Bernie Sanders supporters aren't submitting quietly to Hillary Clinton

(Image credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images)

last updated 26 July 2016

The Democratic National Convention got off to a rocky start Monday, as rowdy Bernie Sanders delegates and supporters repeatedly interrupted speeches and proceedings. The first mention of Hillary Clinton during the convocation led to prolonged boos and chants of "Bernie! Bernie!" which happened several more times during the succeeding speeches.

Sanders himself sent a text message to supporters pleading with them not to protest on the convention floor, but some refused to listen, chanting "stop TPP" (referencing the Trans-Pacific Partnership) while Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) gave a speech about his family history.

As the convention proceeded, things calmed down, but mentions of Clinton or procedural votes repeatedly turned into shouting contests between the two factions — Clinton's more numerous, but Sanders' more energetic. The overall effect is akin being at a football grudge match, and not an auspicious start to a convention hoped to be a smooth and calm contrast to the Republican convention in Cleveland.

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Ryan Cooper is a national correspondent at TheWeek.com. His work has appeared in the Washington Monthly, The New Republic, and the Washington Post.

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