“We might be looking at 12 years of neoliberal power at the top of the Democratic Party because of the specter of a very young and ambitious — as most politicians are — person on the ticket,” said Norman Solomon, co-founder of the left-wing group RootsAction.org. “That’s a real fear.”…

“The former vice president always has a major advantage so it’s definitely possible that we progressives might not have a real shot at the presidency for many years,” said an ex-senior aide to Sanders. “I think our power is going to have to come from building movements.”…

Some liberals said Harris’ selection is a serious disappointment because of her record as a prosecutor and history of flip-flopping on “Medicare for All.” Others said they’re relieved Biden didn’t go with someone more centrist, and praised the fact that she is the first Black woman and South Asian American woman on a major party’s presidential ticket.

“We are in the middle of the biggest protest movement in American history, which is protesting exactly the same kind of policies that, at the time, Attorney General Harris oversaw, had direct authority to change, and declined to change in meaningful ways,” said Briahna Joy Gray, Sanders’ former national press secretary, referring to Harris’ time as the lead prosecutor in California. “I would like a candidate who offers big, structural change.”