Letter: Are we destined to repeat 1968 DNC?

A repeat of the Democratic National Convention of 1968 is coming.

The Bernie Sanders campaign has inspired youth to take action for progressivism. Yet, other Democrats seem dismayed by how much support a Democratic-Socialist from Vermont is getting. At the Democratic National Convention of 1968 there were two sides battling: those in favor of continuing the war and those against continuing the war. The real battle wasn't the nomination which was locked up for Hubert Humphrey because of the establishment control over the process but, the peace plank that was going to get voted on. The convention voted 60 to 40 percent against the plank. Richard Nixon went on to win the election because of the disunity in the Democratic Party at the time.

The reason why the DNC of 1968 may repeat itself is because the same type of young people and intellectuals are supporting Sanders. Plus, it seems clearer and clearer that Sanders supporters think the nominating process is 'rigged” in favor of Hillary Clinton. The establishment has backed Clinton and some would argue that the establishment has a tight control over the nominating process. The same arguments caused 1968 to go badly for Democrats. I fear another convention fight that will squash Democrats chances of winning an easy general election campaign which is favoring the Democrats chances. Both sides need to accept the results and move on for the real fight in November or else Republicans will win.

Matthew Haile

Cedar Rapids