'BernieBros' is a divisive term and shouldn't be used by Democrats who claim they want unity.

[HerbChestnut]

EDIT: You know what, this doesn't even need an explanation. Title is self explanatory.

[rownesheck]

1. Not trying to be snarky.

But I thought that's the name they gave themselves in 2016. That's why I call them that.

[HerbChestnut]

5. Nope, it's been a demeaning mischaracterization from the start.

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

[Laelth]

31. Thank you for the link. n/t

-Laelth

[lapucelle]

50. That wiki article reads like a BS campaign flyer.

Is this what people mean when they talk about bias confirmation?

[BlueWI]

117. Since you seem to appreciate empiricism

link us to empirical evidence of who Bernie Bros are, demographically, and how many exist.

I'm assuming they're men, since they're Bros, and they're white, since all Bernie's supporters are white according to Bernie's opponents, and they're middle or upper class, since they're entitled, as some tend to say.

As soon as enough evidence is posted from actual data, or at least a sociologist or political scientist is quoted who applied the term Bernie Bro to legitimate research, then this subject will be at least worth discussing.

Till then, the reasoned response is to call out the Bernie Bro label for the pot-stirring and reductive moniker that it is, especially when it encourages derision and dismissal of Sanders' current support among majority of Latino and young Democratic voters, a significant number of black voters, and others whose primary preferences should be respected and debated fairly.

[lapucelle]

134. My goodness! You certainly read a lot into an observation about a wiki page.

Any wiki page that relies so much on analysis by partisans Glenn and Senator Nina is likely to raise a few eyebrows.

As for demands for evidence in support of the positions you feel entitled to assign to me, don’t tell me what to say.

[BlueWI]

137. Your post mentioned confirmation bias

which suggests that empirical evidence exists to confirm that Bernie Bros are a real and measurable phenomenon.

Of course, we both know that this label is a stereotype, and everyone who values critical thinking should call this out, whether they agree with the reliability of select Sanders surrogates or not.

It's really that simple.

[lapucelle]

141. Those are not reasonable inferences based on someone having asked a question

about bias confirmation.

Is this what people mean when they talk about bias confirmation?

It is simply a question asking whether the wiki page is an objective source of information.

Many people would never feel entitled to the degree that they demand others to furnish proof based on idiosyncratic speculation about the subtext of an obvious question.

[PatSeg]

20. That was always the impression I got

I never referred to them as BernieBros though.

[ramen]

86. That is a misconception. It was applied, not self-applied. nt

[CrawlingChaos]

2. Would such derisive name-calling be tolerated toward the supporters of any other candidate here?

I can't imagine that it would.

[Agschmid]

55. "Hillbots" got used quite a bit in 2016 primary season, there seem to be names for everyone.

[Clash City Rocker]

60. And anyone who doesn't worship Bernie has been called a Corporate Shill about a hundred times

[CaptYossarian]

74. Hillary was also being called a "Goldman Girl", but that didn't extend to her supporters.

[Beartracks]

82. Wasn't it GoldWATER?

Or was "Goldman" a play on Goldwater in an attempt to emphasize her supposed corporate leanings?

=======

[Warpy]

113. That was in 2008, when Obama "stole" the nomination

I actually know a couple of Hillary Clinton cultists who were so outraged by Obama that they changed their registration to Republican.

I've seen nitwits like this every single election year. "Sore Loser doesn't seem strong enough to cover the passions of thwarted personality cultists. However, slurs like "Hillbot" and Berniebro" and other pejoratives just play into the hands of that other party, you know, the one the Russians love.

Just knock it off, already.

[Agschmid]

132. Yeah I don't use either term.

[JackSabbath]

104. No,but...

...all the other candidates are Democrats🤘

[George II]

3. What about Turner, Gray, and Sirota, are they part of that percentage of which you speak?

Bernie has a ton of youth support. Young people tend to use the internet. Some people on the internet suck (regardless of age). Therefore, just by the numbers, it's easy to figure out Bernie has more support on the internet than other candidates and a percentage of them are going to be idiots. Does that mean we can generalize his supporters and use a dehumanizing term to describe them? No. That's what Republicans do. We are supposed to be better than that. Don't drop to their level.

By the way, NO one is generalizing his supporters, they're specifically talking about the nasty, vile, threatening supporters among them.

