Democratic convention kicks off in a test of unity

In the wake of revelations that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) displayed favoritism toward presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination, her rival, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, addressed convention delegates Monday night in an effort to quell disunity amongst the party in the run-up to Thursday night's official nomination. But even as he spoke in favor of Clinton, some of his supporters jeered when he mentioned her name.

At the opening of the convention, the DNC issued a publicly apologized to Sanders on Monday after leaked emails suggested the party's leadership had worked to sabotage his presidential campaign. The committee offered its "deep and sincere apology" to the Vermont senator, his supporters and the entire party for what it termed "the inexcusable remarks made over email." The statement was issued by incoming interim party leader, Donna Brazile and six other officials, who also noted that comments in the emails "do not reflect the values of the DNC or our steadfast commitment to neutrality during the nominating process."

The apology seemed to do little to appease many die-hard Sanders supporters. Hundreds of his backers marched from Philadelphia City Hall towards the convention center on Monday chanting "Nominate Sanders or lose in November." Then, in the early hours of Monday's events, it appeared many of his supporters were intending to stage protest events during the proceedings.

Sanders, allies join forces to demonstrate a united party

Sanders issued a request to his supporters to show party unity as a "personal courtesy" to him and "not engage in any kind of protest on the floor" of the convention. Staffers from both the Clinton and Sanders camps met in the hope of forming a strategy that would avoid excessive disruptions on the convention floor. The Vermont senator entreated his supporters in Philadelphia to remain united: "Our credibility as a movement will be damaged by booing, turning of backs, walking out or other similar displays," he wrote.

Some prominent supporters of Sanders were also added last-minute to Monday night's speaking program in an attempt to promote party unity amongst the fractious delegate gatherings. Those added to the roster include Maine lawmaker Diane Russell and Ben Jealous, the former president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In a direct appeal to last-ditch Sanders supporters, some of whom have vociferously stated that they would not vote for Clinton in a general election, Jealous said: "Join us at the ballot box and we will elect Hillary Clinton as president of these United States."

Senator Elizabeth Warren, who many observers believed to be a top choice for consideration as Clinton's running mate, also addressed the convention Monday night before Sanders takes the stage. Warren's relentless public attacks on Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump have garnered considerable attention on both sides of the aisle.

Shadow of DNC chair resignation, email hacks hangs over convention start

The convention had kicked off with an element of embarrassment to the party as current party chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz had announced her intention to resign as chair at the conclusion of the convention.

Just hours later, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced it was looking into the email hack that led to the leaks of information on the high-level favoritism toward Clinton. Both top Democrats and independent intelligence experts have blamed Russia for the hack. The FBI released a statement Monday stating that the agency "is investigating a cyber intrusion involving the DNC (Democratic National Committee) and are [sic] working to determine the nature and scope of the matter," though it stopped short of laying blame on Moscow. "A compromise of this nature is something we take very seriously, and the FBI will continue to investigate and hold accountable those who pose a threat in cyberspace."

First Lady Michelle Obama was also on Monday night's speaking schedule as well, as is former New York mayor Michael Bloomberg. The billionaire businessman is expected to appeal to nontraditional Republican and independent voters and issue an endorsement of Clinton as a preferable alternative to Trump.

kl/mm (AFP, AP, Reuters)