weak candidate who shares none of Liz' values who doesn't seem to stand a chance against Trump.
Or is it really the wishful "first woman President" thing again?
4
Suppose being called a liar on National TV is no big deal in politics.
After all Sanders lies to his supporters on a daily basis about all that wonderful free stuff they would never really experience.
3
Bernie has assumed the persona of the crazy old uncle in the attic. He's angry all the time, he rants, he yells, he is inflexible, volatile, and he repeats himself over and over like a broken record. And how is he going to fund his "revolution"? Sound of crickets. A 78-year man who has had a heart attack and becomes red in the face whenever he is pontificating? I don't think so.
6
I am so disgusted with the depths to which our current "president" (how that sticks in my craw) has dragged the office thru the mud that I will happily vote for a lamppost should it decide to run against Drumpf. It will surely be classier, smarter, more dignified, more respectful, more mature, less impulsive than the brutish, unempathic, uncompassionate, vindictive and selfish person that occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
I decided to let the Democratic field narrow down to see which one of them had the stamina to endure. It would have been lovely to see the great Warren be the one but with Biden or Bernie, we have brains with more than two neurons banging against the skull, which will help either one of them surround themselves with people smarter than they are. Neither of them have as their #1 agenda item to fill their own pockets before looking after the country. To this end I intend to keep my powder dry until clear Democratic nominees are declared for TX senator and US President. I will then support those persons with my money and my vote. I have few doubts that in TX my vote for president will hardly count due to the vagaries of the Electoral College. However, it will give me great satisfaction to see my red state turn purple at the very least. Of course blue would be best.
2
All the Warren supporters I know including myself have always seen Bernie as the backup. We're not worried about down ballot races, We believe that Biden is unelectable and the downballot races will suffer. Once again the DNC has backed the safe horse who will lose it all just like Clinton did.
Remember her? Regardless of how you think the presidency was lost the down ballot races were not helped by her at all. The democrats continued their race to nothing more than a regional party.
When are people going to learn the "establishment" candidate hasn't won an election since 2004. (Ok you can argue Obama became the establishment, but he certainly wasn't perceived that way in 2008.)
Take a look at "How working-class life is killing Americans" in today's paper. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/06/opinion/working-class-death-rate.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage
Then tell me how certain you are that Trump will lose to Biden.
The "people" are again being terrified powers that be and the pundits tell them will win and lose that they are again backing the wrong candidate. The party, pundits, et al got it wrong in 2016, got it wrong for 2008-2016 when democrats lost over 1k seats across the nation.
They're getting it wrong again.
10
If its Biden here's my predilection in an election year: If he picks her for a running mate he wins, if he doesn't he may not. Betsy is the cream of the crop and when you hear her you say let us march.
4
Something no one’s mentioned yet is that at this point, Bernie is not running against Biden, but against the party itself—the “establishment,” the “corporatists,” the “rigged system,” and his supporters want to Bern it down so badly that they’ve been attacking Warren for weeks (and are now spreading the unfounded rumor that Biden has Alzheimer’s. Warren wants reform, big structural change, but not a revolution. She’s said she does not want a repeat of 2016. She will not endorse until and unless it’s clear who the nominee will be, and that will be Biden.
2
I was behind Warren all the way. She was the smartest person in the room, in my opinion. Because I am a Warren supporter I am ideologically behind Sanders, even though I think he enjoys "kicking the hornet's nest" too much (and some his rabid supporters really need to calm down).
I will, of course, support Biden if he wins the primary, but I don't look forward to 4 months of Trump and Biden trading shots over who is the bigger crook concerning the Ukraine (I don't think Biden is a crook, but that is how it will play out in the media and debates). I fear it will be ugly and we will see a repeat of 2016.
5
I'm pretty much right there with most Warren voters. Middle class white woman who thought she was undeniably the strongest candidate in the field, based on her leadership, her skill set, and her policy stances on so many issues. I'm also under 30, and most of my friends and coworkers were strongly for Sanders. Almost always felt like the odd woman out. Alas, especially when things got heated, I saw a lot of them turn their guns on Warren, and me, when she started taking Bernie on directly. Only so many times can you see people write Trumpian insults about the candidate you appreciate before your patience is tried.
You know who never insulted me for my choice? Biden supporters. And now I see the exact same venom from Sanders supporters directed at Biden. He's a racist, they cry, he hates young people, he's destroying the planet, he's a republican in sheep's clothing. Absurd. This man, who served as VP to the first black president, he's a racist? I'm starting to realize just how similar the mentality is between trump supporters and Bernie supporters. Victory at all costs. Skew the truth in your favor. Tear anything down for power.
I'll vote for Bernie if he's the nominee, but right now? My ballot is going to Biden.
8
Great comment! Thanks for sharing!!!
1
Warren supporters want big, structural change to help America, but they’re not dumb. Bernie and crew are not equipped to lead that. It’s a surefire prescription for chaos. That’s not worth it, if it were sellable. Bernie’s current plan is not one.
If he were truly committed, he would have put Warren front-and-center.
6
I was a Sanders supporter several years ago, then I spoke with a brilliant analyst who pointed out a big problem to me. I did some research on it, and then talked with my large, extended family in the Midwest, South, and "battleground" states.
They are terrified not of Sanders' ideas, but his use of the WORD "socialism" to describe his ideal. There's a reason that the only countries to use that word to describe their system since Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin used it to describe theirs, are China, Vietnam, Laos and Cuba. All those Scandinavian countries that Bernie and his supporters point to as examples, call themselves "social democrats".
Meanwhile, all my Sanders supporting friends are feverishly trying to convince me and all who will listen, that "democratic socialism" is not socialism. This stubbornness is what brought us Joe Biden's win.
4
Warren supporter here, will not be going for Bernie.
6
I’m sorry I won’t get to vote for Sen. Warren in the primary. Instead, I will vote for Biden. He was my fourth choice, after Klobuchar and Buttigieg. If he doesn’t win the nomination and Sanders does, come November I will vote for Sen. Sanders. And I will vote Blue down the line. Trump and his pandering sycophants need to go before they totally destroy our country.
8
Times is really laying on the scales hard today. Haven’t heard anything about Bidens horrible record.
6
Onetime Warren supporter here. Bernie Sanders will never have my vote — he's antagonistic, brittle, imperious, and shows the makings of a demagogue with his paranoid ramblings about the media. Bernie scorns consensus-building and persuasion, then wonders why people won't just get out of his way. No thanks!
7
Polls are like fish; they stink after a few days sitting on the plate! What polling does is to attempt to steer people in a political direction—in this case away from Senator Sanders and towards former VP Biden.
Otherwise why take a poll?
2
I'm a Warren supporter. My state does not caucus early, or participate in super Tuesday. I have yet to cast my ballot. Bernie Sanders has yet to convince me that he will represent me and other voters who were not with him from the beginning and are not in full agreement with all of his policies. Joe Biden has not convinced me that he can view women as collaborators or has a coherent agenda. Contrary to Mr. Maslin's condescending comment that "for most suburban or upper-middle class voters, Biden is a comfortable place to land," my mind and vote are up for grabs.
3
Since Biden gets the Warren vote the best move for the establishment will be to tap Hilary. Get ready for the Biden/Clinton ticket.
1
I am not particularly enthusiastic with the Dems choice of two old white guys. Biden is too establishment and Sanders is a demagogue who shouts the same six sentences again and again. Elizabeth Warren or Nancy Pelosi would be my 'compromise" candidate at a locked convention. Either would be better than the media fueled front runners.
3
This really isn't that complicated. Bernie support tends to be visceral and similar to Trump's. A cult of personality. He doesn't say it, but implies that he "alone can fix it." No plan for flipping the Senate. He's not a criminal, sexist, racist or a grifter like Trump. But, he really is not a team player.
7
Why do Democrats continue to 'attack' each other after the fight is over?
And why do certain left learning news outlets like CNN and the Times support this 'lack of teamwork' for the Democrats?
As Obama has already opinined, the 'circular firing squad' is alive and unwell for the Democrats and these continue attacks will simply increase Trump's chances of a second term.
The real battle is with Trump and not with each other but the Democrats insist on idelogical purity and not with winning. And maybe that is the real problem!
2
I supported Warren and Buttigieg. I have NO interest whatsoever in Joe Biden. He is too old and out of touch. I am actually very disappointed in South Carolina situation changing everything. However, I do understand that he is gaining support everywhere and its our best chance to get out of this Trumpian nightmare. I really hope he picks a younger and progressive VP, and I hope that VP is Warren. Her appearance on Maddow last night made me sad all over again that we can't have real COMPETANCE in the WH.
4
I was a Warren supporter. I will support whomever ends up becoming the Democratic nominee. But I really hope it isn't Bernie. If Bernie supporters can go around making ad hominem attacks on Warren - a former Republican, Pocahontas, etc. - I, too, can decide to severely dislike Bernie because of he seems like a stubborn, cantankerous jerk who looks the other way as his supporters make misogynist screeds against Warren.
And, like them, I can obfuscate my personal objections in a thin veneer of policy differences.
9
Agree!
1
@Sanjana
Whatever it is that you believe about Sanders' supporters, he didn't attack Elizabeth Warren. She has attacked him and continues to. I'm a lot more interested in the character of the candidate than whatever stupidity happens with fools on Twitter, but apparently childish tweets are of the utmost importance to some people in choosing which candidate to support.
I grieve for my country.
I supported Warren. I will vote for Bernie, I will vote tor a taco or a sponge or a paper towel, if that is what it takes to beat Trump. I would much rather not have to vote for Bernie because of his complete disdain for Black Americans; his misogyny, and last but not least his NASTY supporters. I will gladly vote for decent Joe Biden.
10
@ROK
Sorry, but this is completely made up nonsense. Where do people get this stuff?
Hypocrisy at its finest with theses so called progressives. Why did you support Warren in the first place? Biden is big money Wall St corporatist conservative Democrat or Moderate Republican by any other name. The Antithesis of Warren and Sanders
3
No one who is not a gullible fool believes that Joe Biden wants to cut Social Security or Medicare.
4
I’m a Warren supporter and like neither Sanders nor Biden. However, I despise “the president” and his cronies. I will back whomever or whatever removes them. Between Biden and Sanders it’s Hobson’s choice. Bernie’s policies are NOT identical to Elizabeth’s, and he is extremely short on specifics. He is vague. His attitude is unpleasantly like those I wish to see removed from office, and I think that is damaging to America and the world. He concerns me in being yet another politician proclaiming himself not a politician. I don’t think he is electable in this country. He waves the banner of socialism despite the fact it is an absolute non-starter here because Americans have been brainwashed and haven’t a clue that what he is referring to is something like Germany rather than something like Venezuela or Cuba. I’m not always sure he does either. Biden is...I’m not sure what Biden is but he’s somewhat measured and he’s not a moron, he is aware of and respects our genuine allies and grasps the need for alliances, and he has Jill. He’s also not screaming for revolution. Revolutions aren’t peaceful. But quite what Biden is and what he will do I don’t know; hardly comforting and not the least bit rousing. On the whole, Warren would have been far better and no, her supporters aren’t automatically for Bernie. (And yes, many of us do live in the real economic world despite having the bad taste to be formally educated and proclaim ourselves liberal.)
8
I voted for Warren without hesitation in the California primary. Her progressive agenda combined with a clear path to achieve her policy objectives made her the best candidates in the field. It is with some reluctance that I now am now supporting Biden. Firstly, believe Biden has a better chance of attracting moderates in both parties needed to beat Trump. Second, I think Biden will be more effective in reversing Trump's stamp on the nation.
6
Senator Warren, like all presidents and government employees, is not perfect. But, really - wasn't she younger, brighter, more enthusiastic, thoughtful, caring, tough, knowledgeable, intelligent, patriotic, persistent, and a woman?!!!
Ugh, she would have fit perfectly in the Oval Office! And we need a woman in that oval instead of a blockhead who has never adjusted or understood the oval. He's out of shape mentally and physically, an unruly and untrustworthy square who doesn't consider our American circle.
6
It feels like Times reporters and editorial staff have been getting together every day and discussing what new angle of smear they could come up with to hurt Sanders.
You now want to paint Sanders supporters with one broad brush. It’s insultingly stupid. We’re just normal people who care about the planet and our fellow men and women.
The bias has to stop.
3
@Joe
That broad brush is certainly nothing new here. The Times is like Tom Sawyer, getting their columnists on board to paint with broad brushes against Sanders and his supporters.
I am writing in Warren's name in the primary and the general. Dem. men have not learn that we aren't going to support them if they don't step aside. Women are like dragon flies. We can survive anything.
4
Warren preferrer who voted for Biden on Super Tuesday. For all the reasons others have already articulated much better.
4
I didn’t get a chance to vote for Warren in the primary. I am not thinking about either Biden or Sanders right now because mostly I and sick and tired of having my choices winnowed every election because I lived in states that don’t seem to count. I am sick of all the games and cheats. I want ALL the primaries to all be held on the same day. And I want the electoral college flushed down the toilet. If we’d done that years ago, we would never have ended up with a Trump.
I donated to Warren and will donate to down-ballot progressives. Bernie and Biden can duke it out on somebody else’s nickel. And the DNC can go jump off a pier.
3
Either Bernie or Joe are okay - just don’t vote for Trump!
4
Remember the rich irony of Trump (of all people) claiming that Hillary was a “nasty woman!!!” Trump’s use of it proves forever that it’s an utterly empty ad hominem insult that anyone can use and it means nothing. I’m getting sick of the petty insults about Bernie supporters because a few of them (who may be trolls and not even real supporters) post mean things on the internet sometimes. Grow up. Our nation and planet are in crisis. All the Bernie supporters I know believe in human rights, decency, diversity, and equality.
3
@J.M.
Bernie Bros are like Santa Claus. They exist only in the minds of those who want to believe it's true.
I was a Warren supporter who will vote for Biden. Quite frankly going back to the Thomas hearings I have thought Biden was an idiot. However, I think Bernie has too much baggage (calling himself a socialist when he is not) and his supporters are over the top horrible doing everything possible to tear down their rivals and the Democratic party(which Bernie does not belong to) . M4A is never going to happen anytime soon--and Bernie has no real plan for it (where are figures). I think progressives have pushed the party enough to the left that Biden would be at least a moderate left President who would try to undo much of what Trump has done. Bernie Bros hate me.
8
Biden could consolidate if he picked Warren as v p
3
Guess they were more interested in pushing a woman than the progressive causes she touted. Go ahead and fall in line behind the OTHER old white guy—the one who’s much further from Warren’s policy goals. Anything but Bernie, eh?
1
Warren Supporter, here. Voting undeclared.
This article is why Warren needed time to think about going forward pans.
She needed the NY Times to come along and provide cover for her savage betrayal of Bernie Sanders.
4
@Bill Wolfe Your candidate is still in the race. So how, exactly, do you think that this slam at Elizabeth Warren will help your candidate’s cause? Do you think the many Warren supporters that are obviously following this thread will respond to your accusation of “savage betrayal” by shamefacedly switching their allegiance to your candidate? Did you read the many and varied concrete reasons why Bernie Sanders and his platform have alienated these voters? Did it ever occur to you that you are engaging in the exact kind of conduct that many of the people posting here listed as one of the causes that they were not considering voting for Sanders over Biden, and that you were further damaging your candidate’s cause? I am curious as to why you believe that Elizabeth Warren somehow owed your candidate her endorsement and support, rather than allowing her to take time to process her disappointment and consider her options? Just what did you hope to accomplish by this attack on Elizabeth Warren?
2
@Sheilah—Your post is like a cool breeze on a hot day. I’ve been saying what you posted so many different ways I’ve gotten tired of it. You nailed it. Thank you for fighting the good fight!
2
The NYT calls this "poll watch" but when you look at what the paper calls "current polls" there are no polls after the SC primary. This is a shocking lack of timely reporting.
2
I supported Warren and then leaned to Buttegieg, while still liking Warren, but ultimately voted for Biden. Bernie supporters are insufferable and I find his attitude off-putting. It’s like his supporters are in a cool kids-cult, and they view you as not hip if you don’t get it. Oh that, and their damnation of the Democrats, stupidly. One Bernie supporter thanked Trump for understanding Bernie’s beef with the Dem elite. Seriously? You can’t see through that charade? Oh, and you’ll die fighting Dems over Bernie? It shows an ignorance of how politics work. They laugh at you if you patiently try to explain, as if you’re the ignorant one. They bother me almost as much as Trump supporters on social media, i.e. Facebook.
8
I was going to vote for Warren
Now I will vote for Biden
11
Funny thing — being dismissive and divisive doesn’t bring people into your camp. Having your supporters act like trolls makes it worse.
8
If this thread holds true and if Warren chooses Biden she may deal a potential killing blow to the progressive movement. I’m sure many here on the times will be happy to see any challenge to the status quo power structure maimed.
1
Wow, whole lotta Bernie bashing going on, by the so called noble warren supporters. Pot, kettle, black.
2
She should be Biden’s running mate. 100%.
5
I voted for Warren because she's the brightest politician I've ever known. I will vote for Biden even though I dislike many of his actions - on credit cards, bankruptcy, Anita Hill, abortion. But Biden is a decent guy who has worked all his life. Sanders was a lazy bum until he was finally elected mayor of Burlington. He's also not a Democrat.
9
I was a Warren supporter. I have been called dumb, an economic illiterate, and worse on Twitter by Sanders supporters. The vitriol, the flood of snake emojis from them caused me to close my account . Sure, I am just going to turn around and pick him now. Nope.
15
Warren was my first choice. She was the best presidential candidate that I have seen in my life time. I commend Sanders for giving life to important issues. He brought Medicare for all into the main stream dialogue. He persisted even after the last election by having town hall events in many communities mainly about medicare for all. I remember much of Sanders' platform in the last election... But nothing of Clinton's platform. I am not alone.
Still amazed by the NYT’s refusal to explore in depth the online world where a highly influential faction of Bernie supporters—not the majority, and definitely not the ones who post here—have adopted nearly identical tactics to those deployed by Trump’s social media boosters in 2016.
These people mock and harass the other candidates and their supporters. In the last few months, they’ve targeted Warren and Buttigieg. The attacks on Warren sound exactly like rightwing m attacks on Hillary in the last election, and the anti-Buttigieg pervasive campaign—memes, viral tweets, even articles from traditional media outlet like the New Republic, LA Review of Books, and Slate—is the most homophobic I’ve ever seen.
What’s more, Bernie has employed and given access to the most influential perpetrators. Shame on the NYT and the rest of the media for not taking him to task.
13
Another Warren supporter here who is glad to turn to Biden, for his experience, intelligence, calm-headedness, and kindness.
I'm sad (hate how that word was co-opted by idiot Trump), however, that the choice did boil down to 2 white guys in their late 70's. I thought that the three best primary candidates--for their smarts, for their ideas, for their decency, and for their ability to out-talk Trump any day, and for being within the right age-range were Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren, and Amy Klobuchar. The billionaires were ridiculous, Mayor Pete wonderful but not ready to govern nationally and internationally, Corey Booker was a one-note song, Julian Castro was mean, Andrew Yang too quirky with only one policy to offer, and I can't even remember the rest. And as a college-educated surburban woman, I agree with some of Sanders' policies, but find him too impractical and angry.
9
Of course I'll vote for Bernie if he somehow becomes the nominee. Any noise about "he will be as bad as Trump" is idiocy. However, given the stakes and despite my own pigeonholed "demographic" - progressive PhD white male - my formerly Warren support went to Biden in North Carolina's Tue primary vote. And am now contributing to Joe along with progressive NPs and down ballot NC Dems.
7
As I watched Rachel Maddow's live interview last night of Elizabeth Warren, it became painfully clear to me that I as so many others did not hear her words. I allowed the filter of "she would be talked down by Trump's relentless belittling and name calling. Warren came across as smart but not a smartypants. I voted for the other guy battling it out on national television as the bell rang and the world of male referees called it a draw. Was it at times her breathless delivery or my bias that she wasn't forceful enough to out debate Mr Bluster? We are left with the choice of two white males, one an incorporated nice guy, the other a throwback to the days the old Democratic party that spoke for those who lived in a world of middle class complacency. I didn't hear the cry of a candidate who spoke about realistic changes intelligently and fact based. Senator Warren represented a future of change by realistic solutions. Now our choices have been narrowed to mediocrity by default. She could have been a contender. I wasn't really listening well enough. The teacher at the front of the class will give me a "C" at best. I probably deserve an "F"
10
Folks who are now leaning for Biden - while he's Mr Nice-Guy & all - will cement the Democratic Party as a tag-alone movement. That is: "They're not AS BAD as the GOP."
You ought to check out "How Working-Class Life is Killing Americans" - also in today's NYT.
Struggling middle (& lower) class Americans are killing themselves (either directly or via drugs) at an alarming (& growing) rate.
Biden will, perhaps, slow this rate ... but he won't get it to turn around! Americans will still be ground down by the rich.
What we NEED to do is to join the rest of the world and allow ALL Americans to enjoy life!
All the healthcare, free/cheap education, job security, vacations, childcare*, pensions, strong SS & ... to rein in the wealthy - a 93+% tax rate. It's not a pipe dream.
I'm in my 70s. When I was growing up: Companies provided HC to all their employees (& pensions & paid vacations). Colleges were cheap (even Ivies) & you could live on the min wage!
Wake up, America! You're too scared; you gotta get out of your funk & think BIG!
Yippee!!
Jim
(*) Actually, childcare was not that much of an issue. A single parent could earn enough for the whole family ... and the other could raise the kids!
1
There is an angry, misogynist stench emanating from some of Sanders supporters that will not resonate with many Warren supporters. Most women are tired of being yelled at by septuagenarian men.
12
It's time for Democrats to stop acting stupid. Trump will dump Pence for Haley as a running mate. Democrats have to counter with a Biden/Warren or Sanders/Warren ticket or lose the woman votes.
Clinton blew it by not taking Sanders on as VP nominee. Let's hope these guys are smarter.
2
We've been bleeding as a country for three years and yet we're still arguing over what kind of bandage to use in the 2020 election. The DNC must approach this strategically and promote the candidate with the broadest national appeal or they're handing Trump another four years. I agree with a lot of Bernie's ideas, but he won't get elected in 2020. Also, the down-ballot repercussions would be severe. Here in Texas, the amount of work Democrats put into the last midterm elections was enormous, and it's a fragile progression toward purple. That could all be undone with a Sanders nomination. As for all the talk about Bernie's energized young base, they actually need to prove they'll come out and vote when it counts, and not stay home in November if Sanders isn't the nominee. The big-picture consequences of a Trump second term should override all candidate loyalty right now.
3
A Bernie-Warren ticket would more likely get Warren's plans passed than a Biden-Warren ticket.
Biden does not like a lot of Warren's plans. Warren scares Wall Street because she's so effective. For that reason, Biden will probably choose Amy over Warren.
Bernie and Warren share the same goals. They differ in how to get there. Warren has practical steps for how to move from the status quo to their shared goals.
@Ed
I’m not sure people care. This is a personal thing and not about implementing any policies.
I'm surprised how many people are following such emotional reasoning here, like this was a popularity contest. Just check out what states Biden won in and check out what states Sanders won. Are they swing states? Or add up the votes for the three "centrist" candidates and compare them to the sum of Sanders/Warren. Did Sanders/Warren win any substantial swing states? Any that have substantial weight in the electoral college?I too am not excited about Biden, but this next election is about as serious as it gets and it would be nice to see some cold reasoning set it lest we end up with you know who.
7
The people that resent Sanders and the Progressives' recalcitrance are irritatingly selective on their motivated reasoning. See, Sanders cares so much about the voice of this ideology that he *ASKED WARREN TO RUN IN 2016* and he only entered the race after she didn't. I was disappointed that Warren didn't endorse in the 2016 primary until that race was more set in stone than not. And I have been disappointed with her judgement a number of times, which is why I have preferred Sanders' integrity and leadership even as I think the Warren anticorruption agenda is the most important platform of all.
But I am hoping that she will support Bernie before Michigan this time. Furthermore, what I think Bernie is an American hero [if there ever was one] is that I agree that he cares more about being right than he cares about winning. I wish they would announce that Warren would join his ticket, more so because either Sanders/Biden would likely serve only one term; nevermind that Biden is practically senile and Dems are endlessly apologozing for only for Republicans to feast on him the minute he is shoved down the throat of the people that have forfeited their role as citizens and think of themselves as half-and-half consumers-and-pundits. And if it came down to a brokered convention with real conflict between the parties, I believe that Sanders would be willing to a compromise in which Warren is at the top of the ticket so she can carry the agenda of their shared belief system on.
4
Bernie should announce today that Warren will be his running mate. That would be a formidable move. That isn’t normally done. So what.
She hasn't endorsed him... why on Earth would he announce her as a running mate.?
1
Just saw a Maddow interview with Warren, and found out that Bernie supporters put the personal information of a Biden-supporting Nevada union woman online. Of course Bernie condemns this -- but did he call this woman? Does any official from his campaign get online regularly and tell the worst of the Bernie Bros to knock it off?
People waited hours to vote for Joe Biden -- but they're just tools of the billionaires and the Democratic establishment, right? No, not right, and saying so is a big reason why there isn't so much conversion to the Bernie camp. I've had enough cult behavior and Deal Leader nonsense on the right, I don't need it from the left.
I'm more in line with Bernie's policy agenda than I am with the Democratic center's, but we need a true leader to make such big changes a reality. Bernie has shown he's not that leader, and he's sown division and bad feelings in our camp since 2016. How can we make such changes as a party divided? Maybe it would help if Bernie had at least been in our camp over his long political career.
20
Warren supporters were people who wanted not just liberal policy changes, but were also looking for a candidate with a proven track record on enacting policies, and someone who was strong at thoroughly analyzing each situation and proposing plans to deal with big problems. When Warren supporters look at their choices now, that's the lens they're looking through. Sanders has a great track record in taking stands on issues and sticking with them, but his record on enacting change is very poor, and his record on stopping policies he's stood against is even worse. Sanders is also not a planner. Biden may not have the ideas, but he gets things done. To be honest, I think for many Warren supporters, this is an easy call, and most of the Warren supporters I know would vote for Biden over Sanders.
16
That's too bad, I would have though Sanders and Warren would work together since they have the views. Too bad her supports will go with Biden. Makes as much sense as me and other Bernie supports not voting for Biden in the general election. Looks like four more years of Trump.
2
Makes zero sense but it's not surprising that Bernie supporters would favor Trump over Biden, given their ridiculous behavior in 2016, which in case the numbers aren't perfectly obvious, gave us Trump's first term. Good luck out there!
2
I hope Warren’s supporters don’t go to Sanders. The incendiary stuff that his supporters said about her is inexcusable and she hinted at that in her interview with Rachel Maddow. And she also wondered out loud what Sanders was thinking when he didn’t denounce it or explained it away as the work of Russian bots.
Let’s face it. The good Sanders supporters are being defined by the ones that resemble Trump’s MAGA hats. I respect Sanders in that I know he has the courage to tell them he doesn’t want or need their vote. But why won’t he do that?
15
There is a significant portion of Liz Warren's female base who can't stand Bernie Sanders and who rail against him on Twitter. They are Warren's "Bernie Bros," but of course they aren't portrayed that way in the mainstream press. They are the crowd most responsible for spreading the Bernie Bros myth in 2020. At this moment, I've just watched a panel on MSNBC excoriating Sanders for the behavior of his supporters, without offering anything but "I heard from a friend of friend" evidence that it is an actual thing.
The suburban wine moms hate the yelling and hand waving, though they cheer Warren when she exhibits the exact same behavior. You go girl!
Warren won't endorse Bernie. She'll do what's most expedient for herself and her own future. She'll either jump on the Biden wagon or stay silent, proving she doesn't really support the platform that is best for the country but only what's best for herself.
That's why she's no longer in the race.
5
@J.C. If you keep calling people wine moms you aren't going to help yourself.
5
I just did a tally of the first 75 comments under the Reader Picks.
Pro Biden 55
Pro Sanders 10
Unclear 10
The thing that is most commented by Warren supporters is not that they diagee with Sanders on policy per se, but that he and his campaign in one way or another insulted and demeaned them, especially the women.
My tally may be off by one or two, and the comments haven't closed, but it seems to me Bernie is not going to pick up very many Warren supporters.
16
If Democrats lose this November, a big factor will probably because they outwitted themselves on “electability.” Vote Sanders, vote Biden...both are a million times better than Trump. But frankly, none of us know nearly as much as anybody else’s voting preferences as we think we do...and that includes professional pundits. We should be careful to not trick ourselves by trying to vote like some kind of political strategist.
Really too bad that Warren lost out, but between Biden and Bernie, the best choice is Biden because Bernie is just too rigid and uncompromising to get anything done in DC. As nice as it may sound, he'll never get Medicare for All passed. We are better off with Biden so he can get some kind of Enhanced Obamacare passed with a public option. Biden knows how to build coalitions, Bernie seems unable to compromise, and is too much like a Left-wing Trump, stirring up anger and grievances. Time for some rationality and calm, not more agita and frenzy!
