Bernie Sanders’ Problems With Black Voters Go Much Deeper Than Him Just Blaming The Media (WaPo)

[big_dog]

As they see it, Sanders is arguing that the structure of the economy is the ultimate reason that America seems to be holding back its black citizens. It's too difficult for people in the working class to find a job and too expensive to get an education. That's true whether you're black or white, but since white families more likely have other advantages -- inherited wealth, for example, that allows them to borrow more easily to finance a college degree -- the economy's problems are more pronounced for black workers.

The seasonally adjusted black unemployment rate was 9.5 percent last month, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while the white rate was 4.4 percent (black unemployment rates are usually twice that of white rates). Census data show that about 19 percent of the black population had at least a bachelor's degree last year, compared to 30 percent of the white population. The Pew Research Center found that the net worth of the typical white household was $141,900 in 2013. That amount was more than 13 times the typical black household's net worth of $11,000.

From the point of view of the protesters, though, this explanation has things backward. Since before the country's founding, they argue, the American economic elite has used race to divide workers against one another, preventing them from banding together and putting people such as Sanders in power who would alter the balance in the economy in favor of the working class. In other words, it isn't that the economy is the cause of racial disparities, but rather that racism is the cause of economic disparities.

"We have a fundamental disagreement with Bernie Sanders that racism is somehow an offshoot from economic exploitation when the reality is that race and class in America are inextricably linked to the rise of capitalism in this country," activist Kimberly Ellis told Weigel. http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonkblog/wp/2015/09/14/why-bernie-sanders-problems-with-black-voters-go-much-deeper-than-him-just-blaming-the-media/

[Cheese Sandwich]

1. I don't think there is a problem with Bernie Sanders and black voters

They just aren't that into him. So what?

Some are. Most aren't apparently.

People can vote for whoever they want. If most black people want Hillary Clinton, go for it. That's my theory. Pick whoever the hell you like best. It's your vote. Your free choice. Go for it.

If Hillary Clinton wins by that, that's ok. We'll cross that bridge later.

We can't force people to like Bernie Sanders. Let people vote for whoever they want. It's not a problem.

It's like saying the Grateful Dead has a problem getting black fans. It's not a real problem. They just won't sell as many records, but they're still a good band.

[NanceGreggs]

2. The "so what" ...

... is that he ain't going anywhere without them.

[frylock]

4. Then supporters of Clinton should rejoice.

[NanceGreggs]

8. No.

We leave the "rejoicing" to people who post RW talking points about Hillary's email problems, Benghazi problems, etc.

They enjoy it so much.

[frylock]

13. Okay. That had absolutely nothing with the topic, but okay..

People are posting about Benghazi problems here? I mean, I've seen the posts about Clinton's incredible display of poor judgment by using a private mail server and mixing personal and State Dept emails, and the lame-ass excuses made to explain the use of that private mail server, but I haven't seen any posts about Clinton's Benghazi problems.

[NanceGreggs]

30. Oh, yes ...

... it's been mentioned as part of the "baggage" the RW will use against her in the GE - in posts stating that she should just abandon her campaign, because all of that "baggage" is too much to overcome and the Democrats will lose the GE because of it.

[frylock]

32. Do you think Benghazi won't come up if Clinton were to win the nomination?

I imagine there will be several attack ads pushing the Benghazi bullcrap.

[NanceGreggs]

44. Oh, I've no doubt there will be.

But I, for one, don't believe Democrats should choose their nominee based on what the Republicans will say about him/her.

It's not like there's a magical Dem candidate of whom the GOP are going to say, "We've got nuthin' on this guy/gal, so let's just keep our mouths shut and hope for the best."

What they don't have against any (D) they will simply fabricate. And FOX-News will confirm that the fabrication is fact.

And so it goes.

