Bernie Sanders: Never give up, never surrender in Talk Radio

I’m a long time Sanders supporter, but the other Bernie supporters have continually irritated me.

I started discussing him on Facebook about two years ago. He had a lot of very well designed, sharable images, and as soon as I started seeing them on my feed I thought he looked like a good candidate for 2016. It was about this time last year I joined just about every Bernie Sanders 2016 group I could find, and there was a big debate on if he ran for president, would he do so as an independent or a democrat?

Because, and I’m surprised how many vehement Bernie supporters don’t know this, but Bernie is the senate’s longest serving independent. He had no party affiliation until he sought the democratic party’s nomination for president. This was an argument that started flame wars and bitterly divided early supporters of Bernie for president. I was a supporter of Bernie seeking democratic nomination, after being disillusioned by independents and third parties after watching Nader get thrown under the bus in 2000. (Fringe candidates are often my favorite candidates, but I don’t think any of them have a chance unless we implement instant runoff voting.)

The independent vs democrat was a bitter debate that divided passionate Bernie supporters of one year ago. The largest pro-Sanders Facebook group at the time was not welcoming of anyone who supported Bernie joining the democratic party, and continually changed the name and description to further exclude democrats or even independents willing to use the democratic party for a better chance at victory. To avoid getting kicked by admins I argued we should support him regardless of his eventual party affiliation.

When Bernie said in January that he would not be a spoiler, I felt there was no question he’d ally with democrats if he decided to run, but still the debate raged on in the Facebook groups. I was really pleased when he announced his candidacy and ended all doubt, and the huge Facebook group admins changed the name and description to support someone else (Jill Stein maybe?). I was really excited, because for the first time, I felt like my favorite candidate– the best possible option, not just the least bad– had a clear path to the white house. It was still a long shot, but it was plausible, and that was the most exciting thing ever! And it still is, really.

Anyway, now the primaries are almost over, and I am disappointed in the results. But I am also frustrated with the bitterness of the Bernie supporters, which are getting on my nerves, complaining about how Bernie is ignored by the media and never had a good chance.

I know Bernie had a great chance. It wasn’t easy, but it was the best chance I’ve ever seen for such a great candidate. I am aware of this because I am not a person who ignores the fringe candidates. Every election since the beginning of time, I have felt disappointed that the most interesting people are being ignored, so I guess I am just used to it. I pay attention to the people like Nader, Kucinich, Ron Paul, Gary Johnson, Mike Gravel– people who are upset the media doesn’t cover Sanders enough, how many of those names do you know? Hell, I’m surprised how many people don’t even remember formally well-known primary candidates, people like Howard Dean.

Most of the people who are upset about Sanders have been part of the problem, and will probably still continue to be part of the problem. The length of the election cycle is often complained about, but I really don’t think it can possibly be long enough. We need to participate in local elections with the awareness that we are filling the pool from which the presidential nominees are eventually chosen. Pay attention in congress to what is being said, decide who your favorite representatives are from observing who is passing the best legislation and making the most sense, support their message and encourage them to run way before the media is covering the primaries. Because by the time the “two year election cycle” begins, the best people have already been ruled out.

Last updated June 28, 2016