Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren Seek Unity After Divisive DNC Day 1

A divisive, at times chaotic, first day of the Democratic National Convention culminated with speeches from leading progressive voices meant to quell ongoing protests against their presumptive nominee.

Defeated candidate Bernie Sanders closed the DNC's first day with a fiery rendition of his standard stump speech, retooled to thank supporters and to offer a vigorous endorsement meant to assuage holdouts still unwilling to support Hillary Clinton.

"Based on her ideas and leadership, Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States," Sanders said, spurring sweeping cheers and a smaller share of boos in Philadelphia. "The choice is not even close."

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His speech followed Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who spoke over chanting Sanders supporters to unequivocally condemn Donald Trump and tout her support for Clinton.

"When we turn on each other, we can't unite to fight back against a rigged system," Warren said, evoking a patented Sanders phrase.

He took the Wells Fargo Center stage amidst a cacophony. Screams, tears and chants of "Bernie!" filled the arena as Sanders tried repeatedly to speak over the prolonged cheers. "Bernie" signs mingled with Clinton's in the crowd. Before he spoke, a campaign ad for Sanders transitioned into an image of him with his arms around Clinton under the words, "Stronger Together."

Sanders early in his speech acknowledged unhappiness among supporters, feelings exacerbated by a series of emails leaked by WikiLeaks that allegedly showed the DNC was working to undermine his campaign.

"I understand that many people here in this convention hall and around the country are disappointed by the nominating process," he said. "I think it’s fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am. But to all of our supporters here and around the country, I hope you take enormous pride in the historic accomplishments that you have achieved."

However, he said, the election isn't about Trump, Clinton or Sanders; nor about polls, gossip or fundraising.

"It is not about all the things that the media spends the time discussing," he said. "This election is about, and must be about, the needs of the American people, and the kind of future we create for our children and our grandchildren."

The Vermont Independent was in top form, conducting the crowd in the well-rehearsed calls and repeats from his campaign rallies one last time. He thanked those who'd contributed money and hours to the campaign, as well as his delegates present.

To them, he said, "I look forward to your votes during roll call tomorrow night."

Although it hewed close to his own campaign stump speeches, Sanders' words at the convention balanced gratitude for his voters and supporters with a ringing endorsement for Clinton. It contrasted especially favorably after former primary candidate Ted Cruz, of Texas, refused to endorse Trump in his speech at last week's Republican National Convention.

Before Sanders' appearance, Warren trained her comments on tearing down Trump and building up Clinton.

"We're here today because our choice is Hillary Clinton," she told delegates, repeating three times, "I'm with Hillary."

But as the cheers subsided and Warren launched into her biography, a different chant rose up from the crowd: "We trusted you! We trusted you!" Warren spoke through it, not breaking stride as she honed in on the true target of her speech: Trump.

She trashed the GOP nominee's "stupid wall that will never get built," the only "actual idea" he offered, she said.

"Look, let's face it. Donald Trump has no real plans for jobs or for college kids or for seniors. No plans to make anything great for anyone, except for rich guys like Donald Trump," Warren said.

Rather, she said, he relies on the age-old tactic of stoking racial division to protect those in power.

"Trump thinks he can win votes by fanning the flames of fear and hatred," she said. "Well, I've got news for Donald Trump: The American people are not falling for it. We've seen this ugliness before, and we are not going to be Donald Trump's hate-filled America — not now, not ever."

She closed her speech, again repeating, "We're with her."

>> Photo via Bernie Sanders Twitter, DNC Live Stream