I have a lot of respect for Steve Benen. He writes analyses that include facts and calm, rational logic. This is what he had to say about Bernie Sanders interview with the New York Daily News:
...the Daily News interview raised concerns about Sanders that the Vermonter has largely avoided after nearly a year on the campaign trail.
If the senator had flubbed a question or two, struggling with details on obscure areas outside his wheelhouse, it wouldn’t have made much of a ripple. But as Jonathan Capehart noted, this happened more than once or twice in this interview. Asked about breaking up the big banks, Sanders wasn’t sure about the Fed’s authority, or the administration’s. Asked about court fights over too-big-to-fail measures, Sanders conceded, “It’s something I have not studied, honestly, the legal implications of that.”There were a few too many similar answers. On negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, Sanders said, “You’re asking me a very fair question, and if I had some paper in front of me, I would give you a better answer.” Asked whether the Obama administration is pursuing the right policy towards ISIS, he responded, “I don’t know the answer to that.” Asked about interrogations of ISIS leaders, Sanders said, “Actually I haven’t thought about it a whole lot.”
I have always respected Sanders, but wow, he was either feeling ill, or he came into this interview woefully unprepared. Either way, any presidential candidates should be able to answer such questions. And it wasn’t just one or even a few questions that he flubbed...
This is a sampling. There were other related exchanges. They were not encouraging.
I know this interview has already been discussed ad nauseum here on DK, but I felt that Benen’s analysis of the interview is valuable, especially when it comes to an issue that many of us are worried about...Bernie’s ability to withstand the pressure and intensity of a general election for president. He truly has not been attacked by the Republicans in any measurable way, and he has not been under media scrutiny (which is not always rational) for more than a few months...other than as an exciting, shiny new person joining the decades-long attack of HIllary Clinton.
As Benen says…
Sanders is just now facing the kind of questions he’s avoided for months: there’s no doubt the senator has a clear vision and the ability to inspire his supporters to follow his lead, but how much does he know about implementing his goals? Sanders can paint beautifully with a broad brush, but how prepared is he when it comes to the unglamorous work of governing?
Full disclosure: I will happily vote for whoever is the Democratic candidate for President in the fall because I have great respect and admiration for them both, for different reasons. But I am beginning to truly believe that Sanders will not be able to withstand the onslaught of the lying Republicans and irresponsible media during the general election.
