Comedian Sarah Silverman, an ardent supporter of Bernie Sanders, finally offered an endorsement to Hillary Clinton Monday night during the Democratic National Convention, and she had a few unscripted words for the “Bernie or Bust” delegates in the crowd, too.
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Silverman, ready to vote for Hillary Clinton but still supporting Sanders, said that the Vermont senator “showed us that all of Americas citizens deserve quality healthcare and education, not just the wealthy elite”.
Silverman, who once worked at “Saturday Night Live” for a single season, was paired with Al Franken, now a United States senator from Minnesota and once an “SNL” writer.
Though she didn’t say it, the message was that if she could get behind Clinton, so should other Sanders backers – because Donald Trump is a far worse option.
After her impassioned speech, Silverman went for the dropped-mic: “Can I just say, to the “Bernie or Bust” people, you’re being ridiculous!” she said. Of course, many people didn’t buy that Silverman had actually written that herself. “They have a lot of the same values”. The original tweet has since been deleted. Sanders, who conceded to Clinton earlier this month, is set to speak later in the evening.
“I understand that many people here in this convention hall and around the country are disappointed about the final results of the nominating process”, Sanders said.
Franken noted that because he was a Clinton backer and Silverman was with Sanders, they were forming a bridge.
The stand-up comedian had supported Sanders in the primaries but announced she would be voting for Hilary Clinton now it was clear she is leading the Democratic presidential candidate race.
Boyz II Men also performed, while Grammy victor Alicia Keys, who founded a social justice organization called We Are Here, appeared on a panel on criminal justice reform and civil rights, hosted by the news site Politico. Al Franken, took the edge off the nasty mood with her one-liner. We trusted you!” (to Elizebeth Warren) and apparently, at one point, they referred to the DNC scandal – “Wikileaks!
More importantly, what Silverman said was yet another example of the Clinton campaign antagonizing a group of voters they’re so desperately appealing to for unity this week.
Some in the audience then started cheering and while others chanted “Hillary!”.
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For her part, Warren delivered a workman-like but effective address, soldiering on with her assigned task of inciting Donald Trump into pulling a full General Custer.
