https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2020/03/the-2020-disinformation-war/605530/
Excerpt from "The 2020 Disinformation War," essay by McKay Coppins, THE ATLANTIC, March 2020:
"The political theorist Hannah Arendt once wrote that the most successful totalitarian leaders of the 20th century instilled in their followers 'a mixture of gullibility and cynicism.' When they were lied to, they chose
to believe it. When a lie was debunked, they claimed they'd known all along--and would then 'admire the leaders for their superior tactical cleverness.' Over time, Arendt wrote, the onslaught of propaganda conditioned people to 'believe everything and nothing, think that everything was possible and that nothing was true.'
Leaving the [Trump] rally, I thought about Arendt, and the swaths of the country that are already gripped by the ethos she described. Should it prevail in 2020, the election's legacy will be clear--not a choice between parties or candidates or policy platforms, but a referendum on reality itself."
Gee whiz Bernie’s poll-touting self-regard reminds me of somebody.
4
As expected I see that there are a lot of comments in this thread from Sanders supporters that accuse the Times of being biased because they reported that Booker has endorsed Joe Biden. Yesterday the Times reported on Jessie Jackson's endorsement of Bernie Sanders. How does that show the media being biased against Sanders. Trump has said that "the press is the enemy of the people". Some Sanders supporters apparently think Trump is right. That's frightening.
6
Biden is building a wide ranging and diverse coalition of voters and endorsements. This is what the Democratic voters are voting for. Trump is the enemy but Sanders and his Bernie bro’s are doing everything they can to make Biden and the rest of the 2020 candidates and their voters into the enemies of America. You can’t win an election by destroying the party but some people don’t understand this.
9
It's happening again. On social media, my Bernie friends are starting to roll out the hate graphics against Biden, comparing him to the Devil, complaining about the establishment, etc., repeating the same things with Hillary in 2016. As someone who is a bit disappointed with it coming down to Bernie and Biden, I'll tell you why I am now on the Biden ticket. It starts with policy. Sanders' main selling platforms are free health care and free college. That sounds great. Who wouldn't want that? But those 2 things are not going to happen during his term if he's elected because a) Congress and Senate are never going to pass it. Remember what a struggle it was just to get a watered down Obamacare through? Perhaps Sanders people are too young to remember that. b) With no private insurance options do you think insurance companies are just going to keel over and say "yes, kill out entire industry?" Many of the countries that Sanders says have ideal healthcare have a private option, but he's not going to allow it? c) I'm dubious about the funding, especially since Vermont's single payer healthcare system failed because they couldn't fund it. d) Do people really want their healthcare to be run like the DMV? I don't have enough room here for the rest of my policy-based reasons, but on top of that, the "my way or the highway" attitudes of Bernie supporters I know move me further towards Biden because they perpetuate the stereotype of Trump supporter-like rage and divisiveness.
10
At this point Bernie Sanders HAS to run against the Democratic establishment and the MSM. He needs a villain. I just hope he doesn’t get his supporters all riled up and angry at the Establishment to the point where they sit out the general election or, worse, vote for Trump.
8
That’s the chance the establishment was willing to take, clearly indicating that they’d prefer Trump to Sanders.
Ponder that for a while: The Democratic Party bosses would prefer a phony populist to a true champion of the people who has proven his dedication over three decades.
Their disdain for democracy couldn’t be more clearly demonstrated.
3
@Ed Watters No, that's not what's happening. Voters are choosing Biden over Sanders. That's just the facts. I feel bad for you. To get so enraptured with a candidate that you can't accept the fact that other people aren't, is not rational. It's not the DNC or party bosses stopping Sanders from getting the nomination, it's the voters. Republicans have made it very difficult for African-Americans to vote, but they stayed in line for hours at some precincts. Some did no in rain and cold. But they weren't deterred. Those are the people who you disparage when you make comments like this. It's shameful
6
Hmm. No headline about Jessie Jackson endorsing Bernie Sanders, but a headline about a nobody political hack with zero credibility among Black working people endorsing Biden simply to further his career, just like Kamala Harris. All the news that's fit to print? Why doesn't the NYT just join the DNC?
1
I have very few words to say about this, except that I am very disappointed. For a progressive candidate that has fought long and hard against old-school liberalism to just drop the ball like this when it counts is so disappointing. He will not have my support during re-election.
4
Cory who?
2
Much beyond the primary this week, Warren's endorsement losses impact. If Biden wins Mich. by big numbers and in Missouri, he hardly needs her endorsement. Her voters, yes. But I expect they will come to him naturally, and in sufficient numbers, even without her endorsement.
2
Booker and Harris were both opportunists. Using Sanders and Warren's talking points but never actually wanting to implement them. This is no surprise.
3
I am glad to see Corey Booker and Kamala Harris endorse Joe Biden.
Now Biden needs to start a Democratic crusade to beat Trump AND McConnell in November.
He should gather more allies and more surrogate campaigners. These can join him on the campaign trail, and perhaps later, if elected, as cabinet members.
Engaging familiar faces like Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, Andrew Yang, Pete Buttigieg, Julian Castro, Beto and others with ties to minorities, to help him get a big win this fall.
And if elected, some of these could join him in governing the nation. Harris as AG, Buttigieg at DOD, and Yang at Commerce would excite and excel.
Securing a VP who can help win big, someone like Florida Congresswoman Val Demings, one of the brilliant team of House prosecutors in the Impeachment Trial, would be a great addition to Biden's campaign.
Capturing Florida would be a death blow for the Trump Campaign.
Winning a Senate majority will put Mitch McConnell on the sideline.
In the 19 re-election campaigns this fall of Republican Senators who voted to acquit Trump without calling a single witness, Demings could deliver a devastating account of Republican Senators violating their oaths and proving themselves unfit for office.
Also Demings' four years as Orlando's Police Chief and 27 years as a policewoman underline her crisis management resume for the VP job.
That looks especially relevant now as we see a looming recession driven by a scary pandemic. Val Demings for VP!
5
Can't jump on that ship fast enough. Looks like a replay of 2016; first thing out of the gate will be the Senate holding hearing on Joe Biden and his son and the Ukraine Chevron, State Department deals for shale oil. Its a given to bring the house down. Happened to Clinton, and they are preparing now and licking their chops and hoping its Biden. The shell game can't be seen because everyone is clambering to get behind Joe Biden and that's exactly what is wanted.
I guess its " the Best Candidate Money Can Buy" and not the Best Candidate that Money Can't Buy! Guess Booker won't have to give back all those Pharm dollars now, Amy won't have to give back all those Corporate Prison donations and Joe can keep the Bankers on his side.
1
With the virus spreading and the Democrats saying how bad Trump is with controlling the spread, they have large gatherings scheduled.
Booker fundraising base is Wall Street and New Jersey, aka the banks and big pharma.
He was never going to be a big change advocate. His only play with change was to make a stronger case about racism. That’s it.
I hope Sanders can read the writing on the wall.
2
I just saw Senator Booker give an impromptu interview with a CNN reporter - who used the opportunity to ask the tough questions -
Booker understandably explained that he was getting behind Joe Biden in an attempt to unify the party and help win the election --
The reporter then brought up the issue of why so many candidates have all jumped on the Biden Bandwagon in the past few days - raising the question of a party conspiracy to prevent Sanders from winning the nomination -
Booker was very diplomatic - saying he agrees with many of Sanders' ideas and policies - and distanced himself from the Bernie-Bashers by calling that behavior unacceptable --
However - he then went back to the point of Biden being the guy who - in Booker's opinion - could be the one to unify the country - even going so far as to attract moderate republican voters - more so than Sanders -
In other words -- While he respects Bernie Sanders and agrees with many of his ideals - he feels that Bernie has little - if any - chance of beating Trump in a head-to-head contest --
And that seems to be the feeling of many American voters - and it seems to be increasing now on a daily basis...
2
Of course the guy who showed his loyalty to big pharma by voting against allowing Americans to shop for lower cost medications in other countries would never back Sanders, the man who has fought big pharma for decades.
Establishment politicians will hopefully go the way of the dinosaurs so we can have democracy instead of corporate rule.
4
Funny.... Remember how less then one year ago Booker was telling us how Joe was responsible for many of current problems and hoe his policies devastated his community. And he was pointing to Biden incoherent speech. And now he believes Biden is the best?
4
@Robert
Do you also remember that in the course of a presidential campaign with more than the average amount of candidates, fur is going to fly?
No one is safe.
Least of all those who think they have all the answers.
1
I’m disappointed in his endorsement. He knows how terrible Biden is. He’s just falling in line with establishment.
