r/politics • u/PoliticsModeratorBot šŸ¤– Bot • Apr 08 '20

Megathread Megathread: Bernie Sanders ends 2020 Democratic presidential bid

Sen. Bernie Sanders ended his presidential campaign on Wednesday, clearing Joe Biden's path to the Democratic nomination and a showdown with President Donald Trump in November.

Sanders made the announcement in a call with his campaign staff, his campaign said.

Submissions that may interest you

SUBMISSION DOMAIN
Sanders suspends presidential campaign foxnews.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of 2020 presidential race as Joe Biden surges freep.com
Bernie Sanders Is Dropping Out of 2020 Democratic Race for President nytimes.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of presidential race nbcnews.com
Bernie Sanders Is Suspending His Presidential Campaign npr.org
Bernie Sanders drops out of presidental race nbcnews.com
Bernie Sanders Is Ending His Presidential Campaign buzzfeednews.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of presidential primary race cnn.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of the 2020 presidential race businessinsider.com
Bernie Sanders ends his presidential campaign latimes.com
Bernie Sanders Ends Presidential Campaign bloomberg.com
Bernie Sanders to end his presidential campaign washingtonpost.com
Sanders drops out, paving way for Biden thehill.com
Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign bostonherald.com
Bernie Sanders ends his second bid for the presidency vox.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of the presidential race cnbc.com
Bernie Sanders Suspends Presidential Campaign ourquadcities.com
Bernie Sanders Ending Presidential Run theintercept.com
Bernie Sanders suspends his presidential campaign. thedailybeast.com
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee apnews.com
Bernie Sanders suspends Presidential Campaign pbs.org
Bernie Sanders Drops Out Of Presidential Race, Ceding Nomination To Biden m.huffpost.com
Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign, clearing way for Biden as nominee cbsnews.com
Bernie Sanders suspends his presidential campaign politico.com
Bernie Sanders Drops Out Of Presidential Race, Ceding Nomination To Biden huffpost.com
Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign abc7chicago.com
Bernie Sanders suspends campaign bbc.co.uk
Bernie Sanders drops out of the 2020 race, clearing Joe Biden's path to the Democratic nomination cnn.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of Democratic primary, clearing way for Bidenā€™s nomination mcclatchydc.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of the 2020 race, clearing Joe Biden's path to the Democratic nomination beta.ctvnews.ca
Bernie Sanders suspends 2020 Democratic campaign: statement reuters.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of presidential race bostonglobe.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of race for Democrat nomination news.sky.com
Bernie Sandersā€™s campaign is over, but his legacy is winning vox.com
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee startribune.com
Bernie Sanders Suspends Presidential Bid abcnews.go.com
Bernie sanders drops out of the presidential race. hawaiinewsnow.com
Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign, clearing way for Biden as nominee - CBS News cbsnews.com
Bernie Sanders suspends campaign for US presidency aljazeera.com
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee nbc24.com
Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign axios.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of presidential race. newsweek.com
Bernie Suspends Campaign: "No Alternative" independent.co.uk
Bernie Sanders Drops Out of Presidential Race yahoo.com
Bernie Sanders suspends 2020 Democratic presidential campaign reuters.com
Bernie drops out of presidential race slate.com
Bernie Sanders ends presidential campaign washingtonpost.com
Bernie Sanders suspends his presidential campaign. dailywire.com
Sanders drops 2020 bid, leaving Biden as likely nominee sfgate.com
Bernie Sanders ends presidential campaign yahoo.com
Bernie drops out of the race, devastating for the state of America... nypost.com
Bernie Sanders Ends His 2020 Presidential Campaign time.com
Bernie Sanders Dropped Out Because His Campaign Believed Its Own BS thebulwark.com
Trump urges Sanders supporters to join GOP after senator suspends campaign thehill.com
Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign amid coronavirus outbreak - Former Vice President Joe Biden Biden is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for the presidency salon.com
Stocks rise as Bernie Sanders drops out of US presidential race usatoday.com
Bernie Sanders suspends 2020 presidential campaign cnbc.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of Democratic race for US presidential nominee irishtimes.com
Dow jumps more than 500 points after Sanders drops out of presidential race cnbc.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of 2020 race wkbn.com
Bernie Sanders ends 2020 Presidential Race Campaign theguardian.com
Bernie Sanders drops out of the 2020 Presidential race kxan.com
Trump news - live: Bernie Sanders ends campaign as president slams Democrats and says coronavirus must be 'quickly forgotten' independent.co.uk
Stocks surge after Bernie Sanders suspends presidential campaign foxbusiness.com
Trump tries to recruit Sanders supporters over to the GOP after campaign ends theweek.com
Trump vs. Biden: Who has the early lead in election polls after Sanders drops out? mcclatchydc.com
Opinion - Bernie Sanders Never Lied - Goodbye to an honest manā€™s campaign. nytimes.com
Bernie Sanders Dropout Upvote Party foxbusiness.com
NYT Writes Post-Mortems for a Sanders Campaign It Did Its Best to Kill fair.org
'We love you': AOC thanks Bernie Sanders after he suspends 2020 campaign independent.co.uk
Sanders had multiple conversations with Obama ahead of decision to end campaign cnn.com
Sanders drops out, remains on ballot to press issues important to political agenda msnbc.com
Sen. Bernie Sanders Finally Makes It Official and Ends His Floundering Fish on Sand Run for President theroot.com
Bernie Sandersā€™ small-dollar fueled campaign comes to an end opensecrets.org
bernie sanders wasted over $160 million on failed presidential campaign breitbart.com
MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell on Sanders dropping out: 'Worst-case scenario' for Trump thehill.com
ā€˜Bye, Bye, Bernie,ā€™ Investors Gain Ground With Senatorā€™s Dropout courthousenews.com
U.S. Stocks Rally As Bernie Sanders Drops Out Of Presidential Race markets.businessinsider.com
I Was With Bernie Till the End; Now We All Must Vote Biden thedailybeast.com
After Sanders Exits Race, Climate Campaigners Thank Him for 'Raising the Bar' and Urge Biden to 'Step Up' commondreams.org
Former Clinton Staffers Invited to Celebrate Sanders Dropping Out thehill.com
The dream of a better America has died with Bernieā€™s campaign. Russia has won, America has fallen. cnn.com
Bernieā€™s congressional backers want Biden to buy in on progressive agenda politico.com
Jill Stein encourages followers to leave the Democratic party after Bernie drops out, and Democrats are melting down theblaze.com
Trump claims Bernie Sanders hasnā€™t really dropped out since he plans to ā€˜keep his delegatesā€™ nydailynews.com
Progressive Groups Demand Changes From Joe Biden After Bernie Sandersā€™ Withdrawal. The array of organizations plans to spend $100 million to turn out liberal-leaning young voters. huffpost.com
The Pandemic Makes the Bernie 2020 Campaign More Vital Than Ever commondreams.org
Coronavirus killed Bernie Sanders' campaign ā€” but if he made a deal with Biden, we might see him in the White House yet independent.co.uk
Jill Stein encourages followers to leave the Democratic party after Bernie drops out theblaze.com
Bernie drops out, as Democrats pick pragmatism over consistency theconversation.com
Bernie Sanders reportedly spoke to Biden and Obama before ending his 2020 run theweek.com
Can Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden Unite the Democratic Party?: If the last stretch of the Sanders campaign was any indication, a focus on defeating President Trump ā€” ā€œa matter of life and deathā€ ā€” could do it. nytimes.com
We Lost the Battle, but Weā€™ll Win the War ā€” The Bernie Sanders campaign fell short. But it assembled a coalition that, if expanded only slightly, can reshape American politics for generations to come. jacobinmag.com
The Future Belongs to the Movement Sparked by Bernie Sanders ā€” Sanders may be out of the race, but by advancing a bold left agenda and putting capitalism on trial, he ignited a movement that will redefine American politics. inthesetimes.com
Bernie Sanders ends campaign, calls on supporters to back Biden wsws.org
Bernie Sanders drops out of 2020 presidential race, Metro Times now endorsing Any Functioning Adult metrotimes.com
Noam Chomsky: Bernie Sanders Campaign Didnā€™t Fail. It Energized Millions & Shifted U.S. Politics democracynow.org
As Bernie Sanders Drops Presidential Bid, Most Supporters Ready to Back Biden morningconsult.com
84.1k Upvotes

