PHILADELPHIA — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders couldn’t start his speech for three minutes at the Democratic National Convention Monday night as thousands gave a standing ovation.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Sanders said trying to calm down the crowd. The audience was filled with people holding “Bernie” placards as if he was the nominee. “I understand that many people here in this convention hall and around the country are disappointed about the final results of the nominating process. I think it’s fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am,” Sanders said.
“Election days come and go. But the struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent – a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice – that struggle continues.”
Sanders went on to deliver his typical stump speech about the ills of income inequality and a lack of government programs. While he is “disappointed” with the Democratic primary results, he did endorse Hillary Clinton strongly. “Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States. The choice is not even close,” Sanders said to a standing ovation. “Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in America works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty.”
The Vermont senator added, “Hillary Clinton will nominate justices to the Supreme Court who are prepared to overturn Citizens United and end the movement toward oligarchy in this country.”
“Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here tonight,” Sanders concluded.