After public anguish, Bronx councilman endorses Sanders on eve of primary

[Uncle Joe]

With just a day to go before New York's presidential primary, Councilman Ritchie Torres of the Bronx is throwing his support behind Bernie Sanders, citing the Vermont senator's progressive agenda.

“Bernie represents a special phenomenon in progressive politics. He singularly has made inequality and poverty the focal point of the presidential election — that is his contribution to progressive politics and he’s energizing young people to an extent never seen before,” Torres said, in an interview with POLITICO New York.

(snip)

“He’s tapping into something powerful and energizing young people in a way that has not been seen. Whether you are supporting him or opposing him there is no denying the impact that he’s had on progressive politics,” Torres said. “He’s changed the way we talk about politics and made poverty and inequality the centerpiece of the presidential election.”

Torres joins a small minority in the City Council backing Sanders. Councilman Jumaane Williams endorsed Sanders over the weekend, and Councilman Rafael Espinal has been a longtime supporter.

Torres admits there is a hint of idealism to his endorsement and to Sanders’ campaign, but he does not see it as a sign that a Sanders’ presidency would be hindered by an inability to work across party lines.

“I’ve had the opportunity to interact personally with Bernie and I get the sense he is incredibly communicative and open-minded and he would listen to people. There is an opportunity for elected officials and grass roots activists to shape what he thinks,” Torres said.

(snip)

“I have immense, deep respect for Secretary Clinton — the endorsement is an affirmation of Bernie Sanders rather than a negation of Hillary Clinton,” Torres said. “I’m endorsing [Sanders] because of what he symbolizes, not because of calculations about his viability but the values that lie at the center of his campaign.”

http://www.capitalnewyork.com/article/city-hall/2016/04/8596894/after-public-anguish-bronx-councilman-endorses-sanders-eve-primary

[snagglepuss]

1. knr

[LisaM]

2. I was really sorry to hear that. I watched him on Lawrence O'Donnell

when he issued an open invitation to any candidate to come visit New York public housing. One did. I really wish he'd stayed neutral - when he makes such a heartfelt plea and actually gets heard - I think it would have been better for him to just not endorse, if he found that he couldn't endorse Hillary.

[Raster]

4. Seriously...?

"I think it would have been better for him to just not endorse, if he found that he couldn't endorse Hillary."

Maybe he thought Senator Sanders may well be the better candidate.

[Live and Learn]

5. Don't you get it? If you don't endorse Hillary then just Shut-Up!

Only Hillary supporters have First Amendment rights.

[LisaM]

6. Oh please. I said *I* was sorry to hear it and I am.

I'm also sorry that it didn't give him pause that only one candidate accepted the invitation to tour public housing. That's my opinion, I'm entitled to it, and yes, I do think that given that he went on a national show, laid down the gauntlet on one issue, and only one person accepted his challenge, he still felt that he couldn't endorse Hillary, he might have remained neutral.

It makes me a little curious why he made the gesture at all if this is the outcome of one candidate responding to him, but it's his prerogative to endorse or not. I simply said that I was sorry to hear it.

[ScreamingMeemie]

7. To be fair, two candidates visited public housing. One did it as a direct response

to the challenge... one did not.

It's going to be an exciting day tomorrow. I plan to spend most of the evening off of DU.

[LisaM]

9. Ah, last I heard, only she had gone.

It's good that he went - hope it translates into some funding.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. Bernie has a solid track record on that issue.

We can give him that.

[w4rma]

8. Councilman Ritchie Torres is on Hillary's hit list, now.

http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/01/hillary-clinton-hit-list-102067

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. "the values that lie at the center of his campaign..."

And THAT is it for so many of us.

[JudyM]

11. That's it. The value of values.