Despite what his disciples may believe, Saint Bernie didn’t invent liberalism (or Democratic Socialism for that matter.) However, Sanders IS primarily responsible for bringing progressive values and programs into the mainstream of Democratic Party discussion. By remaining stalwart in his message of economic justice and persistent in its delivery, the nation is now willing to address basic, urgent, yet long-neglected issues in progressive terms. And, for that...
We owe Bernie big-time props!
Now, after decades in the trenches, fighting the good fight, Bernie’s greatest accomplishment might be on the immediate horizon. Ironically, much to the profound disappointment of his loyal army of followers, their lionhearted leader’s most important contribution as a public servant won’t come as the Democrat’s standard bearer or as President of the United States. In fact, Bernie Sanders’ place in our nation’s history will depend less on how valiantly he fought the battle, and more on how intelligently and strategically he negotiates his surrender.
Bernie sees the writing on the wall. “While our campaign has won the ideological debate,” he admitted, “we are losing the debate over electability.” Coming from this very proud man, who, only a month ago seemed to be on a glide path to the nomination, this was a moment of uncharacteristic humility and candor.
Sanders has a choice. He can continue to sow disunion within the party by railing against the establishment and complaining about a rigged system, or he can focus on the greater purpose and help heal the divide.
Surely, no one expects that Bernie can undo every bit of the damage inflicted by years of acrimonious rhetoric. As happened in 2016, no matter how cogently Bernie explains it, many of his devotees will refuse to capitulate to pragmatism. His most passionate diehards will never condescend to compromise their precious principles or acknowledge that sitting out the general election or casting a third-party protest vote is equivalent to marking their ballot for Donald Trump.
Recently — at church! — a Bernie-or-Buster told me this:
“Having to vote for the lesser evil is an insult to my intelligence.”
… as if the most consequential election of our lifetimes is really about this guy’s fragile sense of self-worth. I mean, fuck the fate of democracy and the environment. Right?
Bernie calls Joe Biden his friend. (Biden has a lot of friends — evidently, a lot more than Bernie.) It should be important to Sanders to keep that friendship, especially if he plans to get beyond rhetoric and into actual policy making.
When and, more importantly, HOW Bernie exits the race could be his greatest contribution to this troubled nation.
I, for one, am hoping he does it well. And, I’m feeling guardedly optimistic that he will.
Rand Bishop (Gimpy Ol’ Norman) is the author of the memoir, TREK: My Peace Pilgrimage in Search of a Kinder America. Part One of Bishop’s new serialized satirical e-book novella Option (D): Dosing Donald is now available in Kindle edition.