Bernie's not going to drag it out like he did in 2016. That was pretty clear from the change in tone at his press conference, and from his explicit statement AFTER Super Tuesday that if Biden has more delegates at the end he's the winner.

He's staying in for a little longer to hold Biden accountable on the issues. Which is what he got in it to do originally in 2016. And someone on CNN also pointed out that he's giving Biden an opening to convince his supporters who aren't yet committed to voting for Biden in November.

There’s going to be 5-6 months of nonstop attacks from Trump and the right wing. That’s enough.

Biden is not going to be held hostage by Bernie on M4ALL or whatever else he wants to demand. Biden has expanded his coalition and with the increase turnout it should make up for any Bernie supporters that refuse to vote to Biden. It was clear Bernie couldn't even get his supporters to come out and vote for him unless there are a whole lot fewer than we've been led to believe exist. What an utter failure his run ended up being.

to BS under any circumstances.

The Voters have spoken.. This is a Democracy!

That’s our job as voters and we seem to be making a pretty profoundly obvious statement as to our preferences.

To hold anyone accountable. The voters already did that. This is not close. It's a massive landslide.

In 2016? We got trump who didn’t care who bernie supposedly held accountable.

The differences are like should the TP end be over the top or under the bottom when there is no TP available any more because of a pandemic.

Sounds like hostage taking to me. Make promises or I’ll screw up Democratic chances in November? Is that what you mean and what you’re defending?

Link to tweet

Bernie is in a far worse position than he was at this point in 2016. The wind is now at Biden's back. Stop trying to ruin that by forcing it.

This argument goes both ways. A vote for Joe is a vote to return to the status quo. That would be the status quo that gave us Trump. In my opinion, and in many others' opinion, it wasn't Sanders who took down the last election, it was the incredible hostility towards, dismissal of, and taking for granted the far left's vote that turned many would-be democratic voters off, including the bullshit moves by the DNC especially in Nevada 2015. So maybe you want to back off a bit. Lessons were not learned on BOTH sides of this primary's candidates.

Just wanted to add a voice to support your thoughts. This site is not truly representative of the greater Democratic Party who have favorable views of both Biden and Bernie. However, this site is over represented by Bernie haters who post daily attack after attack against Bernie, his supporters or generally anyone on the left of the party. Some are valid attacks because all people including politicians have warts, but many and I would say a great majority are just inauthentic either made up or misrepresented.

Your contention that the argument goes both ways is absolutely correct. I was very worried about Hillary's chances in 2016 because Hillary had high net negatives in the population from the second she announced. Many of the negatives were unfair but some were entirely rational such as democratic party members like me who had policy concerns about her. I did not support her because of her support for the war and statements like We will never never have a single payer system. If you support single payer and also know that the overwhelming support in the general population for that change, you were entirely rational in not believing Hillary was a good candidate. As a practical matter of electability, I thought it was crazy to push a candidate with high net unfavorables against Trump who had slightly higher net unfavorables. I wish Warren or Biden had run then or other candidates who did not run to clear Hillary's path in 2016.

On this site and in this post, you see constant references to the fact that some people who voted for Sanders either didn't Vote for Hillary, voted Third Party or voted for Trump. This particular poster knows that this pattern is very typical in a contested primary and has been told over and over and over that the numbers are less than the number of Hillary Voters that voted for McCain over Obama. The poster also ignores that many non-sanders supporters who voted for Obama did not vote for Hillary. Does that mean that Obama supporters were responsible for Hillary's loss? Think about it, the comparison is the same but unlike this poster, I would not blame Obama voters who didn't vote for Hillary. A candidate loses because they lose and if someone didn't vote for Hillary, it is her campaign that is at fault or maybe she just was the wrong candidate for the wrong time. However, if you are going to blame Bernie Supporters start blaming Obama Supporter/voters as well.

I supported Sanders in 2016 cause of policies. I supported Warren in this race because the policies were similar but the irrational hatred exhibited on this site against Sanders which does exist in the democratic party (merely because he did have the effrontery to run in 2016 and do well) might not be thrown against Warren.

With respect to Sanders in 2016, I suspect he just ran to get issues in the debate and was probably surprised by the support and votes he got. Just now, for the first time, I hear in the punditry and media statements in a side swipe at Sanders that maybe his 2016 support reflected more about Hillary and the fact that many democrats were uncomfortable with her because of her war votes and lack of early support for issues supported by the left. However, as you have pointed out, the moderate wing which pushed Hillary does not consider that maybe it was her moderateness and dismissal of the left rather than other features that caused problems in 2016 although I am now seeing some movement in the pundit class admitting that maybe not everyone viewed Hillary favorably. Today I saw a few pundits minimizing Bernie by speculating that his 2016 support was more a reflection of Hillary without realizing that maybe they were saying that the 2016 candidate might have had some weaknesses. I would have preferred that we saw some of those admissions in 2016

Joe Biden does not have the net unfavorables that Hillary had in 2016 which makes me more optimistic about his chances against Trump. However, again we are being sold an inflated version of Biden that bears no relation to his actual history. His history is one of a moderate corporate democrat not a progressive champion of the middle class. He does not inspire hate but he is not a beloved figure who everyone loves. This is not to dismiss all of his support. Like most politicians he has some true blue supporters. However, he is also being oversold with a push that the support he gets from his deep supporters is universal.

