US Democrats open divided national convention

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) – Like the Republicans before them, the Democratic Party kicked off its four-day convention Monday on a bitterly divisive note.

Party unity took a major blow this past weekend when WikiLeaks released thousands of embarrassing Democratic National Committee emails.

The documents indicated committee officials coordinated efforts to support former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's bid for the nomination at the expense of her challenger, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

The national committee is supposed to remain neutral during the presidential primary process.

Outgoing Democratic Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz announced Sunday that she would resign her post amid the scandal, just one day before thousands gathered in Philadelphia for the national convention.

Instead of being a lavish display of support for the presumptive Democratic nominee, nearly every time Clinton’s name was uttered during the convention’s first day a mix of jeers and boos rang out throughout the convention hall.

In a particularly awkward moment, comedian Sarah Silverman told Sanders supporters chanting his name, “You’re being ridiculous.”

The crowds replied: “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!”

Sanders attempted to quell the disunity during a 30-minute convention speech, telling his impassioned supporters that while he understood their frustrations, ensuring Republican nominee Donald Trump does not attain the White House is paramount.

"We need leadership which brings our people together and makes us stronger, not leadership which insults Latinos and Mexicans, insults Muslims and women, African-Americans, and veterans and Sikhs to divide us up," he said, referring to past comments from Republican nominee Donald Trump.

"By these measures, any objective observer will conclude that based on her ideas and her leadership, Hillary Clinton must become the next President of the United States," he added, drawing applause. "I am proud to stand with her tonight."

The Vermont senator earlier Monday asked his delegates to throw their support behind Clinton in order to defeat Trump only to be met with boos and elongated chants of “No!”

Clinton is expected Thursday to formally accept the nomination.