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Coverage of the 2016 presidential election from NPR News and related blogs, including candidate profiles, interviews and talking points.On-air specials will also be broadcast as Election Day approaches, including the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary.WRVO also provides coverage of regional elections both on-air and online.

Eric Kingson: Clinton needs to embrace the 'Sanders agenda' platform

Tom Magnarelli
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WRVO News File Photo

Eric Kingson, a Syracuse University professor who lost the Democratic primary for central New York's 24th Congressional District, is attending the Democratic National Convention (DNC) this week. Sen. Bernie Sanders, a former Democratic presidential candidate, had endorsed Kingson in his primary, but Colleen Deacon ultimately captured the party's ticket.

Kingson is a New York delegate to the party's national platform committee, which created what many contend is the party's most progressive platform ever. It calls for a $15 minimum wage, expanding Social Security benefits and a critical view of international trade agreements like the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). Kingson said it's an accomplishment of the Sanders agenda.

"There's an effort to build a movement that includes electoral politics but goes beyond electoral politics and that movement is something that's coming out of the Sanders campaign," Kingson said in an interview with WRVO News.

Kingson said he likely plans to vote for Clinton, but acknowledges that there are still sore feelings and clear fracture lines in the Democratic Party after a spirited campaign. He does expect the large majority of Sanders supporters will vote for Clinton, but only if she sticks to the progressive platform. Still, he said that may not be all she needs.

"The question is if she will be getting the enthusiasm that went into that campaign, which is terribly needed," he said. "The progressive side of the Democratic Party is the side that knocks on doors, is engaged in campaigns."

But Kingon said his priority is not 2016, but 2018, 2020 and beyond. 

"I’m much more interested in advancing the message and Sanders agenda moving forward," Kingson said. "I think it’s critical that we involve more young people in politics." 

Payne Horning is a reporter and producer, primarily focusing on the city of Oswego and Oswego County. He has a passion for covering local politics and how it impacts the lives of everyday citizens. Originally from Iowa, Horning moved to Muncie, Indiana to study journalism, telecommunications and political science at Ball State University. While there, he worked as a reporter and substitute host at Indiana Public Radio. He also covered the 2015 session of the Indiana General Assembly for the statewide Indiana Public Broadcasting network.