OPINION

Opinion: Time to unite the party

Mark Coel

I’m angry!

While the 2016 presidential campaign offers a smorgasbord of things to be angry about, there’s one thing that angers me more than just about anything.

And no, it’s not the fact that Donald Trump, who has absolutely no clue what it takes to be president on any front, nor does he seemingly care to learn, is close to obtaining his party’s nomination.

Mr. Art of the Deal was so outflanked, so out negotiated when it came time to actually negotiate for delegates, that his only response was to whine for days on end about the unfairness of a system that’s been in place since before Lincoln’s face was on the $5 bill. Mr. No One Loves Women More Than Me treating women like doormats. Mr. Build the Wall and Hand Mexico the Tab who has yet to explain how he can use the trade deficit as currency. Mr. Muslim Ban who’s doing an incredible amount of damage to our relationship with moderate Muslims around the world and has yet to even be nominated. Mr. Nuke Europe (need I explain?).

And no, it’s not that Ted Cruz has been sliming his way through the Republican primary. Or that, unlike Trump, Cruz, who is actually a well educated, well trained and seemingly knowledgable politician, is so far out on the fringe of the right wing. In my heart of hearts, I know full well that anyone who looks at Cruz is immediately transported back in time to his Dr. Seuss infused filibuster and his clear demonstration of everything that’s wrong with that part of the Republican Party that has evidence of brain activity.

And John Kasich? Who can possibly get angry at John Kasich?

Am I angry with Hillary Clinton? More than anything, I’m annoyed that she put herself in the position to allow the Republicans to disparage her on the truthfulness front. That the Republicans have taken the email issue, twisted and remolded it, and have kept it on the front burner for what, two years? You couldn’t have just used another device for your government business? And while I appreciate your desire to preserve your privacy for all non-government communications by maintaining your own server, using it for everything was just about the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen you do.

But my anger? That’s directed squarely at the senator from my own state. I mean you Bernie. Out of all of the remaining candidates, you have drawn my ire. And it’s because it would appear that despite all of your promises to run an issue oriented campaign, you have turned it into non-stop attack on your opponent’s character and ability.

Despite knowing full well that Hillary is unquestionably the most experienced, most prepared candidate from either side of the aisle, you more than questioned her qualifications to be president. Despite knowing full well that the manner in which she has funded her campaign has been blessed by the Supreme Court and is, at least at this point, the only way for the Dems to hold onto the White House, you have led the public believe she’s doing something illegal.

But more than anything else, knowing full well that your own chances to obtain the nomination are slipping away by the day, you’re handing the Republicans the playbook for the general election to ultimately use to attack the only person who stands between us and a country run by an ignorant dictator. As I said, the odds of Trump winning have always been slim, but seeing you assist him and improve his chances? Yes, that makes me angry.

You parachuted into the Democratic Party after claiming independence for years. You’re now doing damage that could cost the party the election up and down the ballot. You’re the guest in a house that you are intentionally turning upside down.

You want to stay in the race? That’s up to you and your supporters. But doing it at the expense of the person who is likely to get the nomination? If you can’t win, why are you ruining Hillary’s chances? Because it doesn’t feel like you’re doing this for anyone but yourself.

It’s time to unite the party, not divide it.

Mark Coel lives in South Burlington.