Hillary Clinton

[LDAHL]

He has a pretty rabid following, and I think he senses a responsibility to see it through to the bitter end. People who want Hillary are practical, but people who want Bernie are passionate, and there's no substitute for that. If you want to send a message to Washington, you use the voices of your constituency and if they are filling stadiums and shouting "Bernie or Bust" as they did last night, it's not easy to pull the plug.

So until "virtually impossible" becomes "absolutely impossible" he's going to keep riding the tiger? I can't believe he's making a lot of friends in the party doing that.

[Alan]

I'm puzzled as to why Bernie is still in it. Is there still some improbable combination of events under which he can win the nomination? Has he got a reliable source in the FBI?

I think he's praying for an indictment. If that happens while he's in the race, he has a much stronger case against the DNC who would probably award all her delegates to their next-in-line favorite, Joe Biden, in the absence of an active contender.

At this point, I think he'd be foolish to suspend his campaign.

[Ultralight]

She is above the law.

[catherine]

So until "virtually impossible" becomes "absolutely impossible" he's going to keep riding the tiger? I can't believe he's making a lot of friends in the party doing that.

Definitely not, especially Hill's pal Debbie Wasserman Schultz. But frankly, I don't think he cares.

[creaker]

I'm puzzled as to why Bernie is still in it. Is there still some improbable combination of events under which he can win the nomination? Has he got a reliable source in the FBI?

There's the nomination - but there's also the DNC. The nominee does not decree the party platform, maybe he feels he might have some sway?
Also I can see folks running for other offices running as "Clinton style democrats" or "Sanders style democrats". In some states, I think "Sanders style democrat" might play better.

[Williamsmith]

There's the nomination - but there's also the DNC. The nominee does not decree the party platform, maybe he feels he might have some sway?
Also I can see folks running for other offices running as "Clinton style democrats" or "Sanders style democrats". In some states, I think "Sanders style democrat" might play better.

He's in it for the groupies.

[jp1]

He's in it for the groupies.

Sounds like as good of a reason as any. Look at Dennis Kucinich. He managed to woo his wife after he explained to her his idea for a Department of Peace. She's a total hottie so maybe going after the groupies is a good idea. And really, who can resist a dude that can get a little birdie to come sit on his podium!

[catherine]

I'm puzzled as to why Bernie is still in it. Is there still some improbable combination of events under which he can win the nomination? Has he got a reliable source in the FBI?

So the NYT answers your question--saying they're in it no matter what to change the way political campaigns are waged. In addition, looks like Alan is right: he's hoping for a stumble.

In addition--there's the argument that really, Sanders v Trump has a MUCH better chance of keeping Dems in the White House than Clinton v Trump.

"Advisers to Mr. Sanders said on Wednesday that he was newly resolved to remain in the race, seeing an aggressive campaign as his only chance to pressure Democrats into making fundamental changes to how presidential primaries and debates are held in the future. They said he also held out hope of capitalizing on any late stumbles by Mrs. Clinton or any damage to her candidacy, whether by scandal or by the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Sanders, his advisers said, has been buoyed by a stream of polls showing him beating Mr. Trump by larger margins than Mrs. Clinton in some battleground states, and by his belief that an upset victory in California could have a psychological impact on convention delegates who already have doubts about Mrs. Clinton."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/19/us...s=AUDDEVREMARK

[LDAHL]

So the NYT answers your question--saying they're in it no matter what to change the way political campaigns are waged. In addition, looks like Alan is right: he's hoping for a stumble.

In addition--there's the argument that really, Sanders v Trump has a MUCH better chance of keeping Dems in the White House than Clinton v Trump.

"Advisers to Mr. Sanders said on Wednesday that he was newly resolved to remain in the race, seeing an aggressive campaign as his only chance to pressure Democrats into making fundamental changes to how presidential primaries and debates are held in the future. They said he also held out hope of capitalizing on any late stumbles by Mrs. Clinton or any damage to her candidacy, whether by scandal or by the presumptive Republican nominee, Donald J. Trump.

Mr. Sanders, his advisers said, has been buoyed by a stream of polls showing him beating Mr. Trump by larger margins than Mrs. Clinton in some battleground states, and by his belief that an upset victory in California could have a psychological impact on convention delegates who already have doubts about Mrs. Clinton."

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/19/us...s=AUDDEVREMARK

I suppose that if you've got the money and are enjoying yourself, there's no reason not to defy the odds. Especially if your affiliation to the party isn't particularly strong and you're not worried about the unity issue.

[peggy]

There's the nomination - but there's also the DNC. The nominee does not decree the party platform, maybe he feels he might have some sway?
Also I can see folks running for other offices running as "Clinton style democrats" or "Sanders style democrats". In some states, I think "Sanders style democrat" might play better.

Sure. This is as it always has been. The close also-rans serve a valuable purpose in helping to define the platform and clue in the party on the mood of the base. He has already pulled Hill a little more to the left on some issues. That's a good purpose.

Unfortunately for the right, Donald doesn't know the rules or want to play by them. He doesn't give a rip about the base except how to play them, and after all, he IS appealing to the base. That's who he is. But I suspect that if he wasn't, he wouldn't move for anyone. Oh he would for a bit to play them, but sooner or later he shows his true colors. Lucky for him, the republican base believes exactly as he does. His real challenge now is to appeal to the rest of the party who doesn't. He'll try, but again, changing spots and all... Again, lucky for him, republicans would fall behind Stalin if he had an R behind his name.