Campaigns are tribal and it’s difficult to let go of a lost cause that you’re emotionally invested in. Fighting on is self indulgence, but it’s a natural inclination to stand up for what you believe in before before acceptance and then transitioning into a bigger tent. These aren’t normal times where that’s still reasonable, nor is it acceptable to disregard the will of voters and threaten everyone else to get what you want. Sanders will only drag this out and won’t close the delegate gap, unless something catastrophic happens to Biden. It’s time for both sides to think about inclusion.
I was part of Clinton 08’ and Sanders 16’ past the turning point: we still thought victory was possible, but never caught up. It becomes an emotional drain and bubbling mass of anguish for the people who won’t give up the failed crusade; partisans develop a siege mentality and tempers flare. Nothing is gained by needlessly prolonging the primary beyond next week other than division, which Trump and an army of Russian bots are encouraging. It’s better to see the upsides and focus on Trump.
Biden wasn’t my first pick (Warren was), but his platform is to the left of Clinton or any other Democratic candidate during my lifetime, including Obama. There’s a lot of good stuff that moves the dial into progressive territory and Biden has the experience and support to accomplish his objectives. Politics isn’t a zero sum game; it takes compromise and a willingness to make the best out of whatever is possible at any given time. The vast majority of Sanders supporters are rational people who realize what’s at stake and will join us. Senator Sanders inspired a lot of people and built a movement, which I greatly admire. Unfortunately, movements can also create true-believers/zealots who won’t listen to reason and they’re vocal.
There were people egging on a “demexit” on Twitter last night as well as trashing Biden, which I hope is only a temporary emotional safety valve. Trump is counting on malcontents to bail on the rest of us and clear a path for himself. Nothing progressive will happen under four more years of Trump: democracy itself is at risk. The only way things will change is to build a winning coalition for the fall, and reality is that the Democratic Party is comprised people with disparate backgrounds and views. The ‘new voter’ electoral argument for voting Sanders, which was self imposed, didn’t materialize.
I hope Senator Sanders prepares to do the right thing so that both sides can coalesce. The victors should respect, listen to, and welcome Sanders voters; Sanders people cannot extort the party when they’ve lost. To do otherwise is to become a political suicide bomber, and is disrespecting everyone else who has an equal voice to your own. We didn’t see supporters of other candidates feeling entitled to special treatment. You already won by moving the dial on policy: great work. Now, show some consideration to the majority if you expect to be taken seriously… it’s not the DNC, it’s the people who decided this.
Joe Biden already began to reach out last night and should continue to be welcoming, but it’s a two way street and it takes respecting the outcome of the primary and accepting less than you want to happen. There will be other opportunities ahead and real movements take a while to build, with ups and downs along the way. The next few weeks involve even stronger pro-Biden states. It’s all but over and both sides need each other to remove Trump from office, let alone reshape this country.
Hey Joe, something like a meatier climate change policy and a progressive VP would be great way to put a bow on this. The word of the day is compromise, and everyone has to do their part, in good faith. This isn’t the time to play chicken with the Democratic Party: you’re an important part of it.