Traditionally, the Democratic Party is divided between the corporate centrists and the progressive activists. For years, the liberal wing of the party, represented by the venerable Bernie Sanders (granted he identifies as an independent — but he has run twice to be the Democratic nominee) and the youthful Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has been on the opposite side of the left-wing ideological divide from Biden — a man ripped by progressives as a shill for the elites and other vested interests.
Then, right after Biden’s less-than-hoped-for performance in the first presidential debate, AOC bucked expectations by casting her lot with the presumptive candidate.
She forcefully declared that she had Biden’s back. She has maintained that position. Now, joining her is the doyen of progressive politics, Bernie Sanders.
In an opinion piece (the paywall should be down) for the New York Times on Saturday, “Bernie Sanders: Joe Biden for President” Sanders outlines his case for keeping Biden as the nominee. He starts:
“I will do all that I can to see that President Biden is re-elected. Why? Despite my disagreements with him on particular issues, he has been the most effective president in the modern history of our country and is the strongest candidate to defeat Donald Trump — a demagogue and pathological liar.”
Sanders goes on to say that, while he fundamentally disagrees with Biden on several issues, including Obamacare, Israel, and others, he will support Joe despite the clickbait hysteria of the media.
Not that Sanders is unaware of Biden’s struggle with age — but he puts it in context.
“Yes. I know: Mr. Biden is old, is prone to gaffes, walks stiffly and had a disastrous debate with Mr. Trump. But this I also know: A presidential election is not an entertainment contest. It does not begin or end with a 90-minute debate.”
Sanders says that the Democrats need to stop the circular firing squad and start promoting Biden’s unprecedented accomplishments. He writes:
Supporters of Mr. Biden can speak proudly about a good and decent Democratic president with a record of real accomplishment.
He then lists the accomplishments of the Biden administration, to wit (paraphrased):
- Rebuilt the economy during the pandemic far faster than economists thought possible.
- Provided cash benefits to desperate parents and protected small businesses, hospitals, schools and child care centers.
- Put more money into rebuilding America’s infrastructure than ever before — which is projected to create millions of well-paying jobs.
- Made the largest-ever investment in climate action to save the planet.
- Canceled student debt for nearly five million financially strapped Americans
- Cut prices for insulin and asthma inhalers, capped out-of-pocket costs for prescription drugs and got free vaccines to the American people.
- Battled to defend women’s rights in the face of moves by Trump-appointed jurists to roll back reproductive freedom and deny women the right to control their own bodies.
Sanders warns Biden that he cannot rest on his laurels. The president needs to commit to progressive actions in his second term.
“To win the election, the president must do more than just defend his excellent record. He needs to propose and fight for a bold agenda that speaks to the needs of the vast majority of our people — the working families of this country, the people who have been left behind for far too long.”
Let us remember that Sanders is a lifelong politician with a specific agenda. Here he is leveraging his support for Biden with a not-so-subtle hint that Joe should run on Sanders’ progressive agenda. Not necessarily a bad thing - although it makes elected Democrats in purple states nervous.
To that end, Bernie spells out the difference between the Democrats’s aims and the Trump/plutocrat plan for the US.
“This is the wealthiest country in the history of the world. We can do better. We must do better. Joe Biden knows that. Donald Trump does not.
Joe Biden wants to tax the rich so that we can fund the needs of working families, the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor. Donald Trump wants to cut taxes for the billionaire class.
Joe Biden wants to expand Social Security benefits. Donald Trump and his friends want to weaken Social Security.
Joe Biden wants to make it easier for workers to form unions and collectively bargain for better wages and benefits. Donald Trump wants to let multinational corporations get away with exploiting workers and ripping off consumers.
Joe Biden respects democracy. Donald Trump attacks it.”
Sanders finishes:
“Let me say this as emphatically as I can: For the sake of our kids and future generations, he must win.”
There are Democrats who disagree that Biden is the best candidate to be Donald Trump. But no one can doubt exactly where Bernie Sanders stands on the issue. For that, we can thank his New York City upbringing.
He may be a longtime resident of Vermont, but he grew up in the boroughs. And you can take the boy out of Brooklyn. But you cannot take Brooklyn out of the boy.
As those guys would say: “Trump? Fuhgeddaboudit.”