For months, as I’ve pondered the slate of really-good-but-not-quite-perfect Democratic presidential candidates, I’ve asked myself, “But who can beat Donald Trump?” Now, however, I have a new question: “Who can beat Bernie Sanders?”
Sanders is a dangerous choice for Democrats. Not only is he stubborn, narrow-minded, divisive and more liberal than the majority of his party, he is a one-trick pony. Ask him how he likes the weather, and he’ll respond that if only we had Medicare for All, it would be better.
Sanders represents Vermont, a state with fewer than 624,000 people that is arguably far less complex and diverse than Pete Buttigieg’s South Bend, Ind. Yet Buttigieg is criticized for his lack of experience, while Sanders does not invoke that critique.
Of course, Sanders is in Congress, while Buttigieg is a regional mayor. Being in Congress ought to count for something, right? Yet, in Sanders’ 29 years of service, he has been the primary sponsor on only seven enacted bills. By contrast, Sen. Amy Klobuchar has been the primary sponsor on 34 enacted bills since 2007 — more than double the bills in less than half the time.
In addition, from 2007-2020, Sanders has missed 12.8% of Senate roll call votes; compare this to the Senate-wide average of 1.5% (statistics courtesy GovTrack.us). To me, this says Sanders is not only unlikely to beat Donald Trump, but should he happen to do so, does not have the record to show he would be an effective president.
There’s no doubt that Sanders has charisma. He knows how to energize a crowd, and his passion for his cause is unmistakable. But most Americans do not share his democratic-socialistic views. In fact, a Feb. 16 NPR/PBS News Hour/Marist poll found only 28% of respondents approved of socialism while 58% disapproved. Even among 18-38 year olds, the disapproval rate was 50%.
If Congress — even a fully Democratic Congress — reflects these wider views, what are the chances it would approve Medicare for All under a Sanders presidency? Sanders could potentially spend all his political capital on a divisive reform that is unlikely to pass. Where would this leave climate change, gun control, immigration, and other vital policy decisions?
Is this how we are going to beat Trump and begin to rectify the wrongs his administration has foisted upon us? Because beat Trump we must. Ruth Bader Ginsberg is not going to be with us forever, and if she — or any other Supreme Court justice — passes away with Trump in office we will live with a frightening demise of our system of checks and balances for generations to come. Our environment will continue its hurtle toward the unthinkable and our democracy — currently under full-frontal attack — may just finally, after almost 250 mostly successful years, succumb to an authoritarian leader who circumvents Congress and fires top intelligence, diplomatic, cabinet and other government professionals who disagree with him.
Before you cast your ballot in Utah’s Democratic primary, ask yourself who can beat Donald Trump. But also consider who can beat Bernie Sanders. Because the answer could very well be one and the same.
Marjorie McCloy
Marjorie McCloy, Salt Lake City, is a retired magazine writer and editor.