Though the email communications provided merely proof that some officials within the DNC held grudges against Sanders, the revelation justified long-held complaint from Sanders that the DNC was biased against him in the primary season.
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Former rivals Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders urgently joined forces Monday to tamp down dissent among his supporters, as Democrats tried to keep infighting from overtaking a convention opening night featuring some of the party’s biggest stars. “I did pick up a Hillary Clinton button, but I’m not ready to put it on my body yet”.
Hillary Clinton was one of the architects if the trade deal when she was a Secretary of State, but, after being pressured by Bernie Sanders, came out against TPP.
The statement wasn’t signed by the outgoing DNC head, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Ms Wasserman Schultz was heckled and booed on Monday morning when she addressed delegates.
And while he was speaking, Wasserman Schultz announced she would not gavel in the convention, an embarrassing acknowledgment that her presence onstage would only showcase deep party divisions. Instead, the job will fall to Stephanie Rawlings Blake, the Mayor of Baltimore. Some top Democrats say the Russians are trying to embarrass Clinton and support Donald Trump for president.
“It is critically important that we do not let up in our fight for a political revolution”, Sanders said in an email to supporters. “Trump is a bully and a demagogue”.
“She stole the election!” someone else shouted.
The DNC made a public apology to Sanders and his supporters Monday.
The call to action was met with a loud chorus of boos.
Former Massachusetts Rep. Barney Frank, who has been an outspoken critic of Sanders’ record throughout the primary, emerged to a similar chorus of jeers. “We’re going to have a convention this week that highlights success stories”. “We’re not going to get steamrolled”.
Alongside him Martha Accosta, said: “Trump or Hillary is not the choice”. We don’t want to vote against something because we’re afraid. And as the convention officially started, reports say that Sanders texted his delegates asking them “not engage in any kind of protest on the floor”.
DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz has already promised to step down from her post once this week’s Democratic National Convention, getting underway in Philadelphia Monday, finishes up. Tim Kaine, drawing boos from the crowd.
“I don’t see the undergrowth of strength”, he said.
Sanders has endorsed Clinton, so a roll call could be a way of showing his strength, and letting his supporters have the floor and a vote. “But she just got fired”. The Vermont senator’s supporters are angry over recently leaked emails that show Democratic Party leaders favoring Clinton before the primaries were concluded.
Richard May, 49, of Bellingham, was disappointed when he first heard Sanders endorse Clinton.
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“No, never, not in a million years, no. I wouldn’t vote for her for dog catcher”, said Melissa Arab, of Shelby Township, Michigan.
