The senator says in this exclusive interview that challengers to status quo politics can run in Democratic primaries or as independents.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/22940159

Bernie Sanders caused a stir last week, when the independent senator from Vermont and two-time contender for the Democratic presidential nomination sent a post-election email to his progressive supporters across the country. In it, he argued that the Democrats suffered politically in 2024 at least in part because they ran a campaign that focused on “protecting the status quo and tinkering around the edges.”

In contrast, said Sanders, “Trump and the Republicans campaigned on change and on smashing the existing order.” Yes, he explained, “the ‘change’ that Republicans will bring about will make a bad situation worse, and a society of gross inequality even more unequal, more unjust and more bigoted.”

Despite that the reality of the threat they posed, Trump and the Republicans still won a narrow popular-vote victory for the presidency, along with control of the US House. That result has inspired an intense debate over the future direction not just of the Democratic Party but of the country. And the senator from Vermont is in the thick of it.

In his email, Sanders, a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus who campaigned in states across the country this fall for Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic ticket, asked a blunt question: “Will the Democratic leadership learn the lessons of their defeat and create a party that stands with the working class and is prepared to take on the enormously powerful special interests that dominate our economy, our media and our political life?”

His answer: “Highly unlikely. They are much too wedded to the billionaires and corporate interests that fund their campaigns.”

  • UsernameHere@lemmy.world
    12·
    3 days ago

    If you missed all the “the economy is fine, just ignore the evidence of your pocketbook” bullshit that was shoveled out by Democrats, that’s on you.

    Literally made up which is consistent with everything you’ve said so far.

    Exacerbated and enabled by Biden, to your considerable delight.

    I’m not delighted at all by it. That is why I place the blame where it is due. On Netanyahu. Because this isn’t something that should be spun into a political talking point like you’re doing.

    We’re supposed to be better than Russia or Iran. But there’s a genocide to support, so you’ll make excuses for it until it’s complete.

    You’re the one trying to reallocate blame from Netanyahu onto Biden to support your political narrative.

    Ha.

    Nothing to say because you’re wrong? I know.

    They capitulate and excuse it by calling it “reaching across the aisle.” Republicans are never expected to reach across the aisle. They’re never expected to be magnanimous or gracious. They’re never expected to move to the left in order to appease Democrats.

    Republicans are never expected to do those things by the Republican Party. Why does that matter to us? You want us to follow their example?

    Democrats keep moving to the right to appease Republicans. They don’t move to the left to please their own base.

    I literally gave you examples of democrats moving left and working with Bernie and AOC and you proved me right by showing you had no rebuttals.