It’s now Saturday morning and I posted this very late last night after yet another late conversation with two Sanders supporters, so apologies for the drive-by nature of the diary (and for the fact that I’m now unable to spend this morning responding to comments).
But I do want to acknowledge, based on reading a few comments, that this diary presumes to suggest something to Clinton supporters but not to Sanders supporters. I realize that this is in some ways unfair, but it is also where we are: Clinton has likely won, so some grace would not go amiss, and many Clinton supporters here and elsewhere continue to verbally pull their hair out in frustration at the more entrenched Sanders supporters, many of whom are either young or are not traditional Democrats. My point with this diary was to humbly suggest—with the concession that this is neither easy nor probably fair—that the best way to reach them is not to ask about their vote, or try to encourage their vote, but to essentially accept that they have heartfelt concerns and a vote of their own, and instead to acknowledge their concerns and talk about your vote:
“Yeah, I hear you. You’re furious about global wealth inequality and money in politics, you’re tired of third way Democrats, you’re seriously worried about global warming and American military adventurism, and don’t see anyone doing anything about these things in our system right now. And this election shows that there are millions who agree! And the fact that it all seems unlikely to change right away—really sucks. But if Clinton ultimately wins the nomination, I am gonna vote for her, because from the remaining general election candidates, I believe she’s the most likely to at least try on these issues.”
And when they push back with lots of anti-Clinton angst (which they will), don’t debate them, just go with your own vote again.
”Oh, I understand that you have major concerns—and the Sanders campaign is sending a critically important message, and I hope that the establishment, the public, and all of the other candidates have heard it loud and clear! Still, if Clinton does win the nomination, I myself am going to vote for her. Because if she wins, I still believe she’ll be the better of the two choices in the general election to make at least some progress on Sanders’ issues. So that’s how I’m voting, after considering the issues carefully.”
That line of discussion, not heated, not defensive, not triumphalist or critical, couched as a simple statement of belief, has been much more effective with the hard-headed Sanders supporters I engage with than the more common lines of discussion that I’ve seen here and elsewhere. Sanders supporters have carefully considered concerns. I humbly suggest that Clinton supporters accept that these concerns exist and lead by example, rather than dismissing them, given that the goal and/or hope is that they ultimately come around. Forget about ego and wanting them to make an admission of some sort; instead, lay the foundation for that moment when they’re standing in the booth when ideally they’ll sigh and pull the lever for Clinton anyway.
Most will come around but more will come around if they have the sense that people everywhere are getting these concerns, or at least not rejecting them.
End of update.