After attending both the Biden and Sanders rallies in St. Louis leading up to the primary election, one thing is clear: Bernie Sanders is the candidate that the Democratic party needs. Granted, I will not be able to vote in tomorrow’s primaries, but if I could, I know that my vote would be for Sanders.

At first glance, there are obvious differences between the candidates’ campaign appearances in Saint Louis. While Biden’s Saturday morning rally at Kiener Plaza pulled a sizable crowd, attendance paled in comparison to the packed theater of supporters for Sanders’ event at Stifel Theatre March 9. If Sanders’ event in the middle of a rainy work and school day can draw a larger, more enthusiastic crowd than Biden’s sunny weekend rally, what does that say about the voter turnout each of them will inspire? In 2016, 47 percent of eligible voters did not vote. This voter apathy is a grave threat to the principles of American democracy because when people are no longer participating in the government, the government is no longer working for the people. If Joe Biden is selected as the Democratic presidential candidate, we will see the same troublingly low voter turnout as we saw in 2016— Biden simply does not inspire voters. 

For many people, the top priority in the 2020 presidential election is ensuring that Donald Trump does not win a second term. Some people fear that Sanders is too divisive to unite the Democratic vote against Trump, or that he will split the vote. However, while Sanders has criticized Biden, he has expressed that he will support whoever ends up running against Trump in the general election. In reality, Sanders unites a broader, more diverse group of voters than Biden. Also, Sanders’ voter demographic tends to be more politically active and more likely to show up at the polls to vote. 

While it’s not ideal that both candidates are limited to the demographic of old white men, Sanders has done far more to advocate for underrepresented groups than Biden. Sanders has a long record of advocacy, as far back as 1963 when he was arrested for protesting as a part of the Civil Rights Movement. Since then, Sanders has continuously upheld the principles of protecting minority rights and supporting the weakest members of society. In comparison, Biden has demonstrated a questionable voting record on issues of civil rights and social justice. In 1994, Biden authored an infamous crime bill that fueled mass incarceration and over-representation of African Americans in the prison system. In his campaign, Biden is now preaching a message of unity and equality that he’s done little to carry out in his years as a politician. Sanders and Biden’s past actions say more about what they would do if elected than any promises they make in speeches. 

A common criticism of Sanders is that his ideas are too radical and idealistic. Even those who support policies, like universal healthcare and free education, claim that they could never be successfully implemented. However, this mentality only undermines the possibility of progress. The only way to solve major problems in American society will be through comprehensive policy change. Though Sanders will undoubtedly face partisan push-back from Congress, if we don’t even attempt policy for fear of this push-back, there will be no chance for progress. Sanders may have to make concessions in order to pass legislation, but I would far prefer a candidate who enters office with big ideas to one without the conviction to push for change at all. 

The government exists to support the people. In the current climate of partisanship and political gridlock, politicians have lost sight of their responsibility to the public. We have seen our elected officials increasingly placing partisan disputes over the needs of their constituents. Sanders has demonstrated a persistent effort to listen to the people, and fight for them, even when it draws pushback from conservatives. His uncompromising tenacity for progress is necessary to push through the gridlock. Some view his ambitious ideas as an overstepping of presidential power, but if Sanders were elected to office, his intended changes would represent the will of the people. If elected, Sanders needs to do everything in his power to implement the policies people voted for when they cast their vote for him, rather than allowing them to be lost in Congress and fade into empty promises. The grassroots passion behind the Sanders campaign is exactly what we need to return our democracy to its core purpose: serving the American people.