Hillary’s nomination is of less historic significance than Trump’s hostile takeover of the GOP, while Sanders becomes a deciding factor in the Clinton-Trump general election.

Hillary becoming the first female candidate for president from a major party, albeit momentous, is less consequential than it should be because the Democrat Party, by choosing her as their candidate, announced to the world that they still embrace the status quo in Washington. By anointing Clinton, Democrats are clearly admitting that they are content with representing the elite 1% that controls most of America. Hillary’s presumptive nomination ends the enduring falsehood that it’s the Republicans that back the wealthy and powerful.

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In stark contrast, and of greater national significance, the rank and file of the Republican Party have chosen a complete Washington outsider, sending the deafening message that they are fed-up with the establishment and demand an end to business as usual. The average Trump supporter is an ordinary, hard-working individual, not a member of the 1% that the Clinton’s so ardently embody and have for decades. The Republicans who voted for Trump had the courage to reject the GOP, while the Democrats have failed, ignoring the massive, anti-establishment movement evinced by the vast support Sanders garnered and still commands.

Sen. Sanders will now be faced with extreme pressure to fall in line and capitulate to the Democrat Party by pledging his full support to Hillary for party unity sake. However, if Bernie decides to play nice in the sand box, it will be at grave personal and political expense. Sanders would be asking his supporters to do a total philosophical about face and get behind an elitist that stands for the one thing they are all united against, the 1%. It would undermine his credibility to such an extent that he would be a feckless advocate for Hillary anyway, reducing his candidacy to nothing more than a sham. On the other hand, Sanders staying the course will undermine her candidacy through distraction and negative campaigning; the fallout could possibly be a tremendous opportunity for team Trump, even with the uphill battle he has in front of him.

There is no question Sanders is a defining voice in the Clinton-Trump general election. Trump can take a page out of Bernie’s book by reminding the voting public that Hillary represents everything that is wrong with politics; Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Warning signs flash for Lindsey Graham in South Carolina MORE is the establishment, and the historic nature of Hillary becoming the first female president notwithstanding, her candidacy is nothing more than the continuation of the same old politics that has failed the American people for decades. Sanders quite effectively “branded” Clinton as the very essence of the “Democrat Machine” that controls Washington, a fact that could prevent many Bernie supporters from voting for her, and possibly pushing them to defect to Trump.

Trump needs to continue actively listening to the citizenry and ignoring the advice of the political pundits and “established experts”. If they knew how to win, we would be looking at the end of Mitt Romney’s first rather than President Obama’s second. Their playbook is outmoded and completely out of touch with the average American struggling to pay their bills. Trump doesn’t need the RNC, Mitch McConnell Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Trump expects to nominate woman to replace Ginsburg next week Video of Lindsey Graham arguing against nominating a Supreme Court justice in an election year goes viral MORE or any elected leader; they need him. The fact is that his rise in popularity is more a referendum on their disappointing “leadership” than anything else. Personally, I am astonished at how tone deaf the establishment has been; Sanders and Trump are listening to the men and women on the street, while the Washington elite are only listening to themselves. What will it take for GOP to realize that the American people are yearning to be heard and inspired? Perhaps a Trump presidency.

Donald Trump Donald John TrumpUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Jeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally MORE has remained steadfast from day one. His supporters are real people, with real concerns, who have consistently been dismissed and insulted by the elite, intelligentsia and pundits alike. Where the Democrats have clearly decided to support the exclusive Clinton power structure, distinctively defined by wealth, family ties and access to power, Trump has brought the Republican Party to its knees, forcing them to acknowledge that PEOPLE come before party. The tables have turned and this may actually be the true revolution, the real historical moment.

Michael G. Grimm is a former member of Congress representing New York’s 11th District.