12
Warren supporter here, former Harris supporter. I consider myself very progressive, liberal as you say, or simply a left person. I believe we need structural change and radical policies to address climate change, affordable universal healthcare, systemic racism, and financial inequality, in that order, and then of course, voting rights, campaign reform, and strengthening our democracy. My "ideology" is more aligned with Senator Sanders, but I can't support him or his campaign due to the fact that he likes to portray himself as an agent of chaos, attacking what he calls is the "establishment", despite the fact he is part of this establishment (almost 30 years in the Senate). I also despise the authoritarian tactics of his campaign, eerily similar to the man currently in the White House. It's a pity, because I think Joe Biden is possibly the worst candidate we could have picked, but here we are. We started with so many promising candidates to end up with the 2 that have most brand name recognition, but are, by many standards, the worst. I am a feminist who believes women deserve the same rights and treatment as men, I believe that black lives matter, and after all the activism women have done in this country since Trump got elected, delivering the blue wave of the 2018 midterms, it is a slap in the face to erase all of the women candidates as the media and the electorate did. We women are Angry with a capital A.
19
@S Lopez I already commented but I think you said it better! This field was amazing to start -- I can't begin to list all the compelling candidates who fell away, Warren above all. I am reeling that the best we can do is Biden, who has such a deeply problematic record on race and gender, and on supporting the Iraq War and protecting banks, all while being demonstrably less sharp in recent years.
We Democrats collectively had a field of lovely suitors, couldn't make up our minds, and fell back on someone who seems like a steady Eddie, but who really required more than 36 hours scrutiny before we accepted the proposal on Super Tuesday.
1
Could I just ask for the hundredth time, if Sanders wants to be the nominee, why doesn't he join the party? He wants it both ways.
11
The change from Trump to Biden will be enormous.
An unqualified divider will be removed, in favor of an experience uniter.
Tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires will be discontinued, thus the tax code will be made much fairer.
Genuflecting to the NRA will be discontinued, in favor of a President who believes in gun control and authored the original assault weapons ban.
The appointment of conservative judges will be discontinued, liberal judges will once again be nominated.
The chief executive will be working on expanding healthcare to more Americans rather than scheming to restrict it and/or take it away.
A progressive on the environment, who understands science will replace a science-denier.
A likable quality human being will replace an unlikable, mean-spirited negative attack dog.
A compulsive liar will no longer be the President, and a majority of Americans will actually like their President and be able to believe what he's saying.
Foreign leaders will no longer laugh and cry when considering the American President.
The changes will be substantial and they are imperative.
In fact, the change from Trump to Biden will be the most substantial positive change in the White House since Hoover was replaced by FDR in 1933. It's time for everyone to get on board and make it happen.
6
@Frank Roseavelt
Dear Frank,
Very nicely summed up. I can only imagine the giant exhalation of stress when Biden is declared the winner and Trump is handed his walking papers.
2
Warren’s endorsement or lack of one won’t change the reality that Biden will be the nominee.
Adding Cory Booker as VP would further secure the African American vote with a bright politically savvy young black man
Adding Kamala Harris to the ticket would show that Joe can reach out even after the hits he took from her at the first debate. This gesture is what people are looking for as we try to heal the nation from the wounds inflicted by Trump.
4
Why are so many Democrats complaining that Warren dropping out is a negative for those wanting a female president, while the DNC is seeking to block Tulsi Gabbard from the next debate?
Gabbard is a former military officer and an excellent, articulate candidate who's been hobbled by things such as Hillary Clinton's mean, uncalled for remarks, a lack of funds and the DNC discouraging her appearance on the debate stage, after going out of its way to accommodate Mike Bloomberg.
Why are Democrats afraid of this woman?
6
Gabbard refused to vote to impeach Trump. That is problem number one, and one that most of us will never get past. She also supports Assad and Modi and has a suspicious number of pro-Putin support.
5
I like Elizabeth Warren most of all for her vision and her ability to translate it into pragmatic programs. Not because she is a woman except that it might only be a woman who could have such a vision and the ability to see how to make it work
The anger about sexism for me is that it caused people not to bother to even listen to her. I will champion anyone who can do what she can.
Yet now I see one candidate who can pragmatically execute plans and one who has a vision with no ability to make it a reality.
Without vision the people will perish according to the Bible
But the philosopher Thomas Hobbes said that without government peoples' lives will become "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short."
Isn't that exactly what we are seeing?
There is someone who can make the case for how government can be essential to promote a vision of both freedom and good human lives in a just society. and also with the ability to show just how that can be done.
That is Elizabeth Warren
We seem to be too shortsighted to see it.
4
I am a Vermonter and a huge Warren fan. Like many, I was deeply saddened by her departure from the race. Given the choice from those left, it’s a no-brainer for me to choose Biden over Sanders. We don’t need another angry, negative, white male who yells a lot in the White House, nor do we need an ideologue. Biden isn’t Warren by a long shot, but he’s a decent, caring man who will work hard to restore civility in this country and improve our standing internationally.
14
I’m disappointed to only have three Democratic choices remaining, one of whom — Gabbard — can’t possibly win enough primary votes to “count”. It’s unfortunate that so many voters don’t get a say in their party’s nomination for president. And I include the Republicans, who get only Donald Trump as their “choice”.
Of course, many more than 90% of Republicans have sworn allegiance to their chosen one, despite his incompetence and poor character. So I guess they don’t mind their lack of choice.
1
I am a typical Warren voter and for me the article missed the main reason I will vote for Biden over Sanders: the misogyny rampant in Sanders’ camp that his cosmetic rebukes have done nothing to tame.
12
I'm an older, white, advanced-degree-holding female. Almost all my friends, all college-educated but across both genders and a very wide age band, were Warren supporters. Very, very few of us are now going with Sanders and almost all of us are firmly and comfortably in Biden's camp.
Here's why: Bernie's obnoxious, arrogant, "my way or the highway" approach and his obvious lack of strong relationships within the Senate, despite his many years there, mean he's terrible down-ballot and highly unlikely to get much done even if elected. It doesn't matter to any of us that he's more aligned on policy; we all desperately want to get Trump out of office, elect a more Democratic senate and get something positive done. Biden's far more likely to get us there.
12
Biden and Sanders are both at the bottom of my list of choices. Sanders may share many of Warren's ideas but he has never demonstrated an ability to execute. Furthermore, the republicans will bring up all of Sanders' baggage and pummel him with it. Sanders will lose and will drag the house and senate candidates down with him. I can never forgive Biden for Anita Hill and there are a number of issues on which I disagree with him. But he could defeat the occupant of the White House, which is the most important goal. So I will reluctantly support Biden, although my heart will remain with the most qualified candidate, Elizabeth Warren, who could not only dance backwards in heels but could also walk on water--and still could not get the nomination.
29
My sentiments exactly.
3
I have always been a social libertarian and fiscal conservative who voted 3rd Party most years. Biden will absolutely get my vote if he is the nominee. I voted for him in the Virginia primary.
12
Bernie's already fled the South, cancelling an event in Mississippi.
Whether the Southern voter is Black or White, Bernie is an anathema to them.
Lets hope Elizabeth Warren does not through her support behind a candidate soundly rejected by a such large swath of the country.
12
@Mike Edwards
Sorry I mean do you believe Biden will win in the general in this state?
@Mike Edwards
Do you believe Biden will win it in the primary?
I supported and voted for Elizabeth Warren, and Bernie has always been my second choice. The two of them have fought so hard for the U.S. citizens who have been squeezed in our increasingly unequal society (see article in today's NY times "How Working Class Life is Killing Americans in Charts" at https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/03/06/opinion/working-class-death-rate.html).
And yet so many of the very people who would benefit the most from a Warren or Sanders presidency seem to be incapable of believing that life could offer them anymore than it currently does, and they vote for the "safe" candidate. Maybe they are too beaten down to hope life could be better, or maybe they are influenced by the propaganda around them. It seems many are turned off because Warren and Sanders get emotional and angry at times.
Well, Warren and Sanders get emotional and angry not for themselves -they'll be fine, after all - but on behalf of all the people who are struggling, those living paycheck to paycheck, perhaps working more than one job, for whom health care, college and dignified retirements are frivolous luxuries.
Sometimes I wonder how Warren and Sanders keep going when the very people they are trying to help are spitting on them.
But they do keep on, and I find it very inspiring to know there are still some truly good, decent people in this cynical world who will stand up fearlessly against injustice, even though it is very hard and too often not at all appreciated.
8
@LB I'm with you all the way on sentiment. But Elizabeth is out now, and you need to look at the primary results and add up how many voted for Sanders/Warren and how many voted for the "centrists". And then you need to look at which ones are blue states and which ones are red states. And that is tough, but that is how it is. Of course, if Bernie were to become the candidate all of us in the Blue states would be going out in droves to vote for him. But that is in the blue states, and that is not enough.
7
I read of a woman who said she wouldn't vote for Warren because she (Warren) "is too smart". It's hard to understand why Elizabeth bothers.
2
@Voltaire If Biden were to select Warren as his VP, I'd be willing to vote for him.
2
I am a Warren supporter who is discouraged and depressed today. But my support will not be going to Sanders tomorrow. If I thought for one second that Sanders could accomplish even 1% of his interests I would reconsider, but there is quite literally no historical context for him doing so. And I will not allow another person like the current president to be my president. The scorched-earth methodology that he has adopted will not allow us to accomplish anything. Biden's history is not one I am drawn to, but I do believe he will surround himself with people who can get us out of this mess and headed in the right direction. it's also interesting that the Biden supporters are not going to call me names if I were to go for Sanders, yet the Sanders people will be vilifying all of us who go to Biden. Bernie threw Liz under the bus on national television, for that alone he wouldn't get my vote. And, yes, that is an important point. It is a perfect example of how he will do whatever he has to do and crush whoever he has to crush to win.
24
Sen. Warren would definitely give a boost to Mr. Biden by helping our country move toward a better healthcare system - improve the Affordable Care Act. I hope he chooses her to help the nation.
12
I will be waiting to hear what Warren has to say about this. Ideologically, I am closer to Bernie. But the more I think about it, the more I have a problem with the way the winnowing of the field took place. Sanders beat Warren by pitting the liberal so-called elite against working-class Americans. He said she only appeals to educated voters. In doing this, he himself is the one who played the identity card, with respect to class, not her. It is rightly really problematic that you would say and think a woman can't be President, and then do what you can to bring that about by calling her an elite. This seems to be a criticism that is levelled at women; people said that about Hilary too.
We have a big identity politics mess in a cauldron right now over here on the left, and guess what, identity matters. People can go on all day dragging 'identity politics,' but at the end of the day, Warren is a woman, I am a woman, and I understand exactly what she went through because I have been through it enough times myself. Now you want me to get behind the man who did this to her as my standard-beater? That is a talllll order. I don't think anyone can expect that morally from Elizabeth or her supporters, based on some abstract notion of the good of progressive ideals. These ideals did not speak for me when it mattered.
There are many pragmatic considerations in play in who Warren decides to endorse. I hope what she decides does not neglect the heart, but bottom line, it's her choice.
9
'heart' meaning, I hope that in whatever she decides she is true to herself, her voice, and her goals - not that she necessarily endorse a particular candidate.
2
Insanity is doing the same over and over expecting different results. Voting for Biden is that insanity. I will for Sanders or sit out the election. If you are voting just to remove Trump but not structural change to anything please don't vote.
4
@Michael So, until the country surrenders to you, and elects your candidate, you want to punish us all with 4 more years of Trump. And not just Trump - I assume this extends indefinitely into the future? Republicans forever, until people do as you demand?
Pro tip: This is not the way to win people to your cause. You will never, NEVER, win without Democrats. And you won't win Democrats with that attitude.
11
@Michael
Dear Michael,
So if you don't get your candidate you are content to watch the world burn?
I understand your frustration with the polity at large, but you must not let small minded people overshadow the long view.
I will give you the benefit of the doubt, that the long view of a Sanders presidency would be transformational, but if Mr. Biden is the nominee what is the long view.
More Democrats in Congress and perhaps the Senate. Breaking the stranglehold of Mr. McConnell on the country's agenda.
All is needed is a few solid progressive policies to be enacted under a Biden administration to assure the polity that Democrats are not totalitarian socialists.
Mr. Sanders will get my vote if he is our nominee, but in my opinion, his demeanor and his past stridency will send him to the most dismal defeat in US presidential politics.
All the best.
4
If Warren is at all serious about her progressive agenda she will endorse Bernie. But it seems that she is a calculating opportunist instead.
7
@Therese B. Listen to what you just said. Was that meant to be an appeal? This is exactly why you are not getting Warren supporters. If you want to know why Bernie foundered on Super Tuesday, look in the mirror.
6
@Therese B. Your comment is an example of Bernie supporters who diminished Liz with disrepectful, unfair generalizations. Many of us voted for her because she wanted to implement progressive ideas but keep the Democratic party intact, which is necessary for us to win the down-ballot races. The GOP is salivating for Bernie to be the nominee, so they can tag "socialist" to them and flip our hard-earned moderate House seats back to red.
3
@Marc - don’t forget Putin! He’s salivating to get Bernie nominated too, because it will deliver four more years of Trump.
1
Since our education system doesn't work, Bernie needs to explain the difference between democratic socialism and the regular kind. Under Bernie's democratic socialism, the government will nationalize exactly one industry--health insurance. And it will provide a robust social safety net.
Unfortunately, you probably can't win an election by giving a civics lecture.
1
@Robert M Well that would make Bernie a Social Democrat, not a Democratic Socialist. And as many have pointed out, when you look at his platform, he is definitely not a Democratic Socialist.
What worries some voters, therefore, is why he would cling to that label. It makes people wonder if there's a more radical agenda in his mind than the one he puts on paper. Not that it would matter, none of these things get through the Senate. But as a Social Democrat myself, I share the concern of many about a candidate who is clearly a Social Democrat, but insists on calling himself a Democratic Socialist, when he clearly knows the difference as well as anyone.
4
Warren is a capitalist, a Democrat, and has a plan for everything.
Sanders is a socialist, an independent, and isn't providing anything deeper than a slogan.
That's the divide. That Sanders and Warren ended up in the same ballpark on some issues hardly makes them similar in ideology or approach or temperament.
That's why I wouldn't be surprised if more than half of Warren's supporters end up with Biden, the other capitalist Democrat in the race (not going to count you, Tulsi).
14
This article is me. College educated, affluent, white Gen-X woman who identifies as "liberal."
Kamala Harris was my first choice, even though Warren was a closer fit with me ideologically. When Kamala dropped out, I went to Pete Buttigieg. Still not as good a fit with me ideologically as Elizabeth Warren, but I was excited by his even temperament, and his willingness to be intellectual in public without being made to feel ashamed for it.
I went to Warren when he dropped out. Ideologically, the candidate I should have been with all along. But as this piece points out, ideology has less and less to do with our voting decisions in the age of Trump. You hear the phrase a lot this cycle, about the candidate who "knows us." Elizabeth Warren, along with Pete and Kamala, they "know me."
And what does that mean, really? It means that people vote for the candidate that reflects how they want to feel about a President, because they reflect qualities they value in themselves and others. Warren, Pete and Kamala had those qualities I value - Intelligence, character, competence, leadership, and even temperament.
For voters like me, choosing between Bernie and Biden is our worst case scenario. Two angry old men, shouting and pounding on podiums, sloganeering their way to the top of the heap. Obviously, I'll vote for whoever wins the nomination. But as for the primary, I might as well stay home.
2
Warren supporters are evenly split between Bernie and Biden.
Bernie should pick Warren as a running mate and make the announcement soon if he wants to win Warren supporters over.
3
@Ed
No. Warren supports are going to Biden at about 10x the rate they are going to Sanders.
1
I voted for Warren because she was the best candidate: smart, genuine, realistic, practical, principled and committed yet not rigid.
Sanders' solution to everything is "I'll hold a rally." We're not Communist Cuba; we don't have rallies in place of hard politics. Sanders doesn't listen: when the Nevada unions told him they didn't want to trade the health care benefits they'd fought so hard to gain, his response was, "My plan is better, you'll see." He knew better than they what they wanted. When Warren confronted him for calling her a liar on national television, his response was a schoolyard, "No, you called me a liar" and then dismissed her with a wave of his hand. When Biden approached him in another debate and appeared to say something Sanders didn't like, he dismissed Biden with a wave of his hand.
Bernie knows best. He'll tell us so. That's why this Warren voter would prefer Biden.
17
In my personal circles, I know many Warren supporters, mostly professional women in their 30s and 40s. They’re breaking heavily toward Biden, maybe by a 6:1 ratio. I was surprised
7
There must be some other women like me, who feel that Sen. Sanders was a spoiler in the 2016 election and harbor resentment for that.
12
I think the Sanders campaign made a big strategic error in not even trying to appeal to moderate, center-left Democrats. In fact, his following went further, insulting centrists by labeling them “corporate democrats” and “neoliberals,” essentially Republicans, etc. His inability or unwillingness to reign in his radical super-fans was a big mistake. Also, the hubris in assuming that he could write off the moderates because millions of new voters were going to come out of the woodwork and comprise a new electorate was shear incompetence. His campaign didn’t even have a strategy for registering and mobilizing all these new voters. This is bad leadership and evidence of his inability to govern. Elizabeth Warren never would have made these strategic errors. We really did lose the best candidate. It’s heartbreaking.
12
I was an enthusiastic supporter of Elizabeth Warren and her progressive policies. I was attracted in part by Ms. Warren's record of working well within the Democratic Party and of legislative accomplishment. As a lifelong Democrat, I find Mr. Sander's attempts at a hostile take-over of the party deeply offensive, and I am underwhelmed by his meagre accomplishments as a congressman -- for three decades he has not been successful at implementing the policies he supports. I will support him reluctantly if he is the only alternative to Donald Trump.
20
I am a huge long term fan of Warren. Her policy goals - which tightly align with Sanders- are ones that I strongly support.
While I am in alignment with Sanders policy goals, I am deeply wary of his tone and the toxic nature of the politics of many of those in his movement.
I don’t want a populist revolution. Those never end well. I want policy change, and Warrens approach was far more likely to accomplish that.
Biden was far from my top choice, but he is just fine and I will support him now.
24
I was a solid Warren vote. I caucused for Sanders in 2016 and he was a distant 2nd choice throughout the process. I am voting in 3 days and I am thinking I'll be voting Biden (I might just vote Warren anyway though). The vision is similar, equality and a government that works for the people, the differences are in structure and in how we're going to get there.
Sanders is too intransigent. He puts off fence sitters by equating concerns about process as opposition to the vision. He attacks and insults rather than convinces. He won't support Democrats who aren't pure enough. With Biden I know that he'll be able to keep the party a big tent, he'll support all Democrats in all races, he'll convince some voters on the fence.
Maybe if it were a caucus my social justice instincts would overtake my pragmatism in the moment and I could be convinced to re-align with Sanders in the end, but we have a primary this time and I have an unfilled ballot on my kitchen counter, and pragmatism might win the day.
20
I understand that they are very different candidates, but bottom line Sanders and Warren both want "structural change."
Biden is not even pretending to offer that. In fact, his appeal is essentially the opposite.
The choice for Warren supporters seems obvious to me, though it is certainly theirs to make.
9
The best case scenario is we get a younger, female VP with Biden that can play the Cheney to Bush 2.
Even if he wins with gen pop Sanders unfortunately won’t achieve any structural change and we will end up with a Trump on steroids type afterwards.
2
This may or may not be in his character if Senator Sanders issues a heart-felt apology for the doxxing of the Nevada union leaders and other bad acts from his supporters, it may go a very long way.
He needs the Warren supporters and we need him to lead the movement. Even if he's not nearly as effective as Warren, at least he'll keep the issues front and center instead of making believe everything's all good now that uncle Joe is the white house.
8
I’m the stereotypical Warren supporter, and I already voted (early) for her in my state’s primary. I’m not crazy about Biden, but if he chose someone like Stacy Abrams or Kamala Harris or Amy Klobuchar for his running mate, I think he’d do very well.
16
I agree wholeheartedly.
Get a Kamala or Stacey on the ticket
1
Another Warren voter going over to Biden...
I loved Warren. I felt she was the right balance between progressive ideals and the ability to heal the nation.
We need healing. As someone once told me while I was undergoing trauma, "Now's not the time to re-do your kitchen."
Biden, for all his flaws, has experienced tremendous trauma in his life. He regularly gives out his personal phone number to strangers going through grief. He was never a genius and it's not getting any better. But he is undeniably gifted in this area.
His current policies would make him the most progressive candidate ever. With Warren's influence, he'd likely move further.
And yeah, I really found Bernie's entire campaign arrogant, rigid and full of toxicity.
So... go Joe.
34
I agree. As I die hard Warren supporter and donor to her campaign, I absolutely won't be supporting Sanders. Many other supporters I know feel the same. Biden will get a bump from her exit.
24
The about Warren for VP overlooks an important point: the Republicans will also be voting in November. In our attempt to win over enough of them (and there are plenty willing to listen) it is important to make a good call for VP, especially because of the aged Biden. Warren is explicitly unpopular with Republicans - she will lose votes. I see more hope with a bright young woman now Governor of Michigan - Gretchen Whitmer.
1
Elizabeth made it pretty clear that if Bernie doesn't do something about his dangerous Bernie Bros, she will not support him. She made some good suggestions as to how he could go about that.
18
As much as I wanted to believe otherwise, I knew Elizabeth Warren didn't have a chance of cinching the nomination from the start.
Not only because it took too long to get through too many candidates (it did!), but mainly because this country just isn't ready to take the major leap of nominating and electing a female President no matter how brilliant she is.
Case and point: Elizabeth Warren.
Few could hold up to her intelligence, integrity and an uncanny ability to call out Donald Trump for what he really is without backing down.
And a vote for Warren wouldn't have necessarily meant only a vote for women or progressive values, because she stood for much more than that and had a well thought-out plan for just about everything.
I would've voted for her but won't have the chance now.
And there's no way I'd ever consider Bernie Sanders -- for the very same reasons many commenters have brought up here; starting with his obstinance, intolerance and inability to listen and learn.
And his Bros.
I'm not looking to replace one male chauvinist with another.
I just want Trump out.
20
Bernie is polarizing. If Warren's supporters had it in them to get behind Bernie's messaging they would already be in his camp. They chose a milder alternative for a reason.
9
Maybe someday we will all base our vote on the policy we agree with, rather than speculating on who other people might go for. I wonder who would be elected then. Not Biden.
7
I'm one of those college educated white women whose first choice for president was Elizabeth Warren. Now with her out of the race, when I go to the polls in the Pennsylvania primary, Joe Biden will get my vote.
23
I voted for Warren and believe voters have made yet another BIG mistake in not getting behind her campaign.
Now we are down to Biden to Bernie, and I strongly prefer the former. The arrogance and pressure tactics employed by the too sizable Bernie Bro contingent mimics those of Trump supporters. Bernie has not done anywhere near enough to disavow their tactics. I don't want a bully-backed president.
At a time when so many of us already feel deeply demoralized and depleted by the degradation of our ideals and our democracy, AND when we are now facing a global pandemic under a criminally neglectful president, I believe that a "known" like Joe Biden would provide people with at least a modest sense of comfort, security, and relief.
Bernie represents ideals that I support and that are desperately needed. But, to achieve those goals will require energy and persistence that I, for one (and I am quite sure I am not alone in this), simply do not have.
Right now, I feel like I could have a beer with Joe, and we would smile and laugh. Bernie would growl at me and challenge me to a debate. I. Just. Can't.
I am, at heart, an insufferable idealist and most of my 67 years on this planet reflect that truth. And this sentiment has always enraged me, so it's hard for me to believe I am saying it, BUT, now is not the time for Bernie.
My fervent hope is that Joe Biden will choose an exceptional VP, build a vast unity coalition, and beat Trump soundly. One can always hope.
16
I supported Senator Warren and will support VP Biden. Senator Warren policy chops and thoughts ness was why I supported her. And i always assumed she could tack to the center after the primary Me . Sanders is incapable of doing so. Go Joe
14
There's only one way I'll check a President box on my blue WA state ballot, and that's if Biden has the brains to ask Warren to run with him. The Electoral College says my vote doesn't count and in my view, neither old white man is an acceptable choice. I supported Sanders last year but a larger field showed his rigidity and failure to deliver the younger vote. Biden is a nice guy if you're a high status white male but has relied on handshakes all his life and is clearly doddering. The most qualified candidate by a mile was Warren, but institutional and societal sexism insured she'd fail. Research will emerge on this, but there are too many "shrills" and "schoolmarms" in the WaPo and Times comments to believe otherwise. Most were from men but there were a lot of women too. Ironically, the men routinely committed the very sins assigned to her. Ok, well, time to seek out more woman-owned businesses and limit my charitable giving to furthering women and girls.
Spoilsport? Maybe, but in my 70 years, it's just the SOS in live and unfortunately, in print. So I'll watch the polls and hope that except for local races, I can sit this one out without helping Trump.
3
Reading all these comments disparaging Sanders, his supporters, and promoting Biden as the party savior (when the two are still running neck-and-neck in a primary) is actually turning me off of the Democratic Party. Folks, you should be thanking your lucky stars someone like Sanders is trying to bring more working-class people (you know, the ones who built the party and who it claims to represent) back into it. Because without them, we'll lose the fourth Presidential contest in the past 20 years and many more in the future.
4
The summary of this article on the front page says it all:
"Senator Elizabeth Warren’s supporters skew liberal, as do Senator Bernie Sanders’s. But there is a working-class tilt to Mr. Sanders’s support that does not play out with Ms. Warren’s.
That's a fundamental difference. Warren's supporters are not so much _of_ the working class, and they don't so much _support_ the working class. They're by and large white, educated, and privileged, compared to Sanders's supporters.
And the two groups of supporters have this difference because the policies & politics of Warren and Sanders are different.
Warren is anti-monopoly, anti-crony capitalism, anti-misogyny, and anti-racism. But her critique of capitalism is not thoroughgoing, and neither is her support of the working class.
Warren self-proclaims "capitalist to the core", and that shows in her politics and her supporters.
That said, it certainly behooves her to now support the progressive politics of Sanders and not the corporatist policies of Biden.
What will our self-styled progressive capitalist-to-the-core do now? Which side is Liz on?
4
The Bernie/Biden conflict isn’t a gender issue. Nor is it a choice between progressive change and conservative stasis in the way Bernie’s supporters imagine. Attacks on Warren aren’t just being made by Bernie “Bros”. Bernie “Sisters” are equally rigid ideologically and hypercritical of establishment credentials and moderate leanings. I appreciate how he educates Americans around the institutional dynamics of growing inequality and political corruption driven by conservative monied interests. But I am weary of his inability to compromise, an essential leadership quality for effective governance in a pluralistic democracy. We don’t need another hectoring ideologue as Chief Executive. We need a pragmatic leader who knows how to get things done in the real world. If elected, Bernie’s sole Presidential tool will be his authority to issue Executive Orders. The GOP Senate majority now and for the foreseeable future controls passage of legislation and confirmation of judicial appointments, aka the big stuff. GOP conservatives will join many moderate Dems to block Bernie’s grandiose and overreaching “revolutionary” initiatives. Fact is, most Americans sit in the middle of the political spectrum and aren’t ready for Bernie’s revolution. Biden accepts reality and will be able to reach across the aisle to actually get positive things done, like a single payer option under the ACA. And that’s why this Bernie Bro still loves Bernie, but is now a Biden Bro.
6
Someone said it before me, but the staggering reality is that some of Warren supporters will vote for Biden on base of agressive behavior from Sanders base toward their nominee,
but they will overlook the fact that Biden publicly humiliated and destroyed the credibility of
Anita Hill, the equivalent of Elisabeth Warren in academic and law credentials. Except that she was and is African American. And she was sexually harassed. How far can one go in the denial and classify him self as a feminist or progressive while vote for Biden?
3
@elinak
I saw Anita Hill speak a couple of weeks ago. She is dignified, just, dedicated, influential, brave, incisive, and still very busy and effective. When asked directly she refused to be negative about Joe Biden. If she can forgive him with so much grace and dignity I will follow her lead where this is concerned. And I was also a Warren supporter and contributor who cast my primary vote for Biden.
4
"He has not articulated policy goals nearly as far-reaching or precise as Ms. Warren did." And, you, constantly being handsy with women.
Now is the time to unite behind Biden and move on to the next challenge. November is coming.
5
Warren supporters who jump on this year's bandwagon of bashing Bernie as the officially designated "angry old white man", are, for all their education, and supposed ability to think critically and connect the dots, like dogs responding to the tone of their master's voice rather than the actual words.
So, do keep bashing Bernie and his supporters, "Bros," etc., keep alienating them, but be prepared to get bashed in turn, come November.
