Thread by @AndrewMakeTweet

For the last year or so, I’ve been dual supporting Warren *and* Sanders.

THREAD on why I’ve done that and here’s why and how I’ll be approaching the next few months differently.

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It’s a long thread but I think the situation is complex and we need a nuanced approach. I’m sharing in case it helps others frame their thinking and to spur action. 2/

First, know that I will be working hard for whoever is the nominee, Sanders, Warren, anyone, even people I am significantly criticizing now. That moment is 3-6 months away, and when it comes I’ll be joining others able to transition from primary mode to beating Trump mode. 3/

Ok, so why have I been dual supporting Warren and Sanders?

It was a very crowded field. Better-than-Trump-but-still-dangerous ”moderates” like Biden, Buttigieg, and Harris had a majority of support in polls. They seemed more aligned with corporate interests, less likely ... 4/

... to have the mass appeal necessary to beat Trump, and had inadequate plans for urgent crises (like climate crisis and lack of healthcare). It was early and I wanted as many progressives as possible as voices in debates, as the topic of news stories, and ... 5/

... as options for people looking to support candidates (by progressive I mean the most likely to accomplish progress as a President, not just stated views or plans). I did so as insurance if either Warren or Sanders’s campaign flopped. 6/

And it’s been great supporting both Warren and Sanders!

I’m thrilled that over the course of a year, many moderates have dropped out, and many voters have become disillusioned with Biden and Buttigieg as individual candidates, and with moderate politics in general. 7/

I’m thrilled that support has grown for #MedicareForAll and a #GreenNewDeal and decriminalizing immigration and ending forever war.

I’m thrilled that both Warren and Sanders’s campaigns have both grown and that broad progressive power had been built. 8/

Now, however, is a new moment. The next few months will be different. Soon we won’t just have debates, town halls, rallies, canvassing, phonebanking, and fundraising. 9/

We will have actual voting.

Individuals will only get one vote, a delegate will only go to one candidate.

The possibility of vote splitting is real. 10/

And so now I think we have 5 major goals:

1) get the candidate most able to beat Trump nominated

2) get the most progressive candidate nominated

3) prevent the primary from going to the convention ... 11/

4) ensure that if it goes to the convention we have the delegates such that a progressive candidate is the nominee not a moderate

5) that we continue to win the narrative & build power against moderates and neoliberalism, & for the movements & bold policies we urgently need 12/

So with that in mind, here’s how I will spend my time and engage with others:

I will be voting in the primary for Bernie Sanders.

I will be organizing, mobilizing voters, writing, and fundraising for Bernie Sanders. 13/

I will be positively engaging any Sanders-curious people to learn more about their interests and explore if Sanders might be the best candidate for working to build the world they want. 14/

I will still be engaging any people who are adamantly opposing Sanders but are Warren-curious about why I think they might want to support Warren. 15/

I will still criticize any and all candidates (including Sanders) in ways that can better the campaigns that want to improve, weaken campaigns stuck in wrongheadedness, and ensure long-term progressive wins. 16/

I will be focused on supporting any individuals in deepening their civic habits (really, please reach out if you want support in being more active!). 17/

I will be kind with any supporters of other candidates, and if they’re set on their candidate, won’t be debating or denigrating them (though I’m happy to chat!). I don’t want to cause harm or waste anyone’s time. 18/

I will be clear about my commitment to unity during the general election and to working hard then for whomever. 19/

So why Sanders?

I think he has a strong track record of truth-speaking, authenticity, and consistency. I think he has the correct theory of change, that the most important plan has more to do with organizing, people power-building, narrative-shifting, and... 20/

... supporting emerging and long-standing movements and leaders. I like that he has responded to criticism with substantial changes to his messaging, policy, and staffing, particularly around intersectionality and trade and militarism. 21/

... I think he isn’t rigid but in fact learns the right lessons from the right people. I’ve loved working with the energetic, positive, and mission-driven health professionals showing up for @Docs_4_Bernie ... 22/

... I have deep respect for those who have endorsed him: the Sunrise Movement, the Center for Popular Democracy, People’s Action, National Nurses United, DSA, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Tlaib, Jayapal, Teachout, Khanna... 23/

... I see the campaign’s awesome energy and moral clarity and how it is shifting the needle. Though people try to peg him as a too radical socialist, irrelevant beyond coastal cities, I see how Sanders is consistently polling the best against Trump, ... 24/

... has the best geographic spread of donors including in swing states and Senate states, and is earning massive union support especially from teachers. ... 25/

So while I have serious respect for Warren and her supporters and would be very excited to vote for her in the general, this primary I am going to be working hard for Sanders to win. This campaign is resonating with and energizing me the most. 26/

So that’s where I’m at. I’d welcome feedback and holding me accountable. I hope you’ll join us to build people power with Sanders, but will still have deep respect for anyone working for Warren. I would love for others to share their nuanced and action-oriented approaches. 27/27