This speaks to an incredibly durable platform built on a foundation of popular support. The reason is very obvious — Sanders’ prescriptions would benefit the lives of most people. His closest political analog, Franklin D. Roosevelt, won a landslide victory in 1932 and went on to serve an unprecedented four terms. And the economic issues that led to FDR’s landslide victories are the same issues that face us today: a country wracked by unsustainable economic inequality and a ruling class that refuses to change course.

Bernie Sanders has built a massive movement despite the best efforts of our ruling class, and this is the movement we need to beat Donald Trump and send Republicans into full retreat from coast to coast. If we nominate any other candidate, the Democrats’ largest volunteer base and largest grassroots donor base — by far — disappears overnight. Sanders’ fans may hold their nose and vote blue no matter who, but the unprecedented energy that powers his people-driven campaign does not transfer in any way to a generic Democrat. Sanders’ appeal is partly rooted in the very fact that he is not a generic Democrat, which enables him to be a uniquely unifying figure in an era of endless division. He is a singular figure in modern American politics, a true leader for our time, and we would do ourselves and future generations a massive disservice to miss his leadership at this critical time in our history. For these reasons, I am proud to endorse Bernie Sanders to be our Democratic Party nominee and the next President of the United States.