The “big tent” metaphor arises naturally from having only 2 tents (Democrat and Republican) available. As a practicing American politician, you have to choose one or the other (like Bernie did). There is a wide range of viewpoints and issues in our country, so the tents necessarily have to be very big. THAT’S the problem (the 2-party system), not the senator’s equivocation .. which is unavoidable given this system.