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May 30, 2016

#EnoughBernie

#EnoughBernie
(c) Rabbi Menachem Creditor

Bernie Sanders is a pure voice, a compelling visionary. Who didn't build a caucus of allies during his decades in Congress. Criticism of him, however undesirable it is for his supporters, is just as objective as the slings and arrows his campaign is actively slinging at Clinton.
Moreso, the harm Bernie's campaign will cause millions if he weakens the obvious Democratic nominee when she faces a hateful demagogue in the general election calls for a robust reaction, before it is too late. His campaign has run its course, and his message will continue to be influential. But he is not the leader we need.
As Jewish tradition puts it: "A wise person is preferable to a prophet." We know that prophets might have been right and pure, but their inability to bring people along is what made the doom they saw even more inevitable, and why Judaism has always tempered expectations and insisted upon grounded leaders.
We dare not allow our yearning for a perfected vision (Sanders) to make darkness (Trump) more likely when a strong, effective - and yes, wonkish - and well-qualified candidate (Clinton) is a viable and worthy option.
It is time to unify, step forward, and get out the vote, for the sakes of so many.