How 3 Vehement Bernie Backers Made Their Peace With Biden
The Biden-Sanders task forces could be their only opportunity to craft policy from the inside in the next four years
For Bernie Sanders’ fiercest supporters, the end of his presidential bid last month did not mean the demise of “not me, us,” the community-rallying cry of the Vermont senator’s campaign and movement. But that message is now being put to the test, as they confront how to either support former Vice President Joe Biden, whose policy positions they mostly abhor, or continue fighting for their priorities without making an alliance with the man now leading presidential polls. A group of 18 progressive activists and Sanders supporters have chosen peace, accepting appointments to Biden-Sanders “unity task forces” on six issues: climate change, criminal justice reform, the economy, education, health care, and immigration. Sanders handpicked three members for each panel, and personally asked them to participate.
Those who joined the task forces have had to come to terms with helping a candidate who they openly railed against for months.
“I think [Sanders] is right to bring a lot of what he has built to the Biden movement and say, ‘Listen, you won the primary, but you may not have won the war of ideas,’” said Abdul…
