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Democratic convention live: DNC apologizes to Sanders for emails Democratic convention live: Bernie Sanders appeals to delegates for calm
(35 minutes later)
10.52pm BST
22:52
Ben Jealous, former NAACP head and Sanders delegate, is next on stage. He also coaxes a mixed response for Clinton that is more applause than boos. Which is saying something:
“Bernie will be here tonight. And as he said to us today, today is our day to begin to unify so that we can defeat Donald Trump.”
That’s respectably applauded.
“Defeat Trump, and make Hillary Clinton president of these United States!”
That gets an applause / boo. An apploo.
10.49pm BST
22:49
Sanders appeals to delegates to cool it
Bernie Sanders has texted his delegate whips to get their delegations to stop floor protests.
“I ask you as a personal courtesy to me to not engage in any kind of protest on the floor,” said a text from Sanders. “It is of utmost importance you explain this to your delegations.”
The text was signed, “–Bernie”.
A spokesperson for Sanders, meanwhile, is arguing on Twitter that the rifts at the convention do not represent a departure from or abandonment of Clinton by Sanders supporters.
This is a tough argument to make, to someone sitting inside the convention.
But Mike Casca has graphics:
one more time with feeling, folks: the 👏🏼 convention 👏🏼 is 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 the 👏🏼 election. pic.twitter.com/XedlVcB0hZ
10.41pm BST
22:41
Trump on Democratic chairwoman: ‘Hillary threw her under a bus’
10.38pm BST
22:38
Trump renews invitation to Sanders supporters
Trump has just re-upped his invite to Sanders supporters to take the Trump train for a test-run:
Clinton betrayed Bernie voters. Kaine supports TPP, is in pocket of Wall Street, and backed Iraq War.
While Bernie has totally given up on his fight for the people, we welcome all voters who want a better future for our workers.
P.S. Sanders is a chump
Hard to believe that Bernie Sanders has done such a complete fold. He got NOTHING for all of the time, energy and money. The V.P. a joke!
Updated
at 10.49pm BST
10.37pm BST
22:37
Biggest unified cheer of the afternoon now, when Cummings brings up Black Lives Matter.
“But we also realize that our communities work best when they work together,” he says. “Our party knows that diversity is not a problem but is a problem [sic].” [Solution he must have meant.”
Now the crowd is attempting to chant Cummings down. The words are not discernible. He goes louder and drowns the chants with an applause line about racial unity.
The chant is “No TPP! No TPP!”
It’s distracting but Cummings soldiers on, conscious, perhaps, of how it would look on TV if he stopped to tell them to cool it.
He gets to a line about “a woman’s right to choose,” and drowns them out again, but the chant is still there when the applause dies down.
Cummings is talking about seeing his deceased father in the stars at night sometimes. The crowd chant continues: No TPP! No TPP!
“That great man with a fourth-grade education with a mind full of wisdom and common sense.. would say this election is bigger than Hillary Clinton,”
... No TPP!..
“it’s bigger than Bernie Sanders, it’s bigger than all of us.”
No TPP!
May god bless America, Cummings says.
Then there’s a video. But the crowd keeps chanting.
10.29pm BST
22:29
Hoyer says “we are running together... to renew faith in government and help all our people make it in America.”
Hoyer riffs on this theme. Then he gets back to the concluding line of his prepared remarks: “All of us must band together for our country and elect Hillary Clinton president of the United States of America.”
Once again, Clinton is booed as much as she is cheered.
And here’s Hoyer’s Maryland colleague, Elijah Cummings. What kind of reception will he meet? He begins with the story of his childhood as the son of a sharecropper who grew up without running water but with a strong dose of social gospel.
10.22pm BST10.22pm BST
22:2222:22
Maryland congressman Steny Hoyer, the biggest Democratic wig yet to appear onstage, hits the lectern. How will the Sanders crowd treat him?Maryland congressman Steny Hoyer, the biggest Democratic wig yet to appear onstage, hits the lectern. How will the Sanders crowd treat him?
He’s almost immediately interrupted:He’s almost immediately interrupted:
We’re here to nominate Hillary Clinton, because of her.... [boos, cheers]We’re here to nominate Hillary Clinton, because of her.... [boos, cheers]
...because of her ability, experience and vision for this country. We’re also here to show America why Democrats up and down the ticket are ready to lead....because of her ability, experience and vision for this country. We’re also here to show America why Democrats up and down the ticket are ready to lead.
