Once again, we have a presidential election looming and as I read diary after diary here, I see signs of Democratic circular firing squad. The alignment is simple- every other person in the circle is a Hillary supporter, the other a Bernie Sanders supporter.
First, some personal thoughts about both candidates. I like both of them- a lot. I would be quite happy to see either as President. I like Sanders’ economic plans a bit more, but I feel they might be very hard to get through Congress. Hillary has made mistakes in the past- her Iraq war vote, she isn’t quite as progressive- but she too, has some great ideas and I think would make a great President. I have not decided who to vote for in the New York primary in 2016 at this point, but I do know that who ever wins the Democratic nomination has my vote in November 2016.
Back to the circular firing squad after circular thingy below.
I have been seeing diaries and comments here, mostly from Sanders supporters, claiming they will not vote for Hillary. They will not campaign for her. They will not give money to her. They will only work for and vote for Sanders in the general election. I’m pretty sure I’ve even seen one or two comments saying Bernie should run a third party campaign if Hillary wins the nomination. There have been similar from Hillary supporters as well, but far fewer, and none of course suggesting a third party run.
Congratulations Progressives, you’ve just elected lunatic Republican Donald Jeb! Scott Marco Blowhard to the White House.
I’m sure Mr. GOP President will appoint a couple of Supreme Court justices for you who are very much like Sonia Sotomayor or Thurgood Marshall. I’m sure he’ll help make some fixes or expand the Affordable Care Act. I’m sure he’ll help public education, infrastructure spending. You’ll definitely get that awesome climate legislation from the GOP that will stop climate change.
Get my sarcasm?
Look people, it’s pretty simple. No candidate is perfect. None. Perfect doesn’t exist. Hillary is not perfect. Bernie is not perfect. But no matter how many faults either of them might have, no matter how much you may not like one of them, one of them will almost definitely be the Democratic candidate for President. To not vote for whoever wears that title in November 2016; to just stay home is basically a vote for the GOP lunatic. It is a vote for war; it is a vote against saving the environment, science, public education, health care for all, women’s rights, minority rights, and everything else we, as a progressive group stand for.
You want to point out why Bernie is better than Hillary, or vice-versa, fine. That is constructive debate. But to state that only one of them deserves your vote is just childish stupidity. I’ve voted for candidates like Walter Mondale, who I simply did not like. For as much as didn’t like him, I knew he was light years better than Reagan. That is true even more so today. Reagan comes across as a moderate conservative compared to the idiots on the GOP side today. Why would you ever want to help them?
As far as a third party run for Sanders if Hillary wins the nomination- one word: Nader. That is even worse than not voting.
We’ve heard the phrase many times: Do not let perfect be the enemy of good. Too many people here have yet to learn the meaning of it.
SHORT UPDATE:
First, thanks for so many recs. Always nice to see. :)
Second, for those wondering I've been around here a number of years (Feb 14, 2008 to be exact, but I actually read stuff on this site back in the 2004 race). I remember all too well the wars in 2008, the PUMA crap, etc.
Third, glad to see so many people say how it is just a small minority of posters that are so against Hillary. Like I said, I'm undecided. I've always been a big fan of Bernie Sanders, but I also like Hillary a lot- I've met her a couple of times; and I have a friend who is an acquaintance of hers. My goal is to try make people realize that the election is a lot bigger than either candidate and that attacking one of them just doesn't serve anyone.
Finally, for the Nader fans. I'm sorry. Yes, Al Gore ran a miserable campaign and he should have won, Florida notwithstanding. However, Nader just made it easier for Bush (and the Supreme Court), and the idea that Gore and Nader was basically the same was just pathetic. I knew it then and history has borne that out.