PHILADELPHIA — The Democratic National Convention, which hoped to promote unity within the party Monday, started with booing and shouting as officials gaveled in the session and invoked the name of presumptive nominee, Hillary Clinton.
Pro-Bernie Sanders delegates shouted Sanders’ name and voiced their disapproval of Clinton, even when her name was mentioned during the opening prayer.
The Sanders faction dominated convention’s normally peaceful opener even as the Vermont senator issued an urgent text message to delegates calling on them to refrain from booing.
“Bernie knows he’s got no way to control his delegates,” pro-Sanders delegate Samantha Herring, of Florida, told the Washington Examiner.
The delegates hoisted signs opposing the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal Sanders opposes as well as signs saying “Love trumps hate.”
Sanders delegates are riled up from an afternoon address from their candidate, who gave a tepid endorsement of Clinton while calling for his liberal movement to continue.
“I was in tears,” Hillary Keyes, a Florida delegate, told the Washington Examiner. “I have never been so inspired by a single person. He’s the real deal.”
Sanders supporters told the Examiner they were angry about Clinton’s choice of moderate Democrat Tim Kaine, a U.S. senator representing Virginia, as well as the leaked DNC emails that appear to show officials working in favor of Clinton.
Keyes said some of the Sanders delegates will vote for Clinton out of loyalty to the party.
“Out there, in the real world,” she said, “most of the Bernie supporters are not going to be ready for Hillary.”
