# DNC closes ranks: new rule excludes interlopers **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [June 10, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846 "2018-06-10T22:29:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/1 "2018-06-10T22:29:51Z")
The Democratic National Committee has [enacted a rule](http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/391459-dnc-panel-adopts-rule-requiring-candidates-to-run-serve-as-a-democrat) that will require Presidential candidates to swear and affirm allegiance to the party. Because, you know, Bernie cost them the last election. I see a few problems with this move. Arbitrarily shutting people out does not seem like a good idea for a party that wants to represent the whole country. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 10:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/2 "2018-06-10T22:37:19Z")
It’s pretty stupid to have a party that doesn’t require its candidates to be part of the party. Maybe stupid isn’t the word. Absurd, maybe? Would you criticize PETA for establishing a rule that meat-eaters can’t be board members? Seems like a totally reasonable rule to me. ---
**Author:** ![foolsguinea](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foolsguinea/32/14751_2.png) [@foolsguinea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/foolsguinea)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/3 "2018-06-10T23:01:07Z")
How did you come to that analogy, **Ravenman**? That doesn’t sound equivalent at all. ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/4 "2018-06-10T23:10:13Z")
I’m liking it. Sanders did poison the well. I don’t think he’s running in 2020 as he’s got serious baggage from 2016. Bernie and Jane can stay home and look for their tax returns. ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/5 "2018-06-10T23:13:07Z")
Sounds like a good idea to me. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/6 "2018-06-10T23:21:03Z")
So, Sanders joins the party just long enough to get through the election in 2020. He’s not going to have to worry about any presidential election after that. Otherwise, this new rule will do an excellent job of encouraging more 3rd party candidates to run on the left and weaken the chances of the Democrats to win the EC. They should call this the “We want more Ralph Naders” rule. It will also do an excellent job of encouraging folks who support Sanders to vote for 3rd party candidates. Who needs all those Bernie Bros anyway!! ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/7 "2018-06-10T23:35:35Z")
Not sure what is wrong with saying that to run to be the representative of a party you need to be of that party. That really is as it should be. OTOH a tactic of running for a party’s nomination knowing that you will decline the nomination and run as an independent, specifically to cut off threats that might split your vote … which apparently is [what Sanders does in his Senate runs](http://www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-democratic-party-2020-election-new-rule-967928://) seems unethical. > [@](#): > > Currently, Sanders is running for re-election to the United States Senate in Vermont. His campaign strategy will be the same as his previous two Senate races, which includes running as a Democrat, declining the party’s nomination when he wins a majority of the votes and then running as an independent instead. This strategy allows Sanders to get rid of any possible threats by blocking any other liberal candidate from getting the approval of the Democratic Party. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/8 "2018-06-10T23:40:04Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Not sure what is wrong with saying that to run to be the representative of a party you need to be of that party. That really is as it should be. If it helps you win elections, there is nothing wrong with it. If it makes it harder for you to win elections, then that’s what’s wrong with it. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/9 "2018-06-10T23:43:48Z")
> [@foolsguinea](#): > > How did you come to that analogy, **Ravenman**? That doesn’t sound equivalent at all. Why not? To be part of the leadership of an organization, a person should be (a) in the organization and (b) support in a general sense the goals of the organization. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2018, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/10 "2018-06-10T23:57:56Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > If it helps you win elections, there is nothing wrong with it. If it makes it harder for you to win elections, then that’s what’s wrong with it. I can understand (even if I do not agree with it) regarding a risk in the short term from those who feel it is targeted at Sanders specifically. But long term? I think it helps a party to not allow those who are not of it to take advantage of its infrastructure for their own purposes. Having those who do not feel enough part of the party to even declare themselves to be of it in your process sets up a cohort who will then do as many Sander supporters did, and sit out the general. They are for the personality not for _the values the party represents_ and if not that personality then screw it. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/11 "2018-06-11T00:03:24Z")
> [@dalej42](#): > > I’m liking it. Sanders did poison the well. I don’t think he’s running in 2020 as he’s got serious baggage from 2016. Bernie and Jane can stay home and look for their tax returns. How did he poison the well exactly? Didn’t 90%+ of Bernie voters vote for Hillary? Sanders represents a pressing need within the democrat party. Progressives who actually act like progressives. A lot of democrats talk a big talk but when in power, they do whatever is in the interest of the rich and powerful first and foremost. There is a deep desire among the public for politicians who will take on the rich and powerful. We have serious problems that can only be solved by making the rich and powerful unhappy. Our broken healthcare system. Financial instability in the banking industry. Regulatory capture. Corporate control of the media. Income inequality. A culture of bribery. Sweeping that under the rug will just lower turnout. People aren’t going to line up around the block to vote for a democrat who ignores the wants of the public. Liberals now make up half of all democratic voters, and I’d assume they are the majority of primary voters or midterm voters. Ignoring them won’t make this issue go away. Having said that, Sanders wasn’t perfect and Hillary would have been a much better president than Trump. But the public need to be listened to about this. ---
