Daily Kos: realDrewPritt

A Liberal Chooses Hillary & Why

realDrewPritt

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday March 12, 2016 · 12:31 PM PST

2016/03/12 · 12:31

I am going to support Hillary Clinton and this is why. I am asking all my friends to please read and consider.

Ever since Martin O'Malley withdrew from the Presidential race, I have considered all the options. As Democrats and personally for me, as a liberal, we have two wonderful choices remaining for President.

My cousin Charlotte Pritt, a former state legislator and the 1996 Democratic nominee for Governor of West Virginia, has been a huge supporter of Bernie Sanders. I have other good friends whose opinion I value. My good friend, Jane Gray Todd has been as adamant about Hillary Clinton since Day One. There's not a more valuable supporter.

Issues like college loan debt, income inequality, marriage equality, a woman's right to choose, immigration, and raising the minimum wage have seen quality and good proposals from both.

I have been impressed by both of Sanders' and Clinton's Arkansas state directors. As a former professional campaigner I admire both of them and their tactics and tenacity.

Two issues finally swayed my vote - the candidate's stance on Israel and how close it comes to my beliefs. That stance is indicative to an overall foreign policy view. I believe the worse decisions some former President's made were when concerning our allies they turned away and were not loyal because of political expediency. The other issue is effectiveness in working with their Senate colleagues and getting bills passed.

Bernie Sanders stance on Israel is here: feelthebern.org/...

Hillary Clinton's stance on Israel is here: correctrecord.org/...

I am a Democrat. I am a liberal. For me, I believe the American Embassy should be in Jerusalem. I also support Israel and believe that there has been sadly an effective Anti-Israel and Pro-Palestine bias that has developed in society. The fact is, I believe Israel is involved in a civil war. Israel has a right to protect it's citizens. And I do not forget that the PLO & Palestinian Authority representatives have walked away from the peace table multiple times. Hillary Clinton stands where I stand. I am disappointed in where Bernie Sanders stands.

Secondly, we need a President who will appoint not just an appointee to the Supreme Court who will be confirmed, but who will be able to work with Congress no matter who wins the control of Congress.

SANDERS' Report Card in effectiveness is as follows: (Source: www.govtrack.us/...…/members/bernard_sanders/400357)Armed Forces and National Security (27%) Health (18%) Labor and Employment (11%)Energy (10%) Education (9%) Government Operations and Politics (9%) Taxation (8%) Finance and Financial Sector (7%)

CLINTON'S Report Card in effective is as follows:(Source: www.govtrack.us/...…/members/hillary_clinton/300022)Government Operations and Politics (23%) Economics and Public Finance (15%) Health (14%)Science, Technology, Communications (11%) Families (10%) Social Welfare (10%) Labor and Employment (9%) Education (8%)

Effectiveness in working with Congress matters. And the numbers show that Hillary Clinton edges out the Senator.in effectiveness. Let's not forget, Bernie had 26 years while Hillary had just 9 years in Congress to achieve these views and their vision for a better America.

I respect all my friends no matter where they are at politically. I know some of you will be happy and some will disagree. But for me, this is who I think has earned my vote for President.

In the end, I guess I am trying to say HILL YES, I'M WITH HER!

The Great Whitewash of 2016

realDrewPritt

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Saturday March 12, 2016 · 12:28 PM PST

2016/03/12 · 12:28

For years, Bernie Sanders was known as the "Red Mayor of Burlington". When he first was elected to the U.S. House in 1990 and later in 2006, it was significant, because we had a socialist who was elected to office in America. It was a sign of the great political spectrum that is the United States.

Then Sanders decided to run for President and suddenly, there's a concerted effort to change history. Recently, in three different conversations with Sander's supporters, I asked them what has become "THE QUESTION." The Question is, "Is our nation ready to elect an avowed socialist to the Oval Office?"

Sanders supporters seem to think this is a dirty trick by the Clinton campaign.

But facts are facts.

Sanders began his electoral political career in 1971 as a member of the Liberty Union Party, a founding wing of the People's Party which originated in the anti-Vietnam movement. The Liberty Union Party promoted itself as part of the "greater Socialist effort" in the nation. He ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for U.S. senator in 1972 and 1974. The last campaign drained the finances and energy of the Liberty Union, however, and in October 1977—less than a year after the conclusion of the 1976 campaign. Following his resignation from Liberty Union, Sanders worked as a writer and the director of the nonprofit American People's Historical Society (APHS). While with the APHS, he made a 30-minute documentary about American Socialist leader and presidential candidate Eugene Debs. (Source: www.politico.com/...)

In 1981, and re-elected three times through 1987, Sanders was Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. During his mayoralty, Sanders called himself a "Socialist" and was so described in the press. (www.theatlantic.com/...) and ""Self-Styled Socialist Takes Oath as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont". Boston Globe. Associated Press. April 7, 1981."

In 1990, Sanders's was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was heralded by The Washington Post and others as the "First Socialist Elected" to Congress in decades. (www.highbeam.com/...) and (Pertman, Adam (November 11, 1990). "'The Times Caught Up' To Vermont Socialist". Boston Globe.)

In 2006, Sanders' refused the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and was elected to the U.S. Senate as a "Socialist". (www.nytimes.com/...)

So why the running from history all of a sudden? Why are Sanders' supporters ignoring one of the basic tenets of who Bernie Sanders has, is, and will be and that is, Bernie Sanders is a Socialist.

As a final caveat, this author does now support Hillary Clinton. However, I began the 2016 as an avowed supporter of Martin O'Malley. I filed as a delegate in Arkansas of all places for O'Malley.

The Sanders' campaign likes to try to claim the moral high ground. But if they continue to play the same old political game of the shell game to hide basic facts, they are not an answer to the gridlock that is Washington, D.C. They are part of the problem.

One last fact, Bernie Sanders' supporters are seeking to claim the mantle of the work and support of President Barack Obama. Not only is the President supporting Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders tried to primary President Obama in 2012. (thinkprogress.org/...) or (www.thenation.com/...)

Poll

97 votes Show Results

Is our nation ready to elect an avowed socialist to the Oval Office?

97 votes Vote Now!

Is our nation ready to elect an avowed socialist to the Oval Office?

Yes

76 votes

17 votes

Unsure

4 votes

RSS