Dear Tell All: I started working for the Bernie Sanders campaign when it seemed like an idealistic longshot. It was so exciting to watch Bernie gain traction and give Hillary Clinton a serious challenge. I had the same feeling working for Barack Obama in 2008 — my first campaign. Obama too seemed like a long shot, and look what happened.
A few months ago it became clear that Bernie wouldn’t follow in Obama’s footsteps. But his message was still getting through and pulling Clinton to the left, and that justified all the work we put in. Winning Wisconsin was especially gratifying.
A few of my Bernie Sanders friends had a party to watch Clinton’s speech on the last night of the Democratic National Convention. I couldn’t believe how progressive the speech was — much of it could have come right out of Bernie’s mouth. I took it as a win and am on board with voting for Hillary, especially considering the alternative.
But my Sanders friends catcalled through the speech, just like a lot of Bernie or Bust delegates at the convention. They said they’d never vote for Clinton. I didn’t open my mouth because I knew I’d have gotten kicked out of the party, literally or figuratively. But to me, it seems clear that sitting out the election or voting for a third party candidate is a vote for Donald Trump. In other words, a vote for everything we oppose.
I’ve been feeling like a coward for not saying anything that night, and also for not replacing my Sanders yard sign with a Clinton yard sign. Is it acceptable just to vote my conscience quietly, or should I risk friendships by speaking out loudly for Clinton?
Heart Bern
Dear Heart Bern: If you can’t have an adult political conversation with your Bernie Sanders friends, I question whether they’re really “friends.” I also question whether they’re really “adults.” They’re certainly entitled to their opinions, and Lord knows there’s a place for purists in any political movement. Purists have pulled the Democrats to the left, just as their counterparts have pulled the Republicans to the right.
But my domain is friendship, not politics. If your Sanders buddies will kick you out of a party for expressing a reasonable point of view, I’d suggest that their ideological purity has trumped their humanity.
Put up your Clinton yard sign, speak out for your common-sense compromise, and find a more emotionally mature group to invite to your Election Night party.
Do you have a question about life or love in Madison?
Write Tell All, 100 State St., Madison, WI 53703. Or email tellall@isthmus.com
