Democrats have gotten their wish. A clown, con artist, racist demagogue, with zero experience in all things political, will be the Republican Party’s presidential nominee. A candidate totally unqualified to be our nation’s next commander in chief will carry the GOP’s hopes of regaining the White House.
A cakewalk for the Democratic nominee, right?
No, not if that Democratic nominee is Hillary Clinton. No, not when a significant number of Democrats say they would never vote for the ethically challenged former Secretary of State. For them, it is “Bernie or Bust.”
Well, it is fairly clear to most Democrats, except for diehard Bernie Sanders supporters, that Hillary will be the Democrats’ standard-bearer in the upcoming presidential election. But with negatives almost comparable to those of Trump, and with many Bernie supporters vowing to sit out the election, vote third party, or vote for Trump, Hillary is anything but a shoe in for the Oval Office.
If only Democrats could take a page from the GOP playbook. For Republicans, it is always party over country. Democrats need to heed the lesson of Rick Perry. Here we have a former presidential candidate who once called Trump a “cancer on conservatism,” now enthusiastically supporting his former rival. Party first!
Yes, Democrats are not as disciplined as Republicans. They do not know how to circle their wagons for mutual protection. What Democrats have proven over and again is they do not know how to close out a game. If they are skilled at anything, it is snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.
Politics is a dirty business. Many times an election comes down to choosing the lesser of two evils. But for Progressives, the petulant children of the Democratic Party, standing on principle is a noble and honorable thing. They don’t care, or simply lose sight of, the greater good.
For “Bernie or Bust” progressive Democrats, all they need to do is think back to George W. Bush’s “win” in Florida in the 2000 election. A good number of Democrats voted for the “progressive” candidate of the Green Party, Ralph Nader… a non-electable, egotistical spoiler who took votes away from Al Gore. How well did that work out for the country, all you noble, honorable Democrats?
Democrats need to unite behind whoever is their party’s nominee. Period. The stakes are too high. The motto “Vote Blue No Matter Who” should be the rallying cry for all right thinking Dems.
(AP Photo/Mary Altaffer, File)(Credit: AP)
David Lerner says
At the end of the day, Progressives will see the light … I hope!
John DeProspo says
When Bernie gets behind Hillary and campaigns for her, Progressives will do the right thing. Heck, there is still some speculation he might be Hillary’s VP pick.
Ivan says
“Democrats need to unite behind whoever is their party’s nominee. Period.”
This mentality will never bring you a better tomorrow. You somehow think that those elephant and donkey stand for something different than the illusion of choice.
America had the chance to elect someone untainted by the political process and money influence. And just because HC holds her ever evolving position a few degrees to the left compared to Trump, all the dems are supposed to line up and vote ?
So i completely understand the principle behind the position Bernie or Bust.
John DeProspo says
We have two flawed candidates. One will take the country down the hill on a road that is narrow and twisting … in a rain storm … with no guardrails. The other will take the country over the cliff. Which should we choose? Trump will never bring us a better tomorrow. He is a man who cares only about himself and will say anything to get his way. He is the ultimate narcissistic con man. Yes, Americans had a chance to elect a revolutionary candidate. And he almost got there. But for the safety of our country, and the world, Trump cannot be president. Heck, he doesn’t really want to be president anyway. It’s just his ego that wants him to win, ironically even at the cost of harming his brand.