So, I have visited web sites and read newspaper articles that showed both Sanders and Clinton at their best and at their worst. I have looked at voting records and looked through the history of their politics, and, and… have been undecided through the whole process.
After determining that both candidates have their strengths and their weaknesses, and realizing I was still unable to make a decision, I decided to look toward web sites like DKos and others, where supposed healthy debate among progressives/Democrats occurs, to get some more perspective. I read diaries for and against both candidates. Diaries that talked positively about Hillary Clinton also spoke highly of Sanders, but the authors reasoned through their support for Clinton and that was that. The running commentary on her campaign of course talked her up and pointed out her good qualities. What they did not do is talk about Sanders and his supporters like they are evil and part of a smear campaign or a conspiracy to take down Clinton because of what she stands for.
Articles for Sanders ranged from intelligent discussions on the topics to rants on how the Washington establishment is out to get him or how Clinton is this corporate peon who is completely corrupt and evil or how, get this, endorsements for Clinton don’t mean anything because they are all part of this conspiracy against Sanders and prove how corrupt Clinton and her ilk are where as endorsements for Sanders are full of meaning and innocent of any special interest and prove that this country is ready for his brand of politics/revolution. But really, it is not the diaries from Sanders supporters that gave me the willies, it was the comments that I read from Sanders supporters, especially for diaries that are pro-Clinton OR even just skeptical of Sanders.
I was blown away by the complete inability for Sanders supporters to respect that people may actually support Hillary Clinton for valid reasons. No, instead the comments run from — this author must be ignorant of the “truth” (i.e., not intelligent enough to figure it out) to this author must be part of an organized smear campaign. They question whether the author is even who they say they are. Clinton supporters are born liars, I guess. They cry foul every time someone points out Sanders’ or his campaign’s weaknesses. They declare that people are using scare tactics when they point out how he still has to work with what will most likely be a Republican Congress and so far there is no hint of how his ideas are going to even leave the starting line, let alone get passed into law. They just refuse to believe that there are any honest, concerned citizens out there who think Clinton is the better candidate for whatever reasons they have.
To tell you the truth, I have not been able to read through comments without thinking that Sanders supporters are starting to sound as nuts as the extreme right.
I have worked in politics on and off since I was in college. I have gone door-to-door working on clean water, healthcare and other issues that are very important to me. I have done the same for political candidates. I know what it is like to feel passionate about an issue or a candidate. But NEVER have I engaged in the rhetoric and complete negativity that I am seeing here on DKos and other places by Sanders supporters, especially toward people that are basically ON THE SAME SIDE. Using “Sanders supporters are just passionate and fed up with the status quo” as an excuse for this type of rude, nasty, uncivil behavior is just wrong.
But, yes, that is just his supporters, what about Sanders and his campaign? Well, lo and behold, they are also crying foul whenever a union/NGO/prominent individual endorses Clinton. The leadership of Planned Parenthood are part of the Washington establishment out to get Sanders. The Human Rights Campaign is accused of this as well. Never mind it could actually be that people have thought long and hard over this and have decided that they feel Hillary is the best candidate for this country. Forget the fact that Hillary Clinton might actually have some positive qualities that would make her a good president. NOOoooo. It is a conspiracy against Sanders.
So after I have thought long and hard and truly struggled with this decision, it is this extreme rhetoric from not only Sanders supporters, but his campaign as well, that has made me realize there really is no other choice but to support Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee. I cannot support a candidate who is content spreading conspiracy theories as a way to convince voters to vote for him.
And his supporters? Well, I have no desire to identify with a group of people who considers insulting people’s intelligence, calling them liars, and accusing them of being heartless corporate junkies who just want the status quo an okay thing to do. No, not all Sanders supporters do it, but I have yet to see any Sanders supporters stand up and say, enough is enough. I HAVE seen plenty of Sanders supporters defend their fellow Sanders fans and belittle those who call them out...which in the end is just as bad or worse. We have enough rancor and ugliness in our politics, adding to it and defending it is not going to save this country, it is only going to hurt it further.