Why Biden?

Now that the Democratic field has narrowed, I’m calling on fellow Democrats to choose Joe Biden in next week’s Washington state primary for the sake of our country’s future.

Like many other progressives, I’ve admired several early contenders, including Amy Klobuchar and Pete Buttigieg, and I’m pleased that they’ve now thrown their support to Biden.

So why Biden and not Bernie Sanders?

Most Democrats do not support Bernie’s likely-unachievable socialist “revolution,” with a complete revamp of health care and free college for everyone, including wealthy students. They want progressive results, not revolution. Their main priority is to defeat Donald Trump, the worst president in our history. It’s no coincidence that Trump — and his ally Vladimir Putin — are working behind the scenes to assist Sanders, because they know he’s a profoundly vulnerable candidate.

I’d encourage S-R readers to check out the March 1 New York Times article on the illiberal left that supports Sanders and assails moderate Democrats.

Despite his 30 years in Congress, Sanders has an unimpressive list of legislative accomplishments. He’s a millionaire who postures as a radical. He caucuses with the Democrats but continually attacks the “establishment” instead of working with both parties to achieve results, as Biden has done.

The bottom line: As well as winning the presidency, it’s crucial for Democrats to keep the House and flip the Senate in order to repair the damage that Trump has inflicted on our country. A Sanders candidacy will, I’m afraid, make that goal unachievable.

Karen Dorn Steele

Spokane