In
light of the odds stacked against him, Bernie Sanders’ quixotic
quest of economic, political and socio-cultural transformation, as
proposed in his fight against Hillary Clinton, according to many, is
an “impossible dream.” It need not be! Unfortunately for
Sanders however; it is not a fair fight! Objectively, it is not a
“mano a mano” between gladiators seeking victory on an
equal terrain i.e. “ Rumble in the jungle” or “ The
“thrilla” In Manila. Am I dating myself?
Given
a different set of historical and political conditions – ones
that do not ipso facto favors the former first lady as they now do
and, if one analyzes the present state of the race; in my view, it
is not insane or far fetched to envision Bernie as the victorious
Ali. Let me explain!
When
the then Senator Obama proclaimed his intent to seek the nomination
few, myself included, perceived his chances as achievable. They were
worth a tinker’s damn! Who, except for team Obama, would have
imagined such an occurrence: white America electing a first term
BLACK Senator from Illinois with little or no administrative or
foreign service experience; who, in order to win, would first have
to defeat the wife of a former president and the political financial
weaponry she would inherit and, inherited, from her husband’s
8 years in the oval office? “No way Jose!”
Senator
Obama, the pundits proclaimed, could not defeat the unspoken
“candidate” of the Party’s political or financial
establishment and the elected officials beholding to it. Neither
could he, in November of 2008, defeat the candidate of the Republican
party. To them, he was “unelectable.” Does the scenario
sound familiar? Although not completely analogous, substitute BLACK
for “DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST.”
Undaunted,
the Obama team developed and implemented a successful strategy for
change - one that is now being “ESSENTIALLY” attempted
by Sanders but with one “huugge” drawback – his
hue. Black Americans -- like the 106-year-old woman who recently met
with the President-- hungered for a president who looked like them.
They became Obama's’ “Shock troops”. It is also
true that the political killing fields, then and now, were and are
mined, against a none establishment sanctioned candidate.
Let’s
not lie or kid ourselves! “Bernie’s Battle” Is not
solely against a formidable foe such as Hillary, but also against a
historically entrenched democratic party machinery dreadfully fearful
of loosing its traditional sources of revenue and the concomitant
political debacle on State and Federal level as it with the victory
of Obama’s Independent apparatus. In addition, Sanders must
contend with a media supportive of the status quo and do so not too
surreptitiously. Just take an objective look at how headlines and
television introductions are framed? They are generally what any
good lawyer in a court room would object to as “leading the
witness.” In this case, the viewers.
There
are those who may refuse to accept that the playing field is NOT
level and that it is presently tilted towards the former Secretary
of State. So be it! However, I am reminded of the adage which I
paraphrase, “the most blind, is he or she who chooses not to
see.”
The
major arguments slung at Sanders by establishment tied democrats and
their allied media pundits are: A) his perceived “unelectability”
i.e. “The country will never elect a “Democratic
Socialist; B) his supposedly “unrealistic” vision and
proposals i.e. “ The numbers “just” do not add up;
C) He is a “one issue” candidate; D) His “lack”
of experience in foreign affairs and E) The dollars of the demagogue
Donald Trump will be used to decimate him. Wow!
Does
the unelectable argument hold? I believe not! Obama was also
perceived as unelectable - no Black man or woman had ever been
elected president!
Could
Trump’s Big Bucks not be equally used against Hillary, who is
considered by many of those polled as untrustworthy? Please! Prior to
her stint as Secretary of State, what experience in foreign affairs
did Hillary have? If memory serves me, NONE! What’s good for
the goose is good for the gander.
After
the indisputable momentum acquired by Bernie’s recent
victories, the Hillary campaign of “coronation” is now a
campaign of “trepidation”. Ironically, the would be
“coronation” ¡s in great measure dependent on the
Black vote. Hopefully, here in N.Y. it behooves us to seriously
recognize the importance of this election to the nation especially in
light of the “Panama Papers.”
There
are those who suggest that Bernie’s surge is hurting Hillary’s
prospects – were she to win the nomination - with Trump. This,
in my opinion, is another strategic device designed to dissuade those
who may be inclined towards Senator Sanders. Dirty pool!
Historically, Trump does not need any mud to sling he simply makes
his own. Supporters of Hillary also suggest that those now who now
back Bernie will not fight for Hillary. Question? If it is true that
Bernie’ s army of essentially bright young men and women who
are desirous of a different America, why then would they give the
racist, megalomaniac and demagogueic Trump a free pass to the White
House? Illogical!
In
a fair fight Bernie will defeat Hillary then Trump.
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