Many Bernie supporters push back on comments from non-Bernie, now Biden supporters when the topic of party loyalty is raised. The problem for Bernie supporters is many people do put value in party loyalty. They think they’re stronger together than by being free agents. They think unions, while not perfect, are better than right to work.
To many of us, Bernie’s position to Dems over the last 5 years has been:
‘You’re awful, but not quite as awful as the other guys. So I work with you most of the time. I’m not really one of you, but I’ll say I am for a few months. Now make me your leader.’
‘Well, that didn’t work out. I’m back to saying I’m not one of you’
‘I’m back. You’re still inadequate. I don’t have a plan to get most of you to vote for me, but am hoping to capture the prize while there are lots of people running. Now make me your leader.’
And while some Bernie supporters won’t like that snarky characterization, it’s not inaccurate.
Warren supporters are currently split between Bernie and Biden. That tells us that Warren would have been the candidate with the best going-in chance to bring the wings together. Based on her policy positions, she started from a base on the left side. Had Bernie not run, that base would have been all hers, e.g., she was likely the second choice of Bernie voters more than any other group, making that her strongest alternate base. Had she led coming out of Iowa and New Hampshire, Nevada would have probably gone her way. And while SC might have gone towards Biden, it might not have been as big right along with the same said for Super Tuesday.
But none of that happened because Bernie had to have his revolution. Unfortunately for progressives, the revolutionary decided he was more important than the revolution.
Don’t blame moderates or Joe Biden for that. Yes, moderates decided who we would back and yes some of that was very much impacted by the progressives’ decision on who they would back. Progressives pushed forward someone less acceptable to the rest of us.
Progressive voters had a first round choice between Bernie and Warren. Progressives chose who to back.