Sanders seeks unity after a divisive day

By Jordain Carney, The Hill–

PHILADELPHIA — Sen. Bernie Sanders urged his supporters to rally around Hillary Clinton in a dramatic address on Monday that closed an extraordinary divisive first day at the Democratic National Convention.

It took several minutes for Sanders to quiet his most vociferous supporters, who roared at his introduction and delayed the beginning of his speech with chants and cheers.

When he did, he pledged to continue his “political revolution” while offering a full-throated endorsement of Hillary Clinton, and warning the election’s stakes were too high for voters to sit out.

“Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here tonight,” Sanders told a packed Well Fargo Center.

Speaking directly to the “Bernie or Bust” crowd—who have pledged to not support Clinton, Sanders said: “If you don’t believe this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that Donald Trump would nominate and what that would mean to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country.”

Cameras caught young supporters of Sanders openly weeping in the stands as the Vermont senator made clear his intention to push hard for Clinton in the fall.

At the same time, Sanders said he would welcome the support of all of his delegates at a roll call vote for the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, which could serve as a last moment for Sanders backers to loudly cheer their candidate — or to boo Clinton.

Tensions between Clinton and Sanders were high throughout Monday.

Much of the tension centered around Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who resigned on Sunday after Wikileaks released emails showing that DNC aides sought to help Clinton and hurt Sanders during the primary.

Sanders supporters jeered and booed Wasserman Schultz at a breakfast meeting of Florida’s convention delegation on Monday morning, and also interrupted other convention speakers at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Before Sanders took the stage on Monday, there were several references to the need to bring his supporters on board for Clinton. Comedian Sarah Silverman said “Bernie-or-bust” people were “being ridiculous,” while first lady Michelle Obama pointedly noted that Clinton did not sulk after she was defeated in the 2008 primary.

Sanders did not mention Wasserman Schultz or the controversy in his own address.

Instead, he stressed that Clinton is a better choice than Donald Trump, and highlighted that his supporters had been able to get progressive wins included in the party’s platform.

“The struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent – a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice – that struggle continues. And I look forward to being part of that
struggle with you,” he said.

Sanders spent nearly the first half of his speech touting progressive policies, saving his first instance of making the case for Clinton until the fourteenth paragraph and roughly 800 words into his speech.

“Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in America works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty. She understands that we must raise the minimum wage to a living wage,” the Vermont senator said.

He framed Trump as a danger to the ideas that drove Sanders campaign, including arguing that Trump doesn’t support a federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.

“While Donald Trump is busy insulting one group after another, Hillary Clinton understands that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths,” he said.

It’s unclear whether Sanders will be able to bring over his supporters.

The Bernie Delegates Network—which as of Monday included nearly two-thirds of Sanders delegates—was actively looking at a challenge to Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine’s vice presidential nomination.

Norman Solomon said while the group would consider suggestions from the Sanders campaign, it’s an independent group and will also act without them.

Jessa Lewis, a national delegate for Sanders, said that while the Vermont senator has been fighting for the progressive wing for months when it comes to unifying around Clinton “he can’t bring the delegates along with him, because that’s not where they are.”

“At this point, it’s not