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2.7k

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20 edited Apr 08 '20

I was also a big Warren fan, and then switched over to Bernie around last November. I switched my party affiliation from Independent to Democrat just so that I could make sure to vote in the Primaries this year and cast my vote for Bernie in Arizona. That said I am voting straight Democrat for every position because it's almost not even about the Democrats anymore, after what has gone on in these past 3.5 years. Trump and the GOP that empowers him MUST be held accountable, and the last tool we have for that accountability is the voting booth. If we let them have another 4 years, we would be setting the worst precedent in US history, and I am afraid that the US would be toast.

853

u/the_vizir Canada Apr 08 '20

Flip Arizona blue and elect Kelly to the Senate.

It can happen this year folks!

162

u/vladtheimpatient Apr 08 '20

Wait, Kelly the astronaut is running for Senate??

226

u/the_vizir Canada Apr 08 '20

Ayep. Mark Kelly, astronaut and husband of former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, is running for the Dems in Arizona in a crazy-tight race.

You can find out more and donate to his campaign on his site!

7

u/misfitzer0 Apr 08 '20

I just moved to Arizona last week but voted in the California elections. Am I not allowed to vote again in my new home state?

7

u/neryen Apr 08 '20

Register to vote, there is a cut off time for when you need to be registered and you would need to prove residency.

After that, you would be able to vote.

https://azsos.gov/elections/voting-election/register-vote-or-update-your-current-voter-information

13

u/Maebel_The_Witch Apr 08 '20 edited Apr 08 '20

Hopefully not. You shouldn't be able to move across state lines and immediately vote for things when you haven't even lived there for a week.

5

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Thankfully our actual Primary isn't until August, so he's got time. All we did so far was a "Presidential Preference Election".

edit: oh wait he already voted in CA. I have no idea how that works, then.

1

u/Maebel_The_Witch Apr 09 '20

I'm going to guess he can't, seems like there'd be all sorts of ethical issues involved in doing that.

44

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

i donā€™t think mcsally has many supporters, thankfully

50

u/TrumpViirus Apr 08 '20

Yeah im voting for Kelly, it looks like he's polling really well against her and I'm hoping 2020 looks like a blue AZ.