[ibegurpard]

97. you're arguing with yourself

It's tiresome.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

34. She misspelled Clinton's BernGhazi problems.

[artislife]

74. You should start rejoicing

this kind of behavior of being stoic will only alienate the free loving, happy go lucky members of the Democratic Party.

[Cheese Sandwich]

5. Then Hillary will just win. Black people don't have to be into Bernie Sanders

Some are. Apparently most are not. That's fine.

They're welcome to participate. I'm sure Bernie Sanders will love to welcome black supporters. But if they just aren't that into him I don't really think it's a big problem.

Hillary will be the nominee. Life goes on.

[NanceGreggs]

12. Yes, Hillary will be the nominee.

And life will go on.

[AtomicKitten]

50. FDR: "Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment."

Optimism in the face of her tanking poll numbers.

[Chitown Kev]

64. Considering that the economic disparities between blacks and whites

widened in large part because of the New Deal and the G.I. Bill, I am not sure that FDR is the person you want to quote.

[Scootaloo]

75. Reading your posts is a learning experience

[Major Hogwash]

65. Tanks for this post.

Because this is going to be one of those weeks . . . again . . . and again . . . and again.

It's like recycled garbage, you can only use 40% of it to make up new stuff!!

[Scootaloo]

83. See, thing is... it's not enough that Clinton win.

They portray sanders as a gun nut, a rapist, a white supremacist, a quisling, a coward, a pedophile, a commie, anything they think will stick. The goal isn't to advance Clinton in the primaries, it's to wholly ruin the career of someone running against her.

This was the strategy in 2008 as well.

And in both cases, it has the nasty tinge of bigotry. In 2008, the senator they sought to ruin was a black man. In 2016, he's a Jewish man. and just as was the case eight years ago, the ugly tropes and dog whistles are flying thick as mosquitoes in august.

[Gothmog]

111. Good post

[CoffeeCat]

98. This is massive disinformation…black voters are getting to know Sanders...

Sanders began this campaign as the underdog. At the onset, he was trailing Clinton by 40 points in some polls.

It's important to remember that he's always been behind in the polls--with just about everyone.

However, a shift has happened--especially in the states in which Bernie is actively campaigning. His polls have skyrocketed. He's gained 30 points in Iowa and 20 points in New Hampshire and now he leads in both states, according to the latest polls.

But if you look at national polls--and individual state polls where the primaries aren't soon--you see Sanders behind. He's behind with EVERY demographic--just as he once was in Iowa and New Hampshire.

So---it is a massive manipulation to suggest that black voters do not like Sanders. It's using poll numbers to lie.

The truth is--black voters don't know Sanders yet. You could cherry pick the statistics and erroneously suggest, "Sanders is not doing well with those who live in South Dakota!" or "Most voters in the Mountain Time Zone aren't into Sanders!" or "Hispanic voters reject Sanders!"

The campaign has not yet come to these populations yet. But it will. The same thing happened in 2008. Hillary was ahead nationally, and in states that didn't have impending caucuses. These stats were used to bash Obama and suggest her inevitability. Eventually her leads in those states melted away--with Obama winning the majority of them.

So, African Americans have not yet rejected Bernie--They are similar to all populations that haven't experienced the full brunt of his campaign.

To make the claim that Sanders isn't doing well with African Americans is to make inferences behind the numbers--that are completely false. This is a meme being floated to pour cold water on the likely victories in Iowa and NH that Sanders will most likely pull off. The Clinton campaign has to rationalize Sander's latest surge in Iowa and NH and also stop his momentum coming out of these states, otherwise her campaign is complete toast. What better way to minimize a two-state win--by suggesting that black voters don't like Bernie, as he goes into South Carolina and then shortly after, Florida?

[Qutzupalotl]

105. ^^ THIS ^^

[LondonReign2]

107. In SC, Hillary's lead has been cut in half

I would expect Hillary to still win the state -- she absolutely has too or her campaign will be over-- but I expect Bernie to eventually close to within single digits there from the current 24 point deficit.

