Sanders finally, after months of holding back, said he too is "with her". He endorsed Clinton's candidacy in Portsmouth on Tuesday. "She will be the democratic nominee for president and I intend to do everything I can do make certain she is the next president of the United States," said Sanders.
This is a big endorsement for Clinton's campaign, as she is struggling with the younger demographic that Bernie dominated in the primaries. Clinton has recently been advocating proposals, like free public college, that appeal to Sanders more progressive and younger supporters. But did the democrats do what they needed to do to convey a sense of unity? Cambridge City Councilor Nadeem Mazen ( @nadeemtron) and Former Boston City Council Member Michael Ross ( @MikeforBoston) joined Jim on Tuesday evening to discuss.
Both Ross and Mazen were Sanders supporters, and are now supporting Hillary Clinton. Ross said that the democrats are "stronger together." And he noted that Clinton has added a higher minimum wage and other issues to her platform to appease Sanders supporters.
They discussed if Sanders supporters will go out and vote for Clinton come November. Ross said that many Sanders supporters might stay home, but because Trump is such a wildcard, people will get off of the couch to vote for Clinton. "Voting Clinton is better than liking Trump," he said. Mazen said that he knows a lot of people voting in November, just to vote against Trump. Ross said that Clinton will need to convert the Sanders energy but doesn't need to get every Sanders voter.
Jim noted that usually candidates move to the center closer to November, however, Clinton seems to be moving to the left. Ross said that she risks boring people if she moves to the center, and the excitement comes from Warren and Sanders. They discussed Warren as a potential Vice President pick for Clinton. Mazen said that having an effective vice president is "a smart move." He hopes that Sanders will be made secretary of labor in Clinton's administration.
Ross said that Sanders will go down in history as one of the greatest political stories in history. He said that Sanders has a star power that will help Clinton's campaign.
