PHILADELPHIA — Bernie Sanders and his supporters during the Democratic primary railed against Hillary Clinton’s big donors, but now those big donors are pushing back.

There is a widespread sense among major donors who gathered here that supporters of her vanquished rival Sanders have overstepped their bounds with their protests and heckling of speakers, according to interviews with about a dozen donors and fundraisers.


“They carried it too far,” said Michael Clark, a Washington lobbyist and donor, after a reception at the Academy of Music for the pro-Clinton big-money groups Media Matters, Correct the Record and American Bridge 21st Century. “They embarrassed Bernie at one point. They certainly embarrassed Hillary.”

In some ways, the Democratic National Convention represents a coming out party of sorts for Clinton’s army of major donors, who mostly kept a low profile during a primary in which both Sanders and eventual Republican nominee Donald Trump got traction with attacks on the corrupting power of big money in politics.

While Clinton continues to promise to rein in the influence of big money, her donors this week have seemed emboldened, celebrating at private parties around town and mingling in the lobby of the Center City Ritz-Carlton over cocktails and seafood, discussing politics and summer plans over a thumping bass pulse. The soaring marble lobby of the hotel, the preferred accommodation for major donors, became such a scene that the hotel restricted it to guests-only late Wednesday night.

Some Clinton donors here pointed out that Sanders himself has tried to tame his most rapid supporters. The Vermont Senator has endorsed Clinton and he used his speech on the first night of the convention to implore them to rally behind her in the general election against Trump.

“Based on her ideas and her leadership, Hillary Clinton must become the next president of the United States,” Sanders declared.

Yet, early in the proceedings, Sanders delegates booed even the mention of Clinton’s name, prompting him to stop by the California delegation breakfast Tuesday morning, where he said “It is easy to boo, but it’s harder to look your kids in the face who would be living under Donald Trump.”

Pro-Sanders marchers in Center City and outside the convention perimeter chanted, “Hell no, DNC; we won’t vote for Hillary." And hundreds of his supporters loudly stormed out of the convention venue after the roll-call voting officially nominated Clinton on Tuesday. They unfurled banners during President Barack Obama’s speech on Wednesday; and afterwards, protesters burned American flags, injuring one person’s leg.

“It's unfortunate, because Sanders himself has pivoted,” said Scott Wallace, a Maryland philanthropist who has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Clinton and other Democratic candidates and committees over the years, according to Federal Election Commission records. Sanders “wants to come together and I'm very sad that some won't take their cue from the guy they love.”

Jennifer Walske, a professor from Northern California who attended the Academy of Music event, said the vitriol from Sanders supporters was similar to that directed at Bill Clinton during a rally she attended in San Francisco.

Walske said she had to explain to her daughter why people were so upset. Still, Walske drew a contrast with how Donald Trump’s campaign has treated protesters and hecklers.

“I’d rather have people shouting and dissenting than being escorted out,” she said. “It’s part of the political process.”

In fact, the intransigence of some Sanders dead-enders evokes the behavior of Clinton’s own most fervent backers after Obama bested her in the bitter 2008 Democratic primary. Some stubbornly refused to back him, adopting the slogan PUMA — for “Party United My Ass.” But even as they grumbled, they mostly did not denigrate Obama publicly or challenge the legitimacy of the primary process the way some Sanders dead-enders have in Philadelphia.

Their behavior won’t help advance the liberal causes championed by Sanders, asserted Nancy Beeuwkes, a Massachusetts activist who along with her husband has donated nearly $6 million to Democratic candidates and causes over the years.

“I was upset that they made noise while Michelle Obama and some others were speaking. That didn't do them any good,” said Beeuwkes. “And I think most older people thought it was rude.”

Ron Feldman, a New York art gallery owner who has donated $186,000 to Democrats over the years, traced the stubbornness of some Sanders’ supporters to their youth.

“I never want them to give up their dreams, but they’re young and there’s a lot to learn,” said Feldman. “And they will learn how to compromise and get things done.”

Most Clinton donors predicted Sanders supporters would eventually rally behind the Democratic nominee, and some suggested the process was well under way as the end of the convention approached.

The Washington lobbyist Clark said he hoped the Sanders hold-outs would avoid a repeat of 1968 “with all the Gene McCarthy supporters who didn't vote. But I think it will be a smaller minority of Bernie supporters” who refuse to support Clinton.

