Full disclosure. The loony toons of the GOP fight, lead by the Donald, make for compelling news, both on TV, print, and social media. In the heat of that scrum it's been easy to overlook the battle on the other side, between the incumbent and the revolutionary. I had intended not to post until after the New York primary, but listening to the hacks (ie "surrogates") on the radio and TV today in the run up to tonight's CNN Democratic Debate in Brooklyn, New York have inspired me to play "very-unpaid campaign adviser to the Sanders camp." So yea, I'm partisan. It's my blog. We'll assess the fallout from New York on the GOP next week.
There seem to be several likely lines of attack on Bernie from either/both Hillary and/or Wolf Blitzer, the CNN moderator. I happen to think pretty much all is fair in love, war, and politics, so I think a candidate should be prepared for anything, and not whine about how something is a "personal attack" or whatever. Besides, it's New York. The populace claims to be ready to rumble.
Issue #1. Bernie lacks specifics - breaking up the banks. Almost certainly Bernie's less-than-stellar performance with the editorial board of the NY Daily News will be raised, the issue being that, on keynote positions, such as "breaking up the big banks", Bernie's answers were somewhat vague and non-specific. I happen to agree, he could have been much better, and the debate is a venue for him to tackle the issue head-on. I think Bernie is well-served by stating/re-stating the claim, that he lacks specifics, and then push forward, NOT with one or two specifics that will be dissected postscript, but instead with examples of where good and effective leadership does not necessarily require a leader to be prescriptive.
Example #1. Super surprised he didn't go here already, but the recent announcements of a $15 minimum wage in both New York (and California) has gone nearly unmentioned by Sanders, who's vocally advocated for this exact number, while Clinton had repeatedly hedged, instead saying that it should be a local decision. Bernie can highlight that he put the number ($15) out there as a goal, but it was the legislatures of both New York and California got there on their own. He could then pose the hypothetical, "if we followed your (Hillary) plan, workers would still be waiting". Unprovable, but makes for a great sound bite.
Example #2. There's idle chatter about Bernie hopping onto a plane after the debate to head to the Vatican for a conference about a moral economy. When asked to justify the trip in the heat of the campaign, Bernie should stand up and defend the move, and then use the Pope as an example of someone who's bringing breathtaking, "revolutionary" changes to a pretty old and stubborn institution (2000+ years and counting). Further, in the publication last week of "Amoris Laetitia" Latin for “The Joy of Love.” Bernie should note that the Pope does NOT specifically outline what individuals or parishes around the world are supposed to do. He identifies the goal(s), and in fact says that specifics need to take into account the uniqueness of each situation. Bernie should basically imply, "if it's good enough for the Holy Father...".
Issue #2. Not ready for President - foreign policy. I think this will come up, as the Clinton surrogates have hinted at this during the week, that "Bernie's not ready". This is the ideal spot for a Bernie trap. First, he smiles and says that this all sounds all too familiar, the claim that someone not-named-Clinton is "not ready to lead". Oh yea, the infamous "3 am phone call" ad that Clinton aired about then-Senator, now PRESIDENT Obama. That same President Obama that Hillary claims as her "brother from another mother". That same President that took down Osama Bin Laden. Yea, that subject of the 3 am phone call. "Fear-mongering didn't work then, Madame Secretary, and it won't work now!". Wait for applause.
As mentioned a few posts ago, while a Bernie supporter, I have a hard time seeing him overcoming the Democratic establishment that's all-in for Clinton. But I can hope.
Last, and I'm not going back to edit my prior posts, but I'm sticking to my earlier statements on the GOP. It'll take a catastrophe for Ryan to enter the race, but it's not impossible. I do think Trump has a real chance to be the nominee, and that despite protestations Kasich may be coerced to hand over his votes if the offer is right. We shall see.
Thanks as always for reading!
Example #1. Super surprised he didn't go here already, but the recent announcements of a $15 minimum wage in both New York (and California) has gone nearly unmentioned by Sanders, who's vocally advocated for this exact number, while Clinton had repeatedly hedged, instead saying that it should be a local decision. Bernie can highlight that he put the number ($15) out there as a goal, but it was the legislatures of both New York and California got there on their own. He could then pose the hypothetical, "if we followed your (Hillary) plan, workers would still be waiting". Unprovable, but makes for a great sound bite.
Example #2. There's idle chatter about Bernie hopping onto a plane after the debate to head to the Vatican for a conference about a moral economy. When asked to justify the trip in the heat of the campaign, Bernie should stand up and defend the move, and then use the Pope as an example of someone who's bringing breathtaking, "revolutionary" changes to a pretty old and stubborn institution (2000+ years and counting). Further, in the publication last week of "Amoris Laetitia" Latin for “The Joy of Love.” Bernie should note that the Pope does NOT specifically outline what individuals or parishes around the world are supposed to do. He identifies the goal(s), and in fact says that specifics need to take into account the uniqueness of each situation. Bernie should basically imply, "if it's good enough for the Holy Father...".
Issue #2. Not ready for President - foreign policy. I think this will come up, as the Clinton surrogates have hinted at this during the week, that "Bernie's not ready". This is the ideal spot for a Bernie trap. First, he smiles and says that this all sounds all too familiar, the claim that someone not-named-Clinton is "not ready to lead". Oh yea, the infamous "3 am phone call" ad that Clinton aired about then-Senator, now PRESIDENT Obama. That same President Obama that Hillary claims as her "brother from another mother". That same President that took down Osama Bin Laden. Yea, that subject of the 3 am phone call. "Fear-mongering didn't work then, Madame Secretary, and it won't work now!". Wait for applause.
As mentioned a few posts ago, while a Bernie supporter, I have a hard time seeing him overcoming the Democratic establishment that's all-in for Clinton. But I can hope.
Last, and I'm not going back to edit my prior posts, but I'm sticking to my earlier statements on the GOP. It'll take a catastrophe for Ryan to enter the race, but it's not impossible. I do think Trump has a real chance to be the nominee, and that despite protestations Kasich may be coerced to hand over his votes if the offer is right. We shall see.
Thanks as always for reading!
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