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Bernie Sanders Speaks: "No One is More Disappointed Than I Am"

Bernie comes through at the end:

"Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding President and I am proud to stand with her tonight. Thank you very much."

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Original Post

Entering to Simon and Garfunkle's "America," Bernie Sanders takes the podium. He looks rested and tan. He looks happy, his young supporters in the audience do not.

Bernie touts Elizabeth Warren and Michelle Obama. He thanks the hundreds of thousands of volunteers in his campaign and his 2 1/2 million campaign supporters. He thanks the 13 million Americans who "voted for the political revolution", which gave him the "1,846 pledged delegates here tonight." He looks forward to their votes at the roll call tomorrow night. (Is he still asking his supporters to vote for him?)[More...]

All the people in the audience shouting Bernie and waving signs seem young and white. (Most seem to be female -- especially those that are crying.)

He's disappointed about the outcome of the race. "No one is more disappointed than I am." His revolution continues.

He moves on to "the 1%." Nap time.

Bernie says this election has never been about the candidates or what the media spent so muc time discussing. It's about the needs of the American people and the kind of future we create for our children and grandchildren.

Bernie says this election is about ending inequality of wealth in America. (Now the 1% has become the top 1/10 of 1%.) He's awash in statistics. He moves to (what else) Wall St. This is not what this election is about to me.

Finally, he mentions Hillary, and says she must become the next President of the U.S. I hear mostly cheers, and chants of "Hillary" but some will probably disagree with me.

Good point he makes: The Supreme Court is reason alone not to sit this election out.

He says he and Hillary "have come together on a proposal that will revolutionize higher education in this country." For families earnings $125k or less, their kids will be able to go public college or university tuition free. He says that's 83% of kids. The proposal also reduces student debt.

"This campaign" is about universal health care. (Did he mean this election?) He says Hillary believes everyone 55 and older should be able to buy into Medicare. Hillary understands seniors and veterans are struggling with the high cost of prescription drugs. Medicare must negotiate with the pharmaceutical companies and the drug companies should not be making so much money.

Finally he gets to immigration reform and reform of the criminal justice system. We should invest in jobs for the young not jails. He says Hillary understands this.

It's no secret he and Hillary disagree on a number of issues. That is what democracy is about. At the platform meeting, there was a coming together, and we have the most progressive platform in history.

The platform calls for "21st century glass siegel act" (no idea what he's referring to), opposition to trade (or is it anti-trade) agreements, like TPP. One of his overly made-up young female supporters mouths the word TPP into her cell phone as she takes a selfie -- hysterical.

His speech is way too long. What about foreign policy? I don't remember him mentioning it.

The evening ends with a female rabbi from White Plains, NY. She shouts "G-d is great" several times. She was so forceful in her pronouncements, I couldn't even tell you what she said after that, all I could think of was ISIS and "Allahu Akbar", which in Arabic means "G-d is Great."

Final thoughts: Bernie did his part tonight. His endorsement took a while, but in the end, it was clear and unequivocal. The media overplayed the protests of Bernie Sanders' supporters. Except for some overwrought millennials (and maybe Susan Sarandon), the majority of his supporters in the audience seem more than willing to vote for Hillary and fully cognizant of the unacceptable danger of a Donald Trump presidency. C-Span interviewed a male Bernie delegate afterwards who said he is emotional tonight, all Bernie supporters are, but he agrees with Bernie that they must support Hillary. He said Bernie convinced him of that. They had a female caller who said she doesn't believe Hillary really has the most delegates. She sounded unhinged. But then the next caller called in and called Trump a bunch of names and said he was making a secret deal with the Russians. I turned off the TV.

I'm going to disagree with the rest of the Democratic universe and say Elizabeth Warren's speech was the worst of the night -- she took the lowest road possible, calling Donald Trump every name in the book. Totally low-class attack and inconsistent with her claim (and Michelle Obama's reminder) we're better than that. We are better, unfortunately Warren is not.

Tonight is just the first night of the convention. After Democrats hear from Bill Clinton and Obama, and then from Hillary, I have no doubt the party will be just fine.

< Monday Night at the DNC | Scott "Chachi" Baio Being Unavailable, Trump Provides Omarosa As Foreign Policy Expert >
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  • Display: Sort:
    He not doing bad (5.00 / 2) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 10:18:22 PM EST
    Wonder how much he will campaign for her.