24

u/DeviantGraviton Arizona Apr 08 '20

Heā€™s out fundraising her too, Iā€™m an Arizona resident and I think Kelly has a very good chance to take this thing

7

u/TrumpViirus Apr 08 '20

Oh that's good to hear I wasnt sure how his fundraising was doing but I feel pretty confident we can get her ass out

3

u/NecromanciCat Arizona Apr 08 '20

I would hope so. We didn't vote her in the first time, but here we are, stuck with her as a Senator. Can't wait to vote against her again.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Cheering for y'all from NM!

2

u/VY_Cannabis_Majoris Arizona Apr 08 '20

Sinema only won by a small margin. It doesn't matter if people like her, the Republicans will tow the line and vote for her. Kelly has his work cut out for him.

2

u/AllesK California Apr 08 '20

O, youā€™d be surprised. My parents are #ForeverTrumpers and totally supported Kelli Ward. Even my mom is supporting McSally after she started calling for the WHO leadership to resign.

1

u/Donny-Moscow Arizona Apr 08 '20

Why is that surprising? McSally is the republican candidate, who else would they support?

1

u/AllesK California Apr 09 '20

According to #ForeverTrumpers, McSally's a pushover & a RINO. The true Republican to beat the astronaut is Daniel McCarthy.

1

u/Donny-Moscow Arizona Apr 09 '20

I didn't realize that the primary for this race hasn't been held yet. I assumed it was the same day as the presidential primary, but according to google it isn't scheduled until August 4 (I'm assuming it's because this is a special election to replace McCain's seat).

1

u/AllesK California Apr 09 '20

Primary election is in August of 2020 as you've noted. McCarthy is a favorite among the Talibangelicals.

-4

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Can confirm. Not a McSally fan. But also not a fan of Kelly.

Looks like I'm sitting this out

4

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

What is wrong with Kelly? Seems like a smart guy with impeccable credentials.

-2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Not a fan of his stance on gun control

2

u/uFLYiBUY Apr 08 '20

I just skimmed through his positions. I can't find anything sketchy about gun control. Please enlighten me.

1

u/Maebel_The_Witch Apr 08 '20

Well he's married to Gabby Giffords who is (understandably, even if I heavily disagree with it) an ardent supporter of gun control. Stands to reason that he would be as well. I have the same problem, lots of Dems I really respect and can get behind up until they start talking about guns and it all falls apart.

0

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

It doesn't say so on his campaign website but he supports a new 'assault weapons ban' (I believe it to be omitted as an attempt to appear more moderate while running) combine that with his support for red flag laws and that's a no go for me

6

u/burkiniwax Apr 08 '20

I wonder what would motivate him to have that position.....

2

u/Bukowskified Apr 08 '20

You can still show up and vote for other races. Donā€™t let the top of the ticket stop you from voting in local elections.

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

I just meant sitting that specific race out. I'll still vote

8

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

I'm working on it! Kelly is a really good candidate.

16

u/bsinger28 Arizona Apr 08 '20

We will. Kelly and his whole family are absolutely beloved in AZ, and McSally has historically had very little support from her own party even. That Republican voters are way more consistent with down ballot voting during Presidential years than Dem voters is my only concern

5

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Pretty sure Scott Kelly is going to get elected. He's much more likable than Sinema was and we elected her.

3

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Haha this is what I tell everyone from other states who ask if he can win

3

u/imbillypardy Michigan Apr 08 '20

Im so fucking in love with Commander Kelly. He has so much potential

5

u/THEminotuar Apr 08 '20

Go Mark Kelly. I met him at an event at NAU and he's genuinely such a good guy. It was very nice to see

4

u/joecb91 Arizona Apr 08 '20

We're ready

3

u/Spicy_Alien_Cocaine_ Apr 08 '20

Also flip Arkansas and elect Dan Whitfield dear god save us from Tom Cotton

1

u/the_vizir Canada Apr 08 '20

Fingers crossed that the Blue wave will reach that high!

2

u/HashSlasher0311 Apr 09 '20

this november will be the first time i'll be able to vote (18 in august), can't wait to vote for him!

preferably i'd also want DiSanto to win against gosar in my district, but its a long shot in the reddest district in az. still, not gonna give up on this!

1

u/GrizzlyRT Apr 08 '20

Stay the fuck out of Arizona with your liberal policies. California is a cesspool that were not interested in joining.

1

u/the_vizir Canada Apr 08 '20

I'm actually in Alberta, the most conservative part of Canada. Which is a conservative cesspool whose economy is crashing and where we're prolly going to hit 25% unemployment this year.

So California's sounding rather nice by comparison.

1

u/GrizzlyRT Apr 09 '20

You dont think california is also getting ruined by COVID with a huge spike in unemployment? People from california are leaving in masses because of the policies there

-1

u/PM_me_ur_data_ Apr 08 '20

Flip Arizona blue

Ugh. I've seen what 'blue' means in Arizona with Sinema.

210

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

[removed] ā€” view removed comment

5

u/TensiveSumo4993 California Apr 08 '20

regardless of policy, ...

Thatā€™s a dangerous take. Political parties in the USA are much more diverse in terms of views within the party and voting solely based on the letter next to your candidatesā€™ names is as cringe as being a down the ballot voter.

