PHILADELPHIA — Sen. Bernie Sanders Bernie SandersNYT editorial board remembers Ginsburg: She 'will forever have two legacies' Two GOP governors urge Republicans to hold off on Supreme Court nominee Sanders knocks McConnell: He's going against Ginsburg's 'dying wishes' MORE (I-Vt.) urged his supporters to rally around Hillary Clinton Hillary Diane Rodham ClintonBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Democratic super PAC to hit Trump in battleground states over coronavirus deaths Battle lines drawn on precedent in Supreme Court fight MORE in a dramatic address on Monday that closed an extraordinary and divisive first day at the Democratic National Convention.

It took several minutes for Sanders to quiet his most vociferous supporters, who roared at his introduction and delayed the beginning of his speech with chants and cheers.

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When he did, he pledged to continue his “political revolution” while offering a full-throated endorsement of Clinton, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, and warning that the election’s stakes were too high for voters to sit out.

“Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president, and I am proud to stand with her here tonight,” Sanders told a packed Wells Fargo Center.

Speaking directly to the “Bernie or Bust” crowd — who have pledged to not support Clinton — Sanders said: “If you don’t believe this election is important, if you think you can sit it out, take a moment to think about the Supreme Court justices that [GOP presidential nominee] Donald Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE would nominate and what that would mean to civil liberties, equal rights and the future of our country.”

Cameras caught young supporters of Sanders openly weeping in the stands as the Vermont senator made clear his intention to push hard for Clinton in the fall.

At the same time, Sanders said he would welcome the support of all of his delegates at a roll call vote for the Democratic nomination on Tuesday, which could serve as a last moment for Sanders backers to loudly cheer their candidate — or to boo Clinton.

Tensions between Clinton and Sanders were high throughout Monday.

Much of the tension centered on Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who resigned on Sunday after WikiLeaks released emails showing that DNC aides sought to help Clinton and hurt Sanders during the primary. She will step down from her role at the conclusion of the convention.

Sanders supporters jeered and booed Wasserman Schultz at a breakfast meeting of Florida’s convention delegation on Monday morning and also interrupted other convention speakers at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Before Sanders took the stage on Monday, there were several references to the need to bring his supporters on board for Clinton. Comedian Sarah Silverman said “Bernie or Bust” people were “being ridiculous,” while first lady Michelle Obama Michelle LeVaughn Robinson ObamaTo honor Justice Ginsburg's legacy, Biden should consider Michelle Obama National Urban League, BET launch National Black Voter Day The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by The Air Line Pilots Association - White House moves closer to Pelosi on virus relief bill MORE pointedly noted that Clinton did not sulk after she was defeated in the 2008 primary.



Sanders did not mention Wasserman Schultz or the DNC email controversy in his own address.

Instead, he stressed that Clinton is a better choice than Trump and highlighted that his supporters had been able to get progressive issues included in the party’s platform.

“The struggle of the people to create a government which represents all of us and not just the 1 percent — a government based on the principles of economic, social, racial and environmental justice — that struggle continues. And I look forward to being part of that struggle with you,” he said.

Sanders spent nearly the first half of his speech touting progressive policies, saving his first instance of making the case for Clinton until the 14th paragraph and roughly 800 words into his speech.

“Hillary Clinton understands that if someone in America works 40 hours a week, that person should not be living in poverty. She understands that we must raise the minimum wage to a living wage,” the Vermont senator said.

He framed Trump as a danger to the ideas that drove the Sanders campaign, arguing that Trump doesn’t support a federal minimum wage of at least $7.25 per hour and wants to get rid of the Affordable Care Act.

“While Donald Trump is busy insulting one group after another, Hillary Clinton understands that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths,” he said.



It’s unclear whether Sanders will be able to bring over his supporters.

The Bernie Delegates Network — which as of Monday included nearly two-thirds of Sanders delegates — was actively looking to challenge Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine Timothy (Tim) Michael KaineNames to watch as Trump picks Ginsburg replacement on Supreme Court Barrett seen as a front-runner for Trump Supreme Court pick Biden promises Democratic senators help in battleground states MORE’s vice presidential nomination.

Norman Solomon, a Sanders delegate from California, said while the group would consider suggestions from the Sanders campaign, it’s an independent group and will also act without the campaign's input.



Jessa Lewis, a national delegate for Sanders, said that while the Vermont senator has been fighting for the progressive wing for months, when it comes to unifying around Clinton, "he can't bring the delegates along with him, because that's not where they are.



"At this point, it's not [about] what I want to see from Bernie. He's been fighting,” she added. “The DNC needs to decide what kind of party it's going to be."



Trump took aim at Sanders during his speech on Monday night — repeating criticism from earlier Monday — that Sanders has abandoned his revolution.



Trump has aimed to stoke the flames of division among Democrats, hoping to win over some of the senator's supporters.



“Hard to believe that Bernie Sanders has done such a complete fold. He got NOTHING for all of the time, energy and money. The V.P. a joke!” Trump tweeted earlier.