In a recent interview with Fusion's Jorge Ramos, Ralph Nader, consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate, both praised Bernie Sanders for using the leverage he has accumulated to place pressure on the Democratic establishment, and criticized Hillary Clinton, calling her a "deeply-rooted corporatist" and a "militarist."
And while many supporters of Bernie Sanders were disappointed by his decision to formally endorse Hillary Clinton, Nader views the move in a different light, despite his strong feelings that Clinton is a representative of a corrupt establishment.
Nader told Ramos that he thinks Sanders's endorsement speech was "brilliant."
"He set her up for political betrayal," Nader added, "which would allow him to enlarge his civic mobilization movement after the election and after she takes office. So I think it's a very astute endorsement."
In saying "political betrayal," Nader is referring to Sanders's efforts to pressure Clinton into supporting the ambitious programs he has pushed for throughout his insurgent and unpredictably successful campaign.
By listing these goals in his endorsement speech — from establishing a living wage, to moving toward universal health care and free public college — Sanders effectively laid out Clinton's promises on a national stage, for all to see. If she fails to hold to these promises, Nader suggests, the sense of "betrayal" that will be felt by progressives will actually strengthen their resolve, leading to a more powerful progressive coalition in the future.