4
@whatdoIknowkafkaland. Nice, as a college-educated woman, I appreciate Kafka. Thwart the Democrats at your own peril.Cut off your nose to spit your face, and get four more years of exactly what you don’t want, vs. a lot of what you do want. As much as you would get under Sanders. Because you have to take others along with you in politics to get things done.
3
As a middle to upper income college educated older Millennial there’s also the problem that Bernie comes across as just as much of a mansplainer as the average old white man. Why are these our options?
3
I don't know. I"m pretty excited about the possibility of a Biden/Abrams ticket. Forget the Bernie/Warren fray.
1
Imagine this: Biden - Waren 2020. What better way to unify the party?! This is a must to coalesce the progressive young voters skeptical of Biden's history and to have a smart, capable, fierce, progressive woman as veep would be unstoppable.
4
I was really sad to see Elizabeth bow out yesterday; she was clearly the most competent candidate out there, and I believe she could have begun the process of bringing people back together.
I don't like him as much, but I'll be voting for Biden. Bernie is just too stridently "my way or the highway," and I can't see him reaching out to anybody about anything.
A Biden/Warren ticket would be great, but I doubt it will happen.
6
I voted for Sanders in the last primary when Warren decided not to run. But now that Warren has dropped out my vote for Sanders is far from automatic. Besides the ever-present winability question, I am concerned with what will happen in congressional races. Wouldn't a Biden presidency and a Democratic Senate majority be infinitely superior to a Sanders presidency, especially a Sanders presidency that comes with a flipped House? And I also question how good an executive Sanders would actually make.
The other side of the coin is that I am far more aligned with Sander's politics than with Biden's. But will he ever be able to get any of his "revolution" passed in any foreseeable future? What do YOU say, Elizabeth?
2
I voted for Warren on Tuesday. It was so clear that, of all the candidates, she had the clearest vision, the most coherent policy platform, and the ability to take on Trump. I mourn that American has once again discarded the most qualified candidate for the presidency.
I will also support Biden. I have many reasons. I like Sanders' policies but I believe him to be too uncompromising. This doesn't concern me much in the context of the Oval Office. It does concern me in the context of down-ballot candidates.
And, of course, the underlying reason: Trump must go, and the available evidence suggests Biden has broader support than Sanders. I cannot rely on promises that the progressive youth vote - my demographic - will turn out in November when they did not turn out on Tuesday, and have demonstrated declining participation since Obama.
8
I'm glad I voted early. I got to choose the candidate I thought would do the best job. That was easy. I'm disappointed that she didn't catch on, but I think Warren will still play an important role in government. That would not be as second banana to Joe Biden.
5
Count me among the Warren supporters moving to Biden...though he was among my last choices. I came to Warren late, and Biden later, having previously preferred Harris, Booker, Bennet, and Bloomberg.
I focus relatively equally on three areas: policies, ability to beat Trump (including the coattail effects on down-ballot contests) to bring integrity back to the United States Government, and quality of human being. To my eyes, the Vice President's fumfering makes him vulnerable to an aggressive Trump, and his policies aren't always clear to me (I hope you're reading this and will find a way to make corrections, Mr. Vice President), but in each of the three categories I listed above, I rank Mr. Biden higher than Senator Sanders. It's an easy choice...but not the one I wanted to make.
10
A Biden endorsement will be a total betrayal of her ideas, something like going to work for Wall Street.
3
@DTR Warren uniting behind Biden would send the message that Trump must go. If Democrats unite now then a win against Trump is doable.
8
one thing that made me delete twitter was the relentless harrassment of warren supporters by the extremely online bernie people who think internet bullying is political praxis thanks to influencers like chapo trap house. its testament to the so called socialist movement that they have this imagination about a vast reservoir of untapped nonvoters that enables them to "dunk" on everyday Americans online, because they don't need or care about winning their support because they are neoliberals as if nordic socialism has anything to do with karl Marx. they seem to not realize that through a propensity for cruelty online that their claims of caring about the downtrodden ring false and like most of the electorate they are primarily concerned with what benefits them directly. this is why things like student debt jubilees are pushed far higher in priority than say police or immigration reform. Bernie's movement has contracted since 2016, even though it picked up more latino voters for work done off line and certainly not by Brooklyn dirtbag microcelebs, and it is no doubt in response to the internet mobs and people like Omar and AOC that seem to think the revolution is won by posting and being as unrepentantly rude and divisive as possible. this kind of tactic works for fascists since their whole purpose is to separate and conquer on behalf of the few and socialism, be it based on Bismarck or karl Marx, is supposed to be a uniter for a more equitable society.
5
Fro such an 'advanced' country, voters of the USA are sure showing how backward they are in their thinking that a woman cannot be president; in spite of watching the current resident of the White House and how much he has damaged the reputation of the US. Elizabeth Warren is a clear thinking, articulate, moral and just about miles superior to Trump in every way and the voters could not think beyond the gender of the candidate.
Biden does not seem to be on the ball much of the time and as the stress and pressure of campaigning mounts, his gaffes may climb accordingly. His mind is definitely not as clear as it needs to be for this race.
As for Sanders, he is only a temporary Democrat ... he has sat as an Independent, for most of his career and should not have been running as a Democrat.
And Tulsi Gabbard ??? What's the story with her anyway???
But now the decisions made by the voters will have to stand with the most awful possiblity of (God forbid) Trump winning again!!
2
Americans know they don't deserve Warren. They will get Trump or Wall Street Joe. They deserve it.
3
@Chris If America gets Joe then it will get a great economy, lots of jobs, a livable minimum wage, a focus on healthcare that doesn’t tear down the current system but makes it more affordable and available, and many other pluses.
5
Sanders dug himself a political grave with his strategy of relying on his dreams of turning out new voters. Now that that strategy has failed, he is desperate for a bailout from Warren. Warren would be smart to extract some concessions from Biden rather than jumping in the hole that Sanders dug himself.
12
Ultimately, there are two choices. One is Trump. If you don't vote, that's a vote for Tump.
Seldom in life does one get their first choice.
8
@A
That's one choice
Liz Warren's base is too damned smart to kneejerk vote for Bernie Sanders. The whack-a-mole misogyny associated with his campaign and particularly with his self-identified "dirtbag" subset of supporters will rightly give them pause. Warren was everything Sanders was plus a whole lot more besides. Every one of his shortcomings is one of her strengths. You might have noted in passing that I must surely believe that his voters should long since have dropped him for her, and that he should long since have endorsed her. Liz's voters are practical. They can see that a Sanders nomination will not win back the Senate and could very well lose us the House. They know that "in the last instance" Bernie will always prioritize generic economic progressivism over such things as basic women's rights. The way Bernie threw Liz under the bus should make them wonder. Finally, after that one debate when the private meeting came up, something snapped among his acolytes. The viciousness of the St. Bernie disciples toward her, even on this site, has been appalling. Words like "pathological liar" and "serpent" have come up relatively routinely. Of course nothing could be further from the truth. The character of Senator Warren is and always has been exemplary. She would have made the president of all of them.
35
@Robert excuse me?
Anita Hall? Biden destroying publicly the credibility of a black woman with the same credential as Warren, victim of serious sexual harassment?
While Sanders asked Warren to run in 2016, she refused , so her ran himself? This is beyond misinterpretation.
It mean that Warren self professed “fight” ment nothing to you. As it was the same one with Sanders. So it was all about the hype?
@elinak
I think we're talking about right now and why Senator Warren's supporters might think twice about endorsing Senator Sanders. Yep, Vice President Biden has made mistakes. As they all have. Think Sanders voting to protect the gun makers from lawsuits, and all of his other votes against reasonable gun control, in light of the 30,000 plus firearm fatalities we have every year. Obviously the stuff that's happening now is more important. If it was wrong back then, how much more wrong is it now?
Biden's role in the Clearance Thomas hearings wasn't what you say it was. You folks can't ever seem to get it through your noggins that, though the Democrats sometimes made mistakes including failing to go to the mat for stuff, the lion's share of the wrongdoing belongs to the Republicans. Here is a pertinent article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/26/us/politics/biden-anita-hill.html
1
@Robert We disagree on that. But thank you pointing it politely. Civility has been truly lacking on both sides and I appreciate arguments instead of accusations and insults.
But all that unfortunately pales when the simple fact that Biden mental decline is blindingly obvious when you check his speeches 10 years ago and today. Here is a link that put 40 gaffes of the last days, weeks, months and preceding years. Most of them are unfortunately very recent. Biden will be crucified and mercilessly mocked and that horrible spectacle should be avoided at any cost. I find Biden political history very questionable, but none deserves what will be thrown at him. It will be beyond ugly.
https://caitlinjohnstone.com/2020/03/05/stop-calling-it-a-stutter%E2%80%8A-%E2%80%8Ahere-are-dozens-of-examples-of-bidens-dementia-symptoms/
Bernie certainly will try:
"Bernie pushed Clinton further left, and he will likely do the same for Biden in the coming months."
Biden's problem;
1. If he DOESN'T let Bernie push him further left, he'll upset Sanders and his supporters.
2. If he DOES let Bernie push him further left, he'll present voters with a much starker choice between him and Trump, and voters will be more likely to pick Trump.
I doubt it will matter, as I expect Trump will win, period, but if I were Biden, I'd resist Sanders' predictable effort to push him further left.
3
@Commenter
Given the results in the 2018 mid terms (massive turnout and actual results) and those in the state elections since (eg. VA) what is the basis for your belief that Trump will win? It seems very clear to me that there is an overwhelming desire for a return to normalcy and Biden represents this. Most of my friends are Republicans and a surprising number (particularly women) are willing to go with Uncle Joe. Sanders no, but Joe is seen as a basically honest OK guy.
8
@John I agree John. I am a libertarian that typically votes third party but Joe is my guy in November. It will be my first vote for a Democrat.
4
It just occurred to me that Sanders supporters have always had a different agenda this election cycle than everybody else. For everybody else, including Warren supporters, priority number one has always been getting rid of Trump, whom we see as an existential threat. The debate has been about who can best accomplish that and with what policies. For Sanders supporters, the number one priority of this election cycle was to draw a line in the sand forcing a battle for the ideological soul of the Democratic Party between “progressives” (them) and “moderates” (everybody else). They presumed this was a battle they would win, giving them effective dominance over our country’s political left. Beating Trump, for them, was an afterthought. To some, anyone but Bernie losing to Trump was even a victory of sorts, since it allowed them to continue the narrative of populism beating the establishment. I think this explains the rhetoric and hostility towards any kind of moderation by Democrats we have experienced.
16
I'm among those who hoped Sanders would pass the torch to Senator Warren and political rock stars like AOC didn't revive his campaign after the heart attack. Nevertheless, if I were in Michigan I'd vote for him.
Obviously, Biden is better than Trump but I have a feeling his billionaires want something like TTP or more tax breaks in return for their investment.
2
I donated to the Warren campaign and was disappointed when she dropped out. I liked her progressive policies and I liked the way she clearly stated how she planned to get things done. Although Bernie shares many of her goals, I’ve decided to vote for Biden. I think the term “Democratic Socialist” scares voters, especially older people. Beating Trump has to be priority number one.
11
I should state right off that I plan to vote for Biden when the primary finally comes to New York. Nevertheless it would be a mistake to write off Sanders. Future debates will be one on one and no one can predict their outcome with confidence. Sanders is quick and well versed in the facts at issue and his debate performances have been consistent. His major liability and it is enormous is the perception that Trump will trounce him. That is my concern but it will be the decision of all the primary voters. It ain't over until the fat lady sings and she has only had a rehearsal or two.
3
Disclaimer: I will vote for anyone but Trump.
Bernie’s core supporters remind me very much of another group, namely the occupy wall-streeters. Playing house, ‘adulting’ (or trying to), with little actual skin in the game, and certainly no holistic endpoint in mind or a way to get there successfully.
17
If a primary reason that people did not vote Warren was "electability", not believing she could win in the general election, than it would seem that "electability"would be quality they look most for in the person they would get behind.
One thing Warren epitomizes is competence. And she's a hopeful, but pragmatic liberal.
Pragmatic women who love Warren will vote for the candidate most likely to bring a Democratic Senate and House with him into the White House.
That ain't Bernie
16
We ran a centrist against Trump in 2016 and it worked out miserably. Biden will not fare well against Trump. We're going to be inundated with Burisma and Hunter Biden propaganda from now till the election. It's hard to call Trump corrupt and criticize Ivanka and Jared when Joe was essentially running the same scheme for his own family. Not to mention his abominable record on womens rights, social security cuts, wars, and the fact that Warren literally got into politics to fight his bankruptcy bill. What makes no sense to me is how willing Warren voters are to abandon their progressive principles and side with a man like Biden just because it makes them feel "safe" or "comfortable".
This election will decide how urgently we respond to catastrophes like climate change, student debt and healthcare. If you're scared of the one candidate pushing the most comprehensive solutions to these issues then you need a serious reality check and you weren't listening to a word Warren was saying in the first place.
4
If it was Sanders whose supporters were majority white upperclass rather than Warren, how differently would that fact be covered in this paper?
In 2016 when a larger portion of Sanders support was white, the Times had a much bigger problem with it. They didn't seem to mind for Warren.
I like them both frankly, but watching the media constantly bend over backwards to paint Sanders in an unflattering light only makes my support for Sanders grow stronger.
3
I’m a 70 year old white male who voted for Bernie in the 2016 primary and Liz in this one. I’m throwing my support for Biden because he aspires to be a unifying presence as opposed to a highly divisive one. I turned on Bernie when he criticized Pete for taking corporate donations because this moment of existential threat is no time for sanctimonious displays of ideological purity which, when done by Democrats, always end in defeat.
His kind words for Castro are similarly troubling. Castro may have had some good points, but the reality that he took power through violence is troubling and might well lead many to conclude, as we do when Trump endorses strongmen, that Bernie endorses Fidel’s methods.
I don’t like the deep feeling or threat that I feel under Trump. I don’t want my fellow citizens to feel that under the next democratic administration. I want healing rather than further division.
16
I voted for Warren in California. Had she not been on the ballot and my choices were Biden or Sanders, I would have voted Biden. Sanders is not good in my opinion at bringing the country together and he's not transparent. A 78 year old who recently had a heart attack need to release his medical records, and failing that, one can only assume, there's a problem—which Trump will exploit. And while a share many of Sanders's views, he has failed to demonstrate he can bring out enough voters to elect him in 2020. I think he'd lose to Trump and hurt down-ballot races. We must defeat Trump, and I just don't think Sanders is the one to do it.
8
What I really wonder is how Moderates has the conscience to complain that Sanders supporters might do the same as the last time when Moderate candidate was nominated.
Like Sanders supporters voting in larger numbers for Clinton then Clinton’s for Obama? Or the 39 rallies with Sanders? Did you forgot that when he endorsed her it was strong . At the convention.. it was he who proposed her as not the presumed nominee but the definite nominee and spoke strongly on her behalf. Short memories? Or do you envision Clinton returning the favor?
And moderates, after the loss and the reign of Trump are still willing to go for the same scenario, again accusing Sanders supporters of not going for voting sufficiently strong? This is ugly.
Do you remember 2008 and the real ugliness thrown at Obama? Did you forgot that it was the moderates who where lead by Clinton who started the endless mudslinging? My god. How can you forget so easily US.
You don’t give your progressive any ground. There is always a reason to be prudent, “United” except that unity is always about coming in your camp. Wake up.
Moderate are motivated by fear and that is a real bad
fuel to burn on . Meanwhile , prepare for another 4 years when next Biden gaffe becomes the line of no return for independents.
2
Warren is in a lose-lose situation for offering an endorsement. If she endorses Biden, her liberal base will leave her and Sanders's base will declare her dead. If she endorses Sanders, she will be attacked for not endorsing him before Super Tuesday if Sanders doesn't get the miracle bump he needs. The false notion that is circulating that Warren's supporters automatically would go to Sanders also doesn't help.
Progressives should have coalesced around Warren instead of Sanders when they had the chance. Now there is virtually no path for a progressive agenda in the White House any time soon.
4
We liked Kamala and once she dropped out we went for Warren. We are heartbroken again. We will vote for Biden and if Bernie gets the nomination we will hold our noses and vote blue regardless. If it comes to that, Bernie is not getting ANY money or likes from us. We will donate to the DNC and down ballot Democrats because they will be needed to stop the trump insanity.
6
The key to Sanders is not in his policy but his base. It is driven far too much by hate — like Trump’s equally evil ‘liberal’ negative — and his own smug intransigence than by any identifiable program. The fear is that these qualities will lead him and his base to run independently of any other Democratic party nominee or sit out the election, making him a de facto Trump supporter.
5
I believe Biden would make a smart move by picking Warren as his VP to solidify a bridge to more progressive voters.
4
I would vote for Bernie - Blue no matter who down the line. Not sure the argument that down ballet votes would go to the GOP, if someone is willing to pull the lever for Bernie, because they do want healthcare, etc. they would also support the senators that would enable him to get there.
If Biden IS the candidate, then he needs to pick someone like Warren so we can make necessary changes.
10
Yeah I can’t see too many people voting for Bernie but not down ballot Democrats. The problem would be turnout in general.
2
@Patricia With respect to the House, the lever that's pulling for Bernie is the GOP:
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/484621-republicans-root-for-sanders-nomination-in-battle-for-house
1
She genuinely loves her country and wants to do what's right for it. Like Amy and Pete, and Mike. My bet is that she goes with Biden now that her party has coalesced around him. Getting Trump out is of the utmost importance. Hope Joe picks Claire McCaskill of Mo. as his VP. She is awesome! Let's leave Warren and Klobuchar in the senate where they are truly, desperately needed.
19
I foresee a replay of the 2016 battle between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, though this time it will be between Biden and Sanders.
Biden will win that battle, and Sanders will promise to support him -- just as Sanders pledged to support Hillary Clinton in 2016. Just as Sanders' "support" of HRC was lukewarm in 2016, so too will it be lukewarm this time. Sanders may appreciate the downside more this time -- Trump gets re-elected -- whereas last time we all thought HRC would win no matter what. But Bernie's "lukewarmness" will exist even so, and most or all voters will notice that. The almost inevitable result? Trump will win.
12
@Commenter
39 rallies. Clinton professing on stage that Sanders is an incredible man. Him making I’m passionate speeches on her behalf.
Sanders supporters voting in larger numbers for Clinton then Clinton for Obama in 2008.
Know your history. It is out there in form of facts and records.
2
@Commenter the idea that Sanders can just pass off his support to a centrist candidate is as silly now as it was in 2016- a not insubstantial part of Bernie’s support comes from people’s support of his agenda and if another candidate does not reflect that agenda isn’t it on them to win over that support. If Sanders somehow ends up the nominee we’ll hear no end of how he needs to win over the supporters of other candidates. Yet when it’s Clinton or Biden who is the nominee it is Sanders that must somehow “give over” his supporters to them.
2
I’ve seen many commenters here stating that they are moving their support from Warren to Biden because Sanders is too ideologically rigid and will not compromise. What’s interesting is that many moderate Democrats made the same statements about Warren, including other candidates in debates. I’ve been a Warren supporter and went to work for the CFPB because of her involvement in its creation. She pushed back hard against a regulatory establishment that did not want this agency created. People in D.C. claimed that she is too rigid. Moderate Democrats did not want her or Sanders to become the nominee and lead the party, in part because they both criticized Wall Street and billionaire donors. It’s almost as if many who supported Warren didn’t know her core values, her reason for entering politics, and how she works.
9
Elizabeth Warren was my first choice for President. I’m still heartbroken over her campaign suspension.
Bernie Sanders doesn’t have any clear policy plans, the best he's done is a half-financed healthcare plan. Half a plan is NOT a plan.
Biden at least has a clear path for upgrading the ACA, as well as plans for SocialSecurity reforms intended to bring some fairness back to its retirement systems. Guess who I'm supporting.
30
@Canary In coalmine so Liz Warren is going to withhold her expertise and ideas from Sanders if he wins? But not from Biden
3
@gpearlman How would I know? Where did I even imply that?
Sanders really hasn't demonstrated how he would implement any of that he talks about. His healthcare analysis came out short by half. Biden already came out stating he would reform some unfair retirement programs (survivors) and pay for it through eliminating the FICA tax income ceiling.
No other point should be implied.
1
Joe seems to be becoming the default for just about everyone. Nothing quite as inspirational as vanilla ice cream too. Generic Joe does kind of have a kind of catchy ring to it.
5
As an ardent Warren support I hope she endorses neither of the mansplainers and goes straight back to working hard for the rights of working people in the Senate. Biden will be wise to pick Klobuchar as his running mate, she won many of the Trump districts, and will hold the midwest.
13
Why Warren supporters aren't a lock to get behind Sanders?
..because the media has been trying their hardest to get Democrats to hate Sanders and Sanders supporters.
What Warren and Sanders would want to achieve while in office is very similar. Why do so many commenters believe Sanders would have such a hard time accomplishing anything but not Warren? Believe it or not, Sanders does have a decent record of getting things done and working across the isle.
8
Sanders and his supporters have done a good job of that themselves without the media’s help.
9
This is the standard Sanders/Trump victim tripe: we are awesome but the institutions are against us. Please, enough. Bernie wasn’t any where near defeating Clinton and he will fall short with Joe as well. Why? It’s not that we are brainwashed by the media, or the DNC stacks the rules against poor millionaire Bernie, it’s that we don’t believe he will achieve his promises and we don’t necessarily want them. I don’t want the government running healthcare, even if Bernie could do it, and he can’t. I will vote Blue, including Bernie, gladly. But, I’m tired of Bernie and Trump being angry and pretending to be a victim. They are not victims in any sense, just sore losers.
3
I think that Liz Warren is/was the best candidate, and her interview last night w Rachel Maddow was great. She has such command of the issues and ability to articulate her thoughts. Neither of the remaining candidates come close. I am going with Biden because I think that he has a much better chance of winning, people are unifying behind him, he is building a coalition. I also think that he has the best chance of down ballot races, which we will need in order to restore things to normal. I like that Bernie is so candid with his diagnosis of the problem, I do think that he is authentic, however he is also alienating to those who are hesitant. After this 4 year nightmare we need unity and not alienation.
15
As a Kamala Harris supporter, turned Elizabeth Warren supporter, this article is absolutely correct about one thing: we’re not excited about Sanders or Biden.
But either is so far beyond better than continuing the catastrophe of the past three years and two months.
16
Bernie pushed Clinton further left, and he will likely do the same for Biden in the coming months.
I am looking forward to seeing how Biden evolves and talks about what he will do for the country, instead of incessant reminders about his connection to Obama.
Now that the field has dwindled, I'd like to see my fellow democrats open their minds and allow for new possibilities.
2
I voted for Warren in the primary in CA. I will vote for and actively support whichever Democrat wins the nomination. Between Sanders and Biden, I prefer Biden. Notwithstanding, if the nominee is Sanders, I will back him strongly against Trump. I look forward to settling who the Democratic nominee is, so we can move on to campaigning against and beating Trump and his Republican enablers in November.
12
I voted for Warren in the primary in CA. I will vote for and actively support whichever Democrat wins the nomination. Between Sanders and Biden, I prefer Biden. Notwithstanding, if the nominee is Sanders, I will back him strongly against Trump. I look forward to settling who the Democratic nominee is, so we can move on to campaigning against and beating Trump and his Republican enablers in November.
3
Warren was by far the most qualified candidate. But it was always going to be Sanders/Warren or Biden. Unfortunately the Bernie Bros do more to hurt their own cause then help it. The hit piece Micheal Moore put out on EW was cringe worthy. The rethoric from a lot of Sanders supports and in Farenhiet 11/9 harms democracy almost as much as the Trump administration. Bernie lost the popular vote in 2016, and he's never been a Democrat. But they're fine de-legitimizing democracy to further their own cause. No wonder the Russians favor his candidacy.
13
Ideals are seen to be a good thing by all of the Sanders voters but not one of them has yet published a plan for how to transition to Medicare for all. Not a single plan after years of talking and talking. Next, look at the "Wall Street Tax". They naively assume that stocks will continue to be traded on NASDAQ no matter what the cost. What will actually happen is that the big stocks will move to Toronto and London as will jobs in financial services as well. You'll be taxing investors and hurting NYC and getting a penny from what you perceive as the real culprits in income equality. Finally, not one of them seems to realize that the constitution prohibits a wealth tax. That's why we needed a constitutional amendment to put the income tax in place. Yet I don't see any refutation of the constitutional argument. Frankly, all this tells me is that these folks think that they can hand wave their way to a better America. So what you have here are policies than can't be implemented for a host of reasons. Even if you had the votes in congress, trying them out without understanding the transition timing and cost will make that a disaster.
4
@ Ross. Just a reminder I appreciate your concern regarding the transition to Medicare 4 all. How did we transition to Obamacare ? We were lied to. “If you like your insurance you can keep your insurance “. Thousands who were happy with their plans had them taken away and were forced into Obamacare plans that offered them coverage they did not want or need. Shall we talk about “If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor “. Unfortunately Obamacare care was passed by misleading the public which is essentially what the establishment wing of the Democratic Party has been engaged in. Unfortunately this will be 2016 all over again
2
@Patrick. Well, with Obamacare at least the claim was 98 percent correct as far as I can tell. And, with Obamacare most of the plans that were eliminated were bad choices made by the ignorant. I do think that OBC should have allowed those plans to continue with a warning statement that they were under the Bronze standard but that's life. Government intervention is a blunt instrument at best.
This is different. These policies are not even thought out. Obamacare was debated and debated in congress and the press. The implementation was as I recall a real mess.
Yet all that they were doing really was put up a website. I can't even imagine how our government could ever transition quickly to Medicare for All. I believe in universal health care but it needs to be done incrementally and with as much private industry involvement (see Switzerland for an example) as possible.
If Kamala Harris is picked as the VP candidate, I doubt that voters will take the Democrats seriously:
"A younger woman will need to be VP, someone like Harris."
Most likely, Biden will be the Democratic nominee, and most likely he'll pick someone who didn't run against him as his running mate (as both candidates did in 2016). If Biden does choose his VP running mate from among his primary opponents, he'll pick Warren, not Harris. And, frankly, a Biden-Warren ticket would give Trump a serious run for his money. In contrast, a Sanders-Anyone ticket would be a disaster for the Democrats.
10
@Commenter
It's all speculation but Biden looks like the nominee and he will almost certainly pick a woman as VP. This being the case I'd put my money on Harris and Klobuchar in that order. Both are women, both very smart, Harris is ethnic minority, and both would be excellent and articulate on the campaign trail. Imagine a Pence v Harris debate.
I supported Warren, and I support Biden.
Warren is a policy wonk and an intellectual. She created a very important government consumer watchdog. She gets things done. Brilliant.
Biden is a centrist, believes in compromise, can win the suburbs and the black vote. Brilliant.
Sanders is a divisive populist. An alien watching the election might find his rallies indistinguishable from Donald Trump's. I agree with many of the things that Sanders says, and he will divide the country in a way reminiscent of Donald Trump, but from the left. I don't support Sanders.
Sanders is very different from Warren in those respects. It is not all about policy. Style is not just aesthetics. It can have very important consequences when it comes to leading a people.
14
During the 1960s when young men were being drafted, there was a tendency to view women as "handmaidens" in the anti-war effort. Their job was to cook, clean and cater sexually to the men. The result was the late 1960s early 1970's Women's Liberation Movement in which women said "We may not be subject to the draft but we have our problems at home."
Some Sanders supporters appear to have come of political age during that time. They have accused Warren supporters of being "selfish" and "divisive." They mock voters who make a candidate selection based upon the gender of that candidate. While these words do not come from Sander's mouth, they have come from enough prominent Sander's supporters that I cannot imagine many of the Elizabeth Warren supporters crossing over to vote for him--unless he decides to name her now as his VP running mate. However that carries its own political risks.
8
I am a Warren supporter who voted for Biden because I knew he could beat Trump. Elizabeth Warren is a great Senator and under other circumstances could probably be elected president. She definitely is smarter than the lot of them.
7
I was a strong Warren supporter from the start, and now I am for Biden. Warren is a different animal from Sanders. People like me see her as a policy wonk who is very thoughtful and conscientious about her policy choices. Sanders on the other hand is just a bunch of slogans. He's the kind of person you want to lead a protest, not lead a government.
My other reason for liking Warren is that she is a self-described capitalist who understands the problem of society is not capitalism but fair play. Sanders socialism rhetoric, even if it not true socialism, is a big turn-off and doesn't make him seem very intelligent.
11
I supported Warren since day one. But I won’t be voting for Sanders. If she backs him, I will be very disappointed.
13
Neither Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders are boomers. They were both born in 1942, making them part of the Silent Generation. My mother was born in 1942 and my father in 1947. Their worldviews were radically different!
Let’s hear it for a Gen X President in 2024, old enough to remember rotary phones, microfiche and Ronald Reagan’s dismissal of The burgeoning AIDS epidemic but also able to manage in the iPhone world.
