Losing to 68-year-old former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton by 15% in New York’s April 19 primary, 74-year-old Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) unlikely run for the Democratic nomination hit a brick wall. No longer talking about momentum from winning 7-of-the-last-eight contests in largely Republican states, Bernie faced the unhappy music, spelling an end to his campaign. Bernie’s appeal to young voters was unmistakable, promising government health care and free college tuition. Bernie’s appeal stemmed as much from a lack of enthusiasm for Hillary’s old-school politics. Young voters hoped Bernie could overcome overwhelming odds confronting the Clinton political machine with her name brand. Virtually unknown before announcing for president May 26, 2015, no one thought Bernie would give Hillary a run for her money, though few really expected him to win the nomination. Losing New York pricked Bernie’s balloon.
Speaking at the Marriott Hotel in Times Square after her big win, Hillary reached out to Bernie’s supporters, asking them to unite the Party. With her old-school politics, it’s unlikely Bernie’s youthful backers will have much interest in joining Hillary campaign, let alone voting fkr Hillary in November. Bernie’s hardcore backers, some 30% of his following, won’t likely vote for Hillary in the Fall. Hillary blamed Bernie for running a “negative campaign,” reminding voters the former U.S. senator from New York accepted millions from Wall Street into her super-PAC. Bernie pulled his punches knowing that Hillary accepted millions more from the Saudis and Gulf States for the Clinton Foundation and Presidential Library. Backing the 2002 Iraq War Authorization and, more recently, as Secretary of State, toppling Libya strongman Col. Muammar Gaddafi, presents problems for Hillary’s foreign policy credentials, harming U.S. national security.
Bernie mentioned nothing during his nine debates with Hillary of her continued support for toppling Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, despite knowing the damage created toppling Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and Libyan strongman Muammar Gaddafi. Bernie mentioned nothing about Hillary’s ties to the Saudis or her support of toppling Mideast dictators. Beating Bernie in New York, Hillary has inevitability heading into this summer’s Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. Winning seven-of-eight primaries meant little with regard to delegate math but spoke volumes about real opposition to Hillary in Democratic voters. If New York had an “open” primary, Bernie might have won, changing the overall race. Losing New York changed Bernie’s longshot status, leaving no more doubt about Hillary winning the Democratic nomination. Curiously, there’s been little chatter of Hillary picking Bernie for her VP.
Bernie hoped to limp into the convention with neither candidate getting the requisite number of delegates to win the nomination. With Hillary’s big New York win, she’s expected to win the nomination outright before California’s June 7 primary. New York’s Democratic voters saw Hillary as the Democratic nominee, giving her the big victory. Had Bernie cut her lead, he would have saved the underdog narrative for another day. Losing in New York changed the story back to Hillary’s coronation. Opening up about the Middle East hurt Bernie in New York, expressing similar views to former President Jimmy Carter, critical of Israel’s treatment of Palestinians. Any discussion of foreign policy made Bernie look like a one-trick pony, not ready for two sides of president: Domestic and foreign policy. Bernie’s foreign policy views looked more than rusty. Now that the narrative changed, Hillary looks to wrap up the nomination, naming a VP.
When you consider the millions of votes won by Bernie, you’d think he’d be on the short list of Hillary’s VP picks. But because of his age and left-leaning views, it’s doubtful Bernie would help Hillary beat a moderate Republican like Trump. Running against Trump is Hillary’s worst nightmare, despite her campaign calling Trump a misogynist. Trump’s views toward women came up when Fox News Megyn Kelly blindsided Trump Aug. 6, 2016 in the first debate. Hillary found out quickly what happens when you hit Trump: He hits back hard. Trump responded to Hillary, pointing out former President Bill Clinton’s numerous allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior, including allegations of rape and sexual harassment. Trump labeling her “crooked Hillary,” she finds herself on the defensive, insisting Trump’s insults don’t bother her. Without capturing Bernie’s followers, Hillary’s going to have difficulty unifying the Democratic Party.
Looking ahead to November, Hillary’s campaign insists Trump can’t win without African American and Latino votes. Hillary knows that both groups don’t represent the lion’s share of Democratic and GOP voters. Winning over 60% of New York’s GOP voters, Trump showed he appeals to young, old and women voters. When former President Ronald Reagan won the presidency in 1980, he had the same problem with minorities, not stopping him from winning two terms. Hillary’s clever campaign strategists already paint Trump as racist, guaranteeing her lock on minority voters. Selling herself as the first woman president won’t be enough to capture the White House. Just the thought of seeing Bill back in the White House turns stomachs. With her problems with independents, Hillary has no choice but to put Bernie on the ticket. Without Bernie’s enthusiastic following, Hillary’s going to have a tough sell convincing voters in November.
