When, at their private meeting, Elizabeth Warren told Bernie Sanders that she was entering the Democratic primary, his first thought had to be "She'll split the progressive vote, and Biden will get the nomination. How do I talk her out of this?"
One obvious albeit ill-considered argument: "I don't think a female candidate can beat Trump." Maybe it slipped out before he had a chance to reconsider: I seriously doubt that Sanders actually believes it. Almost a year later, it must be hard for him even to believe he said it — but, be that as it may, his denial at the debate did amount to calling Warren a liar. (I winced.)
I was hoping for something more like this: "I don't remember saying anything like that, but if I did, I apologize — I certainly don't believe a woman can't be elected." Then, he could have gone on about Clinton's victory in the 2016 popular vote, et al.
Hopefully, the progressive wing of the party can get its act together in short order, because failure to do so only empowers the Democratic establishment. Americans wanted change in 2016, and they still want it in 2020. Frankly, I have strong misgivings about Biden (much less Buttigieg) defeating Tr*mp in November.
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