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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsDemocrats, a scorched-earth competition will only help Trump
Super Tuesday clarified the Democratic presidential race: The contest is now between former vice president Joe Biden and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders (I). Both candidates insist that their overriding goal is to beat President Trump. As the primary battle moves into a new phase, this commitment will be tested. The candidates should be judged on whether they avoid scorched-earth tactics that poison the chances of a Democratic victory in November.
There can and should be principled disagreement. In a Tuesday evening speech, Mr. Sanders previewed his line of attack on Mr. Biden, noting the former vice presidents vote for the Iraq War, positions on entitlement programs and support for past trade agreements. Thats fair: Mr. Biden should have to defend his support for the Iraq War, and the Democratic Party could use a vigorous debate on trade, particularly now that Mr. Trump has shown that the protectionist alternative is a dead end. Democrats should tangle over how to make entitlements such as Social Security and Medicare financially stable for another generation.
But intimating that Mr. Biden wants to take away Americans Social Security benefits would be a rank distortion. Likewise, it would be fair for Mr. Biden to challenge Mr. Sanderss record on guns but not to make it seem as though Mr. Sanders is personally responsible for millions of gun deaths.
If the race were based only on policy, there would be clear distinctions between Mr. Biden and Mr. Sanders but also substantial agreement on where the country should move in a progressive direction. But the competition could turn very ugly if the candidates question each others motives and intentions.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/democrats-a-scorched-earth-competition-will-only-help-trump/2020/03/04/c287e0ce-5e52-11ea-b014-4fafa866bb81_story.html
InAbLuEsTaTe
(24,122 posts)At least THAT'S what we've been told when it comes to vetting Bernie. So, let the vetting of Joe begin and may the best candidate with the best chance of defeating tRumpty Dumbty prevail!!
Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!
FreepFryer
(7,077 posts)...and thankfully, the Democratic base is rejecting smug entitlement and a certain candidates continuous anti-establishment sniping and us vs everybody mantra.
Actual Democrats unite.
abqtommy
(14,118 posts)obliterate tRUMP afterward!