Former White House hopeful Bernie Sanders has told a lively Democratic convention that his rival Hillary Clinton must win the U.S. presidential election in November.
Advertisement
She will become the official Democratic Party nominee when she gives her acceptance speech at the convention Thursday.
The roll call vote itself proceeded smoothly, in a marked contrast to the start of the convention on Monday, when Sanders delegates loudly booed every time Clinton’s name was mentioned.
Clinton’s nomination was formally put forward by Senator Barbara Mikulski of Maryland, the longest serving woman in the history of the US Congress.
Going into the convention, Clinton had the support of 609 superdelegates to 47 for Sanders, with more than 50 uncommitted. Some said they there finished with the Democratic Party after what they feel was a rigged process.
The party is still reeling from leaked Democratic National Committee emails which show nominally neutral party staff trying to undermine Sanders’ campaign and questioning his Jewish faith.
One woman from the Oklahoma delegation was clearly emotional during the roll call vote.
Clinton’s campaign hopes the night of achievement, personal stories and praise can chip away at the deep distrust many voters, including some Democrats, have of the former secretary of state, senator and first lady.
“This election is about – and must be about – the needs of the American people and the kind of future we create for our children and grandchildren, ” Sanders said, during remarks that addressed, point by point, why his supporters should now embrace Hillary Clinton.
Hillary Clinton has one big advantage over Donald Trump heading into November: hindsight.
“Bernie has been the catalyst for a new generation to take up the fight and embody the mantle of activist and that means supporting the Democratic nominee for president, Hillary Clinton”, she said, also in a text. Unfortunately for Clinton, her polling does not fare much better, despite a long and accomplished career in public service. Should she win on Election Day, her husband will becomes both the first male to be a first spouse and the first former president to reoccupy the White House from the East Wing.
What was expected to be a tightly orchestrated convention, run with all the professionalism and experience that were lacking at Trump’s often-chaotic affair in OH, instead showed its rough edges in the early going, starting with chants of “Bernie” during the opening invocation and boos at numerous mentions of Clinton’s name.
“I have time to think about it”, said Aaron Bugg, a Sanders delegate from Paducah.
Trump told the New York Times last week he might reconsider the terms of post-World War II commitments to USA allies based on whether they meet their financial obligations under North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
Supporters of Bernie Sanders attend a rally in Philadelphia on Tuesday. Speeches by first lady Michelle Obama, Massachusetts Sen.
Advertisement
Among those pledging support for the Democratic nominee were the “mothers of the movement” – several black women whose children were victims of gun violence. Tim Kaine, Clinton’s new running mate.
