Transcript: Sen. Bernie Sanders, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on "Face the Nation," July 22, 2018

[oberliner]

Excerpt:

MARGARET BRENNAN: Let's talk about some of the candidates you're out there right now trying to help win. You're in Kansas, that is a solidly, or at least thought of as a solidly pro-Trump red-state. It voted overwhelmingly for the president in the last election.

SEN. SANDERS: Well Margaret, I happen to believe passionately, that there really is not a blue-state, red-state division in this country. I think there's a lot of mythology attached to that. People believe that healthcare is a right. People believe we should raise the minimum wage to a living wage. People do not think, as Trump does, that we should give a trillion dollars in tax breaks to the top 1 percent. But in fact we have got to demand that the rich start paying their fair share of taxes. So, whether you're in Kansas or the Bronx or in Vermont we have common interests and common aspirations and we have got to fight for an America that works for all of us, not just the 1 percent.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, does that populist message bring out new voters?

MS. OCASIO-CORTEZ: It absolutely does bring up new voters and in fact, we start- we found this here in New York, back home we expanded the electorate 68 percent over the last off year midterm primary. So for us, this is about inspiring people to the polls, giving them something to vote for, creating hope for this nation, and knowing that so long as there are working class Americans who believe in a prosperous and just future we will have hope no matter how red the district.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-sen-bernie-sanders-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-on-face-the-nation-july-22-2018/

[Hortensis]

1. Danger ahead. Reality is, most populists are conservatives

who are both economically for big government programs (i.e., "progressive&quot and socially conservative.

Social conservatives are the world's biggest troublemakers, typically hostile and aggressive in varying degrees toward other races, religions and genders. They make up the Republican base and fill the seats at Trump rallies. They're very vulnerable to authoritarian/fascist ideas at all times, but especially in this era when they've finally come to realize how the demographic progression is changing America and are turning to authoritarian government to stop it.

Normally, if a populist faction does become a movement, social conservatism dominates and very bad leaders take over. It'd be quite a trick for either Sanders or Ocasio to stop the populist wave they're hoping to build. Sanders doesn't even have control of the little one at present, which has been looking for new leaders.

Have to be very careful of what you wish for when the sociallly conservative trumpster 40% of the nation is increasingly seeing democracy itself as the enemy to be destroyed.

Over our dead bodies of course.

[KPN]

6. Well, we progressives will just have to be better than those

conservative populists, ride herd on and roust the racist, authoritarian, misogynist populists out of favor. A good cautionary note but not a reason to undermine democratic/progressive populism.

[SunSeeker]

2. "there really is not a red-state blue-state division..." Gee, where have I heard this before?

Oh yeah! I remember! From this so-called "establishment" guy:

"The pundits like to slice and dice our country into red states and blue states..."

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America, there is the United States of America."

- Barack Obama, 2004


Good thing he wasn't primaried in 2012 like some people called for!

[Nanjeanne]

4. Isn't it lovely that they agree?

[SunSeeker]

5. LOL

I love good satire.

[Nanjeanne]

23. Satire? You read too much into things. But whatever floats your boat.

[SunSeeker]

25. I read just fine. Thanks.

[JCanete]

8. oh yes, I remember how Sanders, just like Trump railed against everything Obama had ever

said or done, so of course this is such pure irony you've discovered here...we just have to believe that straw man of yours is a real boy.... This is so silly its embarrassing.

[JI7]

14. he thought Obama should be primaried.

[JCanete]

15. so something he said and walked back proves that he disagrees with everything Obama says

and stands for? Your point does not further demonstrate that case, so what does it demonstrate?

[JI7]

16. it's pretty exteme, especially with all the shit republicans were doing

he saw Obama as the problem.

[JCanete]

17. No, you say he saw Obama as THE problem. I very much doubt you could find evidence that supports

that.

[JI7]

18. he said obama should be primaried

[JCanete]

19. but even when he said it it didn't sound like he meant that should or would result in Obama being

replaced, and you repeating the same point remains deficient in demonstrating the very claim you made seconds ago. Even if he thought Obama should be primaried, and even if he thought a more left-leaning politician should end up running in the GE that would not by itself support the claim that he thought Obama THE problem. It may demonstrate that he thought Obama was not the solution to the problem, which I think would be fair grounds to look elsewhere without needing to result to more drastic hyperbole that put the nation's woes at Obama's feet.

