Bernie Sanders' supporters are having a hard time letting go. With Bernie-or-bust protesters marching up Broad Street and around Philadelphia's City Hall, calls for Hillary Clinton to give up the nomination, and the DNC email scandal, it's fair to say that Sanders—who has endorsed Clinton and called for a united front to get her elected—is in a tight spot. Many nervously awaited how he would address the Democratic National Convention during his headlining speech Monday night.
Sanders' address was a careful blending of his talking points with Clinton's in an attempt to assure that voting for her would still lead to progress. More importantly, Sanders emphasized that not voting for Clinton or voting for Trump could result in losing all progress achieved during U.S. President Barack Obama's terms.
Sanders took the stage among raucous cheers and chants of "Bernie," with many audience members shown holding banners with his name on them. After having some trouble speaking over the crowd's cheers, Sanders began speaking about his campaign's accomplishments and thanking those who helped him. “I understand that many people here, in this convention hall, and around the country are disappointed about the final results of the nominating process," he said. "I think it’s fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am. But to all of our supporters, here and around the country, I hope you take enormous pride in the historical accomplishments we have achieved.”
He assured his supporters, “Together, my friends, we have begun a political revolution to transform America, and and that revolution—our revolution—continues.” Sanders reminded listeners that election days come and go, but the people's struggle will always continue. He focused on important rights that would be in jeopardy under a Trump presidency, but protected under Clinton's.
Together, my friends, we have begun a political revolution to transform America, and and that revolution—our revolution—continues.
“Any objective observer will conclude that based on her ideas and her leadership, Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States,” Sanders said. In contrast to his speech earlier in the day, his call for support of Clinton elicited overwhelming cheers from the crowd.
Sanders made a point to repeatedly contrast Clinton and Trump on issues, including minimum wage, student debt, climate change, universal health care, immigration reform, and criminal justice reform. These contrasts became the most potent point of Sanders' speech. Sanders elaborated on Clinton's capabilities to find real solutions and work with people like the Vermont senator on policies, even if they don't always agree. He illustrated the importance of collaborating and making concessions, saying that together, he and Clinton helped shape "the most progressive platform in the history of the Democratic Party."
Sanders also called into light his supporters' denial and unwillingness to concede, urging everyone to participate in the election process. “If you don’t believe that this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court Justices that Donald Trump would nominate," he told the crowd passionately. Since Republicans are stalling appointment of a new Supreme Court Justice after the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the next President will be the one to appoint a new Justive. Whomever is chosen for this position will dramatically tip Supreme Court rulings in one direction or another, and this is arguably the most important voting issue this election cycle.
The majority of Sanders' speech seemed an attempt to pacify and ensure his followers that while they disagree on many things, Clinton's campaign is willing to collaborate. And more importantly, a Democrat must be in office if we want to see progress continue after Obama's administration. Sanders said, “In these stressful times for our country, this election must be about bringing our people together, not dividing us up.”
