Fueled by the resignation of the party’s chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and outrage that the Democratic National Committee sought to influence the primary in favor of Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders supporters overshadowed the start of the party’s convention in Philadelphia on Monday.
The unrest came despite a plea for unity by Sanders and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, a Clinton supporter who presented the convention’s rules report on Monday.
“The primaries brought together some issues we need to address as a Democratic Party, and that is exactly what we should do,” Webb addressed a raucous audience.
“Our diversity has made us strong. ...” Webb continued. “Let’s all cheer for Bernie when he takes the stage, and let’s also cheer for Hillary when she takes the stage on Thursday.”
Seeking to bridge deep Democratic divides, Bernie Sanders robustly embraced his former rival Hillary Clinton Monday night as a champion for the same economic causes that enlivened his supporters, signaling it was time for them, too, to rally behind her in the campaign against Republican Donald Trump.
“Any objective observer will conclude that – based on her ideas and her leadership – Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States,” he declared in a headlining address on the opening night of the Democratic convention.
Sanders joined a high-wattage lineup of speakers, including first lady Michelle Obama who made a forceful, impassioned case for the Democratic nominee.
Mrs. Obama, who has spent nearly eight years in the White House avoiding political fights, took numerous swipes at Trump, all while avoiding mentioning him by name.
“This election and every election is about who will have the power to shape our children for the next four or eight years of their lives,” she said. “There is only one person I trust with that responsibility, only one person I believe is truly qualified to be president of the United States, and that is Hillary Clinton.”
While Sanders had endorsed Clinton previously, his remarks Monday marked his most vigorous and detailed praise of her qualifications for the presidency. It came at a crucial moment for Clinton’s campaign, on the heels of leaked emails suggesting the party had favored the former secretary of state through the primaries despite a vow of neutrality.
Sanders scored the resignation of Wasserman Schultz, a nemesis in the primaries, but that wasn’t enough to quell the anger of supporters. Outside the convention hall, several hundred marched down Philadelphia’s sweltering streets with signs carrying messages such as “Never Hillary.”
The progressive candidate – who led a “political revolution” – had asked his delegates to show respect for Clinton and her supporters, cautioning that “our credibility as a movement will be damaged” if delegates protest.
“It’s of utmost importance you explain this to your delegations,” Sanders wrote in a separate text message to delegates.
But the message was lost on many of his supporters in the audience, who repeatedly shouted “Bernie” over those speaking in favor of Clinton, while “booing” Clinton.
Some even chanted, “lock her up,” a familiar message used by Republicans who believe Clinton should go to prison for using a private email server while secretary of state.
The Democratic divide was inflamed over the weekend following leaked emails that highlighted an effort by the DNC to tilt the primary in favor of Clinton. The party is expected to remain neutral during the nominating process.
Wasserman Schultz resigned in the aftermath. On Monday, the DNC announced that she would not preside over the convention this week, after she was heckled at the Florida delegation breakfast, with some yelling “Shame!”
Her ousting served as a monumental and symbolic moment for Sanders supporters who have lamented for months about unfair treatment.
The divide from the Democratic convention resembled unrest seen by Republicans last week at their convention. Colorado Republicans overwhelmingly declined to support Trump, instead backing Ted Cruz, while attempting a coup against Trump. Cruz refused to endorse Trump.
Democratic delegates shrugged off the message being sent by protests from their side.
“I support the expression of opinion,” said Root Routledge, a national delegate from Durango, representing Sanders for the 3rd Congressional District. “This is what democracy looks like.”
Sal Pace, a 3rd Congressional District delegate for Clinton, said the rift was not as prolific as it might have seemed.
“A great deal was struck on the rules. This reform commission is ground breaking and a sign of cooperation,” Pace, a Pueblo County commissioner, said. “A lot of healing is happening. When Bernie speaks, he asks his supporters to vote Hillary. That’s a stark contrast to the second-place finisher in the GOP, Ted Cruz, who refuses to endorse Trump.
“Not sure how it looks on TV, but in person it’s very cordial here.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report. pmarcus@durangoherald.com.