    He isn't doing bad (5.00 / 4) (#2)
    by Militarytracy on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 10:24:28 PM EST
    He's getting HIS delegates on board. I've never understood this cranky appeal, but my son does. Just because his speechifying flavor isn't my flavor means nothing. He knows his folks. He knows how to speak to them. I'm just going to shut up :)

    Parent
    Bernie was fine (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by CoralGables on Mon Jul 25, 2016 at 10:34:00 PM EST
    He did exactly what he had to do, and exactly what Republicans were hoping he wouldn't do.

    Foe me? (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by Suisser1 on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 01:04:24 AM EST
    Bernie was a bore. And sadly, Warren too, though I suspect that maybe that just isn't her best venue? Prior to that portion I was captivated - Booker, Michelle all the other speakers. Can't remember a convention that felt so engaged, hopeful, enthusiastic and human - I for one, loved it.

    some of bernies supporters (5.00 / 2) (#5)
    by athyrio on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 01:38:18 AM EST
    seem almost unhinged with the crying while he was speaking....I don't get it....I was a Hillary supporter in 2008 and was really upset when she lost but I didn't cry and act like the world was ending plus I voted a straight blue ticket no matter the case as IMO a republican is out of the question for any future office


    It's certainly interesting (none / 0) (#10)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 07:23:27 AM EST
    Even Sarandon was crying. In gun filled hate stricken American, the revolution has been cancelled I guess in their minds. If you can't win down ticket though........

    Parent
    The booing (none / 0) (#12)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 08:07:18 AM EST
    Was mainly from the California delegation,  but New York did a good job (from the front) drowning them out. The shot I saw of Sarandon made her look like she had been sucking on pickles and smelling a sweaty gym sock.  

    Bernie said today he is returning to the Senate as an Independent (to no one's surprise).  So for all the pearl clutching about how the DNC "favored" HRC,  I say, yep, they supported the DEMOCRAT in the race.

    Parent

    I am curious (none / 0) (#21)
    by jimakaPPJ on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 11:52:57 AM EST
    If you just vote a straight Blue ticket, why pay attention to anything?

    Just wait until election day, show up and vote. Of course if you are a political junkie, as I am, I understand.

    But do you listen to all the candidates, not just the Demos?

    Parent

    I used to listen to all the candidates (5.00 / 1) (#27)
    by athyrio on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 01:56:51 PM EST
    but now at my age and in my shape I just count on the democratic party being closer to my way of thinking....sorry to disappoint you but when one gets really ill you do the best you can

    Parent
    No disappointment (none / 0) (#34)
    by jimakaPPJ on Wed Jul 27, 2016 at 11:59:02 PM EST
    I know people who do the same on the Repub side.

    Parent
    College Tuition (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by ding7777 on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 07:28:48 AM EST
    These paragraphs by Will Swaim sums up feelings about the college tuition proposal:
    But I'm here to say something different: Never mind free college. I'd be ecstatic if Hillary, Bernie and the Democrats pledged to deliver universal high school education.

    You're thinking we've already got that. But what we've got is nearly universal credentialing.

    The dirty little secret in public education is that millions of American kids are conveyor-belted through a system that does not produce math proficiency or English literacy at grade level.
    LA Times

    Armando tweeted that Sanders cancelled 2 meetings (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 08:39:33 AM EST
    This morning with his supporters because of their behavior. I see on CNN he kept a meeting with Wisconsin delegates

    That would be Glass-Steagall (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 11:01:29 AM EST
    not siegal. It's the law that formerly kept investment and commercial banking apart.

    thanks (none / 0) (#33)
    by Jeralyn on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 09:28:35 PM EST
    I haven't heard of it

    Parent
    Bernie Sanders. (5.00 / 2) (#23)
    by KeysDan on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 12:22:36 PM EST
    Gave a good speech. The first part was, essentially, his stump speech, but the second was just what just what was needed.  He provided his reasons for voting for Mrs. Clinton--her programs and plans as well underscored the horrors that would await the country with a Trump presidency.

    Senator Sanders extolled  his contributions to the platform, of course, but in the process also acknowledged and complimented the responsiveness of Secretary Clinton. Moreover, he indicated that it would take Mrs. Clinton to implement them.  He had plenty of headline time to speak and got a standing ovation.  Clinton supporters were gracious and celebrated his efforts for unity.

    Senator Sanders's reluctant supporters, however, need to take a time-out from booing him, take a deep breath and try to realize that the primary was an intra-party competition.  To get the nomination you really have to win.  Sure, you are more likely to get an interview on TV if you just can't follow Bernie on his recommendation (and the only thing they can't trust him on).  But, lie down for a while, both that feeling and the TV cameras will pass.

