Sanders calls on Democratic Party to pass 'the most progressive platform in its history'

In an address to supporters Thursday, Bernie Sanders said the Democratic Party needs to undergo a transformation to be more inclusive and reiterated his stance that Donald Trump can never be elected.

"After centuries of racism, sexism, and discrimination of all forms in our country, we do not need a major party candidate who makes bigotry the cornerstone of his campaign," Sanders said. "We cannot have a president who insults Mexicans and Latinos, Muslims, women, and African-Americans. We cannot have a president who, in the midst of so much income and wealth inequality, wants to give hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks to the very rich. We cannot have a president who, despite all of the scientific evidence, believes climate change is a hoax."

Sanders said he's discussed with Hillary Clinton the "very important issues facing the country," and while it's "no secret" the pair don't agree on everything, their views are "quite close" when it comes to other matters. "I look forward to continued discussion between the two campaigns to make certain that your voices are heard and the Democratic Party passes the most progressive platform in its history and Democrats actually fight for that agenda," he said. He called for a transformation of the Democratic Party so it becomes the "party of working people and young people and not just wealthy campaign contributors. The party that has the guts to take on Wall Street and the pharmaceutical industry and the fossil fuel industry and other powerful social interests that dominate so much of our economic and political life."

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Sanders suggested that the Democratic Party come up with a new 50-state strategy to put itself in play in areas that are traditionally red and begin to recruit "good candidates" that can compete in local races. It's time for "new blood in the political process, and you are that new blood," he added.