10.20pm BST10.20pm BST
22:2022:20
Russell, the Maine representative and Sanders backer, gets closest to coaxing a full cheer from the crowd for Clinton yet.Russell, the Maine representative and Sanders backer, gets closest to coaxing a full cheer from the crowd for Clinton yet.
“In the end, love does Trump hate. And in the end, I stand with my Democratic family in making sure we win this fall,” Russell says:“In the end, love does Trump hate. And in the end, I stand with my Democratic family in making sure we win this fall,” Russell says:
I do not want to see anyone like him become the president of this United State. Whether you support Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton, we are all in this together, and we will all have a voice in the Clinton administration.I do not want to see anyone like him become the president of this United State. Whether you support Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton, we are all in this together, and we will all have a voice in the Clinton administration.
We all know in our heart of hearts, a Donald Trump presidency will not just hurt our party. It will hurt our people. And I am not OK with that.We all know in our heart of hearts, a Donald Trump presidency will not just hurt our party. It will hurt our people. And I am not OK with that.
I will also do everything I can this fall to elect Hillary so that we have a Democrat in the white House.I will also do everything I can this fall to elect Hillary so that we have a Democrat in the white House.
It is time to get to work!It is time to get to work!
Then the whole crowd applauds, with some barely audible boos.Then the whole crowd applauds, with some barely audible boos.
10.14pm BST10.14pm BST
22:1422:14
And now Webb’s hard work at getting the crowd to behave has gone out the window.And now Webb’s hard work at getting the crowd to behave has gone out the window.
Diane Russell, a state representative from Maine and a self-described “proud delegate for Bernie Sanders,” takes the lectern and gets the Sanders supporters going again.Diane Russell, a state representative from Maine and a self-described “proud delegate for Bernie Sanders,” takes the lectern and gets the Sanders supporters going again.
Russell introduces herself as “the one who introduced the first amendment to reform the superdelegates system!”Russell introduces herself as “the one who introduced the first amendment to reform the superdelegates system!”
She is quite cheered on that count. It is much safer to make pro-Sanders statements from that stage than pro-Clinton statements.She is quite cheered on that count. It is much safer to make pro-Sanders statements from that stage than pro-Clinton statements.
In opening hour, it sure feels like this is the Bernie Sanders conventionIn opening hour, it sure feels like this is the Bernie Sanders convention
Then Russell she assures the crowd that an effort is under way to reform the nominating process. She’s on the unity commission.Then Russell she assures the crowd that an effort is under way to reform the nominating process. She’s on the unity commission.
Then, in a powerful window into Democratic leaking, Russell makes a Harry Potter allusion:Then, in a powerful window into Democratic leaking, Russell makes a Harry Potter allusion:
“Dumbledor from Harry Potter once said, ‘it takes great courage to stand up to your enemies. It takes even greater courage to stand up to your friends.’“Dumbledor from Harry Potter once said, ‘it takes great courage to stand up to your enemies. It takes even greater courage to stand up to your friends.’
She continues:She continues:
On behalf of senator Sanders and the political revolution, in strong, unequivocal support for the unity compromise, this plan gives us the opportunity to present a number of election reforms, including reducing the number of superdelegates by a full two-thirds. That is written right into the commission’s charter.On behalf of senator Sanders and the political revolution, in strong, unequivocal support for the unity compromise, this plan gives us the opportunity to present a number of election reforms, including reducing the number of superdelegates by a full two-thirds. That is written right into the commission’s charter.
She reads this rather defensive line from the Teleprompter:She reads this rather defensive line from the Teleprompter:
I want to be clear. We did not win this by selling out. We won this by standing up! We won this by standing together.I want to be clear. We did not win this by selling out. We won this by standing up! We won this by standing together.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.15pm BSTat 10.15pm BST
10.06pm BST10.06pm BST
22:0622:06
Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver, a rules committee member, introduces himself as “a longtime supporter of Hillary Clinton.”Wellington Webb, former mayor of Denver, a rules committee member, introduces himself as “a longtime supporter of Hillary Clinton.”
He’s describing the work of a “unity commission” formed to review the Democratic nominating process.He’s describing the work of a “unity commission” formed to review the Democratic nominating process.
When he mentions a particular focus on “superdelegates,” someone in the crowd lets out what can only be descibed as a maniacal cackle. It echoes in the arena, which usually hosts basketball and hockey.When he mentions a particular focus on “superdelegates,” someone in the crowd lets out what can only be descibed as a maniacal cackle. It echoes in the arena, which usually hosts basketball and hockey.
