Hillary Clinton has unleashed her supporters to question Bernie Sanders’ viability based on him self-identifying as a democratic socialist, and many are calling foul. The reality? Bringing this issue to the forefront is a very good thing, because ultimately the president of the United States will be determined by all Americans—Democrats, Republicans, Independents, and everyone else in between.
It’s a fact that anyone identifying themselves as anything with the word “socialist” in it will have a problem getting elected. A June 15, 2015 Gallup poll listed a socialist as the least electable person in the United States at 47 percent. Even an atheist fared better, at 58 percent.
Even more interesting is the breakdown by party affiliation: 59 percent of Democrats, 49 percent of Independents, and 26 percent of Republicans would vote for a socialist. That only 59 percent of Democrats would vote for a socialist while 74 percent of Republicans and 51 percent of Independents wouldn’t is a reality that must be reckoned with before any party puts a socialist on a national ticket.
Does all this mean that Bernie Sanders supporters should call it quits, sulk, and go home? Is it a lost cause? Absolutely not. Given that activists are the most enthusiastic people voting in primaries, even with those numbers Bernie Sanders could win the Democratic Primary. But what good is winning the Democratic Primary if you cannot win the general election?
When the Democratic Party decided to limit debates it did the entire party a disservice. It meant people never got a vigorous and lengthy debate on issues, including what democratic socialism would mean to them. As usual, Democrats left the door open to be defined as opposed to being the definers.
Hillary Clinton’s current fears are justified. Democratic establishment politicians who are scared that a Bernie Sanders primary win will hurt the party in their states are justified. In times of change, in times of flux, that is to be expected.
The problem is that a status quo election this year means the Republicans could put up a dog and win a close election. Why? They are more angry, and angry people vote. Democrats are not as angry. And from my work on the ground, I’ve seen that many are disillusioned with the Democratic Party. Given our limited debates and limited choice in candidates, whoever wins the primary must make Democrats believe that voting is worthwhile.
Democrats have a fundamental misunderstanding of people and the realities which affect them. Polls show what many Democrats want to ignore: The American electorate wants a big change.
The head-to-head polls where Hillary Clinton beats Donald Trump by single digits (or loses by single digits) should be probative. For those who think Trump cannot win, remember that Ronald Reagan won twice, and George W. Bush won reelection.
Recent polls indicate that Bernie Sanders would do better in a head-to-head match with Donald Trump, but there’s a caveat here that one should heed: Hillary Clinton is right. Bernie Sanders’ self-identified democratic socialist stance has not been vetted nationally. And though some polling has been done, those numbers are likely to change.
So Democrats are in a pickle, regardless of which candidate wins. The short answer today is yes: If the Democratic status quo remains, neither Bernie Sanders nor Hillary Clinton will make it into the White House.
The task is difficult for Clinton. If she is to win she must move from Obama 2.0 incrementalism to radical change that can be articulated to the masses so that they believe she will “make America great again” for them (in Trump parlance). Many know President Obama had an impossible task that could not be completed in his term. Most know that irrespective of that, they are still in dire straits.
The task is even more difficult for Bernie Sanders. He will need Americans to have a quick transformation in acceptance of a socialist, equivalent to the transformation that occurred for same-sex marriage. This can’t occur unless the entire country sees the discourse that Hillary Clinton has unleashed about the electability of a democratic socialist.
Over the last debates, Bernie Sanders has been tepid in boldly linking democratic socialism to the programs that people want. Everything that Sanders stands for—from increased Social Security, to Medicare for All, to subsidized college education—these democratic socialist policies are what Americans want.
If Bernie Sanders is to win, the country must have the debate. He will be defined as a communist socialist un-American candidate no matter what by the Republicans. But that can only work if the ground is left barren for those weeds to grow. Sadly, many in the Democratic Party are pre-planting those weeds. Bernie Sanders and his army must be boldly fertilizing and planting the seeds that will overpower the Republican and Blue Dog weeds.
After the debate and throughout the primaries, the party will see whether or not America will resolve its fear and demagoguery toward the term democratic socialist. But the Democratic Party should be represented by someone who will win.