Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, who once ran for governor of Massachusetts, now teaches at the University of California, Berkeley.
(Photo: HarvardEthics/flickr/cc)
Feb 27, 2016
"I believe Bernie Sanders is the agent of change this nation so desperately needs."
Political economist Robert Reich, who served as Labor Secretary under former President Bill Clinton, announced his official endorsement of Sanders on social media Friday night.
The development was not particularly surprising, given Reich's previously expressed support for key planks of Sanders' platform. Still, the news "may sting a bit for the Clinton camp," Huffington Post labor reporter Dave Jamieson wrote. It comes amid heated debate over the candidates' domestic policy proposals and, specifically, their ability to take on Wall Street.
"I endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States," Reich said. "He's leading a movement to reclaim America for the many, not the few. And such a political mobilization--a "political revolution," as he puts it--is the only means by which we can get the nation back from the moneyed interests that now control so much of our economy and democracy."
Reich continued:
This extraordinary concentration of income, wealth, and political power at the very top imperils all else - our economy, our democracy, the revival of the American middle class, the prospects for the poor and for people of color, the necessity of slowing and reversing climate change, and a sensible foreign policy not influenced by the "military-industrial complex," as President Dwight Eisenhower once called it. It is the fundamental prerequisite: We have little hope of achieving positive change on any front unless the American people are once again in control.
Despite holding "the deepest respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton"--and saying he'd support her if she wins the nomination--Reich said he sees Sanders as the candidate best able to upend "the establishment," which he described in a blog post this week as "all of the people and institutions that have wielded significant power over the American political economy and are therefore deemed complicit."
Sanders and Clinton are facing off Saturday in South Carolina, with Clinton favored to win.
Still, the New York Timeswrote on Saturday, "Sanders has worked hard to make inroads with African-American voters, including a radio ad from the director Spike Lee and campaign events with the rapper Killer Mike. Even a loss, if it shows that Mr. Sanders's message of economic injustice has resonated among black voters, could help him in the Southern states that vote on Super Tuesday, three days later."
Polls in the state will be open until 7 pm EST.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
bernie sandersbill clintonelection 2016hillary clintonlabor secretaryrobert reichsouth carolinasuper tuesdaywall street
"I believe Bernie Sanders is the agent of change this nation so desperately needs."
Political economist Robert Reich, who served as Labor Secretary under former President Bill Clinton, announced his official endorsement of Sanders on social media Friday night.
The development was not particularly surprising, given Reich's previously expressed support for key planks of Sanders' platform. Still, the news "may sting a bit for the Clinton camp," Huffington Post labor reporter Dave Jamieson wrote. It comes amid heated debate over the candidates' domestic policy proposals and, specifically, their ability to take on Wall Street.
"I endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States," Reich said. "He's leading a movement to reclaim America for the many, not the few. And such a political mobilization--a "political revolution," as he puts it--is the only means by which we can get the nation back from the moneyed interests that now control so much of our economy and democracy."
Reich continued:
This extraordinary concentration of income, wealth, and political power at the very top imperils all else - our economy, our democracy, the revival of the American middle class, the prospects for the poor and for people of color, the necessity of slowing and reversing climate change, and a sensible foreign policy not influenced by the "military-industrial complex," as President Dwight Eisenhower once called it. It is the fundamental prerequisite: We have little hope of achieving positive change on any front unless the American people are once again in control.
Despite holding "the deepest respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton"--and saying he'd support her if she wins the nomination--Reich said he sees Sanders as the candidate best able to upend "the establishment," which he described in a blog post this week as "all of the people and institutions that have wielded significant power over the American political economy and are therefore deemed complicit."
Sanders and Clinton are facing off Saturday in South Carolina, with Clinton favored to win.
Still, the New York Timeswrote on Saturday, "Sanders has worked hard to make inroads with African-American voters, including a radio ad from the director Spike Lee and campaign events with the rapper Killer Mike. Even a loss, if it shows that Mr. Sanders's message of economic injustice has resonated among black voters, could help him in the Southern states that vote on Super Tuesday, three days later."
Polls in the state will be open until 7 pm EST.
Deirdre Fulton
Deirdre Fulton is a former Common Dreams senior editor and staff writer. Previously she worked as an editor and writer for the Portland Phoenix and the Boston Phoenix, where she was honored by the New England Press Association and the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies. A Boston University graduate, Deirdre is a co-founder of the Maine-based Lorem Ipsum Theater Collective and the PortFringe theater festival. She writes young adult fiction in her spare time.
"I believe Bernie Sanders is the agent of change this nation so desperately needs."
Political economist Robert Reich, who served as Labor Secretary under former President Bill Clinton, announced his official endorsement of Sanders on social media Friday night.
The development was not particularly surprising, given Reich's previously expressed support for key planks of Sanders' platform. Still, the news "may sting a bit for the Clinton camp," Huffington Post labor reporter Dave Jamieson wrote. It comes amid heated debate over the candidates' domestic policy proposals and, specifically, their ability to take on Wall Street.
"I endorse Bernie Sanders for President of the United States," Reich said. "He's leading a movement to reclaim America for the many, not the few. And such a political mobilization--a "political revolution," as he puts it--is the only means by which we can get the nation back from the moneyed interests that now control so much of our economy and democracy."
Reich continued:
This extraordinary concentration of income, wealth, and political power at the very top imperils all else - our economy, our democracy, the revival of the American middle class, the prospects for the poor and for people of color, the necessity of slowing and reversing climate change, and a sensible foreign policy not influenced by the "military-industrial complex," as President Dwight Eisenhower once called it. It is the fundamental prerequisite: We have little hope of achieving positive change on any front unless the American people are once again in control.
Despite holding "the deepest respect and admiration for Hillary Clinton"--and saying he'd support her if she wins the nomination--Reich said he sees Sanders as the candidate best able to upend "the establishment," which he described in a blog post this week as "all of the people and institutions that have wielded significant power over the American political economy and are therefore deemed complicit."
Sanders and Clinton are facing off Saturday in South Carolina, with Clinton favored to win.
Still, the New York Timeswrote on Saturday, "Sanders has worked hard to make inroads with African-American voters, including a radio ad from the director Spike Lee and campaign events with the rapper Killer Mike. Even a loss, if it shows that Mr. Sanders's message of economic injustice has resonated among black voters, could help him in the Southern states that vote on Super Tuesday, three days later."
Polls in the state will be open until 7 pm EST.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.