In a candid discussion on the podcast "Flagrant," Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders aligned with comedian Akaash Singh's assertion that the Democratic Party poses "a threat to democracy" due to its presidential primary process.
Sanders, who has twice sought the presidency, has long faced accusations from various quarters, including President Donald Trump, that the Democratic primaries were manipulated against him. Singh's claim that the Democrats have not conducted "a fair primary" since 2008 resonated with Sanders, prompting him to recount the challenges he encountered during his campaigns.
According to the Daily Caller, Sanders expressed his agreement with Singh's perspective, emphasizing his pride in maintaining his independence from the Democratic Party.
"Yes. Fair enough. That is yeah, Im not going to argue with that point. And thats why Im proudly an independent," Sanders stated. He elaborated on the resistance he faced from the Democratic establishment, highlighting the stark contrast between the vibrant, diverse crowds at his rallies and the more homogeneous gatherings at official Democratic events. "We would do rallies and we had thousands of people often young people, people of color coming out, working-class people coming out. They were great, full of energy. And then wed go to Democratic Party events and thered be a few hundred people, mostly older, whiter, wealthier," he recounted.
Sanders further described the entrenched opposition from the party's establishment, which he argued was reluctant to embrace a broader, more inclusive base. "Then you saw the clash. And the establishment did not want to open the door. They hated the idea for all these people whose hands were a little bit dirty, who didnt have PhDs or werent wealthy," he continued. Sanders questioned whether the party would adapt or risk electoral defeat, likening their resistance to "going down with the Titanic."
The 2016 election cycle saw the release of emails by Wikileaks, revealing Democratic National Committee (DNC) officials' efforts to undermine Sanders' campaign. This revelation fueled skepticism about the fairness of the primary process. Similarly, in 2020, the hashtag "#RiggedPrimary" gained traction on social media after Joe Biden's Super Tuesday victories, which were bolstered by endorsements from prominent Democratic figures such as Beto ORourke, Amy Klobuchar, and Pete Buttigieg.
Despite the controversies, former Vice President Kamala Harris emerged as the presumptive Democratic nominee in July, securing delegate support despite minimal primary voter backing. This outcome left many left-wing voters and political analysts, including former President Bill Clinton's adviser Doug Schoen, disillusioned with the process.
The ongoing debate over the Democratic primary system underscores a broader tension within the party, as it grapples with calls for reform and the need to engage a diverse electorate.
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