Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:23 AM Mar 2020

When it looked like the Biden campaign was on its last legs, I didn't hear the pundits saying the

Sanders campaign or its supporters should make conciliatory gestures toward Biden supporters. In fact I was hearing just the opposite from those parties

I find it ironic now that the roles seem to be reversed how the pundits and others are saying that it is incumbent upon the Biden campaign to make conciliatory gestures toward the Sanders campaign

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
51 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When it looked like the Biden campaign was on its last legs, I didn't hear the pundits saying the (Original Post) still_one Mar 2020 OP
+1000 Thekaspervote Mar 2020 #1
Trying to cater to Bernie's demands worked so well the last time. comradebillyboy Mar 2020 #2
I don't have Turin_C3PO Mar 2020 #3
As soon as Sanders' top staffers stop pushing doctored videos about Biden's "dementia"... TwilightZone Mar 2020 #10
I agree Turin_C3PO Mar 2020 #14
I agree - no tolerance for that BS BS NT Rorey Mar 2020 #17
I used the term conciliatory because it was less inflamatory, and I suspect if Biden is the nominee, still_one Mar 2020 #11
Sure, Turin_C3PO Mar 2020 #15
Exactly. All sides should work together still_one Mar 2020 #22
If they don't vote for the Democratic nominee in my book that makes them a Trump supporter. usaf-vet Mar 2020 #46
I don't have a problem, to a point Rorey Mar 2020 #12
Biden is not being a sore winner ibegurpard Mar 2020 #16
Most Biden supporters Turin_C3PO Mar 2020 #18
Nor the Harris nor Buttigieg nor Klobuchar nor Bloomberg nor Yang nor Warren nor Squinch Mar 2020 #4
Agreed still_one Mar 2020 #13
K&R StarfishSaver Mar 2020 #5
Because he is not a Democrat dalton99a Mar 2020 #7
and last nights speech by Biden was very gracious, but threatening the Democratic nominee that he still_one Mar 2020 #20
His speech was very gracious. And also comforting and inspiring StarfishSaver Mar 2020 #27
all about undermining Biden and creating an issue among the big tent base, it worked in 2016 beachbumbob Mar 2020 #6
Excellent analysis!!! still_one Mar 2020 #21
yeah, let's have another Appeasement Committee declaring that the South robbedvoter Mar 2020 #8
Agreed frazzled Mar 2020 #9
+10000 emmaverybo Mar 2020 #19
Does Biden want to win? pinkstarburst Mar 2020 #23
and if Biden is the nominee, he isn't going into the general with any expectations as was evidenced still_one Mar 2020 #26
because "we have to defeat Trump." That kind of thinking didn't work for us in 2016. 2naSalit Mar 2020 #28
Silly comparison. It would've been ridiculously presumptuous for Sanders to do that. thesquanderer Mar 2020 #24
Thank you LoveMyCali Mar 2020 #43
+1000 redstatebluegirl Mar 2020 #25
While I agree totally with winning with class Docreed2003 Mar 2020 #29
Working together as oppossed to making demands still_one Mar 2020 #31
Exactly this Docreed2003 Mar 2020 #32
It makes sense for Biden to do that regardless of what the pundits did or didn't say Sapient Donkey Mar 2020 #30
Indeed. I even heard some ultra-Sanders supporters wanting Biden to withdraw for the sake pampango Mar 2020 #33
Because he was not on his last legs, obviously. Bernie is, however. boston bean Mar 2020 #34
K & R SunSeeker Mar 2020 #35
Most of what I heard was this... llmart Mar 2020 #36
And in fact Joe is making conciliatory gestures to Sanders supporters. totodeinhere Mar 2020 #37
yeah...I'm tired of irony.. stillcool Mar 2020 #38
Same thing happened to Hillary. NYC Liberal Mar 2020 #39
Let's all heal and save the nation--TOGETHER. slumcamper Mar 2020 #40
Typically, the press starts doing this after Super Tuesday, especially if there is a clear leader keopeli Mar 2020 #41
As long as David Sirota and his ilk continue to try and help Bernie Sanders... Sloumeau Mar 2020 #42
Always play fair when you are holding a winning hand DIVINEprividence Mar 2020 #44
My response is and always will be FUCK THEM! William769 Mar 2020 #45
I think the delegate count makes this a bit different randr Mar 2020 #47
I think keepthemhonestO Mar 2020 #48
sure still_one Mar 2020 #49
They knew S Carolina was ahead, and so was other southern states alfredo Mar 2020 #50
How's the weather at your place? Sucha NastyWoman Mar 2020 #51
 

comradebillyboy

(10,424 posts)
2. Trying to cater to Bernie's demands worked so well the last time.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:26 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Turin_C3PO

