Bernie Sanders couldn't be more direct: "There is virtually no way to victory", said the Democratic primary candidate on Wednesday from his Vermont home, confinement requires. Leaving the nomination contest, he leaves the field open to his opponent Joe Biden to face the Republican Donald Trump in November. "This withdrawal marks one of the most spectacular overthrows in the history of the American primaries", falls Politico.
Favorite until the end of February, Mr. Sanders "Failed to broaden its base: it did not rally the African-American vote, nor did it attract enough young people", dynamic base of its electorate. On the other hand, he imposed his campaign themes in the democratic debate, as recognized by Mr. Biden on Wednesday: socio-economic inequalities, universal health insurance, climate, free university studies … But, continues the site "He ends his campaign as in 2016: beaten by a more moderate candidate, in a party that is not yet as left as him". It can however "Take on the role he shirked four years ago: unify the party".
The American press puts forward several reasons for this second failure of Mr. Sanders. According to New york times, he could never get beyond the image among Democrats "An atypical politician, self-proclaimed socialist and independent senator from Vermont, rather than a member of the party". His ideas were too far left for many elected and powerful donors to the Democratic Party. "Mr. Sanders will have been like a socialist Moses who never reached the promised land, refusing to give up his radical label", also analyzes Foreign Policy, who points out that this abandonment comes at a time when, faced with the pandemic, the American government resolves to inject large sums of public money into the health and employment system; what Mr. Sanders has been recommending for years.
"Attracting the Berniesphère"
He leaves an army of highly mobilized activists whom Mr. Biden will have to convince. But for Vox, this last "Will have a hard time attracting the Berniesphère". "His problem is not so much his program as the distrust he inspires", to supporters of Mr. Sanders, including his promises to negotiate with the Republicans bi-partisan agreements in case of victory. But "Whatever he does, he will be considered a traitor by some of the voters of Sanders", for whom the Democratic establishment is a permanent source of betrayal of progressive ideas.
However, Sanders will have to do for Biden what he did not do for Hillary Clinton in 2016: to encourage his very committed leftists to support the candidate of the Democratic party, also believes Foreign Policy. As for Mr. Biden, who has advanced more progressive ideas than some Democrats, will he be able to escape the error of Mme Clinton? "After defeating Mr. Sanders, she largely ignored his political positions. " This attitude "Had cost the Democrats industrial states like Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania, giving Mr. Trump the victory."
