# Dear Bernie supporters **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [May 12, 2020, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676 "2020-05-12T22:16:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![42fish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/4/b487fb/32.png) [@42fish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/42fish)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/21 "2020-05-13T11:43:12Z")
> [@chappachula](#): > > …. it would be difficult for Butteigeig or anybody else to claim legitimacy as the party leader when they won zero delegates versus Bernie’s 950. Actually, Buttigieg won 26 delegates, not zero. (Still a far distance from 950, but noted for the sake of accuracy.) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/22 "2020-05-13T12:30:49Z")
I’d be happy if Biden withdrew, but I don’t think there’s a chance in hell it will happen. And I’m friends with lots of Bernie supporters – none of them think Biden has any chance of withdrawing. And if he withdrew, there’d be very little chance of Bernie getting the nomination. Over 90% of my Bernie-supporting friends plan to vote for Biden. It’s still annoying when non-Bernie supporters (like the OP) broad-brush Bernie supporters and blame all the bad things on all of us. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/23 "2020-05-13T12:41:50Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > It’s still annoying when non-Bernie supporters (like the OP) broad-brush Bernie supporters and blame all the bad things on all of us. Look on the bright side, no matter how bad as things get, you can always look down on Trump supporters. :p;) ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/24 "2020-05-13T12:50:14Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Google “Should Biden withdraw?” and you will find several wingnuts suggesting it. Wingnuts gonna wingnut. I don’t see much advantage in giving them any attention, unless, for example, THEY OCCUPY THE WHITE HOUSE. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/25 "2020-05-13T12:57:27Z")
I suspect that the really hard-ass Bernie Bros are either hopelessly in the Jill Stein/Ralph Nader category, or they really have no political compass and just occasionally vote for people who seem out of the mainstream. These aren’t people that a polished candidate is going to attract, and there is no use in trying. What Biden should do, though, is give reassurances to somewhat less radical elements who wouldn’t hesitate to vote for a Elizabeth Warren but who worry about whether Biden is going to be a Clintonian Democrat, which is how he is largely remembered from his Senate days. He needs to convince people he’s going to try to be “Obama + 1” - or plus two or three. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/26 "2020-05-13T12:57:35Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > They are laying the groundwork to blame anyone and anything else in case the unthinkable happens again and Biden loses to Trump. > > It simply cannot be that their candidate sucked. > > You’ll note Biden/Clinton supporters almost never talk about how their candidate is good but will talk endlessly about how their opponents are bad (really, once you are aware of that it is hard to miss). > > Remind you of anyone? Well, duh – there was never much you could say about Biden, other than “he didn’t do a terrible job as VP” and “he is not Trump”. That second one is enough to win him my vote, but it’s certainly nothing to get excited about. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/27 "2020-05-13T13:03:41Z")
The one unique thing that I think Biden offers is that he has a chance to be seen as a legitimate president to a segment of Trump voters. I don’t think any other Democrat in the race could do that and Trumpists’ frequent use of violence and terrorism means this is no small thing. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/28 "2020-05-13T13:08:45Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > The one unique thing that I think Biden offers is that he has a chance to be seen as a legitimate president to a segment of Trump voters. I don’t think any other Democrat in the race could do that and Trumpists’ frequent use of violence and terrorism means this is no small thing. The one unique thing that you think Biden offers is being a white male? :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/29 "2020-05-13T13:11:22Z")
There are situations which could result in Sanders becoming the nominee, but those situations also result in a Trump landslide and the Democratic Party being horribly crippled for at least a decade. No thanks. I would have liked Sanders winning, but at this point, it’s not going to happen. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/30 "2020-05-13T13:40:48Z")