**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:** [June 11, 2018, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/12 "2018-06-11T00:11:22Z")
I’m okay with the rule, but the real rub was super delegates. I don’t always agree with Bernie Bros, but when I do, I prefer limiting or even eliminating super delegates. Stay politically active my friends. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/13 "2018-06-11T00:17:56Z")
> [@Ravenman](#): > > It’s pretty stupid to have a party that doesn’t require its candidates to be part of the party. > > Maybe stupid isn’t the word. Absurd, maybe? I agree; why would you allow someone who isn’t a member of your voluntary organization to lead your organization? ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/14 "2018-06-11T00:23:34Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > How did he poison the well exactly? Didn’t 90%+ of Bernie voters vote for Hillary? > > Sanders represents a pressing need within the democrat party. Progressives who actually act like progressives. A lot of democrats talk a big talk but when in power, they do whatever is in the interest of the rich and powerful first and foremost. > > There is a deep desire among the public for politicians who will take on the rich and powerful. We have serious problems that can only be solved by making the rich and powerful unhappy. Our broken healthcare system. Financial instability in the banking industry. Regulatory capture. Corporate control of the media. Income inequality. A culture of bribery. > > Sweeping that under the rug will just lower turnout. People aren’t going to line up around the block to vote for a democrat who ignores the wants of the public. > > Liberals now make up half of all democratic voters, and I’d assume they are the majority of primary voters or midterm voters. > > Ignoring them won’t make this issue go away. > > Having said that, Sanders wasn’t perfect and Hillary would have been a much better president than Trump. But the public need to be listened to about this. We have had tons of True Scotsman lefties run for President in the Democratic primaries. Before 2016, I guess nobody saw the need to have a rule closing the “Air Bud Loophole” - there isn’t anything in the rule book saying a dog can’t play basketball. And most of those lefties have lost primaries in a generally convincing way. Let’s not pretend that radicalism is mainstream. ---
**Author:** ![Fair\_Rarity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fair_rarity/32/153_2.png) [@Fair\_Rarity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fair_Rarity)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/15 "2018-06-11T01:03:22Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Sanders represents a pressing need within the democrat party. Progressives who actually act like progressives. A lot of democrats talk a big talk but when in power, they do whatever is in the interest of the rich and powerful first and foremost. I agree that Sanders represents that pressing need. And the best thing he could do about it is to join the party. Change it from within. Not take his toys and go home when he’s not given his way 100%. While he doesn’t do what’s in the interest of the rich and powerful first and foremost, he does what’s best for HIM first and foremost. He’s hardly the only senator that does it, but his image among the Bernie Bros and reality doesn’t line up. I’m very angry at Bernie, but I’ve been pushing for him for decades. He’s let me down by not being what I wanted him to be. He’s an illusion. There’s no substance. I guess not seeing it was forgivable when I was a teen in VT, but I see through him now. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/16 "2018-06-11T01:06:24Z")
What a great principle for the Democratic Party to stand on. After all the important thing is remaining in power. No need to follow the GOP and pretend they stand for something else, just go out and announce to the world the only important thing is maintaining an exclusive club. What a shame they can’t run Hillary again. Oh wait they can lose another presidential election, no worries there, no consequences to Bush and Trump becoming president were there? ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/17 "2018-06-11T01:08:57Z")
This is as it should be. If you haven’t worked for and supported the party, you should not be entitled to its support. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/18 "2018-06-11T01:13:26Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > I see a few problems with this move. Arbitrarily shutting people out does not seem like a good idea for a party that wants to represent the whole country. So, you’re also okay with [Arthur Jones running for Congress as a Republican](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/20/us/politics/arthur-jones-illinois.html)? And now that he won the primary, should the Republican party automatically endorse him? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/19 "2018-06-11T01:20:15Z")
> [@Dangerosa](#): > > This is as it should be. If you haven’t worked for and supported the party, you should not be entitled to its support. Why? Are you saying Bernie Sanders didn’t work for and support the Democratic Party, going back to the time when Hillary was a Republican? Is it because Democrats only represent their membership and not the rest of the country? Or is it just because they love to lose elections and put insane Republican morons in office? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2018, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846/20 "2018-06-11T01:41:27Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > What a great principle for the Democratic Party to stand on. After all the important thing is remaining in power. No need to follow the GOP and pretend they stand for something else, just go out and announce to the world the only important thing is maintaining an exclusive club. I don’t see how this — directly — has anything to do with principle. (And I don’t mean that in a snide sense; I mean I don’t see how principle enters into it.) Let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the Democrats have some principles they’re genuinely plugging away for. Whatever they are — something about gun control, say, and something about affirmative action, and something about illegal immigration, and so on, and so on — _that’s_ where we can talk principles, right? If, say, you think they’re wrong to champion those principles; or if you think they’re right to champion those, but note that they didn’t do what they could for those principles. I’m with you. But after we discuss all of that, imagine the Democrats debate whether the rule we’re talking about will or won’t help their odds of advancing those principles. If the answer is “will”, then how is it a matter of principle to choose “won’t”? And if it’s “won’t”, then how is it a matter of principle to choose “will”? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dnc-closes-ranks-new-rule-excludes-interlopers/815846.md?page=2)