I am beginning to trust my instincts from a few weeks ago that Donald Trump is in full blown panic mode right now and has absolutely no desire to actually be POTUS. I think his strategy for making sure that doesn’t happen is exactly what we are seeing played out in the last few days. I don’t expect the inflammatory language to cease any time soon and in fact I think in the coming weeks he will say or do something so inflammatory that the party will be forced to nominate another candidate (whom I believe will be Paul Ryan). I have no inside knowledge of such a plan, but I think what we are seeing is Trump getting exactly what he wanted, a clear win in the nomination process and now he wants out. Only time will tell, but I think the last thing Trump wants is to spend the next 4 years ignoring his business.
Now, as far as the Sanders campaign I have to get a few things off my chest. I am disappointed. I am disappointed in realizing that what we had was a very imperfect vessel for a very important message. Bernie, through a series of hard work, luck, timing and kismet was given an unprecedented platform. What did he do with that platform? For a while, he stayed on message. Free college! Medicare for all! Minimum wage! Break up the banks! It was like a bumper sticker factory exploded. These were nice, understandable bit size messages designed for the masses. It worked. It felt good. The excitement it generated demonstrated that the democratic party is far more left than conventional wisdom believed. I have always believed there are far more people on either end of the spectrum than there are those hovering around the middle.
However, as time rolled on, the Bernie vision seemed to take a back seat to speeches focused on illogical delegate math delusions, odd fascination with national poll match-ups, grievances with the process and claims that the establishment is greasing the wheels for HRC. When is the last time you heard Bernie talk about his actual ideas? Its all complaining and weak delegate math spinning. I was excited when Bernie was talking about all of his wonderful ideas, and couldn’t wait to drill down deeper into how all of this was not only possible, but realistic. It never seemed to happen. It turns out the tip of the iceburg, wasn’t the tip at all. It was the whole thing.
Sander’s trumpeting ideas that the super delegates should somehow swing the election for the candidate that finished firmly 2nd makes me question his honesty, his virtue and his sanity. No, its not the same as HRC in ‘08. Hillary had a popular vote lead and pushed as long as possible. This contest has been decided for a long time and when tomorrow is over, my sincere hope is that Sanders does what is best for his country and get behind HRC in a real way.