2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Bill Press: Sanders didnt damage Clintons public image [View all]bekkilyn
(454 posts)Not because she had a D, but because she was the candidate running for *President* I wanted to vote for because she supported a progressive platform I wanted to vote for. Not only that, but I was spending hours out at the polls *campaigning* for her and the other Democratic candidates and also joined the local Dem organization of my county....a county which went blue by a huge percentage in a state that went to Trump (NC).
Much of my excitement was inspired by Bernie. Without Bernie, I would have likely held my nose and voted for Hillary in order to defeat Trump, but over the course of participating in the primaries and watching the DNC and getting involved, I began to respect her more and more and now feel that she would have made a very good President. Yes, I still would have preferred Bernie, but I would have been very happy with Hillary. (And I'm *glad* Bernie chose to run as a Democrat instead of an Independent because it would have stolen many, many votes from the Democratic candidate and ensured a Republican victory. At least with either Bernie or Hillary we would have had a chance at winning.)
As it is, I've been depressed for weeks due to Trump winning (or more likely, stealing) the election that it's discouraging to come here and see people who should be progressive allies against the fascism and evil strengthening in this country sitting here blaming each other over ridiculous things. It's ridiculous that either Bernie or Hillary are to blame. They had a good competitive primary which ended up making Hillary stronger and making the Democratic platform stronger.
But due to rampant hate and discrimination, the media, people who vote R because of the R...basically people supporting Trump for *any* reason, or indirectly supporting Trump by voting 3rd party or NOT voting, Republican VOTER SUPPRESSION, and possibly Republican poll tampering, Hillary lost the electoral college.
It is extremely unproductive to blame each other. Bernie and Hillary aren't. Build bridges not walls and UNITE!