‘Time for the Democratic party to put Biden front and center as the nominee,’ Northwestern professor says

“The big wins for former Vice President Joe Biden in Arizona, Florida and Illinois last night have put the Democratic Party’s nominating process in clear focus,” says Northwestern University political science professor Alvin Tillery. “The margins of victory for Biden across just about every demographic of the Democratic electorate have erased every rationale for Senator Sanders.” 

Tillery and political science professor Jaime Dominguez are available to comment on last night’s primaries and the presidential election in general.

Alvin Tillery is an associate professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Diversity and Democracy at Northwestern. His research in American politics focuses on American political development, racial and ethnic politics, and media and politics. He can be reached at alvin.tillery@northwestern.edu.  

Quote from Professor Tillery
“At this point, Senator Sanders needs to think about two things. First, what is a realistic policy plank that he wants from Biden. Second, what does he want his legacy to be in Democratic politics. On this second point, he really needs to ask himself: ‘Do I want to be the guy who continued to make Americans go out to the polls in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic when I have no realistic path to the Democratic nomination?’”

Dominguez is an assistant professor of instruction in the department of political science in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern. His teaching and research focus on race and ethnicity, immigration, urban politics, Latino politics and Chicago politics. He can be reached at j-dominguez@northwestern.edu. 

Quote from Professor Dominguez
“Last night’s primaries makes it clear that the Biden’s delegate lead is too insurmountable for Sanders to overcome. It is now time for the Democratic party to put Biden front and center as the nominee. 

“However, it will be critical for Biden to tap into Sander’s supporters and the way to begin this is to acknowledge the tremendous contribution Sanders has made to the party, emphasize where they agree on policy prescriptions and goals and that the difference between them is rather small in the implementation of these goals. Lastly, there must a huge outreach campaign to the Latino electorate. Up to this point, Biden’s campaign has done a poor job.”