Bernie Sanders Supporters Should Feel Jilted

If we learned anything this presidential cycle, expect the unexpected, don't trust the polls or pundits, and a majority of Americans think are politics are broken and don't want an establishment candidate. One can only say good luck to Secretary Clinton.
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For the record, I will likely vote for Hillary Clinton.

But I feel bad and have compassion for all those who support Senator Sanders.

Senator Sanders ran an amazing campaign and as it winds down, it doesn't feel right.

These are the reasons why Senator Sanders supporters might feel jilted.

1. SUPERDELEGATES

Of the 4,765 total Democratic delegates, 714 are superdelegates, which are usually Democratic members of Congress, Governors, former Presidents, and other party leaders and elected officials. They represent about 20% of all delegates needed.

They are basically a VIP club for Democrats.

Many might feel they are the establishment thwarting the will of the people.

Especially when in states and counties that Senator Sanders won, the superdelegates still pledged their support to Secretary Clinton. That's not really fair.

2. CLOSED PRIMARIES

Eleven states have closed primaries -- Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Nebraska, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming.

Most of those states are blue or purple. Not allowing Independents or non-committed voters to participate in an election is a form of voter suppression, whether it's a primary or a general election. Having to change your party affiliation months in advance, like the case in New York, didn't allow voters enough time to hear arguments from the candidates so they can make an informed and educated decision.

3. THE MAINSTREAM MEDIA

By including superdelegates in tallies, the media unfortunately created the perception that Mrs. Clinton possessed a larger lead than she actually held. Superdelegates don't vote until the convention and should not be included in delegate counts. From the start of the Sanders campaign, the media did not treat him fairly.

4. OUT OF CONTEXT

The general consensus from the Clinton campaign is that Bernie Sanders has attacked Hillary Clinton on a personal level and that his "attacks" will hurt her in the fall, and that his "attacks" go against his pledge to not level personal attacks on an opponent.

He never attacked her.

Highlighting their differences is not an attack.

He never mentioned her FBI indictment, email scandal, Bengazi fiasco, Whitewater, or any of the drip, drip, drip drama that Donald Trump will nail her on in the fall.

5. HILLARY WINS RED STATES

Hillary has so many more delegates because she creamed him in southern states on Super Tuesday. States like Texas and Georgia and Tennessee and Alabama are loaded in delegates and there is no way a Democrat will win those states in the fall.

Why did those states choose so early in the process?

And then you have the biggest state in the country, California, voting last.

It doesn't make sense and reeks of the establishment's desire to crown Mrs. Clinton.

6. DON'T DISRESPECT BERNIE SUPPORTERS

Secretary Clinton needs to tread extremely lightly because the millions of people that voted for Senator Sanders are not going to flock to her in the general election, even if Senator Sanders says so.

Bernie Sanders admits his campaign isn't about him, it's about a revolution.

The message, mainly income inequality, rightfully struck a chord.

A lot of Bernie supporters are also sick of the establishment.

Many might stay home in the fall.

Many might even move into the camp of Donald Trump who represents a protest candidate.

If we learned anything this presidential cycle, expect the unexpected, don't trust the polls or pundits, and a majority of Americans think are politics are broken and don't want an establishment candidate. One can only say good luck to Secretary Clinton.

It's unfortunately going to be an ugly campaign.

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