Whoever you choose to vote for, you are either ignoring that they have flaws, or you're hoping that they are more than their flaws, better than their worst decisions.
There has been nobody in the Democratic primary who has not done something unconscionable in public life.
There has been nobody in the Democratic primary who has not done something unconscionable in public life.
You don't get close to the levers of power as potent as the presidency without making compromises and without making mistakes that have way more serious ramifications than the kinds of mistakes you can make in most jobs.
A lot of what happens in a heated primary is people assuming the candidates they don't like are as bad as the worst possible interpretation of themselves, are as bad as their worst decisions and worst moments. While being overly generous or just blinkered about their candidate.
I think it's clear if you pay attention to the two of them themselves, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren see each other as colleagues who have a lot in common, who have disagreed about a few things, including the thrust of a private remark about her chances.
Which is normal.
Which is normal.
Neither one has ever given up on working with the other, though.
There's an honestly wild theory that Warren smeared him with an attempt to end his career through accusations of sexism.
Approximately how many careers have been ended because a man once said something so banal as what was recounted of Bernie?
It's not a credible theory.
Approximately how many careers have been ended because a man once said something so banal as what was recounted of Bernie?
It's not a credible theory.
And on the other hand, there are Warren folks who feel they can never forgive him for calling her a liar. But their "hot mic" exchange... they *both* felt the other had called them a liar.
Over a conversation they each had a different takeaway from, which, again is not unusual
Over a conversation they each had a different takeaway from, which, again is not unusual
Two people having differing recollections about an event isn't strange. Both people thinking they're right isn't strange. Both thinking the other isn't being honest if they tell it a different way isn't strange. Both feeling like the other is accusing them of the same, too.
This. Exactly this. The exact type of exchange detailed happens so many times a day, from well-meaning men who think they're being supportive but haven't really thought the words through, to women who have heard it too many times, and from worse quarters.
And here is my point: at the snappiest, testiest, gripiest low point between the two senators over this point of contention, neither one thought the other one was evil incarnate or the enemy.
They're colleagues who broadly share a point of view.
They're colleagues who broadly share a point of view.
I lost some people when I stepped smoothly from backing Warren to backing Biden, but if you've followed me for long you know I am solidly a member of Team Stop Joining Teams For Crying Out Loud You Shouldn't Need To Consecrate Yourself To An Idol Before You Do Anything.
I am Team Progressive Policies. Right now the best way I can see to advance that cause is to convince Warren voters that making common cause with Bernie Sanders is worth their time.
Elizabeth Warren seems to think so.
But, I mean.
What does she know?
Elizabeth Warren seems to think so.
But, I mean.
What does she know?
Here's a thing to keep in mind: there is still a good chance that Joe Biden wins the nomination. It's greater for every Warren voter who goes over to him, obviously.
A politician like Joe Biden is always at least a little bit of a windsock.
A politician like Joe Biden is always at least a little bit of a windsock.
You can think of it as a sleazy politician flip-flopping to keep his position, you can think of it as a faithful public servant being responsive to his constituents. The truth is probably a mix of both.
If Bernie comes in second and a *strong* second, the wind blows due left.
If Bernie comes in second and a *strong* second, the wind blows due left.
If Bernie comes in first with the lift from Warren supporters putting him past Biden, then Warren has additional influence over him and a stronger position in the government, whether it's as a key senator or in his administration.
Either of those outcomes -- Biden pushed to progressive policies or Bernie influenced by Warren -- are better outcomes for somebody who wants Warren's vision for the US than Biden pulling clear ahead of Bernie and feeling like he won on 2008 skiddoo, cornpone, and normalcy.
...geez, this mistype is terrible but as someone in the comments mentioned it emphasizes my point. Supporting Warren to supporting Bernie.
...do you think she would have done better if she'd run as Beth? It was a very B primary season.
...do you think she would have done better if she'd run as Beth? It was a very B primary season.
Warren and Sanders are amiable and respectful colleagues who share a mission. Their biggest differences are in marketing. I don't think either of them sees any benefit in us avenging sleights on their behalf.
And as a Warren supporter, I think that whoever wins the primary, we bring her plans closer to fruition by backing Bernie.
