I am a Bernie supporter. In spite of all I have read here, I believe that Bernie Sanders is a good man and that the majority of his supporters are good people.
Bernie has an important message that resonates with millions of progressive voters and Democrats. He has run a nearly miraculous campaign which has fallen short of gaining the nomination, but has raised important issues and has advanced progressive causes.
Bernie and his followers have earned a place at the table and a voice in setting the agenda for the Democratic party (not the only voice, mind you, but a place at the table). I believe that is very important to beat Trump this November, but this doesn’t drown out the other important issues facing us.
This is my opinion, and after much thought and after going through the primary election so far I continue with this opinion.
And yet, reading DailyKos and hearing the anger in from Hillary supporters, I feel like I am being needlessly kicked in the face. I have no problem condemning the anger and misogyny coming from some in the Bernie side… this doesn’t change the fact that I don’t deserve this scorn and I don’t feel Bernie Sanders does either.
For the sake of argument, let’s assume that the current Bernie Bashing is correct.
- Let’s assume that the majority of Bernie’s support is based on misogyny.
- Let’s assume that Bernie supporters have no reason to be upset by what happened in Nevada.
- Let’s say that Bernie and his supporters should be shut out of the convention and have no voice in setting the platform.
- Let’s assume that Hillary has no responsibility to reach out to Bernie supporters in the sake of Unity.
Is this what we are coming to? Where does this get us in our shared desire to win the White House and defeat Trump in November?
If this narrative is correct and most of the 10 million voters who supported Bernie in the primary are misogynistic troglodytes, then Hillary has no chance anyway. She needs these voters, and we had better hope that the great majority of these Bernie voters are really good people who want progressive change or Hillary has no chance.
As a Bernie supporter I have accepted the fact that Hillary has won the nomination, and that she deserves it because she will get the most votes. I think Bernie has the right to go to the end, but that he should (and will) accept her nomination.
And I accept that the BernieOrBust people are out of line and that some people are using misogynistic language that is not appropriate in progressive discourse.
I don’t accept the wholesale demonization of Bernie Sanders and his supporters. I don’t accept the idea that he and his supporters should be shut out of the process, either in State Conventions or in the National Convention.
I am a Bernie supporter. I don’t like the feeling that I am being kicked in the face by my party, and the supporters of the campaign that will represent me, and count on my vote, in November. Does the flurry of Bernie Bashing aimed at not just winning, but in demoralizing millions of Bernie voters really achieve anything?
Unity is a two way street. I see lot’s of diaries by Bernie supporters condemning bad behavior from their own ranks and calling for people to support Hillary. I don’t see any diaries by Hillary supporters reaching out to the majority of Bernie voters who care deeply about the progressive values we share and are acting in good faith to move forward as a movement and as a nation.
I like the Bernie supporters reaching out to, and standing up for, the Hillary campaign.. and there have been many of them.
If I could see a single diary from a Hillary supporter standing up against the Bernie Bashing that is so common on DailyKos right now, it would go a long way to making me feel that true Unity... where both sides reach out to each other in understanding toward a common goal… is being forged.
I am voting for Hillary. I am not a misogynist. I do want a voice in the convention for the millions of us who have worked and voted for Bernie, and I don’t think the demonization of Bernie is warranted.
What do you say, dear Hillary supporter. Do you think you and I can work together with mutual understanding and respect?
