Tad Devine released a book arguing the Democratic Party establishment conspired to tank Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential nomination bid [1].
The account provides a rare insider look at the friction between the party's progressive wing and its leadership. If true, these claims suggest a coordinated effort by party officials to prioritize strategic control over the primary process.
Devine served as the chief strategist for the campaign of Sanders in 2016 [1]. In his new book, titled "How the Democrats Screwed Bernie," Devine details how party leaders allegedly worked to prevent Sanders from securing the nomination [2].
During an appearance on the CBS News streaming program "The Takeout," Devine discussed the motivations behind these actions [1]. He said the party establishment wanted to protect the party's electoral strategy. This involved avoiding a candidate they viewed as unelectable in a general election [1].
Reports on the book surfaced in July 2026 [2]. The Boston Globe and CNN both covered the release, noting Devine's position as a veteran strategist within the party [2].
Devine's narrative focuses on the internal mechanics of the 2016 cycle [1]. He describes a system where party insiders intervened to ensure a specific outcome—one that aligned with the establishment's view of viability. This internal conflict highlights the long-standing tension between the Democratic Party's grassroots base, and its institutional leadership [1].
The book serves as a retrospective on the 2016 primary, which remains a point of contention for many progressive voters [1]. By documenting these events, Devine aims to expose the methods used by party officials to manage nomination bids from the inside [4].
“The Democratic Party establishment conspired to tank Sanders' 2016 nomination bid.”
This account adds to the ongoing debate regarding the influence of party elites over the democratic primary process. By alleging that the establishment actively sabotaged a candidate to protect a specific electoral strategy, Devine's book reinforces the narrative that the Democratic Party's institutional structure can act as a gatekeeper against insurgent progressive movements.