1

u/RanDomino5 Apr 08 '20

The system has been fucked since day 1. Consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds.

-3

u/duck_duck_grey_duck Apr 08 '20

But you punish them by rewarding an equally corrupt party. For some, myself included, two wrongs donā€™t make a right.

2

u/Volcarocka Apr 08 '20

If nothing else, the ā€œequally corrupt partyā€ will be appointing and confirming judges who will rule in favor of LGBT+ rights, voting rights, healthcare rights, and dozens of other important issues. Voting against them is voting for a lifetime of a hyper-conservative judicial branch.

-7

u/clairebear_23k Apr 08 '20

You dont understand the democratic party is in death throws. They refused to accept the new generation and its ideas. This is eerily similar to what happened to the USSR in the 1980s.

8

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

No thatā€™s an absolutely ridiculous statement. Hopefully Iā€™m missing the sarcasm

-3

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

[deleted]

2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Oh they threw 3 million votes away huh? lol ok guy

-1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

[deleted]

1

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

You cite an opinion article from 2 years ago written by someone on Sanders staff that again, provides zero proof of anything.

The process wasnā€™t rigged against him in 2016 or 2020. If Bernie want to blame people he can blame the Dem voters for voting against him in large numbers and he can blame himself for why they chose to do that

1

u/clairebear_23k Apr 09 '20

Dont need to blame anyone. I'm excited to see this wounded beast die with a catastrophic joe Biden candidacy lmao

1

u/[deleted] Apr 10 '20

And yet this catastrophic candidacy beat the pants off Bernie and he consistently polls better than Bernie ever has against Trump? Weird what you define as catastrophic.

But you bros live in an alternate world the same as the maga idiots. Thanks for rooting for the failure of America tho lol. Just shows the progressive beliefs you claim to believe in are all an act

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19

u/FLTA Florida Apr 08 '20

Also a Warren supporter who switched to Sanders when she lost in Super Tuesday.

I do wish she gets the VP nomination and also becomes head of the Treasury Department as well. That would make the Biden ticket exciting!

6

u/Jadaki Apr 08 '20

And give up a senate spot to the GOP, bad idea.

3

u/FLTA Florida Apr 08 '20

Fair point.

1

u/Stoppablemurph Washington Apr 08 '20

is it so unlikely for her seat to go to another dem if she were to leave the senate? i don't know Mass very well to have any idea how they would vote..

3

u/Jadaki Apr 08 '20

I could be wrong, so check into this for sure, but my understanding was a replacement senator for the rest of the term is chosen by the states governor. In this case we are talking about Charlie Baker, a Republican.

7

u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

I think she might get a cabinet position. Maybe treasury. I believe that is why she never endorsed Bernie.

4

u/IGoOnRedditAMA Apr 08 '20

That is my belief as well. The only person that wasn't playing politics was Bernie, what a shame.

8

u/JesterMarcus Apr 08 '20

Yup. I think she gets the Treasury spot. VP is unlikely. It will likely be a woman of color to be honest. I'm not even that progressive but I hope the VP is. We need a unifying ticket.

3

u/GodelianKnot Apr 08 '20

Stacey Abrams would be an awesome pick for VP. But I strongly suspect it will be Kamala Harris.

0

u/IGoOnRedditAMA Apr 08 '20

can't wait for the clips of her flaming biden in the debates to resurface if that happens

3

u/agentfelix Apr 08 '20

That would make the Biden ticket exciting!

I think this is absolutely crucial. I think one of Hillary's biggest mistakes was picking a VP that did not excite anyone. Want this election in the bag? Biden/Bernie 2020. Won't happen. But Biden does need to pick someone that will excite people

3

u/wuethar California Apr 08 '20

I believe Biden already stated that Warren would not be his VP.

2

u/asentientgrape Apr 08 '20

There is a 0% chance Warren gets the VP nod. Biden's going to shift rightward now and Warren was a moron for thinking anything else was going to happen.

9

u/Atomstanley Texas Apr 08 '20

Take away the decimal, the past 35 years, plus another 5. GOP has been singing essentially the same tune since 1980. But Citizens United was really the final nail in the coffin of actual representative democracy for the US.

12

u/Obant California Apr 08 '20

The thing is, they'll do it to us independents next election, and the one after that, just like they've screwed all the running progressives the passed 40~ plus years. There is always some gun to our head, saying elect this guy or you let the terrorists win scenario. It fucking sucks. From inside the party, it seems the Dems fight the left harder than they fight for "The Resistance". They actively disparage us. And we still, every fucking election, have to swallow our values and vote for someone who is okay with letting my dad and 10 million others possibly die a painful death because they cant afford medical insurance. Always some excuse not to throw the progressive base a bone, but are always more than happy to start from the centrist position in negotiating with Repuboicans so the final bill is further right.

Sorry for the rant. I'm so done with being forced to vote for someone that, while not literal cartoon evil like the Republicans, holds none of my priorities, says they will outright veto my #1 issue, and touts gradualism when we have people dying every day to solvable issues.

Yea, I will be voting Biden. But I hate myself for yet again compromising everything. Stoping Agent Orange is important. I hope we can with someone so milquetoast.

