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by mabramo 2849 days ago
Why is your disappointment in Sanders? Do you not remember the momentum he generated in 2016? Shouldn't your disappointment be directed at his peers?
1 comments

He didn't use that momentum to make a real impact. Now the democrats look as clueless as they looked in 2016. They still don't have a real value proposition other than not being Trump. They can't just stay being the party for the upper middle class without appealing to blue collar workers. Say what you want about Obama but at least he had a message.

Maybe Sanders never aspired to be a national leader and that should be respected but it's still disappointing.

> He didn't use that momentum to make a real impact.

Sanders has used his platform to continue to advocate for Medicare For All, for a $15/hr minimum wage (a concession he was able to get for Disneyland employees), for renewable energy, for justice reform, for immigration reform. What else would you suggest he do? He has been more positively impactful than any politician currently in office except perhaps Senator Warren.

> Now the democrats look as clueless as they looked in 2016. They still don't have a real value proposition other than not being Trump.

Medicare For All, a $15 hour minimum wage, fully funded public schools and universities, justice reform, immigration reform, paid family and sick leave (not an exhaustive list) is not a value proposition?

Democrats clueless? Progressive candidates continue to win in elections at every level. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is crushing it. As long as the Clintons, Biden, and other moderates keep to themselves, we'll be fine.

"Progressive candidates continue to win in elections at every level."

They are winning primaries so far. That's different from being elected.

Sure, but the signs are positive [1] [2] [3]. A government shutdown [4], more Trump tweets [5], a Kavanaugh confirmation [6], still lots of foot guns for Republicans between now and November.

[1] https://www.vox.com/2018/9/4/17818204/midterm-2018-polls-gen... (New 2018 midterm poll has Democrats up 14 points on Republicans)

[2] http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/09/democrats-surgi... (With the Midterms Two Months Away, Democrats Are Surging in the Polls)

[3] https://www.cnn.com/2018/09/04/politics/midterm-polls-democr... (Democrats have double-digit advantage in midterm elections, polls show)

[4] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/05/trump-does-not-want-governme...

[5] https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/trump-approval-ratings/

[6] https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/opinions/wp/2018/09/04/s...

Be ready for another bad surprise like 2016. Leading in polls doesn't mean winning an election. Democrats should have learned that by now.
Always ready for less than ideal outcomes. Hope for the best, plan for the worst.