Politics –
Bernie Sanders A Democratic Spoiler?
Despite a split primary win on Tuesday in Kentucky and Oregon, Sen. Bernie Sanders does not have a legitimate path to winning the Democratic nomination for president. So, why is he still in the race?
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Many politicos in Democratic circles are beginning to call Sanders a spoiler. His continued presence in the race (without moving the needle) is prompting concerns that he is damaging Hillary Clinton’s ability to battle Trump head on, which could end up hurting Democrats in the fall.
For as long as Bernie Sanders remains in the race, the Democratic National Committee can not pick a side and throw it’s support and financial resources behind a single candidate. President Obama and Vice-President Biden can not use the bully pulpit of their offices or the power of the White House to campaign on behalf of a presumptive nominee. Further, Hillary Clinton is forced to fight 2 battles instead of 1 Republican challenger. Also, for every criticism Bernie throws at Hillary, Trump doesn’t have to create it — he only needs to repeat it. All the while, he is sitting comfortably in Trump Tower coasting toward the November election while Democrats are still duking it out.
The Clinton campaign has rightfully held back from calling for Sanders to exit the race, since pushing him out would risk angering Sanders supporters and likely backfire. So, when is enough enough?
Bernie Sanders has insisted that he will remain in the race to compete in the California and New Jersey primaries on June 7th. He also vowed to take his candidacy all the way to the Democratic convention on July 25-28. With the math not in his favor, it’s extremely unclear what Bernie Sanders stands to gain by prolonging the inevitable.
Sanders’ continuation seems to have riled up his supporters, who seem prepared to “Bern down the house” unless they somehow seize the nomination — a dream scenario that seems more and more unlikely with each passing day.
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In Nevada last Saturday, the state convention turned into utter chaos as Sanders supporters stooped to violence for not getting their way. Their anger climaxed when several rules changes they proposed were rejected. However, since Hillary Clinton had at least 30 more people in the room than Bernie Sanders did, they were simply outvoted. Still, that didn’t stop the rabble-rousers from spray-painting graffiti on the Democratic Party headquarters and even sending death threats to the chairwoman of the party, Roberta Lange and her family.
On Tuesday morning, Senate Minority Leader and Nevada Senator Harry Reid said the actions of his supporters proves Bernie Sanders is facing “a test of leadership.” He added “I’m hopeful and very confident that Sen. Sanders will do the right thing.” By Tuesday night, Democratic chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Shultz said “It is never OK for violence and intimidation to be the response to that frustration. That’s what happens with the Trump campaign. We can never resort to the tactics that they engage in.”
The Sanders campaign eventually offered a lukewarm condemnation of the violence, graffiti and alleged threats made against party officials, but still stood by supporters who they say believe the convention was mishandled.
“At that convention, the Democratic leadership used its power to prevent a fair and transparent process from taking place,” an angry Sen. Sanders said.
Democratic strategist Jim Manley cautioned Bernie Sanders to be careful with his words and actions, so that he doesn’t wind up aiding Donald Trump.
“I have no problem with Sen. Sanders staying in until the end,” said Manley, who supports Clinton. “If that’s what he chooses to do, I just hope he plays it smart and doesn’t give the Trump campaign any more ammunition than it already has to take on Hillary Clinton.”
Democratic operatives are concerned that Sanders and his supporters might stage discourse on the floor of the DNC convention this summer. They also fear he could so damage the former U.S. secretary of state in the eyes of his supporters, they will choose to stay home and not vote in November if he is not on the ballot — which could hand Donald Trump the White House.
And that would indeed make Bernie Sanders a spoiler.
Thank you for this post DJ. I have refrained from going in on Bernie Sanders..until now. I had kinda hoped, after Indiana, he (and his supporters) would finally accept the fact that he CAN'T win the nomination, that it's time for him/and them to tone down the anti-Hillary rhetoric and time for him to gradually begin bowing out gracefully. I had kinda hoped those positive steps would be taken…while, sadly, in the back of my mind, I knew it was highly unlikely. Admittedly, I have no tolerance for politicians like Bernie Sanders. IMO, he's somewhere between a poltical interloper and a carpet-bagger. He's NOT a Democrat. He's a long-time Socialist Independent who cynically joined the Democrat party a year ago in order to run for President. And let's keep it real about ole Bernie – he's good at pointing out the many failings of our government but he's sorely lacking… Read more »