Bernie had the best line in the debate for my money.
I don’t know who Imani Gandy is or who she supports. Apparently Bernie, from a two-second scan of her comments. But she quoted him. So did this post-debate diary.
I wrote last night in that diary,
I voted for Bernie’s quote, even though I am not a Bernie supporter, because it is extremely important for him (and everyone else) to emphasize again and again that
no matter who wins this damn thing, we’re going to stand together and beat Trump.
Yes, yes. yes.
And I then responded to RedDan (a Bernie supporter whom I respect greatly) by saying (and quoting his words):
If he inserted something like this into his standard stump speech:
Look, I am running because I think my ideas for how to move forward and make progress are better. I am going to criticize my opponents and pull no punches. But at the end of the day, it’s up to the voters, and their choice is my choice, and I will support any one of my excellent colleagues to the best of my ability… even if I disagree about particular policies, or specific directions
I would just about shut up about my problems with him. Moreover, it would send a strong message to the toxic element of his base (I know they’re not even close to a majority of his supporters) to cease and desist their bullshit.
I was beyond disappointed to hear that some assclown led a group of Bernie supporters in a “Fuck Warren! Fuck Biden!” chant at one point during the Iowa debacle. It wasn’t a Bernie surrogate or campaign staffer, but there were staffers at the location (a bar in Des Moines, at an event organized by Chapo Trap House) and they didn’t push back. I’m not trying to throw mud at Bernie with this, just giving an illustration of what kind of things could and should be things of the past if Bernie were to start emphasizing this on a regular and frequent basis.
And yes, every damn one of the candidates should do the same damn thing. Every speech. Every chance. Every one of them has toxic assholes throwing flaming shitballs at fellow Democrats on Twitter and Facebook and at rallies. Every candidate needs to shut it down.
That’s all. Bernie has more than his share of toxic jackasses in his base, and he has them in his staff. But that doesn’t mean any of the other candidates’ shoes aren’t muddy, either. Let me repeat myself:
Every one of them has toxic assholes throwing flaming shitballs at fellow Democrats on Twitter and Facebook and at rallies. Every candidate needs to shut it down.
Every one of them needs to say this over and over:
No matter who wins this damn thing, we’re going to stand together and beat Trump.
THIS is what gets us a win in November.
Thank you for showing real leadership, Senator Sanders. I mean it.
