“As we try to figure out how best to deal with a President Trump, and I’m as reluctant as you to say that phrase … please do not believe that members of Congress can do this alone.”
In an appearance in Southern California earlier this week, Vermont U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders once again cautioned that the Democratic Party must change its ways to attract, encompass, and build a base of a wider range of supporters.
Appearing on stage at Glendale’s Alex Theatre with comedian Sarah Silverman acting as moderator, Sanders warned the crowd of 1400 that the Democratic Party “cannot be the party of the liberal elite.”Â
This past week during various media appearances, Sanders continued to express his belief that there needs to be movement in the American body politic, particularly within the Democratic party, to de-emphasize identity politics. Echoing that theme he told the crowd in the Alex Theatre, “it isn’t enough” to support a candidate because she’s a Latina or a woman, as the Los Angeles Times reported.
He also cautioned that while people in the Democratic Party need to stand up against racism as well as discrimination, Democrats must also uphold progressive values such as fighting Wall Street and pharmaceutical companies. He added that he felt that “an overwhelming share of Americans” support his progressive ideals, including a desire for clean air and water, free college tuition, and pay equality for women.Â
Referring to Trump’s election, Sanders noted that it would be a mistake for Democrats and the party leadership to assume that his victory was owing to the fact that his supporters are “racists, sexists and homophobes.”
“What he [Trump] touched on in many, many parts of this country is a pain and a level of despair that you never, ever see on television,” Sanders said. “A lot of people are suffering, a lot of people are hurting and they need a party which brings them into the process.”
The Senator also cautioned that support must be wide spread in order to have any measurable effect.Â
“As we try to figure out how best to deal with a President Trump, and I’m as reluctant as you to say that phrase … please do not believe that members of Congress can do this alone. We need a mass movement of millions of people who are engaged,” he said.
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Brody Levesque is the Chief Political Correspondent for The New Civil Rights Movement.
You may contact Brody at Brody.Levesque@thenewcivilrightsmovement.comÂ
Image by Gage Skidmore via Flickr and a CC license
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