[CoffeeCat]

120. Wow, that is interesting...

...that Hillary is losing so much ground in SC all ready. I think her general support is eroding. Combine that with the boost Bernie gets when his campaign heats up in these individual states--and I think it's possible that he takes SC.

Bernie was behind 30 points in Iowa. He's now ahead by 10. That can happen in SC too.

[frylock]

3. So it's gonna be a Bernie Sanders has a problem with Black people kinda week I guess.

[NanceGreggs]

33. Well, actually ...

... he's been "having a problem with black people" for more than a week.

So pointing out that fact this week is no different than having pointed it out last week, or the week before that, or the week before that.

[frylock]

56. I have every confidence that the issue will be overcome.

[NanceGreggs]

62. Then good on ya!

I'm glad you have confidence in your candidate-of-choice.

I don't share that confidence, but that's neither here nor there. Time will tell.

[Armstead]

103. Yes the people who spread lies about Sanders have done their job well

I realize that's a bitter statement, but it's the fucking truth.

There are many things about Sanders that are fair game to argue about. He aint perfect. And if people have legitimate objections to SPECIFIC actions he has taken or things he has said or done, okay sure.

But these FUCKING LIES ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT TO CIVIL RIGHTS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND SOCIAL ISSUES is a deliberate opportunistic political smear job based on ROVE/GOP style racist wedge politics.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

101. It's been that kind of couple of months, why should this week be any different?

Cut them some slack, they don't have a lot to work with beyond pushing that one and the 'evil socialist' one.

[ellisonz]

6. I'm convinced the entire purpose of WaPo in this election is to stir shit.

And I'm a Hillary supporter...

[NanceGreggs]

9. Of course it is.

Gotta have a horse-race.

[Uncle Joe]

10. I'm totally agreement in with you,

and I'm a Bernie supporter.

Peace to you, ellisonz.

[ellisonz]

21. And aloha to you!

[beam me up scottie]

90. Hi ellisonz!

Thank you for saying that.

[ellisonz]

116. You are welcome scottie!

I try to do what I can.

[beam me up scottie]

117. :D

[Armstead]

104. Well, that's awlays the job of mainstream media, bith legitimately and not-so-much

Journalism should stir up shit, and stimulate debate and scrutiny.

The problems is too often, they don't do that responsibly

[Bonobo]

7. The list of Hillary supporter's accusations of racism grow and grow. Updated here.

Bernie Sanders tries to meet with Black leaders but nobody shows up: Only 6 CBC members attended
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=589553

A very warm but mostly white crowd welcomes Sanders in mostly non-white Atlanta.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251587673

Online And In Person, Bernie Sanders’ White Supporters Advance A Black Lives Matter Conspiracy
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251535654

The Ironic Hijacking of the Bernie Sanders’ Campaign by Elitist White Progressives
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251539502

Bernie Sanders and the Black Vote
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251588739

Sanders gets raucous, but mostly white welcome in South Carolina as he works for black support
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141185124

Can Bernie Sanders Be Less White?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251469025

Sanders supporters are wealthier, whiter, and more male than Hillary supporters.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251542288

Bernie Sanders Not Doing Well With Minorities
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017271081

"Interrupting Bernie: Exposing the White Supremacy of the American Left"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=508942

A sober look at Sander's Greensboro, NC rally...
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=591120

Bernie Sanders’ Problems With Black Voters Go Much Deeper Than Him Just Blaming The Media (WaPo)
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251594315

Can't the Cornel West apologists admit that his use of the word "n***ized"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=594113

Froma Harrop: Bernie Sanders’ problem with blacks — and others
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251603222

Can Bernie Sanders Win Working Class (ahem, white) Votes?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251602626

Bernie Sanders's ability to rally black supporters may be critical to his success
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251603172

Bernie Sanders & Cornel West Go To South Carolina. Were Black Voters Listening?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251599969

[ancianita]

17. Thank you. Getting tired of this.

[brush]

19. It is what it is, unfortunately. Black folk are not "feeling the Bern"

And the Sanders campaign didn't help itself gain more black supporters by bringing on noted Obama hater Cornell West as a surrogate.

