Advice for Divided Democrats
Editor's note: Robert is off this week. The following column is by Clarence Page
With the Democratic primaries grinding to a bitter end, I have suggestions for both Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders supporters that neither will like.
First, my advice to Clinton supporters: Don't try to drum Sanders out of the race before Clinton officially gets the nomination (if she in fact does get it).
Some of you say Sanders' should bow out because he has no chance of getting the nomination, and his continuing candidacy is harming Clinton's chances.
It's true that Sanders' chances are slim, but it's inaccurate to say he has no chance. If you consider only pledged delegates, who have been selected in caucuses and primaries, he's not all that far behind Clinton. And the upcoming primary in California -- the nation's most populous state -- could possibly alter Sanders's and Clinton's relative tallies.
My calculation doesn't include so-called superdelegates -- Democratic officeholders and other insiders who haven't been selected through primaries and caucuses. But in this year of anti-establishment fury, it would be unwise for Clinton to relay on superdelegates to get her over the finish line.
Sanders should stay in the race also because he has attracted a large number of young people and independents. Their passion, excitement and enthusiasm are critically important to Clinton's success, if she's the nominee, as well as to the success of other Democrats this year and, more fundamentally, to the future of American politics.
Finally and not the least, Sanders has been telling a basic truth about the American political economic system -- that growing inequality of income and wealth has led inexorably to the increasing political power of those at the top, including big corporations and Wall Street banks. And that political power has stacked the deck in their favor, leading to still wider inequality.
Nothing important can be accomplished -- reversing climate change, creating true equal opportunity, overcoming racism, rebuilding the middle class, having a sane and sensible foreign policy -- until we reclaim our democracy from the moneyed interests. The longer Sanders is on stage to deliver this message, the better.
Next, my advice for Sanders supporters: Be prepared to work hard for Clinton if she gets the nomination.
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(c) 2016 CLARENCE PAGE DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.
