Sanders leading the Dems, but questions are raised

In a series of strategic moves, the self-proclaimed Socialist Democrat has moved up the scale after the New Hampshire primary and Nevada caucus giving him an edge to the front of the crowded field for presidential nomination and causing hearts to swell from the legion of young supporters, but also some consternation from DNC headquarters, fearful that this self-styled revolutionary leader will take the party in a different direction, and risk losing the majority in the U.S.House of Representatives.

Some are also feeling that Sanders needs to be stopped, and stopped soon, as many Democratic leaders wonder if he can stand up under a debate with President Trump, who some say is itching to have him as an opponent.

One thing for certain is the 78-year old has a loyal fan base, not only from the oft described Bernie Bros, but also those voters that are lower middle-class and earning under $50,000.

Sanders has amassed about $17 million dollars, nearly triple the amount of his moderate rivals, noted the Wall Street Journal, last weekend, and his online small purse contributions have reached $25 million.

What makes this different than in 2016 is that Sanders and his team have reached out to a broader base and one that is more brown than white, as evidenced by the outreach and cold hard cash in the Nevada caucus that gave him a boost by Latino voters who, some accounts say, are viewing him for saving them from being outsiders.

From listening to Sanders it seems that he has learned to harness his ideals to process something that he sorely lacked, said his critics; also coupled with the lack of as Politico noted, he has no record at forging actual legislation. “or left a significant imprint on it.”

This is a departure from the old Bernie who saved most of his fire and support for tearing down America and rebuilding it, not in a fortnight, but on Day One in office. And, while this prompted ridicule from his detractors, all veteran “Washington Insiders”, it seems to have also given him a resolve to a “do-over” that shows that, while not eschewing that resolve, but expanding his base. And, it seems to be working.

Sanders now has a double digit lead.

His record in the House and the Senate reveal more of an influencer and a supporter that someone who led, and even his admirers admit that.

“On the issues that are his bread and butter issues on the campaign trail, he’s certainly altered the conversation, but in terms of the change and the result, I haven’t seen a lot of it in three years,” said Sen. Tim Kaine (D-Va.), who serves with Sanders on the Budget Committee and has endorsed Clinton, though he also describes himself as a Sanders fan.

Black voters still seem reluctant to support him and the old canard of “he marched with Dr. King” seems to not hold much water, if it ever did.

In the spirit of the span of four years there are reports that Sanders is neck and neck with Joe Biden, according to a recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, showing just under one-third of black voters.

Edging into the black vote is Michael Bloomberg and Elizabeth Warren, “but lower levels than for Messrs. Biden and Sanders,” noted the Journal.

As delegates come a cropper, it seems that there might be a floor fight in the national convention in Milwaukee, something not seen since the early 60s and almost happened with the Kennedy Johnson ticket. And while only those who are combing grey hair remember those days, there could be something redolent of that; and with Buttigieg crying foul at the Nevada votes, political rancor might be just around the corner.

Even just turning the corner we see that there is substantial controversy regarding recent remarks of Sanders praising Fidel Castro for his literacy efforts; sending some to the set of encyclopedias in the family den to see what the Cuban leader did.

What he did and even did not do, was not a black and white de facto bad, for all people, and at all times. Certainly this literacy was in the efforts of propaganda --- no use writing it for people who cannot read, but Castro’s efforts were far reaching and was a potent admixture of some relative good, some justifiably bad, and definitely not without self-interest.

Even allowing that the Batista regime was corrupt, Castro was a dictator, and was an odd choice to bring up on the campaign trail. But, Sanders has not backed away from the statement.

On Tuesday the DNC had to do some damage control and distance itself from Sanders, and “Democratic National Committee spokesperson Xochitl Hinojosa: "I'll let Bernie Sanders speak for his comments but we are very clear in the Democratic party that we speak out against brutal dictatorships like those of Castro. And we support the people of Cuba, fleeing Cuba under that dictatorship. And we have been very clear as a party when it comes to that."

Dogging Sanders was Saturday’s news that Russia was supporting his candidacy, a move that while lacking details begs the question of why if he knew of it one month ago, did he not get in front of the issue and reveal it.

Many voters are now wondering if he lacks the strategy, or that of his advisers, to handle issues, and this charge is one of the milder ones he would face a president; and his anger at the Washington Post seems misplaced. As we can see from the current White House, anger as a response can only take one so far.