What were they thinking?

[mhatrw]

67. What has Hillary Clinton ever done to get a free pass on institutional racism?

What has Hillary done to reduce the incarceration rates of POC?

What has Hillary done to address racial inequities in the criminal justice system?

What has Hillary done to address racial inequities in unemployment?

talking the talk <> walking the walk

[brush]

76. Ahhh . . . I was talking about the Sanders campaign's choice of a surrogate

What Hillary has or has not done is not the issue. It's the decision made by the Sanders campaign to bring on a well know Obama hater to try to woo votes from the Obama coalition.

That seems quite counter intuitive, don't you think?

[mhatrw]

78. and I was talking about the elephant in the room

[brush]

86. Okay keep on with that, but the Sanders campaign . . .

wants to woo votes from your so called "elephant in the room".

Picking someone despised by many of those voters is not the smartest thing to do I would think?

There have to be other prominent AA supporters of Bernie that don't come with the Obama-hating baggage that West has.

[magical thyme]

114. and surveys and polls consistently show that a large number say they don't know enough about him

to have an opinion about him.

This is true in the south and it's true across the country. And his outreach is just getting going. He had to focus on areas where he was known to get volunteers and donations.

Now he is using those volunteers and donations to staff up in the south and in the Super Tuesday states.

Even in next door neighbor NH, his numbers skyrocketed just in the last 2 months. As he becomes known elsewhere, his numbers will climb as well.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

118. False.

Plenty are and much more every month. That's just a fact.

[NanceGreggs]

23. Pointing out that BS isn't gaining any traction with AAs ...

... is not "an accusation of racism" by any stretch of the imagination.

It is what it is. He's not doing well with that demographic - the numbers tell the story.

If I said that Hillary was not doing well with the male demographic, is that an accusation that she's a misandrist?

If I said that HRC doesn't poll well among Jews, is that an accusation that she's anti-Semitic?

Come on, Bonobo - you're smarter than this. Really.

[AgingAmerican]

31. It is implied

nt

[NanceGreggs]

46. No, actually it's not.

It is only perceived as being implied by those who want to believe it is being implied.

[AgingAmerican]

54. Word salad fail

nt

[Scootaloo]

88. The maestro at work:

[Uncle Joe]

36. From a paragraph in the OP

According to Gallup, just 23 percent of black voters view Sanders favorably. Hillary Clinton's figure is 80 percent. That's mainly because very few have even heard of Sanders -- only a third say they were familiar with him, while 92 percent said they were familiar with Clinton.

So what's the corporate media's solution?

Frame Bernie, and pigeon hole him, hoping it jells before his name recognition and message grows to the point that they can't.

This is nothing but more corporate media manipulation of the American People and it has been going on at least since July.

[NanceGreggs]

52. Of course.

It's all a vast conspiracy. The PTB are out to "get" Bernie.

[Uncle Joe]

61. Of course

the PTBs or corporate media would never do such a thing and "Al Gore actually claimed to have invented the Internet."

The Washington Post is one of the leading rags that pushed that meme as well before the selection of 2000 and the sorry bastards are still doing it.

The Internet .Sucks

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-internet-sucks/2015/05/13/43acd540-f9b0-11e4-9030-b4732caefe81_story.html

Going back almost to the days when Al Gore invented the Internet, the federal government has been in charge of online addresses through its contract with the California-based nonprofit ICANN (the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers). Now, responding to growing international complaints because of the Edward Snowden affair, the feds are extricating themselves from this Series of Tubes.

I remember you as a strong supporter of Gore, I'm surprised that you believe today that the corporate media or PTBs are above such behavior.