[JI7]

20. lol

[JCanete]

24. rofl...lolol...meme...lmao

[Nanjeanne]

27. Primaries are the essence of democracy except on DU it seems. I campaigned so

hard for Pres Obama that first election. Worked for OFA and was heavily involved in events that were planned statewide. And on that day that the public option was dismissed by Obama was a day I and many in the OFA were gut punched. Yes I wanted him re-elected. But I thought a more openly progressive person could challenge him and get him talking about those bold ideas again in 2008. It may be sacrilegious here but I can manage to both greatly admire and also be dismayed by some things that did and didn’t happen.

But it’s obvious from what Sanders did during the primaries and how he talked to people in the red states that he and Pres Obama feel that working people all over the country can relate to the Democratic platform if candidates try. It’s only being mocked here because it’s Sanders. Thank goodness most of the politicians in the Democratic Party don’t hold the same grudge.

[JCanete]

28. Totally, thanks for the post. nt

[Cha]

11. Imitation is the best form of flattery..

since BS won't give President Obama credit.

[SunSeeker]

12. Yep. nt

[NurseJackie]

26. Vanity and ego often prevent people from doing the right thing...

since BS won't give President Obama credit.

Vanity and ego often prevent people from doing the right thing and giving credit where credit is due.

[JI7]

13. the fact that Sanders wanted to Primary Obama says a lot

about him. this is why he had little accomplishments after being decades in office .

[Me.]

3. What Does She Mean They Expanded The Electorate?

Approx. 11%, 16,000, voted

[oberliner]

7. 27,658 people voted in the Democratic primary there this year

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 57.48% 15,897
Joseph Crowley Incumbent 42.52% 11,761
Total Votes (440 of 449 precincts reporting) 27,658

[Me.]

9. Not Exactly What She's Claiming

unless she's also taking credit for Crowley voters

[oberliner]

10. Yes, it is

Her claim is that 68 percent more people voted in this primary than the last off-year midterm primary. Her candidacy, she is claiming, is responsible for this increase. I think it's a reasonable claim. She seems to have motivated many first-time voters to come out. Her ground game was pretty damn effective.

[Me.]

43. You & I Disagree

Like her mentor she's beginning to take credit where it isn't exactly due. I truly hope she isn't flying too close to the sun as we need that seat

[Skidmore]

21. I have no use

for Sanders. Period.

[oberliner]

22. What about Ocasio-Cortez?

What are your thoughts on her?

[Squinch]

29. If I didn't know better I would think you were trying to gin up

division among Democrats by constantly fanning the flames of this divisive topic. But that can't possibly be. I must be misinterpreting the situation.

[JI7]

31. it's very clear

and a pattern.

[oberliner]

35. What are your thoughts on her?

She seems great to me!

[oberliner]

33. Glad you know better

Curious to know what folks think about her - especially those who aren't Bernie fans.

What I think she has over him is that she embraces calling herself a Democrat, whereas Bernie does not.

[Skidmore]

32. I don't live in her district or

in New York. We have our candidate here to run against Blum. That's my focus.

[oberliner]

34. Gotcha

Do you think Abby Finkenauer can win?

[Skidmore]

36. Yes, I do.

Blum is detested.

[oberliner]

37. That would be fantastic

Exciting to see so many young women doing so well in the Democratic Party.

[still_one]

38. Curious what are your thoughts on OAC coments regarding Israel?

[Adrahil]

39. I was prepared to be a supporter...

But her ridiculous attacks on Crowley and her penchant for campaigning against perfectly good incumbent Democrats sets off every warning bell I have.

[lapucelle]

30. I found this exchange interesting.

MARGARET BRENNAN: Well right now there is a female leader within the Democratic Party, Nancy Pelosi. If you are lucky enough to win in November and come here to Washington will you support her?

MS. OCASIO-CORTEZ: You know, I need to get to Congress first. I need to work on winning my general election, but I'm excited to--

MARGARET BRENNAN: You don't see her as the party leader?

MS. OCASIO-CORTEZ: I mean she is the current party leader, absolutely. And I look forward to be parting--to be part of that conversation and, and winning back the House. There is no decision about the party leader until we win the House first.

MARGARET BRENNAN: So you are leaving open the possibility you may endorse her, if you win in November?

MS. OCASIO-CORTEZ: Yeah.

Come out to Long Island, Alexandria! Help us elect Liuba and flip Peter King into the dustbin of history!

[oberliner]

41. I bet she will

Liuba is awesome - I think she can win!

[ucrdem]

40. I see they both took pains to defend the ACA and their commitment to preserving

this landmark Democratic program.

[oberliner]

42. They are promoting H.R.676 - Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act

Co-sponsored by 122 House Democrats:

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/676/cosponsors

[ucrdem]

44. Exactly.

You're catching on.