MARCH 4, 2020 – Yesterday evening, I watched CNN’s political-sportscasters “call” the primary results. As a political junkie, I was in junkie heaven, as Wolf Blitzed, King John, David (Not) Chillin’, Van Man Jones, Tim McCall-it-all-Off, Glorious Berger, David Axelshaft, Joe Tapster, Dr. Al-Said-and-Done, Energy Woman, and Malik the Annunciator reacted and re-reacted to the latest results. Of course, the final results were nicely consolidated into a chart in this morning’s newspaper.
In all seriousness, as I watched Joe Phoenix rise from the ashes, I was also struck by David (Not) Chillin’s breakdown of results in California, the nation’s most populous state. There, 72% of voters 18 to 29 voted for Bernie, while 53% of voters 65 and older voted for either the Phoenix or Mike “Yuv” Bombedberg—the latter being solidly in the “moderate lane,” to steal the commentators’ jargon borrowed, in turn, from NASCAR.
This generational polarization has been the subject of recent discussions I’ve had in my workplace with one Derek, a Bernie supporter who, at 33, falls just outside the 18 to 29 range but aligns to that cohort’s desire for fundamental change. During the course of last night’s “game,” Derek started texting his own commentary to me, to which I responded, of course. “Did you see that call?” – “Yeah! Holy smokes!” – “Look at these stats: [various screen shots].” And so on.
Derek, a talented graphic designer, hails from California—born and educated in L.A. Seeking a change, he picked Minnesota, asked his boss if the company would allow him to rent office space in Minneapolis and work from here. The company, whose accounts include Mr. Potato Head, said “Sure!”
Being as affable as he is smart, thoughtful, insightful, and well-educated, Derek is an articulate conversationalist. His sense of humor is equal to his analytical thinking, and his disposition allows him to approach issues from multiple angles. He understands the revolutionary appeal of Bernie but also appreciates the experiential wisdom of “old folks.” He’s not naive about Bernie’s agenda, but he also sees that incrementalism will not placate a cohort that feels it is suffocating.
I mention all this because my conversations with this Bernie supporter have given me invaluable insight into the Bernie movement. However much I dislike Bernie as a candidate; however much I disagree with his simplistic solutions, I have come to realize that Sanders has given clear voice to the very real frustrations of the “on deck” generation. While many Bernie supporters simply parrot Bernie’s points of appeal, Derek explains the appeal through the prisms of history, political science, and a broad philosophy regarding the human condition.
The pragmatic bottom line is this: with the rise of Joe Phoenix comes risk and opportunity for the Democratic Party. The risk is alienation of the “on deck” generation—a very bad thing for the future. The opportunity is for inclusion—first by listening, then by constructive agenda, and . . . the defeat of Trump.
(Remember to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.)
© 2020 by Eric Nilsson