9
Senator Booker used to be open about expressing his doubts about Biden's cognitive ability to handle the demands of the presidency. So why the change of heart? Does he think Biden has had a miracle recovery? It's dispiriting to watch former candidates rally around Biden, not because he is the best suited candidate to beat Trump, but because he is the only one who can beat Sanders. The Also-rans will probably achieve their latter objective, but in doing so they may also be forfeiting the former. They all deserve the Comey Prize for undermining democracy while claiming to defend it.
5
Booker has made the smart choice to back the candidate that has brought together a diverse group of voters to take on Trump.
5
If a Democrat does win, the chances are that they will serve just one term, due to age, and be replaced in the 2024 nomination battle by the same people that were fighting for the 2020 nomination. Their "Idea's" do not inspire. Winning Power is one thing but what you do with it then, seems to be the real dilemma for Democrats. That could be 4 years of setting an agenda with conviction for tomorrow.
Warren and Sanders have roughly 50% of the Dem base and yet the party decide for a second time to ignore those voices and push for "the same old story". If they continue to ignore their base, their future, Unity without conviction will hand Trump and future Reps victory. If the Dems have the courage of their convictions and change Political direction to include their young base, anything could be possible, But firstly you need an individual with that conviction. A lot of the Democrats leaders, who are now "ignoring their base" are elderly and as brilliant as some of them are, retirement beckons but for the party to lose them and their base at the same time will be catastrophic.
Apart from PB, the rest of the endorsees barely got out of single digit popularity. Joe Biden was in Govt and only "gave crumbs from his table" to those fighting their way out of Poverty through Education or a better min wage. Biden is no Obama! His record shows that. I wish I could say that he was inspirational but Bernie Sanders is the owner of that tag.
2
bernie fans, pay attention: i imagine you’re young, full of spice and energy. i’m old. i’ve been there. and i’ve seen many presidential campaigns over the years.
what i want to share with you is that bernie’s hope for ‘universal health care’ and ‘free college education’ is premature. he won’t win against trump because the trump strategy will be to brand him as a ‘communist’ and that term will stick in the minds of all trump fans and will be in every news cycle and FOX episode nonstop! and there’s no redemption; no hope to change this attitude. can you imagine trying to explain ‘democratic socialism’ to someone who can’t comprehend two intelligent sentences put together? it requires a level of sophistication and learning that is nonexistent in trump’s circle.
but don’t worry, all the democratic candidates will move the country closer to broader health care coverage for all citizens, child care, science and education, fairer treatment and respect for all diverse communities and ethnic groups, fairer tax policies, and decency.
presidents don’t make laws; legislators do, and we must keep the house majority and win the senate to bring about some of bernie’s hopes and your hopes too. biden can win. bernie can’t. and where will your dreams be with another four years of TRUMP?!
7
@grasspress Biden is Hillary 2.0: He stands for nothing, he loves his big corporate donors, and he can't even bring himself to support decriminalizing weed. He's also getting dementia. He'll go down the way Hillary did. Bernie's the one who can win.
Whoever the nominee is, both sides need to get out and fully support who that is. I worry if Bernie loses it will be 2016 all over again, his angry, disappointed supporters refusing to vote. If Joe is chosen I hope to God Bernie gets the message out to vote and support him and there won’t be sour grapes on his part. I can still see him sitting at the convention in 2016 looking really angry and throwing daggers at Hillary when she was speaking. If nothing else, let’s hope we’ve learned our lesson.
4
Democrats are getting behind the last democrat in the race.
Bernie isn't a democrat.
6
IMHO, either Booker or Harris would make great VP candidates on the Democratic ticket.
2
Let me ask you this right now! If Biden wins the nomination, but loses to Trump in November, will you then blame Bernie and his supporters like you did in 2016?
Maybe what you’re actually saying is that real Progressives have no agency in the Democratic Party and should just shut up? Well, that’s a whole new kettle of fish! This so-called Two-Party System was not necessarily designed in the Constitution as such. This could become one of those major historical points of schism when a 3 or 4 party system begins and eventually becomes normalized?! It’s not about the candidates nor their party, it’s about the American dream and moral values that are what we’re fighting for! Stop creating more human suffering now!
7
Not a big surprise
1
Cory Booker for VICE PRESIDENT. Because he's great.
People please do not demean this man by saying "WE need a minority VP candidate" as if that is the reason to consider him and he's a tool to "serve" our party goals.
That is demeaning to him and really demeaning to voters of color.
And demeaning to me as a democrat to be associated with such cheap talk!
I remember when Booker recently said Biden was the 'architect' of our broken and racist criminal justice system, and 'not the right person to fix it'. That was August 23, 2019.
5
It looks like Booker and Harris are hoping to be VP. Strategically, Biden should have a female running partner who might have a chance at being President after Joe serves one term. The Dems are going after Bernie hard by endorsing Biden. They’re all afraid of the real change Bernie wants. Once again, they will make sure he doesn’t get the Democratic nomination.
23
@SLD bernie isn't a Democrat and his uninvited and unwelcomed attempt to take over the party is ridiculous.
5
@SLD Kamala would be fantastic for the Supreme Court. I'm not sure she can carry the swing states to increase our chances of winning the Electoral College. And sorry, there's no conspiracy - you can vote however which way you want. It's like saying that Mike Bloomberg is buying the nomination ... see how the voters turned that notion upside down. Let's stop demonizing the DNC, and vote!!!
10
To all the commenters here not happy about the endorsements Biden has gotten from Amy, Pete, Beto, Kamala, Cory and Bloomberg, to name a few, I say this. They know how crucial this election is and they are going with who they believe has the best chance to defeat trump. In another time things might be different. Not now as we are living a daily trumpian nightmare.
28
The lesser of two evils is still evil.
5
@A Only Sanders and his supporters consider that anyone who disagrees with them is evil. It’s time to stop acting like Trump supporters.
8
Profoundly disappointed by this. For me a Warren-Booker or vice versa ticket was the ideal at the start of the primary process. Since both dropping out I had hopes that he and Warren both would imagine creative ways to add complexity and depth to Sanders’ persuasive campaign. Only they seemed to have the combination of intelligence and authenticity and relative freedom from ultra wealthy lobbying to do that. My despair increases as DNC and Americans who care about equity see Biden as their candidate. I feel like I’m living through 2016 again only the stakes are even higher. I was, unhappily, one of the few people unsurprised by Trump’s election. I was for Sanders but through his campaign made calls for Clinton all the way up to the day of the election. You’re doing it again DNC. There is a reason Trump got elected. We can’t just go back to the way it was, especially if private, corporate money is what gets us back there.
3
I'm really happy to hear this - but please cancel the rally in the name of common public health sense and just do a Webcast!! People don't need to stand next to each other and hear you in a public space.
2
Maybe when Biden loses in November the Democrats will finally realize how out of touch they are.
I doubt it.
6
Senators Harris and Booker need to play a significant role in the Biden Administration!
2
I think that Booker will get the VP nod over Harris. basically,a as between the two of them, it is really going to boil down to collective judgment of black women. My guess is that they go with Booker over Harris' prosecutorial history.
3
@Lefthalfbach
Don't count Harris out just yet.
There are plenty of voters out there who want to see a woman in the Oval Office.
2
Cory Booker: "There’s a lot of people who are concerned about Joe Biden's ability...”
“There are definitely moments when you listen to Joe Biden and you just wonder...”
3
@areader, but hey, let's go for it. And maybe the sun won't come up tomorrow either.
The one thing Republicans can seem to do is to separate Trump's personality/behavior from policies and positions they like. One may not like him, but Bernie's policies are aimed at making life better for the majority of Americans of every race . Perhaps we should be listening to our young people because the world in which we live is going to rapidly become theirs! Maybe because the next generation can see with clearer eyes the results of choices made by the current one, the need to choose a different path. A vote for Biden is a vote for whatever the status quo was pre 2016 which, let's face it, brought us the current nightmare.
4
Booker was a far better candidate than Biden in strength of character, energy, clarity of thought, and connection with voters, as were Harris, O’Rourke, Klobuchar, and Buttigieg, yet they are all falling on their swords to support Biden, last man standing whose only strengths are being white, male, and innocuous. The DNC never did an autopsy of Hillary’s loss to Trump, the election with the most significant historical impact since Lincoln-Douglas. Now they have a candidate who lacks Hillary’s determination and guts with exactly the same policies, going up against a Republican Party united behind Trump.
4
I hope Joe’s endorsers falling over each other to jump on his bandwagon after going after him in the debates realize he can have only one running mate. His vision hasn’t changed rather Never Trumpers’ lack of caring for one has resigned itself to mediocrity.
