Hillary Clinton made a surprise visit at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia on Tuesday.
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Still, the attacks, which Clinton believed were stoked by Sanders, infuriated the former president, who was still calling top campaign staff to complain about Sanders’ tactics long after it was clear the Vermont senator could not capture the nomination.
The self-proclaimed democratic socialist won almost 2,000 delegates during his insurgent campaign, but told his supporters on Monday night in that they had no choice but to unite around Clinton to ensure the defeat of GOP nominee Donald Trump.
Supporters cheered and the band continued to play on stage as Clinton spoke. “If they have a brain and really thought it through – I’m sure they do have brains, they’re bright people – they would understand the consequences of pulling back and not getting on board with Secretary Clinton”.
The goal was to make Clinton, perhaps the most famous female politician in the world, yet a public figure her aides claim remains unknown, relatable to voters.
She leads a party still grappling with divisions. As part of the ongoing push to bring Democrats together following repeated shows of dissent from disenchanted Sanders supporters, Sanders addressed the convention and moved for Clinton to be acclaimed the party nominee. At the same time, protesters who had spent the day marching in the hot sun began facing off with police.
The former president has turned into a frequent target for Trump, who has railed about the former president’s personal life from the campaign trail. Many voters have questions about her character and trustworthiness, suggesting she’s used her access to power to her personal advantage.
He talked about her work to provide legal aid to those who can’t afford it, improving education and, of course, health care, an issue that she took on during his presidency.
“Hillary Clinton has the passion and understanding to support grieving mothers”, said Sybrina Fulton, whose son Trayvon Martin was killed in 2012. “What we’re really going to focus on tonight is telling that story, and telling her story, talking about the fights of her life”. The meeting was then widely criticized given that the attorney general was overseeing the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while secretary of state.
Bill Clinton would still be entering uncharted waters should the White House be helmed by his wife, becoming the first man to fill the role of president’s spouse. His convention address was his highest profile appearance of the campaign.
Clinton’s landmark achievement saturated the roll call with emotion and symbols of women’s long struggle to break through political barriers.
Martha McKenna, a Clinton delegate from Maryland, said the night felt like a celebration for Sanders’ campaign as well as Clinton’s.
He told Democratic convention delegates in Philadelphia that his wife was instrumental in protecting American interests, combating terrorism and advancing human rights. She added, “The idea that I’m going to be here when the first woman president is nominated is overwhelming”.
First lady Michelle Obama was a star of opening night, making an impassioned case for Clinton as the only candidate in the presidential race worthy of being a role model for the nation’s children.
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Among other things, Bill said his wife put “climate change at the center of our foreign policy” and “backed President Barack Obama’s decision to go after Osama bin Laden”. Tim Kaine, Clinton’s new running mate.
