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Clinton's nomination quiets Democrats' disunity but pockets of resistance linger Clinton's nomination quiets Democrats' disunity but pockets of resistance linger
(30 days later)
Less than 24 hours after the Democratic party confirmed its first female nominee, a shocking piece of graffiti emerged in a male restroom that suggested not all those inside convention centre were ready to embrace this moment of history. Scrawled inside a urinal was the word “Hillary”, carefully positioned to provide anyone using it with the most misogynistic metaphor imaginable.Less than 24 hours after the Democratic party confirmed its first female nominee, a shocking piece of graffiti emerged in a male restroom that suggested not all those inside convention centre were ready to embrace this moment of history. Scrawled inside a urinal was the word “Hillary”, carefully positioned to provide anyone using it with the most misogynistic metaphor imaginable.
The graffito chimed with a mood of resistance that many Clinton supporters have found obnoxious. Just as juvenile was a “fart protest” planned by Bernie Sanders supporters. Others were angered by a chorus of jeers that erupted from the senator’s delegates when a pastor first mentioned their opponent’s name during the opening invocation.The graffito chimed with a mood of resistance that many Clinton supporters have found obnoxious. Just as juvenile was a “fart protest” planned by Bernie Sanders supporters. Others were angered by a chorus of jeers that erupted from the senator’s delegates when a pastor first mentioned their opponent’s name during the opening invocation.
But petulant displays of disunity were not constrained to the losing side. When a group of anti-war protesters interrupted a speech by former CIA director Leon Panetta – an early champion of Obama’s drone war strategy – the Democratic National Committee responded by turning off the lights in the section of the arena where they were sitting. As they were plunged into darkness and forced to use phones as torches, Clinton whips encouraged loyalists to chant “U-S-A, U-S-A” to drown out dissent – the same jingoistic tactic employed by Donald Trump.But petulant displays of disunity were not constrained to the losing side. When a group of anti-war protesters interrupted a speech by former CIA director Leon Panetta – an early champion of Obama’s drone war strategy – the Democratic National Committee responded by turning off the lights in the section of the arena where they were sitting. As they were plunged into darkness and forced to use phones as torches, Clinton whips encouraged loyalists to chant “U-S-A, U-S-A” to drown out dissent – the same jingoistic tactic employed by Donald Trump.
Other Sanders supporters travelling to the arena by public transport after initial displays of revolt on Monday were shocked to discover Philadelphia police officers turfing them out of the train one station early the next day as a cordon sanitaire spread ever farther from the convention hall. Even those with credentials complained they were revoked in large numbers as the DNC battled to reassert control over rowdy scenes that were damaging the official message of Clinton-Sanders reconciliation.Other Sanders supporters travelling to the arena by public transport after initial displays of revolt on Monday were shocked to discover Philadelphia police officers turfing them out of the train one station early the next day as a cordon sanitaire spread ever farther from the convention hall. Even those with credentials complained they were revoked in large numbers as the DNC battled to reassert control over rowdy scenes that were damaging the official message of Clinton-Sanders reconciliation.
The mood was indeed much improved by Tuesday and Wednesday, helped enormously by the decision of Sanders not just to endorse his former rival, but play a crucial role in her coronation.The mood was indeed much improved by Tuesday and Wednesday, helped enormously by the decision of Sanders not just to endorse his former rival, but play a crucial role in her coronation.
But as the four-day convention draws to a close, many are wondering whether the aim of unifying the party was helped or hindered by gathering several thousands of the candidates’ most passionate supporters together in one claustrophobic arena. Did the two tribes end the week closer or further apart?But as the four-day convention draws to a close, many are wondering whether the aim of unifying the party was helped or hindered by gathering several thousands of the candidates’ most passionate supporters together in one claustrophobic arena. Did the two tribes end the week closer or further apart?
