PHILADELPHIA — Democrats called for unity in their party Monday night, but after a day of protesting from Bernie Sanders supporters, it might be up to President Obama to actually deliver it when he speaks Wednesday night.
Hillary Clinton was booed repeatedly on the convention floor by supporters of Sanders who felt burned by the Democratic National Convention. The spectacle destroyed her campaign’s plan for a perfectly choreographed convention, and that’s why Obama speech to conventioneers is suddenly more important.
“Obama might end up being the most important surrogate for Clinton this week and throughout the campaign,” Democratic operative Rodell Mollineau told the Washington Examiner. “He will be able to mend some of wounds that might still be festering between the hardcore progressives and more mainstream Democrats.”
Clinton supporters are hoping that’s the case.
“We’ll come together — it won’t be 100 percent, it never is,” said Deborah Breedlove, a Clinton delegate from South Carolina. “I think Obama absolutely will help with this a lot.”
Top Clinton campaign officials had boasted that their convention would present a unified Democratic Party, in contrast to the dissension on display at the Republican convention that nominated Trump last week in Cleveland.
It didn’t work out that way. Wikileaks’ release of hacked DNC emails that showed party officials working against Sanders in his primary challenge of Clinton ensured this, forcing party chairwoman, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz of Florida, to resign.
Sanders supporters booed the senator during an afternoon speech in downtown Philadelphia after he implored them to unify behind Clinton. Protesters supporting Sanders flooded local streets, blocking traffic as they voiced their opposition to the Democratic ticket.
As the convention was gaveled to order, almost every mention of Clinton elicited boos from Sanders delegates.
The Clinton delegates outnumbered the Sanders delegates. But early in the evening, they could not be contained. Some Sanders delegates from California chanted “lock her up;” other Sanders delegates interrupted Rep. Elijah Cummings of Maryland with chants against the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal.
“I think the party goes through division every election year,” said Phil Giorno, a Clinton delegate from Florida. “It disappointed me today when I saw the Bernie people booing him for supporting Hillary.”
It was an ugly scene for a flawed candidate with historically low personal approval rating who desperately needs to lead a united party into the fall if she is to have a chance to win.
Mainstream Democrats still comprise the majority of the party’s voters generally, so infighting on the convention floor is hardly representative of the center-left overall. But an insurgency that dominates media coverage is a sure way to distract from Clinton’s message and blow and opportunity to frame the race against Trump.
Trump has pulled into a slight lead in the RealClearPolitics.com polling average for the first time since mid May following his convention. Obama will likely use his Wednesday intervention to vouch for Clinton’s credentials, and argue that she, not Trump, deserves to replace him.
Even without Obama, however, there were some positive signs for Clinton throughout the night, despite the repeated interruptions. Clinton’s convention appeared more under control, and on message as the night wore on, and the parade of speakers vouched for Clinton, by name and enthusiastically, on a personal and professional level.
That is something that Trump lacked during his convention.
And despite the obvious turmoil, Sanders was granted the keynote speaking slot, closing out the evening after Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, another progressive hero, and First Lady Michelle Obama, who electrified a packed Wells Fargo Center, had addressed the convention.
Sanders, who spent the day attempting to tamp down the rebellion he inspired, told his delegates in a prime time speech from the convention podium that he shared their disappointment. But, he said, electing Clinton was the only way to ensure that the policies his campaign fought for would have a future.
Sanders left no doubt and no daylight between himself and Clinton.
“It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues. That’s what this campaign has been about,” he said. “Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here tonight.”
Ariel Cohen and Susan Ferrechio contributed to this report.
