Following a poor showing Super Tuesday, the big question for the Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) faithful is whether to reach for the Alka-Seltzer or the Prozac? It may be that unaffordable anti-depressant because things for the Vermont Independent are likely to get worse if that’s possible.
#RiggedPrimary
Conspiracy theories abound in and around Camp Bernie. On Twitter, #RiggedPrimary was trending hot after Super Tuesday. As well, the presence of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and her disastrous effect on the Sanders campaign was not lost on supporters. “Elizabeth warren took away 100’000’s of progressive votes from Bernie for just staying in with no chance what so ever .. resulting in a big wins for Biden .. don’t tell me the system is not against Bernie #RiggedPrimary,” one person lamented. Bleeding Heart Liberal Marine shot back, “I’m a Warren Democrat & seeing all these Bernie Bros attacking Warren supporters this morning. Whining about a #RiggedPrimary & alienating progressives instead of reaching out to grow their support base, makes me shake my head. You wonder why you’re losing.”
As democratic socialists fire away at each other, one wonders if there is any truth to their paranoia. Without a doubt, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s timely departure from the Super Tuesday stage drew the party faithful to vote Biden. Similarly, Warren staying in cost Bernie big time. Had she dropped out, Sanders would have been more than likely able to put a checkmark by his name – certainly in Massachusetts and probably in Minnesota. Did the Democratic establishment push Klobuchar and Buttigieg out to boost their favorite but leave Warren to eviscerate Bernie? Well now, that’s a gray area, isn’t it?
However, whining in the current cyber-politisphere only results in nasty backlash. To wit:
Bernie supporters don’t want to admit that Bernie had a bad night because the youth didn’t show up at the polls and democrats felt alienated by his divisive language. So out with the #RiggedPrimary excuses 🤡
— THE Duchess (@PlainJane357) March 4, 2020
People had to wait in line to vote.
Therefore, according to Bernie Sanders supporters it was a #RiggedPrimary?
Really? This is your argument?
How'd America devolve from the greatest generation — to the generation of most spoiled, pampered, and privileged wimps in our history?
— Bill Madden (he/him/él) 🇺🇦 (@maddenifico) March 4, 2020
People who think it's a #RiggedPrimary are beyond reason. It's not rigged, it's called voting. That means convincing folk you're the best choice. When they choose the other person, u didn't do your job. Just like u want your vote "earned" so does everyone else. Stop whining.
— Tim Wise (@timjacobwise) March 4, 2020
More Trouble Ahead for Bernie Bros
With the surprisingly swift exit of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and his endorsement of Joe Biden, things are beginning to gel for the former vice president. Bloomberg’s departure can only mean one thing – fewer competitors. The New York mayor’s campaign was moderate by Democrat standards and could be likened to the Biden campaign with a different face.
Meanwhile, Sanders continues to take incoming from the establishment quarter of the Democratic Party. Hillary Clinton, for instance, couldn’t resist taking a swipe in a Good Morning America interview by repeating she stands by previous comments that Sanders’ campaign is “just bologna.” Of course, there’s no love lost between the Bernie camp and HRC, but to sting the Vermonter again at this time can only be viewed as a low blow.
Without a doubt, Bernie is down, but he’s not yet out. Still, the hook to leave the stage is beginning to emerge from behind the curtain slowly and it’s headed straight for Sanders’ neck. As such, the Bernie Bros. might want to skip the Alka-Seltzer and head straight for the Prozac.
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Read more from Leesa K. Donner.