Blog Credo

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary.

H.L. Mencken

Friday, May 20, 2016

History Or Poli Sci?

There are two theories about where this ends up with Sanders and Clinton.

The first notes that the 2008 campaign was much more vicious and hard fought than this one.  Josh Marshall has a nice sampling of emails from back then that shows how toxic is was.  And that worked out fine.

Jon Chait makes an equally reasonable argument that Sanders - unlike Clinton 8 years ago - has no investment in the Democratic party.  For him, the system is broken.  For Clinton against Obama, the system failed her, but she wasn't trying to overthrow the system.

So, is Sanders sui generis? Or will his pragmatic side show up and bridge the current rhetorical chasm between his most adamant supporters and the Democratic party?

UPDATE: Markos also lays the blame at Sanders' feet.

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