    My favorite line of the night (none / 0) (#14)
    by CST on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 08:54:00 AM EST
    goes to Eva Longoria channeling Malcom X "We didn't cross the border, the border crossed us".

    Reports are (none / 0) (#17)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 10:07:52 AM EST
    That negotiations are underway today do that it is Bernie Sanders who officially nominates HRC.

    Bernie could get himself a prime Committee spot (none / 0) (#19)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 11:22:13 AM EST
    Not gonna hapoen (5.00 / 1) (#28)
    by jbindc on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 02:09:33 PM EST
    Barbara Mikulski and John Lewis plus a contest winner will nominate HRC.

    Parent
    He's going back to Cognress as an Ind (none / 0) (#20)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 11:37:02 AM EST
    not a Dem, since he was elected as an Ind.

    Parent
    That's to be expected (none / 0) (#22)
    by CoralGables on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 12:08:14 PM EST
    But it will not prevent him from getting a plum position if the dems win the Senate

    Parent
    Theoretically, it won't (none / 0) (#24)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 12:44:05 PM EST
    He's now a Democrat. (none / 0) (#25)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 01:33:43 PM EST
    He signed his party card in Vermont. We'd have never allowed him on the ballot out here last March were it otherwise, because state law requires a candidate for public office to actually be a member in good standing of the party under whose banner he or she chooses to run.

    Parent
    That makes no sense to me. (none / 0) (#26)
    by caseyOR on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 01:45:00 PM EST
    Bernie changed his party affiliation to Democratic from independent. That he was elected as an Independent has nothing to do with it. He is not obligated to complete his Senate term as an Independent.

    He is not the first senator to change his affiliation mid-term.So, if Bernie is saying he must return to the Senate as an Independent, well that is b*llish*t.

    Parent

    I saw it on twitter...it must be true (5.00 / 1) (#29)
    by ruffian on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 03:08:36 PM EST
    I'll find a link...

    Here, he is quoted in the WSJ

    My, of course, still be a BS reason.

    Parent

    So, having changed his affiliation (5.00 / 1) (#30)
    by caseyOR on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 03:17:28 PM EST
    To Democratic so he could run in the Democratic primary, Bernie is now going to change his affiliation again when he returns to the Senate.

    Right now Bernie, presidential candidate and Senator, is a Democrat. It is not like he is only a Democrat when campaigning for president. Right now he is a Democrat all the time.

    Earlier in this campaign Senator Sanders stated that he would remain a Democrat. Now, not so much, it seems.

    Parent

    I missed his earlier statement (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by Yman on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 04:56:49 PM EST
    ... where he said he would remain a Democrat regardless of the outcome of the election.  Now?  Not so much.  Actually, it was Weaver who said it (surprise, surprise).

    Trying to imagine the reaction if Hillary had done this.

    Parent

    He previously admitted ... (none / 0) (#31)
    by Yman on Tue Jul 26, 2016 at 04:53:17 PM EST
    ... that running as a Democrat was strictly a marriage of convenience.  I would've been much more surprised if he remained a "Democrat".

    Parent
    He never was a real (5.00 / 1) (#35)
    by Towanda on Sat Jul 30, 2016 at 12:13:45 AM EST
    Democrat, it is clear.

    And he never was a leader, as now also is clear. He is the follower, since he can't lead his supporters to act like Democrats, either -- and shut the f*ck up, instead of heckling the nominee.  

    Heckling the historic nominee, at the historic moment for millions of women (and good men), and even children allowed to stay up late to watch history being made?  An embarrassment to the real Democrats, especially with their excellent ad showing children watching the bad behavior by Trump -- because the bros acted like Trump.

    I would be happy to never hear about Bernie Sanders, Jane Sanders, Susan Sarandon, et al., ever again.

    Parent

    So you're just going to have (none / 0) (#36)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 30, 2016 at 08:20:28 AM EST
    find some other way to achieve peace and happiness.

    Amongst a democratic plethora of voices and ideas.

    Parent

    I know you never have (none / 0) (#37)
    by jondee on Sat Jul 30, 2016 at 08:56:00 AM EST
    because your narrow reality tunnel won't allow it, but did you ever consider what a slap in the face that "bros" smear is to the thousands of perfectly intelligent women who supported Bernie's campaign?

    Fortunately for democracy, most of the aforementioned women see right through the manipulative Lee Atwater-esque insinuation that they'll be banned from the Girls Club for life if they don't immediately come to order, fall in line, and await orders from on high.

    Parent