I know a lot of people in the media — especially on MSNBC — are making a big deal out of the fact that Bernie lost MA.
This was a state he was supposed to win, they say. This was a state ‘designed’ for a Bernie candidacy — an insurgent, liberal campaign.
Remember 2008, when we had a transcendental grassroots candidate, who altered Democratic Campaigns forever?
That was Barack Obama, of course, and it’s hard to imagine another Democratic campaign ever quite being able to match what he was able to do in 2008.
Remember how Massachusetts's most prominent politicians at the time, and one of the most prominent ever -- Senator Ted Kennedy and Governor Deval Patrick -- very prominently endorsed Obama, just leading up to the Massachusetts primary?
It was huge, national news at the time. Senator Kennedy gave a huge stump speech for Obama, and it really seemed to make a difference in the campaign at a national level — helping a lot of people get on board with Obama. It was covered in the news, both nationally and locally, for a great deal of time, not just a day or two.
This was all an amazing, big deal, for one of the best campaigns of all time — and certainly the best in modern campaign history.
So, how did this all add up for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton in MA in 2008?
Hillary Clinton crushed the President.
Barack Obama lost to Hillary in Massachusetts in 2008 by 15.4%, with Hillary getting a huge 56% to 40.6% victory.
So, sorry to burst your bubble, MSNBC hosts, but you’ve ignored even recent historical context in jumping out to label this a disappointment.
MA has long, long been fan of the Clintons. It was always a tall order for Bernie.
As a MA resident, I get it. Bernie was asking people to go against two people (Bill and Hillary) that millions in Massachusetts have long been fans of.
These are people who visit the state frequently, vacation here, raise lots of money here, and there exists in Massachusetts a stronger and more professional Democratic establishment infrastructure than possibly anywhere outside of DC.
With 95% of the vote in, Hillary is winning the state by less than 2%. It will probably stay around that.
Bernie coming so close in MA is miraculous, and a stunning achievement. I am really, really proud of what Bernie’s done in this state.
He far exceeded Obama's performance here 8 years ago, one of the best campaigns of all time, and unlike the President, Bernie had to go up against the entire establishment. He didn’t have Ted Kennedy on his side. He didn’t have Deval Patrick on his side. In fact, Bernie was able to achieve this amazing result without almost any elected official’s endorsement.
The media may spin what Bernie Sanders has done here differently, but it is an amazing grassroots effort, from one of the biggest underdog campaigns of all time.
Losing stings, but Bernie supporters should be damn, damn proud. That's the truth.
And the campaign marches forward.
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