Is it really a curmudgeonly self-identified socialist who recently suffered a heart attack, honeymooned in Moscow, joined a Sandinista rally chanting “death to Yankees,” voted with the NRA and against background checks and assault weapons bans, has a mediocre track record in successful legislation, routinely refuses to compromise even with Democrats, hates the Democratic party, can’t bring himself to join the Democratic party, and commands an army of misogynistic trolls? (On the last point, see forthcoming comments below.)
Listen to Republicans who support Trump. Bernie is guy they want to run against.
Listen to the Russians who support Trump. Bernie is the guy they want their Trump-asset to run against.
Listen to the Democratic Senate and House candidates who want to win their own races. Bernie is the guy they don’t want to be at the top of the ticket.
Bernie passes the woke police purity test and appeals to younger voters because he speaks in idealistic platitudes.
But if Bernie wins the nomination, we will lose, badly, up and down the ticket. Progressive values will be set back decades.
Listen to the elder statespersons of the party, like Harry Reid, who “all but endorsed” Warren.
Listen to the wisdom of our senior statesperson, Barack Obama, who won’t weigh in explicitly, but has signaled his views to those who have the ears to hear:
This is still a country that is less revolutionary than it is interested in improvement. They like seeing things improved, but the average American doesn’t think we have to completely tear down the system and remake it.
Achieving progress requires victory, not only in the presidential race, but also in the Senate and House. Victory requires a pragmatic leader at the top of the ticket.