Comment by amcoastal | Hacker News Reader

Comment by amcoastal | Hacker News Reader

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While I had hoped Bernie would have been elected, at this point I don't think much would have changed if Bernie had been president. If anything, it probably would've made Joe Manchin dig his heels in even further.

At this point I think they know 2022 is gone, and are aiming for a fighting chance in 2024. The only real difference between a president bernie and a president biden, is that in 2023 and 2024, leading up to the election, when the republican congress refuses to do anything, Bernie would sign EOs that would help people, and Biden just MIGHT sign them (being able to use the excuse that republicans wont work with him to do it).

IMO, the only good thing that was ever going to come from these 4 years was not having Trump as president, and possibly an EO reducing student debt and an EO rescheduling marijuana. Nothing else progressive was going to happen even with a president Bernie. And those two EOS might still happen from Biden, but who really knows.

>While I had hoped Bernie would have been elected, at this point I don't think much would have changed if Bernie had been president. If anything, it probably would've made Joe Manchin dig his heels in even further.

I respectfully disagree. Did you know that in 2016 in the Democratic primary in West Virginia Bernie won all 55 counties and in one country Hillary Clinton finished in third place? West Virginia has an extremely strong history in fighting for workers rights. The whole term 'redneck' came from the red bandanas the coal miners used to wear when protesting for better working conditions.

Bernie was very clear on how he would handle Joe Manchin: He would go into WV in every county and publicly hold rallies showing the state how much Manchin is holding them back from the things that they want. He would take every opportunity to embarrass and pressure Manchin. Finally, he and Biden have one more angle. Manchin's daughter is the one behind the whole Epipen price gouging scandal. There is plenty to go after her with. That would certainly light a fire under his rear end. Biden has not even tried any real pressure and for that is all on him.

>MO, the only good thing that was ever going to come from these 4 years was not having Trump as president, and possibly an EO reducing student debt and an EO rescheduling marijuana.

That is enough to rally the base and get them fired up and work to expand on the purple states to gain seats. He blew a perfect opportunity.

I appreciate the sentiment and the enthusiam, however I am skeptical. I was born, raised, and went to school in west virginia. Bernie might win the democratic primary against Hillary Clinton or Obama but he stands no chance in the general election. The socialism is a bridge too far. Its why Manchin is acting like he is. Though I'm no fan of Manchin for local and personal reasons that go deeper than current national politics. His uncle was sleazy and so are him and his daughter (who have already survived scandal).

Fun story: One of my friends had a photo with Manchin once when he was governor, he literally picked her up and placed her somewhere else like a child. The dude sucks.

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