Avid supporters of Bernie Sanders who do not vote for Hillary Clinton will have failed to understand Sanders’ political revolution. The objective is to gain support for issues that enhance the economic status of the average citizen. The charisma of the resident of the White House is helpful but is essentially irrelevant. Strategically, the Sanders revolution can maintain its power only with its solid vote for the presidential candidate who is most likely to be sympathetic to its goals. That candidate is Hillary Clinton.
One should learn from Sanders’ own career path the significance of patience and the value of consistent advocacy. He has served in Congress for 24 years, eight years in the Senate. In all that time he remained an Independent because his political views were not sufficiently compatible with the Democrats or Republicans. He did not attempt to start a third party but became an allied member for the Democrats. He was aware that in recent history, third parties have not succeeded in American politics. They become powerless.
Had Sanders not served in Congress, he never would have gained the public recognition necessary to make a realistic challenge for the presidency. His committee service in the Senate made him knowledgeable about veteran affairs, Social Security, public health, the income gap, natural resources and education issues. He is recognized as a reliable advocate for the poor and those struggling to remain in the middle class. His credentials on these issues were well established.
Either Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will be elected president. A strong vote from Sanders supporters will establish a powerful political bloc within the Democratic Party. With Hillary as president, she will be ever mindful of Bernie’s troops. They will be influential, just as they were in drafting the party’s platform before the Democratic convention.
As often happens in politics, there is no other sensible course of action. For those serious about social change, the only rational choice is a vote for Hillary Clinton.
