While Bernie Sanders had the millennial vote in 2016, the next election will be a different running. By 2020, America will have had four years of Trump, and needless to say, it’s been exhausting. It’s time for a change in pace. It’s time America had a president other than another straight, white male. While race, gender and sexuality shouldn’t matter in a candidate’s race, America needs someone new, someone with a different American experience.
Sander’s platform for universal healthcare was revolutionary for the Democratic Party, because now it’s become a normalized stance on healthcare rights. While universal healthcare was a novelty coming from Sanders in 2016, what can Sanders offer that’s new to the Democratic Party that hasn’t already been represented with Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Tulsi Gabbard, Amy Klochubar, Julian Castro and Pete Buttigieg? Sanders only differing platform is his willingness to proudly proclaim himself as Democratic-Socialist.
Arguably, because Sanders was so popular in 2016, he could divide the Democratic vote among millennials. The main strength the Republican party has is their consistency to rally together and wholly support one candidate. In 2016, many Democrats or swing voters refused to vote altogether if not support a third party candidate instead. The Republican party’s dedicated to their party is admirable, when used correctly, but the Democratic party had to learn that lesson the hard way.
The midterms showed the Democratic party could pull through in the polls, when they turned over the House of Representatives, and voted in many women, POC and members of the LGBTQ community. While Sanders could be the divisive vote before the primaries, but even then, if Sanders isn’t voted in, will the Democratic party rally behind the chosen candidate?
More importantly, why has Sanders decided to run for presidency again? What’s his motif? It’s hard to say, but I have a conspiracy theory. Sanders joined the race knowing there are other candidates that could and should be president before he is. The 2020 election has a wide selection of women, POC and queer candidates, and as we’ve seen with Trump’s campaign and current administration, Trump isn’t afraid to attack candidates based on race, gender and sexuality. With Sanders in the race, perhaps he’s there to take the brunt of the Republican attack, become the target for Trump’s insults and the wider public shaming of his “radical” political ideologies, only to end up throwing his support to the nominated primary candidate. Through this tactic, the other Democratic candidates would be able to focus on their platform, ignore the fight happening between Sanders and Trump, appear as a less audacious candidate for presidency, and then take the 2020 election.
We can’t be for sure what’s happening in the Democratic party. With so many candidates, it’s going to be a good race for the primaries. Remember to do your research and vote for the candidate you like best. Don’t ever take anyone’s word for it. The polls are for you. Make America yours.
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