PHILADELPHIA — Sen. Charles Schumer downplayed the problems plaguing unity within the Democratic Party Thursday, predicting that more than 95 percent of the delegates that backed Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign will come around and support former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Schumer, who was appearing at an event by the Washington Post, pressed that not only will those supporters back Clinton, but said that he expects half of them to actively work for for the former first lady and New York senator.
“Absolutely,” Schumer said when asked by The Post’s Paul Kane if they have enough unity. “Ninety-five percent of the Bernie supporters, prediction, will vote for Hillary Clinton. You guys in the media are great at finding the funniest hat or guy in the funniest outfit, who will say the most outrageous things. One hundred people walk out of the convention out of 1,800 Bernie supporters [and] it’s a news story.
“I have good relationships with the Bernie supporters in our delegation in New York. The first day, they were upset. By now, most of them are saying they’re voting for Hillary. My prediction: Ninety-five percent plus will vote for Hillary, and more than half will work for Hillary. The anathema of Donald Trump, stronger with millennials than any other age group, is going to push them in our direction.”
The comments came three days after Sanders addressed the Democratic National Convention, where he reaffirmed his support for Clinton despite the continued opposition of some supporters.
During various speeches Wednesday night, including vice presidential nominee Tim Kaine’s, supporters of Sanders made clear their opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Kaine had been a long-time supporter of.
Schumer is set to become the Democratic leader in the Senate come January after the retirement of Sen. Harry Reid, although it is yet to be determined whether he will be the majority or minority leader. Republicans currently hold a four-seat advantage (54-46) in the upper chamber.
