Bernie Sanders
Image by Getty
Leader of the Bernie Bros Influenced The Election
During the first half of 2016, America was Feeling the Bern. Bernie Sanders, 75, rose to become a surprisingly formidable opponent to Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primaries, speaking truth to power in his Brooklyn Jewish accent all across America.
Again and again, primaries and polls came up Bernie, and a grassroots enthusiasm among his followers rivaled what Obama supporters felt in 2008.
Despite (or, perhaps, because of) his disgruntled grandpa demeanor, Bernie Sanders’s message of radical change and the need to address the systemic inequalities in America today resonated with a broad swath of the population, especially young people, who felt abandoned by politicians. Ironically, the face of that largely youth-based dissatisfaction could be a doppelganger for your zayde in Florida.
Despite what legions of the so-called Bernie Bros might tell you, Sanders had what was arguably the definitive moral victory of the 2016 election. In recognizing the importance of Democratic unity in the face of an increasingly real Trump candidacy, Bernie realized the best option was to concede the nomination and throw his support behind Clinton.
However, he didn’t walk away empty-handed; he managed to make significant changes to the DNC platform, including promises to make state universities free for the vast majority of students, institute a $15 federal minimum wage, and abolish the death penalty. Plus, he provoked the gift of Larry David’s impression of him on “SNL.” Not too shabby.
Moreover, his legacy will come as the Democratic party rebuilds on what Sanders showed in the primary — that people are dissatisfied with the status quo, and they will support change with their votes.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
