I listened to every word of Bernie Sanders’ speech in Santa Monica, CA. He fired up the crowd as he usually does with his call for a movement for social justice and a government that works for the people, not the privileged few. Any Clinton supporter will tell you that those are admirable and laudable goals. But he did not take a moment to acknowledge Hillary Clinton’s historic victory as the first female nominee of a major political party. His supporters booed at the very mention of her name, and he did very little to stop them. I found his remarks and the reaction of his ‘supporters’ to be ungracious. Unity happens when losers concede. Bernie Sanders did not do that tonight. People say he needs time. Well, how many years have women waited for a strong female nominee who can win the Presidency? He does not need time. He needs a time out and needs to grow up. He acted like he did Clinton a favor by acknowledging that he spoke with her and that he congratulated her on her victory. That was a comment for a primary in February, not in June when the primaries are all but done and Clinton has crossed every objective threshold to claim the nomination.
The country cannot afford for him to wait while Donald Trump lurks. There is no need for a fight at the convention, but he’s still on that train. What is his purpose? Where is he leading people post-convention? Why is it that someone who proclaims himself a revolutionary cannot acknowledge a revolutionary moment with the nomination for President of the first female candidate of a major party? Why does he think he is so much more important than the people who would be negatively impacted by a Trump Presidency? Why does he think he is so much more important than the person who just beat him with more votes? The party will move on with or without him and will be victorious with or without him. He could make it a lot easier though by demonstrating some emotional maturity and acknowledge the results of the election. Yes, it’s possible that President Obama will find a way to usher him out of the race before the end of the week. But tonight was an opportunity for him to make an impression, to show grace, to show maturity, to show that he can be trusted and embraced, and not just someone with whom one makes an alliance of mutual convenience. He failed that test tonight, and it will be remembered.