[mhatrw]

113. Dean screamed; Muskie cried; Sanders slurred n/t

[Bonobo]

37. If it was pushed and pushed, then yes. It would be akin to an accusation of anti-semitism.

These are not honest attacks, Nance.

Come on, you're smarter than that. You know how it is played.

[NanceGreggs]

58. I think we both know how it's played.

And pointing out the FACT that BS isn't resonating with AAs is not a matter of opinion; it is a FACT.

Can BS turn that FACT around? That remains to be seen.

You are referencing posts pointing out the facts as "attacks". Is it an "attack" to state facts? Really?

[Bonobo]

60. Nance, the quantity in this is at least as relevant as the quality.

So is the intention.

[NanceGreggs]

66. The "intention" is in the eye of the reader.

And there are way too many people here who are attributing "intentions" that simply don't exist.

[Bonobo]

70. Yes, but this isn't quantum physics. The observer does not change the quantity.

And the quantity betrays the intentions.

Look in the AA forum. See the massive influx of concerned white people who happen to be Hillary supporters that recently discovered the place.

If I were a black person, I would be as irritated with them as I am, as a Jew, to have the "support" of rightwing Christian fundamentalists..

[brush]

115. "Support of rightwing Christian fundamentalists" . . .

On the AA forum?

You mean the ones that are doing all the alert stalking and getting members suspended?

I don't exactly call that support.

[virtualobserver]

47. He is gaining traction with AA voters

1% in june 6% in July 14% in August PPP

still low but steadily rising

Hillary Loses 33 Points With White Female Voters, Now Tied With Bernie Sanders in The WaPo-ABC poll

so we shall see how the trends continue

[NanceGreggs]

71. If you believe that HRC ...

... has lost 33 points among white female voters, you'll believe anything.

[virtualobserver]

81. polls are only useful in showing trends

and the trends continue to look good for Bernie

[Warren Stupidity]

94. So we should believe the polls when it comes to African Americans, but disbelieve them when it comes

to women. Is that your official position? Did you wish to amend that?

[Scootaloo]

51. NanceGreggs, your rhetorical device for the evening is...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poisoning_the_well

[NanceGreggs]

68. Pointing out the obvious ...

... that BS is having major problems connecting with AA voters, is simply a fact - not a rhetorical device.

[Scootaloo]

73. Study, Nance. Study.

[NanceGreggs]

77. Oh, okay.

I'll study the poll numbers re BS's support among AAs. I'm sure if I study them long enough, they'll say something other than what they're saying.

[Scootaloo]

80. You've giving a fine demonstration, Nance.

[LondonReign2]

108. "But I WON'T study the polls showing Hillary losing support with women

because those are so obviously wrong!"

[Armstead]

110. Bullshit, He has to try to gain traction with EVERYONE just like any candidate

No African Americans are not excited about a candidate they have never heard of, just like 80 percent of the country had never heard of him.

And their enthusiasm has been dampened by lies spread by opportunistic opponents of Sanders.

The whole "coincidence" that BLN targeted Sanders as the first candidate they "challenged" in a disruptive manner gave ammo to his political opponents who, in a moment of Rovian distortion, decided to use that to totally distort everything about who Sanders really is and what he really stands for....Thus setting up a divisive campaign to desperate identity politics from the larger issues. It is especially disgusting because Sanders is one of the most committed candidates to social justice and civil rights there is.

Fuck that noise. It is NOT legitimate debate or objective analysis.

[jfern]

28. Yeah, they just attack and attack

I mean the 6 members of the CBC Sanders met with included both founding members of the CBC still in office. Not exactly the most obscure 6.

They attack Cornel West, but also attack Sanders' supporters for being White Supremacist. The irony. West certainly uses that term a lot himself.

And Jews born in the US in 1941 weren't generally considered white at the time. Of course he was very lucky that he was born in the US instead of his father's native Poland.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

38. They have to keep the meme running.

[6chars]

69. wow, quite a list

you would get the idea he is the most anti-black candidate ever. of all the possible memes, this is just amazing to me.