2
I'm surprised at how many Warren supporters plan to back Biden rather than Sanders. That suggests to me that Warren supporters want most to get rid of Trump, and they recognize that Biden will have better odds. Frankly, I doubt that either of them could beat Trump, but Biden will come closer.
2
More than anything women (because we have to be) are pragmatists. We want to see stuff get done. And we recognize that more stuff gets done well and with less risk of harm through constant, incremental change rather than revolution. I am a Warren supporter. I am far to the left of the average American voter. And I think Bernie Sanders would make a terrible president when it comes to actually getting progressive plans enacted. He has nobody around him who has experience running federal bureaucracies; he has almost no allies in Congress because it's always his way or the highway. Bernie should have stayed in the Senate and continued his great work as a gadfly pushing the discourse and the Overton window to the left. He should have let Warren do the job she has shown she far excels at - turning progressive plans into realities.
9
It depends on where her priorities lie - keeping alive the Liberal dream - or defeating Trump. Her choice. But for the future well being of all of us, I pray she supports Biden.
3
Last night during her interview, Maddow asked Warren about the Bernie Bros. Warren was not pleased by them one little bit and quite disgusted by the doxxing and worse that Bernie supporters got up to in Nevada. She finished by observing that leaders don't wash their hands of the bad apples but act to rein them in something Bernie does maybe intermittently and wanly. She had good things to say about Biden's decency while acknowledging their policy differences.
No, my guess is that Warren will not endorse Bernie.
4
"Warren will lose all credibility if she endorses Joe Biden. You can't run as a progressive and then back up a moderate, and if you do, it will come with a price."
Sanders can offer nothing of value to Warren, since Trump would skewer him. Biden could offer her the VP slot, which would be valuable, both in 2020 and thereafter if Biden wins and serves only one term or dies in office (one of which is likely). Thus, if EW thinks Biden could win with her on the ticket, she'll endorse Biden and get put on the ticket. Under no circumstances will she endorse Sanders.
4
Warren and her supporters need to get with the program. Getting trump out of office.
All else pales in comparison.
This is not the time to “make a statement” and stay home.
Vote my friends!
3
I'm just really frustrated that Bernie and Biden are the final two. Half the field were better candidates than they are.
5
Biden gets a female running mate.
He limps to the finish line propped up like Reagan in his last term.
Admits cognitive decline, woman (or any more energetic progressive person) takes over.
Please.
3
Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren got me excited about American politics again. To see their success has been inspiring; I actually had hope that the country wasn't completely doomed via Trump and Biden. I knew there was a danger that the majority of American voters are right-wing, since the last progressive to get anywhere was FDR, and that does seem to be the case given Biden's 'surge' and the fact that fascists like Nixon, Reagan, Bush and Trump were elected in the first place (well..two of them were anyway). I do hope she endorses Bernie and he wins and thus another progressive occupies the White House. 75 years later, but who's counting.
3
This article identifies me exactly: white, female, highly educated, well off and liberal—and I did indeed vote for Warren and am uncertain whether I now prefer Sanders or Biden.
2
Sanders is just too polarizing; not something we need right now. I just don't understand why more men don't like Warren. Anyway, now we are stuck with Milquetoast.
2
Since Moderates and Progressives cannot win without each nor govern without each other, they need to form a coalition. If we are to be stuck with Biden as the nominee, he will need more to run than merely 'not being Trump' to win the election. He's going to need Progressives to win, and one way to do that would be to choose Elizabeth Warren as his running mate. The Establishment may cringe, but the facts are, that they NEED us to beat Trump. Both sides need a reality check.
5
I would personally love a Biden/Warren ticket. It checks all my boxes.
1
For the people going from Warren to Biden, have you tried using a site like isidewith to see how close your views are to each candidate? For me, Sanders, Warren, and Buttigieig were all pretty close. I was surprised because the narrative about progressive vs moderate lanes didn't translate into how much I agreed with the candidates.
Bloomberg and Biden are similar for me, but I agree with them both significantly less than the more progressive candidates.
I think too many opinion pieces are simply pushing people towards Biden without providing much insight into how less progressive he is than the other candidates. It's fine to make that trade-off for "electability", but I think people should be aware how much they're giving up going directly from Warren to Biden with considering Sanders.
2
I’m not thrilled with Biden. It was why I supported Warren but there is no way I would support Sanders for the nomination. It isn’t his political views. That overwhelming change is unlikely even if he were to win. It’s a fantasy if we don’t have an overwhelming switch in the Congress. I don’t see that happening with Sanders at the top of the ticket.
6
"Elizabeth Warren will lose all credibility if she endorses Joe Biden."
Between now and the Democratic convention, there will be considerable pressure on Warren to pick Sanders or Biden. She's said she won't pick either one, but will instead back whomever the Party picks. I think she'll do just that, as I would. She probably doesn't plan to die any time soon, and in 2024 she'll benefit from the support of both candidates' supporters.
6
This debate evidences that Warren clearly had a unifying potential. The fact that she is suddenly the talk of the country now that she is not running is enraging and insightful. A younger woman will need to be VP, someone like Harris.
Luckily though Biden has run on his relationships and name and not his platform. The Democrats would be wise to bring in Sanders and his supporters on this level. Warren has some plans.
1
Elizabeth Warren at this stage should enthusiastically endorse Biden. Biden seems to have a much better chance of defeating Trump.
She has many good and brilliant ideas and plans. Biden is a pragmatist. She will have a much better chance to see some of those plans being implemented with an alliance with Biden.
Going forward, she can also have a more visible and important role with this alliance.
7
“Seems to” doesn’t seem like much of a bet at all on Biden’s supposed electability
I am glad to have had the chance to vote for Elizabeth Warren on Tuesday. As I see it, each person should vote for the candidate who best represents their ideas about policy, government and life. Picking the candidate on the basis of electability or as part of some strategy to deny the nomination to another candidate is not only unfulfilling, but I’m not convinced that it selects the person who will be the best president. Had Warren followed Buttigieg and Klobuchar and pulled out before Super Tuesday, I don’t know what I would have done. I have no confidence that Biden will work to enact any of the policies I think are important, including universal healthcare that really takes on the medical industrial and insurance complex, significantly higher marginal tax rates and a wealth tax, a workable plan to make college affordable, a moral foreign policy, and stronger environmental regulations. And while Bernie supported all these things, there was always something about him that put me off. I’m old enough to remember college protest movements of the 60s, especially those at the fringes who spent all their time debating the purest form of society and writing manifestos that had little chance of changing anything. Warren saw clearly the issues we face, devised thoughtful policies to address them, and I was convinced she would do the hard work to enact them. I am mystified that more voters couldn’t see that.
11
New York Mag did a good piece on why Warren should leverage an endorsement of Joe. I would feel a lot better about a Biden candidacy if Warren were with him. She'd be brilliant.
16
"I don't think a man who is rich and owns 3 houses is really a true socialist ... "
It could be worse. I remember well when a reporter asked John McCain, in 2008, how many houses he owned, and McCain replied that he didn't know but his wife did (turned out it was 15).
Most Americans know how many houses they own, and they resent Presidential candidates who don't, or who try to hide that number if it's more than one.
6
@Commenter The problem is that Sanders didn't confess to owning 3 houses until after Bloomberg called him out on it. That's not full disclosure on Sanders part. That's being was outed by a competitor.
Does anyone really believe that Sanders, if elected, could get anything done, could fulfill his promises, that he has a management or personal style that would help further his agenda? Do you think centrist Democrats are going to work hand and hand with him on most of his major policy agendas when he will not bend an inch on anything? Do you think an old man who has been in politics forever, is not well liked, tends to lecture and hector and wave his arms around and has not one iota of charisma, is going to move mountains when he can't even move hills? Do you think if he sends his nasty surrogates to point fingers at everyone as corporate shills that is going to play well?
20
@BB HERNANDEZ
Right. Communism is ok. Sanders just won't get any cooperation in achieving it.
@BB HERNANDEZ "Does anyone really believe that Sanders, if elected, could get anything done ... ?
Nope.
1
@BB HERNANDEZ "Does anyone really believe that Sanders, if elected, could get anything done ... ?"
Nope.
Well, mostly we Warren supporters are not interested in a ranting demogogue who spews grievances, bamboozles people with absurd promises, and attacks the press and “establishment” when things don’t go his way.
We’ve tried that and it’s not going well.
28
Oh, I forgot- he withholds medical records and tax returns, too. Just a tad too familiar.
2
I'm stunned by some of these comments. Warren supporters not supporting Bernie because of... rude and sassy online behavior? Uh, people are *dying* because of our scam for-profit health care. Generations living in misery with mountains of debt. Hundreds of thousands dead in our wars. (All of the aforementioned exacerbated by Biden.)
You're really going to join misogynist Bloomberg and the billionaires and get behind Status Quo Joe and more corporate tyranny?
I can't fathom being so privileged.
For us poor and working class, this is life or death. Bernie all the way.
13
Most people who are poor and working class don’t get to travel to or live in Europe. Most people would call that privilege.
4
I wish I lived in Belgium but still got to berate other people for being “privileged.” Belgium is nice. More Michelin stars per capita than any other country and amazing beer.
4
@Ben "You’re in Belgium, but you’re a poor and working class American? I don’t get it."
I know. It's confusing. I get a little confused myself sometimes. I'm a precarious freelancer working for a wage. I make around 20 grand a year. I've whittled my credit card debt down to 3 grand. I live a very modest life. I have no money in the bank, no assets. My parents passed when I was young; a relative who claimed guardianship pocketed every penny of their life insurance. I was out on my own with nothing at 17. Go make a life. I've done ok considering, but alas, I am poor, working class, and I happen to be an American who is living in Belgium. I got lucky being able to live here. Other Americans in my shoes don't get to live in Belgium - they end up bankrupt from medical bills, wages garnished from student loans. Their adult lives put on hold indefinitely, some join the growing numbers living out on the street. Bernie is fighting for them and he's fighting for me, and that's why I'm fighting for him.
I apologize if it came off like I was berating anyone - that wasn't my intent. You're right, that isn't the way to win people over. I hope people compare Bernie and Joe's records and choose who would help solve our nation's problems the best. We tried the corporate-funded politician last time in HRC; let's try Bernie this time.
I'll always be American, and I support Bernie because America shouldn't just be for the rich. I believe Woody's words: "This land was made for you and me."
1
In phone banking for Warren I ran into a lot of Warren supporters that did not have Sanders as a second choice.
I hope she doesn't endorse anybody.
Sanders, after unleashing his thugs, certainly doesn't deserve it. And Biden's policies are terrible.
I will vote blue but neither one of those two deserves my support through the primary process.
8
I was planning to vote for Warren. Now I'll be skipping the primary because I really don't like either one of these old men. That said, I will be voting AGAINST the incumbent come November. And I'll be holding my nose.
1
It's clear that the NY Times prefers Biden over Sanders. But it's getting a bit carried away in its criticism of Sanders. Dumping so obviously and heavily on Sanders could backfire, making him the object of considerable voter sympathy.
Frankly, I doubt either of them (or Warren) could beat Trump -- Sanders. because US voters oppose anyone who calls himself a "socialist" -- no matter what adjective may be appended to the term or whom he picks as his running mate; Biden, because he's boring, almost assuring too-low turnout.
But the Times should back off Sanders a bit. Go back to plain-old reporting -- remember that?
12
Politics, being 'show biz' for most,
makes the call obvious. Liz and Joe are
lovely people, while Bernie is a sharp elbowed
cranky old guy who sees himself as pure.
He should go NOW
1
I voted for Warren in NC. I’ve quickly moved on to Biden. Hope he picks her for his running mate. And soon.
253
@Cliff . At first, I wanted Warren to be Biden's VP but on second thought, she may be more powerful as the Senate Majority Leader.
28
@Cliff
Massachusetts unfortunately has a GOP governor and so would replace her with one. We need her in the senate. Senate Majority Leader sounds pretty good though... So does Vice President Harris...
22
@Cliff
I'd rather see Klobuchar or Abrams as VP. Given his age, Biden needs someone younger. And Warren would make a better cabinet pick or Senate Maj Leader.
16
Historically, when the chips are down, allies in the middle class abandon the working class. It's looking like there's more of the usual ahead.
10
College students aren’t the working class.
4
Elizabeth Warren will lose all credibility if she endorses Joe Biden. You can't run as a progressive and then back up a moderate, and if you do, it will come with a price.
Be true to your colors -always. While I will ultimately vote for Joe Biden if he is the nominee, I will drag myself to do so the same way I did for Hillary. With absolutely no excitement, with absolutely no hope for change. It will again be a vote against a candidate, instead of for one.
9
A lot of them were women who wanted to vote for a viable female candidate and appreciated not only her policies but her plans. I'm sure many of them (like my wife) were not as far left as Bernie's fan base and don't share his belief in revolution.
10
I would have voted for Elizabeth Warren happily if she were the nominee. She is very bright, quite sensible and female. I have followed politics for the last 71 years since I was ten and keeping track of the 1948 D convention and HST’s surprising win against Dewey. I have written a woman in twice for President when the nominees were unacceptable. I may have to write her name in this time as I will vote for neither Trump or Sanders.
2
Giving Trump the boot is Job 1, and with Sanders unable to broaden his base to many Democrats, never mind Republicans, it has to be Biden. If the overarching theme is returning respect and decency to the White House, Biden will get some Republican support too. The voter suppression efforts are out in full force so the Democratic nominee will need every possible vote.
I'd love to see Warren in a cabinet position, of course.
6
Warren *should endorse Sanders, but she’ll endorse Biden instead. That’s how she’ll get the #2 slot with Biden (if he has any brains left, that is), which is her consolation prize for dropping out so early in the primaries to keep from potentially splitting the party (Remember 2016, anyone?) along ideological lines.
If Biden is the candidate to run against tRump, then he’ll need a strong progressive to balance-out his ultra-establishment status inside The Beltway.
Another benefit? If Biden is elected and she serves credibly and with distinction in four years as VP, she’ll set herself up for a 2024 run for the top spot. By then, she’ll have on-the-job training.
You may not like her Lady-in-Waiting status right now, but Warren is a pragmatist at heart. She’ll hitch her political wagon to the one who can win in November—that’s Biden. Whether we as voters agree or not.
#NovemberIsComing
Signed,
A Registered Independent Since ‘88
3
Elizabeth Warren is a very likable person and her policies are right on the money. I believe her problem is she comes across as an intelligent, moralistic, amiable schoolmarm at a moment when the imperative of taking on the corporate giants requires somebody more like George Washington or Abraham Lincoln.
Bernie's big problem is that socialism is not liberal democracy and most Americans realize that. This is exemplified by the the very restrictive failed economy of Cuba which Bernie says "has done some good things." Every hideous totalitarian society has done some good things, but Americans recognized socialism in Cuba has failed the Cuban people with the average Cuban earning $25.
Not $25 per hour, but $25 per month.
6
I am a Warren supporter who voted for Bernie. Policy is more imparting than the person.
12
Bernie Sanders has an angry old man persona that has limited appeal beyond his base. Watch him on TV with the sound off~ always grim-faced, never smiling, arms waving, fingers pointing. That has little appeal to suburban middle-America voters, the former Republicans turned off by Trump who started voting Democratic in 2018. The Democratic base is expanding into those formerly Republican congressional districts, and Biden will help keep them. But Bernie won't, and can't.
7
That personal dispute over "woman being president" pretty much burned whatever bridges might have existed. That's the nature of the left, always eager to fracture and turn against itself. Quite frankly, Trump can announce he is turning national parks into Trump resorts tomorrow and he can still win for lack of a united opposition.
Furthermore, while I personally think Sanders has better policies and better chances in the general election, Sanders' surrogates went way too far in trashing Warren. And now Sanders needs Warren's supporters, but his surrogates don't know how to ask nicely.
Now I'll wait for some Sanders supporters to either shout me down or give me a passive-aggressive sanctimonious speech.
3
@citybumpkin This is a myth. One perpetuated since the beginning of time. “They” are too loud, too uncouth, they doesn’t talk polished language.. Today is .. they are trolls, aggressive, etc.
Anyone who has studied a bit of history can tell you about the phenomenal capacity of the ruling classes to spin the narrative in detriment to the unfortunate sods asking for a better life.
Did anyone look at Elisabeth Warren’s Twitter account? I did. By sort of morbid fascination with her words of “nastiness and ugliness” I went to have a look. And what I found as anyone will find (if he/she is willing to spend some time on the swamp of social media as Twitter) is that not even majority , the overwhelming majority of abuse comes from accounts with outright maga/con leaning.
The Sanders supporters go for begging, for unity memes, for
cute little pictures of Bernie and Liz, and at worst asking outright Warren to support Sanders.
So if Elizabeth Warren is willing to further that narrative vs the evidence I have seen point else, I tend to believe my eyes.
So no, do not blame it on that.
If Liz Warren principles were to be changed because some minuscule doubtable elements wrote abuse, then her principles are simply not strong or for real. People died for theirs. A bit of internet hustle? That is what any politician meet, ignore and deal with today.
Nothing is free, especially not college. I supported Warren despite her pledge for free college, not because of it. I had faith she would step back from dogma and be sensible, while at the same time pushing relentlessly to secure greater access to education and greater economic justice for lower and middle income Americans.
I don't believe Sanders will do that. He is too caught up in ideology. And I don't believe Biden will do it either. He is too tied to the establishment.
But Biden will lower the nation's blood pressure. It would be good to be led by a guy who commuted to Washington DC on the train, a guy who understands grief and recovery. Lost in the shuffle of it all is the fact that 25% of Americans are Catholic, but in our long history, we have only ever elected one Catholic president, and that was sixty years ago.
So, however reluctantly, I guess I am with him. Either way, as we live and breathe, there are children in cages on our southern border. I will vote for whoever is most likely to get those kids out of their internment camps.
9
@Grumpy. Yes good to be led by a man who took the train to DC. Will it be good to be led by a man who used power and influence to keep his son in a high paying job for a foreign power
Warren has made a number of Sandernista type remarks that ruled her out as a candidate for me. She is a law professor but said she was going to break up Facebook, Amazon, etc. apparently without understanding anything about antitrust law which does not favor breaking up of companies as a remedy. The last time that happened was in the early 70's with AT&T.
How would breaking Facebook up into Instagram, Facebook and some subsidiaries change anything even if it were possible under existing case law and even assuming that an independent attorney general actually found a basis for filing a lawsuit? It was a dumb idea and it would never have happened in the real world.
Her Medicare for All proposal was a similar empty promise . Warren failed in her bid for the same reason Bernie will fail: they are both believers in magical thinking.
Senator "I have a plan for that" is thankfully out of the race. I sincerely hope Biden does not select her as his running mate and I doubt that he will because he is a little to smart for that sop to the left wing nuts.
2
Weird how many “magical” countries out there have socialized medicine, among other institutions. I guess none of them routinely top “happiest country” lists so we don’t need to worry about it.
1
I have a family member in his 20s - an ardent Bernie supporter - who threatened to stop speaking to his own mother (!) because she supported someone else (who has now dropped out). Will he support Joe if Bernie is not the nominee? That's how crazy it is and why Warren and her supporters need to go with Biden.
8
What exactly is it about Bernie that white upper middle class women hate? I've never seen such caustic treatment toward a candidate like this from a single demographic group. (Personally, I think they don't want to give up their privileged perch in society.)
7
If you think Warren supporters are worried about their privilege you haven’t read her plans, which are just as progressive as Sanders’. As an educated white woman (of admittedly working class background) I like Bernie’s policies and am thrilled at giving up my privilege, such as it is. But listening to him in person is like being lectured by my hippie father, or my hippie high school principal. We all have too much experience being told we’re too dumb to know our own minds by men of that generation, who always have a reason why you don’t agree with them and it’s rarely because you have a different perspective. They live to talk and refuse to listen. That isn’t going to fix any of our problems. We also spend a lot of time taking care of older relatives who we know are terrified of socialism, no matter how irrational that may be. Warren offered socialist policies without calling them socialist which seemed smarter. I honestly don’t know which of Bernie or Biden can beat Trump, but they both better stop attacking the other and get their sights set on the real enemy pretty fast. I’ll vote blue no matter who but to have so many qualified candidates off the stage before the first primary is a disaster for us all.
2
Elizabeth’s personal net worth is over 12 million. She has two houses. Her salaries from Harvard Univ. has gone up so high - look up. Did she have time to teach?
Folks! Don’t overthink. The reason why the average Americans didn't vote for her was because of her demeanor. There’s no way to watch or trust her shaking heads every seconds with such a thin and high pitched voice while she catches short breaths in each phrases. Most of voters don’t analyze one’s ideology or policies much. It’s so nerve breaking to watch her every time when she appears. It doesn’t matter if she’s a woman or man.
Scolding Michael Bloomberg with an aggressive manner was ugly. He deeply cares about this country and passionately putting his wealth to get rid of Trump as well as many other social issues. Everyone has dirts if you dig including herself. How you make it as a big deal is the only game.
Warren may not endorse anyone. She may create her own organization with her yearly built (mostly women) followers. Then, she’ll run again in 2024. She may shake her heads faster and raise her hands higher.
1
Sanders' angry and bitter campaign is likely to bite him back. His most vocal supporters have been on the attack for months, relentlessly heckling and haranguing anyone who disagrees with his proposed policies. Moderates in the party have been their favorite piñatas, but they started to attack Warren when she modified her Medicare for All position and did so with even more vitriol when she called out Sanders for essentially painting her a liar on the debate stage.
The chickens have come home to roost and it's high time they did. The divisive tone of the Sanders campaign has hurt the Democratic party and continues to do so.
Warren supporters would be wise to opt for Biden, and she herself would secure her role as the leading voice of the progressive wing of the party if she were to endorse Biden.
4
I follow Elizabeth Warren! The real Democrat, she is. If she gets the VP nod then I will vote for that candidate. If neither of these two really old white men don't name VP choices soon, I will just wait. If Biden gets nominated and picks a loser I will sit out the election. Otherwise he "might get my vote." But with Elizabeth he WILL get my vote (or Sanders if given the nod there).
2
Dear Mr. Augustine,
Just so you know, choosing not to vote is a vote for Trump. So rather than say "I will sit out the election", just be honest about it and say, "I will support Trump". If you can live with saying that.
7
@Dan Stackhouse : You know, maybe we need Trump for another term to scrape bottom before we go up! So many opinions... Maybe good intentions, but certainly a "better than thou" attitude. Even trying to make a point, people with half a mind come out to disparage someone else. I love tr0lls because they flag themselves. No need for me to say much.
1
I am a Warren supporter who won't get behind Biden or Sanders. No comparison.
This logic is the same as a person who would let the house burn down because they didn’t like the brand of fire extinguishers.
2
@LM
So that leaves Trump.
Good luck with that.
2
Sanders also has a personality problem that Biden does not. His aggressive style is quite off-putting to many women.
7
No way, no how.
I’d take Joe any day over sanders.
8
The Warren supporter who goes for Biden is evidence of the following:
Monied liberals refuse to see that the DNC has misappropriated identity politics for a generation while at the same time backsliding on the ideals set forth during Civil Rights Era. They refuse to see this because gradualism disproportionately benefits them, while poor people suffer. It's a disgrace, and I have never been more ashamed to be a democrat.
104
@Peter Gilbert I don't think the data supports your opinion. Poor people in the south went for Biden. Even AOC wasn't elected by minorities but by the white millennial gentrifies that moved into that district. I think actual minorities are usually to terrified to vote for candidates that are too extreme.
75
@Peter Gilbert
What about the argument that Biden might beat Trump and therefore we'd be a little closer to "the ideals set for in the Civil Rights Era" than we would be with another four years of Trump?
62
@Peter Gilbert Explain why Clyburn would endorse Biden. I don't need you to lecture me on what I see, how I vote, who I am. I will not be shamed. I'm looking forward to looking ahead and beyond this with my fellow Democrats and Citizens.
83
Biden should pick Susan Rice for his VP. She is smart, professional and has a great background. With her as VP I think many supporters of Elizabeth Warren would be encouraged and vote for that team.
1
Warren was my choice by far. But now I will support Sanders. It’s not even a choice between a progressive who shares many of the same ideals as Warren, and a bumbling political hack who may make a few timid incremental changes. As far as the online nastiness practiced by a few alleged Bernie supporters, it pales in comparison to Biden’s despicable treatment of Anita Hill. Not to mention the “nastiness” of Biden’s foolish and craven support for the Iraq War, which only led to thousands of needless deaths and a decades to come legacy of horribly wounded and mentally ill veterans.
127
@J.M. Thank you! And just so you know, Warren was my second choice behind Sanders, and I think the two of them together would make a formidable team.
14
@J.M. I'm right there with you, J.M. Democrats are clearly uneasy with Sanders, largely, I think, because they've been trained to tuck their tail whenever they hear the word "socialism." So, we might end up with Biden for four years. It will take that long to undo the damage the Trump administration as done to diplomats, the EPA, and the intelligence community. Hopefully, Biden is up to the task.
14
@J.M.
Don't judge people with purity standards that are acceptable today that weren't at the time. I always believed Hill, but my mother, who is to the left of me, did not. She thought it would be good for there to be a black SCJ and she didn't think what Hill said amounted to much. Take into account that most of the country was with my mother on that. It was a complicated situation.
Also do some homework on Biden. He was my next to last choice, but I'll happily vote for him. He's a good egg and has the experience needed to repair the damage trump has done to federal ranks.
11
I'm a Sanders supporter and knew that Warren's supporters would largely support Biden if Warren stood down, and I think I'll be proven right. Although gender is usually the leading aspect of identity that's discussed with Warren, I think class is a much more influential component.
Liberal ≠ progressive. Warren and Biden are liberals. Bernie is a progressive.
6
I am an older millennial female PhD student and a Bernie Sanders supporter. As a Massachusetts resident, I have voted for Elizabeth Warren to serve as my Senator. She was a close second choice for me in the presidential primaries this cycle and, in my humble opinion, by far the best debater on the stage. I chose Senator Sanders because he has been fighting for the progressive agenda for a very long time, stood up to the establishment by running against Hilary Clinton in 2016 and was outperforming Senator Warren in the polls when it was my turn to vote. Note: I would have voted for Senator Warren if she was surging in the polls.
I feel that the choice for her supporters is clear, Bernie is the candidate that will do all he can to make life for those most vulnerable in this country better by providing Medicare for all, a federal $15 minimum wage, tuition free public universities and enacting legislation from the Green New Deal (all supported by Senator Warren). Biden is the candidate for the status quo. To those who are worried about electability, the polls clearly indicate that both Bernie and Biden would defeat Trump.
11
@Bridget I've always been Warren all the way, with an already mailed-in ballot, but I like your comment! I have seen plenty of well-reasoned, thoughtful discourse from Sanders supporters, yours being an example, and unfortunately it gets drowned out by the more strident fringe. Your comment is more representative of the Bernie supporters I know IRL than the louder voices that too often get amplified. I hope we Dems can ultimately fight for all the things you listed together!
4
@Blanca Thank you for your kind reply. I completely agree that the Bernie (and Warren) supporters I know IRL are thoughtful and kind, which is what prompted me to post this comment. I promise to continue the fight for progressive causes, and I hope you do too :)
2
It is hard to predict what someone will do in the Presidency from their political past. LBJ was in the right wing of the Democratic Party, and was close to Richard Russell (a segregationist), but he went all out to get civil rights legislation passed as well as Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and house programs. He was undone by the Vietnam War inherited from Kennedy's brainiacs, but he was otherwise a very progressive president looking back 50 years. Biden is no LBJ, but he will want to do the right thing. If progressives get on board in the administration, rather than sulking, alot could happen. Joe won't be the prime mover, but he will want to leave a legacy on the issues of the day. Let's hope he has been galvanized by his recent wins and runs an effective campaign for the White House.
12
It's not clear to me why Warren would endorse either Sanders or Biden. I'd do exactly what she's doing.
With a few notable exceptions (1980 and 1992), the US Presidency since World War II has alternated between the two major parties in 8-year cycles, and I expect that trend will continue. I expect the 2024 election to feature Warren and Buttigieg fighting it out for the Democratic nomination, Nicki Haley cruising to a relatively easy win of the Republican nomination, and Warren beating Haley in the general election.
To win her almost inevitable battle with Buttigieg, Warren will need the 2020 supporters of both Sanders and Biden. That being so, why alienate either group now? She should let the Democratic Party choose its candidate, and then back that candidate against Trump.
In other words, Warren should do exactly what she's said she'll do.
3
I'm a Warren voter, resigned to moving to Biden for a win. I went to a Bernie rally. He sounded undeveloped; although he'd had years campaigning, he was still long on promises, short on means.
I've lost sleep over Trump. I'll sleep better after Biden makes a strong VP pick, someone who could be a better Democratic president.
14
I'm a Warren supporter who agrees with Sanders on many issues but would never vote for him for the Democratic nomination. I might vote for him if he ran as an independent in the main election, if I could get over my concern he lacks the skills necessary to get legislation through Congress. But he does not agree with Democrats on the issues, does not respect Democrats who run for office and support the party, so why should I award him the nomination of our party?
