My phone sparked to life with a Washington Post notification at 3:39 a.m. Feb. 19.
The alert read, “Sen. Bernie Sanders, Democrats’ 2016 runner-up, to make another presidential bid.” Moments later, CNN made a similar announcement, followed by The New York Times and other major media outlets.
The 77-year-old joins a long list of Democratic contenders who have already made a bid for the 2020 presidency, such as Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Corey Booker and Kamala Harris.
The sheer amount of candidates — currently around 15 people — is problematic enough. But Sanders’ run is different, appealing to a more radical sect of liberal voters who reared their heads about three years ago and gone away.
Olivia Heersink | Argonaut
While many “felt the Bern” in 2016, it wasn’t enough for him to secure the Democratic nomination, losing to Hillary Clinton.
Sanders’ loss prompted several of his supporters to join the ranks of third party candidates, such as Jill Stein. The switch was a direct blow to Clinton’s campaign — albeit not the only reason she lost.
That initial notification conjured an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Was 2016 doomed to repeat itself? Would his supporters jump ship once again?
“Short of Joe Biden entering the race, Sanders on paper starts off with more advantages than anybody else. He’s got the largest list; he’s got the most intense following that has stayed with him since 2016; he has a proven ability to fundraise from his small-dollar base,” said Democratic strategist Brian Fallon in an Atlantic article. “He’s in the exact opposite position that he started off the 2016 campaign in.”
While I definitely agree Sanders is no longer the underdog he was two years ago, I don’t believe he’s made enough progress to carry the torch for the Democrats — at least to the White House.
His left-leaning ideas —expanding government support programs and single-payer health care — were revolutionary when he presented them in 2016. And yet, these once-radical beliefs aren’t as unique this time around. Many candidates have also adopted similar platforms.
However, we don’t need far-reaching politics — we need a moderate, middle ground that can draw support across party lines. There has been too much partisanship on Capitol Hill, causing little to nothing to get done.
We’ve learned all too well what someone who only cares about their individual party — or themselves — will do with the presidency.
“He could burn out, get eclipsed by some of the newer forces in the party, and have to answer for all the parts of his record and background that didn’t get full scrutiny when he was a novelty nowhere near winning in 2016,” said Edward-Isaac Dovere in the same Atlantic article. “Sanders running when he’s part of a big field of enticing candidates is a whole lot different from Sanders running as the single fresh alternative to a candidate who never inspired much passion throughout her entire career.”
Sanders-like candidates are better at the local level — places they can enact change.
No matter who wins, it’s time to make the White House blue again.
Olivia Heersink can be reached at [email protected]
For the opposing view, click here.