Sanders’ supporters rally
SCHISM WIDENS AMONG DEMOCRATS AS THEY OPEN CONVENTION TO ANOINT PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE
Bernie Sanders’ supporters gather at City Hall in preparation to march through downtown on the first day of the Democratic National Convention yesterday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The convention is expected to attract thousands of protesters, members of the media and Democratic delegates to the city to confirm Hillary Clinton as their candidate in the US presidential election.
Bernie Sanders urged reluctant supporters yesterday to vote for his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in order to bar Donald Trump’s path to the White House, slamming the Republican as a “demagogue”.
“We have got to defeat Donald Trump. We have got to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine,” the Vermont senator told a rally held hours before the opening of the Democratic National Convention.
“Trump is a bully and a demagogue,” said Sanders whose call to support party nominee Clinton in November was met with loud jeers and cries of “We want Bernie!” from the fired-up crowd.
The four-day confab in Philadelphia got off to a rocky start following a major internal row over leaked emails that showed party leaders sought to undermine Sanders in the party primaries.
Many of the die-hard Sanders supporters who descended on Philadelphia loathe the party flag bearer Clinton so much they are unwilling to back her — even if the cost is a Trump presidency .
He hammered home that message to his supporters.
“Brothers and sisters — brothers and sisters, this is the real world that we live in,” Sanders said.
“Trump has made bigotry and hatred the cornerstone of his campaign. Throughout this campaign he has insulted Mexicans and Latinos. He has insulted Muslims and insulted women and African Americans.
“It is not just my opinion. That is what many conservative Republicans believe. Trump is a danger for the future of our country and must be defeated.
“And I intend to do everything to see that he is defeated.”
The party announced yesterday it would kick off its convention with a lineup of speakers aimed at easing the tensions. Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a progressive favorite, will deliver the convention keynote. Sanders and first lady Michelle Obama will also take the stage.
Republicans relished Democrats’ pre-convention tumult, just days after they bumped and bumbled through their own gathering. Trump declared on Twitter: “The Dems Convention is cracking up.”
Demonstration
Resistance to Clinton was on display during a demonstration at City Hall, where hundreds Bernie Sanders chanted “Nominate Sanders, or lose in November!” But others were falling in line behind Clinton. Ohio’s Michael Skindell, a Sanders delegate, said yesterday he planned to “strongly support the nominee of the party.”
Clinton campaigned in Charlotte, North Carolina, yesterday, serving up a harsh critique of Trump’s foreign policy and what she said was his “trash talk about America.”
Speaking to a convention of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Clinton slammed many of his positions, vowing to stand by American allies, fight dictators and listen to the advice of military officials.
“You will never hear me say I only listen to myself on national security,” she said.
Ahead of her speech, she secured endorsement of retired Gen. John Allen, former deputy commander of US Central Command and a former commander of the International Security Assistance Force, overseeing Nato troops in Afghanistan.
Clinton is within days of her long-held ambition to become the party’s official presidential nominee. She will formally accept the nomination on Thursday. President Barack Obama will speak on tomorrow night. Other high-profile speakers include former President Bill Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden.