This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jul/26/hillary-clinton-unite-the-democratic-party

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Hillary Clinton must do all she can to unite the Democratic party this week Hillary Clinton must do all she can to unite the Democratic party this week
(30 days later)
Related: The Sanders movement is bigger than Bernie. Now it must defeat Trump | Owen Jones
During this topsy-turvy election cycle, neither party has been given a week to breathe and celebrate their candidate without the cloud of scandal or internal party turmoil boiling over on the national stage.During this topsy-turvy election cycle, neither party has been given a week to breathe and celebrate their candidate without the cloud of scandal or internal party turmoil boiling over on the national stage.
The first day of the Democratic national convention was supposed to be a demonstration of party unity. Instead, many Bernie Sanders supporters chanted his name, booed Sanders when he endorsed Clinton and even went as far as chanting “lock her up”.The first day of the Democratic national convention was supposed to be a demonstration of party unity. Instead, many Bernie Sanders supporters chanted his name, booed Sanders when he endorsed Clinton and even went as far as chanting “lock her up”.
The divisions that were glaringly evident during the primary season don’t seem to be going anywhere. The mistrust Sanders supporters have for the Democratic party was exacerbated by leaked DNC emails, which showed some party staffers trying to undermine Sanders. Some of his supporters hold soon-to-be former DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz personally responsible for the perceived attempt to derail a grassroots, progressive challenge to the very soul of the party – all to benefit Hillary Clinton.The divisions that were glaringly evident during the primary season don’t seem to be going anywhere. The mistrust Sanders supporters have for the Democratic party was exacerbated by leaked DNC emails, which showed some party staffers trying to undermine Sanders. Some of his supporters hold soon-to-be former DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz personally responsible for the perceived attempt to derail a grassroots, progressive challenge to the very soul of the party – all to benefit Hillary Clinton.
Schultz has resigned, effective after the convention, though she won’t address the delegates this week. And the party said that the “DNC does not – and will not – tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates”. The statement stressed that the party is “taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again”. But there is more that needs to be done to rebuild trust.Schultz has resigned, effective after the convention, though she won’t address the delegates this week. And the party said that the “DNC does not – and will not – tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates”. The statement stressed that the party is “taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again”. But there is more that needs to be done to rebuild trust.
Related: 'He convinced none of us': Sanders diehards react to convention speech
Clinton should strongly consider stopping everything and holding an emergency press conference to put to rest concerns that she may have coordinated with the DNC during the primaries to undermine Bernie Sanders. It’s been more than 200 days since the presumptive Democratic nominee’s last press conference, and it’s about time she had one. Hillary Clinton and Democratic officials can minimize the damage by stepping up their game and being transparent.Clinton should strongly consider stopping everything and holding an emergency press conference to put to rest concerns that she may have coordinated with the DNC during the primaries to undermine Bernie Sanders. It’s been more than 200 days since the presumptive Democratic nominee’s last press conference, and it’s about time she had one. Hillary Clinton and Democratic officials can minimize the damage by stepping up their game and being transparent.
Being forthcoming with the media isn’t always a forte of Hillary Clinton. When she recently stopped at the Capitol for a photo op, I asked a simple question that’s on the mind of many of her Democratic colleagues: “Any comment on your lagging poll numbers?”Being forthcoming with the media isn’t always a forte of Hillary Clinton. When she recently stopped at the Capitol for a photo op, I asked a simple question that’s on the mind of many of her Democratic colleagues: “Any comment on your lagging poll numbers?”
Her response was: “It’s good to see you. Great to be back here in the Senate.” She delivered the reply mechanically, as she turned her blank smile in my direction without blinking or answering the questions from me or other reporters.Her response was: “It’s good to see you. Great to be back here in the Senate.” She delivered the reply mechanically, as she turned her blank smile in my direction without blinking or answering the questions from me or other reporters.
Voters are tired of robots and puppet-masters running things – they’re crying out for someone genuine to represent them in Washington. The Clinton campaign seems not to have understood that yet.Voters are tired of robots and puppet-masters running things – they’re crying out for someone genuine to represent them in Washington. The Clinton campaign seems not to have understood that yet.
This week, Hillary Clinton needs to make it a priority to win over progressives. They are more bitter than ever after learning that senior DNC officials seemingly strove to propel the establishment’s pick over the finishing line in the primaries. The left is also not happy with Clinton pragmatically choosing Senator Tim Kaine to be her running mate.This week, Hillary Clinton needs to make it a priority to win over progressives. They are more bitter than ever after learning that senior DNC officials seemingly strove to propel the establishment’s pick over the finishing line in the primaries. The left is also not happy with Clinton pragmatically choosing Senator Tim Kaine to be her running mate.
Related: Trump's sad trolling of Democrats was laid to rest by Bernie Sanders
With Wasserman Schultz stepping down from the DNC, Clinton should work with party leaders to give Senator Elizabeth Warren a prominent role in the party, such as DNC chair. That would be a much-needed olive branch to a key constituency of the Democratic party.With Wasserman Schultz stepping down from the DNC, Clinton should work with party leaders to give Senator Elizabeth Warren a prominent role in the party, such as DNC chair. That would be a much-needed olive branch to a key constituency of the Democratic party.
Warren was the progressive rock star of the party before Sanders took over that mantle and ran with it. Clinton now has a chance to please her progressive critics by changing the direction of the party itself – and giving progressives like Warren a leadership role would do just that.Warren was the progressive rock star of the party before Sanders took over that mantle and ran with it. Clinton now has a chance to please her progressive critics by changing the direction of the party itself – and giving progressives like Warren a leadership role would do just that.
Lastly, Clinton needs to quickly deal with the continued presence of Bernie Sanders on the national stage. Over the weekend, Sanders was unflattering in his assessment of Tim Kaine on Meet the Press. “His political views are not my political views. He is more conservative than I am,” Sanders told Chuck Todd. “Would I have preferred to see somebody like an Elizabeth Warren selected by Secretary Clinton? Yes, I would have,” he said.Lastly, Clinton needs to quickly deal with the continued presence of Bernie Sanders on the national stage. Over the weekend, Sanders was unflattering in his assessment of Tim Kaine on Meet the Press. “His political views are not my political views. He is more conservative than I am,” Sanders told Chuck Todd. “Would I have preferred to see somebody like an Elizabeth Warren selected by Secretary Clinton? Yes, I would have,” he said.
With Donald Trump openly courting disgruntled Sanders supporters with his anti-establishment message, the Clinton camp needs to address divisions and stop giving progressives reasons to leave the party – and she needs to do so fast.With Donald Trump openly courting disgruntled Sanders supporters with his anti-establishment message, the Clinton camp needs to address divisions and stop giving progressives reasons to leave the party – and she needs to do so fast.