Dear Senator McCaskill,
Re: your appearance on Morning Joe, today: Thank you for being so candid about Senator Sander’s voting record. I think it opens up a great opportunity for Democrats to clear the air about a few troubling issues.
But, let me start by saying I’m confused. You said that Senator Sanders was “too liberal,” which is bewildering because we have been constantly assured that Hillary Clinton – the candidate that you support -- is a true liberal. And since I’m certain you have seen recent polling data that shows Democratic voters returning to their liberal roots, would you please explain the difference between being a “true liberal” and being “too liberal?” Is it a matter of degrees? If so, at what point does a true liberal become too liberal?
Do you believe that Senator Sanders is too liberal because he believes the current income inequality that is decimating members of the middle class is obscene? Is it because he supports raising taxes on the very wealthy? Is it because he has made the decision to forgo huge campaign donations from corrupt Wall Street firms to ensure he is never beholden to corporate interests?
He has repeatedly stated that he wants to break up the “too big to prosecute” corporations because he believes they are corrupting the political and judicial processes in D.C.; does that make him too liberal? We know that he adamantly opposes the unpopular TPP trade agreement, which you have obviously supported, so did that motivate you to attack him for being too liberal? Is it because he constantly fights to see that average American workers are protected from having their jobs shipped overseas, while you ignore the voices of millions of Democratic voters who adamantly oppose the TPP?
He certainly has championed women’s rights, and he has actively participated in the fight to see that all people, of all races, have equal rights. And he has established a proven pro-environmental track record, while you have taken thousands of dollars from the coal mining industry, which has been one of the major polluters in America. Is that why you think he is too liberal?
He has been a wonderful champion of veteran’s rights, and he certainly has made it clear he supports enacting a policy to make higher education free and available to all Americans; is providing equal opportunities for middle class and lower income Americans an idea that is too radical to support?
I’m one of the Dkos members who believes the last thing we need is another candidate who promises to be a progressive/liberal/populist, but is in reality nothing more than a neo-liberal corporatist, so any insight you could share about what makes a candidate too liberal would be appreciated.