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Est. April 5, 2002
 
           
April 14, 2016 - Issue 649

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In A Fair Fight
Bernie Beats Hillary

By Dr. Carlos Russell, PhD

"After the indisputable momentum acquired
by Bernie’s recent victories, the Hillary campaign
of 'coronation' is now a campaign of 'trepidation'.
Ironically, the would be 'coronation' ¡s in great
measure dependent on the Black vote."


In light of the odds stacked against him, Bernie Sanders’ quixotic quest of economic, political and socio-cultural transformation, as proposed in his fight against Hillary Clinton, according to many, is an “impossible dream.” It need not be! Unfortunately for Sanders however; it is not a fair fight! Objectively, it is not a “mano a mano” between gladiators seeking victory on an equal terrain i.e. “ Rumble in the jungle” or “ The “thrilla” In Manila. Am I dating myself?

Given a different set of historical and political conditions – ones that do not ipso facto favors the former first lady as they now do and, if one analyzes the present state of the race; in my view, it is not insane or far fetched to envision Bernie as the victorious Ali. Let me explain!

When the then Senator Obama proclaimed his intent to seek the nomination few, myself included, perceived his chances as achievable. They were worth a tinker’s damn! Who, except for team Obama, would have imagined such an occurrence: white America electing a first term BLACK Senator from Illinois with little or no administrative or foreign service experience; who, in order to win, would first have to defeat the wife of a former president and the political financial weaponry she would inherit and, inherited, from her husband’s 8 years in the oval office? “No way Jose!”

Senator Obama, the pundits proclaimed, could not defeat the unspoken “candidate” of the Party’s political or financial establishment and the elected officials beholding to it. Neither could he, in November of 2008, defeat the candidate of the Republican party. To them, he was “unelectable.” Does the scenario sound familiar? Although not completely analogous, substitute BLACK for “DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST.”

Undaunted, the Obama team developed and implemented a successful strategy for change - one that is now being “ESSENTIALLY” attempted by Sanders but with one “huugge” drawback – his hue. Black Americans -- like the 106-year-old woman who recently met with the President-- hungered for a president who looked like them. They became Obama's’ “Shock troops”. It is also true that the political killing fields, then and now, were and are mined, against a none establishment sanctioned candidate.

Let’s not lie or kid ourselves! “Bernie’s Battle” Is not solely against a formidable foe such as Hillary, but also against a historically entrenched democratic party machinery dreadfully fearful of loosing its traditional sources of revenue and the concomitant political debacle on State and Federal level as it with the victory of Obama’s Independent apparatus. In addition, Sanders must contend with a media supportive of the status quo and do so not too surreptitiously. Just take an objective look at how headlines and television introductions are framed? They are generally what any good lawyer in a court room would object to as “leading the witness.” In this case, the viewers.

There are those who may refuse to accept that the playing field is NOT level and that it is presently tilted towards the former Secretary of State. So be it! However, I am reminded of the adage which I paraphrase, “the most blind, is he or she who chooses not to see.”

The major arguments slung at Sanders by establishment tied democrats and their allied media pundits are: A) his perceived “unelectability” i.e. “The country will never elect a “Democratic Socialist; B) his supposedly “unrealistic” vision and proposals i.e. “ The numbers “just” do not add up; C) He is a “one issue” candidate; D) His “lack” of experience in foreign affairs and E) The dollars of the demagogue Donald Trump will be used to decimate him. Wow!

Does the unelectable argument hold? I believe not! Obama was also perceived as unelectable - no Black man or woman had ever been elected president!

Could Trump’s Big Bucks not be equally used against Hillary, who is considered by many of those polled as untrustworthy? Please! Prior to her stint as Secretary of State, what experience in foreign affairs did Hillary have? If memory serves me, NONE! What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

After the indisputable momentum acquired by Bernie’s recent victories, the Hillary campaign of “coronation” is now a campaign of “trepidation”. Ironically, the would be “coronation” ¡s in great measure dependent on the Black vote. Hopefully, here in N.Y. it behooves us to seriously recognize the importance of this election to the nation especially in light of the “Panama Papers.”

There are those who suggest that Bernie’s surge is hurting Hillary’s prospects – were she to win the nomination - with Trump. This, in my opinion, is another strategic device designed to dissuade those who may be inclined towards Senator Sanders. Dirty pool! Historically, Trump does not need any mud to sling he simply makes his own. Supporters of Hillary also suggest that those now who now back Bernie will not fight for Hillary. Question? If it is true that Bernie’ s army of essentially bright young men and women who are desirous of a different America, why then would they give the racist, megalomaniac and demagogueic Trump a free pass to the White House? Illogical!

In a fair fight Bernie will defeat Hillary then Trump.


BlackCommentator.com Guest Commentator, Dr. Carlos E. Russell, PhD is Professor Emeritus C.U.N.Y. - Brooklyn College. In the sixties, he served as an Associate Editor of the Liberator magazine. As such, he was one of the first to interview Malcolm X after he left the Nation. He is best remembered as the founder of Black Solidarity Day in New York in 1969 and as the Chair of the Black Caucus of the Conference on New Politics in 1967. In addition, he was a consultant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the planning for the Poor Peoples March. Excerpts of his participation can be seen in Citizen King and Eyes on the Prize (PBS Mini Series Boxed Set). Born in the Republic of Panama, he has served as that country’s representative to the U.N and the O.A.S. with the rank of Ambassador. He has also served as the nightly host of “Thinking it Through” a talk show that was aired on WLIB in New York. He is a playwright and poet as well. Contact Dr.Russell.
 
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