Jeff Weaver: ‘Tremendous burden’ on Clinton campaign to satisfy young voters

Sen. Bernard Sanders’ campaign manager said on Friday there is a “tremendous burden” on Hillary Clinton’s campaign to demonstrate they have heard the young voters who came out to support Mr. Sanders during the Democratic presidential primary process.

Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said he thinks there is a “concern” the Clinton campaign has that some young voters who backed Mr. Sanders in the primary might sit out the general election.

“That’s why we are trying to make sure they understand that Bernie Sanders is going to make sure their voice is heard through this process, that the change that they came out and voted for during the course of this campaign does not go away,” Mr. Weaver said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”

“There is a tremendous burden on the Clinton campaign to demonstrate that they have heard these young people, that they understand their concerns, that they are going to fight for a really progressive agenda, that they’re going to deal with some of the issues that young people are concerned about like the high cost of college education in a meaningful way,” he said.

“That’s the burden, right?” he said. “And that’s what these discussions are about - can we get to a place where these young people will know that their voice has been heard by Hillary Clinton?”

In an address to supporters Thursday evening, Mr. Sanders did not offer a concession to Mrs. Clinton, the party’s presumptive nominee, but pledged to fight to stop likely GOP nominee Donald Trump. Mr. Sanders and Mrs. Clinton also met earlier this week.

Mr. Weaver said Mr. Sanders is still an “active candidate” for president.

“Yes he is. Yes he is. Yes he is,” Mr. Weaver said when asked if Mr. Sanders is still running for president.

“He is an active candidate for president, yes,” Mr. Weaver said.

“Over 12 million people voted for Bernie Sanders over this past year, and those people need to have their voices heard, and that’s what he’s going to ensure happens,” he said.