How Bernie Sanders Can Save the Democrats

[portlander23]

How Bernie Sanders Can Save the Democrats
While Clinton calculates, Sanders remains the campaign conscience against corruption
Brent Budowsky
Observer

William Jefferson Clinton was a very good president and Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a truly great president and therein lies the tale of the battle for the Democratic nomination for president in 2016.

While Hillary Clinton remains the clear frontrunner in the battle for the Democratic nomination, Bernie Sanders remains the conscience of the Democrats in the presidential campaign and the most influential voice—by far—in the great debate about the future of the Democratic Party.

The problem with the Hillary Clinton candidacy, to put it in terms that are brutally blunt, is that she appears to be endlessly engaging in almost hourly political calculations and maneuvers. While Bernie Sanders is the ultimate conviction politician, taking stands of principle that he has long championed and deeply believed in, Hillary Clinton is the ultimate calculating politician, taking stands that shift with political winds which lead to abnormally high levels of public distrust of her.

To understand the importance of the Sanders campaign, and the power and appeal of his message, and why it is so important to Democratic success in 2016, consider the following. Mr. Sanders is the most authentic heir to the great Democratic legacy of the New Deal of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the New Frontier of John F. Kennedy, and the Great Society of Lyndon B. Johnson. His major progressive positions happen to be highly popular with voters and more popular with voters than opposing conservative positions. I would argue that the better Mr. Sanders does in his campaign the more Ms. Clinton follows his lead in taking progressive positions that are both right and popular, and the more the Democrats are identified with these positions the better their chances of prevailing in 2016.

By contrast without the appeal of the Sanders campaign there is every reason to believe, and much evidence to suggest, that Ms. Clinton would “move to the right” and reposition herself yet again in ways that would increase her levels of distrust from voters generally, and depress Democratic turnout on Election Day.

[Yuki55]

1. Fell the burn

It is great to read a story that tell the truth about Bernie & Hilary. I find this article right on the money. I first heard of Bernie about 10 years ago on the Thom Hartmann show in his Air America days. Bernie has never wavered on his positions , he has never bought into the money ,of being a senator, takes no super pac money, or lobbyist money , he has always put the people first. Trying to shut down the corporate banks is a big one for me . Trying to uphold the Constitution is another. Bernie doesn't care who his pisses off he's there to do the people work and not become a billionaire. All I can say is look at the money train when voting.

[Nitram]

2. We don't need "saving", thank you very much.

We're going to win this election by getting out and voting.

[dreamnightwind]

3. Wow, very much disagree

This party has lost its soul, and almost exclusively works for the interests of their corporate donors. It is probably too late to save it, but to Bernie's credit, he was willing to run as a Dem rather than as a 3rd party spolier.