As you pointed out, there is a dismissal of the real meaning of Bernie's support currently and in 2016 that the moderates dismiss or avoid. The system does not actually work for a lot of people. US wealth inequality continues to grow. Our upward mobility in the economic system is almost gone. Young people face a world that has limited work, expensive schooling and climate change coming. These crises are dismissed by Moderates who claim that they have the same goals. Their argument continues that the only difference between progressives and moderates is that moderates want incremental change. This is an arguable point but obscures that actually moderates and progressives often want different policies including M4A. Incremental change on agreed polices may be correct but it may not be correct. Incremental change is often a study as a way of avoiding tough change. Further, there is no real followup in explaining how if Sanders can not get through his changing the system how Biden or any moderate would get any incremental change through. Sanders says a voting revolution. Moderates say change the Senate. These are two statements of the same idea.

Anyhow, this is longer than I meant to post. Your post and my post will not get far as emotions in a primary are high and people don't actually want to understand the reason Bernie does have supporters. They would rather dismiss them as unicorn hunters, babies, inflexible, etc etc. You know the attacks by now.

I felt the same way about Hillary in 2016. It's why I voted for Sanders. I feel the same way about Biden this time. I supported Warren until last week. When I added Bernie as my primary choice, boy did the site ever become more hostile. The Bernie hate is strong here.

And i believe Biden is much more acceptable to a great many people and yet there are so many pushing for a scorched earth effort when its just not necessary.

And you really don’t see a difference between fascism and democracy. Got it.

I said mistakes were made on both sides in 2016. I never advocated for or against either Biden or Sanders. And my post is a far cry from saying I want to keep fascism.

Especially since I forewarned the rise of US fascism waaay back in 2005, which I posted on DU back then.

You should probably keep your assumptions to yourself about people you don't know.

I’m so sick of people up in arms over some imaginary DNC boogie-man bullshit that exists only in their fevered imagination.

The opposite has been proven pretty convincingly. Long, drawn-out primaries more often than not are not a net-positive.

https://www.vox.com/2016/5/5/11593668/close-primaries-general-election

Bernie will attack from the left while Trump (who doesn't give a crap about the corona virus) will be attacking from the right using all kinds of fake crap.

so why allow this to continue... do you NOT want Biden to win in November?

Part of me thinks it could be beneficial to have a Joe debate one on one when relatively no one is watching for practice. The other part of me realizes this could be damaging if Bernie goes hard from the left.

did to Hillary.

Didn't do that!

but that does Not change the gd reality.

Much as I might call your own post a 'personal hysteria' were I to give in to irrational and unsupported thought.

But there is a difference between remaining in the race and concentrating on your own issue and going full attack mode. BS missed the chance to show that he cares more about his issues than his own ambitions.

Otherwise, I'd agree. Relax and let the next primaries happen. If the current poll numbers are correct, what's not to like about Florida administering the next ass-kicking? Enjoy it.

He did exactly what you said - focused on issues and the only person he attacked was Trump. I was pleasantly surprised. I'm a little surprised by how much criticism he's getting here after the press conference today.

He is going scorched earth and endangers the General...disgusting behavior.

I only followed the threads here and it sounded he took shots at Biden and the "Democratic establishment" etc.
Putting the focus on trying to make his plans more viable and concentrating on beating Trump would be the correct path, also in the long run when it's about trying to shape the Dem platform.

seems you are the one exhibiting 'mass hysteria." Biden will handle himself just fine in a debate. He is presidential material........Sanders is not.

Looks like the thread got deleted. Bottom line: it comes with the territory. In the heat of competition, tempers are going to flare up. I deeply respect both Sanders and Biden.

Long time lurker, first time poster, voted for Bernie, but Biden is an honorable man who has my complete support.

I think you all are overreacting to a press conference (yes, a rather stupid press conference), there is nothing wrong with continuing to a debate this weekend before the next primaries on Tuesday. If Bernie gets blown out (Hint: he will), then he should drop out. Nothing adverse is going to happen to Biden by pressing this forward one week. Hell, he'll prob shine in a one on one debate.

Then that's something people should consider, because he's going to have to debate Trump in the fall and I for one want to know that he's still as good at that as he was 8 years ago when he debated Paul Ryan.

I didn't think the press conference was stupid, though. I think Bernie was sending a message with his change in tone that he's not going to do what he did in 2016. He doesn't want Trump to win any more than we do.

