Clinton tightens grip on New York

[brooklynite]

Politico:

NEW YORK — Bernie Sanders took the fight to Hillary Clinton Thursday night in Brooklyn, questioning her judgment, and even putting her on the defensive at times on contentious issues that have recently dominated the debate in New York, like fracking and raising the minimum wage.

But he needed a knockout punch ahead of Tuesday’s critical Democratic primary and there were few signs the Navy Yard shout-fest Thursday night shook up what is a static race here, or expanded his appeal beyond his loyal and fired-up base.

In other states where Sanders has been successful, he managed to gradually cut down Clinton’s wide margins in the polls in the weeks leading up to the nominating contests, often turning her comfy double-digit leads into narrow nail-biters. But in New York, despite Sanders’ ability to draw tens of thousands of young supporters to his outdoor rallies, Clinton has held a consistent double-digit lead in her adopted home state — and a new Marist poll out Friday morning showed Clinton widening her lead here to 17 points.

Clinton allies attribute Sanders’ inability to move the dial here so far — even after a string of momentum-building primary and caucus victories — to a confluence of factors including the Clintons’ deep ties to their adopted home state; her strong backing from progressive leaders here; a closed primary system that does not allow independents to vote; and Sanders’ consistent inability to break through with communities of color. The Vermont senator’s own missteps, and his miscalculation of the power of the New York media, only compounded his predicament.

[politicaljunkie41910]

1. This just confirms what I've known all along. Grown folks have more important responsibilities

in our daily lives than running behind "political rock stars", waiting in line for hours to see a 20 minute speech I can see (or choose not to see) in the comfort of my own home while I'm taking care of other business. Sorry I'm not feeling the Bern. But I could recite his stump speech in my sleep because it's always the same thing. Nothing changes. I even know the places he pauses for applause. It's been a nice run Bernie. Time to exit the stage.

[Fawke Em]

3. Stop shilling that lie.

I'm 46 years old with two children, a job and a mortgage. If anyone needs to grow up, it's the Hillary supporters who've trashed Bernie and his supporters so much that we'll never support your corporate-owned war hawk criminal candidate in the fall.

Dumb move, children.

[nolawarlock]

10. Are you serious?

I think this is the ugliest primary I've seen on this website or anywhere else, dwarfing by far anything in 2008, and this ugliness is coming from both sides. We've got "too old to run," "I didn't know that jews hate blacks," "stockholm syndrome," "whore" and a myriad of other egregious epithets. I don't think either side has a monopoly on good taste at this point, though I do think the Hillary-hate is far greater. And this whole attitude that if their candidate doesn't win, they'll take their toys and go home is far, far more weighted on the Bernie side. Unlike the PUMAs of '08, I don't think I've seen a single Hillary supporter say they won't vote for Bernie in November but the Bernie or Bust folks are ruling the roost here.

Clearly the Hillary folks don't see her as all that different from Bernie since they're willing to vote for him. The question I would ask the Bernie people is, if Hillary is such a right winger and you think that somehow, all of her supporters here know it, then why aren't they threatening to vote for a right wing candidate instead just agreeing to pull the lever for Bernie in November? Heck, even the right wingers look at Hillary as the most socialistic liberal evil dictator on the face of the planet. They don't see her as a right winger. Her supporters don't see her that way. I think perhaps you may be exaggerating how red she is.

[anotherproletariat]

11. My experience is just the opposite of yours. I'm a college student who had many friends for Sanders

but I couldn't quite decide which Democratic candidate to go with. I wasn't getting anywhere trying to find objective views from my 'real life' acquaintances, so came here to basically confirm that I should go with Sanders.

Much to my surprise, I saw some of the worst vitriol and aggressive behavior from the Sanders folks, and very little substance as to why they were supporting him. After a couple of weeks, I realized that I couldn't join that group and decided to back Hillary.
My favorite poli sci professor gave a great lecture about the various fringe candidates over the years, and how they use one or two 'hot' issues to win over the disenfranchised. The Sanders campaign totally fits the mold, including having very emotionally invested supporters who are often unable to clearly evaluate the facts because of their indignation.

As a follow-up, most of my friends also now support Hillary. I won't take too much credit, but I think those young voters that have not bought into the Sanders meme, and who honestly don't care enough to do much research on their own (yes, many of my friends would rather party in their spare time!)...they want to go with who they see eventually winning. Maybe it's because we're in our early 20s, but lots of people in my dorm just think that Sanders seems too old to still have four good years ahead of him. He is, after all, older than most of our grandparents.

[Haveadream]

17. Thank you for your insightful post

I've had some similar real life experiences with this primary and support of particular candidates. Then again, I am surrounded by people with a variety of political views. I have to wonder if some of the more ardent supporters of any candidate aren't in somewhat of a social echo chamber.

[hill2016]

5. I met Clinton yesterday after the debate.

She spoke for only 5 minutes...

I have a job too...

[Haveadream]

18. That is very cool!

[snowy owl]

15. He stays on message and issues. Apparently you like cruising - flip-flopping more interesting?

That would be HRC. If you aren't with his issues and have decided on HRC, quit watching. I don't think you ever stood in line.

[snowy owl]

16. No political junkie would post such a message

You're a HRC junkie.

[geek tragedy]

2. Dank memes don't overcome decades of relationships nt

[Lucinda]

4. KNR

[oasis]

6. It's nearing time for Bernie to fold his tent and go quietly into the night.

[CajunBlazer]

7. K&R

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

8. Yep.

[Surya Gayatri]

9. K & R most enthusiastically.

[mcar]

12. K&R

[speaktruthtopower]

13. Strains credulity...

it's obvious he's catching up. Maybe not in time, but he's closing.

[pantsonfire]

14. As she flys away to California for two days....n/t