14
I’ll still vote for Sanders over Trump, if he manages to pull off a miracle in the primaries. But I wouldn’t feel great about our chances.
4
@Paul S Our system ensures that there will only be two parties. Until that's changed, the responsible thing to do is to run within a party, like Sanders is doing. Or would you rather he ran third party and split the left-wing vote, like Nader did? I think that's a bad idea.
1
One of Warren’s mistakes was a non-aggression pact with Sanders; the gain was all his. He’s maintained his base with three years of quiet campaigning and sucked all the air out of the progressive room, so to speak. She could have fashioned herself as the perfect candidate for people who want more progressive policies, but are pragmatic and turned off by Sanders absolutism and refusal to play nice in the sandbox. Maybe that was implied in her campaign but some things have to be stated loud and repeatedly.
16
@DB Agree. I think it was a mistake for her. Yesterday she said she thought there was a third lane between centrism and democratic socialism and she would fill it. She never did in debates when she would not debate Sanders.
3
I'm an Elizabeth Warren supporter and I will be voting for Joe Biden. Bernie Sanders is too, socialistic for me. Plus I don't think a man who is rich and owns 3 houses is really a true socialist, but more of a capitalist who is promoting socialism.
I'm sure Sanders likes the idea of socialism, but not if it meant he no longer owned 3 houses and lived a lush lifestyle. It's always about the middle class giving more - but we can't. We're tapped out. I liked Warren's ideas and visions for our country, plus I liked the fact she admitted she is a capitalist. That's honesty. That's why I voted for Warren and not Sanders.
75
@Valerie The story of Bernie's 3 houses is pretty simple:
- He has a house in Burlington, Vermont. He needs one to fulfill residency requirements for being a senator from Vermont.
- He has a house in Washington, DC that he uses when he's at work.
- He has a vacation house that he and Jane bought quite recently.
None of those structures is much larger or substantially more luxurious than my own current home.
And his net worth is substantially lower than most other senators, including Elizabeth Warren.
24
@Valerie A millionaire who owns multiple houses is indeed a prototype Socialist.
The only odd thing is the lack of mistresses. Also, the documented insular network of non-profits and official positions he has used to benefit his family is not impressive. They've made good use of his power and influence and live quite comfortably, but their looting is pretty small scale compared to expectations for a Socialist.
9
@Valerie Sen. Warren net wealth is 14m, Sen.Sanders is 2m and he has mortgages on two of his houses. The third house was bought with combination of proceeds from the sale of Jane’s share of a family home, money from Jane’s retirement account, and an advance from Bernie’s book deal.
You stood for ms.Warren who has said herself
« Bernie and I stand for the same things », whose program has been considered equally progressive as mr. Sanders and who has also stood for the working families, the poor and the dispossessed. Her net worth is 7 times that of mr. Sanders and yet none do and will accuse her of hypocrisy. I will not. Do you?
Mr. Sanders personal inclination will not change the Constitution, not break the existant laws to turn US to socialistic country.
Which is the reason why mr. Sanders runs as a Democrat and not as Democratic Socialist.
On the question why he doesn’t, the answer is that if he does, the Democratic Party will lose progressive voters which for the moment represent 30% percent of the party and that will be catastrophe. For all of us.
Voting for mr. Biden is a nostalgic act and while I truly understand it, is a bad revival of 2016 with much less capable candidate.
Ms. Clinton for all it matter today is very capable and sharp woman. And she held her own to Trump. But she lost. Today Democratic Party support a candidate whose mental sharpness is under serious question and who can finish the election chances Dems hold in a matter of a minute on TV.
10
This is the second time Warren’s had to leave a race.
Her supporters must not know her well. She's not popular in her own home state. Came in 3rd in the residential primary, and barely beat a Republican in her Senatorial election (in deep blue Massachusetts!). Good luck with Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden.
4
Sanders told Warren a woman couldn’t win. Not with him around. Bernie Bros are bullies. Especially Bernie. Not for me.
1
In 2016, I caucused for Sanders and campaigned for Clinton. This year I campaigned and voted for Warren. I will campaign and vote for the Democrat nominee.
There is something tragic about Sanders. The candidate is a caricature of the crusader. And the man who put the greater good first has inspired a personality cult rather than a movement.
15
We all agree that Socialism is an economic model. We must also agree that the success of any model is in it's application.
Elizabeth Warren is the most qualified and capable person to successfully implement a socialism infused economic program.
Period.
9
I believed in those progressive policies precisely because Warren backed them. She has a proven track record of using the levers of the executive branch to provide real relief to the working class. Lacking Warren, I'm forced to abandon my hope for progressive policy this cycle. Biden it is, even if my personal politics are to his left.
14
Warren supporter here. Early on in the primary, the most vehemently anti-Warren people were the Bernie supporters. They saw her as the most important rival to Bernie’s base. So there were tons of attacks about how she isn’t really progressive, how she used to be a Republican, how she was just Bernie lite. It derailed her campaign early on because it cost her a good portion of the progressive base. Some of it was pretty nasty. As I floated the idea of other candidates who I thought might have a better chance, it was always Sanders supporters who were the most hostile to any candidate I considered. What a turnoff. Always dividing, always alienating allies, always refusing to compromise or reach out. I don’t want to be part of that. I want someone who unites as many people as possible. That’s why I support Biden now instead of Bernie.
26
@Ben
Not even close. The most sexist comments here and on other sites were from moderate and conservative men who complained about her voice and how she speaks. If people prefer more moderate policies, then they should just state that. Ignoring misogyny from the center is disingenuous.
3
@Ben That's also why Putin is "supporting" the Sanders campaign through devious tactics. Anger amplified by an angry leader is ripe for exploitation. Trump doesn't have a chance to win unless the Democratic Party is divided, just like in 2016. That's why I believe, Joe should reach out right now that he would be willing to implement some of Liz's plans. With or without Liz's endorsement.
2
We Warren supporters are not flocking to Bernie because he is all rhetoric and possess no political skills.
Mr. McGovern has no coat tails to protect the House majority or the ability to flip the Senate.
With 7 bills as the primary sponsor, two for Vermont post office namings,
Sanders lacks the legislative skills to make his dreams come true.
AND
He went to Madison HS.
We Glenroaders cannot abide.
11
Unfortunately I think being a woman made it impossible for Warren to become the Democratic candidate as well as the fact that the Party apparatchik wanted a moderate who was not going to upset the wealthy donor base. Wall Street and Big Pharma are breathing easier. Sanders is more closely aligned with Warrens platform but unfortunately he does not seem to be able to control the "bad apples" in his campaign. Their viciousness is just not acceptable no matter the fact that trump and his people use such tactics all of the time. It saddens me to think that we passed up this brilliant woman with a heart of gold for Biden and four more years of "do nothing".
7
I finally filled out and mailed my ballot just before South Carolina's caucus. I voted for Warren because she is thoughtful, intelligent and can actually implement her plans. Had I waited until election day, I would have voted for Biden because, above all, we need to defeat Trump and Biden has broader support than any other candidate. Am I excited about a choice between old white men? No. But I desperately want a president that won't be an embarrassment, is not a xenophobe, who has compassion, and can work with others. I hope he picks liberally from his democratic opponents when filling jobs for cabinet secretaries and high-level advisors.
11
From Western Europe. Social Democrats by our standards. US ones? Unknown value.
Thank you Democratic Party. One more time your party politics will saddle the world with a candidate that either will fail to replace Trump or if he does, it will be business as usual. Except that this time is different.
Closing a candidate who place ecology as last of his worries is extremely scary to all of us watching from the other side of the ocean. We are approaching the biggest pandemic since probably the Spanish Gripe which left Europe for dead, the oceans are dying, the land is burning, people are starting ecology migration and you chose ms. Biden. This is a so Republican that words fails me. Party politics and preferences when this planet is in pre apocalyptic mode?
A man who for all his gentleness, cannot finish the second part of his sentence of the Declaration of Independence? Or who believes he is running for US senate? Or he think that 150m are dead from gun violence since 2017?? These 150m, they might be dead as a result of pandering to lobbies and donors.
Ms. Pelosi, mr. Obama, mr. Schumer, mr. Perez? Is this what the world will remember from you?
2
Sorry, but I’m going to vote for a democrat for president. Sanders is not a democrat, sorry.
13
This:
"But there is a working-class tilt to Mr. Sanders’s support that does not play out with Ms. Warren’s. He is diminishingly popular as you go up the income scale."
Yes. He built his base around the have-nots. They're not the only voters.
4
How do we know that all of these alleged Bernie supporters who are nasty online are not actually Trump supporters or Russian trolls? Are people really still that naive in 2020 about alleged identities and disinformation campaigns on the internet?
8
Some are, probably. But 75 percent of the Sanders supporters are inflexible, hostile to their allies, holier-than-thou, and ready to spread any dirt or conspiracy theories which help Bernie and hurt their opponents. The problem is that you can’t tell the plants from the real things anymore.
3
I have no problem with a woman President and would vote for Warren in a heartbeat, if her policies were not so leftist. Other women lost out in this election cycle, not because of their sex, but because they ran out of money.
1
Most of the people who have been critical of and made sexist remarks about Warren during the Democratic Primary have been men who are moderate Democrats. They saw Warren and Sanders as being a threat to the political establishment and their investment accounts. Any Warren supporters moving over to Biden are playing right into the hands of those who criticized Warren the most. Do you recall Warren’s takedown of Bloomberg just a couple weeks ago regarding how he speaks about women? He wants nothing to with Sanders, and guys like him also despise Warren. You’re giving him exactly what he wants.
71
Bernie and Trump already have the people who vote out of spite locked up. The rest of us feel more spite towards the two of them than anyone else, I’d wager. I know I do.
44
@BK
Nope. The people who criticized Warren the most were male Sanders supporters. Payback baby.
48
@Ben
The commenters here who say they’re voting against Sanders out of spite disagree with you.
7
What, no Warren-to-Sanders supporters here?
As an older, white, over educated Warren supporter let me stand up and be counted for Bernie then.
I still have the same goals that Warren fought for: environmental, social and economic justice for all Americans. I don't see Biden pushing for much of any of that. Indeed, I don't see him pushing for much of anything, assuming he gets elected -- and even that is a long shot. Few people even bothered to vote for him before South Carolina. How quickly the American electorate forgets.
I'd rather still be on Warren's side today, but I'll volunteer for Sanders like our collective future depends on it. As I believe it does.
13
Please count me as one of those (avid) Elizabeth Warren supporters who now supports Biden's bid for the Democrat nomination.
26
Warren is a Democrat. She’s a progressive Democrat but still a Democrat. She was always the best hope for advancing progressive values within the Democratic Party. I did not realize this previously but do now: Bernie is not a Democrat despite him running to be the democratic nominee. His supporters are not democrats at all. They also don’t care about advancing progressive values within the party as much as tearing it down. When Warren was in the lead she made moves that indicated she would work with the establishment and her record reflects that. She’s a whip smart lady who I trust to do the right thing, and she has the right to follow her heart. If it’s Bernie, it’s Bernie. But I think it’s time to say goodbye to Bernie, his followers and the chaos they bring. I hope Warren makes a decision that will keep the progressive agenda alive within the Democratic Party and that would most likely be supporting Biden. And I hope Biden supports this remarkable woman in return and will work with her to make the Democratic Party more progressive and reflect the growing progressive values of this nation. Godspeed Elizabeth Warren.
37
@Sacha ok so Warren was my first choice. Bernie is my second. I've been a lifelong Democrat. It sounds like what you are saying is that there is no room for Bernie supporters in the democratic party. You are not the only one who is saying this, so I hear it loud and clear. I am increasingly feeling like I don't belong. BTW I am a Warren supporter by demographics--upper middle class white woman with 3 advanced degrees. I'll of course vote for anyone to get Trump out but after this I want to find a home in a real progressive party. Thank you for making progressives feel unwelcome.
This is just more proof that contrary to popular belief the Democrats are they part of the rich and out of touch.
2
Trump is also rich and out of touch, so I guess you think everyone but Bernie and his base are rich and out of touch. It’s that kind of rhetoric that makes people dismiss Bernie.
18
I supported Warren with a sinking feeling. I am white, female, well-educated, but not young, suburban or wealthy. Whoever runs against Trump in November will get my vote but if it's Bernie I'll have to hold my nose as I turn in my ballot. He is a fiscal lunatic who comes across as an angry, bitter old man.
20
I don’t want a “movement” or a “revolution”. I wanted Warren but will support a “we know Joe” Biden and hope he takes advice from Warren.
18
I suggest that Joe should offer her a cabinet position when he wins. She is really smart and would be an excellent addition.
3
Just picture Elizabeth Warren on a debate stage with Mike Pence. How great would that be?! (that is if Mother will allow it...)
14
Pence is afraid to appear with women other than his wife. Did you see that meeting room full of males he called together to discuss the current pandemic?
All the joy and color has gone out of this election for me now that Warren is gone. Of course I will vote and vote for whomever is on the Dem ticket but at this point no way no how would the Bern get my vote. Elizabeth won't commit political suicide either. So what have we got? We got Joe...oh my.
13
There are more articles about Warren now that she's out of the race than you all in the media granted her while she was in the race. It's so galling.
46
You hit the nail on the head.
1
I am a Warren supporter, and a progressive, who should have been a lock-in for Sanders.
Let me make it easier for Team Sanders to win my support, and I imagine of people like me:
Make an Obama-like address (post Reverend Wright) disavowing the bullying in the name of his campaign, and promise consequences for those that flout it.
Do that, and you have my vote... That’s it.
Right now: we’ve not only been lied to and about, bullied, and bad mouthed. Just see the posts over the past few days painting Warren as a conservative, a Trojan horse, a liar... the misogyny goes on (it didn’t start and end with snakes)
It extends to surrogates like Michael Moore, the trust fund socialists at Jacobin, and other grifters running his media operation (TYT, Chapo Trap House, The Hill). It includes Brie Brie Joy siccing the online mob on anyone who criticizes them.
Worst of all is the gaslighting. When challenged on it, the default response is: so you’ll let people die and not get M4A because someone made fun of you?
It’s not harmless mockery. Sanders has benefited from online bullying as a campaign tactic. They bullied WFP after Warren endorsement and so no one else was prepared to endorse anyone else singly afterwards.
It’s not harmless mockery when people are harassed at home and get death and rape threats. Talk to the women!
I’ve no tolerance for bullying as an intimidation tactic. If Sanders wants our votes, he needs to run his campaign like an adult. Purge the goons.
46
@Patrician
You can also go with the guy Bloomberg is backing. Remember Warren’s takedown of him for how he speaks to women? He got into the race because he did not want Warren or Sanders to win.
9
@Patrician Yes, "talk to the women!", Patrician. I *am* one of them. And I continue to believe Bernie has my interests at heart moreso than war-voting, credit-card, Anita-Hill-bashing Joe.
4
@Wodehouse
I never suggested that Bernie has no / limited support amongst women. Of course, he does.
My argument was that denying the bullying - which if not publicly, Specifically, and continually rebuked despite repeated attention being drawn to it amounts to tacit approval - is to deny the truth of all the women who’ve been attacked online and in real life and received threats of physical harm.
I’m pretty sure the response to this will be that Nina Turner and Brie Brie get attacked online as well. Which I’m not denying.
I’m just tired of the what-about-ism. A leader takes responsibility. There is no other campaign for which there are any comparable cases of harassment amongst surrogates and supporters.
I’m not even saying: fix it. There isn’t time for that. I’ll take Bernie’s word that he will.
I AM saying: admit it. Take ownership for it. Which the Sanders campaign refuses to do, instead saying that it’s a problem with everyone.
Which is demonstrably false. As the scale with which Bernie folks do it dwarfs all others - and has been well documented by now.
4
I'm a Warren voter who prefers Sanders' policies over Biden's. But no matter which of the two of them earns the nomination, it is imperative to not only vote for him in November, but to also work tirelessly to get out the vote and decisively remove the
Current Occupant.
9
I’m a far left liberal democrat, definitely not status quo or “establishment”, who prefers Biden to Bernie, but I’ll definitely vote blue no matter who and hope that Bernie’s supporters will plan to do the same. Our top priority must be to get Trump out of the White House.
16
@Max Robe You know nothing about me. Don’t make assumptions. I’ve been taking concrete actions for progressive democracy for years, including getting out the vote, making calls, donating what I can to progressive candidates, going to rallies, and more. What have you been doing?
3
@Samie B Actions speak louder than self-descriptions.
1
Having grown up in Vermont, have lived with Bernie as a politician for ALL my life. A good guy, but soooooo over him. I think many people’s hopes on him are just projection. (And the recent heart attack thing can’t be overlooked.) So disappointed Liz, Amy, and Kamala dropped out of race. With Liz, and the reaction to her preparedness and earnestness, reminds me of how some might view me should I ever run for office. I think Biden would form more of a partnership than Bernie would with a running mate, who I hope will be a woman (aforementioned and GA’s Stacy). And that is important to me given how old these men are, with the very real possibilities of major health issues cropping up - and that women have supported Dems in greater numbers. Women deserve powerful voices at the table this go around having endured the misogynist in chief for past years and his sidekick who refuses to have a meeting alone with women.
26
This resonates with me – I strongly support and admire Elizabeth Warren, but ultimately the second best choice in the current field is Biden. I never understood why people conflated Warren and Sanders voters. It’s apples and oranges. Warren is a capitalist progressive, and Bernie is a socialist revolutionary – that’s not hyberbole, that’s their genuine political philosophies. So, if you’re inclined toward Elizabeth Warren’s general outlook/approach and generally agreed with her policies, there’s about 80% to like about Biden. You can’t get everything.
19
I do like Warren and felt that she was probably too liberal to bring a broad coalition of voters, but compared to Bernie;
She was more practical, a clear team player that didn't use a divisive "us vs them" narrative, her supporters didn't feel like they were being yelled at and most importantly..... she was actually a Democrat. Overall, she deserved to do way better than him.
20
It’s now obvious that this election is not about issues or policies. It’s about one thing and one thing only: Trump.
People turned out on Super Tuesday in a show of force not for Biden but against Trump (through votes for Biden). Bernie’s numbers aren’t there. I’m disgusted by the situation, but this Warren supporter will go for Joe.
8
As with so many people, my overarching goal for this election is to oust Trump and restore the federal government to a baseline of competence. After that, I'd like 4 years where the ship is calmly steered back towards the center, where the vast majority of American voters are. I'd like to see Congress spend my taxpayer money on thoughtful negotiations that move both sides forward than playground-level fights that hold us all back.
In an ideal world Biden would not be my choice, but I think he is now the best option for this goal. I have no doubt he will attract a team (which I hope will include Stacy Abrams as well as Warren) that will do us proud and that's our best hope for the future. As to Sanders, it really surprises me that no one is highlighting the biggest issue for Warren supporters: a huge number of women who supported Warren put their hearts and souls into Hilary's campaign in 2016. Notwithstanding the mythology propagated by his followers, Bernie was a terrible sport after Hilary won the nomination; he failed to campaign convincingly for her and showed poor leadership by tacitly allowing the Bernie Bros to continue trashing her right up until the end. There's a lot of bad blood there. Given that history, I could never trust Sanders to be a team player for the good of the country and that's what we need now. I wouldn't say he is the flip-side of Trump- that goes too far. But his self-righteousness has the same dangerous potential.
17
Bernie's inability to break through to Black voters was not really his fault; the Democratic South is entrenched in the old style of ward politics where precinct captains deliver the vote in return for promised spoils; jobs and positions. Bernie Sanders offered the disproportionately poor and disadvantaged Black Americans a big hand up; quality health care, $15 minimum wage (to start with), quality affordable child care, a public works program with mobility and finally, accessible higher education. But Biden? You tell me.
Again, when it comes to women voters, college educated women voters? Bernie has led a pretty healthy and respectful life (though some of his early writings will be suspect). Still up against a philander and credibly accused sexual abuser Donald Trump, you think educated white women are going to vote for Trump?
I think when people of all education cohorts see Joe Biden up on the stage with Bernie Sanders they are going to see a real contrast. Joe has had cognitive problems during his campaign. He makes people like me, who want to support him, actually cringe when he constantly loses the plot.
As far as Warren goes, if she is really a progressive she has a chance to endorse Bernie before the next primary. A second chance to endorse before the next debate. I doubt she'll do either. Instead she will make a trade off with Biden for a plank or two in his platform hoping for a shot at being on the ticket. In 2020 or 2024.
8
@Bill Cullen, Author Every four years a politician strolls into the South and promises Black people the moon. Sanders did that. Black people are on to that con, especially from a man as divisive and unlikeable as Sanders. Black people don't need to be lectured, screamed at or have Sanders wave his fingers in their faces to know pie in the sky promises when they see them.
7
@BB HERNANDEZ It's too bad that you think that universal health care, affordable day care, free tuition at community and state colleges, minimum $15 per hour wage and a public works program with apprenticeships are "pie in the sky". That is a pretty cynical and uninformed view of what the wealthiest country in the world could achieve under a good leader. And Bernie didn't single out Black people for that message; it is aimed at the poor and middle class families that make up the vast majority of the USA. But go with the "decent" guy who can't finish a paragraph and has no plan but who is Obama's friend. I guess that is better than the current president who can't finish a sentence.
1
There's a reason left unsaid in this article about the Warren-to-Sanders crossover problems. For those of us on social media, the flame wars have been intense. I personally got negative comments from Bernie supporters about my championing Sen. Warren's campaign whenever I shared news articles and links to plans on my Facebook page. Twitter was worse, with outright attacks and plenty of snake emojis. However, Biden supporters never once stooped to such rude online behavior. Policies matter, yes. But so does feeling that we're ultimately on the same team working towards the same goal: making Donald Trump a one-term president. For well-educated women, such attacks scream misogyny and sexism, which is a huge turn-off.
23
I wrote a similar post which hasn’t been shown yet. Sanders supporters have been relentlessly rigid and hostile this go-round to everyone who isn’t all-in for Sanders. Then they wonder why none of the other candidates’ votes go to Sanders when the other candidates drop out. They have no one but themselves to blame.
15
The whole premise is based on stereotypes and labels that don't mesh well with each other, when reality states we're all fighting for the same sense of well-being and respect. Livable wages, affordable health care, and education that won't break the back and bank of students. And yet...
This is what's wrong with our politics. I blame social media for this. We should be ruing this day right now, but instead the Gray Lady herself fans the flames.
BTW: Who created the term Bernie Bros? Was that the Hilary Clinton campaign? Might somebody want to hurt Bernie by behaving as a Bro? Just things to think about at Ye Olde 4th Estate.
4
Some believe that Sanders « has done nothing ». Here is some..
1.Providing 9 million more Americans with primary health care, 2 million more with dental care and 860,000 more with mental health services through a $12.5 billion in community health centers.
2. Raising the wages of 350,000 Amazon workers to $15 an hour.
3. Increasing the wages of over 60,000 Disney workers to at least $15 an hour.
4. Restoring $320 million in pension to 130,000 IBM workers.
5. 7 states passed $15 an hour minimum wage laws.
6. Veterans legislation with John McCain providing $5 billion to hire more doctors and nurses for the VA.
7. Passage of legislation ending involvement in Saudi-led war in Yemen.
8. Passage of only audit of the Federal Reserve in 2010.
9. Passage of the National Affordable Housing Trust Fund Act.
10. Preventing Social Security cuts to seniors and disabled veterans.
11. Stopping the Postal Service from closing 15,000 post offices and slashing over 100,000 jobs.
12. Passing more roll call amendments than anyone
13. Passing $3.2 billion in Renewable Energy grants.
14. Raising wages to federal contractors to at least $10.10
15. Banning the credit card interest rate bait and switch scam.
16. Doubling funding for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program.
17. Creating the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.
18. Stopping bailed-out banks from replacing U.S. workers with low-wage guest workers.
19. Prohibiting the Importation of goods made by forced or indentured child labor.
8
@elinak
Ummm, Bernie hasn't done ANY of those things, other than #12, which is meaningless., and #17, which nobody cares about.
9
@elinak I have seen this list before. Sanders "provided" none of that. He might have been a co-sponsor on Bills someone else wrote but he did not carry this weight alone. He is known best for sticking Amendments on Bills. Yes, he is a progressive but, no, rarely did he carry water. People did not like working with a grouchy, hectoring, lecturing, Democratic Socialist.
6
if this is true, it demonstrates white college women have no connection to political policy or economics and are just striving to be "woke," something that was implanted when they were college and majored in the major "frivolous". I suppose biden is just as woke as warren, although their policies are 180 degrees apart. Trump needs to figure out an angle to have the illusion of being woke.
2
Warren supporter to the last here, 100% agree. It's not that I think that Bernie is unelectable or that I disagree with his vision for America, I just don't think he can pull off his agenda once in office.
Long term, the movement has a better chance or success if the standardbearer that gets a mandate to carry it out can get things done. The movement dies if we get a standardbearer in office that overpromises and underdelivers.
As Bernie is fond of saying, it's not me, it's us.
So this cycle I'm with Joe.
13
Voted for Warren. Sanders? I don’t think so.
13
There are clear lessons from Ms. Warren’s third place in the Massachusetts primary. First and foremost is the conclusion that this ideology that she and Mr. Sanders share was a loser. Why she would knowingly choose to back a losing strategy is beyond me.
It is difficult to put Elizabeth Warren supporters in a neat little slot. I have been a Warren enthusiast for a long time but after the vote in South Carolina, I pivoted to Biden. But if Sanders wins the nomination, I will campaign and vote for him. Most Warren boosters are politically savvy and their priority now is not about ideology or gender but saving our democracy from an orange-faced madman. The defeat of Donald Trump is imperative and I think most Warren and Sanders supporters of all skin colors realize this.
4
I am a Warren supporter now forced to choose between two super-old white dudes from tiny states, one a 1960s fossil whom I would never vote for under any circumstance (Sanders) and the other who would have been my 7th or 8th choice at the start of February.
Democracy at its best!
11
This latest plague should teach us one thing: we all need universal healthcare, because we are all in this “boat” together.
6
As events have proved, Ms. Warren was a character in the fiction of an enlightened, progressive, fearless electorate. She was the darling of the liberal upper middle class white demographic and woke-but-not radical college set. While Bernie had bile she had a plan...what he didn't have was a vision ...at least not a coherent one that had the grandiosity of both Trump's and the Bern's. Despite her brilliance and tolerance for selfie-taking it probably never occurred to her that her supporters looked pretty much the same and that she was pretty much singing in the rain...I voted for Bernie in the primary but will have no problem supporting Biden if he is the candidate. What I will no longer do is support the gutless Democratic Party because Biden is less the comeback kid than the zombie of elections past (Kerry, Dole, Clinton)...yawn!
2
Sanders’ supporters are passionate but for the most part are selfish and self-centered
8
@Doug
And aggressive. And insulting. And rude.
Just saying.
Educated, 61 year old Woman here. Bernie’s biggest problem with Women : the Bros. They are obnoxious, uncompromising, holier than thou Scolds. And HE does nothing to “ contain their enthusiasm “. Warren and Biden were my Choices, all along. And now I’m 100 percent behind Joe. The Revolution can wait.
Winning is the ONLY thing. Why is that so hard to comprehend?
16
Ex Republican (fiscal conservative, social moderate) voting "no party preference" on Super Tuesday. I voted for Amy Klobuchar (on CA Democratic ballot) and was disappointed when she dropped out. I did not vote of Elizabeth Warren for two main reasons: too liberal for this ex-Republican and she reminded me too much of that person who always feels the need to remind you (over and over again) they are the smartest person in the room.
I would never vote for Sanders. I would also never vote for Trump (did not vote for him last time). I choose to write-in my vote in 2016 (Kasich). as I would not vote for either Trump nor Clinton. It was matter of trust; I did not trust either one (and still don't).
If Biden is the Democratic nominee in the general election, my hope is that he chooses a younger candidate (Klobuchar, please). Not Harris; she's another candidate I don't trust. I personally don't think any ex-DA would make a good president (or governor). Not Buttigieg; little to no experience.
I am hoping for a viable (to me) candidate for the 2020 election. I will continue this hope.
2
I'm one of those highly educated women who supported Warren but won't dare vote for Bernie. I simply don't trust Bernie after what how he let his campaign undermine Warren and how he wasn't honest about what he'd told Warren about whether a woman could win this time around. Biden is my happy back up choice and I've already got my Wisconsin absentee ballot set to go.
16
When Senator Warren suspended her campaign, she mentioned believing there was a middle path between the moderate and liberal wing of the Democratic Party. I still believe she is correct and will be casting my vote for her in the Florida primary.
I am not anti-Biden or anti-Sanders. There are elements which I like and dislike of both. I think the nation in dire need of healthcare reform, action on climate change and corralling big tech; in that regard, I prefer Warren (and Bernie’s) policies. But I also recognize the best way to oust Trump is going with a candidate who can appeal to moderate Democrats and independents, and Biden holds that ability.
