For some time now, it has appeared a foregone conclusion that Hillary Clinton will be the Democratic presidential nominee. But on Tuesday, California voters still get to weigh in. Democrats and decline-to-state voters can choose among Clinton, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and lesser-known Democratic candidates. Sanders’ supporters believe that he can still win the nomination if superdelegates warm to him and if there is a successful court challenge to how the delegates have been apportioned in some states. A surprise win in California could give a jolt of momentum to this belief, so it’s time for this editorial board to weigh in on the Democratic primary.

There’s no question that Sanders has struck a nerve — especially with young voters — who believe the nation is rigged to favor the wealthy and that as a former New York senator with ties to Wall Street, Clinton is not a credible critic of these powerful interests. There’s no question that Sanders’ criticism of the U.S. throwing its weight around the world to get its way resonates with those who see the former secretary of state as another imperialist interventionist, albeit a less reckless one than George W. Bush. There’s also no question that Clinton moving to the left on these issues adds to a perception that she is less principled than Sanders.

But we find Sanders far less appealing than his admirers. What feels like idealism to some people looks like grandstanding on closer examination.

Consider his signature proposal to make tuition free at state-supported colleges, with the federal government picking up two-thirds of the cost and individual states one-third. State participation is not mandatory.


At the least, it would have the effect of forcing all participating states to radically reshape their budgets — making free college the top priority over public safety, health care, K-12 education, road repairs and more. States that wanted to maintain existing programs at current levels would have to sharply raise taxes.

States aren’t going to do this. Free college tuition may be the top priority for college students and their parents, but not everyone else. Valuing free tuition over kindergarten and grade school education, for the most obvious example, makes no sense.

No wonder Sanders doesn’t have the support of a single senator for his plan.

As for Clinton, she is a divisive figure. Her years as secretary of state open her to second-guessing but give her experience on the world stage; Henry Kissinger said she “ran the State Department the most effective way that I’ve ever seen.” And at her best — during her six years in the Senate — she impressed lawmakers from both parties and her constituents as a substantive, collaborative leader and a hard worker; dozens of senators have now endorsed her. Unlike Sanders, she understands that compromise, more than ever, is the only way to get things done in Washington. Also unlike Sanders, her feet are on the ground.


For voters with a Democratic ballot, Clinton is the clear choice.

See also: California GOP voters, send Donald Trump this message

To read all the Union-Tribune editorial board’s endorsements and candidate interviews this election season, visit sdut.us/endorsements.