Bernie vows to take $15 hr and progressive agenda to convention party platform

[Viva_La_Revolution]

Near the end of Wednesday's 45-minute session at our 8th and Market offices, I had a chance to ask the presidential contender about his plans for the Philly confab, where he faces long odds of defeating frontrunner Clinton but he's certain to arrive with an army of 2,000 or more delegates who back his leftward politics of "democratic socialism."

In particular, I wanted to know if Sanders and his pledged delegates would be willing to fight -- all the way to the convention floor, if necessary -- for a more liberal party platform, particularly on some of the issues where the Vermont senator has run to the left of Clinton.

Just like the chaos of contested convention in Cleveland that looks increasingly likely on the GOP side, the idea of a convention floor fight over issues might seem archaic to voters born into the modern era of boring, infomercial-style party gatherings. But in the mid-20th Century, such squabbles -- the Democrats on ending the Vietnam War in 1968, the GOP over Cold War "detente" policies and abortion in 1976 -- were proxy fights for candidates and for the soul of their party.

Sanders' response was clear. "The answer to your question is yes, we will engage in a platform fight," he told me, adding: "I don’t know if it’s quite gotten going yet, obviously, we’ve reached out to people."

Read more at http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/attytood/Bernie-vows-a-divisive-platform-fight-at-Philly-confab.html#0oVWeFxoah1bt9YO.99

[BernieforPres2016]

1. Does anybody think the Democratic Party platform would matter to Hillary as President?

I don't. If she is the nominee I don't care who she picks for VP or what the platform is.

[oldandhappy]

6. It will give something for the rest of us to talk/work/care about.

It can be a beginning.

[uponit7771]

2. Does he vow to take a plan to get any of this shit done to the convention too? HRC isn't promising

... unicorns, I'm glad she's keeping it real

[geek tragedy]

3. the platform isn't determined on the floor of the convention

do journalists not know this stuff?

[joshcryer]

4. He'll have 40% of the delegates.

Of course this will happen. The drafting committee will meet him with open arms.

[geek tragedy]

9. Provided he's playing nice by that point, contra Weaver nt

[joshcryer]

10. Weaver is nobody.

At that point he'll be rendered irrelevant. 90% of Sanders platform is Clinton's. Single payer, as part of the platform, is the only thing unlikely to pass. And Sanders will go for it. Because he himself said that they didn't have the votes.

[geek tragedy]

11. Sanders has completely walked back the nonsense about qualification

so you're probably right.

Weaver and Devine, ugh.

Strengths of that campaign are the candidate and the tech team.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, Viva_La_Revolution.

[My Good Babushka]

7. It's been a while since I read it

but I read that most businesses, big and small, want to see a raise in the minimum wage, and it's mainly the Chamber of Commerce that is standing absolutely opposed.

[Bonobo]

8. Bernie and his comfortable shoes are always ready. Just saying. nt