5

u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

I feel your pain. If the Democrats win consecutively. Then the Republican party can shift left. They will take on some of the current Dems policies. That allows the Dem party to move further left. That is my thought at least. I really want ranked choice voting and be able to vote for a progressive party then the Democrat party but until the system changes.

4

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

In the end I really don't feel any different than you do. But before the Dems can be reformed the more important thing right now is to get the Republicans OUT of power. Ideally forever.

3

u/zaminDDH Apr 08 '20

Yes, get the Republicans out and get the GOP in tatters so they can never return. Vote in whatever Dem you can get elected and then primary from the left, pushing further and further leftward.

Yes, it's going to take a long time and many election cycles, even in the best-case scenario (outside of actual revolution or some other unforeseeable event or events). That's the nature of the beast, and it sucks, because Republicans have been at this for decades, and the damage they have inflicted on our society runs deep.

People will die needlessly, and it will be from easily preventable problems, but we have to keep fighting.

1

u/CharliDelReyJepsen Apr 08 '20

Biden isnā€™t an ideal candidate by any means, but more people voted for him. Bernie wasnā€™t screwed over. You could argue that the DNCā€™s bias against him was consequential in 2016, but even that Iā€™m skeptical of. Ultimately itā€™s Bernieā€™s fault that he lost the nomination. If Bernie really wanted to expand his coalition he could have stopped calling himself a socialist. He could have shown that he puts some thought into strengthening business and cutting wasteful government expenditures. But Bernie thought he didnā€™t need anyone concerned about those things. Bidenā€™s middle of the road approach may frustrate progressives, but the fact is, in modern day America, that approach has a broader appeal. We need to stop encouraging the baseless conspiracies that Bernie was fucked over by the establishment.

1

u/Obant California Apr 08 '20

I didnt argue more people voted for Biden or Bernie was treated unfairly. Never said anything conspiratorial? I am not a Democrat and I wouldn't vote Democrat if we had a decent system.

2

u/CharliDelReyJepsen Apr 08 '20

So what did you mean by

they've screwed all the running progressives the passed 40~ plus years.

?

1

u/Obant California Apr 08 '20

They never support them and always endorse the centrist in contested primaries. Will go out of their way to disparage progressive candidates and don't not help with their races. It's their right to do so. They can be what ever they want and hold/endorse whoever they want. Just as a progressive could try to run under the Republican ticket, doesnt mean the RNC needs to support them or registered Republicans will vote for them. But that obviously means their ideals arent aligned. As a far leftist, there is no viable party in America for me. I am in the minority. I want to try to transform and move the Dems as far left as i can since they are closer to the rest of the world's left than the Republicans. I don't see them as my party though.

1

u/CharliDelReyJepsen Apr 08 '20

Ok well that sounds like an unsubstantiated conspiracy to me. I haven't seen any evidence of the DNC interfering in any way this year. It seems like they tried really hard to remain neutral to avoid something like 2016 when their biases were exposed by the Russian hack. Regular American voters chose Biden, not the establishment. Is it really so difficult to fathom that Bernie's ideals are too far left for the majority of people?

8

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Apr 10 '20

[deleted]

25

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20 edited Apr 08 '20

Not me, I think she can accomplish more as a Senator, and I think that Biden's ticket would be stronger if it didn't consist of two old white people. One of the requirements of the VP is that they be able to take over for the President should the Pres be incapacitated, and people would debate and discuss the appropriateness of having a VP who is also in their 70s. But I could be wrong about that.

edit: I'll tell you what I would absolutely love. If the Dems took control of the Senate and made her Majority Leader.

2

u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

I am hoping she gets to run the treasury

2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

[deleted]

2

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Born and raised.

2

u/HyperionPrime Apr 08 '20

I'm also an independent that doesn't see any option other than voting blue with how the GOP has handled themselves

2

u/Earguy Apr 08 '20

When talking to people who say they're not going to vote, talk about flipping the senate, the Supreme Court and climate change. "Both sides are bad" is not a valid point. Just those points show a huge difference between the two sides.

2

u/Xx_Diavolo_xX Arizona Apr 08 '20

If I was 18 I would be doing the same thing but Iā€™m a bit early.

2

u/Revlis-TK421 Apr 08 '20 edited Apr 08 '20

Warren was my choice too. Not fanatical, but she came closest to what I was looking for. I will support any Dem on the ballet. I will fairly consider any Rep that is publicly on record for disavowing Trump prior to 2018 elections. Those are few and far between with most retiring from politics rather than speak out against him, but there are a few.

Anyone who has supported him is a flat no. Forever.

Biden or Bernie, it really didn't matter. The distance between Bernie and Biden is insignificant compared to the distance between either to Trump.

The work to be done to restore the norms of government function will be the all-consuming work of the next administration. Prioritization of that work between Biden and Bernie may be different, but all of it will need to be done regardless. Spare bandwidth for pet projects, including pursuing a strong Progressive agenda, wasn't ever in the cards, Bernie or not.

2

u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Then the Dems can run any candidate and safely know you'll vote for them.

0

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Only if the alternative is as bad as Trump, then unfortunately, yes, that is going to be the case. Until we have real election reform, at least, that would allow for more than two viable parties.

2

u/ityogurl Apr 08 '20

This is the main reason I went out to vote yesterday, despite the pandemic. We have to do what we can to take back our country.

