Let’s take a trip down memory lane. Everyone is emotionally invested now but we were in 2008, too.
The process was more front loaded in 2008, but by March 13, 2008 about 60% of pledged delegates had been elected and Obama held an insurmountable 5% lead. In comparison by March 15th, 2016, 45% of delegates will be elected, but if Clinton holds or expands her lead she will hold a 10% to 15% equally insurmountable delegate lead. Sanders would need to win all the rest 2-1. It isn’t realistic. Unless he cuts into her delegate lead by March 15th instead. This is why Markos picked that date.
It is true that things are different here on DailyKos in 2016 than they were in 2008. Only about 10% of readers supported Clinton in 2008 where as 53% still supported Sanders in the latest straw poll. As a result, the conversation was different then. Clinton supporters felt harassed and there was not much concern of DailyKos being used to trash the inevitable nominee, President Obama. Instead of posts attacking the front runner, Obama, the Recommended list was asking Hillary to quit. However, the Clinton supporters were not ready to accept this either. A fight broke out attacking Kos then too:
Ok, scanning through TV channels there on Fox was a stunning sight. A Hillery supporter whining to Bill O'Riley about blogging on Kos and explaining the so-called "strike".
Kos hasn’t changed. He’s always advocated rallying around the leader. On March 13, 2008 he wrote:
Clinton's "discredit Obama and the process" strategy
Thu Mar 13, 2008 at 11:00:03 AM PDT
At this point we know that 1) Obama will end the contest with the most pledged delegates, 2) Obama will likely end the contest with the popular vote tally, 3) Obama will end the contest with the most money and greatest fundraising potential, 4) Obama will end the contest with the most states, 5) Obama will end the contest with the best poll numbers against McCain, and 6) Obama will end the contest with the most primary state victories and caucus state victories.
So what's left for Team Clinton?
This led to the following response:
Writers Strike at DailyKos
Fri Mar 14, 2008 at 05:13:21 PM PDT
This is an open letter to the progressive blogosphere...
I’ve been posting at DailyKos for nearly 4 years now and started writing diaries in support of Hillary Clinton back in June of last year. Over the past few months I’ve noticed that things have become progressively more abusive toward my candidate and her supporters.
I’ve put up with the abuse and anger because I’ve always believed in what our on-line community has tried to accomplish in this world. No more. DailyKos is not the site it once was thanks to the abusive nature of certain members of our community.
Sound familiar? As I said above, the dynamics have changed, but the emotions are the same.
Friday Mar 04, 2016 · 2:27 PM EST
If that is enough to get me banned by Kos, so be it.
This place has changed. Kos always had free speech. He never did this with Clinton v. Obama. Not this early.
This is not democracy.
If supporting Bernie Sanders gets me banned, so be it.
I don’t want to be in a place that chills speech by threats. Worry what you write because Kos might ban you.
So while it’s understandable that Kos upset people with his post, keep in mind the reason he created this site: to achieve political goals. If you share his goal, maybe it’s time to start helping. If you don’t like how the campaign is going, take action to change things. Maybe Bernie can still win March 15th, but I can guarantee you that posting blogs on this web site is not going to make the difference. It is going to be decided by voters and if you want to influence persuadable voters go out and volunteer.