Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders met with Rhode Island delegates Wednesday morning. Sanders is working to convince his most ardent supporters to vote for the Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. But many remain unconvinced. When she received the nomination Tuesday night, some Sanders delegates walked out.
In the Ocean State, Sanders won the primary by some 10 percentage points. Rhode Island Sanders delegate Lauren Niedel said many delegates like her are still waiting to hear Clinton’s speech before deciding whether to support her.
“She needs us, not that she expects us to necessarily get in line to vote against Trump,” said Niedel. “She has to prove to us, why we should vote for her.
Niedel said the booing during the first night of the Convention was inappropriate, and not what Senator Sanders asked his delegates to do.
“He wanted a nice united front on the convention floor, but people will do what they want to do,” said Niedel. “But as Bernie has also said, this is not his revolution; it’s ours.”
State Democratic Party chair Joe McNamara says he’ll be voting for Clinton, but he understands the ardent support for Sanders.
“After investing all this time and energy into a campaign, you’re always disappointed when you’re campaign doesn’t win, but I believe that we’re going to be united.”
