Berning out

The Democratic presidential nominating contest is over. With overwhelming wins in Florida, Illinois and Arizona Tuesday, Joe Biden is more than the frontrunner; he’s got this locked up more tightly than Hillary Clinton ever did four years ago. His 1,132 delegates are better than halfway to the 1,991 total, and 315 delegates ahead of Bernie Sanders, a margin that’ll grow and grow with each successive contest.

The sole question remaining is why Sanders doesn’t recognize reality and bow out now, especially with the coronavirus crisis all but freezing campaigning.

Because he’s Bernie, that’s why, a man who whistles past flashing red “EXIT” signs because he’s possessed of the delusion that “I alone can fix it,” as another man said not so long ago.

Wednesday came informed speculation that Sanders was readying to mount a last stand in the New York primary, scheduled for April 28 — an election that should well be scratched amidst the COVID-19 implosion. Nevermind that Biden is already a mile ahead of Sanders in Empire State polls.

Enough. It is especially irresponsible to encourage voters to flood to the polls when public health officials are sending the message that large gatherings are irresponsible for the coming month or so, with special worries that Millenials — you know, Sanders’ base — are likeliest to defy the official guidance, undermining best efforts to “flatten the curve.”

Sanders is Don Quixote. He rides not the noble steed Rocinante but the Democratic Party donkey. He tilts at polling places. He dreams an impossible dream.