Bernie or bust.
Via WACH:
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich is urging fellow Bernie Sanders supporters to “work like hell” for Hillary Clinton in the event she wins the Democratic presidential nomination.
Reich, who served under former President Bill Clinton and is now a professor of public policy at the University of California, Berkeley, advised Sanders supporters what they should do at this point in the White House race in a three-point plan on his Facebook page: “1. Continue to work like hell for Bernie,” “2. Don’t demonize or denigrate Hillary Clinton,” and “3. Never, ever give up fighting against the increasing concentration of wealth and power at the top.”
Reich appeared hopeful in his post that the June 7 California primary would boost his candidate toward the nomination, as is the feeling among many Sanders supporters.
But it was Reich’s call to unite behind Clinton if Sanders falls short of his goal that raised eyebrows. He wrote:
“Don’t demonize or denigrate Hillary Clinton. If she wins the Democratic nomination, I urge you to work like hell for her. She’ll be the only person standing between Donald Trump and the presidency of the United States. Besides, as I’ve said before, she’ll be an excellent president for the system we now have, even though Bernie would be the best president for the system we need.”
Those in the #BernieOrBust category didn’t take to the advice kindly. Among the nearly 9,000 comments on the Facebook post were “F*** Hillary,” “Still can’t get behind HRC,” “Sorry. Not happening,” “anybody but Hillary,” “I don’t believe she has all the voters she claims,” “When you ask us to support Clinton, you ask us too much,” “I agree with you on this point but it is a bitter pill,” “With all due respect, I can neither work nor vote for Hillary,” “Bernie, only Bernie,” “I’d sooner drink acid than vote for Hillary,” and “Hillary will not be able to win over a majority of Bernie Sanders supporters including myself.”
Other responses included:
“I think if Clinton supporters force her nomination they deserve a Trump Presidency!”
“I refuse to work like hell for a establishment that won’t work like hell for me. #BernieOrBust regardless of how much I respect you Mr. Reich.”
“I think Hillary Clinton and the DNC have done a fine job of demonizing themselves. Their record is their record. There’s no hiding from that.”
“I will never vote for Hillary. I will show up, write in Bernie, and Vote for progressives down the line to ensure we get a Senate and Congress that represents us at the least.”
“What Hillary Clinton should do is back Bernie Sanders who is the best candidate to serve WE the people and has the BEST chance of defeating Trump in the general election.”