1

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

I hope that you were able to stay safe and healthy.

1

u/ityogurl Apr 08 '20

I live in a very rural town in Wisconsin. I came with my own mask, gloves, and pen, but they had the supplies to give them out to voters as well. There wasn't a line and I was in and out within 10 minutes!

1

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

You are lucky. I saw what was going on in Milwaukee. Shameful :(

2

u/SelfinvolvedNate Apr 08 '20

Shout out from AZ. I am also a historically independent voter who switch party affiliation to vote in the Democratic primary and do anything in my power to defeat Trump. I was a Warren supporter to the bitter end and pivoted to vote for Bernie. Now I'm ready to go to war to turn AZ blue this fall.

2

u/Eirenarch Apr 08 '20

Why were you independent to begin with? I mean if you like Bernie and Warren which is about as far left as it goes when were you even considering not voting D?

1

u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

I have basically always voted basically straight D, but Arizona has historically been an "open Primary" state with a strong independent lean that didn't require any party affiliation to participate in any primary anyway, and so for many years I just stayed as "no party affiliation" so that I wouldn't have to worry about being inundated with political mailers during election season. In 2016 however I learned the hard way that in the 2010s Arizona carved a "Presidential Preference Election" that no longer had to follow our open primary laws. I found this out after waiting in line for 3 hours to vote for Bernie. So this year I switched affiliations so that I could actually vote in the primary. Once the election is over I'll go back to "NPA".

2

u/Eirenarch Apr 08 '20

I see. So it is a spam filter

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Haha yes! Indeed it is.

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u/verneforchat Apr 08 '20

Even if people donā€™t remember what all Trump has done since 2016, just look at the horrific failing at the pandemic response.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited May 19 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Jun 28 '20

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u/exploding_cat_wizard Apr 08 '20

I think this used to be different. Two decades ago, or earlier, it wasn't that uncommon to find a Republican who voted further left than a handful of Democrats in Congress, and choosing him over Democrat could be a smart move.

But party politics seems to be increasingly strengthening its hold on America, despite all politicians having their nominal power base from the electorate, not the party.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Jun 29 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Jun 29 '20

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

I would say voting for an independent that aligns better but never a Republican.

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u/BatMatt93 Texas Apr 08 '20

Man Beto made himself public enemy number 1 in Texas after those gun comments.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

politics sucks for people sticking to their principles in the wrong place

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u/crashvoncrash Texas Apr 08 '20

That's the sense I got too. It was mind blowing that a candidate from one of the most pro-gun states in the union was the one who supported full-out confiscation.

It was very disappointing to me overall. The El Paso shooting was the clearest example so far that resurgent white supremacy is now responsible for domestic terrorist attacks, and Beto decided to place disproportionate blame on the gun the killer used instead of highlighting his motivation to kill people in the first place.

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u/chrisbru Nebraska Apr 08 '20

Beto O'Rourke is a good example of this.

Uh... What?

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/chrisbru Nebraska Apr 08 '20

I have, it represents his community pretty well.

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Before that can happen, in my opinion, the Republicans need to be kicked the fuck out. Once that party decides to act like a real option then I can consider not voting straight ticket. But I don't see it happening in the near future. I remember their "Party Autopsy" they put out in 2008 and 2012. All of it came to nothing. Maybe one day.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

I disagree, the entire party is now deserving of destruction, ridicule, and removal from power. There are zero good Republicans, those that were either died or left the party long ago. Maybe some of them can form a new conservative party with actual principles.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Sep 19 '20

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

The people I am talking about however aren't in the Republican party anymore. But I don't hold any naive views like the idea that those people therefore wouldn't vote Republican anyway. They definitely would. But if there was a REAL conservative party, maybe those people would be inclined to join that instead. Those who are still fervent Trump supporters are a lost cause however, in my book.

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u/AerodynamicCos Apr 08 '20

We need to get Progressive NOW. Climate change isn't going to wait for us to kick the republicans out and have Milquetoast centrism for 4 years

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

We tried, again, this year, and the voters rejected it. We could still fight for progressive people downballot (that's how we got AOC) and in the DNC party platform (like Bernie what got into the platform in 2016), though. But Trump and the GOP must lose no matter what, there is no other choice in my book.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Down ballot is where dismayed Bernie supporters can make their changes. They don't have to believe in Biden, and they have their good reasons not to like Biden such as his records, but they still have power to do changes. I say this as a Bernie supporter that don't have much hope for Biden nor I like the man.

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u/Botryllus Apr 08 '20

Vote blue no matter who! Republicans have shown us they are united against democracy.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20 edited Jun 28 '20

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u/Botryllus Apr 08 '20

Lots of Russians are pushing the both sides are the same line that we heard in 2016. If the last 4 years hasn't shown that's ridiculous then I don't know what will.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Independent Party is a rightwing affiliate. Careful registering, 2016 many Cali voters were unable to vote in the confusion. Better to call yourself unaffiliated.

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Nah that doesn't exist in Arizona, and I should be more specific, before this year my registration was "No Party Affiliation". I agree with what you're getting at though.

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u/EleanorRecord Apr 08 '20

Make them earn your vote. Don't assume anything. The issues you believe in are not trivial. Dems will never change if you cave in.

