Democrats Aren't in Disarray. A Minority of Bernie Supporters Are in a Snit.
PHILADELPHIA—On the opening day of the Democratic National Convention, it seems as if Democrats are in actual disarray. It’s hard to type that with a straight face, “Dems are in disarray” being such a sturdy cliché of political journalism. But the headlines today seem to be getting at some undeniable rifts in the party. Leaked emails from the Democratic National Committee show disdain and anger for Bernie Sanders, undermining its claims of neutrality in the primary and leading to the much-sought ouster of Florida Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz from her position at the top of the DNC. On the streets, frustrated Sanders delegates are knocking Hillary Clinton, Wasserman Schultz, and the party nominee for vice president, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine.
As governor of Virginia, Kaine walked a delicate line, pleasing liberals with fights against the National Rifle Association and the state’s major tobacco growers and appeasing conservatives with his “personally pro-life” politics and support for anti-abortion messages, like the “Choose Life” license plates he authorized while in office. Kaine left office in 2009—governors of Virginia are limited to one term—but returned to statewide politics in 2012 as a successful candidate for Senate.
As a senator, he’s been a team player, voting with the Obama administration on most of its priorities, and amassing a largely liberal record. But in his 10 years on the state and national stage, Democratic politics have moved to the left. The party grassroots wants a liberal champion, if not for the top of the ticket, then at least for vice president. Kaine doesn’t fit the bill, and those frustrated Sanders delegates are angry.
“If Clinton has reached out to Bernie supporters, it appears that she has done so to stick triangulating thumbs in their eyes,” said Norman Solomon, coordinator of a group which claims to represent hundreds of Sanders delegates at the convention, to the Washington Post.
You heard similar language—or at least a similar tone—from Sanders surrogates like actress Rosario Dawson, who told a collection of Bernie supporters and delegates that they should press on with their demands, regardless of what happens. “If Trump wins,” she said, “it’s not our fault.”
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2016/07/democrats_aren_t_in_disarray_a_minority_of_berniacs_are_in_a_snit.html
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