[Hestia]

157. They are Russian Hackers trying to sew discord - again - in our elections

using Bernie's name. Yes, there are real men for Bernie Sanders, but would you call yourself a BernieBro? I kinda sorta doubt it. But whatever floats your boat...

https://www.salon.com/2020/02/09/the-berniebro-myth-persists-because-pundits-dont-understand-how-the-internet-works/

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/inside-the-russian-effort-to-target-sanders-supporters--and-help-elect-trump/2019/04/11/741d7308-5576-11e9-8ef3-fbd41a2ce4d5_story.html

https://www.salon.com/2019/04/12/new-data-suggests-russians-targeted-bernie-sanders-voters-to-help-elect-trump/

https://www.businessinsider.com/bernie-sanders-central-to-russias-pro-trump-2016-strategy-study-2019-4

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/09/07/us/politics/russia-facebook-twitter-election.html

[LonePirate]

4. Most of his supporters are indeed very good people. However, the ones who are not, are truly vile.

The worst of them are truly no different than the deplorables - sexist, homophobic, intolerant, rage-filled and contemptible.

[berksdem]

6. Ditto!

[MontanaMama]

8. Yes. I see very little if any different between

a Bernie Bro and a MAGAt.

[BlueIdaho]

32. There is a reason for that

Both groups support populists...

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/09/07/the-populists

[Act_of_Reparation]

14. I don't see Sanders' supporters being unique in that regard.

A sampling of any candidates' supporters would probably be similar.

[gollygee]

15. I don't see the zealotry in any other candidate's supporters

that I see in his.

[PatSeg]

23. Me either

Not even close. I find it rather unsettling.

[Act_of_Reparation]

36. I see plenty.

[Doremus]

63. Probably because they don't have the high percentage of support from young people.

Can't have 'berniebros' if you don't have any.

[gollygee]

71. They all have supporters

Do you think they're zealots because they're young? Like Bernie's supporters are younger and therefore they act like this?

[Act_of_Reparation]

84. There's some of that, I think.

I'd argue young people are more likely to dox or harass people online, if only because they're the ones most familiar with the process.

That doesn't mean a significant number of Sanders' young supporters would do those sorts of things, either.

[Chemisse]

151. Exactly. That's what's so disturbing.

I have friends who have maintained that level of intense loyalty to Bernie since 2016. And it's aggressive. That's zealotry.

[dsc]

44. I keep hearing this but to take one example

Warren was equally the target of the Culinary Union's flier. Yet zero of her online supporters doxed them, zero of her supporters threatened them why is that?

[I_UndergroundPanther]

56. I like Warren and Bernie

I agree Warren is being shut out and not given the airtime she needs.

[Act_of_Reparation]

81. I'm not sure it matters.

How many Bernie supporters are there? How many of them doxxed people? If the value isn't significant, then it's a simple matter of population.

[dsc]

83. well certainly Warren has some supporters

why didn't even one of them behave this way? Again, she was just as much a target of that flier as he was but zero of them behaved this way.

[Act_of_Reparation]

89. I just gave one possible explanation.

If we're talking about statistically insignificant sampling of people, then the reason you aren't seeing any in the Warren camp is because her base is much smaller than Sanders'. If Warren was the more popular candidate, the situation would likely be reversed.

[dsc]

90. you don't give your candidate enough credit

the reason is she doesn't attract the type of people who behave this way on line.

[Act_of_Reparation]

107. Warren and Sanders are in competition for the same base.

Sanders is winning that competition. If the roles were reversed, the trolls would be in Warren's camp.

Seeing as Bernie has millions of supporters, though, I'm still stuck on whether or not these clowns are statistically significant. My guess is no.

[stopdiggin]

124. "If the roles were reversed, the trolls would be in Warren's camp."

Nope. This is what we disagree on. We don't see any evidence of these kinds of people showing up in the other campaigns. Not now. Not in the past. And it has nothing to do with their ranking or level of support. It seems to have something to do with Mr. Sanders, and his tribe.

[Act_of_Reparation]

133. Sure we do: 2008.

The Clinton camp in particular.

I would argue that primary was may more vicious than 2016 or 2020.

[krissey]

109. Nor encourage the discontent, anger, blame for five years.

[DanTex]

53. Yeah, and that goes for supporters of any candidate. Or really, any group of people.

The "Bernie Bros" myth is that Bernie, and only Bernie, has people supporting him that say rude things on twitter. It takes about two minutes on twitter to realize that this is totally false.