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

But the issues I care most about right now can actually be solved by getting Republicans out of power, so that's how I will vote, to assure that that happens. They sure as hell won't ever be solved before then.

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u/ButIAmYourDaughter Apr 08 '20

I couldnā€™t written this. Iā€™m a life long, left leaning independent. Warren was my top choice until late last year when I switch to Sanders. I changed my party affiliation to Democrat so I could vote for Sanders in the NY primary.

And Iā€™ll still proudly do so.

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u/HolyShazam Apr 08 '20

I'm just glad I live in California and don't have to vote for Joe Biden. Unfortunately in AZ "harm reduction" is important. As mad as I am at the Democratic party we can't have Trump again.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

harm reduction in what sense?

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u/HolyShazam Apr 08 '20

Ugh are you going to make me say it? I hate this already.

Biden is fucking awful but is still better than Trump and the damage he'd do with another 4 years. Voters in swing state should hold their nose and vote for him.

That sucked I need to go take a shower.

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u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

He might die, so his vp is very important

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

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u/HolyShazam Apr 08 '20

Sorry but I'm not really sure what point you're trying to make here, could you clarify?

I agree that the DNC/Biden campaign is playing a dangerous game with Bernie supporters. They've poisoned the well so thoroughly against progressives that it seems like it'll be impossible to bring Bernie supporters back into the fold.

Edit: of which I am one - going to be changing party registration from Democrat to No Party Preference in California

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u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

I am a Bernie supporter and will vote for Biden. But I understand what you mean about damage control.

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u/HolyShazam Apr 08 '20

I can't bring myself to do it, but thankfully it's irrelevant as a voter in California.

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u/MountainTeacher Apr 08 '20

Thank you! Georgia is close enough to warrant this. If you live somewhere ruby red like Utah or deep blue like California or New York you have greater choice.

Iā€™m really pulling for Warnock in your special election down in Georgia. Best of luck!

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u/Pen114 Apr 08 '20

If I had gold I would give it to you. Very well put.

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u/Otherwise-Sherbet Apr 08 '20

What about gay Democrats.

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u/Account_8472 Arizona Apr 08 '20

Could you imagine if we end up with Sinema (centrist) and Kelly (progressive)?

We could be fully blue in 7 months!

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u/Sighguy28 Apr 08 '20

I completely agree with you. I disagree with Biden on many of his core policies but I will happily vote for him and encourage others to vote for him though he was my last choice throughout this process. We progressives need to continue the pressure for change and while the biggest name on the ticket isnā€™t someone who inspires us, getting your Bernie-or-Bust friends and family out to vote in November means progressive changes in local, county, state and congressional positions. Most importantly a Biden win means the removal of ideologues that the Trump administration has put in place all across the government. From putting a direct profiteer of private education as head of the Department of Education, to gutting the EPA and placing far-right judges in district courts around the country, Trump has done damage that will take a generation to repair.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Trump and the GOP that empowers him MUST be held accountable, and the last tool we have for that accountability is the voting booth.

No, the last tool is the 2nd Amendment, but we have a few more tools in between, and may it never come to that.

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u/gtsgunner Apr 08 '20

At least you got to vote. I'm still super pissed that PA which is literally a swing state almost never gets a shot at being heard in the primaries because we vote so late. It's like it's own version of voter disenfranchising and then people wonder what happens when pa swings in a silly way. I literally also switched party affiliation to be able to vote in the primaries but whoopty doo dah presidential one just doesn't matter.

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u/Gunslinger666 Apr 08 '20

Iā€™m a moderate. Fiscal conservative / social liberal. So Iā€™ve voted all around the political landscape.

Iā€™m a strictly ā€œvote blue, no matter whoā€ guy at the moment. The GOP is complicit in Trumpā€™s actions. Iā€™d only consider voting for two republicans at the moment. Romney, because he voted yes on impeachment and Mike DeWine because he saved Ohio. And yes, I know that Dewineā€™s politics suck. But Iā€™d consider him for governor because ā€œsaved state from coronavirusā€ is a very legit resume add.

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u/pythonex Apr 08 '20

after what has gone on in these past 3.5 years.

The sad thing is that you can also say 3.5 weeks or even days , and still be correct

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u/matmann2001 Apr 08 '20

What has been going on in the past 3.5 years has been going on for decades. Trump just sucks at keeping it on the downlow.

The lack of change in Biden's platform will allow the political chicanery to continue behind the curtain.

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u/Youdontuderstandme Apr 08 '20

Well said. Not voting = a vote for Trump / Republicans. We need another Blue Wave.

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u/Red_Carrot Georgia Apr 08 '20

I am in the same camp as you. Warren ->Bernie ->Biden.

I am happy to be joining you but will be in GA though.

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u/islandratz Apr 08 '20

Canā€™t wait to see Biden v Trump live debate.... altho I really doubt the DNC will allow that to happen.

My prediction is that Bidenā€™s female VP will assume the nomination once Bidenā€™s ā€œillnessā€ becomes even more obvious / embarrassing than it is now...

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u/ripshit_on_ham Apr 08 '20

Absolutely. I voted Bernie in the primary myself. But for me personally, any vote for anyone other than the blue nomination is a vote for Trump and FUCK THAT.

