Sen. Bernie Sanders pushed back Tuesday against the media’s characterization of his recent remarks in which he warned that things at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia could get “messy.”
In an interview with NBC, Sanders said that he was referring to democracy as a whole rather than the potential for protests and demonstrations from his supporters.
“The media often takes words out of context. The context of that was that democracy is messy. That people will have vigorous debate on the issues,” Sanders said.
But when asked specifically if the convention itself could be messy, Sanders said it might.
“Well, of course it will be,” Sanders said. “But everything — that’s what democracy is about.”
Sanders’ initial comments came during an interview with the Associated Press on Monday, in which he said that the party should “open the doors” and cater more to working class and youth voters.
“I think if they make the right choice and open the doors to working class people and young people and create the kind of dynamism that the Democratic Party needs, it’s going to be messy,” Sanders said. “Democracy is not always nice and quiet and gentle but that is where the Democratic Party should go.”
The Democratic National Committee extended an olive branch to Sanders on Monday, giving him five of the 15 slots on the party’s platform committee at the convention in July, giving him more influence in shaping the party’s platform. Hillary Clinton’s campaign will receive six slots thanks to her lead in the popular vote, and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz will fill the other four slots.
