SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
"You can be a moderate. You can be a progressive," says Bernie Sanders. "But you cannot be a moderate and a progressive." (Image: Twitter/@HillaryClinton/with overlay)
Bernie and Hillary Twitter Debate Asks: What Makes a "Progressive"?
Candidates have a few things to say on the subject... and they're not the only ones
Feb 03, 2016
Bernie Sanders has a few things to say about what makes a progressive a progressive. And he would like potential voters to know more precisely what he means when the specific term is used.
What started initially as a question from a campaign reporter in New Hampshire resulted on Wednesday afternoon with a sparring match on Twitter between Sanders and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
\u201cQ. Do you think @HillaryClinton is a progressive?\nA. Some days, yes. Other days she announces she is a moderate.\nhttps://t.co/kIdhjzXZDs\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454523657
Subsequently, during a rally in Derry, New Hampshire on Wednesday morning Clinton responded to Sanders by describing his remarks as a "low blow" and defending her record of what she called "progressive" accomplishments:
\u201c.@BernieSanders says Hillary\u2019s been a progressive \u201csome days.\u201d Hillary responds:\nhttps://t.co/RCWx5w8oYU\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454528368
But just hours later, Sanders took to his Twitter account to highlight some of Clinton's past decisions that directly contradict stances he would place in the "progressive" category.
\u201cYou can be a moderate. You can be a progressive. But you cannot be a moderate and a progressive.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
Specifically, he continued:
\u201cMost progressives that I know don't raise millions of dollars from Wall Street.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528139
\u201cMost progressives I know are firm from day 1 in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. They didn't have to think about it a whole lot.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
\u201cMost progressives that I know were opposed to the Keystone pipeline from day one. Honestly, it wasn\u2019t that complicated.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
\u201cMost progressives I know were against the war in Iraq. One of the worst foreign policy blunders in the history of the United States.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
Though Sanders subsequently posted another tweet blasting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that is on the verge of being signed by Asian and Pacific rim nations in New Zealand on Thursday, the Clinton campaign rebutted his litany of tweets questioning her progressive bona fides by arguing that defining the word "progressive" is less important than one's ability to get things done. In four-parts, her campaign tweeted:
\u201c1) This shouldn't be a debate about who gets to define "progressive"\u2014it should be about who will get real results for American families.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c2) Now, if you do want to make it about who's a "real progressive," @BernieSanders, what were you on these days?\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c3) An important part of being a progressive is making progress. From health care to fighting inequality, Hillary's record speaks for itself.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c4) Hillary's not running to make a point\u2014she's running to make a difference. She'll keep doing that. Please feel free to keep tweeting.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
The contrasts were also made as the Clinton camp tweeted a list of "Some days" of her career they were really proud of, which only allowed the Sanders campaign to fire back with a retort under the banner "Some other days":
|
|
Â
Meanwhile, it was impossible that Twitter users at large would allow the candidates and their campaign staffers have all the fun.
And the proof of that? The hashtag #HillarySoProgressive was definitely feeling the bern:
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Bernie Sanders has a few things to say about what makes a progressive a progressive. And he would like potential voters to know more precisely what he means when the specific term is used.
What started initially as a question from a campaign reporter in New Hampshire resulted on Wednesday afternoon with a sparring match on Twitter between Sanders and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
\u201cQ. Do you think @HillaryClinton is a progressive?\nA. Some days, yes. Other days she announces she is a moderate.\nhttps://t.co/kIdhjzXZDs\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454523657
Subsequently, during a rally in Derry, New Hampshire on Wednesday morning Clinton responded to Sanders by describing his remarks as a "low blow" and defending her record of what she called "progressive" accomplishments:
\u201c.@BernieSanders says Hillary\u2019s been a progressive \u201csome days.\u201d Hillary responds:\nhttps://t.co/RCWx5w8oYU\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454528368
But just hours later, Sanders took to his Twitter account to highlight some of Clinton's past decisions that directly contradict stances he would place in the "progressive" category.
