Establishment Democrats Order Sanders to Fall in Line

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Rift between reform oriented progressives and establishment widens

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On February 14, an anonymous senator criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders in an interview with The Hill for calling out the 13 Democratic senators who did not support his amendment to export cheaper prescription drugs from Canada and abroad. Additionally, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer scheduled a meeting with Sanders and the senators to chastise Sanders. The Hill reported, “Democratic sources say Schumer convened the meeting not only to salve rankled feelings but also to send a message to the Vermont senator: Play nice with others.” In other words, don’t challenge the Democratic establishment, no matter how corrupt or inept they are. The article and establishment Democrats fail to mention the backlash that Democrats received in response to not supporting that amendment, even before Sanders’ statement.

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Since Clinton’s historic election loss, the Democratic establishment has resisted moving in a more progressive direction. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi infamously said in December that the Democratic Party doesn’t need a new direction, and former Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid reiterated this claim.

The race for DNC chair has illuminated the Democratic Party’s rift between progressives, who want to purge corruption and corporate influence, and the establishment, who insist on keeping things as they are.

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