[KPN]

64. Wait, you mean we don't have any folks like that in our party aside from Sanders supporters?

Let's be realistic and objective here. Talk about vile. Geesh!

[Clash City Rocker]

138. I doubt that most of the people doing this are actually in our party

That branch of Bernie’s base seems to be made up of people who are mostly anarchists. I doubt that many of them are registered Democrats, unless they registered just to vote for Bernie.

I don’t blame Bernie for having such supporters, but I wish he’d say more to discourage them from acting that way.

[ramen]

88. This is true of all candidates, unfortunately.

There is unquestionably some ugly behavior from Sanders supporters. But it is not specific to his supporters.

[LonePirate]

95. But his supporters have a coordinated volume and vitriol that dwarf or drown out that from others.

[NurseJackie]

7. Aw.

Next thing someone will be telling us that we shouldn't use his initials.

[dalton99a]

11. That's BS

[Lulu KC]

34. Thank you!

We need more laughter.

[MontanaMama]

12. ...

[Codeine]

45. I have a handful of favorite posters

and that kinda shit right there is why you’re one of them!

[Gothmog]

61. LOL

[MineralMan]

80. That's just BS, NurseJackie.

[ramen]

91. Can we not agree that leaving name-calling to the playground and current white house occupant

would be a good idea? The tactic is no different than people throwing around 'Shillary' and 'Hillbot' four years ago. It's self-defeating and lowers discourse, at best. I propose we let Trump call names and let's be better than that here.

[dalton99a]

9. The zealotry borders on religion

(Jim Young/Reuters)

[davs797]

37. Did those specific people in the pic do anything?

[zackymilly]

65. What is Blake Shelton doing with a portrait of Bernie? n/t

[progressoid]

93. Some go the extra step and get ink...

Link to tweet

/photo/1

Link to tweet

[BlueWI]

120. Looks like a diverse and engaged group of young people

many of whom wearing glasses.

Is there something supposed to be scary about this picture? The more we see of this, the better off Democrats are.

[gollygee]

10. Sanders supporters: Don't say this about Sanders or supporters because it's divisive

Also Sanders supporters: All sorts of divisive stuff about everyone else

[beastie boy]

13. What would be an acceptable alternative to describe

Bernie supporters who are divisive towards the Democratic party?

I don't mind any other term that defines this particular group of people.

[Quixote1818]

29. You mean Bernie supporters who feel the establishment

Tries to undermine his campaign like Hillary's attacks saying no one likes him? What do you expect them to do? Just take it? It's a grassroots movement that the establishment freaked out about.

[Fresh_Start]

57. yes, the group of bernie supports who fall for conspiracy theories

and believe anything BS claims, evidence to the contrary

[lapucelle]

87. "Establishment" is a divisive term and shouldn't' be used by Democrats who claim they want unity.

[we can do it]

92. Establishment? You mean people who've been in government for decades?

Or actual Democrats who are always Democrats not just when its politically expedient?

[McKim]

125. Thank You, I am Not Takng It!

Thank you, as a Warren and Sanders supporter I am not taking it. The ideas that Sanders supporters are “Bros., are mean full of vitriol, vicious, Brown Shirts and etc. has been pushed through the echo chamber for quite a while now and it is tiresome. Even my neighbor who is a reasonable progressive person said yesterday that Sanders supporters are mean. She didn’t realize she was talking to one!

As a 74 year old retired teacher and human rights and peace activist I truly resent being attacked in all the media. It is a cheap shot. They can’t attack Sanders ideas so they attack his followers.

I ignore it and continue to send a check every month to Sanders and Warrens campaigns. I support Medicare for All and a family member died for lack of it!

I am prepared to vote Blue no Matter Who but how much bashing can a decent person take?

[beastie boy]

135. No, I don't mean anything of the sort.

I just wanted to know what the politically correct term du jour for Bernie Bros is. It is a clearly defined group of people who don't like being called Bernie Bros. I want to know what they prefer to be called. The degree of their hypocrisy will not change no matter what I call them.

[cherryinpa]

16. Agreed

As a Biden supporter I use this term my self and I've increasingly not liked it.

At the end of the day these so called "Bernie Bros" are all part of the larger Democratic family.

What people arn't noticing is that Biden has been lacklustre but he has never attacked personally the Bernie supporter, he understands their perspective. It was a real touching moment when Biden + Bernie hugged at the last debate that shows you how people can eventually come together as family.