[artislife]

79. But what we really need is

a conversation about it.

[beam me up scottie]

95. Hey Bonobo!

Last edited Tue Sep 15, 2015, 07:53 AM - Edit history (1)

You should do an op so we can add to the list every time they post a new one.

White HC supporters who are exploiting the racial divide need to be called on it.

[Bonobo]

106. It would be locked as Meta. nt

[Gothmog]

112. I am the OP of one of the threads you listed and it is not racist to report the facts

Sanders is not appealing to a couple of the key demographic groups in the Democratic coalition. The polling shows this and the fact that only six members of the CBC showed up at a Sanders meeting is further evidence of the fact that Sanders' appeal is not working outside a very narrow group of supporters.

I like Sanders and he is closer to my positions according to that online quiz than Hillary Clinton's position but I am supporting Hillary Clinton because I am not convinced that Sanders is viable in the general election. If you want to expand Sanders' appeal to other groups, Sanders needs to demonstrate viability.

Viability is very important to African American voters. Sanders is not going to appeal to voters in key demographic blocks without some real evidence of viability. http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2015/09/bernie_sanders_presidential_campaign_what_would_it_take_for_the_vermont.html

. For as much as black Americans might like his policy positions—which fit their enthusiasm for a stronger safety net—they’re also strategic voters, not ideological stalwarts. Electability is key, and as a consequence, they tend to back the establishment choice: Al Gore over Bill Bradley; John Kerry over John Edwards. On occasion, blacks will back a factional candidate, like Jesse Jackson in 1984 and 1988. But Jackson had the reverse problem—he couldn’t win enough whites.

Again, Sanders would have a stronger campaign if someone could provide a good explanation as to viability and I doubt that Sanders will make significan inroads with the African American community without this proof. I was a bundlers event last week held by some African American professionals and right now in Texas there is strong support for Hillary Clinton in the African American community.

It is not racist to point out facts and the polling numbers are facts. Prove to me and others that Sanders will not get blown out in a general election contest where the Kochs will be spending $887 million and the RNC candidate may spend another billion dollars. Without that proof, you can not blame voters in a primary situation for not wanting to support your candidate.

[Luminous Animal]

11. Weird. Because Sanders specifically points out in his speeches that the economic elite use race to

divide us preventing all of us from banding together.

He states this repeatedly.

Apparently, the writer of this article has never listened to Bernie speak.

[ancianita]

14. RIGHT?

[Uncle Joe]

18. They know, but too much of the corporate media just doesn't care, they have their memes

and frames to promote.

[Maedhros]

84. It's obvious that they are false.

It requires some serious DoubleThink to believe these things are true - as Luminous Animal points out, Sanders is the one candidate that is speaking directly to the concerns of the people claiming he is ignoring their concerns.

[jfern]

55. I think most Democrats who don't support Sanders

have never actually listened to him.

[McCamy Taylor]

15. Does Sander really not understand that divide and conquer has been used to create capital

and drive down wages? If he really does not understand that--if he really thinks that all the isms will be corrected by throwing money at them, then he is not a socialist, he is a capitalist. And he will be unable to fix what is wrong with this country. He might be able to fix New England, but not this country.

[Uncle Joe]

20. Bernie has stated repeatedly that he nor anyone else can do it alone, that's why he's

asking for a movement, it will take nothing less.

[Luminous Animal]

22. Yes. And he mentions divide and conquer in every speech. IN EVERY SPEECH.

A most ignorant article. He specifically points out that it is a strategy to divide us but if we reject it and stand together we can accomplish anything.

It is a key point of his stump speech.

Apparently, the author of the article (and you) have never listened to any of Bernie's speeches.

[ancianita]

24. ...

[Luminous Animal]

29. Thank you.

[ancianita]

39. ...tired...image memes are all I'm about right now...