(15,505 posts)
3. I don't have
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:26 AM
Mar 2020

a problem with Biden supporters being conciliatory to Sanders voters. It’s called not being a sore winner and Biden exemplifies that. We desperately need party unity or we will lose in November.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

TwilightZone

(28,359 posts)
10. As soon as Sanders' top staffers stop pushing doctored videos about Biden's "dementia"...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:34 AM
Mar 2020

perhaps we can start being conciliatory.

I'm of the opposite opinion. Some of these people were never going to vote for anyone other than Bernie, and we shouldn't feel it necessary to kiss up to people who think the Trump War Room is a valid source.

We have party unity. We have as much party unity as we've had in years. Personally, I think the noise should just be ignored, and I suspect there's going to be little or no tolerance for the kind of nonsense that occurred in 2016.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Turin_C3PO

(15,505 posts)
14. I agree
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:38 AM
Mar 2020

that we’re going to be unified. But there’s no point any longer in pissing off Sanders supporters unnecessarily, especially the ones at DU who seem to be loyal Democrats. I’d be surprised if more than 10% of Sanders voters didn’t support our eventual nominee.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Rorey

(8,512 posts)
17. I agree - no tolerance for that BS BS NT
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:40 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
11. I used the term conciliatory because it was less inflamatory, and I suspect if Biden is the nominee,
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:37 AM
Mar 2020

he will make conciliatory gestures, but if threats are made that they must do this or that or they will not vote for the Democratic nominee in the general election, is unacceptable


If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Turin_C3PO

(15,505 posts)
15. Sure,
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:40 AM
Mar 2020

we shouldn’t give in to blackmail. And the people who are not going to support the nominee should be ignored and isolated.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
22. Exactly. All sides should work together
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:45 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

usaf-vet

(6,816 posts)
46. If they don't vote for the Democratic nominee in my book that makes them a Trump supporter.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:58 PM
Mar 2020

Biden's VP choice should help to unify the party. But in any case, the primary objective is to get Trump out of office. PERIOD!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Rorey

(8,512 posts)
12. I don't have a problem, to a point
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:37 AM
Mar 2020

I don't know that Joe Biden is being a "sore winner", though I'm sure it can feel like that to some who support Sanders.

On one hand, we need to get every vote we can get, but history shows that some aren't going to do what's obviously in the best interest of the country because they'll be nursing hard feelings.

Some folks can't be won over, so to speak, no matter how conciliatory the victor is. That's just the way it is. We'll have to do everything we can to win without them.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

ibegurpard

(16,840 posts)
16. Biden is not being a sore winner
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:40 AM
Mar 2020

Some others? particularly on this board? different story.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Turin_C3PO

(15,505 posts)
18. Most Biden supporters
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:41 AM
Mar 2020

have been very gracious winners. I’ve only seen a few questionable posts. Biden sets a great example.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Squinch

(52,400 posts)
4. Nor the Harris nor Buttigieg nor Klobuchar nor Bloomberg nor Yang nor Warren nor
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:29 AM
Mar 2020

any of the others' supporters.

None of those camps demanded prizes for participation.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
5. K&R
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:29 AM
Mar 2020

All too true. Bernie's always treated as a special case.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

dalton99a

(84,048 posts)
7. Because he is not a Democrat
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:32 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
20. and last nights speech by Biden was very gracious, but threatening the Democratic nominee that he
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:43 AM
Mar 2020

must do this or that, or they will not support him in the general election, is unacceptable.

