Democrats really don’t like dissent. True to form last Friday in Sacramento, the California party chair snatched a microphone from beleaguered Democratic National Chairman Tom Perez and demanded that heckling liberal protestors either “shut the fuck up and go outside?” Ironically, he might as well have been talking to Sen. Bernie Sanders.
Though currently the most popular politician in America, Sanders couldn’t score an invite to a different event, the influential “Ideas Conference” in Washington, D.C. hosted by the Center for American Progress. The implicit message to the progressive champion seems simple: fall in line politically or get out of the way.
After bucking party brass and challenging Hillary Clinton for the nomination, Sanders has already become something of a progressive prodigal son. Things are so sour, in fact, that when asked by Chris Hayes last month whether he identifies as a Democrat, the Vermont senator shot back “No, I am an independent.”
Even worse, while on a unity tour with Perez, Sanders dared to endorse Heath Mello an anti-abortion Democrat running for Omaha, Mayor. When deep-pocketed donors like NARAL Pro-Choice America clutched their pearls, the curmudgeonly senator doubled down, telling NPR he “absolutely, I want him to win.”
Maybe independent thinking endears Sanders to voters. It definitely hasn’t helped him win over liberal elites like those congregated at last week’s Ideas Conference though. To explain his absence, CAP President Neera Tanden insisted instead that the conference was “trying to emphasize a new generation.”
That’s a puzzling excuse considering Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s invitation. She’s barely eight years younger than Sanders and almost as progressive. For a while, Warren was even with him, backing Sanders over Clinton. Politically savvy though, she didn’t persist and eventually supported the party’s ticket.
Warren did what Sanders cannot. Specifically, she made ideology subservient to politics. Bernie bros would call that selling out while party loyalists would describe it as being a team player. Either way, it’s bought Warren additional influence.
Ironically Sanders received dividends from his persecution at the hands of party leaders. “If you want to understand why establishment Democrats lose,” one progressive strategist explained to the Nation, “look at CAP.” With tickets as expensive as $1,000, fine catered dining, and ritzy hotel venue, it’s hard to disagree with the operative’s assessment of the event.
But by striking the progressive champion down, the Democrat establishment may unwittingly be making him stronger than they could imagine. The last election cycle displayed the overwhelming power of populism when properly channeled. If party bosses aren’t careful, they could soon find themselves kicked into the cold.
Philip Wegmann is a commentary writer for the Washington Examiner.
