Democrats Could Learn From Sanders’ Negotiating Skills

On By Pat Rynard

Finally, it has happened. Bernie Sanders endorsed Hillary Clinton for president this morning in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “Hillary Clinton understands that we must fix an economy in America that is rigged and that sends almost all new wealth and income to the top one percent,” Sanders said in the middle of his endorsement speech. “Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in America works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty.” Sanders’ enthusiastic backing for Clinton will bring a lot for the Democrats’ soon-to-be nominee. Not all of his most ardent supporters will vote for Clinton, […]

What Will Bernie Sanders’ Legacy Be? Iowa Supporters Weigh In

On By Pat Rynard

Bernie Sanders’ campaign for the presidency is starting to wind down, but the impacts of his incredible run will be felt for years to come in the Democratic Party, progressive politics and the American electoral system. Around this time last year the early hints of a highly successful insurgent campaign were on clear display in Iowa, as he repeatedly drew surprisingly large crowds at his early events. Now he’s focused on party reforms and issue planks in Philadelphia, and his movement looks to live on far beyond the convention. Starting Line reached out to a number of Bernie Sanders supporters […]

From Face-Banking To A Jedi Bernie, Sanders’ Grassroots Develop New Organizing Tactics

On By Pat Rynard

Every presidential election cycle brings about new organizing tactics on the Democratic side. In 2004 Howard Dean ushered in the era of online grassroots donations. 2008 saw Barack Obama’s campaign develop and hone the neighborhood team leadership model used in so many campaigns now. 2016 may be remembered for the innovative social media organizing tactics being spearheaded by Bernie Sanders’ national volunteer network. As voters – especially young ones – get harder to contact every year thanks to cell phones and limited-access apartment living, campaigns increasingly look to new ways to reach them online. Sanders’ base is largely in this […]

Iowa’s Not Over Yet: Fight For Delegates Continues At County Conventions

On By Pat Rynard

Hillary Clinton’s campaign plans on passing out buttons celebrating their candidate’s glass ceiling-breaking win in the Iowa Caucus at the party’s county conventions this Saturday. But to ensure that narrow record-setting victory Clinton achieved back on February 1 sticks, her supporters will need to turn out for the March 12 county conventions tomorrow for the next step in Iowa’s delegate process. Thanks to the closeness of the final results, Bernie Sanders has a good chance of picking up an extra national delegate. All 99 Democratic and Republican county parties will hold conventions on Saturday to bring together the county-level delegates […]

Sanders Wins Nebraska Caucus, Clinton’s Absentees Keeps It Close On Delegates

On By Pat Rynard

Bernie Sanders won the Nebraska Caucus on Saturday, defeating Hillary Clinton here 57% to 43% with 9% of locations reporting. It was a much-needed win that should buoy Sanders’ supporters as the nominating race stretches on as a fight for delegates. While it was a commanding victory for Sanders in the Cornhusker state, it wasn’t quite enough to rack up lopsided delegate wins. Sanders won by about 8% in the 2nd Congressional District (Omaha), which meant he and Clinton got a 3-3 split there. Sanders did, however, get a 3-2 split in the 3rd District in Western Nebraska. Overall, Sanders came […]

Is Hillary Clinton The Democrats’ Nominee Now? Eh… Pretty Much

On By Pat Rynard

With sweeping victories in 8 of the 12 Super Tuesday contests, Hillary Clinton has built up a nearly insurmountable delegate lead that Bernie Sanders simply cannot catch. At this point she is essentially the Democrats’ nominee for all intents and purposes. But Sanders’ wins in four states, including ones with comfortable margins in both Colorado and Minnesota, could predict future problems for Clinton in important Midwestern and Western states and give him plenty of reason to stay in. In a complete reversal from her damaging Super Tuesday showing in 2008 where Barack Obama racked up large delegate margins in smaller […]

The Battle For March: Previewing The Kansas Caucus

On By Pat Rynard

With the South Carolina primary complete, the first four primary and caucus states are finally done for Democrats. Now eyes turn to the Super Tuesday states, but a collection of contests a few days later on March 5th could mark a Bernie Sanders comeback or solidify Hilary Clinton’s delegate dominance. The Kansas Caucus offers an opportunity for Sanders to notch another statewide win in his belt with the state’s largely white demographics and caucus format that in theory benefits a progressive challenger. Clinton’s team, even after their large South Carolina win, is taking nothing for granted and is looking to win […]

Ready-To-Go Grassroots Armies Greet Sanders Campaign In March States

On By Pat Rynard

Linda Anderson admits she’s a bit of a CSPAN nerd. That’s where she first developed her affection for Bernie Sanders, watching his lively speeches on the floor of the U.S. Senate. She also was a devoted fan of “Brunch with Bernie,” the weekly segment on Thom Hartmann’s radio program. So when the talk of a potential presidential run started, she quickly jumped to action. “When I heard he might run, I got really excited,” Anderson recalled, who received an email from a national progressive group (she thinks it was MoveOn.org) that encouraged supporters to set up local meetings. She did, […]

Kansas Caucus: How The Heck Do You Organize A 14-County Caucus?

On By Pat Rynard

There are some liberals in southwestern Kansas, including those in a place actually named Liberal, the Kansas town on the Oklahoma border with a majority Hispanic population and the self-appointed home of Dorothy. But for the Liberal liberals who want to make an impact in the Democratic nomination race, they’ll have to leave early on March 5th to drive the hour and a half to their caucus site in Dodge City. Many Democrats living in the western half of the state face long drives next Saturday afternoon because Kansas Democrats organize their caucuses by senate districts, of which there are 40 in the […]

Dear Clinton Backers: For The Love Of God, Don’t Talk About Superdelegates

On By Pat Rynard

“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 1:9 Hillary Clinton loses big in one of the first two states? Check. Her opponent is an outsider to her left who builds a youthful movement to overwhelm Clinton’s establishment support? Check. Clinton’s message is one of pragmatism and realism versus optimism and change/revolution? Check. Oh, and just for good measure, we’re talking about the Iraq War vote? Check. We’ve seen this movie before. And since most of the same storyline is playing out once again in 2016 as […]