Only senator to back Bernie: Dems must unite
Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), the only senator to endorse Bernie Sanders, urged Democrats to unite behind Hillary Clinton during the party’s convention in Philadelphia.
“Together we must fight for a government of by and for the people. Not a government for the powerful,” he said from the convention stage in Philadelphia. “That is exactly what we’re going to do when we follow the vision of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton and elect her, Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine.”
{mosads}He added that the party must be “united … whether you spent this year feeling the Bern or you spent this year ready for Hillary.”
Merkley’s remarks come as supporters of Sanders and Clinton feuded on the convention floor Monday, with Sanders backers repeatedly booing speakers including Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio), the Democratic National Convention’s permanent committee chairwoman.
Merkley stressed that the party had to come together around both Clinton and Sanders, adding that “people like Donald Trump … are not the solution, they’re the problem.”
Delegates began to chant “Bernie” when Merkley praised his Senate colleague, saying the Vermonter “galvanized a grassroots movement.”
Merkley initially endorsed Sanders before indicating earlier this year that he would support Clinton as the party’s nominee. But many of Sanders’s supporters in Philadelphia have indicated they are not ready to rally around the former secretary of State.
Sanders will address the convention later Monday night.
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