I am sure many would call my vote for Warren a wasted one. I see it as a message to the Democrats — it is okay to appeal to centrists, but don’t abandon bold ideas.
In the end, I don’t care who Warren endorses. I am voting Democrat in November.
8
The argument for Sanders being electable is based on the polls, which show that he and Biden have about the same edge over Trump. However, the 2018 midterm election demonstrated that center-left Democrats could beat Republicans, not left-left Democrats. Part of the reason for Warren supporters to coalesce around Biden is the perceived drag Sanders has on the chances of the Democrats winning the Senate.
12
Warren appealed to me based on her policies and achievements. Sanders does not appeal to me based on his policies and achievements. Warren started her campaign as a uniter but then took a page from the Sanders Book of Division and Discord. This cost Warren and it’s going to cost Sanders too.
13
I guess I don’t understand why people who supported Warren would go on to support Biden. I’m not sure why Warren did not support Sanders. Were none of these people and Warren not that committed to universal healthcare?
7
We won’t be getting universal healthcare under President Trump II. This Warren supporter is heading to Biden.
7
Because we don’t like or trust Bernie and don’t believe he can win or bring the country together.
4
Warren is smarter than to endorse. Bernie may not last the month and if she endorses Biden, she will needlessly antagonize Bernie voters who she may need in 2024.
If Bernie does poorly in Michigan and Florida in the coming weeks, he will have little choice but to drop out. Warren can then go all in to beat Trump. Most of us think Joe will be a one and done President if he wins. We will almost certainly see Warren in 2024.
6
@Sparky Great policies but lousy at management. Nobody much likes him. He would be a disaster in the WH. He would surround himself with the same divisive people he has around him right now.
1
Add me to the long list of Warren supporters who are backing Biden over Bernie. I'll definitely vote for Bernie if he secures the nomination. But Biden has a much better chance of beating Trump, retaining the House for the Dems and helping the Dems retake the Senate. It's as simple as that.
I just hope that if Biden gets the nomination, Bernie will gracefully concede and throw his full support behind Biden. I'm far from confident that Bernie will do so, however.
25
I've been a Warren fan for years and contributed to her campaign. I agree with most of Bernie's opinions, and I'm almost as old, so you'd think Bernie would be my obvious choice. But: dozens of commenters have pointed out Bernie's liabilities. If I were a swing state voter in the general election, would I vote for a candidate who calls himself a democratic socialist, is constantly angry, and refuses to release health records at his age? His yelling and hostility evokes visceral dislike in me - someone who theoretically should be part of his base. Now think what that means re: independent working class voters in Wisconsin. I am not enthused about Biden at all, but he's now the only realistic option.
24
I am a Sanders supporter, for a time heavily leaning towards Warren, many of my close friends were Warren supporters, they're all going for Sanders now. If you were supporting Warren because you are a progressive in the true sense, I don't see how you'd switch to Biden. By the way, I like Biden.
8
@Rilke Because Sanders cannot manage a government. Think about who he would chose as advisers, as Cabinet members -- the same awful people he has around him right now. He would be a disaster. Policy is one thing. Getting things done in the most divisive Washington ever is another.
9
@BB HERNANDEZ That's actually not true. The limitations on him are exactly the same as those on Biden, the difference is that whatever outcome we get, it will be to the left of Biden. Stop selling yourselves short, look at what Trump was able to do.
As this article states, Warren's enthusiastic endorsement will push her votes to whomever she endorses.
My bet is she'll endorse neither Biden nor Sanders, thereby retaining her standing with the Democratic establishment, or she'll endorse Biden, increasing her standing with the Democratic establishment. Either way, by not endorsing Sanders, she'll be betraying her purported commitment to her declared issues in order to stay in good graces with the Democratic establishment, and maybe become Biden's vice presidential candidate.
As Biden's VP, all her progressive energy will be muzzled, and the Democratic Party can return to the big money dominated status quo and working class neglect that gave us Trump.
Sadly, in America, loyalty to a Democratic Party dominated by big money can win out over personal, principled convictions. Warren will be the prime example of that.
5
Warren was a refreshing progressive candidate. It's sad I won't be able to vote for her. But I'm not ready to concede to Biden's same old corporate Democrat middle right agenda. Hope Bernie stays long enough in the race to get my vote.
7
I was a Warren supporter and I will vote for Biden.
What attracted me to Warren was her intelligence, her complexity, her nuanced plans, the fact that she started out as a Republican and came to her progressive views through her real-life work and experience.
Sanders’ dogmatism and his lack of much legislative “there there” turns me off — I especially dislike his record on gun legislation.
Biden is imperfect but he is clearly a decent human being — who lives and deals in the world as it is ... who has experienced great lost, but still aspires ... for us all.
That said, come November I will vote for, and work for, whoever the democratic nominee is — because our first priority must be winning back the White House, and the future ....
22
Remember what happened the last time a centrist democrat ran against Trump?
A lot of Trump supporters are those left behind by the increasingly unfair US economy and Sanders can speak to them believably, unlike Biden.
7
@Erik Frederiksen I think the "economic anxiety" Trump voter has long been debunked.
4
@Erik Frederiksen It is all about turn out. Did you see the voter turn out for Super Tuesday? - Through the roof. And who? Black Americas and suburban women.
Warren indulged in a lot of crass identity pandering of the sort that is anathema to Sanders supporters but a good fit for a reconciliation with the DNC establishment selection, Biden. We can expect her to pledge her support for Biden, serving as a loyal surrogate with more of the same identity rhetoric, focused naturally on appeals to women theoretically frustrated by the elimination of female candidates from contention.
4
I like some (okay, most) of Bernie's ideas. I like that my grown son is a Bernie bro of more than a decade. But I don't like Bernie. He's too cantankerous, too divisive, too prone to insults and negativity, and frankly, trump has given me more than enough of all that these past 3 years. I want Joe Biden's optimism and hope in the face of adversities he has suffered. I want Joe to have my back.
16
I vote in the next week and am in this camp of would-be-Warren-voters. I think Bernie has many admirable ideas but a man who yells all the time is a hard sell for me. Yelling when people don’t agree with you isn’t leading. And I’d venture it’s a turn off to many women.
So, I’ll likely be quietly voting for Biden with a sigh. He’s rather boring but boring might be nice for a while. That and I’m pinning my hopes on an inspiring running mate. It’s the centennial for women’s suffrage this year—maybe we can elect a woman VP to celebrate.
13
I think most Warren supporters were pretty moderate to begin with and were supporting Elizabeth primarily because she’s a woman and she’s super-smart (not because she’s a progressive). As such, I expect most of them to switch their allegiance to moderate mediocre Biden. Sad but not surprising.
6
@Zareen You might have a different definition of moderate than me, but every Warren supporter I know is either liberal or center left, with deep concern about health care costs, childcare affordability, climate change, and consumer protection. She made her reputation by writing the "Two Income Trap" and taking on financial institutions, and her supporters know it. As a progressive with a pragmatic streak, I found her the obvious choice.
3
I think it’s becoming quite clear that the country would like to be rid of both Bernie and Donald. We don’t need demagogues running this country. The Republican Party needs to reset without Trump and the Democratic Party needs to shed Sanders before he damages the party and divides our country like Trump has done.
Biden may be imperfect, but he will be a good place holder for now and will restore our democratic institutions.
12
I used to sit on a student/faculty committee at Harvard Law School with Professor Warren and I think very highly of her. She was my first choice all along until she dropped out. Now, the choice is obvious for me: Joe Biden. I believe a lot of people who supported Professor Warren feel the same way.
15
Everyone here is talking about misogyny. I did not know that Democratic primary voters were so misogynistic.
Here is the great irony. If Nikki Haley runs for president in 2024, those voting against her will be voting against her because they prefer another candidate, not because she is a woman. Yes, conservatives vote for the best candidate, irrespective of gender or race.
If Haley loses, she will not blame misogyny. And if she wins, the Warren supporters here will not be celebrating the election of the first woman president.
4
@Erik You are being very presumptuous, so allow me to be as well:
If Nikki Haley decides to run in 2024 (which I'm thinking she has, and is being groomed now by Trump to be his successor), and big money gets behind her and promotes her, then she could very likely be elected by party loyalists, whether or not she is a woman. The Republican Party would love nothing more than to usher in the first woman POTUS.
The window of opportunity is opening for women, and Warren has helped in that respect, but it's not about blaming misogyny as much as it is about recognizing our own biases toward women in power and overcoming them.
I suggest you read "The Gender Knot: Unraveling Our Patriarchal Legacy", by Allan G. Johnson, to understand how women are systematically treated in our society, and why, at this moment in history, Warren did not do better in this election. It also explains why we had a black man for president before a woman.
Lastly, you presume that Warren supporters would not celebrate a Republican woman winning the election. You are wrong there. Most women would support the idea of a woman President even if they did not vote for her.
I have had conversations with men who said they — and the men in their circle — would not vote for a woman. Not now, not in the foreseeable future. That’s misogyny. I was surprised too.
1
Warren was my choice from the start, but I will pivot over to Bernie in the primary, whom my 94 year old father would accurately describe as an alte kaka. He's like chopped liver: delicious comfort food to some and unpalatable to others. If Biden gets the nomination, though, he will have my complete, if unenthusiastic, support.
4
@Sandy And my 88 year mother is for Joe because he is a mensch.
Lots of Warren supporters here talking about her electability.
Sorry, but there is nobody less electable than a wealthy and very left-wing Massachusetts Harvard professor with an "I know more than you" attitude who apparently has zero appeal to minorities (for whatever reasons).
Couple that with her claim of Indian heritage, sending her children to private schools while wanting to ban charter schools, and not telling the truth about her father's profession and being fired because of her pregnancy, are the icing on the Trump cake.
2
The DNC was so hellbent on pushing all the female candidates out of the race, to pave the way for their pal, Old Man Biden, they failed to look at the demographics of millions of Warren supporters.
We were not all white, liberal, educated women, far from it. I attended many Warren meetings and volunteer events and there young male college students of all ethnic backgrounds, older, white male veterans, senior citizens and young families, LGBT, Hispanics, Blacks, Asians, PhDs and HS diplomas, off all religious and socio-economic backgrounds. It was true diverse representation of America. More interestingly, were Republican women that joined the ranks that the DNC have now lost.
Neither Biden or Sanders has a lock on her supporters. Unless she is on a ticket, not a Cabinet position, they aren't getting her votes. Most of the talk I hear, is Warren supporters staying home because they know Biden cannot win against Trump.
I have been voting for almost four decades and I have never been so disgusted. I became a Democrat to support Warren. Now, I'm leaving the party.
So you're accepting another four years of Trump then? Seems like an odd shift in values.
5
I'm a Warren voter. I'm siding with Biden.
I don't agree with Biden on much - I am especially galled by his durably ignorant stance on abortion.
But the country - indeed the world - needs a break from the histrionics of the Trump administration. We need a team player in the White House. We need someone who know the cast of characters on the Hill. We need someone who is pragmatic enough to know that the perfect is not the enemy of the good.
Joe will be our interim president - our last Boomer. He'll hand over the keys to the next generation with a calmer nation as his legacy.
500
@Cousy
And in 8 years, the lack of progress Biden makes in addressing our climate crisis will doom that same next generation.
I don't disagree with your assessment, because Biden definitely has an easier path to the white house than Bernie. But at the same time, I genuinely think 8 more years of the same old way of doing things is going to leave us in a dangerous position. The time to hand over the reins to the younger generation was the 2016 election
19
@Evan
I agree that Biden is hardly a champion of the environment. And he hasn't been a force for good on income inequality either.
But here's my hope. Joe is the consummate legislator - a guy who recognizes power when he sees it and adapts accordingly to get a workable compromise. He has already moved left on many issues, and I believe that he has the sense to surround himself with people who will implement a progressive (or progressive-ish?) agenda.
In other words, I'm more optimistic for a Biden administration than I am about Biden specifically. And I bet he'll serve only one term.
85
@Cousy --Well said. I'm with you.
30
This article describes me. I supported Sanders in 2016 because I was excited by his policy views, but when his politics led to the walk outside at the DNC in 2016... I was done.
I'm supporting Warren. I'll vote for Warren when I mail my ballot this weekend. Others will have to decide who the nominee is.
2
I respect your decision, but if you're done with Sanders and want to make an impact, you should vote for Biden
1
Senator Warren and Senator Sanders aren't like a pair of bookends that can be easily exchanged or substituted.
Both Senators are their own person with unique and different agendas and view points. There is a similarity on some levels, but when it comes down to it, Warren supporters aren't instinctively flocking to Sanders because he ain't her.
Over the past few days, I've witnessed such total loyalty and support for Senator Warren. I've also seen a similar total loyalty of so many towards Senator Sanders.
One thing that is certain in both camps - there is no gray in those color wheels. People are either for or against Sanders or Warren.
It's not a surprise that Senator Warren's supporters would not blindly and automatically back Senator Sanders. This is not one of those "one size fits all" kind of campaigns.
Regardless of who wins the nomination, I just hope folks will vote Blue, no matter who.
12
Good analysis, and I guess I'm an example of the type of voter discussed here. I'm a Gen-X liberal, white and middle class, who supported Ms. Warren considerably, and I was very sad to see her leave the race. But my support is going to be entirely with Mr. Biden now, no matter who she endorses. Mr. Biden is liberal enough for me, and will be a kind of place-holder who will undo the evils wrought by Trump without making many major initiatives like free college or universal socialized medicine. But in 2028, we could get a real progressive, particularly as more boomers will have died out by then.
But Mr. Sanders doesn't have my support mainly because he is not helpful for congressional races. The people who need the most help are moderate Democrats in 'purple' districts, and he shows no willingness to help them, and no real ability to do so. If he somehow beat Trump but then lost the House and lost ground in the Senate, he would be unable to accomplish anything.
Also he's often weak on details of how he gets his major policies funded and passed, and it's extremely concerning that he's extremely old and just had a heart attack, and won't release his health records.
So I'd say this analysis is right on point, supporters of Ms. Warren will be accepting of some compromise, and switch to Mr. Biden as the most likely person to achieve turnover in the presidency and the Senate both.
47
@Dan Stackhouse
Really good points Mr. Stackhouse, especially concerning his health and refusal to release those records.
I certainly do not wish any ill will towards the Senator but when one's age coupled with a heart attack and the stress of campaigning comes together, I worry about the kind of stress levels a person could endure when president. I mean, heck, it's an incredibly stressful job at any age, even when a person has not had a heart attack.
His age was never a consideration but his recent heart attack was and still is.
11
Thanks Marge, and sure, if Mr. Sanders hadn't had a heart attack recently, his age wouldn't bother me. Also I forgot to point out as you did above, we all need to Vote Blue No Matter Who, in November, and I'd do that even if it was Tulsi (I can say this with the certainty that it won't be).
3
@Dan Stackhouse
Thanks Mr. Stackhouse. I think it is say to state that we are on the same Blue Note page.
Have a great weekend.
3
"Ms. Warren’s base — heavily white, and light on voters over 65 — doesn’t have much to offer him on those fronts."
On primary day, you just need votes, and every vote counts the same. Warren's base is what it is. Warren's endorsement would mostly work-out as a one-time transaction. And its effectiveness is expiring, BY THE DAY.
Warren CAMPAIGNING FOR / ON THE TICKET WITH Sanders does offer Sanders more --- more with women, more with young who need to believe in ultimate success, more with minorities who are not already with Biden, and more with older folks who are ready for REAL change.
Bernie has tomorrow's winning votes; Elizabeth is dedicated to progressive change. Success is more important than either of them; and I wish BOTH operated like a unit to ACHIEVE a successful progressive agenda. A Sanders-Warren ticket would be a tour de force.
It would reflect a maturing of the Democratic Party to achieve the progressive agenda that it espouses. The engine of youth has a belly of steam built-up. Stoke it.
7
I belong to a left-of-center (mostly Jewish) online politics discussion group with hundreds and members and many of us (including me) favored Sen. Warren along with a lot of support for Sen. Klobuchar and Mayor Pete and some for Sen. Sanders, but in the days before Super Tuesday almost everyone swung to VP Biden and not a single of the many Warren supporters went to Sen. Sanders. A small sample but it's what I hear all over. Also, we're all sad that Sen. Warren dropped out, no matter who we support
30
I’m mystified how anyone voting for Biden could call themselves a liberal. He’s barely a Democrat.
5
@Karen Ruel Well Bernie is 100% not a Democrat.
7
Speaking as an over-65, over-educated, previously over- compensated white man who strongly believes in the progressive goals she and Senator Sanders espouse, Senator Warren was the most exciting, best-qualified presidential candidate of my lifetime. I was convinced early on that she would be our next president and supported her campaign. How could such a warm, talented woman with an anti-corruption message fail to attract a majority?
Now we know. Now that she's dropped out, she's on the front page everywhere with lots of positive coverage. It's funny how that works (compare Hillary Clinton as Secretary of State vs. presidential candidate).
I can't generate any enthusiasm for Biden or Sanders. I don't see Sanders as a successful president, even if he were elected. He lacks the political skills. I don't see Biden as successful either. He's from another political era.
If Biden is the nominee, Sanders needs to strongly encourage his supporters to fight for Democrats everywhere on the ballot. My hope is that Mr. Biden will pick a talented, progressive running mate (a senator from Massachusetts, for example) and, if he's lost too much of his energy and mental edge by 2021, he will graciously retire. He can always point out that a presidential campaign takes a lot out of a person.
19
@LWF I hope he picks her and that she is willing.
3
Voters who like Warren for her proven competence and diplomacy will vote Biden. Those who like her financial and anti corrruption plans will likely lean Sanders.
6
Almost forgot?? Warren supporters who want trump out will NOT sit out the vote. We’ll vote BIDEN, because as warren supporters we’re practical, realistic—and proactive.
3
Most Warren supporters I know can't stand Sanders. She was immensely prepared, but where are his plans for or track record of actually getting anything done?
24
@bruce eeeyup.
"Bernie Sanders has proposed new federal programs to overhaul the nation's health care system, tackle climate change and wipe away student debt. But a budget estimate by a nonpartisan think tank provided to NBC News suggests that despite new proposals on how he would pay for them, his plans would still result in a $20 trillion budget shortfall over 10 years.
NBC News asked the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget to respond to an itemized list the campaign released last week explaining how the Sanders, I-Vt., intends to fund a range of his proposals, including "Medicare for All," the Green New Deal, free college and housing for all.
The $20 trillion estimate is similar to a study the CRFB did of Sanders' 2016 campaign, which estimated that his proposals then would result in a $19 trillion shortfall."
4
I supported Warren on Super Tuesday. She is smart, effective, and seems to have the country's best interest at heart. Now that Sanders is slipping he is trying to divide the country by attacking Biden. He also encourages a 'Sanders or don't vote' ethic. Troubling. Warren's current lack of endorsement for Sanders is telling. I don't think Sanders can win against Trump. My support goes to Biden (even though I have an ongoing sadness about the old-white-guy monolith). I will support whoever the nominee turns out to be.
31
@David In addition to the lack of endorsement, she gave an interview criticizing Sanders’ handling of his supporters who doxxed and left death threats for union leaders in NV who took issue with M4A. And no Warren supporter will forget the he said/she said argument on the debate stage about their electability-of-a-woman private conversation.
7
I don't know if either candidate gets much out of courting either Warren or her supporters at this point. She alienated both camps of the candidates that remain, and if either one offered her the VP slot to pick up supporters, they might as well plan on four more years of Trump with the amount of people signaling none of the above and sitting this one out. The best thing Warren can do is to pit her efforts into her day job and just simply say she supports the candidate that has won.
3
People decide on a candidate for various reasons. Sometimes it’s issues. Sometimes it’s character and personality. Sometimes, like with Obama, it’s both.
I liked both Warren and Buttigieg. And some of the others who dropped out earlier. All for different reasons.
Biden was never my first choice. But pragmatically, I think it has to be Biden.
For me it’s come down to 1 issue only: Take back the White House to regain our Republic. Till we’ve done that, everything else is secondary.
As long as he picks an excellent VP, I’ll be satisfied to vote for him. I wish he’d decide that early. It might help some people to switch to him.
20
Every time I hear this argument nobody mentions the elephant in the room. In my opinion one of the biggest reasons Warren supporters aren't going to run to Sanders is because of what he did to Hillary Clinton. She won the popular vote by 3 million so it seems reasonable that she still has a lot of that support and that many of those same people supported Warren. I am one of them and I haven't forgotten 2016 and Sanders refusal to get out of the race, his use of Russian propaganda to further his candidacy and his cult like followers. If Sanders is the nominee I will vote for him but I won't like it.
31
Still raw about Warren's performance at the polls. I like Sanders and tend to agree on most things, I'm just not convinced the policies can/will be funded properly or even at all. It's great he has the young fired up, but a lot of his supporters are getting very nasty on social media and are starting to mimic the hate-serum Trump injected into his base. At this point, I'm leaning toward Biden however we still have 7-8 months left of this and I'm keeping an open mind.
Except for the Biden and Sanders supporters, everyone else felt their heart break when their candidate bowed out this past week. The reality of the situation is that there are no second place winners. EVER.
The goal should/must be to defeat Trump.
I am just hoping that all Democrats will come together on November 3 and vote Blue, no matter who.
9
Senator Warren was my choice to be the President. She was clearly the best candidate, because of her policies, intellect, and grace. I believe Mr. Biden owes the Senator a spot on the ticket. She handled Bloomberg decisively, which eliminated Biden's biggest competitor. Clearly she has significant support because of her survival in this competition. Biden will lose without her.
9
Part of my problem with Sanders has to with some of his supporters—the ones who are now condemning Warren for splitting the progressive vote that they feel was rightfully his. I doubt it ever occurred to them that perhaps he was splitting the progressive vote that could rightfully have been hers. Why is it always the woman candidate who is considered the spoiler of a man’s chances? I keep wondering what might have happened if, after his heart attack, Sanders had withdrawn gracefully and thrown his support to Warren.
28
@Susan Wladaver-Morgan Excellent points. Just imagine if that had happened!
2
@Susan Wladaver-Morgan Because he was the one that opened the door by running in 2016 and building an ongoing political movement. Warren didn't dare run against Hillary in 2016, and she doesn't have Bernie's movement. She could have helped him immensely, instead she just got in his way.
1
@KM . This is what disturbs me—Sanders’ supporters putting devotion to one man ahead of the policies he espouses. I believe Warren would have been a stronger candidate to represent those goals than Sanders—younger, far healthier, more positive. In her shorter Senate career, she has already actually achieved some important things, like CFPB, which is not just for middle class people. After all, workers are consumers as well as producers. I wish that had counted as much as sticking to Sanders as a would-be messiah.
1
What a shame so many Warren supporters here confessing they switched to Biden at the last minute. If more of you had voted your heart we would have had a real chance for the best/most consequential president since FDR.
I canvassed for Sen. Warren and contributed to her campaign. I witnessed many waiting until almost voting day to make up their minds. The combination of a near complete snub of the media for Warren, plus the last minute endorsement by Buttegieg/Klobachar/Clyburn plus the coronavirus crisis, sent voters into panic mode, and they chose what they thought was the “safe” choice.
I have already cast my vote for Warren, but as her supporter I can say that neither remaining candidate is a great choice. Bernie shares many policy goals, but I’m concerned about the “tear down the walls” mentality of some of his supporters. Biden, on the other hand, is an incrementalist like Obama, but worse—he doesn’t have a vision, only a reaction to the leftward direction the nations’ voters have headed. Forty years of that kind of philosophy have brought us tremendous wealth inequality, a shrinking middle class, and the fewest opportunities for advancement of any modern industrialized nation. We need big change, and we need someone with the grit and intelligence to bring us there. Nothing “safe” about that. Lord help us.
10
Warren supporters, just like the supporters of every other candidate that has dropped out... ARE... free agents and can vote however they like.. and will.
It's nothing more than an exercise in self-admiration of one's own navel in trying to argue or persuade others as to how any prior candidates supporters will vote.. both in the remaining primaries, AND in the general election.
But at the end of the day.. the primary is now down to two viable candidates. And like it or not.... one scares a lot of the general voting population and the other makes a lot of the voting population feel as though we can actually return to an actual sense of normal in defeating Trump in November. Votes will decide which one prevails.. and it matters exactly ZERO what militant supporters of any candidate feel on the matter.
2
Warren supporters who were voting based on policy and ideas - purportedly the chief attraction of Warren's campaign - should vote for Bernie Sanders, the remaining vehicle for the types of policies and ideas Warren supports.
Warren supporters voting on personality traits and nebulous concepts like "electability" should feel free to vote for a candidate who supported the Iraq War, NAFTA, Don't Ask Don't Tell, the death penalty, draconian crime policy, Clarence Thomas on the Supreme Court, welfare cuts, a constitutionally mandated balanced budget, the Hyde Amendment, corporate-friendly "bankruptcy reform" of the type Warren spent her academic career opposing; who negotiated the extension of the Bush tax cuts and has repeatedly tried to negotiate cuts to Medicare and Social Security; and who is much less electable than generally assumed because his mental faculties are in clear decline.
But if they do so, they will have fully earned the insults they pre-emptively received from a rabid minority of Sanders supporters.
We still have a progressive in the race who can win in the general election - poll after poll shows this - and we still have a choice. Let's hope Warren supporters make the right one.
9
@Bluelotus Poll after poll showed that Bernie would dominate on Super Tuesday. He didn't. He actually received fewer votes in 2020 than in 2016. Turnout was up in a lot of places--just not for him. I believe in progressive ideals but I also believe you have to win elections. Bernie is not demonstrating to me that he can move it across the finish line and his surrogates and campaign are attacking the Democratic establishment instead of Trump. Does not bode well for a general election.
8
I supported Warren from the start. I had a brief moment of consideration for Bloomberg . Four years ago I supported Sanders. This time Warren was the obvious choice. Same policies plus plans for getting them done, and the ability to co-operate with others. I'm not a big fan of Hillary but her remarks about Sanders lack of likability and failure to achieve anything significant were big warnings. What good to put a man in office who will not be able to accomplish any of the goals he's shouting about? As another reader here commented recently, Sanders is
"prophet, not president." Joe's ideas are not that different from Sanders and he is a man who can work with others to get results. My vote is going to Joe.
8
While I’ve been a longtime Biden supporter, I would have been happy to support Warren. She is to my left, but smart and practical.
I found it telling that Warren’s campaign basically ended when she rolled out her detailed plan to pay for M4A. The same week, Sanders refused in an in-depth interview to say how much M4A would cost.
Warren also has an impressive record, building an entire consumer protection bureau from scratch. But she was a Republican forty years ago, which apparently disqualified her in much of Sanders’s base. A real shame.
3
I’m a Warren supporter who will now be supporting Biden. If Sanders is the nominee, he’ll get my vote in November. That said, there have been many articles and reports that have brought into focus Bernie’s weakness. It’s reported his supporters are this groundswell of Democratic socialists. Other than a few Congressional representatives, where are the candidates to support this movement? Are Bernie voters asking us to trade one dictator in the Oval Office for another?
11
Why do we think a moderate-ish candidate with a not-really-a-scandal scandal will fare any better than Clinton against Trump? Haven’t we run this scenario already, and got almost good enough results? I guess Biden’s not a woman at least? But Clinton was at least a capable debater. Not saying I think Sanders is more “electable” than Biden; I think Sanders has a wide range of potential outcomes and we don’t really know for sure if he’d run away with it or get crushed. But if we nominate Biden it just feels like making the same mistakes over again because we’re afraid to try a new path.
When I finally get to vote in the primary, I’m voting my conscience for Sanders, because of his policies and also because I don’t want to make the same mistakes as 2016.
5
I believe Warren knows how unpopular Sanders is in Congress and the chance of him getting anything past are zero. Hopefully she will negotiate with Biden and endorse him.
7
I was a Warren supporter. When it became clear this was heading towards a Biden/Sanders race, I voted for Biden in my state's primary. I do not want Sanders to be the candidate, but will get behind whoever makes it to the general election.
4
I am waiting for the Bros to call Warren a corporate sellout. That expectation is precisely why many of Warrens supporters will not support Sanders.
13
@Displaced yankee Where have you been? They've been doing that for months, at least since she answered the question about how she was going to pay for M4A.
1
I think it's pretty sad how many Warren supporters openly won't support Sanders- easily the closest to Warren ideologically and politically- because some of Sanders' supporters were mean to them on Twitter or Facebook.
I'm a Sanders supporter, but for a couple of months I was leaning Warren. It wasn't until she started to waver on M4A that I switched to Bernie definitively. Do I believe that some of Sanders' supporters were very rude to Warren's supporters online? Yes, it's a fact that many people experienced this. Of course, it's also true that ANYONE discussing politics is liable to be treated rudely. I've been dismissed as a "bernie bro" or a communist, or a misogynist many times- I've even been accused of being a Russian asset on this very website! But at the end of the day, it's policy that matters. Biden will NOT execute anything close to Warren's policies because the branch of the Democratic party he represents sees them as either too risky for voters, or too risky for their donors.
