Bernie Sanders And Allies Remain Optimistic About Future Of Political Revolution
The political revolution that Bernie Sanders nurtured will continue beyond the Philadelphia Convention. That’s the word straight from the man himself. Even if he does not become the Democratic nominee the movement has shown no signs of slowing down. Already, the signs of resistance to Hillary Clinton are evident in voters and progressive leaders across the nation. Bernie is helping carve out a road leading to a viable progressive platform for the existing Democratic Party or for a new one.
Across social media, voters of all ages, races, and income levels have sharply criticized the Democratic primary process. In Arizona and Puerto Rico polling locations were reduced drastically. In other states, people who were disenfranchised lived primarily in areas predicted to go for Bernie, such as Brooklyn. In California, poll workers were struck with how disorganized and confusing the voting process was. The Los Angeles Times reports that some people were mysteriously registered to vote by mail, when others reported that they had wanted to vote by mail but had never received a ballot. Those people were forced to use provisional ballots, which are not always counted except under exceptional circumstances.
Given the contentious nature of the 2016 primary season, one could argue that exceptional circumstances have existed since Bernie first announced his candidacy was not just a run for the White House, but a call for a political revolution.
Robert Reich, a prominent economist and Bernie Sanders supporter, discusses why Bernie’s political revolution is more important than the actual man himself. Of course, Bernie is incredibly important. He has given a voice to the frustration and desperation, the hunger and the need of millions of people who have called for change.
In his essay, Reich notes that “Bernie’s candidacy has never been mainly about Bernie. It’s been about a movement to reclaim our democracy and economy from the moneyed interests.”
RoseAnn De Moro, the head of National Nurses United, has refused to endorse Hillary Clinton. She cites the Associated Press calling the primary for Clinton before the last six states had even voted as just one reason. De Moro told Politico that Bernie is the only candidate supporting single-payer health care reform, which is a centerpiece to his political revolution.
“He’s the real deal. He’ not playing by the same rules. It’s not a political campaign. It is a political revolution, in the literal sense. He came up against the coldness of the machine and that’s an odd place to be in history.”
De Moro didn’t say she would never vote for Hillary Clinton, but she emphasized the importance of Bernie taking his revolution all the way to the end.
Still, a look at Facebook, Reddit, and even Twitter can tell even the most casual observer that Bernie Sanders supporters want him to run either as a third party or as an independent because they feel it is the only way he has any chance of winning. Superdelegates in most states are adamantly staying in Clinton’s camp, even in those states Bernie won handily.
Take Minnesota and Washington state, for example. Bernie won both states handily yet the vast majority of the states’ superdelegates continue to express support for Hillary Clinton. This has voters angry, and the superdelegates’ refusal to reflect their constituents’ votes could lead to many of them losing their seats come November.
Texas progressive, author, and activist Jim Hightower was among the group of allies Bernie Sanders spoke with on Sunday afternoon. After the press conference, Hightower posted an optimistic status update on his Facebook page.
“About 20 of us spent four hours or so talking with Bernie Sanders about BernieNext, not looking back, but at how far this grassroots populist movement has come in only 15 months. Everyone there is very excited about continuing the rebellion into congressional and local elections and issue campaigns next year, 2018, 2020 and beyond. This year’s phenomenal achievements are only the start. Presidential campaigns end on Election Day — revolutions don’t!”
As reported earlier on The Inquisitr, Bernie held a press conference after the long meeting with his allies. He emphasized again that he is not ending his campaign and will take his call for a political revolution to the floor of the Democratic Convention in July.
[Photo by John Locher/AP Images]
