PHILADELPHIA — Hours before he delivers a highly anticipated speech at the Democratic Party convention, Sen. Bernard Sanders told his supporters Monday that they are directly responsible for changing both the party platform and Hillary Clinton’s own policy positions.
In an email, the Vermont senator said Mrs. Clinton moved left on health care, education and a host of other issues solely because of the pressure put on her by the Sanders campaign and its supporters.
“You have changed the policy platform of the Democratic Party and of Secretary Hillary Clinton’s campaign,” he said. “Because of our tireless work … Secretary Clinton now says that she will oppose the disastrous TransPacific Partnership trade deal. She has also embraced parts of our plan to make college tuition free — and if her new plan passes, it could revolutionize the way higher education is funded in our country. Secretary Clinton has also embraced the public option for health insurance, and now supports significantly increased funding for community health centers. She adopted these positions because of you and your organizing.”
Mr. Sanders will address the party convention Monday evening amid growing discord within the party. DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said she’ll step down after the convention following the release of 20,000 emails showing the party actively worked against Mr. Sanders during the primary.
• Ben Wolfgang can be reached at bwolfgang@washingtontimes.com.
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