We don't go around calling family members derogatory names.

Eventually there will be healing (whichver candiate wins) and people will coalesce around.

In the spirit of working together, I will stop using this phrase.

[Demsrule86]

17. Everyone has an opinion...I think 'establishment' and' thirdway' shouldn't bet used by

Democrats who claim they want unity. And I don't think this needs an explanation either. You can't have your cake and eat it too...engage in this sort of thing and then cry foul when it comes back at you.

[dalton99a]

35. +1. You give someone room and board and all they want to do is burn your place down

WTF

[DanTex]

119. Third Way is the name of a think tank. They picked it. What else should people call that think tank?

https://www.thirdway.org/

[Vivienne235729]

18. I am getting whiplash here on DU. I just read a post about how BS people are calling for

Destroying Bloomber staffer's lives and then not call BS supporters Bernie Bro's bc it hurts your feelings?!?!! That it is divisive? Is that right?!?!!!

[krissey]

111. I just read another Bro talking about taking down the Democratic Party, right before this Op.

But hey, all campaigns have this problem, don't ya know.

[Act_of_Reparation]

19. Personally, I think this "division v. unity" schtick is a horseshit canard people trot out...

...to silence people they don't like.

[Jirel]

21. Hold up...

I love Bernie. I’m tired of hearing it overused too. But there is a small subset of people for whom this term works. For example, I just read an opinion post from one last week who was bemoaning that he’ll never vote again, ever, if Bernie gets “cheated” by the DNC.

I don’t believe the Bros are really in this to save the country. I suspect that most of that tiny contingent are little more than hipster trolls who are perfectly fine with Trump. I barely consider them Bernie supporters, because Bernie would be facepalming at their whining and foot stomping. I know a few of these people. If you press them, they’ll start insisting that Trump is not a problem, really kind of an ok dude, and the threat is the “deep state.”

So, let’s stop using this term for people, Democrats, Socialists, Greens, and Independents who truly back Bernie. The vast, vast majority of Bernie’s supporters are amazing, passionate people who, if he doesn’t get the nom, will work tirelessly to defeat Trump and get some good done in DC. Just like Bernie did for Hillary in 2016. IT IS NOT A SYNONYM FOR “BERNIE SUPPORTER.”

As for those fake progressives with a secret hard on for Trump, who use Bernie as a vehicle for their propaganda, carry on. It’s a good term to differentiate the wolves in the fold whose allegiance to Bernie is a cover for conspiracy theories and shenanigans.

[Prue]

59. Good points

You make some very good points. Based on the disinformation that went on in 2015/2016 I would not be surprised if the term BernieBros hasn't been hijacked and intentional framed as a bad thing. How much do we trust that those who claim they are BB's are really Bernie supporters.

[highplainsdem]

22. How about Sanders supporters calling Warren a snake and using snake emojis in their posts about her?

How about Sanders supporters using the #MayorCheat hashtag to attack Buttigieg?

How about Sanders supporters adding the #bendtheknee hashtag to tweets demanding supporters of other candidates, and critics of Sanders, "fall into line" behind him?

How about Sanders supporters saying anyone working for Bloomberg should be blacklisted?

How about Sanders supporters threatening leaders of groups that don't back Sanders?

But you think describing any Bernie supporters as "Bernie Bros" is divisive?

[PatSeg]

38. Kind of makes "BernieBros"

sound rather positive.

[CrawlingChaos]

39. Would they be allowed to do that on this forum?

Because I haven't seen it.

And yet the slur "Bernie Bro" is tolerated here.

[RandySF]

24. It's a term for his internet trolls.

[NurseJackie]

41. What's the proper term to use for Sirota and Nina and Briahna Joy Gray?

What's the proper term to use for Sirota and Nina and Briahna Joy Gray? They have said many nasty and divisive things... particularly with their smears and denigrating attacks on the Democratic party and against loyal stalwart Democrats.

Why so much concern over the feelings of some fringe malcontents who aren't likely to vote anyway... when we have high-profile people like the ones I just mentioned who are causing much more damage to the party with their divisive rhetoric. Things like that only cause resentment and distrust. It drives away new voters and first time voters if they're constantly being told how "worthless" the Democrats are or that there's "no difference between the parties" or that "Democrats can't be trusted" and that "the system is corrupt".

