Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders criticized the Democratic Party on Thursday, saying it does not do enough to combat the GOP agenda.
{mosads}During a rally in Springfield, Ore., Sanders blasted the Republican Party, specifically for its stance on campaign finance, saying that soon members of Congress will be wearing patches on their clothing that say “sponsored by the Koch brothers.” But he also lashed out at Democrats for not putting up enough resistance.
“The problem we’re having now is not, in my view, that the Republicans are winning elections. The problem is that the Democrats are losing elections,” he said.
Sanders noted the low voter turnout in the 2014 midterm elections, saying that was the main reason the Republicans were so successful.
“And I think the reason for that is the Democratic Party up until now has not been clear about which side they are on on the major issues facing this country. And here is the truth, you cannot be for Wall Street and for the working people of this country.”
“The Democratic Party has to reach a fundamental conclusion,” he continued. “Are we on the side of working people or big money interests? Do we stand with the elderly, the children, the sick and the poor or do we stand with Wall Street speculators and the drug companies and the insurance companies?”
He also called on the party to support automatic voter registration to increase turnout in upcoming elections.
Sanders slammed the party for “turning its back” on Republican-controlled states, particularly in the South, saying poor people in those states are suffering from inadequate healthcare.
“We need a 50-state strategy,” he said. “We need to plant the flag of progressive politics in every state in this country.”