Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumArticle in which Sanders defends George Wallace.
Ive got complicated thoughts about this, but I have to say it was a foolish, foolish thing to do. Wallace was about racism. He used the Alabama populaces fear of and rage at black citizens to get elected. He was sensitive in that, like 45, he could work a crowds fear and cared not at all who got hurt. Sanders was not stupid.
Link to tweet
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
cwhile847
(5 posts)The Biden folks really seem to be getting nervous when they have to resort to stuff like this. Bernie has consistently applauded politicians from both ends of the spectrum who advocate for the working class. This does not mean he supported Wallace's racism. Nice try though. This will only galvanize Bernie's base even further; just like Warren's failed attempt to label Bernie a sexist. I can't wait to tell you guys to "Vote Blue No Matter Who!"
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,361 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,809 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Scurrilous
(38,687 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,996 posts)But people from all sides are bringing up years old comments and this is fair game.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,805 posts)happened?
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Link to tweet
Attack Biden for the same thing BS did...hmmm?
Link to tweet
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
myohmy2
(3,182 posts)...and Welcome!
...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)1. Boy oh boy...
The Biden folks really seem to be getting nervous when they have to resort to stuff like this. Bernie has consistently applauded politicians from both ends of the spectrum who advocate for the working class. This does not mean he supported Wallace's racism. Nice try though. This will only galvanize Bernie's base even further; just like Warren's failed attempt to label Bernie a sexist. I can't wait to tell you guys to "Vote Blue No Matter Who!"
10. Boy oh boy...
The Biden folks really seem to be getting nervous when they have to resort to stuff like this. Bernie has consistently applauded politicians from both ends of the spectrum who advocate for the working class. This does not mean he supported Wallace's racism. Nice try though. This will only galvanize Bernie's base even further; just like Warren's failed attempt to label Bernie a sexist. I can't wait to tell you guys to "Vote Blue No Matter Who!"
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=457793
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
UniteFightBack
(8,231 posts)That's what I think.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dawg day
(7,947 posts)And Wallace wasn't a champion for THEM. He was a champion for all white people, not the working class.
I'm not going to diss Sanders for this, but we need to make it loud and clear. If someone is for "the white working class," they're probably racist, especially when one of their strategies is to tell the white workers that they should ally with rich whites against their own class.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Aaron Pereira
(383 posts)I think we're right to remain on the high road here and avoid divisive arguments over identity politics.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
dware
(12,449 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dware
(12,449 posts)back to DU.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
LongtimeAZDem
(4,494 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Beakybird
(3,333 posts)First, Sanders states that Wallace's remedies are outrageous. Second, he might be talking about Wallace's populist economic message and not his segregationist positions.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,809 posts)Secondly this is one one of many many pieces that are very contradictory to when sanders is now saying
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(13,213 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
PatSeg
(47,649 posts)They love accusing liberals of being racists. It doesn't matter if they embrace racism.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,996 posts)I think its a good example of how someone can say things in a long career and theyre fair game, and I am aware that he and in particular his followers have done a great deal of this against others.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Mike__M
(1,052 posts)Looks to me like your sharing of Jason Haddix's opinion of William Poole's opinion of cherry-picked comments from an interview which was also reported by others.
[link:https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EPkO_8iWsAAXLmY?format=jpg&name=small|
could just as well have been
"What the 'MAGA phenomenon' indicates is that this country is reaching a point at which there is no turning back. . . . The contradictions are too irreconcilable, the tensions are too great. Something has got to give. There will, I believe be fundamental change in America in the not too distant future -- one way or another. And Donald Trump presents one way. Unfortunately, it's no way at all."
As usual, Sanders was years ahead in his prescience: his comments about Wallace were in essence a warning, many years ago, of the rise of someone like Trump.
The self-identified "centrists" weren't listening back then; they weren't listening in 2015; they're not listening now.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,361 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
OneMoreCupOfCoffee
(314 posts)economic populism and not his segregationist positions.
But that highlights a problem that persists to this day, as many of us see it (and certainly I), of how easily Sen Sanders appears to set aside issues he frames as "identity politics" in favor of focusing on issues of economic resentments of (especially) the white working class.
Downplaying critical human rights/civil rights struggles (struggles that are not yet fully won) to the point where George Wallace could be praised on his economic populism makes this liberal Democrat very uncomfortable.
And that tendency did not end 50 years ago. It's the same one that's operative today, in my estimation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
left-of-center2012
(34,195 posts)If you read the article, Sanders comments about Wallace were:
"He advocates some outrageous approaches to our problems,
but at least he is sensitive to what people feel they need."
.........................................................................................
Don't know if that equates Sanders with advocating racism?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,996 posts)Wallace was unequivocally about racism. Bernie may have been trying to appeal to the working class by saying he was sensitive to their pain, but it was not smart to do then and in the current arena is worth bringing up. Its an age old problem when trying to get elected. He can address it or not.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dawg day
(7,947 posts)Wallace was a racist. He was sensitive ONLY to what his racist supporters wanted. He was certainly not at all sensitive to what African Americans felt they needed, you know, like the right to vote, go to school, and live without fear of lynching.
And this was very much what Wallace was giving his supporters. Holding down black citizens, he promised, would be good for white people.
We can't separate Wallace's supposed "advocacy for the working class" from the very racist reality he was not all that subtly advocating.
EVERYTHING Wallace did or advocated was about the suppression of African Americans.
I would think that Sanders, even that long ago, would have understood that enough to decide he really didn't want to praise Wallace for anything at all.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(13,213 posts)What utter bullshit. The author of the article decides to call: "He advocates some very outrageous approaches to our problems, but at least he is sensitive to what people feel they need", "praise". It isn't. It is a statement that notes that a populist politician, pretty much by definition, is "sensitive to what people feel they need". Sanders also notes that Wallace is advocating "very outrageous approaches". It aint praise.
