Bernie Sanders, in his patented I-want-the-nomination-but-not-enough fashion, has decided to concede the Missouri results. Hillary Clinton is thus the winner of that race, has now officially swept last Tuesday night, and will probably never have to worry about the Democratic nomination ever again. Bernie Sanders, of course, gets nothing worth having. Oh, sure, he got delegates out of Missouri, but he got them anyway. But what he should have gotten out of Missouri was a fight.  At least, I assume that that’s what Sanders’ own supporters would say.

This is, of course, a delicate subject for Republicans: after all, Ted Cruz hasn’t announced whether he’s going to seek a recount in the Missouri race himself*.  But at least Cruz is apparently waiting to see what the final score is first: Bernie Sanders couldn’t wait to abandon this particular field. And why shouldn’t he? Sanders has been allowed to have a perfectly lovely little primary fight with Hillary Clinton: Michigan scare aside, his job has been to stumble and swing around the boxing match, making loud noises and swinging wildly while at the same time never really landing a punch.  And, bless Sanders’ heart, but hasn’t he just done that, hasn’t he? It’s been an impressive performance, honestly.

Admittedly, those people out there who have been quaintly and naively thinking that Bernie is their guy might be perhaps a touch upset that he can’t wait to not roll the bones on Missouri.  But then: nobody really cares what those people think, anyway.  Even the Democratic leadership themselves are mostly just concerned about how to get Sanders voters seamlessly switched over to being Clinton voters and donors with all due speed. Actually addressing the issues most dear to those voters?

Well, let’s not engage in crazy talk, here.

Moe Lane

*He is, of course, in exactly the same tactical position as Sanders was.