Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez are taking a victory lap after Abdul El-Sayed’s win in Michigan. It was a little tainted because the race had been portrayed as more won than it actually was. El-Sayed’s campaign released polls showing him ahead by 15 points, and that didn’t happen. But progressives are getting back on the front foot: Enough with the pointy-headed political discourse. A win is a win is a win. Scoreboard, scoreboard, scoreboard.
Kamala Harris endorsed El-Sayed, Pete Buttigieg held an event for him, and Democrats are trying to build the unity movement they’ll need around a progressive nominee. Bernie and AOC put their own names and clout behind El-Sayed, and they’re going to be front and center. But progressives also have to square an interesting circle: If they don’t want private money involved in elections, what do they do today? If refusing the money means getting outspent 50 or 60 to one, does accepting it make sense? And legally, a candidate can’t stop a super PAC from spending money to elect them.