In 72 the first choice for McGovern’s VP , Eagleton, dropped out because he was treated for depression and had shock treatments. That was 2 weeks after the convention. Probably did not matter as Nixon won 49 states anyway. The VP second choice was Sargent Shriver who was married to Eunice Kennedy . sister of JFK, RFK and Ted Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/31 "2020-05-13T15:52:21Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > The one unique thing that I think Biden offers is that he has a chance to be seen as a legitimate president to a segment of Trump voters. I don’t think any other Democrat in the race could do that and Trumpists’ frequent use of violence and terrorism means this is no small thing. Thats kind of sad that to placate a bunch of armed white nationalists, an elderly white man is seen as the only ‘legitimate’ option. I was hoping america would be more advanced than this. But I agree. biden isn’t a threat to high school educated whites from rural areas the way a woman, a non-white or a hardcore leftist would be. They may not vote for him, but they won’t panic and think ‘their’ america is leaving them behind by having a centrist white man as president. So hopefully it’ll depress Trumps turnout a bit. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/32 "2020-05-13T16:16:22Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > The one unique thing that you think Biden offers is being a white male? :dubious: Old white male who talks in platitudes about America being the greatest nation on earth. He could be a one term president to cool off the violent white nationalist Trump movement. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/33 "2020-05-13T17:00:48Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Google “Should Biden withdraw?” and you will find several wingnuts suggesting it. I’ve been saying that the right-wing is doing and will continue to do every underhanded thing it can think of to discredit or create doubt about Biden. This is more proof. Why spread their work as if it’s a legitimate claim? ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/34 "2020-05-13T17:57:08Z")
This Biden drop out speculation has about as much clout as the Pence ouster speculation. In other words, zero. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/35 "2020-05-13T19:30:54Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Old white male who talks in platitudes about America being the greatest nation on earth. He could be a one term president to cool off the violent white nationalist Trump movement. Appeasement is a pretty poor method of dealing with Fascists. Historically speaking. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/36 "2020-05-13T20:45:16Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Appeasement is a pretty poor method of dealing with Fascists. Historically speaking. So is an utter failure to get your own side to come out for you, let alone the actual majority. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/37 "2020-05-13T21:02:00Z")
I know a few Sanders supporters still clinging to the “But if Biden has to drop out, it’ll be Bernie” thing and wishing Reade would make all the difference. I don’t even bother trying to explain that it would never be Sanders anyway. I figure it’s the bargaining stage of grief and leave them to work through it. ---
**Author:** ![Babale](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/babale/32/15666_2.png) [@Babale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Babale)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/38 "2020-05-13T21:26:30Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > So is an utter failure to get your own side to come out for you, let alone the actual majority. I certainly hope Biden will motivate people to get out and vote. I’m not optimistic, but it would be nice. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/39 "2020-05-13T21:35:44Z")
> [@Babale](#): > > Appeasement is a pretty poor method of dealing with Fascists. Historically speaking. I think the fact that Sanders can’t win the nomination makes it clear that he is not going to be part of any democratic solution. If he can’t convince Democrats to vote for him, he’s certainly not going to convinced our radicalized right wing. If you’re arguing that America is post-democracy and we should stop focusing on winning elections to choose national leadership, I think that’s beyond the parameters of this thread. ---
**Author:** ![pjacks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@pjacks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pjacks)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2020, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676/40 "2020-05-13T21:47:18Z")
Biden is a uniquely awful candidate during these times, but he is the one the party has chosen. It’s his nomination, fair & square. A ridiculous, unprovable sexual harassment claim from a dingbat isn’t going to- & definitely shouldn’t- change that. If Biden were to drop dead before November- a very real possibility- then the nomination should go to his VP choice. All the more reason to name one ASAP. This hypothetical female candidate would be smart to name Sanders as her VP choice, however. He was the 2nd place finisher in 2 primary races, and his polling against Trump was better than the other candidates’. He could then pledge not to run for president in 2028, and instead play more of a Cheney-esque role in the administration. Maybe just make healthcare his pet issue like Cheney made casual warmongering his, and act as the president’s liberal attack dog. He is also old enough that he would very likely step down and be replaced as VP in 2024 anyway. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dear-bernie-supporters/853676.md?page=3)