FLINT, Mich. — The campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is supposedly over, with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton clearly ahead of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and on her way to capturing a majority of delegates. But for two hours on Sunday night, Clinton and Sanders debated as if the outcome was very much in doubt — sparring over everything from trade and corporate welfare to health care and guns. The debate, held in Flint, Michigan, was feisty and even cantankerous. Clinton and Sanders had several exchanges where they tried to talk over one another; Sanders, as always, brought his full array of facial expressions….But the debate was also deeply substantive — an argument between two seasoned politicians who have obviously given a lot of thought to the problems facing America, and what they would do about them. The contrast to the Republican debate from last week, with its juvenile insults, could not have been more stark. Instead of discussing penis length, Clinton and Sanders argued over the sizes of their respective infrastructure programs. In short, both Clinton and Sanders looked ready for prime time.
In case any of y’all might have been wondering what it looks like when politicians have an honest, straightforward debate about actual, honest-to-God issues- you know, things that actually matter- well, here’s your sign. Instead of the farce of Republicans arguing over who has the bigger dick- and in so doing revealing themselves to be YUGE!!! dicks- Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton showed what it’s like when the adults do the talking. In any reality-based world, the stark contrast between the debates should be a source of intense embarrassment for Republicans.
Whatever side of the Bernie vs. Hillary argument one may happen to come down on, we can all be grateful for the reminder that Presidenting is about far more than penis size. It’s about articulating a vision of how to best address and resolve the issues facing America today. It’s not about “making America great again”…because America never stopped being great. It’s about making America whole again. It’s about finding ways to repair the rifts and divisions that the Far Right has created and used to seize and maintain power. It’s about proving love to be greater and far more powerful than hate. It’s about recognizing diversity and honoring our differences, whether it be skin color, religion, sexuality, or any other artificial dividing line.
Any half-witted demagogue can find ways to divide people, to create hatred, intolerance, and mistrust. It takes real courage and foresight to elucidate a vision for stitching together the fabric of America the Far Right has spent so long tearing asunder.
Of course, there are real and important differences between the two. Sanders thinks that taking donations from Wall Street is singularly corrupting, while Clinton thinks it’s possible to take Wall Street money while still being tough on the financial industry in office. Sanders wants to replace the health care system with a government-run, “single-payer” health insurance scheme, while Clinton has said she wants to build on the Affordable Care Act, further expanding and bolstering insurance coverage step by step.
But on virtually all of these issues — with the notable exception of trade, on which Donald Trump says things that sound a lot like Sanders — the philosophical difference between Clinton and Sanders is tiny compared with the difference between Democrats and the Republicans running for president. Near the end of the debate, both Clinton and Sanders noted that they still have a lot in common — and that voters would be better off with either of them than with a Republican.
“We’re going to invest a lot in mental health,” Sanders quipped. “And if you watch these Republican debates, you know why we need to invest in mental health.”
If the 2016 Presidential campaign has demonstrated anything thus far, it’s that the differences between Republican and Democratic candidate go far beyond the merely stylistic. Sanders and Clinton, via their demeanor and their words, have revealed themselves to be infinitely superior to any of the four something-less-than-statesmen running for the GOP nomination.
It’s one thing to have different ideas and argue about whose are better and why; it’s quite another to be reduced to the level of listening to four grown men debating penis size on national television. I can think of little else that’s so thoroughly degraded the office each believes themselves the most qualified to hold. When a debate stage occupied by alleged adults sounds more like a junior high school boys locker room, none of the candidates should be considered even remotely qualified.
There are certainly differences between Sanders and Clinton, and it may not be clear for several weeks who the eventual nominee will be. Whoever emerges victorious will undeniably make a far superior and infinitely more qualified President than any of the remaining Republicans. It’s so bad that some newspapers, including the Orlando Sun-Sentinel, have refused to endorse a Republican Presidential candidate. How can reasonable adults be expected to choose between four spoiled, immature brats?
The Republican candidates will tell you in no uncertain terms what they oppose. They excel at laying out who they will exclude, who is less worthy of the full rights and benefits of citizenship, and which religion is The Official Religion of America ©. They’re practiced at slinging cheap, personal insults; in many respects they resemble monkeys flinging feces at one another- hardly the most statesman-like approach to the highest office in the land. What they don’t do well- in some cases at all- is articulating a vision of what they’ll do, what positive steps they’ll take, to move America forward into an uncertain future. They won’t do it…because they have no vision, nor do they have anything positive to offer. They know what they’ll take away and who they’ll keep out, but there’s no positive program to be found.
It’s time to admit that being President is best left to adults. Whether you support Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton, EITHER is an infinitely preferable option when compared to what the GOP is offering up.
Choose wisely. Our future depends on it.
