I know that Bernie Sanders had a large rally in the evening, but did he respond to the protest at the NN Candidate's Forum between the time he walked off one stage and onto the other?
I really do not know if he did. I've looked to see if he did and I couldn't find anything.
I'm curious and concerned about his response.
Much and more has been written about the Black Lives Matter protest at the NN Candidate's Forum. It was a challenge for Martin O'Malley, Bernie Sanders and their supporters. You can watch the video of the events to judge how both candidates reacted in the moment. I think both made mistakes, but I'm more concerned with what they did next.
I know that Martin O'Malley met with various groups at NN after the Candidate's Forum. He went to TWiB to explained his comments and to apologize. He seemed to address the issue head on. O'Malley owned his mistakes while trying to connect with and respect the people who demanded to be heard.
As I understand it, Senator Sanders had the same opportunity and decided not to meet with TWiB or any other groups. This could be wrong. Perhaps Bernie did have meetings with activists between the Forum and his Rally. Does anybody know if he did? Did he address the issue raised by BLM later on in the day? I've looked and haven't found anything yet. It looks like he didn't take the opportunity to engage the BLM protesters and to hear them. I think that is a problem.
The event yesterday raise a warning flag for me when it comes to Senator Sanders. I'm not sure he can take the heat. The BLM protest is nothing compared to the kinds of heat Bernie will face as a candidate in the future. It is nothing like the kind of heat that a President Sanders would face every day (and he'll never face the kind of heat and disrespect that Barack Obama faces every day). Watching the video, I don't think Bernie handled the protest and interruptions very well. He was obviously pissed off and couldn't wait to get away.
I'm undecided in this primary, but I know that the Democratic Nominee needs to have an inner toughness and the ability to face criticism head-on. Perhaps Bernie has these skills, but judging by his actions yesterday, I doubt that he does--and that is my biggest concern about him as a candidate.
I know that Hillary Clinton has this inner toughness. She has faced and will face more bile than any candidate in the race (and has been dealing with endless attacks from the Right and elsewhere for decades). She is confronted by protestors and hecklers all the time and will face many, many more of them in the future. I have some real concerns about her as a Candidate, but toughness isn't one of them.
I'm also sure that Martin O'Malley has this inner toughness. I've lived in Baltimore since 1997. I've seen O'Malley as my Councilman, Mayor and then Governor. He makes mistakes, but he is not afraid to admit it or to sit down like he did yesterday to hear and respect his critics. I have real doubts about O'Malley, but his ability to take the heat of a campaign and elected office isn't one of them.
When it comes to Senator Sanders, I'm not so sure. I like his platform. He says the things that I want to hear, but without inner toughness--it is just words. The events of yesterday raised a warning flag for me. Bernie came across as thinned skin, prickly and annoyed. He did not seem to handle the challenge very well at all. Rhetoric is nice, but I'm not sure he can close the deal.
So please tell me how I'm wrong. Please tell me what he has done since yesterday to hear the concerns of the BLM protestors--what he has done to respect them.
Please tell me how he will be tough enough to handle the shit-storm that the wingnuts, media and others are preparing for the Democratic Nominee.
I'm undecided in this primary, but know that we must elect a Democrat in 2016. I'm fine with that Democrat being Martin, Hillary or Bernie--but whomever it is, they need to be tough. They need to have the true steel. After yesterday, I'm not sure that Bernie meets that test.
I will be happy to learn that my fear is unfounded.
Cheers
