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02/28/2020

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Patrick S. O'Donnell

Thanks Steve. I would interpret Klion's threat here as a way to warn the Party heavyweights not to use the superdelegates to deny Sanders the nomination should he earn it. Perhaps he will do has he says, but I find it hard to believe his followers on Twitter will all follow suit. I think what Sanders supporters are trying to say is that they want the Party leaders to take their votes seriously, but when push comes to shove, they'll vote for any Democratic nominee (save, perhaps Bloomberg) against Trump. I don't know of any Sanders supporters who talk like Klion. And whatever harm Stein caused last election, I don't believe it was the same as loosing all those former Democrats (working class, poor and otherwise, including some rural voters) to Trump who fell for his rhetoric about re-industrialization, economic revitalization, etc. The Party needs to respect the collective voice of this younger generation of Sanders supporters: if they do not they will be responsible for the outcome.

Steve Shiffrin

Patrick, from David Klion, an editor at Jewish Currents who has written for The Nation, The New York Times, The Guardian, and other publications on twitter (Feb. 27), "If Bernie has a plurality of delegates and votes and superdelegates deny him the nomination, I’m staying home, and I’m sure a lot of other people will too. Party leaders should be aware of this now so they can factor it into their decision." Twitter, Klion has 60,000 followers on Twitter. Ruth Graham reported in Slate that only 53% of Sanders voters in New Hampshire say they will definitely support the Democratic nominee if it is not Sanders. https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2020/02/will-bernie-sanders-fans-only-vote-for-bernie.html
In addition, I know of other Sanders voters who take a similar position. I do not believe that Sanders takes this position, and I do know what percentage of Sanders votes take this position. Moreover, I think that as time passes whatever the number is, it will dwindle as the election approaches. Still Jill Stein received close to 1.5 million votes in 2016. The number could be significant.


Patrick S. O'Donnell

Steve, I have not learned of these "Sanders supporters who say they will take their marbles and stay home if Sanders does not get the nomination." Can you provide some references for me? (Despite being a Sanders supporter, I have refrained until now from commenting on your remarks about him but this one in particular surprised and disappointed me.)

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