Democratic Primaries

Even if the harm is not too likely to result in a November defeat, it remains a risk it is not necessary to endure. Since Sanders has no discernible chance to secure the nomination for President of the Democratic Party, his continuing an ostensible campaign for the position invites speculation as to his actual motivation. On the record of his previous performance, the most likely reason for his persistence is the desire to wring platform and rules concessions from our Party, using the threat his most devoted followers might not vote for the Party's nominee in November if he is not thus placated as a tool for blackmail towards this end. He would not have the votes on the convention floor to secure anything, so that any alteration to platform or rules at all would be well in excess of what by ordinary rules of democratic process he would be entitled to.

It is worth noting as well that Sanders probably could not deliver his most devoted followers even if negotiations in good faith were pursued. The instant it was obvious such negotiations were underway, these people would turn on Sanders with cries he was a sell-out, knuckling under to the 'Democratic Establishment' and the big corporations, and in general denouncing him as a false messiah betraying the revolution. Sanders has 'called up that which he cannot put down' and is but driftwood on the wave of currents and events he cannot much influence, and has largely misperceived to begin with.





"From Bernie’s perspective, dropping out of a race once you have no chance of winning is peculiar behavior that can only be explained by the work of a hidden hand. For most politicians, though, it is actually standard operating procedure. Only Sanders seems to think the normal thing to do once voters have made clear they don’t want to nominate you is to continue campaigning anyway."





"When things are not called by their right names, what is said cannot make sense. When what is said does not make sense, what is planned cannot succeed. When plans do not succeed, people become uneasy. When people are uneasy, punishments do not fit crimes. When punishments do not fit crimes, people cannot know where to put hand or foot."