\u201cYou can be a moderate. You can be a progressive. But you cannot be a moderate and a progressive.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
Specifically, he continued:
\u201cMost progressives that I know don't raise millions of dollars from Wall Street.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528139
\u201cMost progressives I know are firm from day 1 in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. They didn't have to think about it a whole lot.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
\u201cMost progressives that I know were opposed to the Keystone pipeline from day one. Honestly, it wasn\u2019t that complicated.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
\u201cMost progressives I know were against the war in Iraq. One of the worst foreign policy blunders in the history of the United States.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
Though Sanders subsequently posted another tweet blasting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that is on the verge of being signed by Asian and Pacific rim nations in New Zealand on Thursday, the Clinton campaign rebutted his litany of tweets questioning her progressive bona fides by arguing that defining the word "progressive" is less important than one's ability to get things done. In four-parts, her campaign tweeted:
\u201c1) This shouldn't be a debate about who gets to define "progressive"\u2014it should be about who will get real results for American families.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c2) Now, if you do want to make it about who's a "real progressive," @BernieSanders, what were you on these days?\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c3) An important part of being a progressive is making progress. From health care to fighting inequality, Hillary's record speaks for itself.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c4) Hillary's not running to make a point\u2014she's running to make a difference. She'll keep doing that. Please feel free to keep tweeting.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
The contrasts were also made as the Clinton camp tweeted a list of "Some days" of her career they were really proud of, which only allowed the Sanders campaign to fire back with a retort under the banner "Some other days":
|
|
Â
Meanwhile, it was impossible that Twitter users at large would allow the candidates and their campaign staffers have all the fun.
And the proof of that? The hashtag #HillarySoProgressive was definitely feeling the bern:
Bernie Sanders has a few things to say about what makes a progressive a progressive. And he would like potential voters to know more precisely what he means when the specific term is used.
What started initially as a question from a campaign reporter in New Hampshire resulted on Wednesday afternoon with a sparring match on Twitter between Sanders and Democratic rival Hillary Clinton.
\u201cQ. Do you think @HillaryClinton is a progressive?\nA. Some days, yes. Other days she announces she is a moderate.\nhttps://t.co/kIdhjzXZDs\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454523657
Subsequently, during a rally in Derry, New Hampshire on Wednesday morning Clinton responded to Sanders by describing his remarks as a "low blow" and defending her record of what she called "progressive" accomplishments:
\u201c.@BernieSanders says Hillary\u2019s been a progressive \u201csome days.\u201d Hillary responds:\nhttps://t.co/RCWx5w8oYU\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454528368
But just hours later, Sanders took to his Twitter account to highlight some of Clinton's past decisions that directly contradict stances he would place in the "progressive" category.
\u201cYou can be a moderate. You can be a progressive. But you cannot be a moderate and a progressive.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
Specifically, he continued:
\u201cMost progressives that I know don't raise millions of dollars from Wall Street.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528139
\u201cMost progressives I know are firm from day 1 in opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. They didn't have to think about it a whole lot.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
\u201cMost progressives that I know were opposed to the Keystone pipeline from day one. Honestly, it wasn\u2019t that complicated.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
\u201cMost progressives I know were against the war in Iraq. One of the worst foreign policy blunders in the history of the United States.\u201d— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1454528075
Though Sanders subsequently posted another tweet blasting the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement that is on the verge of being signed by Asian and Pacific rim nations in New Zealand on Thursday, the Clinton campaign rebutted his litany of tweets questioning her progressive bona fides by arguing that defining the word "progressive" is less important than one's ability to get things done. In four-parts, her campaign tweeted:
\u201c1) This shouldn't be a debate about who gets to define "progressive"\u2014it should be about who will get real results for American families.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c2) Now, if you do want to make it about who's a "real progressive," @BernieSanders, what were you on these days?\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c3) An important part of being a progressive is making progress. From health care to fighting inequality, Hillary's record speaks for itself.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
\u201c4) Hillary's not running to make a point\u2014she's running to make a difference. She'll keep doing that. Please feel free to keep tweeting.\u201d— Hillary Clinton (@Hillary Clinton) 1454535915
The contrasts were also made as the Clinton camp tweeted a list of "Some days" of her career they were really proud of, which only allowed the Sanders campaign to fire back with a retort under the banner "Some other days":
|
|
Â
Meanwhile, it was impossible that Twitter users at large would allow the candidates and their campaign staffers have all the fun.
And the proof of that? The hashtag #HillarySoProgressive was definitely feeling the bern:
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.