In the aftermath of the Democratic primary, where Hillary Clinton secured the nomination, many Bernie Sanders enthusiasts were left feeling disillusioned. With Sanders out of the race, some of his die-hard supporters have turned to Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson, instead of rallying behind Clinton. On a recent episode of “The Show with Mike Peterson,” host Mike Peterson and guest comedian Lily Brooks discussed why this might not be the best strategy for those who championed Sanders.
Peterson has been vocal about his support for Clinton, making it clear that he isn’t backing Donald Trump or any of the underwhelming third-party candidates that some disaffected voters are considering. He and Brooks took a deep dive into why casting a vote for Johnson could be misguided.
Peterson expressed confusion over why 29% of millennial voters are leaning towards Johnson, given his positions on critical issues that resonate with this demographic. He speculated that many of these voters might be former Sanders backers hesitant to throw their support behind Clinton. The duo outlined the major differences between Johnson’s policies and Sanders’ ideals on healthcare, trade agreements, campaign finance, gun control, tuition-free education, and minimum wage. This led them to question Johnson’s appeal among Sanders supporters.
“He stands for none of the things you care about,” Peterson said, reminding potential voters of Johnson’s infamous blunders, including his baffling “Aleppo moment,” where he seemed unaware of the Syrian conflict, and his struggles to name a favorite foreign leader during an interview.
Brooks, who was a passionate Sanders supporter but transitioned to supporting Clinton once she received the nomination, challenged the “Bernie or Bust” mindset. She highlighted Clinton’s commitment to advancing many of Sanders’ goals and urged, “She needs allies in office. I just don’t see the logic in supporting Johnson.”
Both Peterson and Brooks reflected on their past support for third-party candidate Ralph Nader in 2000, labeling it a “mistake.” They cautioned that third-party candidates this year could inadvertently help Trump win by siphoning votes from Clinton. And let’s face it, nobody wants to witness a Trump presidency.
This election isn’t the time for protest votes. While voting your conscience is admirable, it’s perplexing why any Sanders supporter would risk a Trump victory by backing a third-party candidate. Everyone should be uncomfortable with the idea of a Trump win, especially when every vote counts.
It’s crucial for Sanders supporters to set aside their pride and support the candidate who is best equipped to lead—no doubt that candidate is Hillary Clinton. For more insights on navigating these complex topics, check out our other blog posts about home insemination at this link. And if you’re looking for reliable resources on pregnancy and home insemination, Hopkins Medicine’s Fertility Center is an excellent option. You can also explore BabyMaker’s home insemination kits for more information.
In summary, as we approach this pivotal election, it’s vital for Sanders supporters to recognize the stakes and vote for a candidate who can enact real change—Hillary Clinton.