Socialist says Bernie Sanders went ‘over to the enemy’

Bernie Sanders’ endorsement of rival Hillary Clinton Tuesday brought one chapter in the Democrats’ efforts to keep a hold of the White House to a close. But Sanders’ bid for president was more than a campaign. Sanders and many others described it as a movement — or a revolution.

Related: Bernie Sanders finally endorses Hillary Clinton for president

Elan Axelbank with Socialist Alternative was among those who contributed to Sanders’ proposed revolution. And like many others who felt the Bern, Axelbank now faces a choice — support Clinton or go elsewhere. For Axelbank, the decision is simple.

“I would say that Sanders is going over to the enemy … it is bad and he shouldn’t have (endorsed Clinton) and it is harmful to the political revolution,” Axelbank told KIRO Radio’s Jason Rantz. “But we are receiving some closure now … now we have to make a decision.”

Despite Clinton and Sanders both running as Democrats, Axelbank saw a clear divide between the two and said he will not support Clinton.

“It’s certainly upsetting, it’s disappointing (that he endorsed Clinton),” Axelbank said. “I think it’s the wrong move for him to do this. But I can’t say that I am 100 percent surprised.”

“Socialist Alternative — since before Sanders declared his presidency, as early as September 2014 at the New York City Climate March – has publicly called on Sanders to run as an independent and avoid this kind of thing,” he said. “After he ran as a Democrat, we condemned that choice but still supported him.”

In the short term, Axelbank suggests fellow socialists — and other Sanders supporters — give their presidential vote to the Green Party candidate Jill Stein.

“She’s an anti-establishment alternative to Trump, and certainly to Clinton, of course,” Axelbank said.

As for the long term, Axelbank said the revolution Sanders highlighted should keep building momentum.

“I would say that all hope is not lost,” he said. “The decision should be to keep building movements in the streets — the fight for $15, Black Lives Matter, women’s rights, single-payer healthcare.

“I think that what we are seeing right now in general, in US society, is a massive awakening, a political awakening to the inequalities and the injustices that occur in this capitalist system,” Axelbank said. “And a frustration with the two major parties – Republicans and Democrats.”

Follow @https://twitter.com/DyerOxley