...as 'A good idea for our democracy and the Democratic Party'.
Via
Nation of Change.
(emphases mine)
Vermont Senator Bernie Sander continues to argue that a Democratic primary challenge to President Obama would be “good for democracy and for the Democratic Party.”
Sanders will not be a candidate. The Vermont independent, who caucuses with Senate Democrats, is running for re-election in 2012.
But Sanders, who has been sharply critical of Obama’s compromises with the Republican right on economic and fiscal policy, continues to talk up the idea of a primary challenge as a vehicle to pressure the president from the left. He is not alone. Ralph Nader is actively encouraging a primary race. And one-third of Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents tell pollsters that they favor a primary challenge to the president, while just 59 percent oppose such a run.
...
Who might challenge Obama? Sanders isn’t naming names. But in an appearance on C-SPAN’s Newsmakers program that was taped Friday, Sanders said: “I am sure there are serious and smart people out there who can do it,”
Maybe nobody wants to take the risk. Maybe nobody viable thinks he should be primaried. Or maybe progressive lawmakers don't want to disappoint the base the way any actual politician has to to accomplish anything.
Also, I love the spin that "one third" support and "just 59 percent" (nearly twice as many) oppose.
Finally, as an open question: what concrete policy or administrative differences would a post-primary Obama second term have as compared to a non-primaried Obama second term? (
ie, is there any evidence at all that "pressure" in a primary translates into different governing practices.)
:popcorn:
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