Politicians, journalists, academics, et al, often assert the need for a country’s leaders to act in the national interest. At its most basic, they seek actions and policies that are in the interest of the nation as a whole, rather than primarily advancing that of any domestic or external factor. Of course, and unfortunately, that is not always the way decision-makers act. This is an especially acute problem in a time of crisis.

Let me briefly delineate two instances in American history wherein domestic political considerations overrode that of the nation’s.

First, in May 1940, with the Second World War only nine moths old, Britain desperately needed American assistance against Nazi Germany. Yet a request by Britain to purchase surplus American warships and other forms of military hardware, was rejected by President Roosevelt, who privately citing domestic political considerations in his response to British Prime Minister Churchill. Twenty-eight years later, then Presidential candidate Richard Nixon secretly requested that South Vietnamese leaders reject offers of a peace settlement then being sought by President Johnson in negotiations with the North Vietnamese. The South was told to “wait,” as they would “get a better deal” from the Republican candidate. President Johnson, learning of Nixon’s ploy, secretly accused him of “treason,” in conversations with top aides. Of course, Nixon was elected, the war went on for six more years, and thousands continued to die while negotiations (probably unnecessarily), dragged on. I could go on and on relating other examples in which the country’s interests were sacrificed to particularized (usually personal), concerns.

As I write, Joe Biden has assumed front-runner status in his quest to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for President. Bernie Sanders, his sole competitor for that role, remains a bitter opponent, despite the fact that it is highly unlikely he could defeat President Trump in the general election. As was the case in the instances cited above, personal considerations outweigh the nation’s, as Sanders displays selfishness at its most spiteful—and dangerous—degree. Will Bernie come around, before he does further damage to Biden and the country?

Like so many other politicians, Bernie seems to think that he and “the state” are one and the same. In fact, a few months ago, Trump made that assertion about himself in reply to a reporter’s question. Yet, Richard Nixon resigned from the Presidency in 1974 and Lyndon Johnson decided not to run for re-election in 1968. Both, surprisingly, did what was unexpected by putting the country’s interests above their own.

Watching Trump flounder in the face of the Corona virus, amid the reality that Biden seems to have the best chance of defeating him, should bring the sharpest clarity to the stakes in 2020. The Democrats contend they are the party of competence, common sense, and compassion. If Bernie remains a factor in the nominating process much longer, it is incumbent upon Democratic Party leaders to demonstrate their commitment to the national interest by denouncing him. This message is especially directed to former President Obama.