Charles M. Blow: "Bernie or Bust" is Bonkers

[MrWendel]

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/3/31/1508408/-Charles-M-Blow-Bernie-or-Bust-is-Bonkers

By teacherken

Today’s New York Times has a pointed column by Charles M. Blow written in response to the now well known recent remarks by Susan Sarandon, a highly visible surrogate for Sen. Bernie Sanders for the Democratic nominee.

It is column that should be read by ALL partisans during this Democratic primary season, even as its occasion is in response to a Sanders supporter.

Blow certainly takes Sarandon directly to task with these words:

The comments smacked of petulance and privilege

No member of an American minority group — whether ethnic, racial, queer-identified, immigrant, refugee or poor — would (or should) assume the luxury of uttering such an imbecile phrase, filled with lust for doom.

But his point is far broader than that, and is expressed succinctly in this part of his column:

Be absolutely clear: While there are meaningful differences between Clinton and Sanders, either would be a far better choice for president than any of the remaining Republican contenders, especially the demagogic real estate developer. Assisting or allowing his ascendance by electoral abstinence in order to force a “revolution” is heretical.

This position is dangerous, short-sided and self-immolating.

If Sanders wins the nomination, liberals should rally around him. If Clinton does, they should rally around her.

This is not a game. The presidency, particularly the next one, matters, and elections can be won by relatively small margins. No president has won the popular vote by more than 10 percentage points since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

(Rest in link)