Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
Available On Air Stations
Watch Live

KPBS Midday Edition

No Unity Among California Delegates At DNC

California Delegates Head To The Democratic National Convention
California Delegates Head To The Democratic National Convention GUEST: Scott Shafer, senior editor, KQED's California politics and government desk

A different set of emails is causing problems for Hillary Clinton as the Democratic National Convention gets underway . Blending medicine with faith may be the cure for African-Americans. This is KPBS Midday Edition. I'm Maureen Cavanaugh. It's Monday, July 25 . Our top story the Democratic National Convention kicks off in Philadelphia today and emails continue to be an issue. These are not Hillary Clinton's are hacked from the DNC. They indicate the committee was not neutral in the fight between Internet Bernie Sanders but strategize on ways to hurt Sanders campaign. Joining me from the DNC and Philadelphia is Scott Shafer senior editor for KQED's government desk. Welcome to the program. Has that turmoil playing out? It was a rowdy beginning to the week. This morning at the California delegation breakfast every speaker including Barbara Lee, whose the most liberal member from the Bay area and supports Bernie Sanders was booed along with Nancy Pelosi the Secretary of State, anybody who got up there and mentioned the Clinton came ticket -- Tim Kaine ticket. He got 45% of the vote in California, there's half the room filled with delegates that support him and they were vocal. I understand California has the largest delegation of Bernie Sanders delegates. Yes. Not surprising. They are out in full force. Bernie Sanders addressed supporters today outside the convention center and he got some booze from the crowd. He's having a rough time dealing with his supporters. They are not in a mood to be placated. The DNC emails that you referred to have confirmed what so many people including Bernie Sanders has said the DNC was not neutral, they have the thumb on the scale to help Clinton from the beginning. Actually seeing it in black and white or on a computer screen, it's infuriated them all over again. Tonight's speech by Bernie Sanders in primetime is going to be critical. You may recall eight years ago after a bitter primary season with Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama both Bill and Hillary gave terrific speeches of calling for their supporters to lineup behind Barack Obama. It went a long way towards healing hard feelings. We will see what happens tonight. The Vice President pick of Senator Tim Kaine over the weekend, how is that being received by the California delegates? Again, the Clinton delegates are happy with it. The Sanders campaign and the delegates were not pleased. They feel that they, again it to them it's another example of not being listened to they wanted somebody like Elizabeth Warren who is also speaking tonight and they feel like that was never really seriously considered. They feel that Tim Kaine is too conservative. He's really a moderate and very much like Hillary Clinton, but a supporter of trade deals and not strong enough in their view on getting money out of politics. They're not happy with Hillary Clinton or Tim Kaine, the question is how long will that dissatisfaction continue, will we be hearing these protests in life Hall all week long or is it going to end tomorrow night win the nomination is final, after roll call. The emails in question were made public by WikiLeaks. The Clinton campaign has said they -- the hack was carried out by Russians, specifically Vladimir Hooton -- potent -- Americans intelligence community is putting credibility towards the fact that it came towards Russia. The FBI has opened up an investigation into this hack. The allegation is that this was done to help Donald Trump, who has said the like he won't necessarily come to the defense of NATO countries if there invaded by Russia or hassled by Russia or threatened by Russia. That's music to them will -- Vladimir Putin's ears. Whether or not it's a conspiracy theory or if there is credence to it, it will become more clear just another level of entry. Top Democrats are trying to calm the waters. The speaker lineup is rather impressive. Tell us about that. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, the darling of the left. She stayed neutral and has now him -- endorsed Hillary Clinton. Michelle Obama, Bernie Sanders will speak in this is the beginning of this rollout of speakers. We were here from Michael Bloomberg and the vice president and the president and Bill and Hillary Clinton, Tim Kaine, unlike the Republican convention we will hear from more elected officials and fewer cronies and friends. I've been speaking with Scott Shafer.

UPDATE: 12:30 p.m., July 25, 2016

There was no unity for the California Democratic Delegation, as they gathered for the first time at the national convention Monday. Sanders supporters derailed speakers at the delegation's breakfast with chants of "Bernie."

Advertisement

Kacey Carpenter, a Sanders delegate from Mountain View says his job is to support Sanders until the nomination process is over, even though the Vermont Senator has endorsed presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton.

"They voted for Bernie, and so for them to see that this process is over before it even starts, that's why we want to make sure we complete the process. We got to go through the process, every vote counts," says Carpenter.

Sanders again called on supporters to vote for Clinton this afternoon. Delegates will officially vote on the nominees tomorrow night.

UPDATE: 11 a.m., July 25, 2016

Bernie Sanders' midday speech during the first day of the Democratic National Convention was greeted with cheers and jeers.

Advertisement

Sanders maintained his call for $15 per hour minimum wage and the end of TPP. But when he talked about defeating Donald Trump and electing Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine, many booed while others cheered.

Sanders will speak again Monday evening. First Lady Michelle Obama will also be a speaker on the first night of the convention.

UPDATE: 9 a.m., July 25, 2016

Capital Public Radio's Ben Bradford reports from Philadelphia's Democratic National Convention Monday morning.

Bradford says Bernie Sanders supporters continue to express their dissatisfaction with their party's nomination process.

At an opening breakfast event for California delegates, mentions of Hillary Clinton or Tim Kaine were met with loud boos.

Original post

California had 175 delegates in Cleveland — the largest contingent of any state. In Philadelphia, there will be more than 500 delegates.

"California Democrats will have the biggest delegation here in Philadelphia," said Michael Soller, the state party's communications director.

Soller said it’s a logistical challenge to coordinate all of those delegates and party leaders.

"We’re moving a lot of people all the way across the country to come to this," he said.

Each delegate pays his or her own way; the party estimates it’s a roughly $4,000 expense. Most will stay in a downtown hotel and in the mornings hear from political leaders, including U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Gov. Jerry Brown leads the delegation.

The Republican National Convention had its wild card moments, including a vocal minority of delegates attempting to choose another nominee besides Donald Trump. While few expect the Democratic National Convention to be as lively, about 45 percent of California’s pledged delegates will not be voting for presumptive nominee Hillary Clinton. Bernie Sanders' supporters have their own agenda, said delegate Bill Honigman.

"If he’s not getting the nomination, how much can we get otherwise, in terms of the platform? That’s what we’re all here to find out, and we are going to push on it," Honigman said.

Honigman said Sanders' supporters will pressure the party to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership and eliminate super delegates.

The 2024 primary election is March 5. Find in-depth reporting on each race to help you understand what's on your ballot.