Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders issued a scathing statement on social media following the Democratic Party’s “disastrous election” defeat on Tuesday that saw President-Elect Donald Trump retaking the Oval Office as well as Republicans taking control of the U.S Senate.
The former Democratic democratic presidential candidate laid into the party establishment on Wednesday, criticizing them for abandoning the working class and moving to the middle on many issues, in a an attempt to appeal to more center and center-right voters.
“Should come as no great surprise that a Democratic Party which has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them,’ Sanders said in the statement.
Barack and Michelle Obama break silence on Trump election win – voicing ‘pride’ at Harris drive for change
Kamala Harris’ ‘true feelings’ evident in ‘subtle sign of disdain’ during concession speech
“First, it was the white working class, and now it is Latino and Black workers as well,” Sanders continued. “While the Democratic leadership defends the status quo, the American people are angry and want change. And they’re right.”
Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats, sought the parties nomination in both 2016 and 2020, losing to Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden respectively. Sanders has been one of the most progressive members of the senate since taking office in 2007. He said in statement that the Americans have continued to experience economic instability due to the rising cost of living and the increasing income inequality.
“Today, while the very rich are doing phenomenally well, 60% of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck and we have more wealth income and wealth inequality than ever before. Unbelievably, real, inflation-accounted-for weekly wages for the average American worker are actually lower now than they were 50 years ago.” Sanders said.
Sanders has been one of the few members of congress to criticize the Biden administration’s handling of the situation in the Middle East including the response to the war in Gaza and the sale of weapons to Israel.
“Today, despite strong opposition from a majority of Americans, we continue to spend billions funding the extremist Netanyahu government’s all out war against the Palestinian people which has led to the horrific humanitarian disaster of mass malnutrition and the starvation of thousands of children,” Sanders said.
Sanders was one of the few progressives who had good night on Tuesday, winning his fourth six-year term in the senate. He casts doubt on the party’s ability to learn a lesson from this years election.
“Will the big money interests and well-paid consultants who control the Democratic Party learn any real lessons from this disastrous campaign? Will they understand the pain and political alienation that tens of millions of Americans are experiencing? Do they have any ideas as to how we can take on the increasingly powerful Oligarchy which has so much economic and political power? Probably not,” Sanders said.
Sanders concluded that there will have to be some “very serious political discussions” about the progressive movement and the Democratic Party’s path forward.
“Those of us concerned about grassroots democracy and economic justice,” before ending his statement with, “Stay tuned,” Sanders said.
DAILY NEWSLETTER: Sign up here to get the latest news and updates from the Mirror US straight to your inbox with our FREE newsletter.
