Bernie Sanders: What I'm sad about.

[TygrBright]

I voted for Bernie in the 2016 primary. I love so much about him. I am so grateful to him for pushing many of the issues I care about into the light, and advocating for creative, progressive solutions to some of our country's most intractable and engrained problems.

He's a fighter and there's been a need for that. He's focused, and there's been a need for that. He's a "no I WON'T sit down and shut up" guy, and there's been a need for that.

He's got nearly thirty years experience in the U.S. Congress, counting both houses, and connections to some of the most innovative progressive thinkers of our era. His campaigns have built up a considerable reservoir of potential leverage- call it nuisance value, call it grassroots power, call it ideological nous, whatever floats your boat.

As of last night, he had accumulated a fund of potential leverage that would have given him unprecedented momentum and influence in the direction of our next Democratic Congress and Administration.

But it looks like he's been in the bubble too long. I don't know whether he's in denial, or he's willfully miscalculating. But his "fight to the last ditch" stance is not only going to make a less-than helpful contribution to America's efforts to overcome the existential crises threatening us (especially his beloved 99%), it's squandering the very real chance he would otherwise have had to negotiate stronger progressive directions for a new Administration and Congress.

And I'm grieving that.

I know other voices will negotiating those directions. But Bernie could have brought so much leverage to combine with those voices.

Now he's at risk of creating more than a little backlash that might even impede that progress.

I wish he'd make other choices.

But clearly, he won't.

sadly,
Bright

[honest.abe]

1. "Now he's at risk of creating more than a little backlash that might even impede that progress."

That is exactly what appears to be happening.

[Hav]

2. Another thread here argued about benevolent interpretations

of his speech today. Like signaling with his questions to Biden what is important from his point of view.

But generally yes, at this point it's about building bridges. He could have signaled he'll continue the campaign but he and his surrogates make it a clean fight, trying to win on the issues and not by trashing the Democratic party daily or repeating smears by Trump's campaign, probably creating irreparable resentment within the party. In exchange let's see what can be done in regards to shaping the democratic platform. If he eventually goes out without creating goodwill and without his movement being a considerable factor in beating Trump, then he'd torpedo the issues he claims he cares so much about.

[aikoaiko]

3. Of course, you're entitled to your feelings, but I doubt Biden would do anything...

.... even if Bernie quit and begged for a little.

If Biden wanted to negotiate with Bernie, he would have.

The Biden camp would give nothing to help the agenda that Bernie advocates.

[showblue22]

4. You don't know Biden.

This is not true of Biden. The fact that you believe this is evidence you chose to believe propaganda and lies levered at Biden these last few weeks. Biden is a good man. A progressive, with real workable plans for progress.

[aikoaiko]

10. Malarkey, I know Joe.

[msongs]

6. they are not actually that far apart (disregard the revolution propaganda) nt

[NCProgressive]

8. At one time, he was given everything he wanted

but he allowed his surrogates to actively campaign against Hillary and advocating Jill Stein.

He failed the leadership test and magnanimity test.

No need to negotiate now because it won't make any difference. He can walk off the cliff with his supporters if he doesn't care about defeating Trump.

[CentralMass]

5. Monied interest control the governnent.

https://www.politico.com/news/agenda/2019/11/25/medicare-for-all-lobbying-072110

[msongs]

7. bernie IS the government and has been for like 40 years lolol nt

[NCProgressive]

9. Monied interests control every government in the world

whether it is a democracy, monarchy, dictatorship, communist or a junta.

That will never change.

America is actually far far better than the rest of the world.

What is forgotten is that corporations who wield influence employ millions of average people and their lives depend upon the corporations doing well. A lot of small businesses depend upon local corporations and their employees who patronize them.

Sanders never saw or understood the intricate relationships between average people and rich people. They are interdependent. Amazon and Jeff Bezos exist because of millions of people ordering $10 or $20 stuff and if they are not happy, Amazon won't exist.

So Bernie's plutophobia was incongruent and anachronistic.

[JudyM]

12. Interesting article, thanks.

[mcar]

11. Well said

Thanks for this.