Should Democratic Leaders 'Kiss Up' To Bernie Sanders?

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Reuters' Paul Goldman commented in an op-ed piece that the U.S. Democratic Party appears to be operating in contrast to the theory that politics is a "game of addition, not subtraction."

'Quixotic Candidate'

What To Do?

The Democratic party appears to be determined to "belittle" Senator Bernie Sanders, which carries the risks of "belittling" his significant group of supporters, Goldman argued.

"Instead of being gracious winners — establishment favorite former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is the likely nominee, barring the unpredictable — Democratic leaders are labeling Sanders a sore loser," he wrote. "They want him to suspend all campaigning or, at the very least, stop criticizing the former first lady. They insist his continuing the race only helps Trump."

Goldman continued that Sanders was initially viewed as a "quixotic candidate" and a "democratic socialist" that accused elites in both parties of rigging the economy and political system against working-class families. Instead of fading into irrelevancy, the Vermont Senator actually gained traction.

The establishment went on to create a "new rosy scenario" in which Sanders was billed as "the perfect liberal foil" to help Clinton's image as being a centrist. Meanwhile, Sanders and his supports believe they "hold the moral high ground."

Related Link: Hillary Clinton Gearing Up For The Race: The Sanders Deal And The VP Shortlist

To help ease the tension between Sanders' supporters and the political elite, not to mention Clinton's camp, the Democratic party should create a "unity plan." As part of the plan, Democrats should allow Sanders "to be Sanders," and show a "genuine" smile when he is the one to raise Clinton's hands at the upcoming convention.

The author also suggested that Clinton "must" work with Sanders to create a "compelling" message to the middle-class. In addition, President Obama should act as a bridge and bring both sides together.

"Sanders has spent a lifetime saying he could be trusted to make the right, not the expedient, choice," Goldman concluded. "The Democratic establishment must trust him to do it."

"And make it as easy as possible for him to do so."

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Posted In: PoliticsMediaGeneral2016 presidential electionBarack ObamaBernie SandersDemocratic ConventionHillary ClintonPaul GoldmanPresident Barack Obamapresidential nomineesReutersUS Election
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