Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) encouraged his progressive followers to vote for President Biden in November, despite the difference in opinion over his response to the Israel-Hamas war and the increasing appeal of protest vote movements in Democratic primaries.
Sanders, who has urged Biden to support a temporary halt in the Israel-Hamas conflict and stop military funding to Israel due to civilian casualties and the shortage of humanitarian aid reaching Gaza, advised progressives to unite.
“If you believe in the reality of climate change, you should vote for President Biden,” Sanders stated in a CBS “Face the Nation” interview with Margaret Brennan. “If you believe in women's right to control their own bodies, you should vote for President Biden.”
Sanders continued by highlighting the significance of combating wealth inequality, ending tax breaks, reducing prescription drug prices, and advocating for democracy.
“The contrast between Biden and Trump is huge,” he stated. “The election of Trump would be a catastrophe for this country. And in my perspective, we need to come together, reelect Biden, but at the same time we need to insist on a progressive agenda that ensures an economy that benefits everyone, not just a few.”
Progressives and other Democrats have criticized Biden’s handling of the Gaza conflict, launching an “uncommitted” protest vote movement that has gained support from tens of thousands of individuals nationwide. The “uncommitted” vote received a significant 19 percent of the vote in the Minnesota primary last week, following a strong showing in Michigan a week earlier.
Sanders mentioned that progressives should not refrain from criticizing Biden, but rather continue to apply pressure and vote for Biden in the general election, where it matters.
“I am saying we’ve got to calm — not put it aside — the fight continues to change Biden’s policy in Gaza,” he said.
