It's not only about defeating Trump. It's about changing a corrupt system that allowed Trump to happen. If you sell access/leverage to the 1%, that compromises your presidency. Then little change occurs and the system gives us another Bush or Trump type. Time to break the cycle.
There are quite a few Democratic voters who think, "I don't like big money in politics, but if Dems don't take it, we lose." Except it's not true. Plenty of 2018 House candidates proved you can win grassroots style. Bernie and Warren are outraising rivals without big-donor cash.
Why are Bernie and Warren outraising Biden and Buttigieg without the help of big donors? Because voters are starving for transparent politicians who spend their time listening to ordinary folks out in the open, not megadonors in private. Sunlight is truly the best disinfectant.
The 2020 Democratic primary presents a choice: Do we want to be the party that fights for the working class or the wine-cave class? How we answer that question will likely determine whether Dems win or lose this next political era.
It's not merely a purity test either. Corruption is the biggest problem in DC. Impeachment week made that painfully clear. We not only need a president with a strong anti-corruption plan but one who isn't compromised by the expectations that come with selling access to plutes.
