Hillary Clinton claimed Monday that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I., Vt.) liberal candidacy did not move her campaign to the Left, before she boasted that the Democratic Party had just put out its most progressive platform ever.
Sanders and Clinton battled in a contentious primary for months, and even after she mathematically clinched the nomination, Sanders refused to bow out of the race. He finally endorsed Clinton on July 12 in a speech many viewed as lacking enthusiasm, although he did say he had won significant victories by moving the Democratic platform further to the Left.
Clinton took exception, however, when Charlie Rose suggested Sanders’ impact on the race had pushed her further away from the political center.
"I’m proud of the campaign that Senator Sanders and I ran against each other, because it actually was based on issues," Clinton said.
"But did he move you to the Left?" Rose asked.
"No!" Clinton responded.
"Not at all?" Rose asked.
"No!" Clinton said.
Observers have noted how Clinton has moved to the Left on issues like gun control, pushing for more access to free public college, Social Security benefits, and flip-flopping on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as a result of pressure from Sanders’ surprising success in the campaign.
"Did he move the Democratic Party to the Left?" Rose asked.
"Well, I think he got more people into the Democratic Party, and we are the center-left party," she said. "And I’m proud of that. We are the center-left party. Part of what we have to do is prove that government can work and not just hope for it and talk about it, but actually get it to work. That’s where my experience really comes to the forefront."
Rose noted Sanders did not get everything he wanted in platform discussions, such as opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Clinton supported the trade agreement as secretary of state, but she changed her position as Sanders out-flanked her on the issue, appealing more to the Democratic base. This strong opposition within the Democratic Party has caused problems for President Obama, who has pushed for the deal for years.
"We were very open to a full and vigorous debate, and we did have that, and it came out, I think, the most progressive platform the Democratic Party has ever had," she said.
"More progressive than George McGovern or Franklin Roosevelt or—" Rose asked.
"Well, I don’t know if they had platforms back then, but it is a great roadmap to where we should be going into the future, to make sure we reach out our arms and bring every American with us," Clinton said.