The concept that “Bernie would have won!” is predictable and suddenly prevalent. In my opinion, it is also completely unknowable and probably untrue. In some ways, by losing the primary, the Left Wing of the Democratic Party (of which I consider myself a member) dodged a bullet by not subjecting itself to the onslaught of brutality a Sander’s candidacy would have unleashed. Had Bernie navigated his campaign into securing the nomination, this cycle would have been just as ugly but would have swapped buzzwords “email servers” for “commie” and “Benghazi” with “Sandinista”.
Let me first say that I like Bernie Sanders and what follows is not a condemnation of him as a person or a candidate. It is simply an honest look at what might have gone down if Trump and the Republican machine would have had interest in spinning Bernie’s record into something that suited their needs.
It is inarguable that the Hillary Clinton did not “go in” hard in any serious effort to paint Bernie in a negative light. The calculation was that, due to the rising popularity of Bernie, Hillary would ultimately suffer if they attempted to go negative. The Clinton campaign threaded lightly around the issues that could have begun to change public perception about the life and work of Senator Sanders, but the Trump campaign would not have pivoted away from hugely damaging attacks. The sad truth is that Trump would have had a field day with the information that is already known but seldom discussed, not to mention the revelations which may have come to light if Julian Assange, Wikileaks and Russian hackers had the inclination to bring Bernie down.
It is my contention, after witnessing what happened on November 8th, that Sanders most likely would have lost the general election by a greater margin than HRC for a variety of reasons. Most notably, let us not forget that the United States of America is the center of the planet’s relationship with capitalism. When Gallup recently polled the qualities people would most likely be willing to vote for, Atheism finished 2nd to last only being out-disdained by “Socialism”. Yes, Bernie Sanders excited a large group of left leaning people with is Democratic Socialism message but despite the confirmation bias of the “Bernie or Bust” crowed, who continue to feed themselves only the information that suites their belief system, this is not currently a message that resonates with the public at large. Capitalism is wildly popular as a concept in the United states and it will be a difficult task to change that fact.
So, that being said, what follows is a list of issues the Trump campaign would have pounced on and forced into the public narrative, ultimately changing the public perception of Bernie Sanders from the grandfatherly, revolutionary, politically pure, Socialist, Defender of the Middle class into a “Radical, draft dodging, hypocritical, closet war hawk, commie sympathizer, sexual deviant who co-opted the Democratic party to advance his own personal warped views”. Again, these are not my personal views of Bernie Sanders nor do I think he doesn’t have explanations for the following list of issues, but they represent areas where Trump would have gone hard where Clinton was unable or unwilling.
- Bernie’s difficulty addressing specifics about one of his signature issues, breaking up the big banks demonstrated a lack of depth in his arguments.
- Bernie’s decades of attacks on the democratic party show his willingness to abandon his principles in order to advance his political career.
- Sander’s previous acceptance of money from anti labor organizations open the door for accusations of hypocrisy
- Sander’s trip to the Vatican could be spun into an attempt at political pandering
- Bernie’s “writings” in the 1970’s about women’s rape fantasies could open the door to much speculation about odd sexual perceptions he may hold.
- Sander’s collecting unemployment late into his 30’s, potentially having issues paying child support and not holding a real job until his 40’s could easily be attacked and characterize him in a unsavory light.
- His support for a bill to send Nuclear Waste from Vermont to Sierra Blanca, Texas, a low income Latino community would raise all sorts of questions among minority groups.
- The fact that John Lewis claims to have “never saw” Bernie go to bat for civil rights issues while in congress would be exploited.
- His support for various military ventures such as the 1999 invasion of Yugoslavia would put into question is reputation as anti military engagement.
- His support for a controversial F-35 military jet program, due to job creation in his home state demonstrates his hypocrisy on government spending on superfluous military programs.
- Despite not voting for the Iraq War, he previously voted for the 2001 Authorization to Use force.
- Sanders supported regime change in Libya
- Jane Sanders has been accused of bank fraud for potentially scamming the Catholic church out of 2 million dollars and is also involved with Sierra Blanca nuclear commission issue where she apparently profited and also received a large golden parachute of 200k from Burlington College where she served as President.
- Sanders could be portrayed as an open supporter of communism in the 1980’s. He honeymooned in the USSR and traveled to Cuba in attempts to meet Fidel Castro, who some describe as a hero to Sanders.
- Sanders openly supported the Sandinistas and attended an anti-American rally where “Death to the Yankees” was openly chanted.
- His campaign was plagued with a large amount of campaign finance violations which would have open the door for more hypocrisy claims.
- Sanders voted for the 1994 crime bill
- Sanders was supported at times in his career by the NRA
- Sanders voted against the Amber Alert system
- Sanders supports universal health care, but efforts in his own state were derailed by cost issues
- Bernie says plainly that taxes will be raised to support his platform. This is the sort of red meat republicans twist in order to frighten middle class voters into voting against their own best interests.
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Some question his association with the Trotskyist Socialist Workers Party, where he acted as a presidential elector in 1980. The group called for abolishing the U.S. military budget and proclaimed “solidarity” with revolutionary Iran during middle of the Iranian hostage crisis.
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Sander’s writings on odd topics such as the taboo of child nudity could be spun into extremely uncomfortable areas.
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His previous views on a link between cancer and orgasm deficiencies would be fodder for criticism.
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Opposition to public schools, the concept of private charity and support of the public takeover of television could be use to paint a picture of Sanders as a radical.
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Bernie’s effort to circumvent the will of the primary process by asking democratic super delegates to overturn the popular vote vs Hillary can be viewed as anti democratic.
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Bernie applied for conscientious objector status during Viet Nam but after being denied he avoided service due to having a child out of wedlock.
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Former employees describe him as often hostile and belligerent.
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Voted against DOMA and described marriage as a states rights issue while preferring civil unions over same sex marriage due to the issue being to divisive.
This is just the list of what has already been reported on but mostly ignored. One can only imagine what would have surfaced if Sanders would have faced the scrutiny HRC has faced in her career.
Again, I am not arguing this list of issues aren't explainable or would have sunk a Sander’s presidential run. I am saying that Trump and his people would have changed the narrative around Bernie until he was viewed by the masses as a bizarre, left wing radical creeper with a sketchy relationship with communism and socialism. His writings would be used against him. His previous scathing critiques of the democratic party would have been used against him. What made him appealing to some would have been used paint him as a danger to American values. It would have been ugly and it would have been a devastating loss for the democratic party and an even larger setback for the progressive wing of the party. We will get there eventually and I hope and pray that Trump and his awful supporters are rebuked in 4 years. However, I feel as though the group who didn’t have the decency to wait 24 hours, while the rest of us mourned for our Country, before taking up the “WE TOLD YOU SO” argument are simply stuck inside their own perceptions that Bernie is too pure for Trump to have dismantled. Maybe he would have won. Its possible, but in doing so he would have been beaten up in a way he has never ever experienced politically which cuts deep the argument that he would have succeeded where Clinton failed.
