DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Now that Bernie Sanders has offered his support to Hillary Clinton, the two campaigns are negotiating over the convention nominating process.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Clinton’s defeated rival left open the possibility that Clinton could receive the nomination by acclamation — or unanimous nomination — at the end of a full roll call of the states.
“I think it’s appropriate that every state have the right to call its votes,” said Sanders, who endorsed Clinton this week after a hard-fought primary. He added that there may then be an effort to move forward with acclamation, “but that would be after every state cast their votes.”
In 2008, Clinton halted the traditional roll call of the states midway through and called for then-Sen. Barack Obama to be approved by acclamation.
While Sanders has concluded his efforts to influence the party platform, he said he’ll continue seeking to change how the Democratic Party chooses its presidential candidates. He said he wants the party to review its use of closed primaries and of superdelegates — insiders who are not bound by the results of primaries and caucuses. He said his campaign is prepared to take those fights to the floor of the convention if necessary.
“The goal there is to make the Democratic Party a more open, and with a small-d democratic, entity and that means addressing issues like superdelegates,” Sanders said. On superdelegates, he said there are “far too many right now.”
On whether he would hold a big event for supporters in Philadelphia, Sanders said: “We will not be doing a large rally, but we will be doing smaller events and talking to our delegates.”
An application from the Sanders campaign to hold a rally at a park near the DNC site during the convention has been denied, according to a spokeswoman for the Philadelphia mayor. Sanders spokesman Michael Briggs said there were no current plans to apply for another permit.
Sanders is creating several organizations to help promote his liberal agenda and progressive candidates. He said his campaign has always been about building a bigger movement. He said he hopes to support as many as 100 candidates in 2016 at the state, local and federal level.
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