In the Democratic Party, Every Issue Is up for Compromise
Bernie Sanders and Tom Perez have been going on a somewhat rocky “unity” tour attempting to bring the grassroots energy of the Sanders wing to supporting a wide array of Democratic candidates. Over the past week, there have been several notable speed bumps that bring to light the clear problems for those that represent the establishment and grassroots wings of the party.
Looking Left and Right at the Same Time
Bernie Sanders and Tom Perez did a joint interview on Chris Hayes’ show and there was one key moment that showed how even on this unity tour, the messaging of these two politicians are starkly different. Bernie Sanders does not just list off his set of policies in his speeches, but tells the absolutely correct story of a corporate America that has seized our economy to enrich themselves and impoverish everyone else. Chris asked Perez if there needs to be a “villain” in the story when campaigning, and Perez dodged by saying “we put hope on the ballot” which doesn’t really mean anything at all.
These show that most of the establishment clearly is not going to take a strong stand against the donor class that Bernie is, even at the risk of alienating his voters. It shows as at one event, Bernie’s mere mention of Perez caused a chorus of boos to erupt at the event. Voters clearly see through the DNC chair race and the aftermath of how the Democratic Party will continually compromise on any issue conflicting with those that sign the checks for donations. And it’s why this “unity” will always be disjointed as you have a single body attempting to look in two different directions at the same time.
Everything is on the Table
Later that week Bernie said Jon Ossoff, Democratic congressional candidate in Georgia’s sixth district, was not a progressive causing an uproar from some Democrats despite Ossoff himself specifically not identifying as a progressive. Bernie later released a statement after people were upset saying that he supported him, but the damage had already been done. When juxtaposed with a DNC event in Nebraska that Bernie was a part of in which a pro-life candidate, Heath Mello, was being endorsed, it enraged countless center left pundits and Democrats online. This was definitive proof to them that Bernie would sell out women on issues like abortion as long as a candidate was progressive on issues like Wall Street.
First and foremost, Bernie Sanders was wrong to endorse Heath Mello. Even though Mello’s record on abortion is not quite as bad as what was initially reported, it is imperative that reproductive rights are central to any leftist campaign or movement. Considering Bernie Sanders has the strongest pro-choice stance during the election, I’m sure he knows this. To single out Bernie Sanders in this manner is ridiculous though, as not only was this a joint DNC event, but the Democratic Party has repeatedly compromised on abortion for the past decade.
Liberals can’t cry foul at Bernie for his cooperation with Democrats when that’s what they wanted in the first place. Especially considering he’s already endorsed candidates who have had bad or compromised records on abortion, like Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine. They’ve also repeatedly wanted other Democrats like Nancy Pelosi or Kamala Harris to take center stage, when both have spoken about being a big tent party. This is inherent in the Democratic Party, not the insurgency.
Every issue will be sold out with in this party. If the party deems someone has enough positions to be nominally better than the Republican, that’s all that’s required. Whether that’s fiscally conservative Jon Ossoff, or pro-life Heath Mello, Democrats will compromise on an issue that you care about. Without fail the party has taken the politically expedient route, trying to appeal to a slowly disappearing group of “moderate” swing voters.
To work within the party means endorsing and getting behind candidates that you do not match up with 100 percent. Bernie Sanders has already compromised on just about every issue from minimum wage to abortion as he’s gotten behind Democrats. Criticism of Bernie is completely valid, but the liberals that lectured about purity tests during the primary better be ready for when establishment Democrats give the same lecture to them.
This only exposes the weakness and hypocrisy of groups like NARAL and Planned Parenthood. When NARAL endorses Clinton and Kaine despite the clear issues on abortion or when Planned Parenthood gives Mello a 100% rating, it not only damages their credibility, but means they give up leverage to a party that has historically been easy to compromise. NARAL’s president can’t go on a righteous rant about how the party is abandoning women when they enthusiastically backed Clinton. These groups should be holding Democrats to higher standards across the board, rather than trying to foster positive relationships and access.
Moving Forward
The most vindicated faction on this issue are leftists. They repeatedly cautioned against focusing energy and effort into the Democratic Party for these very reasons. The party would be reluctant or simply refuse to move towards the left, and simply try and feed off of the grassroots wing while still being the same party. As shown from how Perez’ aides acted, establishment figures will throw Bernie under the bus. Since he’s the major figurehead behind this energy, attacking him as anti-choice hurts the left as a whole.
This shows that Sanders has become a slight liability to the left even if unfairly. The left has to grow beyond just Sanders. That means outside groups have to be able to pressure the Democratic Party as long as Sanders is going to continue to work within it. There are those in the party incredibly resistant to his attempt to change the party, but will attempt to throw Sanders under the bus at every opportunity in order to stifle the movement.
If there are groups and people that rise on the left independent of Sanders, that will mean the movement the left is trying to foster will be under less threat when Democrats attempt to sink Sanders. That means pressuring the Democratic party on state levels and changing party platforms, winning primaries, and showing the establishment that no issue, whether it’s economic justice or reproductive rights, will be sacrificed for political convenience. There will be no revolution without either of these.