“Let me share with you that the primary season brought to light some issues we need to address as a Democratic family,” says Webb. But, “it is vital that we always move forward together.”“Let me share with you that the primary season brought to light some issues we need to address as a Democratic family,” says Webb. But, “it is vital that we always move forward together.”
He continues with a basketball metaphor:He continues with a basketball metaphor:
Just as we watched LeBron James and Steph Curry shake hands after a well-fought fight, we know that the country is eager to watch these two giants fight together.Just as we watched LeBron James and Steph Curry shake hands after a well-fought fight, we know that the country is eager to watch these two giants fight together.
Webb is ad-libbing now:Webb is ad-libbing now:
Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are our champions. They both deserve our cheers.Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders are our champions. They both deserve our cheers.
They both deserve our cheers.They both deserve our cheers.
They both deserve our cheers.They both deserve our cheers.
I ask you if you would do this for me. Do this for our party. Do this for you. And let’s show Donald Trump we can be united.I ask you if you would do this for me. Do this for our party. Do this for you. And let’s show Donald Trump we can be united.
Let’s all cheer for Bernie tonight when he takes the stage. And let’s also cheer for Hillary when she takes the stage on Thursday.Let’s all cheer for Bernie tonight when he takes the stage. And let’s also cheer for Hillary when she takes the stage on Thursday.
There’s a reasonable amount of cheering and a reasonable lack of booing.There’s a reasonable amount of cheering and a reasonable lack of booing.
10.00pm BST10.00pm BST
22:0022:00
Democrats apologize to Sanders for emailsDemocrats apologize to Sanders for emails
The Democratic national committee has released a statement apologizing to Bernie Sanders and his supporters for “the inexcusable remarks made over email.”The Democratic national committee has released a statement apologizing to Bernie Sanders and his supporters for “the inexcusable remarks made over email.”
A leak of nearly 20,000 emails among party officials revealed them testing ways to challenge Sanders and disparaging him and his candidacy.A leak of nearly 20,000 emails among party officials revealed them testing ways to challenge Sanders and disparaging him and his candidacy.
“On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we want to offer a deep and sincere apology to Senator Sanders, his supporters, and the entire Democratic Party for the inexcusable remarks made over email,” the DNC statement says.“On behalf of everyone at the DNC, we want to offer a deep and sincere apology to Senator Sanders, his supporters, and the entire Democratic Party for the inexcusable remarks made over email,” the DNC statement says.
These comments do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nominating process. The DNC does not -- and will not -- tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates. Individual staffers have also rightfully apologized for their comments, and the DNC is taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again.These comments do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nominating process. The DNC does not -- and will not -- tolerate disrespectful language exhibited toward our candidates. Individual staffers have also rightfully apologized for their comments, and the DNC is taking appropriate action to ensure it never happens again.
We are embarking on a convention today that — thanks to the great efforts of Secretary Clinton, her team, Senator Sanders, his team, and the entire Democratic Party — will show a forward-thinking and optimistic vision for America, as compared to the dark and pessimistic vision that the GOP presented last week in Cleveland. Our focus is on electing Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and Democrats across the country, thanks to Democratic Party that is strong, unified, and poised for victory in November.We are embarking on a convention today that — thanks to the great efforts of Secretary Clinton, her team, Senator Sanders, his team, and the entire Democratic Party — will show a forward-thinking and optimistic vision for America, as compared to the dark and pessimistic vision that the GOP presented last week in Cleveland. Our focus is on electing Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine and Democrats across the country, thanks to Democratic Party that is strong, unified, and poised for victory in November.
The signatories are:The signatories are:
Donna Brazile, Incoming Interim ChairDonna Brazile, Incoming Interim Chair
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-BlakeMayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
Secretary Andrew TobiasSecretary Andrew Tobias
Treasurer Raymond Buckley, Vice ChairTreasurer Raymond Buckley, Vice Chair
ASDC President Maria Elena DurazoASDC President Maria Elena Durazo
Vice Chair Mayor R.T. RybakVice Chair Mayor R.T. Rybak
Vice Chair Henry R. Muñoz IIIVice Chair Henry R. Muñoz III
National Finance Committee ChairNational Finance Committee Chair
9.54pm BST9.54pm BST
21:5421:54
Fudge: 'we are all Democrats and we need to act like it'Fudge: 'we are all Democrats and we need to act like it'
Fudge says, “Let the convention begin.”Fudge says, “Let the convention begin.”
Then she lectures the unruly crowd.Then she lectures the unruly crowd.