9
I campaigned for Bernie in 2016. This time around I started giving money to Warren's campaign a year ago, and volunteering for her last fall. Having spent all this time on the perfect candidate I have no interest in supporting either Bernie or Biden. Bernie would be slightly better politically but I don't think he's going to beat Trump, and Biden's got his Wall Street pals now--he doesn't need me. I wouldn't blame Warren if, after knocking herself out all this time to stay positive and future-focused, she kept on staying out of the mud at least until primaries are over.
3
I wish we knew who the Biden veep choice would be if he's the nominee now. A good energetic liberal choice might help Warren endorse him and her supporters to follow.
I don't really want Sanders to be president, but a Biden type veep choice would push me to Sanders. A Biden ticket needs some juice so the Warren voters don't stay home! We need some hope for some energetic change. Not even radical, just forward looking, not backwards even to 2008 or earlier. It's 2020!!!
@bse
You think Biden's Wall St. donors would allow Warren on the ticket? My bet says Harris would be the one acceptable to both his donors and his base.
2
@rtj Please read my comment again! I hope for "A good energetic liberal choice." I don't think it should be Warren as we truly need her in the senate. But there are many other good liberal and energetic and progressive women who would be an asset to the Biden ticket, so I hope he chooses wisely to keep/attract us to his cause. It probably will be a man, however, given the way things work these days, sad but true. But let's not just bellyup in fear that Wall Street might not like someone more liberal. If the soreheads go to Trump in a huff, we are all toast!
How sad that so many people want her to endorse Biden. Alas, the frenzied desperation to defeat Trump has transformed so many of us into automatons with no vision and political will. The irony is that if you cast your vote with Biden, you are casting your vote for Trump's reelection. Warren endorses Biden and that would be the sacrifice of integrity and all that she has stood for, for the sake of a risky short-term goal of defeating Trump.
The democratic party really wants Trump again. Bravo.
4
Warren supporter here. I will vote for Biden. If his VP pick is someone I can wholeheartedly endorse (Warren/Harris), I will also campaign for him & throw some money into him. I'm very disappointed with the democratic party, in general, & the Sanders supporters, in particular.
8
Both my parents (senior citizens) voted Warren in MA. They liked Warren’s policies, intellect, and follow through.
They do not like Bernie’s divisiveness and condescending tone and will be supporting Biden going forward.
16
I voted for Warren this Super Tuesday, and I am sad to see her leave the race—but I was an extremely late convert to her cause (since every single candidate I preferred had dropped out by Tuesday and since I thought, and still think, that nominating a white man in his late 70s is not a winning strategy for the Democratic Party). I'm pretty sure that there are many other Warren voters who approached the primary with similar considerations.
Thus the (perhaps superficial) ideological alignment of Warren and Sanders is no guarantee that Warren voters will move to Sanders. I, for one, will only vote for Sanders in the general because the alternative would be even worse, and I would much prefer Biden as the lesser of two evils for the nomination. In part, this is because I find Sanders self-righteousness off-putting and his rhetoric of revolution sanctimonious in ways that Warren's wonkishness and advocacy of "bold, structural change" were not. In part, it is because Sanders' supporters (in my social circle and beyond) are doing their utmost to treat skeptics like me as if we were the enemy, or at least talking to us with irritating, obnoxious, and unwarranted condescension. And in part, it is because I genuinely fear that nominating Sanders would not only mean four more years of Trump in the White House, but complete Republican control of all three branches of the federal government. Now there's a scary thought.
12
While Bernie's diagnosis is spot on, his remedies will never get beyond the Oval Office unless he manages to motivate a huge blue bloc of voters that so far have remained uninvolved.
My top priority is to vote for whoever can turn Congress blue. If that doesn't happen, we are no better off. It's interesting to see so much of Elizabeth Warren's thinking appearing in his messages, and one wonders how is it she managed to deliver the same ideas without inspiring the nihilistic misogynist behavior of the so-called (by themselves) "Dirtbag Left", and Bernie doesn't.
And given that probably the most significant difference between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren is gender, one has to presume that the criticism from the extreme Sanders bloc is more misogny than anything.
A Biden-Warren ticket would be far more effective at delivering the "revolution".
Joe Biden has a far more direct and authentic connection back to the FDR Democratic party. Despite his early missteps, I think time and his own tragedies have moved him along. He is at least a kindly and decent man. He would treat Elizabeth Warren with the same kindness and respect, and give to her the same independence that Barack Obama showed him.
7
Stereotypical Warren voter - college educated with likely masters degree, white, well off, lives in Boston, NYC, DC, etc. or its tony suburbs.
Stereotypical Sanders voter - a Bernie Bros (you can be a female Bernie Bros) who is under 35, and wants a revolution. Lives in Bushwick, Williamsburg, or the equivalent in the other cities.
Yes, they have little in common.
3
@Erik I would add that the Bernie Bros are also typically still receiving financial support (if not living at home) from the parents and have not had to really go out and make a living and, uh, pay taxes.
@Ed Many of us Bernie Bros have worked for a long time, and dealt with pathetic corporate health plans, and therefore see the need for Medicare for all. The tax increase would be less than the ridiculous premiums and deductibles we're currently saddled with.
This profile of the Warren voter fits me exactly. I will reluctantly support Biden because I am convinced Bernie will lose. I am not happy about this situation. I would feel better if Biden would reveal who will be in his cabinet and that these people are not drawn from Wall Street , the plutocracy or the conservative wing of the Democratic Party. Reading about the spread of the Coronavirus each day has scared me. Trump is a disaster, but will Joe Biden be up to the challenge of vigorously campaigning to defeat him? And Elizabeth Warren is still the only candidate I trust to lead us through this coming pandemic.
2
This diehard Warren supporter will never get behind Sanders.
I will, however, vote for him if he wins it.
10
I supported Elizabeth Warren not so much because I agreed with her policies as because I liked her. She's smart. funny, and highly highly competent. Now that she's out of the race, I'll be voting for Joe Biden, because I do not believe that Bernie Sanders can rally enough voters to beat Trump. And now that I don't have a candidate to rally behind, I'm channeling my energies into being anti-Trump. It's that simple.
But - dang, I'm going to miss her in the presidential debates. It's not just that it would have been Warren's style and substance versus Trump's insults, I think she could have zinged him good!
13
Perhaps we need some education on online behavior. The vitriol people talk about is on twitter, where the vast majority of people use pseudonyms. When I am on Twitter, I assume that most people are not who they represent themselves to be. There is a serious percentage of people who troll for fun. They don’t actually support a candidate or cause. They provoke and antagonize because it arouses them. To know how supporters really are, go to a rally or at least watch one on tv. Look at the difference between a trump rally and a Bernie rally. They could not be more different. Believing that all supporters are bad based on trolls is a mistake.
3
Warren supporter, older middle class white woman for Sanders here!! Why? Three simple reasons. 1) This country needs to fight the good fight, agains inequality and for universal healthcare. Sanders will do this, Biden won't. 2) We need a sharp president. Sanders is older than Biden but his mind is sharp as a razor. He can take on Trump in a debate. Biden gets confused, can't complete a sentence and shows clear signs of frailty. No one likes to talk about this, besides Stephen Colbert, but it's a fact. 3) I am NOT going to vote for someone I don't believe in out of fear.
8
@Liba Watching Biden speak off the cuff TERRIFIES me. The other night, he was speaking at an event and he couldn't even remember Obama's name! He somehow manages to make Trump look mentally sharp.
My pet issue is universal health care. I would have gladly supported Warren in a general election, but if Biden can't even pretend he will work for M4A or an equivalent, I just don't think I can vote for him.
3
@Liba
I agree with you, but I will vote for Biden in the General Election for the same reason that I will occasionally drink stale, day old coffee. There's nothing fresh and I really need the caffeine.
1
In her “thank you” statement sent to her 1.25 million online donors, EW included the following:
“And for every American who desperately wants to see our nation healed and some decency and honor restored to our government, this fight goes on.“
Also, in her interview with RM last night, she spent more time discussing the legitimate concern about the over-the-line advocacy of certain elements of the Bernie Bro’s than any other topic. To me, she gets it: decency and stability over Trumplike excesses even from “our side.”
12
I planned to vote for Elizabeth Warren in our primary and sorry I won't be able to. I will not vote for Bernie Sanders. While their policies of social health are similar, they are far from perfectly aligned elsewhere. I like Elizabeth Warren. She seems like a team player. Bernie Sanders is just another shove it down your throat male, not so different from Trump. Their audience may be different, but it sure seems their goal is to divide rather than unite.
6
I was a Warren supporter who found Joe Biden "a safe place to land." I agree with many of Bernie's ideas but without the willingness and flexibility to allow for a more nuanced, incrementalist approach if necessary, without the capacity for compromise, I fear his presidency would fail, leaving Democrats empty-handed.
Lately, Bernie has taken to airing paranoid fantasies about the "establishment" conspiring against him. Yesterday, he told a reporter no one should believe "the media."
Like Trump, Bernie and his supporters seem to feel that anyone who disagrees with them, even slightly, are their enemies and should be treated as such. His surrogates have suggested Democrats who've rallied around Biden are guilty of a "coup" when all they're guilty of is disagreeing with his approach to politics; an approach that leaves them wary of his ability to win, much less lead and affect the change Democrats want.
For four years, Democrats have been treated to the equivalent of an open fire-hose of solipsistic, lunatic, my way or the highway blather from the oval office. Most of us are not interested in electing any version of that from our own ranks.
7
I'm puzzled at the thinking that progressives won't support another progressive with essentially the same policy platform. Or that Sanders tends to attract young white male crowds. That's not what I see in pictures or video clips of his campaign rally crowds.
I looked at some California exit polls (Exact votes haven't been dissected there yet.), and he led Biden among women, non-Hispanic whites, Hispanics and Asian Americans. In Nevada, he led among young and older liberals. In Iowa, I read that he was second only to Warren among older, liberal voters. African-American voters: older = Biden, younger = Sanders.
Polls show that Democrats Abroad (the group watching these guessing games from a distance) also favor Sanders. A late February poll of New York voters showed Sanders ahead.
As far as angry Bernie Bots (Intelligence concedes that at least some are Russian 'bots dispatched to rile up Democrats), Sanders has repeatedly denounced such behavior. Sanders doesn't insult voters. That was Biden who called a young Democratic voter in New Hampshire a “lying, dog-faced pony soldier”
5
I think Warren is going to endorse Biden for the following reasons. a)She would have already endorsed Sanders when she dropped out yesterday.
b) Sanders called her a liar in front of a national audience regarding her debate claim that Sanders told her a woman could never be elected President. (Who is right, I don't know. Just saying.)
c) On RMW last night, she recounted how Bernie's followers literally terrorized two of her female staff members, posting phone numbers and home addresses for them. She said she spoke to Sanders about it, but characterized the conversation as 'very brief', (instead of say 'productive'). Reading between the lines, Bernie didn't give a hoot what his Bros did.
d) I suspect Bernie is partially blaming her for his whomping on Super Tuesday for staying in the race.
It all adds up to a lot of bad blood from what I see.
6
Bernie Sanders is no Elizabeth Warren.
I'm resigned to Biden.
6
What I have understood from the current rift in Democratic Party is that moderate (a.k.a college educated & financially well-off) liberals have priortized social liberalism over economic decay of poor people who aren't like them. They would like to see people working in service industries exhibit liberalism in social causes and give too hoots if the person serving them can afford healthcare, education and decent quality of life, they are happy that they left 20% tips.
6
Re: “For most suburban or upper-middle-class white women, Joe Biden is a pretty comfortable place to land." Oh indeed!
I know PLENTY of adamant Warren supporters who are women who live very comfortable lives. Their headline reasoning for supporting Warren is about gender (or sex, if you will), The Misogyny, and The Patriarchy. This reasoning seems to be especially prevalent among those who have chosen not to work outside the home. There is real resentment there.
Rightly or wrongly, Bernie has been tarnished with the Bernie Bros misogyny claims. These women are not going to support Bernie. It's a one-two punch: There is no way they are going to elect someone that threatens there very comfortable position. And they are never going to support someone who they perceive to have a base that is hostile to women.
1
The well-off, highly educated white women who were the core of Warren's support are certain that the reason she didn't get more traction was due to misogyny, and that has them very upset. (I agree misogyny was a factor, though she did make critical missteps which sunk her campaign, as well.)
Add the "I think you just called me a liar on national television" controversy with the perception that Sanders leads a gang of bullying Bernie Bros, and this does not work to Sanders' advantage now.
My more affluent liberal friends and acquaintances are Warren supporters. They say things like: "We would buy an electric car, but we really need AWD to go skiing." And: "Our rental property manager said that we're not charging the market rate on our rental house and that we should raise the rent." [and they do]. They say, "We need to do something about all the homeless people downtown. I feel for them, but I don't feel safe shopping there anymore." I'm not making this stuff up. They're not bad people, but they are completely insulated from the precarious reality of most Americans.
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@Bennett
Not comfortable with such broad labels and not sure your point.....
All "liberals" own rental property? (not me ) (and slum lord Kushner doesn't exactly fit into your box)
Do right wingers and MAGA people not drive ?
And are they more "pure" if they have a gas guzzler?
How do the do right wingers deal with navigating through homelessness in the city ?
Or is that strictly a "liberal" problem.
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@Bennett
They may be personally insulated but not unaware or unconcerned about the precarious realities. And they picked a candidate who has done good and had plans to do better.
American history is full of examples of the privileged who used their position of advantage to work for justice as fairness.
36
@Bennett Well there can't be that many so why does it matter?
6
My friends and I are this article. Upper-middle class college+ educated white women. With Warren out (along with Amy & Kamala), we will all be supporting Biden in our upcoming primary. Not b/c we are super excited about him. We're not. But b/c none of has at any point supported Sanders, who is too unbending. While we share many of his ideals, we do not share his "my way or the highway" style of politics. Also, we simply see the writing on the wall. When push came to shove, an overwhelming majority of voters chose Biden on Tuesday, especially black voters. We also know a lot of former Republicans and/or independent voters who would never in a million years vote for Sanders but will vote for (or will consider voting for) Biden. Sanders scares the bejesus out of too many people I know. Founded or not, it is the reality. So, while we are not pleased at all with the choice of two white men in their 70s, it's all we've got. And we all agree Biden is more likely to beat Trump, which is ultimately what is most important this time around. Hopefully he'll pick a young(ish) minority to be his running mate. And just so there is no confusion, we will all vote for Sanders if he wins the nomination. But we'll be voting for Biden on the 17th.
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@she persisted
I just don't think this is true. As a middle class white woman with a masters degree, I love Warren, but I will happily support Sanders. I think his integrity and consistency are reason enough. There is too much speculating about what his base is like. All the talk of Bernie Bros and anger have not once been my expereince in speaking with people from the campaign, or attending events. Maybe the Times should run a few profiles of Sander's supporters, because when I went to his office opening in Denver it was a very diverse crowd in every sense. The media keeps talking about how he isn't electable, and yet he beats Trump in the polls more consistently than Biden. It is time for change. Not the same old. Sanders is willing to fight for the working class - Biden wants to appease his donors.
63
@she persisted Right there with you on this. Huge Warren supporter, and I will move to Biden, too. (I'm in roughly the same demographic as you.)
I'm so terribly sad to be choosing between two old white men, once again. But at least one knows how to play well with others. I'm sick of watching Sanders supporters bully people all over the internet, and watching him scream about how he's right about everything all the time. That doesn't move America forward. Only love will.
59
@Ruth Sanders has no real record of achievements. He talks the talk but he doesn’t work. His voting record is one of the lowest in Senate. I judge the candidate, not his supporters. Sanders is very weak.
46
I am a college-educated woman in Mass who voted for Warren. But I didn't know until the morning of Super Tuesday whether I would definitely vote for her. Main reason: I'm a moderate who also wants to vote for an exciting candidate, and Pete was my guy. When he dropped out, I voted for Liz not Biden. Why? 1. I still wanted to vote for an exciting candidate, an amazingly competent woman fits the bill even though I don't agree with all her policies. 2. I wanted Sanders to lose Mass, and I felt a vote for Liz was a vote against Sanders. I'm fine with Biden. Not excited but fine. And I will be more than happy to vote for him over Trump.
8
I was a big fan of Elizabeth Warren. Yesterday was a sad day. I have been so disheartened by the entire process. When are we going to create an intelligent arena to evaluate candidates? Knock 'em, Sock 'em sixty second time frames to answer questions in "debates". Media outlets owned by a select few force feed us with their opinionated views. The primaries and caucuses are a game to influence decisions. The successful coup of Klobuchar and Buttigieg exiting prior to Super Tuesday was just part of the game. Why aren't we conducting primaries on one day for the entire nation? Wouldn't this really tell the story of what America thinks?
The only way to get me excited about Biden is if the ticket is Biden and Warren. It isn't enough to be a nice guy. We need someone who is sharp enough to pull us out of the deficit and implement new policies. The filibuster has to go.
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@d
You took the words right out of my mouth! Both parties' systems for choosing nominees are seriously broken when at the end of the day the best and the brightest are filtered out.
We talk a lot about electoral reform, which we sorely need. But the two major parties could go a long way just on their own, no legislation needed, by doing things like holding a single nation-wide primary, or two or three Big Tuesdays, and perhaps most of all, including ranked voting.
Oh, and as you write, please do away with these absurd "debates." They make a mockery out of the term.
21
@d - Also - ranked choice voting in primaries. I'd like everyone to rank multiple candidates.
23
@d The primary system has got to go. Here in Illinois, home to over 12 million people, we are left with almost no choices, and the candidates pay us almost no attention, after two tiny, mostly white states get months of focus. It's absurd.
15
Lady Bernie Bro here. We’re not some marginal group. We span generations and ethnicities and lots of us voted for Bernie. I love Warren-she’s always been my number two—because she had many of the EXACT SAME ideas as Bernie. But I’m not a capitalist. My mother, 73, was a Warren supporter but she is disgusted by the way Joe treated Anita Hill—and delivered countless undesired gestures of affection toward women—lest we all forget. But glad all if you who call yourselves feminists are throwing your weight behind a guy who said he was open to a republican running mate. Good work everyone.
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@Elizabeth Your tone/attitude here is exactly why I voted for Biden over Sanders when it became clear that Warren didn't have a path to the nomination.
88
I agree! And where is Warren now? Why hasn’t she endorsed Bernie? She is NOT the real deal like Bernie.
11
@Elizabeth - I think white upper class women like myself owe African Americans a heck of a lot.
And based on at least Super Tuesday, African Americans are saying they'd like Biden. So now that Warren is out, I plan on listening to them and supporting Biden.
73
How many more articles will we get telling us how Sanders cannot win?
Of course most Warren supporters won't switch to Sanders: she bashed him a few times, and didn't endorse him despite her claiming to be a progressive left candidate. There is no attempt at any deep analysis to do here: most of her former supporters will follow her and vote Biden. Not because they believe in his ideas more, but just because, well, Warren didn't like Sanders, so there must be good reasons for that, right?
Except that, for the most part, it is just another excuse to not admit why Sanders won't get elected. It's not about him being "angry" (since when being "nice and soft" makes a great politician?); it is not about being "uncompromising" (there was nothing in the campaign so far showing Sanders wouldn't be ready to make compromises to get wide support once in power).
The real issue is that people fear his propositions, because they mean important, long-lasting changes, and they simply cannot admit that change is sometimes better than status-quo. That's exactly what Mr. Krugman's last article reflected, when he described Sanders as a 'maximalist'. It isn't maximalism; it is change vs status-quo. That also explains the demographics of Sanders supporters: those who have little to expect in the current social order.
Ultimately, Trump will win: because unlike Biden, he could sell status-quo as a "return to our former glory". Biden has no equally strong message to offer.
4
I consider myself to be a liberal, but I know the most important thing to do is win the election. Now that most of the high profile candidates who have dropped out have coalesced behind Biden, we have a united party. We need that going into the general election. I will support Joe Biden.
20
@Rich
I agree.
Pragmatically speaking, within the Democrat voting base as a whole... the general consensus by honest voters is that Biden is a unifying force and Sanders is a force that divides and splits the party and has for years now.
Pragmatically speaking, a divided party will lose to someone as politically weak as Trump. We need party unity more than anything else, and Sanders simply does not provide a narrative or platform of policy that unifies the party. Quite the opposite in fact, because Bernie preaches revolution, attracts revolutionaries, and inhibits the coming together of different views and generating a real and persistent compromise of policy than can help dig the nation out of the deep canyon of damage Trump has produced over the last 3+ years.
3
How about an olive branch from Biden. Warren at least knew how she was going to pay for various programs. So even if "medicare for all" is not in the works - but an improvement of the ACA, Warren might have a plan for that. Her ideas for universal childcare, public schools...doesn't necessarily fall outside of the Biden camp. Wiping out student debt might work with a public service component as well as a retooling of how universities advise students about debt and increasing the counseling for high school students about college costs. I see a possible partnership. Biden should not discount what she has to offer and Warren should not discount Biden's ability to broker a deal about an increase in taxes on the wealthy with Congress if he is elected. It may not be her plan exactly, but why not offer to help craft the next step.
17
Was supporting Warren. Pivoting to Biden. I might prefer Bernie's agenda, but not the 4 more years of Trump that his nomination would more likely lead to.
35
I'm extremely wary of any candidate calling for revolution. I support major changes in government but revolution? That's scary talk. Nevertheless, I'll vote for Bernie if he's the nominee.
14
I am a Warren supporter who is sad that her candidacy did not get more support. It has become sadly obvious to me that we are not quite ready to embrace a female candidate who exemplifies a woman with vision, talent, high intelligence, strong leadership abilities and who is brave enough to let herself express in public a fuller range of human emotion, including anger.
I will move my support to Bernie Sanders who has a vision for America that I agree with. I am grateful for Sanders’ constancy and for his ability to broaden the conversation about what our America should be about.
I haven’t the faintest idea what Biden is about or if he is capable of articulating a vision that does not derive from the coattails of someone else’s presidency. How he presided over the Clarence Thomas hearings and his treatment of Anita Hill is not something that I have forgotten. I haven’t forgiven him either, yet.
17
@Diana Maria Rossi
Dear Diana,
We did indeed embrace a female candidate in 2016. She won by almost 3,000,000 votes. ( She did however lose the vote among white women. ) Get rid of the putrid Electoral College system and I'm sure many more Americans would be confident that a woman could win a presidential campaign.
You are correct about the Clarence Thomas travesty. In any case, I'll be volunteering for whoever wins the nomination.
4
His vision is to heal our nation and to repair the extensive damage done to our country by Trump including that done to our environment, to our healthcare system, to our courts, to our economic and social divide, to our infrastructure and so forth. All that he proposes is workable and is not pie-in-the sky. They are affordable and can pass Congress
2
Yes, we did embrace a woman candidate. But in my opinion, they were very different candidates and ran different kinds of campaigns. I did NOT support HRC, but like most of my Berkeley neighbors lament HRC’s loss with every ridiculous utterance made by our current Commander in Chief!
I am with you about dumping our flawed Electoral College system and have been wishing that more states had ratified The Compact: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact
I voted for Warren because I liked her process and her policies were ok. I was also considering Buttigieg before he dropped out. If I were picking between Biden and Sanders, I’d go with Biden. I don’t think Sanders flips the senate and even if he does I think he won’t get anything done because of his unwillingness to compromise. Biden has his flaws, but I think between the two of them, he would bring about more actual positive change.
121
@Eric
Your comment could have come straight from the mouth of one of my daughters, who is very active politically. A big Warren supporter, she just can't get behind Bernie and will work for Joe.
12
As a Warren supporter, I think she would have been more willing to compromise, recognizing that a step toward a goal is more important than a futile leap. I hope she waits at least until after the next set of primaries to announce her support of either candidate. I think she would be wise to let the voters decide, and then throw her support to the candidate who gains the perceived majority of her voter base.
On a side note, I hope she is not on the ticket our a possible administration pick. We need her to help claim the Senate majority. Same for Bernie if he loses the nomination.
52
There is way too much being made out about Bernie’s supporters. Over 35,000,000 people voted for Bernie. The idea that this is some monolithic group, or it is just ‘Bernie Bros’ is totally crazy. It mostly consists of working-class people of all colors and young people who have this crazy idea that they should be able to participate in the economic gains of the country. Wow. Call that crazy.
55
@American Expat 50% of his supporters are independents who are unreliable voters.
5
I agree with you. Making America great should mean we all win (vs the current definition of the rich win). However, one thing this and any other articles I've read fails to mention is that Trump started the attack ads on the Dems months ago in Illinois, around the time when Sanders and Warren were leading in the polls. These were the ads labeling the Dems as socialists - yes he included Biden in that too but it was obviously regarding Warren/Sanders proposals. Illinois is a more centrist state than people realize and outside of Chicago is Trump country. I was starting to worry if Trump was trying to flip Illinois the same way as Wisconsin. If you are in my shoes what would you do? Vote Sanders and risk 4 more years of Trump, who can't even give us the truth about Corona, or go for the better odds with Biden?
7
@American Expat 50% of his supporters are independents who are notorious for not voting if they don't want to. He doesn't have the juice.
2
Hardcore Liz Warren supporter here. I still remember the first time I heard her on Terry Gross, Fresh Air. I pulled my car over to listen to her. She was a consumer law professor st Harvard at the time and I was smitten.
That said, if Bernie is the ultimate candidate, I will pull the virtual lever for him. Otherwise, there is no way I would vote for him. IMO he is the least capable candidate to be able to withstand the attacks of the vile Resident.
156
@jill otey Re: "She was a consumer law professor st Harvard at the time and I was smitten."
Indeed, if she would have kept her focus instead of increasingly lurching into the I'm-wokier-than-your-wokey-wokeness land, she probably would have done much better and would still be in the race.
Her history of claiming to be a minority didn't help either. Her way of addressing that sordid history only dug her hole deeper.
3
@jill otey Everything we can attack Trump with can easily be turned on Biden. Corruption & nepotism? The right will just bring up Hunter's job at Burisma, which to most Americans rightly does stink of corruption. Misogyny and sexual harassment? There are plenty of articles & pictures of Biden's inappropriate behavior towards women. Declining mental functions? Both Trump and Biden are clearly suffering from it (there's a reason he's done so few interviews this campaign). Cuts to well-liked programs like social security? Biden has a long history of trying to do just that.
If you think Biden is the safe choice, you need to re-evaluate.
7
@jill otey
Biden has no way to attack Trump. Everything Trump is accused of can be dug up on Biden. The right wing will be able to call it even.
Biden is simply not Trump. That’s all.
Sanders needs to do the graceful thing and quit and pledge to work for Biden
35
As much as I would like to think he would, Bernie and trump are two different sides of the same coin. Both are driven by their over-sized egos.
8
@No name
Not going to happen. After his resounding failure (by his measure, not the media) in Super Tuesday, he is now going strongly negative on Biden, and even running ads showing him with Obama.. completely out of context with the actual video being used.
Sanders has now done what many desperate politicians do.... go irrationally negative, and using lies and half truths to prosecute the negative messaging.
6
@No name Less than half the states have voted, and you want to deprive the rest of any choice? No, if Sanders loses fair and square he should get behind Biden, but he can still win this, and Americans deserve a choice.
2
Warren is hoping for a VP spot.
She’ll wait until it’s certain who will get the nomination, then she will give him her endorsement.
Doesn’t matter that her platform is closer to Sanders than Biden— this is politics.
12
@Tony I doubt she will be the VP pick. As a 70 year old person, I think it would be unwise to have two people over 70 on the ticket. Amy would be a much better choice, besides Amy is from the Midwest, an area we critically need to recapture.
@Tony The VP slot definitely needs to be a woman - period. But Senator Warren maybe better positioned to accomplish more of her objectives as Secretary of the Treasury.
3
@Tony
I hope you are right..and I hope Joe, whom i support and volunteered for, is a smart enough politician to know that the ticket with Liz is unbeatable
1
I'm a 79-year old lifelong progressive Democrat who was all-in for Elizabeth Warren, but not for Bernie Sanders. Bernie scares me with his ideological rigidity and hostility that seems the left's version of Trump. We need healing and we need a progressive vision, but above all we need character that brings compassion, human decency, integrity and concern for America's working class. That's why I'm hoping that Joe Biden will forge a unity ticket with Warren as his running mate. Biden is the archetypal "wounded healer" the nation desperately needs; and Warren brings compassion and passion with a gold mine of progressive plans that Biden will need to end the massive income inequality that is destroying the middle class. So, let's elect the very first woman Vice President. Biden-Warren 2020--the perfect vision for all Americans!
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@Paul Wortman Bernie being the "Left's version of Trump", even if it were true, is not even a bad thing. Trump not only won the last election, he has also done more to advance the agenda of the right through powers of the executive alone than any democrat has done in a generation.
