Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has claimed that Democrats pose a “threat to democracy.” This sentiment was echoed by podcaster and comedian Schultz, who, identifying as a “lifetime Democrat,” expressed his disillusionment with Sanders’s support for Hillary Clinton during the 2016 election. Schultz highlighted that many Democrat voters feel excluded from the candidate selection process in recent elections, especially since candidates like Sanders, who represent significant change, seemed sidelined by party decisions.
“In the last four elections, it felt like Democrats didn’t have a say in who could become president,” said Schultz. “We often discuss Republicans as if they are undermining democracy, but from a Democratic standpoint, it’s as though the party has completely taken the democratic process away from us.”
He called for accountability and reminisced about his feelings in 2016, suggesting it felt as if the election was “stolen.”
In response, Sanders remarked, “You have a choice in the world I live in,” elaborating that many, including his wife, might agree that choosing between Clinton and Trump is pivotal.
Schultz provocatively asked, “Why don’t we just burn that?” referring to the political landscape. Sanders responded, explaining that such drastic actions could harm vulnerable populations, saying, “Kids won’t have food, schools will decline, and people won’t receive medical care.”
Sanders emphasized his responsibility as an elected official, unable to forsake his constituents, while Singh interjected a crucial question: “But if there haven’t been fair primary elections for Democrats since 2008, aren’t they a threat to democracy?”
Sanders reluctantly agreed, stating, “That’s fair enough. I’m not going to argue about that.”
Over the years, Sanders has vocally criticized Trump and the Republican party concerning their threats to democracy, previously calling Trump “the greatest threat to this country in modern history” and pointing out that authoritarianism has taken hold in America.
Ironically, actions taken by the Biden administration during the pandemic—such as restricting personal choice under the threat of job loss—have raised concerns among many. Now, just months before the 2024 presidential election, Democrats have replaced their chosen candidate, President Biden, with former Vice President Kamala Harris.