His campaign staff are retweeting Trump and Trump's staff. Bernie can't catch up, so the debate or anything else doesn't matter. Bernie has to get above 70% of the remaining votes. He barely got above 50% in Vermont.

But the same logic does not apply to Bernie. Classic BS.

And had only 70ish delegates. She was my choice too and I was sad to see her go. But it wasn't getting any better for her.

https://www.opensecrets.org/news/2020/03/warren-ends-her-bid/

She Could Have Just Coasted, and waited for Bernie to go anti everyone like he did last time.

In fact, mathematically, she had a better chance then than Sanders has now.

And it's not getting any better for him.

November will be the most consequential election in modern American history.

He should get out of the way.

But I expect he'll continue to humiliate himself with more crushing defeats in the coming days, weeks and months.

and some wonder why only Bernie and Tulsi are left when Liz, Amy, Pete, and others decided to back down and clear the way for Joe.

Continuing the fight is only a waste of time and resources. As everyone else realizes.

agenda. He needs to go.

It will only continue to grow the divide and weaken Biden. I understand that logic if this race was essentially tied or that Bernie had strong momentum. But that isn't the case. What good does it do to have Bernie continue to hammer Biden and continue to play up the idea he's having the primary stolen from him by the corrupt DNC?

I'm seeing discussion, though spirited at times.

I saw three OPs become "post removed" in one hour today.

eliminated, he should drop out and work to unite the party.
Then we can all move on to defeat Trump.

Save ourselves, save the planet!

ideology first, the rest of us a fucking distant second

after trump, Moscow Mitch, Graham and the other scum repugs in the Senate.

Bernie fans were stating that Biden should drop out if he lost SC or won it only by a few percentage points. I don't think you can in good faith question Biden supporters who have done the math after many primaries when Bernie fans were pressing Biden to drop out before Super Tuesday.

Warren until she dropped out. Bernie in the Primaries last time. Bernie not sounding like he understands the reality of where we’re at or how much damage a protracted fight could cause pushed me to back Biden this morning- and he was pretty close to the bottom of my list of preferred nominees. It’s over, and going much further only helps Trump. We can’t afford another 4 years of him.

and they deserve to see him giving al his efforts to take every possible chance possible of winning. I suspect after the big States vote in March (Ohio, ill, Fl.+) if the situation remains as it is now, It will be clear not only to Bernie, but to his supporters as well. I think that will be good for everybody. We as a party don't need another election where some of Bernie's supporters vote for DT as payback to the party for treating their candidate unfairly.

Just pragmatic. Sorry you disagree

www.democraticunderground.com/1287658508

I welcome 2 hours of our ideas out on national TV Sunday night. It'll be a Trump free zone.

Joe supporters assume Trump will not show up for the GE debates. Wrong.

let's give DEMOCRACY a fighting chance for eff sake!

They seem to feel that support of Bernie is an affront to the party, even if they are winning. It seems to be a purity thing with them.

There’s plenty of time for Bernie to drop out. Having an opponent is a good thing for Biden

I remember my first strawman fallacy.

Clyburn wants to avoid debate, what he is calling for is outrageous.

Not hysteria. Frustration with Sander's agenda of disruption, and discord. His goal is not to win, but to cause chaos.

I am tired of chaos.

there is "mass hysteria." I think that the majority of the Biden supporters do fear Trump getting a second term. I agree with you that Bernie dropping out right now would not reduce that possibility -- in fact, I think it would be much more likely to do the exact opposite. I also think there is a small core here that have very little understanding of politics, and who take glee in insulting Sanders and his supporters.

Funny, I didn't notice it.

We just dont want ANYTHING giving BLOTUS a good shot at 4 more years.
That includes Sanders yelling and lecturing.
A matter of an old mans ego for his
Imaginary revolution.

sanders not dropping out may help Biden. sanders keeps on losing primaries by large margins nnly strenghten's Joe's position https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/03/11/no-surprise-bernie-sanders-is-still-all-about-himself-never-party/

Just amazement that BS plans to follow his old same ole same ole.

If he has the money, he should stay in.

A presidential primary helps the other races. Helps get out the vote. Helps get people thinking about Senator Races, Congressional Races, Mayoral races, Governor races.

Everyone remembers 2016. I remember 2008 and the 50 state strategy. Every state should have a chance to weigh in on who should be our nominee. And every down-race candidate should have a decent amount of voters making decisions about their viability.

In a state that Bernie might win or might show well in, other progressive candidates may also be voted for. Affects the entire state, affects, congress, the senate.

NO!!!!! Bernie should not drop out. Let him continue to pull some states to the left. Let him continue to empower progressive down-race candidates.

People are not looking at the big picture.

If Bernie does the right thing at the Convention, and campaigns actively for Biden in the Fall, then having him in the race until June is a very, very good thing.

PS. My state doesn't vote until April.

attacking our presumptive nominee. Biden supporters are all about beating Donald Trump...time to move on...after Florida...he will have lost 16 states and be 200 delegates behind at least.