Bernie Sanders to deliver much-awaited speech on democratic socialism Thursday

[think]

Bernie Sanders to deliver much-awaited speech on democratic socialism Thursday

By John Wagner November 18 at 7:00 AM

Bernie Sanders plans to give a major address Thursday afternoon on democratic socialism, the philosophy of government that has guided his political career and become a major topic of conversation as he seeks the presidency.

Aides said the speech, which the Vermont senator first advertised a month ago, is now set to be delivered at Georgetown University in Washington.

Sanders has served in both the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate as an independent who caucuses with the Democrats, but he considers himself a democratic socialist.

As a presidential candidate, he has put forward policies that aim to create more fairness in a country he says is now rigged to favor the rich, but he has stopped short of calling for classic socialist ideas like government takeovers of private industry.

Sanders, for instance, has advocated free tuition at public colleges and universities, a single-payer health-care system, guaranteed family leave for workers and a “massive” federal jobs program to put more people to work and to fix the country’s infrastructure...

Full article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-politics/wp/2015/11/18/bernie-sanders-to-deliver-much-awaited-speech-on-democratic-socialism-thursday/

[bigwillq]

1. K and R (nt)

[JaneyVee]

2. It's kinda weird that he's doing this now.

[think]

3. When would it be OK for him to do it?

[JaneyVee]

4. 3 months ago.

[think]

5. He announced he was going to give it last month. Before that he was focused on issues that Clinton

was all too willing to co-opt.

[Gothmog]

26. Do this speech a week before Thanksgiving seems odd

The classic formula for a news dump is to do something just before a national holiday. In addition, the pubic is also somewhat focused on ISIS and Paris

[think]

28. Other Hillary supporters & the media have been openly questioning why he hasn't given the speech.

Bernie has given 2 or 3 interviews on the Paris attacks recently. He also opened his Cleveland speech with a long discussion of what to do with ISIS and showed his support for the refugees.

For some Bernie is wrong no matter what he does. ...

[pinebox]

30. No actually it's completely perfect timing!

See, this is marketing 101.

When do people get together and really "talk"? The holidays. A week out from Thanksgiving is perfect & it's done very intentionally. This will give Bernie a week of being in the news and this will be a very big news story on both the right & the left. This will be the topic of many thanksgiving conversations.

Word of mouth is a very powerful thing.

[Gothmog]

44. Look at the polling on these terms

The terms socialism and socialist poll very very badly. In the real world, real campaigns and real political operations conduct something that is called polling. Polling helps real campaigns refine their message and avoid traps. I know that the Sanders campaign considers polling to be a waste of time and money which worries me as to whether Sanders is a viable candidate. DWS is well aware of this polling
.
From Pew http://www.pewresearch.org/daily-number/little-change-in-publics-response-to-capitalism-socialism/

The word ‘socialism’ triggers a negative reaction for most Americans, but certainly not for all. Six-in-ten (60%) people say they have a negative reaction to the word, while just 31% have a positive reaction. Those numbers are little changed from April 2010....

By contrast, socialism is a far more divisive word, with wide differences of opinion along racial, generational, socioeconomic and political lines. Fully nine-in-ten conservative Republicans (90%) view socialism negatively, while nearly six-in-ten liberal Democrats (59%) react positively. Low-income Americans are twice as likely as higher-income Americans to offer a positive assessment of socialism (43% among those with incomes under $30,000, 22% among those earning $75,000 or more).

From Gallop http://www.gallup.com/poll/125645/Socialism-Viewed-Positively-Americans.aspx

PRINCETON, NJ -- More than one-third of Americans (36%) have a positive image of "socialism," while 58% have a negative image. Views differ by party and ideology, with a majority of Democrats and liberals saying they have a positive view of socialism, compared to a minority of Republicans and conservatives.



....Socialism

Socialism had the lowest percentage positive rating and the highest negative rating of any term tested. Still, more than a third of Americans say they have a positive image of socialism.

Exactly how Americans define "socialism" or what exactly they think of when they hear the word is not known. The research simply measures Americans' reactions when a survey interviewer reads the word to them -- an exercise that helps shed light on connotations associated with this frequently used term.

There are significant differences in reactions to "socialism" across ideological and partisan groups:

A majority of 53% of Democrats have a positive image of socialism, compared to 17% of Republicans.
Sixty-one percent of liberals say their image of socialism is positive, compared to 39% of moderates and 20% of conservatives

It takes a massive PR campaign to change these deeply held positions. The Sanders speech tomorrow will not be the type of effort that will be necessary to change these deeply held positions.

[appalachiablue]

45. The WaPo article states Sanders speech 'will also contain a section on foreign policy, with a focus

Last edited Wed Nov 18, 2015, 05:12 PM - Edit history (1)

on defeating the Islamic State. Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, the former secretary of state has scheduled an address Thursday in New York on that subject in the wake of the Paris attacks." Sanders campaign also confirms his speech tomorrow will cover foreign affairs.
So if 'dumping near a holiday' is avoiding, why doesn't Hillary wait until after TG, or is it just Bernie who is erring here I wonder.

