Hillary Clinton has accepted the Democratic nomination for president. And during her speech Thursday night at the party’s national convention, Clinton talked about the need to unify the country, saying all Americans are stronger together. She also laid out parts of her agenda if she wins in November, including her plans for creating jobs, reforming campaign finance rules and working with former rival Bernie Sanders to create tuition-free college for the middle class.
Washington state delegate Trang Nguyen was elected as a Bernie Sanders delegate after his state caucus wins in March. She says there were parts of Clinton’s speech she liked, but she's still feeling unsure about supporting the Democratic nominee.
"I just felt like a lot of her ideas came from Bernie Sanders. I know that he is the reason why she has moved further to the left," Nguyen said.
And yes, she admits she believes that's a good thing. But Nguyen says she doesn't think Clinton has given Sanders enough credit. Plus, she says she's concerned what this "change of heart" could mean in the future.
"I've researched Secretary Clinton and seen how she's flip-flopped on some issues. And I'm concerned that that might happen when she takes the office," Nguyen said. "Now, that's not how all of the delegates feel in Washington for Bernie Sanders. But it's my personal opinion."
While she might be struggling with the candidates involved in this year's election, Nguyen says she's feeling pretty good about the political process.
"Progress is happening. It's here. We're doing it, and we need to continue the work," she said. "After speaking to my roommate, who has been a delegate three times now, she has said, 'Trang, back in 2004 there were very, very few progressives. And we have seen more people dedicated and inching towards progressive values. It's not easy. It's not fast. But it's happening.'"
Nguyen is calling her experience at the Democratic National Convention a "life-changing" one.
"I am confident that I'm going to come out of this a stronger person, a more well-informed person and I look forward to doing what I can to make sure that this government is for us and is by us."
This is part of KPLU's ongoing election series "From the Floor," focused on the Washington delegation at each of the party's national conventions.