“May I just make a point. There are many of you who do not know me in this room. I intend to be fair. ... I will be respectful of you. And I want you to be respectful of me.”“May I just make a point. There are many of you who do not know me in this room. I intend to be fair. ... I will be respectful of you. And I want you to be respectful of me.”
This brings huge cheers.This brings huge cheers.
“We are all Democrats and we need to act like it!” she says. Bigger cheers.“We are all Democrats and we need to act like it!” she says. Bigger cheers.
Like Trump’s family’s Republicanism, however, Sanders’s Democratic bona fides don’t run particularly deep, and his non-delegate supporters here may be cut from a similar partisan cloth.Like Trump’s family’s Republicanism, however, Sanders’s Democratic bona fides don’t run particularly deep, and his non-delegate supporters here may be cut from a similar partisan cloth.
9.51pm BST
21:51
Convention hijacked by shouting match
Every time Hillary Clinton’s name is mentioned on the stage – now by representative Fudge – the crowd is overtaken by a wave of boos, and countervailing cheers.
The crowd is restive. They’re trying to boo Fudge down. Until the Virginia and New York delegations up front there, stand to cheer.
“Excuse me. Scuse me,” Fudge says.
But it’s pandemonium. Thunderdome-style. There’s nothing to be said from the stage. It’s all in the crowd, a contest of shouting.
“Hillary Clinton, this is your time,” says Fudge, and the crowd explodes in both cheers of joy and howls of outrage.
Updated
at 9.52pm BST
9.44pm BST
21:44
Former congressman Barney Frank, co-chair of the rules committee, is introduced – and greeted with applause and some boos, presumably for the committee’s resistance to changing the party’s superdelegate nominating rules, a top demand of the Sanders camp.
“Thank you, or not, as the case may be,” he says. Rawlings-Blake conducts a voice vote on approving officers of the convention. There are some vocal nos but nowhere close to the crush of ayes.
Permanent convention chair Marcia Fudge takes the stage.
9.39pm BST
21:39
Guardian Washington bureau chief Dan Roberts was on the floor for the extraordinary moment during the invocation, when a Hillary! chant ran into a Bernie! chant:
Mixed reception from California delegation at the first mention of Hillary Clinton, loud shout of 'Bernie' from back https://t.co/eGuYdxAxsJ
9.37pm BST
21:37
All-time gavel game.
I think this gif has potential to outlast the election season. @NBCNightlyNews pic.twitter.com/XZfx1B4U9S
9.35pm BST
21:35
There was the national anthem. They made it through the whole thing with no interruptions from outraged Sanders supporters. Steady as she goes...
9.32pm BST
21:32
Invocation interrupted by 'Bernie' chants
If there were any question whether the Sanders backers would be restive, the invocation - the invocation – was just interrupted with chants of Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!
The pastor had made the mistake of veering away from the godtalk and mentioning nominating Hillary Clinton.
This is going to be lively!
Updated
at 9.33pm BST
9.20pm BST
21:20
Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake emerges and calls the convention to order.
But she forgets to gavel it. A tech has to intercept her as she walks offstage and herd her back to the lectern.
She jogs back across the blue carpet (in heels) and does the honors.
And there, at last, is the ceremonial gavel. Maybe everything will run smoothly from here?
[note: this post, which incorrectly identified mayor Rawlings-Blake, has been corrected. Thanks to a vigilant reader!]
Updated
at 9.47pm BST
9.17pm BST
21:17
Hello from inside the Wells Fargo arena, where Mother Bethel AME church choir has just finished an extraordinary medley culminating in Glory Glory Hallelujah.
So -who’s going to get this party started? Who will wield the gavel?
9.13pm BST
21:13
Streaming live: The Democratic National Convention
Watch live here:
9.11pm BST
21:11
Adam Gabbatt
A protest march is heading through downtown Philadelphia. Hundreds of largely Bernie Sanders-supporting demonstrators had gathered at city hall at 3pm, close to the DNC convention center, before walking south half an hour later.
“Bernie Sanders: not for sale” people are chanting, along with: “Clinton lied people died”.
One man is carrying a banner banner that says “Hillary Clinton for prison”. Earlier protesters had chanted “Lock her up” in reference to the Democratic nominee: a common Donald Trump supporter refrain.
Few hundred protesters outside Philadelphia city hall. Mostly Bernie Sanders supporters #dnc https://t.co/GSiQRhgWH9
The march is being closely monitored by police officers on bicycles, some of whom seem quite ill-suited to cycling in 96f heat.
Someone seems to have sprung a fire hydrant along the route and it is spraying water all over protesters.