"SOME PEOPLE WILL ARGUE WITH A DINING ROOM TABLE" ~ SEN. BARNEY FRANK.
What better time to bring family together for giving thanks and having discussions, even heated ones! on many other issues like election politics and the state of the country!

[leftofcool]

51. Yes, it is perfect because no one will be watching.

They will be watching Hillary's very presidential foreign policy speech instead.

[KingCharlemagne]

8. Thanks for your concern - nt

[Rose Siding]

34. It's 1 day after his own "strategist" gave that Politico interview

Devine said Sanders didn't think he was ready but Devine disagreed. Maybe he really was trying to pressure BS into moving on it.

[sabrina 1]

47. I think it's perfect timing. Hillary will be beating the war drums, something the public

is against, while on the same night, Bernie will be talking about the issues the people actually care about

[NurseJackie]

6. His core supporters will love it!

But considering how the word "socialism" is viewed and (mis)understood throughout the country, this will probably be a turning point that seals his fate. It will be a valiant and sincere attempt to educate, but it won't fully reach the intended audience.

People aren't going to set their DVR's or adjust their schedules to tune-in. Headlines and soundbites will not fully convey what he'd hoped people to hear, and the limited-information bumper-sticker-slogan voters will be turned off.

I think this will be a spectacular fail. I feel that it won't be one of those "zero-net-effect" moments, in my opinion it will be his downfall.

[think]

7. Americans will love healthcare as a basic human right, a living wage rather than a minimum wage

fair trade not corporate trade, family leave for mothers, breaking up too big to fail banks that routinely violate U.S laws & rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure.

Imagine having a president that works for the American people instead of the corporations that control our government & politicians currently.

That's Democratic Socialism...

[NurseJackie]

12. I get it. You get it. But the folks he needs to reach won't get it.

It will be misunderstood. It will be overlooked. He's making himself an easy target for the GOP, and it won't have the desired effect of getting additional support.

[KingCharlemagne]

9. JFK's speech about his Roman Catholic faith and its impact

On his governance didn't fully reach the intended audience either.

But thainks for your concern.

[NurseJackie]

11. Sanders isn't JFK. This isn't 1960.

JFK was younger and a better speaker. He was hopeful and optimistic, Bernie's just angry. Different time, different circumstances, different place.

It will be misunderstood. It will be overlooked. He's making himself an easy target for the GOP, and it won't have the desired effect of getting additional support.

Concern? Seriously? Don't flatter your cause. I've no concerns at all. I'm eager to watch it all unfold.

I welcome this mistake. Please, continue.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

19. We established a benchmark

[NurseJackie]

20. Great find! "Fascinating" barely begins to describe it. (Thank you!!!)

[DemocratSinceBirth]

22. Do you think they set the bar too low for themselves?

EOM

[NurseJackie]

25. Only time will tell. It will be very interesting to watch this play out.

Considering how long he's (likely) been working on his speech, I'm sure it will be well-written and thoughtful. But regardless of how well it's written, or how well it's delivered, it will serve to open up a fresh can of worms that can be exploited and used against him.

This, I feel, has been one of his biggest vulnerabilities from the very beginning. (At the very least he could have reversed the order of the words and been a Socialist-Democrat, instead of a Democratic-Socialist.)

In all likelihood, I think this will not have the positive effect his supporters desire. Of course, his supporters will be thrilled. Intelligent people will be impressed. Your average-Joe in fly-over states won't get it, or they'll only hear the post-speech "analysis" from Fox News blaring from the TV at the corner bar or at Floyd's Barber Shop.

[Rose Siding]

36. I wonder if that's one of JFK's speeches that made BS want to puke.

[pinebox]

31. You're damn right Bernie is angry and so are we!

Many of us! We're being thrown under the bus, we can't live on a 9-5 job. We're swimming in student loan debt. Millennials are the first generation to make LESS than their parents! I think we have a reason to be very pissed off at politicians and the "establishment!" Hillary's plans never go far enough from still making people pay for education to re-enforcing the ACA to not supporting a living wage!

We're sick and tired of it and wish you guys would wake up and see what is happening to our generation!

[sabrina 1]

48. He GOT those 'core supporters' BECAUSE of his Democratic socialist views. He had no 'supporters' to

speak of before he ran for the WH. So as he gathers more and more each day, it is obvious that his views on the issues are what the people want to hear and WHEN they do, they become 'core supporters'.

You're not suggesting that his current base of supporters has existed for more than a few months are you?

[MineralMan]

10. Will it be televised? Where?

There's nothing about that at the link. Who is going to see and hear this?

[think]

13. Ya, He's no Donald Trump...

So I doubt that the M$M will give him 20 minutes of air time like they routinely give Trump to pontificate about rounding up immigrants.

But that's Bernie's fault for sticking to factual information about his candidacy rather than outrageous racist and inhumane proposals by the GOP front runner...

[Blue_Adept]

14. It's all DWS' fault that it's not being seen

[think]

17. No. It's the corporate M$M news media that will not be airing this speech. The democratic debate

schedule however, that's all on DWS....

