2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: The Root: Pipe Down, Bernie Sanders [View all]Uponthegears
(1,499 posts)I agree that Bernie is wrong about "identity politics." We ABSOLUTELY need to play "identity politics." In fact, it is the only way for us to regain power before people like me are returning to dust.
Our party lacks the credibility to do anything else because a majority of our party's high-profile voices long ago openly rejected "class politics" and, in fact, still adamantly deny that class struggle even exists. ONLY an outsider can carry that message and an outsider would lose their "outsider" status in the unlikely event they became the nominee (yes, I am admitting that Bernie probably would not have won the GE either). In addition, those of us who have the "identity" live with THAT (the identity) struggle every day of our lives and, accordingly, hear that message and vote accordingly.
Might I respectfully suggest that, while I wholeheartedly agree Hillary was the best choice we had among primary candidates to carry that message in the last election (and worked for her post-primary for that very reason), in the next election it would be better if someone who shares our "identity" is on the ticket.