Some Dems Believe Cornel West Will Rankle President Biden in Primary

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Dr. Cornel West – Twitter

*Politico reports that Dr. Cornel West’s entry into the presidential race may be a longshot against President Joe Biden, but will certainly present a “unique challenge” to the current White House occupant.

“The U.S. has a long history of issue candidates who run in order to bring attention to important principles and ideas. I welcome Cornel West entering the race to make this country more just for all,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) told Politico. “I believe he will bring more people into the process and push for progressive policies.”

Khanna, the former campaign co-chair of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) 2020 campaign, was among several Democrats on the Hill not to outright scoff at West’s candidacy. Although Khanna wasn’t endorsing West for president, he believes that the prominent left-wing intellectual could “ultimately help” Biden, whom Khanna is supporting. He added that it is his job to help persuade liberal voters to back Biden.

But Politico reports that West’s candidacy is a bit different from the other fringe candidates on the Democratic side — such as Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Marianne Williamson — “because West is not running as a Democrat. He is on the People’s Party ticket, which means he could be on the general election ballot in a small number of states. And while that may limit the votes he can take from Biden, there’s concern among Democrats that he could be a spoiler in November of 2024.”

Bernie Sanders and Cornel West walk onstage together during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire, February 10, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images via JTA)
Bernie Sanders and Cornel West walk onstage together during a campaign event at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire, February 10, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images via JTA)

West continues to be embraced by Bernie Sanders supporters, having backed the Vermont independent’s two presidential runs. Some Democratic operatives feel that West’s candidacy, and the fondness coming from Sanders’ orbit, may “provide a permission structure for a small percentage of progressives to sour on the president,” notes Politico.

So far, West’s People’s Party only has ballot access in Florida, according to the group’s national chair, Nick Brana. But, he added, “We plan on being on all 50 states.”

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