Melissa Pancuraq, a delegate from Oregon who took part in the protest against Panetta, was adamant that the policy compromises negotiated by Sanders ahead of the meeting were only cosmetic.Melissa Pancuraq, a delegate from Oregon who took part in the protest against Panetta, was adamant that the policy compromises negotiated by Sanders ahead of the meeting were only cosmetic.
“I know that Hillary Clinton has the nomination and the Democratic party is calling for us to unite, but they are not offering us any real olive branches,” she said. “If they really want us to unite, they need a more progressive platform.”“I know that Hillary Clinton has the nomination and the Democratic party is calling for us to unite, but they are not offering us any real olive branches,” she said. “If they really want us to unite, they need a more progressive platform.”
Related: Hillary Clinton's focus on guns is politically bold. Her solutions are old school
Michael Lighty, director of public policy, at National Nurses United, an early union supporter of Sanders, added: “These delegates want to fight on the issues and they are not getting a chance. Pleas for unity without movement on the issues, on policy, are not going to get us anywhere. You can’t paper it over.”Michael Lighty, director of public policy, at National Nurses United, an early union supporter of Sanders, added: “These delegates want to fight on the issues and they are not getting a chance. Pleas for unity without movement on the issues, on policy, are not going to get us anywhere. You can’t paper it over.”
According to opinion polling, such views seem to be waning among Sanders supporters in the country at large, but inside the cauldron of “Bernie or bust” sentiment in Philadelphia, those following his lead largely did so reluctantly.According to opinion polling, such views seem to be waning among Sanders supporters in the country at large, but inside the cauldron of “Bernie or bust” sentiment in Philadelphia, those following his lead largely did so reluctantly.
But despite consistent protest throughout the four-day convention, several Clinton supporters expressed gratitude to Sanders’ most ardent supporters for their passion and excitement.But despite consistent protest throughout the four-day convention, several Clinton supporters expressed gratitude to Sanders’ most ardent supporters for their passion and excitement.
Wanda Francis, a delegate from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said she was initially surprised by the intensity of the pro-Sanders protests, which she noted had tempered since Clinton became the party’s official nominee.Wanda Francis, a delegate from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, said she was initially surprised by the intensity of the pro-Sanders protests, which she noted had tempered since Clinton became the party’s official nominee.
“I thought they were somewhat disrespectful at first, but we, the Hillary group sitting there, said: ‘OK, you feel strongly. It’s wonderful. I feel strongly too about Hillary.”“I thought they were somewhat disrespectful at first, but we, the Hillary group sitting there, said: ‘OK, you feel strongly. It’s wonderful. I feel strongly too about Hillary.”
Francis said she had spent time this week reaching out to Sanders supporters the way she said Obama supporters reached out to her when Clinton lost the nomination in 2008.Francis said she had spent time this week reaching out to Sanders supporters the way she said Obama supporters reached out to her when Clinton lost the nomination in 2008.
“I say to them: ‘You got to be patient,’” Francis said. “Women have been patient for how many years. It takes a little bit of time. It might take five years, 10 years, 20 years, but it’s change. It will come.”“I say to them: ‘You got to be patient,’” Francis said. “Women have been patient for how many years. It takes a little bit of time. It might take five years, 10 years, 20 years, but it’s change. It will come.”
“I’m proud of our party that we have nominated a woman and have broken that glass ceiling,” said Davante Lewis, a delegate from Louisiana who supported Bernie Sanders, adding he had mixed emotions after the roll call but would now support Clinton in November.“I’m proud of our party that we have nominated a woman and have broken that glass ceiling,” said Davante Lewis, a delegate from Louisiana who supported Bernie Sanders, adding he had mixed emotions after the roll call but would now support Clinton in November.
“We cannot let Donald Trump be president,” Lewis said. “And right now Bernie Sanders supporters are his biggest threat to becoming president of the United States.”“We cannot let Donald Trump be president,” Lewis said. “And right now Bernie Sanders supporters are his biggest threat to becoming president of the United States.”