We live in a world where Daily Banter writers are overjoyed a presumptive Democratic nominee isn’t indicted or at risk of jail time. Although Hillary Clinton just circumvented the FBI recommending indictments (even though POLITICO writes Comey challenges truthfulness of Clinton’s email defenses), there’s more controversy on the horizon. The State Department has restarted its own email probe, Clinton might actually have lied under oath during the Benghazi hearings, and the Honorable James Comey refused to rule out a Clinton Foundation investigation. I highlight these future political hurdles in the following YouTube segment.
Furthermore, Tim Black explains the magnitude of the Philando Castile shooting in this segment of his show, as well as the horror of the Dallas murders in another powerful segment. America is in turmoil, and while Hillary has accepted more prison lobbyist money than even Jeb Bush, and Trump is Trump, the nation is longing for an inspiring figure. According to HuffPost Pollster, 55.6% of Americans have an unfavorable view of Hillary Clinton, while 59.8% of Americans have an unfavorable view of Donald Trump. In contrast, Bernie Sanders has a positive favorability rating, and he isn’t at risk of future indictments or controversy.
Yes, Hillary Clinton barely beats Trump in terms of favorability, which speaks volumes about what could happen in November.
On the other hand, Bernie Sanders still defeats Trump by 10.4 points in an average of polls, while Hillary Clinton according to Real Clear Politics barely beats The Donald by 4.7 points. Hillary Clinton barely escaped indictments, barely beats Trump in terms of poll numbers and favorability ratings, and has less than 2,383 pledged delegates. Therefore, why should Bernie Sanders even think of leaving the race?
In reality, Vermont’s Senator should continue to ignore the bullying and condescension from media pundits and establishment Democrats who never believed in him. Bernie should remain steadfast and force Democratic super-delegates to make a choice during the Democratic Convention. It’s still several weeks away, and there’s time to argue the case that Bernie Sanders defeats Trump by a wider margin, without scandals on the horizon, and without horribly low favorability ratings. On November 8, 2016, Americans might decide they’ve had enough with either defending Clinton, or hearing her excuses for endless controversy.
In addition, Bernie Sanders represents a profound movement and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He embodies the hopes and dreams of millions and was able to earn over 12 million votes; without overwhelming name recognition or Super PACS. Sanders did all of this in only one year; against a challenger who consistently had the endorsements of major Democratic politicians in every state.
There are also allegations of election fraud; shielded by an American media that gave Trump and Clinton infinitely more coverage than Bernie. Ultimately, what Sanders was able to accomplish is unprecedented, and to assume that he couldn’t defeat Donald Trump with greater ease than Clinton is foolish. If it’s about winning, Democrats nominate Bernie. If it’s about political patronage, then Democrats nominate Clinton.
Also, if ensuring Trump doesn’t get into the White House is the Democratic Party’s primary goal, then Bernie must stay in the race. If reports are true, and he’s close to endorsing Clinton, then get ready for the lowest voter-turnout in decades. On June 22, Bloomberg explained the repercussions of a Clinton nomination:
Nearly Half of Sanders Supporters Won’t Support Clinton: Poll
A June 14 Bloomberg Politics national poll of likely voters in November’s election found that barely half of those who favored Sanders ― 55 percent ― plan to vote for Clinton. Instead, 22 percent say they’ll vote for Trump, while 18 percent favor Libertarian Gary Johnson. “I’m a registered Democrat, but I cannot bring myself to vote for another establishment politician like Hillary…”
Still, for many Sanders supporters, opposition to Clinton is the basis of their political identity. Thirty minutes before the start of a June 9 Sanders rally in Washington, D.C., the crowd broke into a chant: “Bernie or bust! Bernie or bust!”
“There’s zero percent chance that Hillary Clinton could ever get my vote,” said Perry Mitchell, a 31-year-old nonprofit worker from Baltimore. “She’s a corporate candidate. I don’t vote for corporate candidates. I don’t do the lesser of two evils.”
Even if the alternative is Trump?
“You’re choosing between fascism and oligarchy,” Mitchell said. His 23-year-old brother, Brady, interjected with a more vivid analogy to the Clinton-Trump choice: “Die by quicksand, or die by bullet?”
The Mitchell brothers represent a brand of diehard Sanders voters who are causing anxiety in Clinton’s world. Like Brooks, both intend to vote for the Green Party’s Stein if Clinton secures the Democratic nomination. It could be that none of these Sanders supporters was ever truly “gettable” for Clinton, regardless of whether or not Sanders ultimately chooses to endorse her. (“She’s a war criminal,” says Brooks.)
If close to half of Bernie voters couldn’t imagine supporting Clinton in late June, there’s no doubt the FBI’s James Comey has increased the number. I explain the reality of Bernie supporters never siding with Clinton (even with an endorsement) in the following YouTube segment.
If Bernie decides to endorse Clinton, I’d have nothing but respect and admiration for Vermont’s Senator, even though I’d disagree with his decision. Bernie Sanders vows to prevent perpetual counterinsurgency wars and quagmires, wants to break up Too Big to Fail banks, has fought against the TPP, and championed every progressive value trampled upon by establishment Democrats. He’s brought energy and light to a political process marred by apathy and darkness.
With Bernie Sanders, the Democratic Party was forced to look into the mirror, and evaluate years of duplicity and disingenuous politics. His policy goals are mainstream and backed up by public opinion polls stating Americans desire to rein in Wall Street greed and stop never-ending wars. If Democrats and progressive media are enamored with a candidate advised by Henry Kissinger and George W. Bush’s neoconservatives, the don’t expect Bernie voters to flock to the polls in November.
Bernie Sanders, please stay in the race. If you don’t, I’ll still love you, but America needs you now more than ever. I was proved right regarding my prediction that Clinton would be indicted in the court of public opinion, and even The Chicago Tribune writes Hillary Clinton disqualifies herself. It’s a long way until November, and things seem to be getting worse, not better, for the Clinton campaign.
Our nation continues to struggle with the issue of race, a Democratic primary that left millions jaded, and a nation divided by a number of contentious issues. A true leader is needed at this point in U.S. history, and even though House Democrats might throw a tantrum, and progressive media might continue to bully Sanders supporters, Vermont’s Senator must remain in the race. He can easily defeat Trump, and since fear of a Republican is what drives establishment Democrats, Bernie Sanders is the only hope in 2016.