[azmom]

35. He may not fix America, but at least

he can make it somewhat liveable. Climate change is upon us and if nothing else he is willing to stand up against the oil industry. We need someone to do that right now. Not sometime in the future. He may have a real chance to win, but only if we are all able to give in a little.

[rusty quoin]

16. Bachelor Degrees should be at 50 % whether it be black or white.

We have so much work to do. The South Koreans are so far ahead of us. They take education seriously, while we fight over race which is not real. We are all Americans and we are foolish for fighting this game.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

25. This guy wrote a column recently about how The left "has won Clinton over".

He also wrote about Hiilary's recent visit to Wall Street. He characterized this as Hillary's "Elizabeth Warren moment". And this column only uses two sources, from what I can tell: one is an erstwhile Sarah Palin fan. The other is a BLM activist. That's pretty thin sourcing to boldly claim that Sanders has deeper problems with the black community.

So while he is free to write his opinion for the Post, I don't find anything in this column very convincing or supportable.

[azmom]

41. You have to be fucking kidding me. The

Left has won Hillary Clinton?

[DisgustipatedinCA]

43. I'm guessing you've formed the same opinion of this young columnist that I have.

I don't believe he has the slightest notion of what "the left" actually is.

[azmom]

48. It seems that he is saying

Sanders has a problem with black voters because Sanders is a capitalist. I think that would be a surprise to many black folks.

[AgingAmerican]

26. This crap again

Sanders never said 'racism is somehow an offshoot from economic exploitation' or anything remotely like it.

[liberal_at_heart]

27. Both are true. Racism and the founding of our country are linked. But it is also true

that economic exploitation makes poverty worse for minorities. Before Reagan we spent money on education, and the phrase education is the great equalizer was a true statement. Hell, back then you could get a free college education in California. But over the decades the Republicans have defunded education and made thousands of for profit prisons and the Democrats went along with it. Democrats are so busy being pragmatists they have let the proverbial frog boil to death. It is time for Democrats to stop being pragmatists and start fighting the corruption.

[ancianita]

42. Racism is the basis of the exploitation of "minorities" before this country's founding. Racism wiped

out "the other" that cleared control of the land base for slavery of "the other."

Racism creates poverty.

Fighting the current corruption is to fight against that long history of corruption -- to grow the moral courage to make reparations and live in economic peace with each other.

So yeah.

[Major Hogwash]

40. Hahaha!!!!

The 90 days of the Summer of Bernie are coming to an end.

[Scootaloo]

45. I'm very happy to see you believe in recycling, big_dog.

Paper, plastics, rhetoric, and glass!

[artislife]

82. You are a gem...nt

[Scootaloo]

87. Naw, more of a rhinestone. But thanks!

[Maedhros]

85. That BLM quote is something like 2 months old. [n/t]

[PatrickforO]

53. The establishment keeps on driving that wedge.

As someone on another thread pointed out, the percent of African Americans who are aware of Bernie pretty much matches the percent that are supporting Bernie.

They will do ANYTHING to dilute his message because no one in the establishment wants him to win or even to be heard. If they can bury him under a faux controversy like this, then the Koch brothers will rub their wrinkled, liver spotted, greedy old hands in glee!

[mhatrw]

57. How demeaning for all involved. Hillary's campaign = UNC's athletic department

[mmonk]

99. .

[PatrickforO]

59. Oh? Meet the Group of African-American Organizers Building Black Support for Bernie Sanders

From: In These Times.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251592588

An excerpt:
Will Crosby, 63, a veteran political organizer in Chicago’s bruising electoral battles, is worried that the black community will be caught flat-footed in the 2016 presidential campaign.

The way he sees things, too much of the black electorate is sleepwalking in lockstep support of Hillary Clinton. She is by far the black electorate’s favored candidate, with an 80 percent approval rate.

