From Steven Rosenfeld / AlterNet June 8, 2016 [View all]

[CaliforniaPeggy]

Sanders Supporters Need to Grieve, But Have Achieved Much and Still Have Big Role in Philly

A longtime party activist says reach out, show respect and continue.


As anybody who has suffered a loss knows, there needs to be a grieving and healing process before moving on.

This certainly applies to Bernie Sanders supporters. Despite Sanders' pledge Tuesday night to press on to next week’s final 2016 primary in Washington DC, the national progressive movement that formed around him is now feeling a different kind of burn. Hillary Clinton clinched the nomination, with more votes, more pledged delegates and more superdelegates willing to ratify popular vote results from their states than Sanders. Ouch.

Although Clinton is the nominee, that doesn't mean Sanders has no significant role to play at the Democratic National Convention or after, longtime Democrats say. They point out that this is especially true considering his supporters, as Sanders has said many times, skew young and represent the party's and the country’s future.

“I understand the political grieving process,” said Deb Kozikowski, Massachusetts Democratic Party vice chair, who has been a vocal critic of the Democratic National Committee, including chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz. “The thing to do is to find your way to get through and don’t lose your desire for making things better… I know the feeling. Keep in mind, [1988 Democratic nominee] Michael Dukakis was my friend… If you don’t think that hurt, I was devastated… You find something that gets you through the grieving process.”

Kozikowski and other party insiders contacted Wednesday said there is plenty for the Clinton and Sanders teams to be doing, even if the Clinton team is ebullient and Sanders team disconsolate. She tellingly added, “I don’t think the party is reaching out in any appropriate way at the state or national level. I’m not sure they know how. The bottom line is respect. The bottom line is appreciation for their interest in politics. They are not jaded old political hacks. They are disheartened now. Give a little space. Be kind.”

All of it at the link: http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/sanders-supporters-need-grieve-have-achieved-much-and-still-have-big-role-philly