There have been a number of diaries going around congratulating and thanking Hillary supporters and Bernie supporters for their efforts, their wins and their grace in transitioning from the primary to the general election.
I just want to add to all Democrats Thank you for holding a primary that actually meant something beyond who is more popular. The 2016 Democratic primary resulted in the most progressive Democratic platform ever adopted. Both candidates were forced to confront issues that were not on their radars, and that may have been left by the wayside if this had been a one candidate primary.
Putting aside all of the emotion and rancor, this is how it is supposed to work. We are supposed to come to the primary with our best ideas and with all of our intentions on display. Then we are supposed to hash out what it is we are collectively trying to accomplish in the next 4 years and beyond. The candidates should really just be avatars for the ideals we are trying to set forth.
Both candidates fought long and hard to win the primary. While Secretary Clinton won the primary in votes and delegates, we all won in a stronger more inclusive platform and a party that’s fully engaged and ready to fight.
Tons of young people got involved in the Primary because they had a candidate to back. Imagine how many 18 year-olds would have turned out if they choices were just one name with a D next his or her name? Now it’s time to get those folks to continue voting. Get them to look down ballot and find the candidates who represent their ideals and beliefs. We want those folks to fight every election to put their candidates forward. Only through real competition will they see who is the strongest person to win a general election be it school board, mayor, sheriff or president.
Personally speaking, since I was eligible to vote for President (1988), I have always been to the left of the Democratic Presidential nominee.
That’s why the primary process is so important. Imagine if Howard Dean had stayed longer in the 2004 primary. The Democrats’ ideas would have had a better airing, and we may have had more people engaged on issues beyond the war and the failures of the Bush presidency.
2008 and 2016 are how primaries are supposed to be run. Good candidates with good ideas competing for the nomination.
Let’s hope that after Hillary’s second term we get back to contesting our ideas before the general.
(Sorry, Senator Kaine I think you should have to compete for the nomination)
And on a purely DailyKos note: Thank you all for pulling together over the last 4 days.
I’ve commented more since last Monday that I think I have in a year (beyond MojoFriday and some comics)
The Rox/sux arguments were annoying.
I went into this primary as a fan of both Secretary Clinton and of Senator Sanders. I know a lot of other folks here felt the same. As far as I was concerned it was a win win. And I was right. We got a great candidate and we got a great platform.
Thank you for the passion and conviction to stand behind your candidate.
Now let’s go vote. Get out the vote and win in November. (And feel free to vote a straight ticket, despite what Michael Bloomberg says)
Peace.