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Leora's avatar

Correct on all three points, but I think a bit too generous to the Squad. There are reasons they don’t inherit the mantle of Bernie beyond sexism and racism.

First, they’ve embraced fashionable social politics (on immigration and policing, for example) that Bernie always understood to be untenable. He’s too old and has too much sense to fall for Twitter policy fads.

Second, the prominence of Ocasio-Cortez really detracts from Bernie’s brand of authenticity. Nobody could credibly accuse Bernie of champagne socialism or self-absorption. I liked AOC at first, but she’s got some pronounced narcissistic tendencies - glamour shots, constant pity plays, crying on the floor of the house, allergy to actual work. She’s not alone among her generation and certainly not among politicians, but it’s harder for me to stomach in a symbol of the left. (It also grates on a personal level because she embodies negative stereotypes of young women.) How I wish Ayanna Pressley were the front woman instead.

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KW's avatar

The only primary I've ever voted in was 2016. I voted for Bernie. What can I say? I thought (and still think) income inequality is our biggest issue.

And I fucking HATE the Superdelegate system. Let the people decide on their own.

But I also can't stand the Squad. They've gone all in on what you call Social Justice Politics, and anyone peddling that crap simply isn't getting my vote. Sorry.

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