Open warfare broke out in the Democratic party last week, with Bernie Sanders aggressively attacking Hillary Clinton. Clinton realized that retaliating directly would alienate Sander’s supporters even more, and she needs them for the general election. But surrogates, including Madelene Albright, Gloria Steinem, and even Bill, jumped into the fray. And it got personal, which is funny because Clinton and Sanders pretty much agree on goals, they mainly disagree on tactics.
Oh well, it was a welcome relief from the Republican party candidates, who had jumped the shark long ago and were becoming tiresome and predictable.
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Well luckily I think that most primary dem supporters would back a dem candidate over a rep, so hopefully something like that wouldnt happen out of spite. More likely for Clinton backers to go over to the red than Sanders backers I would imagine though, but very unlikely for a nutter like Cruz. If/when the superdelegates pick a moderate it will be a tougher battle
As I recall the 2008 campaign, the Clinton camp was far less civil than during this campaign, especially Bill who was very condescending to Blacks in SC. We came together just fine by November despite the yelling, screaming and childish threats to not vote.
I loathe Bill Clinton but I accept Hillary Clinton as a flawed but good second choice and will enthusiastically campaign for her if she wins the nomination.
I think, in the case of a Sanders nomination, that there would be some defection to the GOP from the Clinton camp, at least if 2008 can be used as a test case. I think Sanders supporters, in the case of a Clinton nomination, would simply be less likely to vote. Pick your poison, they’re both awful results.
It is extremely unfortunate that the debates and general tenor of the Democratic primaries are turning foul. Still a far cry from the GOP field, but with an enthusiasm gap favoring the Republicans, I was sincerely hoping for the discourse to stay exceptionally civil between Sanders, Clinton, and their supporters/surrogates. While I support Sanders, seeing folks act as if Clinton is another Bush or worse is just silly. Not liberal enough =/= neo-con. On Clinton’s side, it’s been her tone-deaf surrogates like Steinem that just continue to sap any enthusiasm or inspiration I’d take from a Clinton nomination.
IK wrote, Clinton and Sanders pretty much agree on goals, they mainly disagree on tactics.
They agree on goals only because Sanders’ candidacy has pushed Clinton’s campaign rhetoric to the left of her natural DLC comfort zone.
David and Thatguy — Hillary is civil when she believes she’s a shoo-in. Bernie’s performance in the first two States kinda guaranteed she and her surrogates would start getting nasty.
And, despite Sanders’ little joke about it, we haven’t hit the “kitchen sink” phase yet — in ’08, that’s when Clinton’s campaign went racist, much to my amazement. If Bernie does well in any of the Southern States, look out!
Seems like we could all (the whole country) participate in one big IRV (instant runoff voting) election right now and save ourselves a LOT of time and tantrums.
On the other hand, some candidates could very possibly come up with entertaining statements
I especially enjoy when people pile onto Barack Obama for not declaring war against DAESH ISIS when it is Congress who is responsible for declaring war. Or the way money is or is not spent, or taxes not raised or lowered.
Have any of these people even read the Constitution? If not, why are they allowed to vote?
Redjon, I agree. Of course, that is the reason the Democratic party instituted “superdelegates” (who are mostly your Congresspeople and Senators); and then everyone screams about how undemocratic it is. You just can’t win.