There is no denying the success of far-left, aka communist, candidates in Democrat Party primaries and in the case of Zohran Mamdani in a general election. Senator Bernie Sanders (C-VT) on “Face the Nation” Sunday took issue with those who worry that these candidates, generally describing themselves as Democratic Socialists, could hurt the party’s chances in the upcoming midterms.
His particular target was Rahm Emmanuel, former mayor of Chicago and chief of staff for President Barack Obama, who had voiced just such a concern in an op-ed piece for the Wall Street Journal. Sanders accused him of being beholden to billionaire campaign donors. Emmanuel had written that “Bernie Bros” would ruin the Democrats’ chances come November.
“If the Bernie bros were serious about growing jobs and wages, they would support candidates touting substantive ways to help families cover the mortgage or the rent, secure their retirement, and ensure no one is a single medical emergency away from bankruptcy,” Emanuel wrote.
Sanders responded yesterday by saying progressive candidates are gaining support because voters are “sick and tired of the status quo,” citing races involving Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, who is also running for a U.S. Senate seat.
“You have an establishment like Rahm Emanuel, who are dependent on billionaire campaign contributions to want to maintain the status quo. Then you have a progressive movement which, by the way, what is getting these guys nervous is we are winning all over this country,” he continued.