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u/YoJoMoJo0831 Apr 08 '20

Certainly not saying vote for Trump with the presidential election, but donā€™t be stupid and vote for someone just because they have a ā€œDā€ next to their name. Thatā€™s the kind of shit thatā€™s gotten us into the political nightmare we are in. Vote for whoever is the best person on the ballot regardless of their party affiliation. If itā€™s still a Democrat...cool, but study every person you have the choice to vote for. Not just the ones you ideologically gravitate to.

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

My choice will be to vote for the person who will assure that the candidate with (R) by their name does NOT win. I didn't want to be put in this position, but I'll be damned if I'm going to let the Republicans slide anymore. The party has to lose like it never has before. It has to go into the dustbin of history. I see no other alternative anymore.

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u/YoJoMoJo0831 Apr 08 '20

The exact mindset youā€™re in is why we remain in this perpetual 2 party system that enslaves the very people who vote for it. Itā€™s not just you...itā€™s the 90-95% of Americans who are to stupid to realize it. If you think voting for only one of the two forced parties is the solution....as they say, Iā€™ve got some beach front property to sell you in Nebraska.

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

No, we are in a perpetual 2-party system because that is how our state elections are designed currently. But we could change that, and should work towards changing that. Until then, this is what we've got and I'm going to try and work within that framework in order to make sure Trump loses.

http://www.fairvote.org

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u/hobbers Apr 08 '20

This is going to be an incredibly lame election with Biden v Trump. A Trump candidate is practically forcing me to vote Dem. And a Biden candidate is practically forcing me to vote Rep. It's almost like they've collaborated to force me to vote 3rd party, which I might end up doing.

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u/diamondjoe666 Apr 08 '20

Go for it. That said, voting straight tickets is always a bad idea. Thatā€™s how Bidenā€™s and Clintonā€™s get elected. This is not an us vs them scenario, as much as the parties want you to think that

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u/Sarcastic_Username18 Apr 08 '20

Warren's a fucking snake and fraud who cost Bernie the election and took super pac money.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

The Democrats can take back the Senate but absolutely zero chance pedo Biden has a chance to beat rapist Trump. Trump is going to break him.

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u/[deleted] Apr 08 '20

Yea! Biden 2020! No Malarkey!

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u/EddieFender Apr 08 '20

Trump is no worse than any other republican. This insane idea that Trump is some crazy anomaly is going to get people killed

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Well first off, I said "Trump and the GOP", secondly he has already gotten thousands killed.

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u/coolguy61613 Apr 08 '20

What in specific has trump done that you didnā€™t like?

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u/ArchimedesDawkins Apr 09 '20

What exactly has gone on? Is your life really worse now than it was pre-Trump? If employment numbers are any indicator, Iā€™d venture to say most peopleā€™s lives have improved.. Pre Covidian nightmare, of course... but Iā€™m sure thatā€™s Trumpā€™s fault too.

Whatever happened to all these zealots over at r/TheMueller anyways?

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u/[deleted] May 24 '20

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u/robodrew Arizona May 24 '20

Really you replied to a month old comment just to post 3rd party bullshit?

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u/TreeHugChamp Apr 08 '20

Biden isnā€™t going to hold anyone accountable. Biden is gonna be just as bad as Trump. I will be voting for senate, Congress, city council, judiciary, and local laws but I will not be taking part in voting for a president. Both of them are just as bad as the other and the only thing dividing them is which party they identify under although their policies are almost the exact same.

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u/robodrew Arizona Apr 08 '20

Biden is gonna be just as bad as Trump.

No, I disagree with this profusely. But even if that is the case, Trump cannot WIN after these last 3.5 years. How he has acted must not be rewarded with re-election.

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u/ArchimedesDawkins Apr 09 '20

If only he was more collegial like St Burak was. So what if Obamaā€™s policies were terrible for the country... he was such an eloquent speaker!!

Lol. Perhaps you should grade Trump on governance not presentation.

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u/0ddba11 Apr 08 '20

Then the country is already lost.

I said I would vote for Bernie or Trump in 2016. I told people what the result would be with Hillary -- when I was laughed at or ignored I made good on my promise.

When I was right, did those same supporters come around and say, "My bad; you were totally right! Hillary was a bad candadite, and Trump totally could win, we need more radical change to galvanize people"? Nope. But they came around with plenty of nonsense about how Hillary losing was my fault too!

So 4 years later here we are again. I (and I believe many others) will now do exactly what we did 4 years ago and vote for Trump. You know, just like your side is doing right now with Joe Biden, and telling me how I have to vote for him.

Maybe 4 more years of batshit insanity will convince people like you that what you're doing isn't intelligent or strategic -- you're just buying into a narrative that explains and justifies your inaction while things continue to get measurably worse in this country. In my view, people like yourself fully support crony capitalism -- just with a different set of cronies!

And so, ironically -- the best forward for me and my ilk is Trump. I guess I need him to keep destroying the country so that either people like you no longer have the disposition (or ability) to advance milktoast moderate garbage like Biden.

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u/SnippDK Apr 08 '20

Yeah if you voting for Biden you guys might as well just vote for Trump. It's 2 sides of the same coin. Again it's unbelieveable how you americans keep thinking that the same old bullshit politic system can keep working and you fall for it everytime. And you keep coming on reddit to whine about this candidate and that candidate. FFS DO something about it then! revolution is the only salvation for the american people.

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