Bernie Sanders & Cornel West: The radical alliance that could change everything

[eridani]

http://www.salon.com/2015/0/24/bernie_sanders_cornel_west_the_radical_alliance_that_could_change_everything/

But as his presidential campaign gains altitude and attention, Sanders may be on the way to securing the most difficult black progressive endorsement there is: the blessing of Professor Cornel West, one of America’s leading public intellectuals. Celebrity is rare in American academe, but the eccentric West (along with MIT’s Noam Chomsky) is something of a superstar scholar. He’s our Slavoj Žižek, but with far better hair and a sense of fashion.

Speaking with Grit TV’s Laura Flanders in early June, the black academic icon was asked by the host if he will be supporting the increasingly popular candidate for president.

“I love brother Bernie,” West replied. “He tells the truth about Wall Street. He really does.”

But West, who feels burned and spurned by President Obama, his team, and the Democratic Party generally, then turned immediately to the specter of Hillary Clinton. Sanders, though an independent socialist in the Senate, is running for the Democratic Party ticket, and West worried aloud about submission to the party hegemon, Secretary Clinton.

“I’m not a Hillary Clinton fan at all,” he said resolutely. “So if he uses his power to hand it over to her I’ll be deeply upset.”

[swilton]

1. I've been waiting for the big decision by West.

[grasswire]

2. Cornel West is speaking to 6,000 Unitarians in Portland this week.

.....with more watching on Internet streaming. They expect the speech to be a barn burner.

This could be the game changer for Bernie, yes.

[sabrina 1]

4. Bernie will not let him down. I know he feels burned by Obama but Bernie is not the kind to forget

those who supported him.

'I love Brother Bernie'! Love that, we all do.

It's shameful how some Dems here have slammed West. But that's what happens when you tell the truth.

[marym625]

12. and that is exactly it, Sabrina

Sen. Sanders doesn't forget who supported him

[aspirant]

5. Cornel West

will be the downfall of HRC.

Once portions of the AA community peel off, there's no path to recovery for Hillary

[babylonsister]

6. Cornell West...

I used to like him, now don't even care what he says. He's all for the glorification of himself, and I don't abide. Watch your back, Bernie!

[aspirant]

10. Since West and Obama are not considered buddies

would most Obama supporters share your opinion?

[babylonsister]

11. Google it. West hasn't been a fan. I am. nt

[eridani]

7. That means we have to organize to win.

I'm not willing to let a Republican into the White House even if it means voting for Hillary. Even with all the betrayals, Obama is still better than his Repub opponents. Doing deals with Cuba and Iran would not even be a possibility under Republicans.

It's way past time for progressives to focus on getting those progressive city council members and water commissioners into the pipeline instead of just griping about what comes out of the other end of it.

[merrily]

13. +1

[marym625]

9. K&R

Just because people in their own little corporate covered shell haven't heard of Bernie Sanders until recently, those of us that follow the bills and votes that are intended to fight for the American people, minorities and women, have known who he is for a very long time.

This is great news. I'm sure many great people will be endorsing Sanders as the months go on