WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Hagler said Sanders’ success in raising millions of dollars from ordinary Americans to fund his popular, year-long campaign so far had been highly effective in forcing issues of genuine social and economic reform on to the US national political agenda.
“Bernie Sanders, with both his record of leadership over the years and his platform, has spoken out against injustice in ways that are virtually unprecedented in the history of US elections,” Hagler said on Thursday.
Faith Strategies is a Washington, DC-based organization of clergy strategizing and organizing to bring human rights and civil rights into the faith community and the public arena, according to the organization’s web site.
“[Sanders’] grassroots support that has almost completely funded his campaign is speaking loud and clear that we want meaningful change and we need to give a voice to those who are often voiceless.”
Sanders’ continuing campaign would give him more power to ensure reform policies were included on the platform of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia at the end of July, Hagler explained.
“We believe that in order for our voices to be heard and to implement a truly progressive agenda in this country that it is necessary to challenge the status quo and [a victory by Sanders] in the Washington, DC primary will strengthen the people's agenda going into the convention.”
Hagler stressed the importance of maintaining an energized and vibrant debate and discourse on the vital issues of the presidential campaign all the way up to the national convention.
“This is good for democracy. This process can only strengthen the Democratic Party in the long run and make it much stronger when it goes into the fall election campaign against the Republicans and Donald Trump.”
Clinton also had to move to the left to win the trust and support of Sanders’ supporters in order to ensure her victory in the November election, Hagler predicted.
“Secretary of State Clinton has won the nomination. Now she needs the passion and commitment of millions of Sanders’ supporters across the country as well. If she can succeed in melding their passion and enthusiasm to her campaign then she will beat Donald Trump.”
Hagler said he was urging voters in Washington, DC to vote for Senator Sanders next week.
“It is essential to expose the American people to a thorough examination of all the important issues in the campaign. We need that kind of debate to inform the public about the issues of the campaign both at home and abroad.”
