Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton. Talk to me about it.

[Alan Grayson]

Bernie or Hillary? You tell me.

I’m a “superdelegate.” In July, at the Democratic Convention, I will be voting for one or the other. I’d like to know which one you think I should vote for, and why.

Unlike “some people,” I will not be making this decision based on who can host the best fundraiser for me. I will not be making this decision based on what my fat-cat donors tell me, in part because I don’t have any.

I’ll be making this decision based on what you and your friends tell me. I’m inviting you to vote on this, and give your reasons. Democracy – what a concept!

Click here to tell me whom you support for President – and invite your friends to do the same >>

Look, I’d be perfectly happy if our nominee were chosen exclusively in the primaries. But 15% of the delegates to the Democratic Convention are chosen because of who they are, not whom they support. And I happen to be one of them. I wrestled with that responsibility for a while, until I realized that I don’t have to decide – I can let you decide.

My official title is “Representative.” Isn’t that sort of what “Representatives” are supposed to do? Represent the wishes of others?

So tell me: Bernie or Hillary? And why:

If you want me to endorse Bernie Sanders, then you can vote for me to support Bernie. If you want me to endorse Hillary Clinton, then you can vote for me to support Hillary. If you want me to switch to the Republican party and vote for one of those lunatics, then why are you even reading this? You can expect that to happen when the Atlantic Ocean freezes over. Oh, and Hell, too.

Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton? The choice is yours. Go here to vote right now, and get lots of others to do the same.

Don’t wait too long on this one. The Florida Presidential Primary is just four weeks away, and I’m going to make my decision – excuse me, our decision – long before that. If this works, then maybe other “superdelegates” will follow suit, and netroots activism can turn one of the least democratic elements of the UnDemocratic Party into something really special – a decision Of the People, By the People and For the People.

So what are you waiting for? Go vote. Like now. Stop reading this, and go vote.

Courage,

Rep. Alan Grayson

What do you mean, “I couldn’t be the president of the United States of America”?
Tell me something, it’s still “We the people”, right?

-Megadeth, “Peace Sells” (1986).

[LuvLoogie]

1. A DU poll? Really?

[litlbilly]

5. Im sure he's going everywhere to get the votes. I trust his methods.

[PatrickforO]

2. Bernie is more of a democrat than the democrats and is the one who

should be leading the Democratic party, which ought to be representing US instead of corporate interests.

[cali]

3. This Bernie supporter does not want his endorsement. He's in real trouble.

[dana_b]

8. oh wow

I didn't know that until I read your post and thought "hmmm... what's up?". Eek! Maybe you're right.

[krawhitham]

4. Hillary Clinton: I Could Compromise on Abortion If It Included Exceptions For Mother's Health

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2015/09/29/hillary_clinton_i_could_compromise_on_abortion_if_it_included_exceptions_for_mothers_health.html

ENOUGH SAID

[dana_b]

6. done. n/t

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. Does Mr. Grayson ever respond in the threads?/nt

[TCJ70]

9. Despite his troubles, he's still a super delegate, so here's what I wrote:

This is an easy one. Either of our nominees that ends up in the White House is going to face significant opposition from the Republicans. What's needed at this time is a fighter. Someone who will take a position and make a strong case for it. Hillary's positions have been far too wishy washy for me to consider her out best choice.

One of the issues I had with Obama is that he gave up things before negotiations even began. That's a recipe for right leaning legislation. If your opponents position is "do nothing", your position has to be "do everything". That's how you find a true middle, and it was a missed opportunity by our current president. Bernie's positions are completely suited for the negotiation table, while Hillary's tendency towards incrementalism only leads to the right.

Sander's focus is also on economics and domestic policy. For too long we've thrown our weight around the world, wasting our national wealth on military adventurism. We need to do nation building, we just need to do it here. He's the guy that most closely matches the changes we need in the priorities of Washington both domestically and foreign policy wise. A return to diplomacy with an open hand forward, but a clenched fist ready to go if, and only if, needed.

There's more, but this is probably enough for now. Thank you for your consideration.

