Unity Won’t Come Easily for Democrats

It looks like Bernie Sanders’s political agitation is paying off.

The Democratic National Convention Committee announced the 15 members of its platform drafting committee on Monday, a selection designed to give the Vermont senator an unusual amount of influence on the process. As The Washington Post reported, “party leaders hope [the move] will soothe a bitter split with backers of the long-shot challenger to Hillary Clinton.” Sanders has been allowed to name five members to the committee charged with writing the party platform, while Clinton named six. The tally reflects the fact that Clinton leadsSanders in the popular vote for the presidential primary election, but nevertheless grants Sanders allies a significant amount of input. The announcement could mark the start of a reconciliation of sorts between Sanders and the Democratic establishment. Protests over the outcome of the Nevada Democratic convention, a process that Sanders and his supporters described as unfair, have recently escalated tensions. Sanders’s decision toendorse a primary challenger to DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz also raised questions over how far the senator will take his fight against party elites. Fears that divisions might deepen likely motivated Democratic Party leaders to grant Sanders substantial representation on the drafting committee. For the full article click here

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