Long Time Away. I endorsed Hillary on TV in 08, but I'm back for Bernie
I was one of these 100 Mayors.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x5520355
My posts from years ago:
https://www.google.com/search?q=riede&sitesearch=democraticunderground.com
2004/08 Draft Gore, My running for Mayor, etc.
My rationale in 08:
Gore refused to run. My second choice was Edwards (eek), my third was Richardson and then Clinton.
After having been elected to Council, then Mayor, and having traveled from New Hampshire to San Francisco for Presidential and Young Democrats politics (I was the PA delegation chair in 05 to the national YD convention in SF), I was relatively burned out.
I wasn't too enthusiastic about politics after everything I had seen and gone through. Back room deals to decide leadership, violations of the sunshine law and go along to get along reporters. Near physical fights in SF over quorum calls and such.
Diving deep into voter behavior and lists as a DB guy. Seeing more and more the data-driven side of the equation and where it's better to turn out the vote and where attack ads would be used to depress "their" vote.
I focused on Hillary because A) I honestly thought she was going to win and B) I didn't think it was sane to think a biracial African-American politician from Chicago who grew up in Kenya with the middle name Hussein and former professor could *possibly* overcome the negative campaigning. It was as if someone made a "worst possible stereotype" generator. I loved his speeches, but honestly didn't think it was a likely win. So it was a pragmatic decision.
OBVIOUSLY, President Obama proved my ideas about "Electability" completely wrong. Hillary Clinton LOST (but won PA where I was).
Therefore, any idea that Hillary is Electable is provably wrong.
Second, it showed me I was wrong.
I did not enter deeply into politics after this. Yea, I ended up a Tax Assessor in a term that ends this year, and yes I ran for school board here (and lost to an Athiest leader of the Log Cabin R's - but we're FB friends now!). And yes, I've considered running for something besides a part-time position.. But that's another day.
The point is I still care and with teenage daughters who are becoming enthusiastic about next year, I know it's time to model positive behavior. They had their picture taken with Hillary, and they're excited about her. They ask me why I support Bernie, and I reply why.
Why I don't support Clinton:
* She's paid for by the Big Bankers
* Clinton economic policies are part of the problem (even if they are better than Bush policies)
* Things have moved SO FAR from the Big Deal, it needs reset
* It's the economy, stupid (Which I explain was Clinton's mantra, but could now be used against Hillary)
- Things are much different in 2016 than it was in 2008
Perhaps better than AFTER the collapse, but the primaries were generally BEFORE
I've given up on trying to talk Al from coming out of retirement, even though I think he'd be a great president (and was elected).
I don't hate Hillary or her campaigners or supporters. Nor any supporters.
I believe in debate on the issues and hate ad hoc arguments (although I recognize their occasional value).
Why I support Bernie:
* He's where I am - Where he differs with Hillary, I am about universally in line with him
* I think he should win.
* He doesn't consider Republicans mortal enemies, even though he's the farthest from them in the race.
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* I'm home sick, so I'm too tired to keep writing.
= new reply since forum marked as read
But it's New Deal, not 'big deal' (although it was a big deal!)
Good to see you.
I think you mean someone put your voter info online....wasn't me. What a mess that election was though. It was a nightmare with everyone screaming at everyone else.
And Jeb! using his position of power to help his brother. Nightmare.