4
@John Doe
Sour grapes. You should be more concerned that Democrats get together to get Trump out of the White House.
Face it.
You'll have better chances of a progressive agenda with Biden than you will with Trump.
4
@N. Smith, me, sour grapes? Have you guys been listening to yourselves for these last three and a half years since Hillary’s loss? Pure vinegar. Compared to Trump anyway, any agenda not brain dead looks progressive. Give Joe credit for that then wanting to turn back time to 2008.
I remember when the Democratic party had some nerve. Now it's reduced to calling Harris, Booker and (God help us!) Patrick as "all the major former black candidates for president". Have you forgotten the black candidate who received the most votes until Obama? That would be Jesse Jackson, who of course just endorsed Sanders - Your article seemed to miss that key factoid. I despise Trump but this rush to Biden makes absolutely no sense. And the media is acting, in general, so unfairly, that they are making Biden a self-fulfilling, and ultimately failed, prophecy. Trump will reduce him to a blubbering mess onstage -- not because he makes better policy points but because Joe will never know how to fight Trump. I am not part of the youth vote that many media folks disparage as "never showing up" - I'm well over 70 and have had quite enough of Joe Biden. As much as I hate Trump, Biden may well not move me to go to the polls...it's a good thing there is mail voting where I'm registered.
3
Do these late endorsements sway any voters or strike anyone as sincere? "We have to come together as a party" sounds a lot like "I am doing this because they threatened my cat".
3
That is too bad that Harris and Booker chose Biden. Biden is a safe same ole same ole bet. Sanders is visionary change and what an incredible and exciting challenge that would be.
5
Booker recognizes that Biden is by far the best choice for the nomination. Biden has the diverse, working class coalition needed to beat Trump in November.
1
Booker’s endorsement is a big deal as it further proves the strength of the multiracial coalition that Biden has put together.
2
Thank you Mr. Booker. I was sorry you dropped out early as I was impressed by your debate performance.
2
Just in case you had thought otherwise about these ex-candidates, they are all Moderate Democrats and Biden is their standard bearer to unify behind maintaining the status quo. No shame in go along to get along. Could the NYT please report on their recent communications with Joe Biden? Ignore the substance of all their previous Debate attacks on Biden, it’s was all just politics as usual and they didn’t really mean them anyway.
6
@Joel H These candidates represent a diverse cross section of the Democratic Party. Voters have nominated and elected many of them into office and shown a great deal of trust in them.
5
It would be nice if the people wanting to see Biden as our nominee could achieve that w/o trying to diminish Sanders' role in moving the dialogue toward destinations they must eventually reach. Sanders gets tremendous thanks for his lonely hard work of telling the truth about our systems.
Personally I do not care much who is 'president', knowing it all arrives as a popularity project, not something following an intelligent stream of consideration of national values. [Obama was an exception, such was the clarity of his noble instincts.]
Yes, Biden might be a good practical choice -- depending on how much of Sanders' work he can adopt. Bernie might be glad to let Biden do it all, if he could.
6
@Feldman It would also be nice if Sanders voters didn’t treat Biden and the rest of the party as if they are the enemy.
6
@John Agree. But at least they might vote. I think a small number of Sanders' supporters are pretty amateur, and a smaller number yet are rude.
But they exist, and we all regret that.
1
Assuming Senator Sanders loses by as much as he is projected to tomorrow, hopefully he sees the writing on the wall, and drops out as well. I am not enamored with Biden, but the longer the primary fight drags on, the less time there will be to unify and direct all focus to Trump.
2
@Realist
If he tied tomorrow, his already-tiny chances would shrink.
There is no realistic way to win for a candidate that concedes that they will get crushed in every Southeastern state.
If Sanders loses tomorrow night he will blame the Democratic establishment and the MSM. But he might want to look at his unwillingness to reach out to moderates. Sure, he stakes his bet on new young voters but he still needs moderates to win the general. At this point he really needs Elizabeth Warren. This after his base treated her so badly.
2
@Oliver Sanders cost himself points with Warren and that bridge is obviously not repaired.
2
@Oliver
In addition to the Democratic "establishment" and the MSM, you forgot to add moderates to your list of who Sanders will blame -- and he STILL hasn't figured out that he needs their votes too....Just like in 2016.
2
Just goes to show that Booker, Harris, Buttigieg, O'Rourke, etc. weren't really that progressive after all. They are centrists who want to stay in the center.
Their endorsement is essentially their vote to preserve unequal access to health care and education, and their support of the Wall Street interests that are delighted by Biden's ascendancy.
It's sad. Certain types of identity politics used to be consonant with a progressive agenda. Now these have been coopted by the neoliberalism represented by Biden.
This is the appearance of progressivism with the actuality of it edited out. This is the face of the Democratic establishment.
11
I'm a Bernie supporter but I've thought of who my second and third choices would be if we had ranked voting. My choices would be: Warren, then Booker, then Buttigieg, then Klobuchar and way down on the list were Biden and Bloomberg.
I doubt I'm the only one who would put most other candidates above Biden. Does this worry the moderate Democrats at all that Biden is so weak with progressives like me?
7
@Seanchai
Why would it worry anyone? Sit out and it is half a vote for Trump. Go for it.
This is how two party systems work.
1
I love Cory! Thought he'd be a great president ... but timing isn't right for him. He's young enough though that he can easily run in 2024, 2028, and 2032 with ease. Nice to know that he's in the pipeline. In the meantime, he can help push positive legislation in the Senate --- if Dems take the Senate his leadership will be invaluable there.
8
If one looks at how many Democrats supported (so far) Biden in the caucuses and primaries compared with the other challengers, then look at how many Republicans there are who support trump, then Mr. Biden surely has a lot of hard work to do if he is to be the next POTUS!
Hooray for Democrats endorsing Biden as they withdraw their names from consideration. The way to beat trump is to remain true to the party and what it stands for.
7
The cowardice of Democratic former candidates, Democratic leadership (frozen in time) and Democratic donors has reached a climax.
That after a month of Russian style negative campaign against the only progressive democrat left, Bernie Sanders.
Buttigieg, Klobuchar, Beto even Harris and Booker have caved in to possible threats and or promises of positions into a Biden government.
They all decided to forget their voters and threw Bernie in front of a train.
All of them are hiding behind a false reasoning to rally behind the only candidate who can beat Trump, Biden a man who in many ways has been like Trump.
They all conveniently have forgotten that repeated polls have indicated that each and every candidate would be able to beat Trump.
The Democratic dictatorship kept maneuvering them to stay true to their most important supporters, very wealthy donors and Bernie Sanders was in their way.
They were NOT really interested in what their voters overwhelmingly supported
Healthcare for all, Free or very subsidized education for low income families, stopping Wall street and the Big Banks”, control over costs of medication, rent control
American voters have no more choice, it has been taken away by an old crusted group holding on to their power with the extra help of Super delegates.
Russian style interference can be found right now in our own government on both sides of the isle.
We deserve real democracy, which right now is very hard to find.
6
@Johan D. The Democratic primary is real democracy. Sanders voters just don’t care for the results.
4
Too bad. I'd been holding out a bit of hope that Booker might pleasantly surprise with a bit of boldness, like when he recently voted against the new trade deal that failed to even mention Climate Change. That decision aligned with Bernie's vote, and showed some courage of convictions.
Plus, with the example Reverend Jesse Jackson, Jr. and his clear-eyed analysis of Sanders as the candidate who carries the true agenda and legacy of the Civil Rights and Workers Rights movements that Booker often references.
Alas, he too disappoints. Ignore the fact that Biden helped author the Crime Bill, and shut down Anita Hill, and was pro-NAFTA which decimated the jobs sector for everyday working people, and is vulnerable to just about any corruption narrative the GOP cravenly cares to weave.
But hey, maybe a VP nod is in it for one of these former candidates.
Please, Michigan, let's show our independent streak again, and vote for Bernie. Ignore the noise, and vote for the health of our communities and our planet.
6
Booker was my pick for the Democratic nomination.
Booker for VP would add much to the ticket.
6
Biden 664 v Sanders 573 delegates and needing 1991 to win! Moderates are lining up behind Biden. Progressives with Bernie.
The campaigning has just begun in earnest. They will now make their platforms and histories clear and distinct. They are both highly electable against Trump. There is no crystal ball as proven by 2016. Looking forward to the March 15th Debate!
4
Thank you! Yes! Let the process unfold. It makes me want to throw up how much a rerun of 2016 this feels like.
