When the last 2016 primary vote is cast in about two weeks, Senator Sanders will have to make a big decision. Will he follow the 2008 primary model and become a hero to all of us?
Just like most things in life, how you end is really more important. Back in 2000, Ralph Nader had a unique opportunity for immortality, unfortunately, his universe size ego got in the way. If Nader had backed out gracefully out of the 2000 general election, he would have been in a position to influence future Al Gore’s administration. Imagine no Iraq war, no economic meltdown, paid attention to Osama Bin Laden/Al-Qaeda, control of Supreme Court etc.
2008 Democratic Party primary election was very competitive, the results were even closer back then. Feelings were hurt on both sides. By the way, the same rules were followed in 2008. Just like I wrote last week in my first diary, Hillary Clinton realized what were at stake. She realized that what unite us progressives are more than what divide us. Equally important, she realized that primary fight is a family affair. Without any single demand letter to either Obama or DNC, she enthusiastically endorsed then Senator Obama during a unity rally before the 2008 convention.
Hillary Clinton realized that we do not need a messy convention, she ensured that the 2008 convention was a united front. By the way, she also made it her duty to rally are PUMA supporters behind the nominee. She knew that asking then Senator Obama to convince her supporters would have been a disingenuous position to take.
By the way, who can forget what happened during the 2012 convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. President Obama was fighting for re-election, his messages were not getting through to the voters. Even Senator Sanders was calling for a primary challenge that year. Then came President Clinton, the Explainer in Chief. Well, we all knew what happened thereafter. President Obama poll numbers rebounded, voters finally understood his messages, thanks again to the Explainer in Chief.
While President Obama is not perfect, he has done more goods that any President in the last 50 years (IMHO). He rescued the economy, normalized relationship with Cuba, de-escalated nuclear tension with Iran, he made a gigantic leap forward with Affordable Care Act. The list goes on and on. In 2016 and in Secretary Clinton, voters see another doer, an achiever. Someone not perfect just like the rest of us, but a clear-eyed progressive that can get things done.
Today, most of President Obama supporters are lining up behind Secretary Clinton. They are more than willing to lay down their political lives for her. You see, earning respect from your former opponent and his/her supporters is a true mark of leadership. In time, I truely believe that majority of Senator Sanders supporters will come to the same realization, that Secretary Clinton is a great choice.
Back to Senator Sanders. This year’s primary fight has been very competitive as well. I am not going to point fingers, suffice to say that feelings are equally hurt on both sides. If Senator Sanders had won the primary fight, he would have needed Secretary Clinton supporters in November as well. Just like she did in 2008, I believe that Secretary Clinton would have conceded with grace and dignity, and with no demands. In my view, the best way out is to agree that we have two great candidates, and it is inevitable that one must win.
Senator Sanders and his supporters have claimed that they have the right to fight until last vote is cast just like it was in 2008. Secretary Clinton support that position. However, in about two weeks, Senator Sanders will have to confront the following questions:
- Is Senator Sanders indeed following the 2008 primary template?
- Will he enthusiastically endorse Secretary Clinton once the last primary vote is cast?
- Will he hold a unity rally with Secretary Clinton before the convention like 2008?
- Will he guarantee a non-messy convention like 2008?
- Will he make it his duty to rally his supporters behind the nominee like 2008?
- No demand letters to DNC in 2008, will he stop demand letter(s) to DNC?
In two weeks, all of us can be winners through unity. By remembering that what unite us are indeed more what divide us. That all our candidates are human and as such not perfect. Once the last primary vote is cast, I pray that cooler heads prevail. It is my hope that Senator Sanders along with both secret and open #BernieOrBust crowd will sheath their swords and choose unity.
Both Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton on so many occasions have stated that they are friends. They have declared that each are infinitely better than Racist Trump. In my opinion, the best way to prove that is to unite behind the nominee before the convention. Based on the will of the voters so far, we are fairly certain who the nominee will be. Those Super Delegates that both Moveon.org and Senator Sanders have called undemocratic should not be called upon to override the will of the voters based on flimsy polls.
I am glad that DNC gave concessions of 5 platform members to Senator Sanders. It is time for Senator Sanders to reciprocate that kind gesture. After all, it takes two to tango. I am aware that Senator Sanders want two Secretary Clinton backers off the convention committee, I believe that is a bad move. I am sure many of his representatives to the platform committee like Cornel West are completely unacceptable to majority of Hillary supporters. However, in the interest of unity, no one formerly object to their inclusion. In about two weeks, I hope and pray that the good Senator Sanders follows 2008 primary model, unite behind the nominee unconditionally and be a hero to all of us.…...#IamWithHer