Green Party presidential candidate Cornel West has criticized the Democratic Party and progressive figures such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, accusing them of being "window dressing" for the party. West, a prominent racial activist and academic, expressed his belief that the Democratic Party is "beyond redemption" and does not genuinely address the needs of poor and working-class Americans. He argued that the party is dominated by corporate interests and militarists when it comes to foreign policy. West also questioned Sanders' recent endorsement of President Joe Biden, stating that while he understood the argument for preventing authoritarianism, he did not find it persuasive.

During an interview with The Hill's "Rising," West emphasized the importance of offering voters an alternative to the established parties. He warned that if the Democratic Party cannot provide an alternative, the country may slide into neofascism. West acknowledged that Sanders understands this concern, but felt that at this historical moment, the senator is aligning himself more with the Democratic establishment rather than working to generate a genuine alternative.

West's comments come as national polls indicate that he is gaining support and potentially taking votes away from Biden. According to a recent poll by the Emerson College Polling Center, in a head-to-head matchup between Biden and former President Donald Trump, Trump would receive 44% of the vote, Biden would receive 39%, and West would receive 4%. The margin between Biden and Trump narrows significantly without West in the race.

This criticism of the Democratic Party by West has raised concerns among Democrats, including Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez, who worry that West's candidacy could undermine Biden's chances of re-election. West initially announced his candidacy for the People's Party before switching to the Green Party in June. Since then, he has gained support and attention, leading to increased concerns among Democrats about the potential impact on the upcoming election.

West's remarks highlight the ongoing divisions within the Democratic Party and the challenges it faces in appealing to progressive voters. The criticism and endorsement controversies surrounding figures like Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez reflect the larger tensions between the party's progressive wing and its more centrist establishment. As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how these divisions will impact the party's efforts to build a broad coalition and defeat President Trump or his potential Republican challenger.