1
I would like to see Booker as VP, not only for appeal to African American voters but also for his appeal to all types of voters. His message of unity is very positive, and he has had high favorabiity ratings all along.
I don't think the VP candidate "has to be" a woman or a person of color but any diversity in the ticket is welcome and a plus. I think it is more important to have a strong message as well as expertise and vision around climate change, agriculture, manufacturing & economic growth. Booker provides this.
4
It is quite telling that the candidates who have spent a fair bit of time together have all opted to endorse Biden. No doubt Sanders supporters will try to twist this into a negative (back room deal, establishment conspiracy etc.) but the simplest explanation is of course that Biden is a more effective leader. That said, it is also hard to miss that those who are coming out to support Sanders all seem to share a common thread of being anti-Israel and evincing “soft” anti-Semitism.
4
"If Spartacus and Klamala endorse Biden, then I must also give him my support."
Said NOBODY, EVER!!
8
@Murray Actually, there are plenty of people in the minority community who elected Booker and Harris who will give thought to their endorsement. The Bernie Bro’s treatment of minorities is a very real concern for Sanders.
2
Someone, many if needed, might go 'woke' up Bernie Sanders as the Democratic Primary race is over. He lost and his meager legacy is about to turn to dust if he continues his finger stabs and gesticulations. He might beg Joe for a cabinet job or return to Vermont and whittle sticks.
2
Out of all of he potential democratic nominees, Cory Booker was the most attractive to me. His endorsement is an important indicator.
12
@Billionaires cost too much I've also really liked Cory Booker ever since I first read about him some years back. Unfortunately, in this still very religious country, his unmarried status rendered him not viable as a Presidential candidate.
These two endorsements are very positive developments even if their direct impact on the final result of the Democratic Primary probably will be minimal in actual fact. The single greatest threat to the earnest and fully correct effort to unseat Donald Trump is the singular devotion of Sanders supporters to the man himself even to the exclusion of demanding a fuller, more detailed explanation from Sanders’ mouth and mind on how his quixotic agenda can be fully employed to minimize their significantly negative consequences and be more than a tantalizing pie in the sky. The thought silo in which Bernie Sanders and so many of his supporters reside is made of the same substance that Trump and his ‘movement’ inhabit—vastly different policy prescriptions from Trump to Sanders, but the same blindness to the practical realities of the world we all live in. I worry deeply that Sanders’ supporters will withhold their electoral support from Biden and his eventual running mate in a fit of pique, dooming the effort of ousting a clear and present menace currently taking up dead space in our White House—a definably major threat to us all.
1
The practical matters determining my support for Bernie include the precipitous loss of pollinators through development deals that destroy our few remaining natural areas (how about redoing a vacant box store instead?), the profitable chemical poisoning of our water with PFAS etc., the chokehold of fossil fuel lobbyists that who speak with money to politicians who are then too timid to say Green New Deal even when the science and our own 5 senses tell us time is almost up.
Nothing is more practical than admitting we depend upon a living ecosystem. The billionaires club thinks they have rockets as a back-up plan. I'd rather see we the 99% be given half a chance to clean up this mess created by greed, and maybe even set our hands to healing the earth.
3
@Waabananang Biden is not weak on climate change. A vote for Biden is indeed a vote for action.
In reading comments below I am once again astounded at the wishful (and would be magical) thinking of what would otherwise be considered intelligent adults. In short, the blame game isn’t working. Start paying attention. Listen, I’m just going to say it once again. The reason the Democratic party has been unable to enact long-term PROGRESSIVE Reforms is that they are called into take the reins of government only when there is a financial crisis. Once the crisis is resolved, they are sent packing and the drunken elephants are called in to wreak havoc again and again. And the elephants appoint new High Priests of oligarchy to the Supreme Court to keep up the havoc for several cycles. So pay attention, start electing moderate Democrats who realize, like Obama did, that slow and steady wins the game, but you need a full team to win, and more than two innings to build a team. If people could think of the Presidency more like coaching and of Congress and the Supreme Court as more like team players, maybe voters could/would stop voting for people with no proven wins, who don’t even know the rules of the game, and think of building a winning team to accomplish goals that benefit the majority of citizens.
6
All these endorsements of former Presidential candidates and other DEM Establishment members are irrelevant.
The Trumpsters will vote for Trump.
The Progressives and young will vote for Bernie or no one because voting for anyone other than Bernie buys them nothing. (*)
The moderates were already moderate and decided by 2017 where there were going to vote for Trump of vote for "Not Trump".
(*) This is a problem that the Democrats have. Even this morning when Cory Booker was being interviewed, the consistent message out of their mouths is "We have to get rid of Donald Trump."
>>> That doesn't tell the people in need (that is, anyone making less that $250k) how the Democrats are going to make their lives better. How can a moderate like Biden do anything revolutionary when the moderate Democrats haven't done anything revolutionary in 27+ years?
>>> That's not a sales pitch to moderates in an economy that is doing OK outside of the coronavirus impact.
The Democrats just don't get it.
With rare exception from specific members, as a party:
>>> They don't know how to connect to regular people
>>> They don't know how to speak to people in the middle of the country.
>>> They don't get priorities.
>>> They don't get that the "social cancers" affecting us aren't going to be cured by "social aspirin" moderates.
The nice thing about Trump's 2020 re-election is that the GOP will destroy America further and maybe then the DEMs will read the memo that they should have in 2016.
8
@VJR
"The nice thing about Trump's 2020 re-election is that the GOP will destroy America further and maybe then the DEMs will read the memo that they should have in 2016"
And you wonder why people aren't voting to Sanders and his Revolution.
People in this thread call it unity. I call it another backroom deal where our politicians and the establishment promise power hungry folks power in the future if they cede power now to the status quo. Frankly, it's mighty hard to trust anyone who openly courts the oligarchy in this country.
32
@Andrew: Do you value Social Security, Medicare, environmental and consumer protection and a SC and judiciary that is not extreme right wing? If you don’t care, please sit out the elections or vote Trump.
2
@Anna Biden has voted multiple times to gut SS, Medicare, and consumer protections.
4
@Andrew It is unity and it’s the unity that voters in the party are voting for.
1
I love Cory Booker. We (Democrats) have such good, smart leaders - if we all donate, volunteer & vote, the future of this country will be so much brighter.
Thank you, Cory. You were my first choice until you dropped out, but I look forward to your continuing leadership in the Senate.
14
All of those endorsing Biden would have been satisfactory in their ability to fill the office.
Yet, is anyone concerned about VP Biden's mental acuity and presentation at events? Julian Castro raised the question and was chastised for it during the debates. I understand why his resume would make him the presumptive head of the Democratic Party, however I feel no one is addressing the reality seen on the campaign trail and in debates. I also understand the media's desire to overlook this in support of the threat of Trump, but I don't think Trump will be as gracious during the race for the Oval Office.
9
Would love to see Mr. Booker as the VP on the ticket. I've missed him from the debate stage, and think he's a bright, sane and sound representative of the party, and its future.
7
Isn't it touching how many REPUBLICAN voices are expressing concern that Sanders is being cheated by "the establishment?"
8
@GI I'm sure Putin has a hand on this, too. Obviously, Bernie is their golden ticket for a divided Democractic party - that's the only way the GOP could win. Glad to hear Joe is having double-digit leads nationwide, I guess we're not really that stupid to fall into the Bernie trap again.
4
Amazing that all these former candidates that acknowledged that medicare for all was the best option, the goal, the ideal. Then when they get a chance to endorse that plan, back a candidate advocating change, they just line up behind the "safe" status Quo that is running on no other message than, Not Trump, back to normal, no malarkey? I hope they realize this is the same choice they made last election.
8
@MC: Well, it’s Biden, or no ACA and no Medicare and Social Security for anybody.
1
Having a busload of so-called moderates running from the beginning, all offering pretty much the same weak tea, was a huge drain on the instructive dialogue we might have had between them and the Sanders/Warren camps. To me, they were virtually indistinguishable on the podium and wasted a tremendous amount of energy nitpicking their extremely trivial differences. What does an endorsement from one or the other really signify? This is like Breyers Vanilla endorsing Turkey Hill Vanilla.
7
Clearly, it is time for all candidates to stop campaign rallies.
Though unfortunate for Biden, Sanders and Trump, it's the only responsible thing to do though we know Trump will continue to have a megaphone. Must stop now.
1
Honestly Cory Booker or any of the other moderate democrats have a waaaay better shot at defeating Trump than Biden.
We are going to get several months of Ukraine and Biden fumbling around his words.
Trump's supports will eat it up because they are tired of the status quo. 4 More years of Trump.