All these LIES cause so much more damage in the long run. It does nothing but create negativity. Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

[NurseJackie]

26. You know what ELSE is "divisive"...

You know what ELSE is "divisive"...

It's divisive when someone falsely claims that Democrats are "ideologically bankrupt".

It's divisive when someone smears and denigrates Democrats by calling us "feeble".

It's divisive when someone accuses the Democratic party of being "corrupt" and an "absolute failure".

It doesn't promote unity when someone claims that the Democratic party is "the party of the one-percent" or that the Democratic party is "party of the elite".

It also does not promote unity or trust when someone says there's "no difference between Democrats and Republicans."

It's an outright lie for someone to claim that the Democratic party "doesn't care about climate change."

What good purpose does it serve for someone to say that that the Democrats "focus too much" on diversity and that the party isn't "particularly sympathetic" to the working class.

Whenever someone is worried about the feelings of a particular subset of voters, I often wonder why that same concern about "unity" isn't also being expressed when the ENTIRE PARTY is being smeared and denigrated?

Negativity generates apathy. Apathy discourages voter turnout. Low voter turnout gives Republicans a chance to steal the elections.

[Fresh_Start]

28. +1000 NT

nt

[PatSeg]

40. Bingo!!!

Spot on!

[MrsCoffee]

48. Cognitive dissonance makes this post invisible to some.

Shame, because it's spot on.

[we can do it]

94. Had to be said.

[krissey]

112. And that is just a start.

[Codeine]

27. "BernieBros" are a very specific subset

of his supporters; not every Sanders fan is a BernieBro, but I’ll call the ones who are exactly that.

[BusyBeingBest]

43. This is true. Someone who punches at "Bernie Bro's" wasn't aiming at me in

2016 when I supported him. That's an angry young male cohort who may in fact be outside agitators or Russian trolls. I didn't take offense unless someone suggested all Bernie voters were "bros".

[malchickiwick]

30. Can we call them the Boo Bros? For booing Secretary Clinton at the DNC?

Bernie has a small kernel of supporters that live in the sewers of 4chan, et. al., and spew vile hatred every bit as well as the MAGAtrolls.

In my opinion, he needs to deliver that cadre a sharp talking to immediately.

For example, from here in NV, from the Nevada Independent:

Two top Culinary Union officials have faced threatening phone calls, emails and tweets and say their personal information was shared online after the release of a union scorecard that took particular aim at Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Secretary-Treasurer Geoconda Arguello-Kline, for instance, has come under attack for her Nicaraguan heritage, and union spokeswoman Bethany Khan was accused of being paid off by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other Democratic establishment types. In tweets, the union and its leadership have been referred to as “bitches,” “whore,” “fucking scab” and “evil, entitled assholes.”

Full story:

https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/culinary-union-officials-face-profanity-laced-attacks-after-scorecard-says-sanders-would-end-their-health-care

[deurbano]

99. And what about the Democratic Convention in 2016? That still rankles. Clinton's opposition was a

dangerous fascist-- a white nationalist, racist, misogynist (etc., etc.,), sexual assaulting, narcissistic, petty, vindictive, ignorant and evil conman. Yet a certain contingent thought their main enemy was the Democratic nominee, who also happened to be the first woman ever nominated by a major party. An historic moment in American history, and the Boo Bros (and their female counterparts) respond by putting all their energy (and venom) into tearing her down.

[murielm99]

42. Don't try to shame me into

using language and terms that you prefer.

I will call people Bernie Bros if I want to do that. I see divisiveness, all right. I see it here, IRL, and all over the internet. Who is doing the dividing? BernieBros.

[Codeine]

46. Just this.

It’s ridiculous that the source of all the negativity in this cycle is complaining about negativity.

[rzemanfl]

54. Yes, ridiculous. n/t

[MrsCoffee]

49. +1

[LexVegas]

62. ....

[dware]

123. +100. nt

[MrsCoffee]

47. Cool story, bro.

[Gothmog]

51. I have seen the actions of sanders supporters up close and I do not care what we call them

Normally going to a national convention is a once in a life time experience. I have worked really hard inside the party on campaigns and voter protection issues for a very long time to earn this trip. Too bad that sanders and his vetted delegates ruined that experience and did their best to help trump. A candidate has absolute approval rights over their pledged delegates because these delegates can change their votes and these delegates represent the candidate and campaign. I helped vet Clinton delegates and I know that I was vetted. The Clinton campaign told us that we represent her and that our actions would reflect on her and her campaign.

