From all indications, we now have the most progressive Democratic Party platform ever. By allowing Senator Sanders, the losing candidate, to have such a huge impact on the major platform issues, Secretary Clinton has demonstrated once again that she is a gracious winner and an excellent leader.
Below is from CNN:
Maya Harris, a Clinton policy adviser, praised the platform's call for a repeal of the Hyde Amendment, which bans the use of federal funds to pay for abortions in most circumstances, and expanding Social Security.
Most notably, Harris hails the support for people to earn at least $15 an hour -- a key issue for Sanders, who has advocated for a $15 federal minimum wage while Clinton has stopped at $12 and favored state efforts to raise their minimum wages beyond that figure.
Other nods to the party's progressive wing include an emphasis on increasing clean energy production, curbing "Wall Street greed" and hiking taxes on multi-millionaires.
The platform also calls for a review of past trade agreements -- notably the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
"Make no mistake about it: The 2016 Democratic platform represents an ambitious, progressive agenda that all Democrats can and should be proud of," Harris said in a statement.
Full press release can be found here.
Let’s not kid ourselves, if Senator Sanders had won the primary fight, I doubt he would have accommodated Secretary Clinton’s messages in such an unprecedented way. I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
Granted, some of the languages may not be exactly as Senator Sander would have liked, but then, no one should be expected to get everything they wanted in a fair negotiation. Negotiation cannot be my way or the high way, especially if you are the losing candidate.
I have been reminded on so many occasions that if Senator Sanders had won the primary election, many of his supporters would not have voted for him in November (…. go figure). According to the West Virginia exit poll, about 39% of Senator Sanders voters said so. One should expect those type of supporters to have issues with this drafted platform agenda.
At this stage, except for those Bernie-or-Bust crowd who will never be satisfied, it is time to unite behind our presumptive nominee. Secretary Clinton’s campaign has been extremely magnanimous in victory, it is now time for Senator Sanders and his supporters to reciprocate that kind gesture by uniting behind Secretary Clinton.