7
Spartacus is too cautious and a follower
It’s good he got in the boat but he should have gotten in a week ago
This is why Booker is a good guy but not a leader.
2
Everyone is talking about how Trump is unfit to govern, but why aren't we talking about how Biden is unfit to govern? The Democratic party is unifying around an equally unfit candidate, mirroring the Republican party during the last election cycle. How can anyone expect Biden, who is clearly losing his mental capabilities, to be a good president? Why is no one talking about his ridiculous gaffes and incomprehensibility? I'm baffled.
10
@M
That'll be all we hear about once Biden wraps up the nomination and there's no chance to replace him.
He'll be beaten and weakened by it and it'll lead to Trump's reelection. And newspapers like this one will profit because Big Donald drives clicks.
They win. We lose.
2
Things seem to be coming together for the Democrats, particularly Joe Biden. Bernie Sanders and his supporters will play an enormous role in this race and the outcome. When it becomes apparent that Joe Biden is the strongest candidate to beat Trump, I hope they too will unite in supporting him. All that is needed is a strategic and competent VP candidate and everything should fall in place. I am thinking Kamala Harris.
2
“Mr. Biden eventually called Mr. Booker to apologize.”
The ability to admit error and apologize is a big reason people love Joe. You’ll never ever catch Trump apologizing.
Sen. Booker has made Biden a tougher, better candidate by not being afraid to bring up his past votes on criminal justice. When was the last time ANY Republican brought up Trump’s past abuses of African Americans in housing? Ever?
The reason I’m a Democrat after have been raised Republican is because Democrats actually care about people, care about making progress, care about righting wrongs. We live in a world where a whole group of people doesn’t give a fig about righting wrongs. And they’re going to lose in November. Never has the contrast ever been clearer, and it’s thanks to the tenacity and conviction of people like Cory Booker.
Thank you, Senator Booker, for what you bring to the table. I think you’d be an excellent choice for VP even though I’ve got my fingers crossed for a woman, preferably a woman of color. But you’re still a gem.
10
Bernie Sanders has done just about everything to lose the Black vote, and these endorsements from Corey Booker and Kamala Harris for Joe Biden, probably won't help matters.
It's bad enough Sanders lost (again!) in South Carolina, and skipped his rallies entirely in Mississippi in order to focus on Michigan, which has a highly diverse population.
But worst of all, Sanders failed to appear at the 50th Anniversary of the "Bloody Sunday" March across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama -- something that anyone who's ever boasted of working for Civil Rights would never do.
And Black folks have noticed.
It's over for Sanders.
12
Interesting I didn’t vote for either booker or Harris they didn’t represent my view so their endorsements don’t matter to me
Whoever the nominee is most of us will support to get rid of Trump and this administration that is full of deception
Harris, Booker are irrelevant. The goal is to replace the GOP and let us not forget none of Biden’s endorsers has a great deal to offer in policies . They are only looking to get more time in the limelight. Please just do your regular jobs in the senate and stop looking in self promotion
4
@Tony
I beg to differ. Just because Booker or Harris didn't represent your views doesn't make them irrelevant.
Far from it.
Especially at a time and with an administration where racism and sexism is allowed to run rampant.
6
Perhaps these former candidates are fishing for the VP spot on Biden’s ticket.
9
Democratic politicians and voters nationwide have coalesced en masse around Joe Biden because they know he's got the best shot at defeating Trump.
Sorry, Bernie.
This election is over.
15
@John
But his voters are not going away. The party disenfranchised us in 2016 and they need us to turn out the vote in 2020. Show us that you can compromise by adding a quasi progressive Warren to the ticket.
3
@Justice4America: Perhaps it’s time for you to realize that if you want even 10% of your agenda to come true, you need “them”. Or else that what you still have, such as free speech and the New Deal, will be taken from you.
@Anna Same goes for the moderates, or do you want to lose the way moderates like Hillary, Kerry and Gore did?
The only thing less surprising...if Booker did something that Harris then repeated.
2
Thank you all endorsers of Biden for speeding up the unity which is badly needed.
16
I am so disappointed in Cory booker and Kamala Harris. Why on earth would they back the weakest candidate in the race. I will vote for Biden if I have to but won’t be happy about it.
9
@Out Loud They probably are thinking the same: that all voters coalesce on Biden, so Harris and Booker are simply jumping onto the winner's wagoon...
2
@Out Loud
Don't worry.
There are no doubt plenty out there who feel the exact same about voting for Sanders.
In fact, it's starting to show.
Starting with South Carolina and Super Tuesday.
Thanks Cory...now let's hope Biden picks a good VP. A good woman.
5
From the very start, I was for a Biden-Booker ticket. Still am. Don't know why Booker did not gain traction, but he's a fantastic guy so I have no shame in saying Dems need a black person on the ticket - Booker will bring out the minority vote. And Booker is authentic; Harris is not.
5
@Easterner
I agree.
Good. Notice - the more experienced, mature members of the Dem party are endorsing the candidate who they believe can beat Trump. They know that Sanders can't win the electoral college, so they are backing the only candidate left who has any chance. Hopefully, when the time comes, Sanders will do the mature thing as well and prioritize beating Trump by actually fully endorsing Biden when he wins the nomination.
11
I have no question that Bernie will support the Dem nominee if he is not the winner. The looming question is will his supporters vote blue or will they vote for Trump or stay home like they did in 2016. The Dem platform will have points from Bernie’s policies that will benefit them. Also the VP and the Cabinet could be drawn from younger members of the party.
3
@Marylou
Biden has to earn our vote just like every other candidate. We are a diverse and energetic group. So far he has given us nothing to show up for. Sanders appeal crosses over to former and would be Trump supporters, and are not all Democrats. If you arrogantly disenfranchise is like Hillary did the vote is on you.
3
Bernie still has to earn my vote. I have Medicare now. Medicare for All will probably water that down. I paid into the system for decades and want to keep what I have now... not pay higher taxes so people who never paid to get a free ride. Also I fail to see why a university education should be free to rich kids whose families have the money to pay for it. Too what are the standards a student would have to maintain to get free schooling? Can one accept it, then leave, then come back later? Is there an age limit on who gets it free? Will advanced degrees also be free?
1
I think Bernie and Joe should hit the pause button on campaigning and address the virus issue immediately. The President is inexplicably downplaying the virus while it’s bad now but it could get a lot worse.
“We have to unify and show our strength and I think this Tuesday could be a pivotal day in our primary progress, but it’s about time that we start unifying as a party and begin the work to beat Donald Trump, and frankly save our nation.””
Cory Booker’s is spot on about needing to come together. Bernie has a passionate following that may be getting more passionate but not growing.
4
Very happy to hear this - it's time to unite the party behind the candidate with the best chance of winning and bringing in a Democratic Senate.
7
This is much more than just beating trump; it's about reinstating the values and morality in the White House and GOP dominated Senate but more importantly, it's about saving our democracy, our country and serving the best interest of the American people as elected officials should. I will vote for whomever the Democratic nominee is ......Biden or Bernie. With that said, Cory Booker's comments about unifying the Democratic party and saving our nation is dead-on. I would like to see Cory Booker on the ticket for vice president, he's well balanced, brings much to the table and will attract voters.
4
I’ve long admired Sen. Booker. The contempt for him expressed by Sanders supporters here is unmerited yet sadly not surprising. Bernie could get so much more done if he tried uniting instead of dividing.
11
Well, here we go again. The lemmings heading for the cliff just as they did in 2016. And what a great endorsement, by the guy that killed a bi-partisan bill that would have allowed us to importation of cheaper medicines from Canada, where they pay one tenth what we pay here. There's a reason this sellout didn't get very far in the parry. People know who he is.
28
Cory Booker, a capable man who reaches across the aisle.
His fatal mistake was running an identity obsessed campaign, ie I am a Black first and an American second ie it was fatal to Hillary ie I am a woman first and an American second.
If he had learned from the master teach Obama who ran as an American first uniting people and not as an angry young black man, Cory would still be in the race.
1
@Paul Hillary Clinton and Cory Booker both ran as "American first." Get used to this: women AND POC do not have to deny WHO they are anymore. Have you ever criticized a male candidate as "being a man first and an American second"? "White man" is not longer the default in politics.
2
@Paul, that is a false characterization of his campaign. He ran as a US Senator and former Mayor of an old eastern city.
I suspect a democatic win will open up opportunities in the executive branch if he chooses that route, and I suspect will run for president again in the future.
3
@GBrown Thank you for your reply. Read his speeches. They were always the minorities are the most important thing in the campaign.
Lethal to him.
