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Discord marks opening of DNC, while Bernie Sanders says 'choice is not even close'

 
Former Democratic Party presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont takes the stage to thunderous applause and chants of his name on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Former Democratic Party presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont takes the stage to thunderous applause and chants of his name on the first day of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
Published July 26, 2016

PHILADELPHIA

Discord tore through Monday's opening of the Democratic National Convention even as Sen. Bernie Sanders called on his supporters to back Hillary Clinton — a plea rejected by many angered over a scandal involving leaked party emails, ruining plans to draw a contrast with the messy GOP convention.

"It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues. That's what this campaign has been about. That's what democracy is about," Sanders said, adding that the movement had successfully produced "the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party."

He walked on stage at 10:50 p.m. to sustained, deafening applause and chants of his name. "It is an honor to be here tonight," he said tearfully, before launching into a speech that thanked people for joining a "political revolution," revisiting his policy aims and warning against 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. The choice is not even close."

But the moment came hours after tension swept over the arena, with disappointed fans booing the mere mention of Clinton's name. It followed angry outbursts and protests across the city.

Mortified representatives for Sanders and Clinton had earlier raced to the floor and the DNC issued a public apology to Sanders and his supporters over leaked internal party emails confirming the party worked against the staunchly liberal Vermonter.

Things were calming down before Sanders' prime-time speech, but when comedian Sarah Silverman, a Sanders supporter, declared she would vote for Clinton "with gusto," chants rose up: "Bernie, Bernie, Bernie."

"To the Bernie or bust people, you're being ridiculous," Silverman said, sending the crowd further into frenzy.

That gave way to a jarring transition: Paul Simon performing Bridge over Troubled Water.

A subtle rebuke followed from first lady Michelle Obama, who said that after losing to her husband in 2008, Clinton "didn't get angry or disillusioned" and realized the stakes were "bigger than her own desires and disappointments."

The day was that unsettled from the start.

"Excuse me," U.S. Rep. Marcia Fudge of Ohio, the convention chair, struggled to say as boos and shouts of "Bernie" filled the arena just after the convention began. "We're all Democrats, and we need to act like it."

The day — ironically built around a "United Together" theme — opened with Sanders fans drowning out a breakfast speech from Florida U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, who has been under siege for months over perceived bias.

"So I can see there's a little bit of interest in my being here," the longtime lawmaker from Weston said, visibly shaken as police moved in to push back the crowd.

But as Wasserman Schultz tried to continue, boos filled the ballroom at a downtown Marriott hotel. Wasserman Schultz was forced to leave the stage, surrounded by security and a crush of reporters. "Emails. Emails. Emails," protesters shouted.

To avoid a repeat scene — only with millions of Americans watching on television — Wasserman Schultz did not gavel in the convention in her capacity as DNC chairwoman, a title she will be forced to surrender when the four-day event concludes. She watched from a private suite at the Wells Fargo Center.

"I know everyone is frustrated, especially by the recent DNC email disclosures," Sanders said in a message, distributed by email and text message to delegates on the floor. "But as a result of this disclosure Debbie Wasserman Schultz was forced to resign. This is a very positive sign."

The bitterness in Philadelphia, where outside temperatures approached 100 degrees, upended what Democrats had hoped would be a harmonious and optimistic contrast to the messy and darkly toned GOP convention last week in Cleveland.

The design was to reach a crescendo by Thursday night, when Clinton gives her speech as the first female nominee for a major party. Now she has to move past a distraction triggered by hacked emails (a reminder of her own email scandal while secretary of state).

Sanders himself was booed at a rally earlier Monday when he called for people to support Clinton. Some demonstrators shouted the mantra of Republicans in Cleveland: "Lock her up!"

"Brothers and sisters, this is the real world that we live in," Sanders said. "Trump is a bully and a demagogue."

Reveling in the mayhem was Trump. "While Bernie has totally given up on his fight for the people, we welcome all voters who want a better future for our workers," he wrote on Twitter.

Interviews with numerous Sanders supporters, however, revealed they would reluctantly get behind Clinton or vote for a third-party candidate, chiefly the Green Party's Jill Stein.

Inside, the scene was at times chaotic, pitting people against each other.

One Wisconsin delegate sat with a piece of tape over her mouth. "Silenced," it read. But another delegate a couple seats away scoffed at the tactic. "She's not being oppressed. No one is silencing her. I don't see anyone pulling her away," said Nancy Kaplan, 67, a Clinton supporter.

"I think people should cheer for Bernie. He did a great job," Kaplan added. "But they should not boo. Be positive, be enthusiastic. But when the votes are counted and your guy lost, cheer for the one who won."

The disruption was bound to overshadow a program that highlighted the Democratic Party's diversity, featuring Hispanic, black, gay and women speakers. A girl in a wheelchair came out after a video showed Trump mocking the disabled.

"Donald Trump has shown us who he really is," she said.

Speaker after speaker ripped Trump's business history — noting his signature clothing is made in China and mocking Trump "University" — and portrayed him as unprepared, insensitive and dangerous.

"Trump thinks he can win votes by fanning the flames of fear and hatred. By turning neighbor against neighbor. By persuading you that the real problem in America is your fellow Americans — people who don't look like you, or don't talk like you, or don't worship like you," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, beloved by liberals. (Some Sanders' supporters were unmoved, chanting, "We trusted you.")

"That's Donald Trump's America. An America of fear and hate. An America where we all break apart. Whites against blacks and Latinos. Christians against Muslims and Jews. Straight against gay. Everyone against immigrants. Race, religion, heritage, gender — the more factions the better."

The actress Eva Longoria seized on Trump's rhetoric toward immigrants. "When Donald Trump calls us criminals and rapists, he is insulting American families," she said. "My father isn't a criminal or a rapist. In fact, he's a United States veteran."

Sanders did win some concessions in the party platform, which reflects his opposition to the trade accords and calls for a $15 dollar an hour minimum wage.

There will also be a "unity" commission to study the role of so-called superdelegates, party elites who are free to support who they want in the nomination process. Sanders painted those as part of a system that favored the establishment favorite, Clinton. And the party will seek ways to better accommodate grassroots activists.

Florida delegate Jack Shifrel, attending his fifth convention, doesn't blame Sanders' supporters for their passion.

"I just hope that they start listening to their leader," he said. "My only concern is I hope he hasn't created a monster he can't control. I think Hillary is going to win. It's just going to be a little messy along the way."

Contact Alex Leary at aleary@tampabay.com. Follow @learyreports.

Today's schedule

• Democrats will officially make Hillary Clinton the first female presidential nominee from a major party with the roll call vote.

• Joe Sweeney, 9/11 first responder

• Lauren Manning, a former executive and partner at Cantor Fitzgerald. She is one of the most catastrophically wounded survivors of 9/11.

• Ryan Moore, patient with spondyloepiphyseal Dysplasia dwarfism

• Former President Bill Clinton

• Mothers of the Movement, including:

Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr

Trayvon Martin's mother, Sybrina Fulton

Dontré Hamilton's mother, Maria Hamilton

Jordan Davis' mother, Lucia McBath

Michael Brown's mother, Lesley McSpadden

Hadiya Pendleton's mother, Cleopatra Pendleton-Cowley

Sandra Bland's mother, Geneva Reed-Veal