[Blue_Adept]

40. Nope, DWS, like HRC, is responsible for everything in the world that's wrong

[bravenak]

52. So true. Blame Obama too. He also was in on it.

[Blue_Adept]

53. Yup. That's what the DU has taught me.

One person is responsible for every ill that we face along with her associates.

[brooklynite]

54. Won't BERNIE2016TV be taking care of this this?

[senz]

15. The huge crowds at Sanders rallies aren't afraid of Democratic Socialism.

Northern Europe and Canada have variants on Democratic Socialism, and their people live better than the average American. On happiness scales, the Scandinavian countries always score at the top. With the Cold War fading from memory, it's going to be hard to tie the variants of socialism to draconian Soviet-style repression.

Bernie's style of Democratic Socialism picks up where FDR left off. It is quintessentially Democratic.

The nay-sayers want Bernie to fail at delivering this message so their Wall Street candidate can continue the Reagan-style policies that have been undermining America's middle class for the past 35 years.

[Hepburn]

18. Why would I be afraid of this?

I am one!

I was in grade school and I found that England provided medical care for EVERYONE and I started questioning what was wrong with the U.S. for not doing the same. This was back in 1960. I have not changed much over the years except that I probably have gotten much more liberal!



Edit for typo

[senz]

21. Exactly. It's the bogeyman that wasn't there.

You were a smart grade school kid, Hepburn!

[Hepburn]

23. Thanks!

Socialized medicine made sense way back then and still makes sense!

IMO: Three things that should not be dependent on money:

1. Medical care
2. Education
3. Justice

Having access to and equality in all of those makes for a better society. The anger I feel when I seen ads to give to causes to pay for medical treatment or car washes and fund raisers to pay, as an example, for cancer treatment, I am not only very sad, but I am angry as hell. If some one is hungry, feed them, if someone is homeless, give them shelter and if someone is ill, treat them and fuck big insurance and pharma! Human dignity is the goal...fuck those evil corporations!

End of rant...!

[senz]

49. I agree, Hepburn. That's a good list.

We could add roads in there, as there are righties who talk about privatizing streets and highways. I would say coastal access should retain at least some public control, and of course our national parks and forests should remain protected from exploitation (some have already partially lost it.) Looking ahead, we may need to add water and air to the list, as the big corporations have already begun to seize and privatize the water supplies of some foreign locations, and I wouldn't put it past them to try to privatize clean air access.

Definitely we must fight TPP and revise NAFTA, et. al.

[appalachiablue]

46. Truthful and very well said Senz. Bravo!

[Myrina]

16. In the event anyone from the campaign checks DU ...

.... please please please look up Historian and UW Professor Harvey Kaye. @harveyjkaye

His knowledge and understanding of the American tradition of SOCIAL DEMOCRACY would be a valuable resource to Sanders campaign.


Thanks.

[pinebox]

32. Done and thanks!

[MoonRiver]

24. Looking forward to it! n/t

[Gothmog]

27. It will be hard to undo the deep seated beliefs about socialism unless some one hears this speech

I keep hearing that socialism will not be a negative for Sanders because he can explain why socialism is good. For that to work, then Sanders needs to get some decent coverage of this speech and not do it just before a holiday when people are also focusing on Paris and ISIS

[livetohike]

29. Meanwhile, all the media will be focused on terror. Not sure when would be a better

time, but perhaps a speech on his foreign policy ideas might get coverage.

[FloridaBlues]

33. I think he missed that opportunity about the speech about socialist

People have pretty much made up their minds. It will get lost with all the Isis media right.

[Walk away]

35. I have heard that this speech is going to change everything in the primaries....

Here on DU it has been touted as the big game changer that will flip the numbers and propel Bernie to the top of the polls. I have been waiting for this big moment for a freaking month. You would think he would have made it sooner if it was going to turn him in to the front runner!

It will be interesting to see the enormous impact this will have on the polls and the media. Surely, if it is so powerful the republican candidates will final mention Bernie's name! Someone may finally attack him at least!

Can't wait! It should be a great political event akin to Obama's trip to Europe and awesome speech he delivered during the 2008 campaign!

[think]

37. Yes. A candidate talking about healthcare as a basic human right is exciting isn't it...

[Nitram]

43. "healthcare as a human right"

What Clinton fought for during her husband's administration.

[Rose Siding]

38. If it gets enough coverage, I predict

little change in the Dem primary polls and a drop for Bernie in the GE match-ups.

[deutsey]

39. K&R

[DCBob]

41. And few will be listening in.

Its too late.. the Bern has burned out.

[Walk away]

42. Maybe if he did something "Vegas" as part of the promotion!

Something that will get some attention beside explaining the same thing he talks about every time he speaks!

[senz]

50. NPR's "Marketplace" has a bit on Bernie's DS speech.

It's primarily negative.

http://www.marketplace.org/2015/11/18/elections/explaining-democratic-socialism

Too bad the Repubs (and their DLC/Third Way enablers?) defunded NPR/PBS and threw them to corporate funding.

The PUBLIC AIRWAVES were originally intended to belong to the American people. Theoretically, they still do. We need to tighten that one up, too.