A supporter of former Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders stands in silent protest during Day 1 of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia July 25, 2016.
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It had a cathartic feeling of unity, as if some of the emotion driving Sanders’ supporters had been released over the course of the long evening.
The most important piece of business Tuesday will be the role call vote.
It’s not a reality that some of Sanders’ supporters are willing to accept.
No one anticipated the antipathy of some Sanders delegates towards Clinton, nor their willingness to make trouble for two candidates who weeks ago chose to work together. And yet, in the end, everyone eventually hugs it out, swears to God that they need to stop just meeting once a year, and the love returns. The uproar led to the forced resignation of party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., cheers during the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Monday, July 25, 2016.
While a few boos could still be heard during his calls to elect Clinton, they were scattered, and the prime-time speeches seemed to be received by a far more unified crowd than the one shouting down speakers a few hours earlier. Senator Bernie Sanders’ supporters interrupted some speakers multiple times.
If successful, such a move could serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that Sanders has had on the campaign and would likely fuel Sanders delegates’ argument that there is one final, last-gasp effort to derail the Clinton express.
“That is the story of this country, the story that has brought me to this stage tonight, the story of generations of people who felt the lash of bondage, the shame of servitude, the sting of segregation, but who kept on striving and hoping and doing what needed to be done so that today I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves”, said Obama.
City officials later removed the flag.
“Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays, what the corporate media wants. While Donald Trump is busy insulting one group after another, Hillary Clinton understands that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths”, he told his cheering supporters.
The delegates didn’t listen.
Wasserman Schultz, embattled nearly from the beginning of her tenure in 2011, finally resigned on Sunday after Wikileaks posted more than 19,000 emails from her office and staff. The emails showed a strong tilt toward Clinton and caustic antipathy toward Sanders, who had entered the party’s presidential competition this year despite his long history as an independent socialist. Some yelled “we trusted you” whiles others chanted “you let us down”.
Another Sanders delegate wearing a Marine Corps cap took a swing at a Clinton delegate before Secret Service officers broke up the fracas. “And to you “Bernie or Bust” people”, Silverman added, “you are being ridiculous”. He told the crowd it was “an honor” to be speaking at the convention before thanking his volunteers who worked with him during his campaign and all who “voted for the political revolution”.
I’m guessing “libtard” doesn’t mean: humorless internet troll who wastes his own time reading and commenting on opinion pieces with titles that disproportionately outrage him.
But Democrats can take some heart in the fact that the opposition was concentrated in delegations from states like California, not battlegrounds.
“Any objective observer will conclude that – based on her ideas and her leadership – Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States”, Sanders told delegates, spurring a cascade of cheers. That followed a second day of protests by supporters of Sen.
Earlier in the day thousands of Bernie Sanders supporters marched almost three miles in support of their candidate. Progressives, Schwartz said, have “pushed very aggressively” to get Clinton to adopt their positions.
It was left to Sanders to try to persuade his heartfelt and somewhat unwieldy flock to gather behind Clinton’s candidacy.
The audience had been given “Bernie” signs in a font and color reminiscent of Clinton’s branding as a subtle nod to unity.
A former foe turned friend took the stage to a roaring applause. “It doesn’t bother me”, Dirado said.
“She’s not off to a good start”, former U.S. Rep. Dave Nagle, said of Clinton.
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Silverman then launched into a passionate tribute to Bernie and the progressive policies he advocated even as she declared her support for Clinton.
