2016 May 23^rd

Senator Sanders is fighting back against the Democratic National Committee (DNC) head, Debbie Wasserman Schultz. He believes that the DNC head has manipulated the primary election rules to favor Secretary Clinton. Many people, including me, believe he’s right. The Republican National Committee did the same thing to keep Trump from the nomination but they did a lousy job of it and now all of the mighty rightwing honchos are rolling over and playing dead for the Donald. The stop Trump campaign has stopped itself.

Sanders unhappiness with Ms. Wasserman Shultz is understandable, but misplaced. She is the head of the DNC and its spokesperson, but she does not dictate its policy. If the majority of the DNC were not on board with Clinton the DNC policy would be different. Secretary Clinton has been at this for a very long time and she has many powerful friends. Sanders has attempted to retaliate against the DNC chair by providing financial support for Tim Canova, a Nova Southeastern University Law Professor, who is contesting Ms. Wasserman Shultz in the primary. Mr. Canova is relatively unknown but he has a substantial war chest and the backing of the very popular Senator Sanders. If Canova loses to Wasserman Shultz in the primary, Sanders should not expect Wasserman Shultz to turn suddenly helpful. If the horse is already fractious why stick another burr under the saddle? Sanders must be careful not to come across as a vengeful and angry old man.

Much is made of new polls showing Trump and Clinton neck and neck in the general election. Sanders polls much better against Trump than Clinton does; this is hardly a surprise because the opposition has had years and years to generate trash talk against Clinton. No one really believed Sanders would be nominated so he was ignored. Now he revels in the polls showing him doing better than Clinton does against Trump. This is the reason he believes the DNC should choose him as its nominee.

Have the odds of a Clinton victory really changed? If you look at the polls it would seem obvious; Trump’s now matching Clinton in most national polls. Sometimes it’s instructive to get the view of an organization in it purely for the money with no ideological attachments whatever. Consider Paddy Power, the Brit’s betting parlour that provides odds and will actually allow you to bet on the outcome of our elections.  Here is how they see the general election at this hour: Hillary Clinton is a better that two to one favorite; actually 9 to 4. This means that you must bet 9 dollars to win an additional 4 dollars if Hillary is elected. If she loses you are out your nine dollars. Trump is a two to one underdog; A dollar bet on him will get you 2 dollars if he wins. Sanders is a 20 to 1 shot. Where do you think the smart money is going?