In contrast, sanders sent one very weak text the Sunday night before the convention and then did little or nothing to control his delegates. It was nasty I was there when the sanders delegates booed Congressman John Lewis. I was warned about this stunt 30 minutes before it happened by the Clinton campaign whip. According to my whip, sanders was asked to stop this event and declined. That incident will be used against sanders by Russia to suppress the African American vote just as was done in 2016

Link to tweet

Russia will just run material showing sanders delegates booing John Lewis, Elijah Cummings and others to suppress the vote of African American voters and I feel that this tactic would be very effective

I was at the Texas delegation breakfast when a group of sanders delegates marched in and demanded that we condemn Clinton and change our votes to sanders.

sanders spoke to the Texas delegation the next morning and his speech was again solely about himself. There was a mini-riot due to his delegates the prior morning and the only thing that sanders talked about was himself. sanders did nothing to deal with the fact that his delegates were out of control and did nothing to try to help Hillary Clinton win the general election.

Finally a group of sanders delegates yelled at my daughter and called her the c-Word because she would not try to get me to change my vote. Again sanders was asked to tell his delegates to behave during the convention and sanders refused

[NurseJackie]

66. That last fellow gives new meaning to the phrase "No Filters", eh?

So disrespectful. (And his friends just nod in agreement.)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

79. What are we to call the folks that do this garbage, if we can't call them Bernie Bros?

They exist, and they intimidate with over the top anger when faced with their triggers (ie Hillary). I have one on my FB feed. Nice guy except for his Bernie Bro side. I do confront him when he is inappropriate and he backs down.

But yeah, I’ve never seen the same kind of outbursts from the supporters of other Democrats.

[Tom Rinaldo]

130. I care when any Democrat employs sexist language that presumes it's only men that count

You can call out anyone you think warrants the ridicule whenever you want, as assholes, jerks, idiots, bullies, saboteurs, disrupters, hypocrites, or anything else you think fits. But all too often "Bernie Bros" is a term applied loosely to everyone who fervently supports Bernie Sanders, and at least as many females do that as males. That term literally makes the contributions of women, either positive or negative, invisible. And no one can even make a convincing case that the worst type of behavior that you are complaining about is engaged in exclusively by men. In my opinion Bernie Bro' was designed as a slur to intentionally insinuate that Bernie Sanders and those who support him are anti-women, and/or dismissive of women's real concerns. It is meant to imply that Bernie's campaign more so than any other is oppressively male oriented. It is using sexist language to make a sexist attack on Bernie Sanders and all who support him.

Condemn obnoxious behavior all you want but you don't have to employ sexist language to do so.

[Gothmog]

144. What sexist language did I use???

I use the term sanders supporters and I pointed out facts about what happened at the National Convention

[Tom Rinaldo]

147. You wrote "I don't care what we call them" and I wrote that I do, and why

But you are correct that you yourself called out some Bernie supporters as Bernie supporters as opposed to using "Bernie Bros" and so I should have credited you with that.

[Gothmog]

149. I saw too much of sanders supporters at the national convention

They are not nice people Remember that these vetted delegates were official representatives of the sanders campaign>. The incidents describes on this board and in the Bloomberg ad are consistent with what I personally saw

Do you really think that booing Congressman JOHN Lewis and Rlijah Cummings reflect well in sanders or the sanders campaign?

[Tom Rinaldo]

150. I'm a Sanders supporter and I am generally fairly nice

That of course is the other thing, some opponents of Sanders use a broad brush that tars all who support Sanders, but to answer your question directly, my answer is: No

[Gothmog]

152. These sanders supporters were vetted delegates who represented his campaign

Their conduct reflected on the sanders campaign.

As for booing JOHN Lewis and others Russia will use this planned stunt to suppress the vote of African American voters in the general election

If sanders is 6he nominee, trump wins45+ states

[Chemisse]

154. Wow. Very illuminating. n/t

[LanternWaste]

52. The righteous oppression of sacred cows and their flock are so vainglorious.

The response too is self-explanatory.

[KPN]

58. No kidding. And folks here belly-ache about "establishment" and "corporate". Too funny really.

[Turbineguy]

67. For me, BernieBros

will always be the people who kicked me off the Bernie Sanders forum last time around.

But maybe they changed and are less divisive now.

