The Black vote is obviously the key the Democratic nomination. Obama beat Clinton in 2008 by combining black and white liberal voters. Sanders is failing miserably at putting together the same coalition. Thinking about the "Black lives matter" question last night, I thought of what I would like to hear Bernie say. Below the fold.
Running for president has been fantastic experience. I am proud of my stances on the issues and my grassroots support. But, so far, this campaign's inability to attract Black supporters has been my biggest disappointment.
If you look at a Bernie Sanders event, you might notice that the crowd is predominantly pale. It's a pretty pale place. Now, if you're African American, you generally and frequently find yourself in a white place -- if you want to go to college, get most good jobs, whatever you want to do -- everywhere you go, white people.
White people who don't like to be around Black people can often chose simply to avoid all Black people. African Americans rarely have that choice, if they want to do anything worthwhile, in most cases.
Now, let's say you want to get involved in national politics. Break up the big banks? Sounds good to you. But then you'd go to this event and be one of very few Black people, again. Maybe you don't mind being in a big crowd of white people, then fine. But maybe you just don't want to surrounded by white people all the time. So you don't come out.
I can understand. It would be better if this movement to say no to inequality were lead by a Black person and Black people automatically showed up, feeling part of the movement. In the 80s, I supported Jesse Jackson, who championed some of the same issues I'm talking about now. But that's not the way it worked out this time. You don't ever get perfection. I'm not perfect and not trying to be perfect. I am the leader of this campaign, imperfect and old and white as I am.
I want to speak directly to Black Democratic voters. Come out to one of our events. Our political revolution is about power for the people, not for the billionaires.
We have issues that effect us all, like inequality, college affordability, healthcare, and the corruption of politics. There are some issues that effect Black people in this country more, including institutional racism. Either way, on both fronts, we're never going to get anywhere in this country if we don't start coming together.
I'm not perfect and my supporters aren't perfect. But I am sincere and everyone knows I mean what I say. This campaign is not in the pocket for any paymaster.
In 2002, when 99 senators voted for the Patriot Act, there was one guy who did not get caught up in war fever and would not throw away our civil rights. One guy kept his head. When the stock market and financial system collapsed in 2007, there was one guy who would not be bullied and pushed by the financial big wigs to bail out the banks no questions asked. Bernie Sanders has been standing tough for civil rights and people for 30 years and never sold out ever. Everyone knows I will never sell out.
You don't get two chances in one lifetime to vote for someone who will never sell out. If it happens to be a somewhat cranky, old white guy, so be it.
This campaign, the Bernie Sanders campaign, is for all of us.
I want to look out at the next event and not see so much pale. Help me out. Show up. This our country and we need to work together.
Obama ran a great campaign and has been a great president. We should all be proud of his accomplishments: saving the economy, new thinking on Iran, Cuba, executive orders to do what he can on guns, a big step in the right direction on healthcare. A black guy with a funny name turned out to be a great president. Now, let's try an old Jewish guy with unkempt hair. I know this country will be a much better place with a Bernie Sanders administration in office. Electing me is not the end of the process. Electing a honest, tough progressive would be a powerful step in the right direction. With a Sanders administration, with the great accomplishments of the Obama administration behind us, we can finally turn the corner on this 40 year decay in the middle class and rebuild opportunity for all.
We need to march on, without fear. We cannot allow our thoughts to be dictated by the corporate media. We must break free of the mental limitations that keep the majority from coming together to make the government work for us, not the oligarchs. When Democrats are in office, the economy is better, even moderate Democrats. The more Democratic the president, the better for the people. Nothing can be better than this campaign for economic justice, for Black, Hispanic, Asian and White Americans alike.
So, Black Democratic voters, I need you. And you need this campaign. I hope to see you at my next, not so pale, event.
God bless America!