1
Clearly, most Democratic leaders recognize two realities. They must unify to defeat Trump. Biden has the best chance to achieve that goal. Let's hope the Party also realizes the need to nominate a minority candidate for VP. Either of the Black Senators who recently endorsed Biden would fill that need.
60
@Disillusioned As the party comes together you have got to ask yourself what are they coming together to support? If it is just the defeat of Donald Trump it is regrettable. If that happens, what comes next?
9
@History What happens is that the nation returns to sanity with a Leader who is not racist, sexist, homophobic, uneducated, unintelligent and intentionally divisive.
24
@Disillusioned Harris or Booker would be great, but they are both from blue states. They should probably choose someone from one of the big swing states--and preferably a POC.
6
I doubt Corey Booker’s endorsement of Biden will convince anyone in New Jersey to vote for him.
44
@Purple Spain
Really? I guess I am not anyone.
48
You are somebody, and your vote should count as much as a billionaire’s vote. That’s why we founded this country. One person, one vote. If you voted for Clinton or Trump or vote for Biden this time though, it means you’re helping maintain the control over this country of the American oligarchy. There’s a recent UN, MIT and Princeton study that proves we live in an oligarchy. If you decide you want your interests represented in our government, though, please consider voting for Sanders.
24
@Purple Spain Why is Cory Booker’s endorsement not valuable?
5
If there’s a positive coming out of the campaign, it’s that the Democrats are acting like a party and unifying.
Of course, it’s not over yet with some big primaries ahead, but it feels like it is.
So let’s hear the plans.
We knew trump was unfit to govern, but now that there’s a real crisis, we can easily see that he was unprepared, has no plan, and is uncaring about his fellow Americans. He has greater concern for his image and the stock market. I don’t hear him crowing any more. The credit he took was undeserved but he certainly carries some of the blame by his lack of a strategy beyond tariffs and interest rate cuts.
Joe and company - what are you going to do? Let’s not hear about the flaws of others. What was that question from a tv ad and a campaign of the past?
Where’s the beef?
44
Oh, that’s easy. The BidenDNC plan is let the billionaires who own them keep running everything and taking everything left.
43
@Lilly Please. This is pure paranoia. I am not voting for Biden because a billionaire owns me, and I am pretty sure the 3 black candidates who have endorsed Biden, would be horribly offended at the idea that they are "owned" by billionaires. "Progressives" have clearly become more of a religious movement than a political movement.
Standing on the sideline shouting righteous rhetoric will achieve nothing. I like socialism, which means I also value democracy. We need to work with those who disagree with us, shouting at them only moves us backwards.
42
@Steve Ell Unifying around what exactly? This "unity" will doom us all.
5
Sen Corey Booker and Sen Kamala Harris are both candidates that represent an important voice speaking up for decency, Justice, and the vulnerable in our society. They are both smart, experienced, and well loved Senators and it’s great to hear they are endorsing Biden! I hope they will both have important positions in the Biden administration.
103
@nom de guerre NJ and CA both have Democratic governors who would appoint Democrats to fill any vacant seats, so in tapping Booker or Harris there would be little risk of losing Democrats.
There are other reasons however to deny them the role: as worthy as they both are (and as much as I'd like to see both play prominent roles in a Biden administration), the fact simply is that neither one offers anything to Biden that makes up for anything Biden is missing, that Biden couldn't find elsewhere in other candidates. While Biden needs his VP to be considerably younger than he is, and having a woman is certainly a plus, he doesn't need a coastal Democrat to deliver the coastal Democrat vote, and frankly, given his performance in SC, he doesn't need an African American to deliver the African American vote either.
On the other hand, there is a candiate who ticks all the necessary "Biden-contrast" boxes but can also help deliver (and already has) a key constituency - the Midwest - without which he cannot win: Amy Klobuchar. And she deserves points for timing her endorsement when she did, and Biden owes her for that. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already offered it to her.
13
@Rain.
Re: Ms Harris being a voice for decency, justice, the vulnerable...you really should look up her record as a prosecutor. Better yet, look up a clip of Mr Biden summarizing it for us.
20
@Ann. Klobuchar would be an excellent choice in helping to win the midwest, but one wonders how much anger there will be if Biden doesn't choose a WOC. Harris is also impressive.
5
All these endorsements of Biden reflect the extraordinary extent to which Sanders and his supporters have burned bridges over the years, or failed to build them.
The fact that so many Warren supporters have moved to Biden, even though their policy preferences are closer to Sanders, demonstrates that ill will that Bernie's campaign has wrought.
Successful campaigns look to add supporters, not subtract them. That's the big takeaway.
Biden's going to win Michigan by 20 points.
252
@Cousy
Very well said.
33
@Cousy Thank you for stating the issue so clearly. Its shocking to me that so many of my fellow socialists seem to have forgotten that socialism is about democracy.
It is noble, not craven, to accept and honor that others may disagree with us. To dehumanize those that disagree with us is callous and arrogant. To expand our tent is to support democracy, a prerequisite of socialism, and effective politics. I would rather help flesh and blood people then stand by and watch them suffer as I preach from an altar.
I will vote Biden because I am a socialist, not in spite of it.
40
@Andrew Please stop the hyperbole, nobody is dehumanizing Biden supporters.
22
During the last few debates, I have found that Bernie (while he enjoys many young people's support) seemed more intransigent and angry. His refusal to change his mind and failure to modify some of his positions, has meant it has been hard to find a reason to support him. AOC and her radical platform has not really helped. Biden on the other hand seems reasonable and practical. He has given us a lifetime of service and gotten things done. He is not the perfect candidate, but most of his former adversaries recognize that this is a unique election and above all democrats must unseat Trump. I thought we would see another four more years after the senate failed to impeach. I am now more confident as Biden is getting more support. Sanders has not been a great senator, and his cynical ad carefully clipping Obama into his campaign, tarnishes him. With Trump's mishandling of the Corona Virus and his appointment of Pence (the anti science guy) to handle it, I'm more confident than ever, that the democratic ticket can win and this nightmare will be over. Way to go Cory. There was a column the other day that suggested that the new cabinet be composed of former candidates, just as Obama built his cabinet of rivals, by appointing Hillary as secretary of state. All of these candidates have strengths, I am more hopeful than ever that we will have a group of competent people running the country, led by Biden.
175
@thewriterstuff Bernie shares the anger of the electorate who is fuming with it. Pretending that anger doesn't exist doesn't make it go away, it makes it worse.
92
@Jon Q That anger led you to four years of Trump...do you want to do four more years. I'm angry too. I'm angry that Bernie voters chose to sit out the election, or vote some third party candidate, without thinking about the consequences. I'm furious that Trump has had 4 years to roll back most of the consequential legislation that Obama managed to make and the ACA. I'm really angry that people like you are suggesting that this is a valid position...again...four years later. I'm angry, but I'm practical...if you think that Bernie can pass, or pay for Medicare for all AND free college, and OPEN borders...go ahead, vote for Trump, er I mean Bernie...I've already left the country.
67
Or, you could help us get healthcare and free college like they have in Germany and you won’t want to leave. Sanders 2020
45
I've loved Cory since he spoke eloquently to working adult students at the university where I taught. He is an unwavering advocate for urban and underserved communities and for education as a step up. I am glad to see a team of rivals stand together. When, as I expect, Biden wins the nomination we all need to stick together!
7
Klobuchar or Booker as VP. Also, plenty of other spots will be available in the administration.
Unless something catastrophic happens to Biden, he’s got this wrapped up.
3
Kneel and kiss the ring...
Well, I can count on Bernie not to set aside ideals. It appears what's said on the campaign trail is just cant for votes for the rest of the Dem field. I'm not sure how this looks for someone on the fence about who to vote for.
2
There is a lot of talk about who should be the VP nominee. Harris' name comes up a lot, along with Klobuchar and Warren, as many feel a woman VP is needed. I don't disagree with that. However, the Senate is more important than the VP. Harris, Warren, Klobuchar, and Booker, are all needed in the Senate. Only with continued control of the House, and a majority in the Senate, can a President Biden's agenda come to fruition.
4
It is SO good to have the Democrats unite! We need unity and coalescing around plans to protect and defend these United States against the Bully-in-Chief, who has attacked and/or demeaned MOST Americans, including our Gold Star veterans and families, our civil servants, our allies, and our brave journalists. Now, we need a party platform that is inclusive on those Four Freedoms FDR asserted and a scientifically based plan for combating Covid 19 worldwide, as we are all in this challenge together. Trump has torn down so many of our democratic institutions to allow for his authoritarian regime to thrive. We will need to rebuild and reunite our country to face the onslaught of threats that will surely come. The rule of law must be reestablished. Justice will be served. The day of reckoning will come.
