Dolores Huerta slams Sanders; Bern Victims Question Her Record as an Activist

[richeiieu]

If you’ve been following the Democratic primary, you may have noticed that Bernie Sanders has positioned himself as a champion of the immigrant community. From the letter he sent to Barack Obama last week, to the work he, his campaign, and surrogates have done attacking other candidates’ positions, you would think that he has been a lifelong

Comments

[hikerpoet]

I think her response does a great job of explaining the votes while talking up his admittedly many other pros, but it doesn't really answer her "Where were you?" question, when it comes to a strong and forceful voice and action. (Which, lets face it, is what Clinton meant when she said that about health care. Not literally.)

Yes, when you look closely, his heart and mind have always been in the right place, but the only thing he's been loud and vocal about for decades is the economics end of things, which I agree with him on, but I'm not hearing him on the foundational and intertwining things that inform that all.

[hikerpoet]

Yeah, I like a lot of his ideas and proposals very much and think they could ultimately work, and feel like I believe that through my own research and analysis, not through his message. But the fact there has been very little about sweeping foundational change in his rhetoric all the way through (except for that he, personally, has more elevated thoughts about All The Things than pretty much anybody) --although I do like his very localized support for grassroots efforts--is not speaking to me.
I'm close to VT and have been able to follow him closely for decades. I admire a lot about him. But it is concerning that world-wide he was apparently more of an unknown until his 70s. I get part of it. He figured he himself was too radical, and it wasn't until he got firm and constant support he decided to go for it. But he still could have done a better job of making sure people farther afield were hearing his *voice*.

[meadowphoenix]

We had a post on it bb. I think this post is in response.

I strongly recommend actually going through Rosario's points too, since she's correct on some things, misleading on others (the defense of the vote for H.R. 6094 (109th) and the Minutemen amendment is pathetic reframing and contradicts her other points about his consistency on his record for the criminality punishments for immigrants; his explanation for his vote on the immigration bill is fine, if stubborn, but okay that's his thing, but his votes on some of these amendments are questionable given his priorities now, and Clinton's voits on the guest worker amendments are the exact same), and dead wrong on others (Bernie's understanding on executive action is constitutionally/historically incorrect if you want to avoid SCOTUS rejection).

[meadowphoenix]

I can understand why people prefer Sanders for the general, although I don't think I can say that I compare him favorably in foreign affairs aspects. The Senate is not the executive, and few congressman to presidents have not changed in response to what is more detailed information. But people are clear on Clinton's record, so I can understand why Sanders feels more favorable.

But I think that's my problem with all of this is the fact that both candidates are relying on public ignorance, and I don't think that's great for democracy, but I think it's especially egregious if you're talking about not liking the way politics works. Besides which, has Sanders endorsed, met with, or helped the candidate you prefer? I know it's hard to juggle an election, but I don't think much of his way of encouraging down elections.

[meadowphoenix]

Well at least he's getting local support.

[meadowphoenix]

There are so many incumbents who are going to have a hard election I think.