The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
Malloy takes the stage in Philly
Governor goes after Trump as Democratic convention opens
Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy got a chance Monday to talk to Democrats from across the country at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, while U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., tried to calm tensions among his delegates Monday as some were still seething over a lengthy primary campaign and a damaging email disclosure.
Political conventions are sometimes the launching point or a testing ground for politicians seeking higher office. But Malloy’s nearly 10-minute speech was not during prime time and his message to delegates didn’t stray too far from the list of the most progressive things Connecticut has done over the past few years.
Malloy highlighted Connecticut’s paid sick leave law, its support of a $10.10 minimum wage, its universal background checks for gun purchases, and its deci-
sion to get rid of mandatory minimum laws for nonviolent drug offenses.
Malloy opened with his personal story about how he overcame mental and physical abilities, to be successful in college and law school.
On Monday, Malloy told the DNC that his story is an American story.
“Every child — every American — deserves the opportunity to succeed,” Malloy said. “That’s what we stand for as Democratic governors.”
Sanders’ delegates chanted the Vermont senator’s name during the start of the convention and booed lustily at any mention of rival Hillary Clinton. Behind the scenes, Sanders and his campaign tried to persuade his delegates not to disrupt the proceedings.
“Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays,” Sanders said in an email to the delegates, calling it a “personal courtesy” to him. He was speaking later Monday and as the evening dragged on, the signs of dissent were less visible.
Yet many die-hard backers of Sanders they weren’t ready to coalesce around Clinton’s presidential bid despite his pleas.
Their frustration was on display a day after Democratic party chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced she would step down at the end of the convention. Sanders’ loyalists heckled her at a Florida delegation breakfast and many expressed dismay that Clinton had given the Florida congresswoman the position of honorary chair of the campaign’s “50-state program.”