Bernie Sanders on Tuesday laid out a list of reforms he plans to fight for in the coming weeks, including new leadership at the Democratic National Committee, the elimination of superdelegates, and passing the “most progress” platform ever at next month’s convention in Philadelphia.
Sanders remarks, which came on the final day of the Democratic nominating contest and hours before he is to meet with Hillary Clinton, provided the most complete picture yet for what he will likely prioritize before pledging support for the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee.
Throughout his upstart campaign, Sanders clashed with many in the Democratic party establishment. Notable among those is DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who Sanders’ campaign tried to pressure into sanctioning more primary debates.
“We need a person at the leadership of the DNC who is vigorously supporting and out working to bring people into the political process,” Sanders said. “Yeah, I know political parties need money. But it is more important that we have energy.”
Sanders also called for electoral reform, including the elimination of superdelegates who have overwhelmingly pledged to support Clinton. He also called for open primaries, which would allow more of the independent voters who supported Sanders to vote in Democratic primaries, and same day voter registration.
“We need an electoral process that is worthy of the Democratic party,” Sanders said.
The Vermont senator will meet with Clinton in Washington Tuesday night in a summit that Democrats hope will unify the party after a hard fought primary. Though he has indicated his campaign is winding down, he has yet to clearly state he will back his rival.
“As you all know I will be meeting with Secretary Clinton this evening, and I look forward to that meeting very, very much,” Sanders said when asked if Clinton still needed to win his vote.
