MN Congressmen Play Big Role in DNC Opening Night

By
Preya Samsundar
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PHILADELPHIA, PA- Yesterday, the City of Brotherly Love welcomed the Democratic Party into its city limits with open arms as they kicked off an historic convention. In case you missed it, here are your highlights into yesterday’s events.

An Awkward SNL Reunion

Last night, Minnesota Senator and Saturday Night Live Alumni Al Franken joined comedian Sarah Silverman. In what could only be described as an imitation of a Hollywood awards show, DNC officials chose to pair a sitting democrat with a celebrity.

Franken decided to re-live his SNL days by re-creating an opening monologue that proceeded to take shots at Republican nominee Donald Trump.


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Franken poked fun specifically at Trump University calling “its ranked second in the nation behind Bernie Madoff University.”

The jokes were awkward and the pairing of Silverman and Franken even more so once Silverman was booed by Sanders’ supporters for calling them “ridiculous” in their only Bernie endeavors.

Minnesota’s Ellison Switches Sides

Minnesota’s Congressman Keith Ellison of the Fifth Congressional District introduced keynote speaker Bernie Sanders last night.

Ellison, one of the first sitting politicians on The Hill to throw his superdelegate vote behind Sanders said, “They [Republicans] don’t want us to vote, not voting is not protest, but surrender.”

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar also shared a picture with Ellison after his speech.

Wasserman-Schultz Gets the Prada Boot

In the wake of the DNC leaked emails, one thing is for sure now. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz will no longer be head of the DNC. According to the New York Times, Wasserman-Schultz has offered her resignation.  

Wasserman-Schultz was booed off the stage when trying to speak to the Florida delegation earlier in the day. She was removed from her speaking roles at the convention and will be resigning from her post as head of the Democratic National Committee.


Video Credit: CNN Politics

Hillary Clinton’s campaign tried to quell rumors that Debbie Wasserman-Schultz had a new job on her campaign. Yes, the disgraced former DNC chair does have a position on the campaign, but as the campaign emphasized, it is honorary. It has no real substance or responsibility to it. Wasserman-Schultz will serve as the honorary chair for Clinton’s 50-state program according to a press release by the Clinton campaign early yesterday.

“Weekend at Bernie’s” Flops at the Convention

Bernie Sanders was another not feeling the brotherly love yesterday. In light of the DNC scandal that cost Wasserman-Schultz her job as head of the party, Bernie Sanders supporters were disappointed that their candidate chose not to press forward.

Speaking yesterday, Sanders was promptly booed by his supporters as he encouraged them to vote for Clinton in November.


Source: CNN

Instead, Bernie supporters took to the streets in droves to protest the unfairness of the election. Twitter erupted with reports that protesters had blocked all entrances to the convention.


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The Wall Just Got 8 ft. Higher

The DNC accomplished what Republicans have been trying to do for decades. Build a Wall. The DNC has built a wall around their convention at the Wells Fargo Center. According to The American Mirror, the wall is eight feet tall and four miles around.

Democrats have criticized Donald Trump for advocating building a wall on the Southern border with Mexico. Now the DNC has built one in Downtown Philly.

I’m With Her…. Sorta

Last night’s speakers aimed at tugging on the hearts of average Americans by talking about the future of their children. Though the night was aimed to be mainly about Hillary Clinton and trying to convert Bernie Sanders supporters who make up half the delegation, the speakers spent more time Trump bashing.

First Lady Michelle Obama spent her portion of the night talking about her time in the White House, the values that she instilled into her daughters as they grew up, and made subtle, but recognizable jabs at Donald Trump.


Video Source: CNN Politics

Elizabeth Warren followed the same pattern, speaking about Clinton, showing enthusiasm for Sanders, but bashed Trump even more.

Booes also erupted during the invocation last night as the name Hillary Clinton was mentioned. The crowd began to chant “BERNIE!” over and over again after the sounds of “boo-ing” shook the place.

However, it was 11 year old Karla Ortiz who stole the hearts of those in the convention as she gave a somber plea to those in the audience against the rhetoric by the Donald Trump campaign to deport illegal immigrants. Her parents, undocumented themselves, she says she worries that they will be separated because she is an American citizen. She said, “Hillary Clinton wants me to have the worries of an 11-year-old, not the weight of the world on my shoulders.”


Video Source: CNN

Bernie Sanders called for unity as the keynote speaker and was well received despite the cold welcome given by his supporters all throughout the day.

In a surprising twist, former President Bill Clinton did not speak last night, but was instead seen speaking in the stands with colleagues.

Check back with Alpha News as we deliver the latest at the Democratic National Convention.

Preya Samsundar

Preya Samsundar was born and raised in Minneapolis, MN. She graduated from the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities this Spring with a B.A. in Political Science and Sociology, with a minor in Strategic Communications. Preya has previously worked on several State Campaign Races.

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