I have been trying to put my thoughts about yesterday into perspective. If you would have told me in June when Bernie Sanders announced that he would win five states, I would have told you that was very unlikely. Yet, he did it. He has run a campaign with a message that needs to be part of our political discussion, especially in regards to inequality and campaign finance reform. He should continue to run and accumulate delegates, so he can have an active role at the convention. However, it is now clear Clinton will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. You cannot and should not be the nominee of this party, if, for whatever reason, you cannot win, or even be competitive to win, the minority vote. As a Bernie supporter and now Hillary realist, I hope Hillary continues to support Bernie's message of campaign finance reform, alleviating inequality, and student debt reform, as this race moves forward.
Anyone can look at my comment history and know that I have supported Senator Sanders. However, we must put our differences aside and work to defeat Donald Trump. This does not mean that you should not still vote for Bernie. Many important things are decided at conventions and it is vital that the voice Bernie has brought to our party is represented in Philadelphia. What it does mean though is that Daily Kos must represent a reality-based community.
It is unfathomable that I should come to this site and see diaries on the recommended list about jailing former President Bill Clinton, questioning black voters, or reciting Republican talking points about Secretary Clinton’s e-mails. This site, founded as a community to elect Democrats, should NEVER be recommending things that hurt without much basis a potential, and likely, nominee. It does nothing for Democrats, Bernie Sanders, civil discourse, liberal values, or for changing the Democratic Party to become more liberal.
We are better than Republicans and this site needs to reflect our commitments to rationalism and civil discourse, not mirror the Republican Party. We can still debate issues. We can still offer positive critique of Clinton, as Sanders has done, to encourage her to move further to the left on certain issues. We can still stand up for Senator Sanders’ vision of the Democratic Party. However, we cannot become Republicans and tear our party and this site apart by recommending such diaries.
I would encourage that before someone recommends a diary, regardless of what candidate they support, that they ask themselves does this diary have a claim, warrant, and evidence. In other words, does it have an argument backed by quality data/evidence, emphasis on quality? If not, do not recommend it. Noting about the e-mails, for instance, meets this standard.
In short, as Ted Kennedy said in 1980, "For all those whose cares have been our concern, the work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die." Bernie fought the good fight, and that fight rightfully goes on for other things larger than the nomination, but now we must work to defeat Trump. Defeat Trump, not become like him and the party he represents.