Bernie Sanders aims to cool tensions in Philadelphia

Bernie Sanders made a last-ditch effort Monday to cool anger among his supporters against party leaders and Hillary Clinton, as the Democratic convention opened amid new threats to party unity.

The Vermont senator, who was booed by his own supporters earlier Monday when he spoke about the need to elect Clinton, intervened amid fury over leaked emails showing party leaders hostile to his primary campaign.

 

"I ask you as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor. It's of utmost importance you explain this to your delegations," Sanders said in a text message sent to his floor supporters in Philadelphia.

State Rep. Diane Russell of Maine, a strong supporter of Sanders, delivered a fiery speech at the convention in the afternoon intended to soothe tensions.

She argued that delegates could "stand strong with Bernie Sanders" and still "do everything you can do to elect Hillary."

 

Sanders is due to address the convention in a prime-time address Monday night and is expected to call for unity and to warn that lingering divisions could result in a disaster scenario for Democrats -- the election of Republican Donald Trump.

 

 

 

By Stephen Collinson, CNN