31 July 2016

Thoughts on Bernie's supporters who still aren’t ready for Hillary

In 1968, I was a 21-year-old college student who spent his spring break in Ashland, Wisconsin, campaigning for Eugene McCarthy. To say I was not overjoyed when Hubert H. Humphrey became the Democratic nominee understates my reaction. And I refused to muster the demanded humility when the wise men and women of the Democratic Party lectured me on the necessity of getting over my outrage and, in the name of party unity, proclaiming my undying love for Humphrey.

Today, those lectures are being recycled by Hillary Clinton’s supporters, who are aghast and outraged that some supporters of Bernie Sanders might defect to the Green Party’s Jill Stein, or worse, to the GOP’s Donald Trump. They’re strongly demanding that Bernie’s supporters, all of them, get over their disappointment and, together, not just vote for Hillary, but love her.

I voted for Humphrey in 1968 — the prospect of President Nixon scared me into doing so — and although I supported Bernie, I’ll grit my teeth and vote for Hillary in November. The prospect of President Trump scares the bejesus out of me.

I think that if President, Hillary will sign progressive legislation, but not initiate much progressive executive action. I worry that her belligerence may lead to war. But her shortcomings notwithstanding, I’d much rather have her in the White House, entrusted with nuclear weapons, than Trump, who is an ignoramus, a racist, a dodgy businessman, and a borderline sociopath.

This is where my conscience leads me. But I recognize that others who supported Bernie cannot, in good conscience, at least at this time, bring themselves to vote for Hillary. Therefore, I’m not going to lecture them on the consequence’s of their choice, or beg them to reconsider their decision. Instead, I’m going to work with them on issues on which we agree, and agree to disagree, as amicably as possible, on other matters.