[LarryNM]

68. Those who don't support Sanders should coalesce around one candidate

or maybe two instead of using their energy to attack Sanders and his supporters.

[33taw]

69. I agree, the name calling is unproductive regardless of which candidate is attacked.

Of course, Trump is fair game.

[awesomerwb1]

70. It is amazing to me

how much Bernie supporters use the victim card. Won't be long before they start calling themselves oppressed by the oligarchy or something out a communist insurgency manual.

I have never seen candidate's supporters be so divisive, aggressive, down right angry and intolerant until Bernie came along. It's mind blowing.

A lot of Bernie supporters are SELF APPOINTED Bernie bros. If they don't want anyone using that term, maybe they should stop using it themselves...on themselves.

[krissey]

114. It is not the way Democrats behave, for sure.

[CalFione]

72. This exchange kind of says it best

Link to tweet

And this is not abnormal behavior by a Bernie supporter online. This is pretty much standard.

[yaesu]

73. yeah, its tiring to rehash the last election, especially when that term was invented by

cambridge analytica & the russians.

[Fiendish Thingy]

75. Especially since young women make up more of Sanders base than men

https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/gyzjmb/bernie-bros-women-under-45-make-up-a-larger-share-of-bernie-sanders-base-than-men

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/sanders-supporters-bernie-bro-poll-less-white-women-2020-democrat-candidates-a9070531.html

[greenjar_01]

76. Too bad

[apcalc]

77. Whoever they were, whatever you call them,

The group was nasty and he did not discourage them.

Heretofore , can we call them “assholes”?

[tiredtoo]

78. Did anyone ever consider

We need this kind of enthusiasm to win the election? Just asking.

[stopdiggin]

127. yeah. yeah. and we could pass out MAGAt hats too! (nt)

[tiredtoo]

129. check it out.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3008028205915408&set=a.131581693560088&type=3&theater

[OregonBlue]

85. Some angry, devisive, aggressive Bernie supporters are

Bernie Bros and I don't see why we should be afraid to call them out when they are creating division and chaos. On the other hand, most Bernie supporters are no different than any other DUers and should be treated with respect.

[DetlefK]

96. I will stop calling Berniebros Berniebros once Berniebros stop behaving like Berniebros:

Someone tweeted a clip from CNBC how bad Warren would be for Wall Street profits. Berniebros responded that even though these TV-hosts talked about Warren, they really meant Sanders.

Someone tweeted about Jill Stein. Some guy with Bernie2020 in his tag responded how he loves watching liberals get triggered.

[ibegurpard]

97. but they started it!

That's where we're at...

[irisblue]

98. Self described Bernie Bro

Patrick🌹 (@Plindsey2323) Tweeted:
.@MSNBC - Bernie Bro, here... If you're going to use my tweet, the least you could do is unblur my face... 😂

#BernieBeatsTrump #NotMeUs https://t.co/Srv04E9XKl

Link to tweet

Patrick🌹 (@Plindsey2323) Tweeted:
@BenjaminPDixon Why did Mikey decide to use my tweet, and can I get him to unblur my name and picture? 🤷‍♂️ https://t.co/c0cI32CuHw

Link to tweet

I do not expect your wish to stop using Bernie Bro is going to take hold Herb

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

100. BEING hypersensitive about language and perceiving slights where none exist is divisive and

should not be done bythose who claim they want unity.

Since I know Bernie Bros who call themselves Bernie Bros - Im sorry but I see this as a huge NON-PROBLEM.

Why are you - heck, why am *I* spending any time whatsoever thinking about this.

[zentrum]

101. Agreed. But you

.....are allowed to hurl any insult against Bernie.

Very disturbing.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

102. Maybe so, but there are Sanders supporters who are rude and disruptive

both on-line and IRL, and I don't understand why the majority who are not like that don't make an effort to shut them up, instead of getting defensive and/or trying to claim they don't exist. The other campaigns don't seem to have this problem. If you don't want people pointing this fact out, whether or not they are called Bernie Bros, maybe Bernie himself needs to try to control them, and if he doesn't his less obnoxious supporters might want to do so. The fact is that this loud, nasty minority does not reflect well on the candidate.

[still_one]

103. Not unlike those who disparage "establishment Democrats". Incidently, I don't use that term toward

Sanders supporters

[krissey]

105. It isn't a one way street here. We see the crap all over the place from Sanders supporters, then

you tell us we need to be respectful for unity. When I see even a hint of Sanders cleaning up his own house, then I will listen to his preaching.

