Democrats must unite

As a lifelong Democrat, I cannot understand the bitter enmity that some supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders continue to feel against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (“Bernie Sanders delivers the votes to make Hillary Clinton the Democratic nominee,” July 26).

The positions of Senator Sanders and Ms. Clinton on essential public policies are barely distinguishable. They have similar positions on climate change, rights of women, gays and minorities, protection of the environment, sustainable energy, elimination of income inequality, minimum wage, affordable education and a host of other policy areas. On the other hand, Donald Trump’s position on these issues are diametrically opposite from those of Mr. Sanders, Ms. Clinton and other progressive Democrats. I came to this country in 1939, one step ahead of Nazi oppressors, and I clearly recall how Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany when his two principal opponents, the socialists and communists, were so busy fighting each other that they allowed the Nazis to conquer and ultimately crush both. Their positions also were barely distinguishable, and had they united they could well have kept Hitler from power and prevented the start of World War II.

I don’t mean to equate Mr. Trump to Hitler. Actually, he reminds me more of Italy’s Benito Mussolini than the German dictator, but the principle is the same — the focus must be on your real opponent if you are to prevail.