5
Joe is Jeb.
That's who the Democrats have chosen; a legacy "nice guy" easily steered along a path predetermined by orthodoxy.
We don't deserve Bernie, as a nation we haven't reckoned with the shortcomings baked in the matrix of two party politics.
9
I do deserve healthcare like they have in Germany, Japan and France. So do you. We don’t deserve to have to live in an oligarchy. We do deserve to rebuild our infrastructure. We do deserve representation in government. We deserve the most basic cornerstones of civilization. Fight for what we deserve. Sanders2020
9
Proud supporter of Joe Biden here! He's got a great coalition now, and more accomplished Democrats to come before and at the convention, no doubt. A team of rivals. Way to go!
5
This will be disappointing, but one day, you might realize Biden doesn’t represent your interests unless you already amassed obscene amounts of wealth.
12
@Lilly No, not wealthy, just sensible, practical and hopeful that much can be accomplished in Joe's first term following Trump's debacle with his experience and willingness to work with people.
Cory Booker has always made choices based on what's best for Cory Booker. That's why he endorsed Michael Bloomberg running as an independent for his 3rd term as mayor of NYC over the Democratic candidate, an African-American, and no doubt that's why he endorsed Biden.
And curious isn't that Harris's best moment in the whole campaign was at the first debate criticizing Biden's record on civil rights and yet now she has no problems with it.
25
Harris keeps that kind of stuff on the campaign and lives another way when not running for office.
2
I'm not surprised by all the hatred in these comments sections. I'm a New Yorker but read a NJ paper regularly for the sports coverage, and the right-wingers in their comments sections were so vociferous that the paper discontinued comments sections last week.
It should be instructive that the two groups with the most rancorous comments here are Trump fans and Bernie fans.
They're the most alike of all the partisans in this year's contest.
8
We want and deserve to have healthcare. Yes, I’m angry I might die for no reason, even though I pay$25,000 a year to insurance, just because I’m an American living in an oligarchy. Why aren’t you angry? Why aren’t you at .least. outraged that we live in such an unconscionably brutal society?
12
@Lilly
There's a difference between righteous anger that's channeled into productive action and chronic, self-righteous, self-indulgent rancor that spews at everyone with a different opinion.
Do you know who's actively manipulating and exploiting the rageaholics in this country, besides Trump and Sanders? Vladimir Putin.
"What you need to understand about the Russians is there is no ideology at all. Vladimir Putin is in the business of trying to create chaos everywhere." - Bill Browder, international advocate of the Magnitsky Act, in testimony to the US Senate, July 28, 2017
What a spectacle to behold. We now have Joe Biden, whose campaign was on life-support 2 weeks ago, now suddenly the darling of the DNC and corporate media. Even more impressive is to watch Black establishment politicians, Rep. James Clyburn and Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris line up behind Biden. Apparently, they have conveniently overlooked or forgotten- Biden’s abusive treatment of Anita Hill during Clarence Thomas confirmation hearings, his bragging about his close ‘relationship’ with ardent segregationists James Eastland and Strom Thurmond, his enthusiastic support for the ‘Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act’ (aka 1994 crime law) and related crime bills, which increased incarceration of African Americans, support for ‘Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act’ (BAPCPA), backed by Banking industry, making it more difficult for people (primarily working people, students) to declare Ch 7 bankruptcy. Biden also supported Bush II’s war on Iraq in 2003 (cost to taxpayers circa $6 trillion). Joe Biden is representative of the sclerotic and increasingly right wing trajectory of the Democratic Party. In the past 10 days, Biden confused running for Senate vs president, confused his wife and his sister standing next to him, called himself an “Obiden Bama Democrat,” and declared 150 million Americans died in gun violence over the past decade. The main beneficiary of a Biden nomination is Trump.
47
@Paul
Biden’s still a thousand times better than trump. And Biden will get my vote.
4
@Paul
Couldn't have said it better.
2
Et tu, Cory?
28
@JFW
ah come on man
@JFW What exactly does this reference to Caesar have to do with Democrats coming together in an amazingly refreshing way. It means bye Trump. Are you disappointed?
7
I hope it will mean that! But I am deeply worried that unifying behind a supposedly "safe choice" candidate with a proven ability to keep people uninspired (even in his better days) is a recipe for disaster. I hope I'm wrong. The past few "safe" candidates nominated by the dems (Clinton, Kerry, Gore) just ring in my ears.
3
What this says to me is Cory Booker is not the Progressive he claims to be, but just another DNC poseur.
44
@T SB, I think Booker shows flexibility and Democratic comraderie. Sanders can not be and is not the only viable candidate. Booker is not a follower, he is an exceptionally bright, warm and dynamic team player. Biden already showing he. an bring folks together.
6
@Nola I think that's a positive way to look at it, but I'm afraid I don't agree with you as the end result of Biden bringing folks together will not improve the Party or our country.
3
If you want to know who endorses Bernie Sanders, read this from Teen Vogue. It is very interesting: https://www.teenvogue.com/story/black-women-activists-dream-defenders-support-bernie-sanders
15
I feel that Biden's campaign is less about him than it is about the diverse coalition of support around him. To that point, I feel like less could be more with his campaign. I hope Democrats recognize this, and use it to their advantage. Maybe Biden doesn't need to be some singularly inspirational figurehead, some visionary onto which voters project their ideals and rest their hopes. Sanders might be that (and his campaign will require a different tact) But Biden tends to get tongue tied the more he talks. I think he should first project security and competency, a "head coach" style of leadership. He should speak candidly to disaffected voters that he will work for them, and he should point to the great team he has in place... I actually think that both Bernie and Biden could easily defeat Trump so long as Democrats do not step on their own feet at every opportunity, or allow themselves to be so easily baited by the G.O.P.
11
Agreed and I see this as a major strength. They are prepared to collaborate to get things done once Biden is in office. Sanders screaming style doesn't seem conducive to actual governing. I will vote for the nominee against Trump, and am increasingly excited about the "teamwork ticket." Now when Biden picks a strong woman VP I'll be enthusiastic!
3
This is disappointing; I thought my own senator would be better about endorsing a democratic nominee for President, but now it seems he's the same as Klobuchar and Harris. I have lost a lot of heroes this election cycle, not simply for their endorsements of Biden, who is more likely to lose to Trump in the general election, but because they are not as willing to fight against corporate interests as they made themselves out to be.
However, I suppose that's to be expected when Booker gets tens of thousands of dollars from the pharmaceutical industry every election cycle.
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@Marco Why are you pretending to be "disappointed?" You are clearly a Trump supporter.
15
He never fooled us. That doesn’t mean his and Warren’s revealing themselves as corrupt frauds isn’t heartbreaking.
11
@Marco It's not a binary choice where Sanders is anti-corporate and everyone else is pro corporate.
It is yet another lie propagated by Sanders that a five minute Google search would dispel.
And I'm also not sure why you think that in a center right country there is a hidden majority waiting for a socialist.
What you are witnessing is the majority of the party--voters and politicians elected by the majority of the party, coalescing around a candidate. And it began with a huge turnout of African Americans in support of Biden.
11
What's his reward? After so many debates pedaling a progressive platform one after another the ex-candidates are betraying us and selling out to the establishment. Showing their true colors.
14
This is what I would expect however I was hoping that since Booker's girlfriend is Rosario Dawson, who endorsed Bernie in 2016, that she might influence him to endorse Sanders.
7
I suppose she respects representative Booker’s right to his own choices.
4
@Mr. Chris Of course. I didn't say she didn't.
1
@Mr. Chris A better choice of words would be "encourage" instead of "influence". Forgive me. It's daylight savings day and my mind is a little muddled!
1
Why wouldn’t Corporate centrist Wall Street Democrats band together. It’s par for the course. They can now trip over each other pandering for that VP slot. Then after choosing another bland candidate for VP like Clinton did they can also lose like she did.
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@Rit Your "Corporate centrist Wall Street Democrats" are infinitely better than the Republicans who support racist policies, racist voting restrictions, a sexual predator for President, tax cuts for the wealthy, locking up children, putting fools in charge of our health, denying climate change and eliminating environmental protections, etc.
If you can't see the difference, you are the sort of progressive who doesn't care about all the human suffering, especially for people of color and poor people, if Trump is reelected. You apparently don't care as well if children are locked up, the wealthy and corporations receive more tax cuts, voting rights are denied to people of color, if our environment is degraded, etc.
20
They are far from bland. They are too destructive and represent too much suffering to be bland.
9
Cory Booker "corporate centrist" ? How is the term defined?