When Rep. Clyburn said, let Biden be Biden, really hit the target. I sure hope Rep. Clyburn is part of the Biden campaign, and will be part of a Biden administration if Biden wins the general election


If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

StarfishSaver

(18,486 posts)
27. His speech was very gracious. And also comforting and inspiring
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:58 AM
Mar 2020

I feel very good about how things are going in the party right now.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

beachbumbob

(9,263 posts)
6. all about undermining Biden and creating an issue among the big tent base, it worked in 2016
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:32 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
21. Excellent analysis!!!
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:43 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

robbedvoter

(28,290 posts)
8. yeah, let's have another Appeasement Committee declaring that the South
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:32 AM
Mar 2020

is not allowed to vote - in fact only Vermont, NH, NV and IA are! Because - enthusiasm!


If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
9. Agreed
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:32 AM
Mar 2020

That was the huge mistake in 2016, imo. I don't recall in previous primaries that non-winning candidates were given such an outsized role after a presumptive nominee was achieved. They got to speak at the convention for 5 or 10 minutes maybe, and there were probably backroom deals to be made about them releasing delegates. But they didn't get to have such a big role in writing the platform and dominating committees, and their delegates certainly weren't allowed to boo and demonstrate.

Maybe this is a function of the party becoming so "split." We're always worried about alienating a single voting segment. But frankly, we do cater to this contingent at the party's own peril (as the Republicans did to the Tea Party). Most Sanders voters and delegates are going to do the right thing in the end, but the vocal minority that won't aren't Democrats anyway and have never voted so. We don't need them, and they are more than made up for this time by the energetic black base and by massive numbers of suburban women.

So no: not this time, no how. It only weakens our chances in November.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

pinkstarburst

(1,537 posts)
23. Does Biden want to win?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:48 AM
Mar 2020

And if Sanders is the nominee, absolutely he will have to make concessions, pick a moderate VP, adjust his platform so that he can pick up votes from moderates. I think the reason you didn't hear about "concessions" was that the pundits were so busy screaming "the sky is falling if we nominate a progressive" and lighting their hair on fire.

In all seriousness, Joe has to play this smart. He can't go into the general with the expectation ANY group of people is just going to fall in line and vote for him because "we have to defeat Trump." That kind of thinking didn't work for us in 2016. It's not going to work this time around either. Joe has made such a show of how he can reach out to republicans, reach out to independent voters, reach out to AA voters. If he wants progressives to show up and vote for him of course he's going to have to change his messaging, give them some of the things they were dreaming for with Bernie and give them a reason to vote for him. Or if he doesn't care, that's his choice, but the moment Bernie is out of the race? Any failure to get those votes is 100% on JOE.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
26. and if Biden is the nominee, he isn't going into the general with any expectations as was evidenced
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:55 AM
Mar 2020

by his speech last night.

Reaching out to the opposition within the Democratic party is good, but making demands, or they won't get support or votes in the general election is not


If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

2naSalit

(92,067 posts)
28. because "we have to defeat Trump." That kind of thinking didn't work for us in 2016.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 11:03 AM
Mar 2020

We had Obama as president at that time not the Godzilla president. There will be more voters than you can imagine wanting to oust the incumbent this time.

Joe needs to make NO concessions to the interloper wannabe democrat. i think you give Bernie too much credit for losing.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

thesquanderer

(12,305 posts)
24. Silly comparison. It would've been ridiculously presumptuous for Sanders to do that.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 10:53 AM
Mar 2020

After Nevada, you think he should have assumed Biden's campaign was over and made conciliatory gestures? Come on. He would have been railed against for the hubris, and rightly so.

The situation now is enormously different, because unlike Biden after Nevada, Sanders' campaign really IS effectively over. That makes it an entirely different circumstance.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

LoveMyCali

(2,032 posts)
43. Thank you
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:45 PM
Mar 2020

I was wondering if I was the only one who saw a difference between two primaries and 49. The numbers just aren't there anymore, time to concentrate on ridding ourselves of the Republican swamp.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Docreed2003

(17,683 posts)
29. While I agree totally with winning with class
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 11:04 AM
Mar 2020

I'm having a hard time with the idea that we're just supposed to bend over backwards and kiss asses of the same individuals who booed party leaders viciously at the convention in 2016, including icons like John Lewis.

