The senator says in this exclusive interview that challengers to status quo politics can run in Democratic primaries or as independents.

cross-posted from: https://lemmy.ml/post/22940159

Bernie Sanders caused a stir last week, when the independent senator from Vermont and two-time contender for the Democratic presidential nomination sent a post-election email to his progressive supporters across the country. In it, he argued that the Democrats suffered politically in 2024 at least in part because they ran a campaign that focused on “protecting the status quo and tinkering around the edges.”

In contrast, said Sanders, “Trump and the Republicans campaigned on change and on smashing the existing order.” Yes, he explained, “the ‘change’ that Republicans will bring about will make a bad situation worse, and a society of gross inequality even more unequal, more unjust and more bigoted.”

Despite that the reality of the threat they posed, Trump and the Republicans still won a narrow popular-vote victory for the presidency, along with control of the US House. That result has inspired an intense debate over the future direction not just of the Democratic Party but of the country. And the senator from Vermont is in the thick of it.

In his email, Sanders, a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus who campaigned in states across the country this fall for Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democratic ticket, asked a blunt question: “Will the Democratic leadership learn the lessons of their defeat and create a party that stands with the working class and is prepared to take on the enormously powerful special interests that dominate our economy, our media and our political life?”

His answer: “Highly unlikely. They are much too wedded to the billionaires and corporate interests that fund their campaigns.”

  • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
    32·
    13 hours ago

    Democrats didn’t run on this. Biden simply pointed out that inflation was going down but there was more to do.

    Democrats tried to pretend that nothing was wrong while people couldn’t afford to eat.

    If he really just wants to commit genocide then why specifically arm Israel. Aren’t there easier ways to commit genocide.

    I see you’ve fantasized this out.

    Finding common ground and reaching across the aisle is how you get things done in a democracy with many different ideologies.

    Democrats don’t reach left.

    • UsernameHere@lemmy.world
      21·
      12 hours ago

      Democrats tried to pretend that nothing was wrong while people couldn’t afford to eat.

      This is literally the republican spin on Biden pointing out that inflation metrics have improved since their peak.

      I see you’ve fantasized this out.

      I see you’re avoiding the question. Sorry if reality doesn’t support your narrative.

      Democrats don’t reach left.

      You don’t consider Bernie Sanders or AOC to be further left than the rest of the democrats? Oh you’re just arguing in bad faith… gotcha

      • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
        11·
        12 hours ago

        This is literally the republican spin on Biden pointing out that inflation metrics have improved since their peak.

        Everything that isn’t performative worship of failure is “republican spin” to you.

        I see you’re avoiding the question. Sorry if reality doesn’t support your narrative.

        The reality is that there’s an ongoing genocide. The reality is that the Biden administration supported it unconditionally.

        You don’t consider Bernie Sanders or AOC to be further left than the rest of the democrats?

        And what was the last thing either of them proposed that had as much support from the party as “reaching across the aisle” to capitulate to Republicans? Cori Bush and Jamaal Bowman are also further left, and the party let them twist in the wind instead of “protecting incumbents” which was their excuse for propping up anti-choice, anti-labor, pro-NRA Henry Cuellar.

        • UsernameHere@lemmy.world
          1·
          12 hours ago

          Everything that isn’t performative worship of failure is “republican spin” to you.

          No, I’m saying you are literally repeating what republicans put in their attack ads.

          The reality is that there’s an ongoing genocide.

          Caused by Netanyahu not Biden.

          The reality is that the Biden administration supported it unconditionally.

          Biden only support Israel proportionally to what Iran supported Russia.

          And what was the last thing either of them proposed that had as much support from the party as “reaching across the aisle” to capitulate to Republicans?

          Reducing healthcare costs and forgiving student loans are a couple examples off the top of my head. I never said democrats capitulated to republicans. Not sure why you threw that in there.

          • Ensign_Crab@lemmy.worldEnglish
            11·
            12 hours ago

            No, I’m saying you are literally repeating what republicans put in their attack ads.

            If you missed all the “the economy is fine, just ignore the evidence of your pocketbook” bullshit that was shoveled out by Democrats, that’s on you.

            Caused by Netanyahu not Biden.

            Exacerbated and enabled by Biden, to your considerable delight.

            Biden only support Israel proportionally to what Iran supported Russia.

            We’re supposed to be better than Russia or Iran. But there’s a genocide to support, so you’ll make excuses for it until it’s complete.

            Reducing healthcare costs

            Ha.

            I never said democrats capitulated to republicans. Not sure why you threw that in there.

            They capitulate and excuse it by calling it “reaching across the aisle.” Republicans are never expected to reach across the aisle. They’re never expected to be magnanimous or gracious. They’re never expected to move to the left in order to appease Democrats.

            Democrats keep moving to the right to appease Republicans. They don’t move to the left to please their own base.

            • UsernameHere@lemmy.world
              11·
              12 hours ago

              If you missed all the “the economy is fine, just ignore the evidence of your pocketbook” bullshit that was shoveled out by Democrats, that’s on you.

              Literally made up which is consistent with everything you’ve said so far.

              Exacerbated and enabled by Biden, to your considerable delight.

              I’m not delighted at all by it. That is why I place the blame where it is due. On Netanyahu. Because this isn’t something that should be spun into a political talking point like you’re doing.

              We’re supposed to be better than Russia or Iran. But there’s a genocide to support, so you’ll make excuses for it until it’s complete.

              You’re the one trying to reallocate blame from Netanyahu onto Biden to support your political narrative.

              Ha.

              Nothing to say because you’re wrong? I know.

              They capitulate and excuse it by calling it “reaching across the aisle.” Republicans are never expected to reach across the aisle. They’re never expected to be magnanimous or gracious. They’re never expected to move to the left in order to appease Democrats.

              Republicans are never expected to do those things by the Republican Party. Why does that matter to us? You want us to follow their example?

              Democrats keep moving to the right to appease Republicans. They don’t move to the left to please their own base.

              I literally gave you examples of democrats moving left and working with Bernie and AOC and you proved me right by showing you had no rebuttals.