But Crosby thinks Bernie Sanders is the best presidential candidate for African Americans. “Bernie Sanders is talking about issues that directly affect our community and he’s doing it in a fearless way,” Crosby says. Unfortunately, he adds, Sanders’ message has yet to penetrate into the black community.

Crosby and other Chicago-based black activists have formed a group called the Bernie Brigade that attempts to showcase Sanders’ progressive platform and long history of support for the black struggle. The group canvasses for Sanders in majority-black neighborhoods and holds pro-Sanders events. “We’re still very much engaged in an educational process,” he notes. “Many in our community are unfamiliar with Bernie. They just see an elderly white man from remote, white Vermont. And, quite frankly, that’s a hard sell.”

Crosby says attitudes are easily changed when they hear Sanders’ political spiel and his policy prescriptions, especially on reforming the criminal justice system and curbing wealth inequality. But a black electorate that feels warmly toward Clinton may not take the time to listen. According to a CNN poll from June, Sanders had the support of just 2 percent of black Democrats. ..................(more)

The rest: http://inthesetimes.com/article/18405/building-black-support-for-bernie

[Fawke Em]

63. Bull hockey.

I said the shit word before and I think it got banned.

I don't really care what you folk think. Or the mainstream media. I know, as a former journalist, they are wrong more than correct.

Bypass them.

[Indepatriot]

72. Substitute Hillary Clinton for "Bernie Sanders", and Liberal Voters for "Black Voters" and you've

really got something here.... by thanksgiving the third way turkey will be cooked....

[Bohemianwriter]

89. Yet somehow....

Hillary "I would rather talk to white people" Clinton goes down better with the disenfranchised African Americans?`

Racism is being used to divide and conquer.

Like the rich keep the poor around to scare the middle class to show up those those jobs as George Carlin put it. If the elitists can use some other minority for the poor white people to look down on and blame their problems on, even better.
That's how demagogues create their armies.
As far as the growth of Capitalism goes, it expanded on the backs of slaves and corpses of the Native Americans. Not the proudest moments in American history.

[reformist2]

91. Bernie doesn't poll well with black voters yet. Nothing more, nothing less.

This is a candidate that 58% of all Democratic-leaning voters - and 75% of non-white voters - had never heard of six months ago.

Instead of reading into the numbers some sort of deep-seated problems or misunderstandings, these dumb reporters need to give everyone a chance to talk to each other and get to know the candidates. Geez!

[Skwmom]

92. Once again DISTORTING Sander's position. Surprised - NO. n/t

[99Forever]

93. Oh noez!

The "experts" @ WoPo and from Camp Weathervane @ DU say it, so it MUST be true!


Guess I'll Bern my yard signs today.

[Gothmog]

96. The South Carolina and Super Tuesday primaries will be fun to watch

[aikoaiko]

100. Things Bernie never said, "..racism is somehow an offshoot from economic exploitation".

but Bernie-haters or cynical supporters of other candidates say he did.

[Armstead]

102. Yeah, let's keep arguing about "chickens and eggs" so nothing will really change

This kind of philosophical knitpicking is just self defeating PC crap that will hold back to any effort to advance eitehr the specific interests of African Americans or the poor/working/middle class as a whole.

Yes racism is a separate and serious problem that has to be tackled as a priority. But poverty and blockage to economic opportuities, sicial services and te levers of power is a huge part of the problems that face AAs as well, as it affects everyone.

This kind of chicken-and-egg speculation means that we continue to be divided, while the larger problems get worse.

[SouthernProgressive]

109. His problems are well documented.

They aren't problems with his thoughts on equality, the problem is with his priorities. He has made a drastic shift righting those errors from the beginning of his campaign. He has greatly evolved on where he puts these priorities at this point. It was a wake up call for him and he didn't hit snooze. Good for him.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

119. HRC's problems with institutional

racism are also well documented. One of the many reasons I can't enthusiastically support her the way I can Bernie and Martin O'Malley.