Flexibility has been a hallmark of great progressive and left leaders. Lincoln and Douglass displayed it in their time. Roosevelt in the Depression and War years. King in the civil rights era. Obama more recently. A refusal to make any adjustments in program, demands, organizing themes, and tone, no matter what the situation, may seem admirable on its face. But in a practical sense, it can easily turn into a fool’s errand and script for defeat.

If Bernie has a substantial lead in the delegate count in June, and it looks like he will, he will be the nominee. Only if the delegate count is close will the selection process be contested. And that’s understandable, not a conspiracy.

The proclaimed war of Bernie’s supporters against the Democratic Party “Establishment” is strategically misguided. It may feel like the right thing to do, but it’s akin to shooting yourself in the foot. Come fall, if Bernie wins the nomination, he will need the help of the party’s “establishment,” party regulars, and party leaders, like the Obamas, in states like PA, OH, MI, WI, IA, Fl, AZ, and NC, not to mention across the country.

By the same token, the moderate wing of the party has a similar duty to suspend unprincipled attacks on Bernie and minimize divisions. A united party will set the stage for winning the White House and Senate this fall, while a badly fractured Democratic Party will erase that possibility.

When I watched Trump’s first observations downplaying, if not dismissing, the coronavirus, I couldn’t help but remember then president George Bush peering down from Air Force 1 on the hurricane devastated city of New Orleans. That optic sent Bush’s popularity plummeting and not only because of his seeming indifference. It also suggested an incompetence in the face of a human crisis of extraordinary proportions.

The obvious incompetence and callousness of Trump so far in addressing this dangerous virus could undo Trump in much the same way. Time will tell.

When asked about the fractious presidential primary, Nancy Pelosi says her gospel is unity, unity, unity. Pelosi told reporters, “The presidential is its own race, and contrary to what you may be hearing or writing, we are all unified. Whoever the nominee is of our party, we will wholeheartedly support.” And when asked if she would be comfortable with Sanders at the top of the ticket, she said, without hesitation, “Yes.”

Let’s hope her message is embraced by the rest of the party and its presidential candidates.