4
Booker is an articulate progressive senator who would be a great choice for VP if gender balance is not the sole basis for selection.Given Biden’s age Senator Booker would be a natural successor to Biden after one term.
31
So, not just one hand puppet of the American Oligarchs, but two for the price of one! Thank you for pointing that out.
13
@Milton Lewis I think it would be an enormous mistake for Biden not to choose a woman.
Underwhelming to say the least.
20
Of course he did. Falling in line with the party machine candidate.
64
Dear NYT:
Why is it when a legendary activist like Jesse Jackson endorses Bernie Sanders, there is one article that appears only momentarily on the front page in tiny type, and then is buried in the memory hole, never mentioned again. In contrast, every endorsement of Biden is trumpeted and repeated endlessly. About half of the article on Jackson's endorsement of Bernie was actually devoted to repeating all the previous endorsements of Biden. Of course, there is no similar mention of Bernie's endorsements here.
Can you at least try to be balanced in your coverage of this campaign?
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@Steve Siegel
It was yesterday's news and Sen. Booker's endorsement is today's news.
Jesse's endorsement was covered yesterday, when it happened:
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/08/us/politics/jesse-jackson-bernie-sanders-michigan.html
But of course it's a conspiracy against Bernie.
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@Steve Siegel
Jackson chose to endorse yesterday, and it was reported then. (Odd choice IMO.)
And people have voted for Booker recently - no one has voted for Jackson in 32 years.
I personally appreciate Jackson - I voted for him in 1988 - but he's a legacy not a current player.
54
When we have to beg the journalistic representatives of the oligarchy for fairness and truth... you know you’re in the land of the free and the brave.
28
That's politics.
Two more props from African Americans Booker and Harris for nomination of Biden and against Socialist democrat Bernie. But that may not unite the African American vote, I read Jesse Jackson is propping up Bernie. Michigan looks like a toss up.
2
I am supporting Bernie. Joe Biden is just an average run-of-the-mill politician. I seriously doubt the lives of average Americans will improve under his presidency. However, if Joe becomes the Democratic nominee, I will, without a doubt, vote for him in the general election.
115
@RS You may be right partly, but our lives will not improve if Trump stays in office. That's what this is all about and what folks are weighing. Who is the more "electable"? Thinking people are doing the hard thinking.
14
@Ms D To assume Biden is more electable than Sanders makes it seem as if Hillary in 2016 never happened. Yet again, if Biden is the nominee, we will have a hold your nose and vote candidate. (At least Hillary was coherent and more truthful than Joe.)
The DNC establishment has disenfranchised the 35 and under population with unforgivable debts (Thanks Joe) and un-affordable healthcare. Fortunately for the DNC, most of the disenfranchised will either die or live their whole lives in financial peril, giving them 0 institutional power. So yes, vote for Joe, but at least acknowledge your privilege if you'll be fine when "things remain fundamentally the same."
8
Just wait and watch - Biden will fold to Trump just as quickly as these candidates have folded to Biden. Trump must be beside himself with glee. We need a candidate who remembers why he’s running, and we certainly don’t have that in Biden.
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@Debbie
Yeah, that’s why Trump was telling his rally goers to vote for Bernie the day before the NH primaries.
15
@Patrick Well unless they were Undeclared or a Democrat, Trump's rally goers wouldn't be able to. Good bait though.
1
I recall senator Booker expressing concerns about Biden’s performances during the debates. He may now be looking the other way on this issue but if anyone is following the rabid right news coverage, it certainly isn’t.
20
I can understand why the failed candidates are lining up behind Joe. The DNC or Joe must be dangling plum jobs in his administration. As a Bernie fan who hasn’t been this excited for a candidate since RFK, it’s very disappointing. Bernie’s promise to realign this country’s priorities in favor of working people is exactly what we need and is only radical who are benefiting from the status quo. If he loses, it’ll truly be the death of ‘60s idealism.
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@AlNewman
"What is objectionable, what is dangerous about extremists, is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause, but what they say about their opponents."
Robert Kennedy
Bernie doesn't remotely remind me of the great Robert F. Kennedy.
17
@AlNewman this begs the question: if Bernie were to win, who would fill out his government ? AOC can only wear so many hats. It’s not much of a progressive revolution if moderate Democrats are running everything, right?
3
1960s idealism now owns hedge funds and lives in Florida’s gated communities.
I was there during the 60s. It was a load of bunk then, and it’s pathetic in old hippies now.
Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Beto, Pete, Amy etc.
They are all looking for a seat as vice president. Sadly only one will get that position and it might not even be one of them.
Politics as usual.
43
Meanwhile, hundreds of millions of Americans are too poor to stay home even when they are sick and can’t afford to go to the doctor because they already have to ration their insulin among an entire family. Let’s hope it inconveniences the American oligarchs at least a little. After all, there aren’t enough robots to do everything yet, so in this country, we still have some economic value.
20
Seriously...who cares about these “never were going anywhere” candidates endorsements especially Booker and Harris who should have endorsed someone when they dropped and if not the morning after Super Tuesday. It’s no surprise though as no one will endorse Bernie and not expect it to damage their future electability. A better move would have been to just walk away without endorsing anyone.
These late endorsements are like betting on a football game a few minutes before it ends.
25
Trump must go at all cost. But Joe Biden repeatedly shows signs of cognitive degeneration. That all these politicians, including now Harris and Booker, have endorsed him I find truly mind-boggling and troubling.
If Biden wins the nomination, take a good hard look at the position America has put itself in, between a rock and mud puddle, between two drunks uncles.
(Elizabeth did all the planning, but let’s let Joe give the speech, shall we?)
35
So why is Senator Sanders a Progressive & others in the Democratic Party not ? What is not Progressive about Obamacare ? What is not Progressive about America for Dreamers ? What is not Progressive about Paris Pact for Climate Change ? What is not Progressive about Renewable Energy ? These are the Values of the Democratic Party which has always been Progressive from John F Kennedy in the Sixties to Barack Obama in the 21st Century. Being Progressive does not mean being Ostrich-wise like Senator Sanders & getting nothing done in over 25yrs. Being Progressive does mean carrying a whole lot of fellow Americans along in a Democracy which gives equal say to diverse convictions. Being Progressive means being moderate enough to get things done democratically. Like Progressive moderate VP Biden. Senator Sanders is not even proud of the Values of the Democratic Party ! He chooses the Democratic Party only as a short-time ladder to the Presidency. That is called being a political Opportunist, not Progressive.
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@S Venkatesh
1. Obamacare is essentially a give away to the insurance industry which still has financial incentive to pay out as little as possible to maximize their profits. How is that progressive?
2. Dreamers is progressive.
3. Paris Pact for climate change is toothless, doesn't go near as far enough and is really just akin to virtue signaling by giving the optics of a good faith effort while not actually doing anything. How is that progressive?
4. Renewable energy is great. Not enough to meet our energy needs, unfortunately... which is why I wish that we'd give a second look to nuclear, namely invest in the science of thorium reactors. We need zero emissions NOW, it's more pressing than what to so with the spent fuel.
23
“Bring progressive” going in, then bowing down to the pressure to confirm, stay silent and go easy on big money and special interests while in office - is the problem. Biden has a horrible history with women alone (Anita Hill, his quotes in abortion rights). Progressive in name is not progressive in action.
12
@Patricia Lopez Bernie certainly has his own women's issues. Do you wonder why Warren refuses to endorse him?
And there needs to be an acceptance of what is possible in this country at this moment. Sanders is going to lose. Big. But, as Frank Bruni pointed out yesterday, he has already "won" considering the enormous influence he has had on democratic policy.
8
Biden's candidacy was too big to ignore and too weak to prevail without massive propping up. Based more on the recent glow of being Barack Obama's veep, than on his own long record of off putting gaffes, dubious official actions, and downright noxious votes. The party cannot rewrite Biden's history. And he may be too old a dog to learn new tricks. But he darn sure better clean up his act, but fast.
Biden is the front runner because other contenders dropped out of the race; if he keeps tripping over his own feet then we're all in trouble. The story is not the candidate's comeback, but the party's hail Mary.
1
@pi A true democrat...shooting into the circle!
6
@thewriterstuff
In 2016 I caucused for Sanders and then worked my heart out for Clinton. This year I voted for Warren and will work full time for the Democratic nominee. No exceptions.
But 2016 should've taught us that party solidarity and media support do not automatically translate into voter determination and unity.
In 2020 the party and any nominee will have a lot of uphill work to do.
Pretending otherwise, is shouting into an echo chamber and shooting into the circle. Again.
1