Sanders Kicks off Controversy Over Identity Politics in the Democratic Party

“The Democratic Party is diverse, and it should be reflected as so in our leadership”, during a discussion on the possible DNC Chairmanship of former Vermont Governor Howard Dean (D).

And one of the struggles that we’re going to have…in the Democratic Party is it’s not good enough for me to say we have x number of African Americans over here, we have y number of Latinos, we have z number of women, we are a diverse party, a diverse nation.

The meet-and-greets were part of a book tour to promote Sanders new book “Our Revolution: A Future to Believe In.” Those in attendance could buy pre-signed copies.

That means that, for the next year at least, Sanders will serve as the Congressional Democrats’ chairman of outreach, in charge of bringing new and underrepresented demographics into the Democrats’ camp – though he won’t be a Democrat.

Speaking about the difficulties many Americans are facing today, Sanders explained that these are “hard times” and that he felt an “enormous sense of obligation” to help empower his supporters.

The New Republic’s Clio Chang endorsed the latter interpretation, writing that “criticism that diversity on its own does not necessarily translate into lifting up the working class is a fair point and not, as [Talking Points Memo] implies, a condemnation of diversity itself”.

Just last month, the Wall Street Journal was discussing Sanders’ upcoming book, released on November 15, and noted that it wasn’t without its risks, especially as so many people were angry after the 2016 presidential election and may not be in the mood for politics anymore.

I was kind of realizing I would be upset no matter who won, so I had zero happiness either way.

“Hillary Clinton ended up getting a million and a half more votes than Donald Trump”. And I think that’s where we have to radically sharpen our message.

“I don’t understand the immediate rush to come up with a solution when we’re not 100 percent sure what the problem is”, Rooney said. “But he said ‘we got it.’ Will he keep that promise or will he cave in to his Republican colleagues who do want to cut Social Security?” No, that’s not good enough. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. takes a video selfie with the candidate.

“I want to ask someone to define oligarchy, one of the young people here”, he said, later asking for a definition of the ramifications of the Citizens United Supreme Court ruling.

But what we are working on right now is to transform the Democratic Party. Rebecca, I would be delighted to support her.

Sanders says he’s convinced that a large majority of Americans support his views on raising the minimum wage, providing paid family leave, and taking aggressive action on climate change, immigration reform and free college tuition.

Thornton said she did not write in Sanders name for president when she cast her vote on Election Day because she was so anxious about Trump winning the election, but she did vote for Sanders in the primary. Even as Trump won white voters overall, we need to examine the role that less educated whites-resentful towards immigrants and racial minorities- played in his victory.

“I have to know whether that Latina is going to stand up with the working class of this country and is going to take on big money interests”, Sanders said.

“Vermont was going to the Democrats, ” he said.

“The people who follow him can still make a difference if we don’t stand down and let hate define us”, Kaylie Hobson of South Portland said.