Hillary Clinton is not the same as Donald Trump
For those Bernie Sanders supporters who feel a vote for Hillary Clinton is the same as a vote for Donald Trump, this is why you're wrong, according to Robert Reich.
Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton embrace after Sanders endorses Clinton in Portsmouth, N.H.
Mary Schwalm/Reuters/File
May I have a word with those of you Bernie supporters who consider Donald Trump to be no worse than Hillary Clinton?
You’re dead wrong.
As I said when I endorsed Bernie for president, I view Hillary as enormously qualified to be president of the political system we now have. She is smart, capable, and experienced. I endorsed Bernie because I thought he would help create the political system we need. But Bernie will not be the Democratic nominee.
This does not mean the end of the movement Bernie advanced. That movement was never about Bernie; it was about reclaiming our democracy and our economy. And that movement will live on, and it will grow. It needs your continuing activism and your tenacity.
You are, of course, entitled to support anyone you wish to. But if you don’t get behind Hillary you increase the odds that Donald Trump will be president.
That would be a disaster for America and the world. Trump is a menace. He is not just unsuited to being the president of the United States – a bigoted narcissist who incites and excuses violence – but his presidency would threaten everything this nation stands for: tolerance, inclusion, freedom of the press, equal justice, and equal opportunity.
A Trump presidency would make it far more difficult ever to achieve the progressive goals you and I share.
This article first appeared at Robertreich.org.