In a recent Davis Enterprise letter to the editor, Laurie Friedman writes that we need “a moderate candidate” for U.S. President, suggesting that “Biden would unify the country as he has broad appeal to blue-collar workers in the Midwest as well as Democrats generally.”
Must we make the same devastating mistake twice?
This was the same song that was sung four years ago for Hillary Clinton. Everyone assumed, against all available evidence, that progressives would turn out for Hillary “because Trump.” She took their votes for granted as did her fellow centrists. Well, they didn’t show up, and now we have Trump.
Perhaps it’s time to try a progressive candidate who people are actually excited about, with new ideas and new directions for the country. I recommend people check out Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, and Andrew Yang, for starters. I think progressive ideas being promoted such as Medicare for All and a livable minimum wage will resonate across the country if we just give them a chance.
And please, let’s put to rest the notion that Biden has “broad appeal” and is “electable.” Despite name recognition, Biden has failed to secure the Democratic nomination twice. Recent allegations of improper touching of women are appalling; a man who thinks it is OK to come up and sniff a female co-worker’s hair is not a man who respects women. Let’s also not forget that when Biden was Senate Judiciary chair in charge of the Anita Hill hearing, he failed to call on three women who could have testified about their own experiences with Clarence Thomas and office culture.
It’s time for a change.
Davisite 
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