We could use a "Trump of the Left" if you ask me. Too bad Bernie isn't actually it.
2
@Paul Wortman I disagree. Having two people over 70 on the same ticket is unwise.
2
@Paul Wortman Yes to all of this! Biden/Warren would be a dream come true.
Re: the Left's version of trump, exactly, even down to the irrationality and hostility. I read a twitter thread yesterday that encapsulated the Bernie supporter response. The original poster referred to the outright hostility of many of Bernie's supporters and how she couldn't on principle support someone who made no effort to shut that down.
The responses were almost uniform: "someone was mean to me on the internet so I don't think poor people should have health insurance." That.....doesn't even make sense. And it's certainly no way to build a coalition to defeat trump.
2
For all the talk of Elizabeth Warren losing, everything I have seen conveniently leaves out that she is just a mediocre politician, and you need to be an exceptional politician to do well in a presidential primary, particularly if you are a woman. There have been plenty of people who like her are smart and well qualified, yet who went nowhere because they were mediocre politicians. A perfect contrast to her is Pete Buttigieg - he won Iowa, came in 2nd in NH and then third in SC, all better finishes than Warren. And what did he do immediately afterward? He dropped out and endorsed Biden, something Warren didn’t do even though he was in a better position (technically) going into Super Tuesday. That is an example of what the right move is politically, and something that Elizabeth Warren doesn't get.
14
@Ben I'm trying to understand your comment. Are you arguing that Warren either should have dropped out earlier and/or that she should quickly endorse someone? Why? Just because Pete Buttigieg did?
1
@Ben
I agree with your assessment that to succeed in American politics a woman has to be extraordinary. And Warren is certainly that; in experience, accomplishment, competence, strength of character. If she didn't win the primary, well, she was still able to map a path toward a better, more just nation than the one we currently have. I'm hoping she goes right back to the Senate and continues to focus on making government work for all of us instead of just a well-connected few.
1
@chris I’m just using that as an example to show the Buttigieg as a very talented politician in ways Warren is not. A lot of liberals hate this, but the fact is there is so, so much more to success in electoral politics than good policy. In fact being a policy wonk in many ways can be a liability in electoral politics, and I don’t think Warren really understands that.
1
As Warren herself has said many times, Biden is responsible for many policies and bills that hurt women in particular -- as she writes in her 2003 book, "The Two Income Trap," "Family economics should not be left to giant corporations and paid lobbyists, and senators like Joe Biden should not be allowed to sell out women in the morning and be heralded as their friend in the evening."
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@ando arike Thank you! Most women in these comments do not get it. It is critical that we aren't voting just for rich women, but for all women, kids, and men.
2
@ando arike , if we can cherry-pick old comments, I'm pretty sure we can find some on Sanders that would curl your hair. (I won't get into just what, and you wouldn't like it if I did.) I'll wait to see what Warren thinks about him these days.
3
@ando arike ...Maybe you would prefer that Trump gets reelected.
3
When Liz decides to throw her considerable political weight behind Joe Biden - God willing - I hope Bernie and his supporters have the decency to treat her, and our country, with respect. And not sulk and stay at home on Election Day (or vote for Trump), as far too many did in 2016
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@PW Any Sanders supporter who wouldn't vote for Biden in November if necessary isn't really for the country's need to recover from the Trump years. Myopic and too ideological.
This is the big national election, not one at the local or state level. A ittle flexibility is important! Not my way or the highway, which is childish and harmful, too, at the national level.
15
@PW The often forgot fact is that Sanders supporters voted in larger percentage for Clinton then Clinton’s for Obama.
So lay off the usual accusation, it is unjust to all these progressives who made the hard move compared to Clinton supporters who couldn’t trade them selves vote for Barak.
4
@PW I am a woman who was essentially forced to vote for HRC though I desperately wanted the change I thought Bernie would bring to our feudal economic and political systems. With recent Establishment smears against Bernie, staying at home in November becomes more, not less, likely. I will not be voting for another HRC.
1
This Warren supporter is behind Biden.
Warren's a pragmatist. Bernie is not. It's really as simple as that.
Regardless, the goal now is beating Trump.
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@LEM Pragmatism is the politics of letting the people who have the power keep their power and dictate the terms of how we are forced to live our lives.
3
@LEM Great! Be pragmatic while rolling back the clock. I'm just sad you support wealthy-1% elitists over women like me, who struggle. I'm sorry if this comes across as mean but I feel betrayed.
1
@Wodehouse , Lots of other people are struggling. And perhaps more than you are. Most of them voted Tuesday for Biden, in fact far more than voted for Sanders. Your comment doesn't come across as mean, but perhaps an unfair attack on people of all kinds who do not agree with your politics and certainly do not "support the wealthy 1% elitists" at all, as the voting showed very plainly. It's repeated accusations like that, making false claims about people who disagree with them, that push people away from Sanders quite a bit.
10
This Warren supporter is going to Biden. She was my number one by far. But Biden? He’s my number two, and that’ll have to do.
54
@Lisa Trottier: Hi Lisa, Warren was my number one pick too. Biden's my number 3 or 4. But if he's the one, he'll get my vote in November. Vote Blue, no matter who......Biden my not have been my first or second choice, but he's light years better than 4 more years of the lunatic that occupies the White House now
.
1
I think Joe can beat Trump. I don't think Bernie can.
53
I adore Elizabeth Warren.
I also Feel The Bern.
I'm no fan of Joe Biden.
But as a critically thinking American, I will Vote Blue No Matter Who because the alternative is a raging right-wing dumpster fire of historic proportions.
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@Socrates
I am also big supporter of both Warren and Bernie and was undecided between the two.
But I just don't think I could ever vote for Biden. From where I sit he really looks like a republican, and so many things:
Anita Hill
The Bankruptcy bill
Welfare "reform"
The bush tax cuts
Iraq
The mass incarcerations
Etc etc.
I just don't think I can make myself vote for the man, even though I can't say enouph about how I fear and loathe another 4 years of Trump. I am at a loss.
5
@idealistjam - Please tell me you're joking, because you clearly don't fear and loathe another four years of Trump nearly enough. I agree that Biden's past is problematic, but literally all we need is a warm body not named Trump behind the Resolute Desk in the next four years.
Without that, we will see a permanent rightward swing of the Supreme Court (and therefore you can forget any future progressive policies surviving judicial review when Democrats finally retake the presidency). That's damage that will last generations, and will kill any hope of meaningful future progress on climate change, healthcare, voter suppression, or anything else you care about. There will be more tax cuts, more tariffs, more wholesale destruction of our democracy. There won't be anything left to vote for in 2024 if Trump wins a second term. The literal progressive messiah could show up as the Democratic nominee but all they'll be running is a smoking crater where our republic used to be.
7
@Jennifer The "warm body not named Trump behind the Resolute Desk in the next four years" you support is not electable against Donald Trump. Do you think 60% of Americans will simply vote for any "a warm body not named Trump?
Seems to me that attitude forecasts a replay of 2016.
1
Wasted vote or not, I still intend to cast my primary vote for Warren next month. The old men can duke it out without my support, and I'll vote blue no matter who in November. Maybe I'm a little bitter. Maybe I just received one too many snake emojis in my DMs.
37
@Christina But everyone calls Bernie voters unrealistic and lacking in pragmatism!
A Warren supporter who never got my chance to vote for her. I will skip the horse-trading and vote against the incumbent in the general.
9
I'm a Warren supporter and will now support Biden. I am hoping that Warren endorses Biden as well. I agree with Warren's policies and feel like she could actually get some of them passed if elected. Bernie, on the other hand, is a movement leader who does not seem able to actually deliver on policy. Also, it's just simple math -- his revolution is not coming to fruition. The more diverse coalition is that of Biden's. Turnout is surging, but not in the ways that Bernie predicted or talks about. I'm all for progressive policy, but the electoral results speak for themselves.
39
I was wondering if Warren’s people going to Sanders, but I doubt enough of them will flock to him.
After all, this has been a divisive race, ran with hate and anger, and this got worse between both their camps when Warren accused Sanders of sexism. Ever since then those 2 groups are at odds with each other.
Can the Warren people decide that’s cool and the gang now, and go to his camp? Or will they sit an pout, deciding he is a meanie and he does not deserve their precious support? Or will they just heed the cattle call and flock to Biden instead?
Only they know, but one thing is for sure: not enough of them will move over to make a difference now.
The time to unite was Sunday. They should have consolidated the Liberal vote when they saw the DNC consolidating theirs.
Today it no longer matters.
32
@AutumnLeaf
Telling Warren supporters that they are pouters who overestimate the value of their votes and are the equivalent of "cattle" is sadly telling of where you and your candidate are coming from and evidence for why we may be unlikely to vote for Sanders. We've been yelled at for the last four years and aren't so eager to hear it for another four...
67
@AutumnLeaf You are hurting your own cause. I am a well educated woman with multiple degrees, who has lived in various countries and speaks 3 languages. I am hardly "cattle" and referring to me like this does not make me want to join your movement.
33
@AutumnLeaf - I'm one of those Warren supporters you are calling "pouting cattle". I'm happy to vote for Biden, especially when faced with a tone like yours.
31
Elizabeth Warren was the best candidate for president this year.
She is the best choice to be the tip of the spear in Joe Biden's general election campaign this fall.
Who better to relentlessly pursue Trump about all of his shortcomings?
Lies, hypocrisy, misogyny, non-disclosure agreements (NDA's), DNA sample for a civil suit, mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic, criminal activity, racism, and much more.
Can't you just picture her out there day-in and day-out pursuing him and the Republican Party, ridiculing him, demanding that he release everyone (especially the women) from NDA's, calling him out about the border wall?
Cutting social security and medicare.
She's the best choice for a running mate and the tip of the spear for the fight this fall.
297
@S Butler
I imagine Biden is giving serious consideration to her as VP or perhaps even Attorney General. Either may be appealing, or she may opt to stay in the Senate if she can hold onto her seat.
8
@S Butler
I think Bloomberg PAC funded attack ads directed at Trump will account for most of the exposure average Americans get on those topics. I'm looking forward to cheering during the commercials while watching my favorite sports events.
9
@S Butler
Warren as VP will be completely under the control of the big money, establishment Democratic Party. They'll muzzle her and her progressivism.
Biden + Warren isn't another Bush + Cheney relationship. Cheney had unlimited power because the Republican establishment was behind him. He was the Republican establishment. Warren doesn't have that Democratic establishment backing and thus has no power in a Biden, Warren administration.
1
I am a white educated man who currently lives in Massachusetts but grew up in Michigan. I was a Warren supporter from the beginning, and contributed heavily to her campaign. I was ready to vote for her in the primary, but at the last minute I voted for Biden.
I voted for Biden because of what my family (who still live in Michigan) told me. None of them would vote for Warren or Sanders (men and women); but most would vote for Biden. And this includes many who cast a vote for Trump in the previous election. I had to make the pragmatic vote. Massachusetts will vote for the D candidate regardless, but I am more worried about those states that flipped to Trump during the last election.
Warren would make the best president, but I am more concerned with getting rid of the worst president.
784
@WAEngelman
That's similar to my own experience. I was a Warren supporter who voted last in California. Talking with friends and family who have yet to vote, I've found the Warren supporters much more concerned with the political realities of winning in November than the younger Sanders supporters I know, and most are going to vote for Biden. These are idealistic people who are also realistic enough to know that the revolution starts by winning the WH. They won't be leading a surge for Bernie.
86
@WAEngelman
Sadly, that won't happen now. Biden doesn't have a chance.
There are too many Americans that want change and Biden is the anti-change candidate.
20
@Hope : Then why didn't all those Americans who want change vote for Bernie on Super Tuesday? Just because you keep saying it doesn't make it so. The data doesn't lie.
93
I am a Warren supporter, and I do not support Bernie Sanders. I am uncomfortable with his “my way or the highway” style. Warren brought an impressive depth of thinking and nuance to her policy analysis, where Sanders seems to offer revealed truths. I just don’t have confidence that he’s up for the job of governing.
I’ll vote for any Democratic nominee come November, but at this point, I’m hoping that nominee is Biden.
66
@Sarah So we can have another war, and debt peonage at home, and caustic leveling against women named Anita Hill. And fewer programs that support working women (though 1% women will just fall at Biden's feet!). Women surely support each others' interests! (feeling betrayed).
1
@Wodehouse Biden has deep flaws, but I see him as a politician who is willing and able to evolve. I also see him as one element of a broader coalition, which I think is essential at this point. I like a lot about Sanders from a policy perspective, I just don't think he can bring in people who don't already agree with him. So far he has proven himself to be rigid and divisive. I just don't think that is what we need right now.
3
@Sarah So we can have another war and caustic leveling against one woman named Anita Hill. And fewer programs that support working women (though 1% women will just fall at Biden's feet!). Women surely support each others' interests!
I am a Warren supporter. NC has already voted but if we were still upcoming, there is no way I would support Sanders. I don't like his tone, I don't like the tone of his supporters, and I think he is huge on promises and very thin on detailed thought through plans. I don't like Biden either but there is no way I would vote for Sanders over Biden.
34
Liberal Gen X woman public school teacher from Massachusetts here- I voted for Elizabeth Warren as did my cohort of liberal men and women. Nobody was talking about voting for Biden before, but they all are now. I attribute this to the vitriol being directed at ‘establishment’ Democrats by Bernie Bros. and even Bernie himself. What is so maddening is the descriptors used to malign Warren, shrill, rude, too intense, unwilling to compromise, can all be used to describe Sanders. We need to unite as a party to defeat Trump resoundingly and attacking other Democrats is not the path to victory. I, for one, long for a restoration of sanity, not a revolution.
83
I went to the Minnesota rally for Bernie on Monday, voted for Warren on Super Tuesday. His rally speech was not inspiring and frankly I don’t see the appeal.
Too many of my suburban friends would never vote for Bernie but would cross the party divide and vote for Biden. Anecdotal, sure, but who can trust polls?
56
Sanders is in deep trouble, period. He underperformed so spectacularly on Super Tuesday that roughly half of the people voting in Vermont cast a ballot for someone else. Outside of Vermont he didn't break 36% support in any state, which not coincidentally has been his ceiling during his entire campaign. With moderate support coalescing around Biden, Sanders chances are grimmer than ever. Sanders will undoubtedly not go quiet into the night and may yet stay very relevant in this race. But the end does seem more certain than ever - this revolution, it turns out, lacks the one thing it actually needs to be successful - majority voter support.
43
@John Yup. His base is relatively young and they are fickle about voting. Data proves it. It's practically predictable from populist pop culture: they live in the moment.
8
Michigan will be the coin that breaks the tie and it will decide which of the two candidates will be The best Nominee of democratic party in November 2020. Sanders Needs That 2016 Michigan Miracle Again. My question concerning Joe Biden is "What Did The Voters In Those First 3 Early States Saw In Biden That Made Them Reject Him After Taking A Very Close Look At Him For About A Year? I believe the answer will help democrats in making a good decision before it's too late in November 2020. Historically, No Presidential Candidate Who Finished Below Third Place In The First Caucus In Iowa And Below Third In The First Primary In New Hampshire Had Ever Been Elected The President. If democrats' main goal is to win in November 2020, then it's better to have sincere holistic assessment of Biden now that we still have another option instead of judging from opinion polls on papers. May We Not Forget What Happened To Hillary In 2016 Contrary To The Opinion Polls Then.
6
@Ukosi
FiveThirtyEight just updated their model predicting which candidate will win a majority of delegates. Biden is now running at an 87% chance to capture the whole enchilada, without ever having to invoke the super delegates. The next most likely outcome? No one wins a majority and then the super delegates get to vote, meaning Biden again. Sanders chances of winning are now 1 in 30, which is 3%.
This reflects not only the voting results on Super Tuesday, but also the exit polling, the makeup of the remaining Primary states and the split of support from the Warren and Bloomberg camps between Biden and Sanders. While models change all the time, this indicates just how precarious a position Sanders is in a the moment. His campaign is over, he just doesn't know it yet.
22
@Ukosi
'Michigan will be the coin that breaks the tie and it will decide which of the two candidates will be The best Nominee'
It will be Biden.
Sanders is already behind, then he is pulling out of some races, which drops him even further behind.
If by some miracle he managed to catch up, the Super Delegates are at the beck and call of the DNC, and those folk want Biden, whom they will support and propel to the win when told to.
Sanders is done.
I was an enthusiastic Warren supporter.
But now, the longer Sanders stays in the race, the more likely we are to reelect Trump.
Heaven forbid, if he becomes a 3rd candidate, we progressives are totally defeated.
Warren for VP or Cabinet post
37
@MWO
I voted for Warren. but we need her in the Senate and the GOP governor will not appoint a Democrat to replace her.
I will vote for Sanders if he is the nominee. But, he's not a Democrat. If he loses the nomination, I hope he and his supporters will vote for the Democrat and not form a 3rd party effort. He should fully and enthusiastically support of the eventual nominee, just like Bloomberg, Klobuchar and Budegieg will, and hopefully Warren will too.
1
Middle-class, college-educated white Gen-X woman here. Sanders is absolutely my second after Warren. Middle-class income-earners who lack employer-sponsored healthcare are drowning in healthcare costs.
Warren got it right; there are FOUR costs -- premiums, deductibles, co-pays, uncovered expenses.
For our family of three who hits our $6500/year "Gold Plan" deductible every year and is just outside of the ACA subsidy zone, we spend $35K/year in healthcare expenses.
Let that sink in: $35K/year in healthcare expenses. That's about 35% of our family income!
Add in that we're paying DOUBLE the Medicare tax and Social Security tax because we are paid on 1099s instead of W2. We don't get 401(k) matching funds, sick leave, vaca time, holiday pay. We don't get unemployment when our work dries up. Summer camp (so we keep working) is almost $300/week. And our property taxes are going UP to cover the 25% increase in healthcare costs for our local city workers (not in Seattle, I don't know how to change my display name).
I can't imagine how Biden is going to help families like mine with two working parents, a middle-class income, and an astronomical amount of healthcare costs because of our crazy two-tiered system that privileges those with employer-sponsored healthcare.
12
@Rose
With employer sponsored healthcare it’s not really much better.
Had anyone in our middle class family of 3 reached their in-network max, we would have paid $30K for healthcare in 2019– plus probably a lot more because it’s a challenge to find in-network providers.
2
@Group W
I have employer sponsored healthcare. Each year, I have a choice of the top end PPO plan, a limited provider EPO plan, or a very low end version of EPO + healthcare expense account.
I choose the PPO plan each year... and as such.. my family out of pocket maximums are 2500 dollars, and 1000 for each family member for in network providers, which frankly are plentiful in my plan. An ER visit is a 100 dollar copay and no further expenses beyond that.
IF I had chosen the EPO + healthcare expense account.. I would see similar results that you are claiming. But.. you know.. what even though the company kicks in $2000 per year into the healthcare expense account as an incentive to me.. I still choose the top end plan. Choices have consequences.
I was Team Warren. My problem with Sanders is less about policy positions than about temperament, leadership styles, and character. His angry and divisive rhetoric, his unwillingness to compromise and build political coalitions, and his rigidity make him utterly unsuitable for the White House, especially at this time in our history. We need a uniter not another divider. I have reservations about Biden but, of the two, I'll switch to him. And I hope he selects a younger woman Veep.
113
@Pippa Norris I could not agree more with your assessment. With Senator Warren (and all that she brought policy-wise) out of the race, I think the key issue for me now is beating Trump.
I've remembered in recent days how decent a man Joe Biden is. While Bernie's heart is certainly in the right place and I am more closely aligned with him on policy, the anger he is encouraging in his base scares me. From 4 years of angry MAGA to 4 years of angry Bernie Bros ... I don't think my heart can take it.
14
@Pippa Norris I'm a woman who will support Bernie because I can see beyond superficial "behavior issues" and realize his intentions for us women are much better than those of Joe Biden. But, please, be pragmatic and cooperate with rich-people's interests over those of the working class.
2
Phipps Norris Couldn’t agree more!
4
I'm a Warren supporter who will definitely back Biden. I actually voted for Bernie in '16, but it is clear that he would get crushed in the upcoming election.
35
There are too many words in this article. The short answer is, it was always clear that Bernie's, and Sen. Warren's supporters were not exactly overlapping demographics. Warren's core supporters are educated women; who, as we known from both the polls and the primary results, do not have an endless amount of patience for Bernie. In a less scientific polling of the educated women I personally know, most perceive Sen. Sanders as an "old guy who yells a lot".
Most importantly, it's the more fanatical supporters of Bernie and their, uh, attempts at outreach - by which I really mean all the hateful, toxic attacks to which they subjected both Elizabeth Warren herself and her supporters - who are to blame (or to thank) for driving many of them away from casting a vote for Bernie Sanders, or from having any desire to hear the name "Bernie Sanders" for the rest of their lives.
Here in Mass., I was assuming Bernie was going to win; I was perfectly content with sitting the primary out and letting other Dems. decide who to nominate. It was that awful toxicity among the MAGA-for-liberals that the Bernie "revolution" had transformed itself into, and specifically the attacks on Sen. Warren - MY senator, who I voted for! - that finally pushed me to go and cast my vote on Tuesday. It sure looks like I was not alone.
43
@Leonid Andreev Thank you. This reflects my views perfectly. Sanders seems incapable of forming coalitions, of not alienating those who should be with him, and of altering his views one iota in light of argumentation or evidence. His hateful campaign staff and the horde of magazine/podcast/online characters who flooded Warren's social media with snake images or doxxed and berated any Warren supporter are the nasty icing on a cake of incompetence.
6
@Leonid Andreev So I, with degrees from GW, American, and Northwestern, am not an educated woman? Gee, thanks for the broad brush stroke.
1
@Wodehouse
With respect, not sure what in my comment offended you. It definitely sounds like you are way better educated than I am. I was not saying women like you did not exist. I was simply pointing out that not every woman from that demographics would necessarily be an avid Sanders supporter either. We know that, from both the polls, exit polls and the primary results.
And when I was referring to the "less scientific polling", of the women I know personally - well, I simply do not know you personally, so you were not included.
Once again, I obviously did not mean to personally offend, neither you, nor anyone else like you. Sorry if I did.
I was going to vote for Warren in the Washington primary; I'm disheartened that she is no longer a contender.
I do not love either Biden or Bernie, for all the usual reasons people cite. Biden is often bumbling and slightly out of touch; Sanders has a my-way-or-the-highway approach that is polarizing. Biden has the support of black voters (as a white woman, one way of recognizing my privilege is to get behind candidates with the support of POC); Sanders' policies align with my own desires. They are both old white men, and neither of them excites me.
For the primary, I'm leaning Biden, although I'm not excited about him, because I believe that a moderate is more likely to win against Trump. But in November I'll vote for the Democrat on the ballot, whoever it is, without reservation. Whoever ends up on the ballot, I hope that they consider a woman of color - Stacey Abrams or Kamala Harris are my top choices - as their VP. (While I'd love to have Warren on that ticket, I think that Abrams and Harris are equally qualified and this country could use a woman of color in top leadership.) Given the age of both men, the VP has a better than average chance at becoming the President, and maybe THAT is when real change will happen.
20
Warren Supporter, now for Bernie. I feel it is a huge mistake if we nominate Biden, and I have no idea what people are seeing in him that makes them feel he could take on Donald Trump. At all. I don’t mind the guy, but Biden is a familiar safe haven in the crazy storm. But a safe candidate chosen from a place of fear will NOT beat Trump. Trump also has many more places to attack Biden from, and if Trump beats him, he’ll also have the satisfaction of beating Obama, in a way, having beaten his VP. Not to mention, Trump voters will REALLY rally together to keep out anyone from the Obama camp.
Also, many Bernie supporters were angry enough to not even vote for Hillary in 2016. I don’t agree with that at all, but it could happen again if Bernie isn’t nominated.
Please don’t let fear of losing lead to choosing a too-safe nominee. The Republicans did that with Mitt Romney in 2012 and lost. I believe we need a super progressive ticket to combat Trump’s super regressive one.
11
@Renae I disagree with one of your points: "But a safe candidate chosen from a place of fear will NOT beat Trump." Fear of Trump is absolutely enough of a reason to beat him. That fear is enough. In normal times, it wouldn't be. But nothing about where we are today is normal.
1
@Renae But, with all due respect, you are trying to leverage fear of losing to Trump by raising the specter of Bernie supporters not voting in the general. If we should not surrender to fear of losing to Trump, we simply should not - no matter why.
1
@chris I’m bringing up factors I don’t believe people are thinking about. Fear has it’s pros and cons on people. I don’t mean to shun the fear, merely be aware of all the effects it can have. Such as choosing too safely.
As for past Bernie people not voting, it’s just another factor to consider, not fear, or cave for Bernie for that reason. But it has happened once, it could happen again, and that would be catastrophic. So at the very least, if Biden is going to win, I hope someone is thinking of a plan to keep those voters to voting blue if Bernie loses.
I’m all in for progressive ideas … but antagonizing the DNC? That’s why I voted for Warren, because she gave us hope that those ideas can be moved forward with our party intact. For those who have forgotten #MoscowMitch, we need to have a blue House and Senate to get any progressive policy and future judges and Supreme Court nominees forward. Bernie will jeopardize the hard gains in moderate districts that flipped the House in 2018. Our Senate chances are already hanging by the thread. Add to this Bernie’s “anti-establishment” stance, and Bernie just made it more difficult for us to win the down-ballot races. Putin and Trump are banking on Bernie to sow chaos like in 2016. His anger projects to his supporters and is ripe for exploitation. Joe is not the perfect candidate, but he’s the best chance we got right now to unify the party.
35
@Marc Warren was my last hope for keeping the party together. By panicking and picking a winner again this time after the whole charade of elaborate rules about who could and couldn't debate, the DNC has only itself to blame if disgruntled Bernie voters turn their back entirely on the party. At this point I think our best bet is to institute ranked-choice voting all over the country (it's been working in Maine). That way all the voters from Never-Trumper Republicans through democratic socialists don't have to try and fit into one a single party of sanity and rule of law.
2
I'm from Massachusetts and think Warren was the most articulate and qualified. I will definitely not be moving my allegiance to Sanders. I think he's divisive. Whoever the candidate against Trump is, however, has my full support. Either one of these guys better pick a VP that is prepared to become President, for sure! Could be our best shot at finally getting a woman!
31
I was planning on voting for Warren (I adore her), and I am of the block of voters this article mentions (white, female, college-educated, higher-ish earner). I voted for Sanders in 2016, but I don't think I'm doing it this go around -- I'm thinking I'll swing for Biden. I find the vitriol of Bernie's most ardent supporters, and their proclamation to 'let your hate fuel you' (i'm paraphrasing from an earlier article in NYT) very unsavory. That's exactly how some of Trump's hard-core supporters act, and that's unacceptable. I don't think Bernie has done enough to tamp that down. I also don't think he did enough to rally the party together the last go around -- again, I voted for him in the primary but man oh man did I vote Hilary with no qualms. When it comes down to it, I think Biden and Bernie will be able to accomplish the same level of policy if elected, given the constraints of congress... so in that regard it doesn't feel like there's much that would set them apart, if elected.
9
I’m inclined not to vote in the primary and instead support whoever ends up the nominee.
As a Warren supporter, my motto after her withdrawal is this: protect the House, take the Senate, ignore the men.
15
I am coming to the belief that either anyone can beat Trump or no one can beat Trump. It's now up to the voters. Having said that, I am heartbroken at Warren's defeat, and am unable to find even an atom of good feeling for Bernie. He seems more like a caricature than a rel person, and I can only hope that if he fails to gain the nomination, which seems more and more likely, that he will not take his ball and go home again, but remember how we all felt in 2016 when the results were in, and commit to support the other deeply flawed old guy, as I will, broken heart and all.
9
Many of us in the demographic discussed here are still stinging from Sander’s lackluster support of Hillary Clinton in 2016. Had he withdrawn from the primary race sooner and given her his ardent support she would be President now looking toward a second term and our country would be in quite a different place.
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@Rene If she had done anything to reach out to his supporters she probably would be president. But she was too arrogant to do so. Bernie campaigned for her in the rust belt, but she couldn't even bother to go there herself. She killed her campaign all on her own, no help from anyone needed.
This higher-educated, technocratic-minded voter is not convinced by either Biden or Sanders. My liberal streak gravitates towards Sanders. But I like Biden's history on gun control much more. Then again I hate that Biden voted for the war on Iraq -- What would happen if Bibi pushes Biden to declare war on Iran?
Warren's endorsement won't change a thing. I like her; she would have made the best President by far, but she does not own my vote.
2
I will 100% vote for either one ultimately nominated against Trump.
That said, I was a Warren supporter and not only do I see a stronger coalition forming around Biden, but I think a lot of Warren supporters are very much put off by Sanders' supporters if not as much the man himself. There is something about his movement that brings out a petulant, adolescent demagoguery where anyone who challenges him is dismissed as "corporate" and to me there lies the rift.
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