Open Thread for Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Open Thread for Wednesday, June 8, 2016

So that's it. It's over. Pardons of course to the residents of the District of Columbia who get to vote next week, but it's over. Hillary won a rather commanding double digit victory in California, won close races in South Dakota and New Mexico, lost a close race in Montana, lost a caucus in North Dakota, and scored a Maryland-style blowout win in New Jersey. In so doing, she clinches majority leads in the popular votes, in states/territories won, in pledged delegates, in all delegates. By every single metric there is, she is the nominee. And I hope everyone takes a minute, to reflect on that. We have just nominated the first woman Presidential candidate to lead our party in American history. What took us so long? It is a historic moment that will be remembered by our great grand children. It will be in the history books. Indeed, we are living in an era right now that will be spoken of in 100 years with awe. The election of the nation's first black President followed by the election of the first woman President. Stop and appreciate it for a little bit. I fell asleep before Bernie's speech last night, but I have seen it described as a deescalation of tensions if not the beginning of a stand down. Senator Sanders is due to meet in Washington tomorrow, at his request, with the President of the United States and Senator Harry Reid. I expect that during both meetings with Obama and Reid, Bernie will be offered incentives to bow out gracefully now. Everything from certain platform concessions, changes to the primary process, and declarations that he will be the leader of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and the Progressive Wing of the party, and encouraging him and Jane to form a progressive campaign organization that will elect mini-Bernies across the land. Where there are carrots, there are also sticks to make it apparent to Bernie that if a graceful exit is not achieved, there will be consequences. But let's be positive and not speak of that right now. I choose to believe that Bernie, after resting and reflecting after some much need sleep, will do the right thing.

Obama Congratulates Clinton and Sanders

Just after mid-night the White House released the statement below. If they want it, I believe Clinton, Sanders and Obama can become be a three-headed destroyer of conservatism. The time is right to set the GOP back 50 years and re-establish fairness as a core national value and rational decision making, as a core national competency. Yes we can.