Yes, Bernie Sanders is not a Democrat and Hillary represents the very worst of the party/SALON

[Orrex]

148. No candidate in history has represented my "personal values"

Including Secretary Hillary "speaking fees" Clinton and Senator Bernie "I Love the F-35" Sanders. If I waited for the candidate who represents "my personal values," then I would never cast a ballot. So perhaps we can agree that that's an impossible, unattainable standard.

Imagine my surprise during this primary season to learn that "pragmatism" is the worst of all evils! How foolish I was to weigh such traits as "electability" and "down-ticket impact" and "party support" in making my decision, and how fortunate I am to have a throng of Sanders' supporters to show me the error of my ways! Again, I can post links if you doubt this.

However, since my evil pragmatism compels me to consider variables beyond "my personal values" when making my decision, I'm inclined to cast my vote strategically, balancing different factors in order to achieve the most beneficial overall outcome. Chief among these goals is "Democratic Whitehouse," which Sanders may or may not get. But a secondary concern is "Democratic Senate" and "Democratic House" and maybe "Democratic governors," and I've seen nothing to suggest presidential candidate Sanders will help attain any of those. Certainly he and his spouse have never campaigned significantly on behalf of down-ticket Democratic candidates.

Therefore, although I like Sanders and nearly everything he says, and although I will be happy to vote for him if he's on the November ballot, I do not feel that he is the best choice across the board. I will vote for the Democrat on the ballot because I recognize that this election is about more than "my personal values." Just like every other election.

But I guess we can agree to disagree.