The head of Michigan’s state Democratic Party says his party is largely unified coming out of this week’s Democratic National Convention.
State chairman Brandon Dillon spent a lot of time during the four-day convention trying to calm and cajole Bernie Sanders delegates and supporters in Michigan’s delegation, not always successfully.
Still, Dillon says the news media has overstated the number of Sanders backers who plan to bolt the Democratic Party.
“If you look at the message of unity here it is extremely strong, and I think we’ll be fine for the fall,” says Dillon.
Dillon expects over the next four months, Sanders supporters, who are talking about voting for a third party candidate, will realize they can still support Bernie Sanders by voting for Hillary Clinton.
Meanwhile, now that the Democratic National Convention is over, Bernie Sanders delegates from Michigan are trying to decide what to do next.
Many, like Mary MacLeod, are reluctantly leaning toward supporting Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
“I’m voting for the issues,” MacLeod said after listening to a speech by Bernie Sanders, in which he urged support for Clinton. “And it may very well be a vote for Hillary is the best way to get the issues.”
But others say they are so disappointed with the Democratic Party that they are planning to vote for Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein, or another third party candidate.
Leesha Fagan is definitely not voting for Hillary Clinton.
“Most of us who supported Bernie Sanders know enough about Hillary Clinton that we can not support her,” says Fagan.
One candidate none of the Sanders delegates is considering voting for: Republican Party presidential nominee Donald Trump.