But do carry on. By the way Trump got elected by doing exactly what Wallace was doing: running as a rightwing populist, appealing to widespread dissatisfaction with the status quo, identifying fake causes of that dissatisfaction: "mexicans", and idiotic solutions: "build the wall".
If we don't even try to understand why they are winning elections, if we just blame it on 'Russians', we are going to get beaten over and over again.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
nolabear
(41,996 posts)I read the damn article. I carefully did not use the term praise. And you make a point I avoided but that is exactly right. 45 got elected with that same populist, enemy-creating, otherizing message. I think Sanders followers who rage at others who might want to follow a different path, no matter what that path is, do him no favors.
But he did this, in 1972, when Wallace had been doing harm for many years. I am not claiming it was an evil comment. But it was so odd in someone who also claims to have supported Dr. King it makes me curious as to what he was trying to accomplish.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Voltaire2
(13,213 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Quixote1818
(28,991 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
calguy
(5,338 posts)And we're not even on the big stuff, like communism. The GOP will certainly put him next to Lenin and Stalin should he get the nomination, which he won't, but just sayin'.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,809 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
emmaverybo
(8,144 posts)will work when Bernie is wearing the shoe.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Gothmog
(145,666 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aikoaiko
(34,185 posts)He did oppose desegregation through bussing, but so did Joe Biden.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
George II
(67,782 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,361 posts)asked for forgiveness.
At the time BS offered his praise, he was still the George Wallace MLK called "the most dangerous racist in America".
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aikoaiko
(34,185 posts)And MLK was assassinated in 1968.
I think you have your dates mixed up.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,361 posts)after being paralyzed by an assassin's bullet (1979 is after 1972) and MLK had called Wallace the most dangerous racist in America in 1965 (which is also before both 1972 and 1979.)
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2019/05/16/changed-minds-reconciliation-voices-movement-episode/
https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/encyclopedia/wallace-george-corley-jr
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
sheshe2
(83,955 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)I just keep wondering why racist like Rogan and the guy who did the a MLK Parody...what do they see in Sanders.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
James48
(4,443 posts)You Biden supporters are really digging hard, arent you!
Got news for you.
Sanders? He is going to WIN. And be the next President.
Time to work the polls and get ready for the ride of a lifetime.
Im with BERNIE.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
lapucelle
(18,361 posts)Here's someone who might agree with you, though.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
lapucelle
(18,361 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,996 posts)Its a legit criticism and every serious and many not-so-serious candidates have been vetted. And should be. But theres a difference between questioning the candidate and immediately leaping to disparage anyone who asks a question (were I being a jerk about it Id understand the irritation). Bernie and Yang seem to have followers that are every bit as ready to fight mean as 45s are when their candidate is challenged. It makes me quite uneasy.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)won't win according to polling. Sure he has my vote in a general but when you are underwater even in Virginia...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
dware
(12,449 posts)don't you?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TreasonousBastard
(43,049 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jg10003
(976 posts)Demagogues like wallace and trump are aware of people's fears, anxieties, and prejudices, and then exploit them for their own gain.
Good leaders, like Bernie, are also aware of what people are feeling. However rather then exploit people's fear and anxieties good leaders will try to address them in a reasonable and compassionate way.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
nolabear
(41,996 posts)My impression of Sanders isnt quite the same but I think you are onto something. People want to feel seen. Some people are good at that. What they do with it varies a whole lot.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jg10003
(976 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Tarc
(10,478 posts)On Thursday, another decades-old quote of Bidens surfaced courtesy of the Trump campaigns opposition research team. A September 20, 1987, story in the Philadelphia Inquirer reported Biden had bragged about receiving an award from George Wallace, the former Alabama governor and one of Americas most notorious segregationists.
If some people find association with George Wallace disqualifying, then that edge is going to cut both ways...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)'Biden went on to distance himself from Wallace. On Twitter, Biden spokesman Bill Russo shared a 1976 news story quoting Biden saying he would not support Wallaces presidential bid and would back the Republican candidate if Wallace somehow won the Democratic nomination. '
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Tarc
(10,478 posts)Yep, great leadership there, Joe.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SMC22307
(8,090 posts)WTF does that mean?! Biden supporters, please explain.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
nolabear
(41,996 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Tarc
(10,478 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,996 posts)With contrition? As an explanation? Jokingly? Chastising? Sounds like you assume he was cheering. Delaware was in fact a slave state.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)Biden goes on in that article to say if by some hook or crook Wallace won the nomination,he would vote for the Republican...so waiting for the BS half truth...'Biden say he will vote for the Republican and not the Democratic nominee...course don't say it was Wallace...more impact and all ...
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SMC22307
(8,090 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SMC22307
(8,090 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Demsrule86
(68,715 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
nolabear
(41,996 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Polybius
(15,510 posts)How far back is too long to bring up? If Thomas Jefferson was alive and running for President, would you go back to what he supported 220 years ago?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
nolabear
(41,996 posts)the attacks being sprayed in all directions are warranted. People change, evolve, say things with nuance that can be taken in many ways.
Perhaps Im tired of seeing his people endlessly portray Joe as something I dont buy, and of him implying things about Biden and Warren he knows arent accurate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Thekaspervote
(32,809 posts)These published articles show us who sanders is... pay attention
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Polybius
(15,510 posts)I said some crazy Republican stuff when I was 14.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
James48
(4,443 posts)He is referring to George McGOVERN, not George Wallace.
I cant believe you folks dont look at the actual photo- it says McGovern!
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Recursion
(56,582 posts)So glad this is happening
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Eric J in MN
(35,619 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NCProgressive
(1,315 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden