Mitch Perry
I think there are some specific reasons why Bernie Sanders‘ supporters aren’t ready to embrace Hillary Clinton like Clinton folks rallied around Barack Obama in 2008. I wasn’t at the Denver DNC, but no way was there the intense opposition to the nominee in ’08 like there is the streets and in some parts of the convention hall this week.
Part of it is generational. Many (but by no means most) Bernie supporters are young and very idealistic. In some cases, they were disaffected progressives who may have already left the Democratic Party. They care — a lot, and they’re not ready yet to compromise. And in Hillary Clinton, they feel it’s simply too much of the same.
Clinton supporters in ’08 had already been around — and were more pragmatic about politics. Also in Barack Obama, there was such a powerful narrative to resist — and that resistance melted away.
You might have heard last night hundreds of Bernie delegates left the convention hall to descend upon the media tent to complain about all types of things. One thing that they can’t complain about is the press not paying attention. I walked through that area, and there must have been dozens (?), maybe a hundred people — individually or in a group — being interviewed by members of the press.
The press does like this — there’s only so many stories you can write about a “united party,” right?
Having said that, the place was electric when Sanders took the mic to drop the rules and declare Hillary the nominee. Amazing moment.
In other news…
Bill Clinton got personal in recounting why he thinks Hillary Clinton is so special in his big speech at the DNC last night.
“Mothers of the Movement” had their moment before the nation at the DNC as well, earlier in the evening.
Bernie Sanders went classy when he announced the winning number of delegates for Hillary Clinton to become the official nominee for the Democratic Party. Earlier in the day, his presence created a huge buzz at the Florida Delegation breakfast in Philadelphia.
Nancy Pelosi and Keith Ellison also made short visits to the breakfast yesterday. Ellison went off on Marco Rubio.
Tuesday was not a good day for Alan Grayson. Whether the allegations of domestic abuse towards his ex-wife are accurate or not, it’s a blow to the congressman’s U.S. Senate aspirations.
California Democratic Rep. John Garamendi looks forward to working more with Kathy Castor in ending the U.S. economic sanctions against Cuba.