[LudwigPastorius]

106. How about "SandersSiblings"?

Is that OK?

[HerbChestnut]

108. At least it's not gender specific.

[KSNY]

110. I agree...it also minimizes Sanders' female supporters...

of which there are many. Bloomberg should keep his ads aimed at Trump.

[Peacetrain]

115. Okay, Bernie surrogates then.. and I have met them up close and personal

And if you do not want to hold Bernie Sanders responsible for their behaviors..then his Lieutenants that he hired are and they were then rehired.. so in the end he is responsible.

I have posted this before.. 2016 I was the precinct caption for Martin O'Malley.. At our caucus all candidates could have a representative give a speech (5 minutes) on their behalf before the second vote. The Bernie people started booing me at minute one and would not let me finish. They tried to wrestle supporters away before the first vote. Who ever gave them their marching orders, these were the rudest people I have ever met at a caucus. They just tried to intimidate everyone.


This year, they did not even bother to come in and try for second votes from the candidates who were not viable. Warrens people spoke to us, Buttigiegs people spoke to us and guess what they got a bunch of second votes.. Warren got my entire family..they (The Bernie captains)marched their people out of there before they even had the chance to caucus.

Sorry folks.. but we have just finished 3 years with an attitudinal bunch in DC who we are trying to vote out and I do not need it out of my own par

[HerbChestnut]

118. Wow. Worse than people who support Trump.

I mean...wow.

[hurple]

121. That's been my personal experience

Very much yes.

[dware]

122. No.

Think I'll pass on this.

[TreasonousBastard]

126. I've been calling them "Bernistas", which may slow down the sexism complaints, but...

what's going on now is nothing compared to past elections.

Not many people alive today who remember those days in Boston when you got your ballot and took it home to fill it out. Then you carried it in an outside pocket so it could be seen on the way to the poll. Different parties had different colored ballots and if you had the wrong color in some neighborhoods you would have to call in sick the next day. For many years in our young nation political supporters had to worry about mob violence.

Lies and bullshit about candidates? Not many people alive today have seen the "Daisy" ad LBJ only aired once, but even without the internet it became viral. (Betcha didn't know Stan Lee wrote the script.) I remember seeing it and damn near crapped my young pants.

And when you get right down to it, the divisiveness is from those threatening the Party, not from those objecting to the threats and nastiness.

[evertonfc]

128. not nearly as divisive

As Democratic socialist

[boston bean]

131. Or what? What is gonna happen?

[mvd]

136. It is not helpful to use

I agree that there is a portion of Bernie supporters that is not always constructive, but that shouldn’t tarnish the candidate or most who support him.

[Gore1FL]

139. I bet if the terms "Biden Bros" or "Bloomberg Bros" were used

The outrage would somehow be more real to some. It's not that hard to play nice and to leave the names to the schoolyard; I think that's your point.

[HerbChestnut]

140. Pretty much nailed it.

[jcmaine72]

148. Without question. Good point.

[Anaxamander]

142. I seem to remember a rule from back in 2004

where you could only call supporters of another candidate "______ supporters." Couldn't say Deaniacs, Shillarybots, etc. Seems logical to me.

[CrawlingChaos]

146. I do too

Those kinds of slurs are only tolerated against one candidate here.

Doesn't matter though. As soon as you go out in the real world the myth of the "Bernie Bro" shatters.

That's why we are WINNING

[MrsCoffee]

153. Yet I remember seeing Puma on a daily basis in 2008.

[pecosbob]

143. LOL...Bernie is a divisive term and shouldn't be used by Democrats who claim they want unity.

fixed that...

[Progressive dog]

145. I always call them Bernie's supporters

rather than putting the fanatical ones into a special category. Besides, some may actually not be male. I vote for Democratic candidates because I support the Democratic party, not because no one in it hurt my feelings.

[bluedye33139]

155. I've noticed the term frequently on Twitter, but only in defensive posts

Most people who hate Bernie Sanders refer to his supporters as Sanders supporters.

[Skid Rogue]

156. I'm not much of a name caller,

but this seems like a "you reap what you sow" kind of issues. If you adopted slyly degrading nicknames for other candidates and their supporters, or you stood by during 2016 while other's used similar language, then you have helped to create an atmosphere where this is now acceptable.