I want to unite the party, but it's hard to get past things like that and the current attacks on Biden.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

still_one

(96,046 posts)
31. Working together as oppossed to making demands
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 11:06 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Sapient Donkey

(1,568 posts)
30. It makes sense for Biden to do that regardless of what the pundits did or didn't say
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 11:05 AM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

pampango

(24,692 posts)
33. Indeed. I even heard some ultra-Sanders supporters wanting Biden to withdraw for the sake
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 11:56 AM
Mar 2020

of 'unity'. I don't remember them urging 'conciliatory gestures' to Biden and his supporters.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

boston bean

(36,428 posts)
34. Because he was not on his last legs, obviously. Bernie is, however.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:00 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

llmart

(16,319 posts)
36. Most of what I heard was this...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:19 PM
Mar 2020

"The Democrats are in disarray." I thought it was a load of crap then and now of course we know it was a load of crap.

The pundits aren't happy unless they have controversy, even if it's fabricated.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

totodeinhere

(13,250 posts)
37. And in fact Joe is making conciliatory gestures to Sanders supporters.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:25 PM
Mar 2020

In his speech Tuesday night he thanked Bernie and his supporters and invited them to join his campaign.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

stillcool

(32,632 posts)
38. yeah...I'm tired of irony..
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:38 PM
Mar 2020

bothsiderism, and all the rest of the bullshit coming from egotistical madmen, and sychophants. There's so much going on, and this Bernie crap can not interfere with my attention span. He is one human being, not nearly as important as he thinks he is.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NYC Liberal

(20,331 posts)
39. Same thing happened to Hillary.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:41 PM
Mar 2020

The media expected her to make all kinds of concessions and overtures to Bernie supporters after winning the primaries.

Then when she lost to Trump, the media said nothing about Trump making concessions — even though he lost the popular vote.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

slumcamper

(1,701 posts)
40. Let's all heal and save the nation--TOGETHER.
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:41 PM
Mar 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

keopeli

(3,579 posts)
41. Typically, the press starts doing this after Super Tuesday, especially if there is a clear leader
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:43 PM
Mar 2020

They did it in 08 with Hillary, but she wouldn't bow out graciously. Obama had to struggle with Hillary supporters as a result.

They did it in every election I can think of since the 1980s. It's not a Sanders thing. It's what they say when one candidate is clearly going to win the nomination, and not before Super Tuesday.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Sloumeau

(2,657 posts)
42. As long as David Sirota and his ilk continue to try and help Bernie Sanders...
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:44 PM
Mar 2020

get elected by lying about Joe Biden, I require no conciliatory gestures on Joe Biden's part.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

DIVINEprividence

(443 posts)
44. Always play fair when you are holding a winning hand
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:54 PM
Mar 2020

“Always play fair when you are holding the winning hand” -Oscar Wilde

Being nice to Sanders is just smart politics for Biden. Who cares what Sanders does. Biden has won it and the fact he is trying to reach out to unify the party just makes me secure he is the right choice as the nominee.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

William769

(55,783 posts)
45. My response is and always will be FUCK THEM!
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 12:56 PM
Mar 2020

They know what's at stake, if they can live with that then so be it.

I'll be dammed if I am going to kiss their lilly white asses.

In case anyone misses my understanding, here it is again. FUCK THEM!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

randr

(12,462 posts)
47. I think the delegate count makes this a bit different
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 01:03 PM
Mar 2020

I thought it hyperbolic for Bernie to claim the lead before Super Tuesday.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

keepthemhonestO

(278 posts)
48. I think
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 01:09 PM
Mar 2020

because half of his supporters are rabid sycophants and they voted not for Clinton last time and they are going to vote trump or 3rd party again. I say we can win with half of them but the other half are more reasonable so maybe we should try to whew them over?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

alfredo

(60,131 posts)
50. They knew S Carolina was ahead, and so was other southern states
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 01:20 PM
Mar 2020

It was too soon to write the Biden CampaIgn’s obit.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Sucha NastyWoman

(2,886 posts)
51. How's the weather at your place?
Wed Mar 11, 2020, 01:23 PM
Mar 2020

If it’s decent why not go out for a walk? Take your pets if you have them. If the weathers bad why not do something that you’ve been putting off that really needs to be done.

You are going to be Getting what you wanted very shortly. You should be happy about that. Why not try to keep things in perspective?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
Latest Discussions»Retired Forums»Democratic Primaries»When it looked like the B...