There’s a war brewing in the Democratic Party. On the way to the Democratic presidential nomination, supporters of our candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are drawing battle lines and verbal bombs are being thrown on social media between the competing camps and their followers and feelings are being hurt and friendships damaged in the process.

First of all everybody take a deep breath.

The Democratic Party clearly had 3 qualified candidates and now there are two. Two progressive Democrats that have conducted themselves with dignity and honor thus far. Contrast that with the circus that is the Republican Presidential Primary. Oh the horror! The Democratic debates have been focused on policy and vision. Both Clinton and Sanders have the gravitas to be our next President, both are committed to Democratic principles. So what’s the problem?
You need to remember that the primaries are to politics what the playoffs are to sports teams. It’s a battle to the finish line, you need to stay on message, be calm, surround yourself with competent and loyal advisors and strive to be the last person standing in the ring. Obama proved his mettle by taking on the presumed front runner at the time Hillary Clinton.  He weathered the storms over his birth certificate, religion, blackness, competency etc. and he won, twice.

Keep in mind also that the media, especially Fox News and the Republican opposition machine have had decades to develop their attack lines against Hillary Clinton. They haven’t even started on Bernie yet. So…don’t pick up their rhetoric to attack our candidate. You can dispute policy points or voting records but let’s not get into the who’s the most honest or ethical. Both are fine upstanding human beings period.

Why would you waste your time arguing over who’s the most progressive Democratic candidate this early in the season? The primaries have only just begun. As you recall this could be the beginning of a long tough slog for our candidates. If you are a die hard Sanders or Hillary supporter don’t waste time arguing on Facebook over which is the best candidate, go out and volunteer your time. Register voters, make phone calls, canvass but do something. Remember voter turnout wins elections and our turn out in 2015 was dismal.

2016 is a make or break year for the American people. If the Democrats lose the White House, the Republicans get two and possibly three Supreme Court nominations. If more conservatives join the High Court, we’re doomed to a very bleak future. Historically the country thrives economically under Democrats and suffers under the Republicans. If the GOP wins the presidency, we will see lower taxes for the rich, a further breakdown in our social safety net, more environmental disasters, new wars and increased military spending etc. etc. We simply can’t afford to lose this one. We need to reserve our fire until the general election and after the primaries are finished, Democrats have to set hurt feelings aside and get behind our nominee.