[CrispyQ]

14. Nicely stated.

For too long we've thrown our weight around the world, wasting our national wealth on military adventurism. We need to do nation building, we just need to do it here. He's the guy that most closely matches the changes we need in the priorities of Washington both domestically and foreign policy wise. A return to diplomacy with an open hand forward, but a clenched fist ready to go if, and only if, needed.

[NCTraveler]

10. Please endorse Sanders. Thanks.

"Paid for by the Committee to Elect Alan Grayson"

[TTUBatfan2008]

11. Just my two cents...

I think you should go based on the voting in your district during the Florida primary, if it is even possible to determine the vote totals for a district in a Presidential primary. You represent the people of your district in Congress and it seems that would be the best way to represent them at the Democratic Convention.

[BooScout]

12. An on-line poll? Seriously?

[Oilwellian]

13. Congressman Grayson

I hope you do what Super Delegates have always done and vote in support of the majority vote in your state primary. It will not bode well for your own campaign or for the party in general if a small cabal of delegates decide to usurp the will of the majority. That most certainly is not representing the will of the people.

In essence, your question is moot if you intend to be reelected. If you vote against what the majority of Dem Floridians choose, It will be the end of your political career.

Here's a very good write-up on this issue. I hope you read it and understand what will happen if the Super Delegates vote against the will of the people:

Q: From everything you’ve told me so far, I can’t understand why you’re calling Superdelegate votes “irrelevant.” It seems to me like they have the same voting power as a normal delegate, and this puts Sanders in a tremendous hole from the word “go.”

A: Here’s why it doesn’t matter: Superdelegates have never decided a Democratic nomination. It would be insane, even by the corrupt standards of the Democratic National Committee, if a small group of party elites went against the will of the people to choose the presidential nominee.

This has already been an incredibly tense election, and Sanders voters are already expressing their unwillingness to vote for Clinton in the general election. When you look at the astounding numbers from Iowa and New Hampshire, where more than 80 percent of young voters have chosen Sanders over Clinton, regardless of gender, it’s clear that Clinton already finds herself in a very tenuous position for the general election. It will be tough to motivate young supporters, but any hint that Bernie was screwed by the establishment will result in total abandonment.

Democrats win when turnout is high, and if the DNC decides to go against the will of the people and force Clinton down the electorate’s throat, they’d be committing political suicide.

The important thing to know here is that Superdelegates are merely pledged to a candidate. We know who they support because they’ve stated it publicly, or been asked by journalists. They are not committed, and can change at any time. If Bernie Sanders wins the popular vote, he will be the nominee. End of story.

Q: But it’s not the end of the story, is it? Hasn’t the DNC pulled some shady shit already?

A: Oh yeah. They totally rigged the debate schedule to limit Sanders’ exposure, and now that he’s gaining ground on Clinton, they’re desperate to add more. Sanders probably won the popular vote in Iowa, but the party elite there are refusing to release popular vote totals, even though that’s exactly what they did in 2008. It’s been an embarrassment of Clinton protectionism from the very beginning.

However, that doesn’t mean they’ll overthrow the will of the people when it comes to the presidential nomination. Assuming Sanders wins the popular vote nationwide, and assuming the Superdelegates put Clinton over the top, let’s consider the consequences:

1. Sanders supporters abandon Clinton completely, cutting off a huge portion of her base.

2. Massive protests at the convention, and a party split in half.

3. Republicans have the easiest attack in presidential election history: “Her own party didn’t even want her!”

4. The perception that Clinton is a dishonest politician grows wings, and even if people are reluctant to vote for the GOP nominee, an independent like Bloomberg could strip away an awful lot of votes.

All of this spells disaster for the Democrats. It may not be too corrupt for the DNC to imagine—they’ve got good imaginations—but it’s too transparent to execute. The winner of the delegate count from state primaries and caucuses will win the nomination, and the Superdelegates will fall in line. Just as they have in every single election since the system was implemented. (Including in 2008, when this same concern was raised—would Superdelegates cost Obama the nomination?)

Even the Democratic power structure isn’t so short-sighted that it would cut off its nose to spite its face.

(Much more)
http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2016/02/after-sanders-big-win-in-new-hampshire-establishme.html

[PonyUp]

15. How's the hedge fund going? n/t