The Case for a Moderate Candidate
BENE NOTA: this piece was written before the presumptive Democratic nominee—former vice president Joe Biden—emerged following the suspension of Bernie Sanders’s campaign
The number of democrats fighting for the Democratic nomination has rapidly dropped from twenty-nine to two within a matter of months. Now, only Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders remain. They represent two sides of the Democratic Party, and on Nov. 3, one of the most critical elections of our future—if not the most important—will arrive. This is the election that determines whether the Trump administration will serve another four years.
Although I identify as a liberal, I believe we need a moderate candidate. In the current political climate, people are scattered all over the political spectrum and cannot seem to reach a middle ground. It’s time for us to find a candidate who can not only bring change but also bring people together.
I have friends all over the spectrum, but most of my liberal friends thought I was making a mistake when I announced I would be supporting Biden for the Democratic nomination. I understand where they are coming from. I recognize that Biden doesn’t always know what he’s talking about and hasn’t been consistent with his stances on issues such as LGBT+ rights, environmental justice, or abortion. But I also believe that Biden is the most likely to beat Trump.
I understand the case for Bernie in that his beliefs have been consistent. Yet, from his performances in the Democratic debates, I see that he is stubborn and not typically open to compromise, for example in a speech in 2019, he pledged “no middle ground,” which unfortunately in this day and age is not an effective way to make policy. This is one reason why I’m hesitant to believe he will be able to combat the nation’s partisan divide.
It’s not that I hate Bernie or Bernie supporters in any way, I support various of his policies including guaranteed health care, addressing climate change head on, and housing for all, and I also see how not all of it is realistic. I believe that first we must focus on keeping our country from completely falling apart, which in my mind, means electing a moderate candidate.
According to the latest Gallup poll numbers, 45% of the American population consider themselves to be moderate. I do not think that these moderates will vote for Bernie Sanders, the polar opposite of Donald Trump; they want someone in the middle. Personally, I will vote for anyone other than Trump.
My family in Virginia is very conservative, which I suppose is one of the main reasons I know the importance of finding a middle ground. It is difficult to even talk about current events in a house where my aunt put a sign on the door that prohibits talking about politics in the household. I wish that I could have a conversation and discuss these issues with my relatives, but I can’t. I know that this same dinner room polarization is happening all over the country. A moderate candidate would help us create a sense of unity. They would be more likely to get things done and create an open dialogue.
Yes, change is essential, but so is making sure no one is left behind, even if it’s someone you don’t agree with. I have seen Biden reach across the aisle in the past, such as his work with Mitch McConnell on the American Tax Relief Act of 2012, as well as his work on cancer research legislation.
I believe that many of the candidates who have recently dropped out have endorsed Biden, not because they are sucking up to him, but because they think he is the most likely to defeat Trump and gain the support of moderates.
According to GovTrack Insider, in the first year of his Presidency, Trump signed the least amount of bills into law. If Trump is reelected we will spend another four years waiting on key legislation that will not be addressed.
by EMILY WEINBERG
There are so many vital issues that need to be addressed, and yes, we need to make sure we can find ways to hold Biden accountable, but I believe a moderate candidate is the best way to ensure that Trump doesn’t get another four years in office. Lastly, I would like to say that even if Biden is not the nominee, I do pledge to vote for Bernie in the 2020 election against Trump. We need to vote blue, no matter who.