The new chairwoman of the Democratic National Convention responded to boos Monday from supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in the crowd by telling them that she would respect them and hear them out if they respected her as well.
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) was named the new convention chairwoman after hacked emails posted online by Wikileaks showed DNC officials had discussed ways to potentially undermine Sanders’ campaign.
“We are going to unite and we’re going to make history. And we’re going to do everything we can to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine,” Fudge said as she kicked off the convention, eliciting the boos.
“May I just make a point,” she continued. “There are many of you that do not know me in this room, but let me say to you, I intend to be fair. I want to hear the varying opinions here. I am going to be respectful of you and I want you to be respectful of me.”
Chants of both “Bernie!” and “Hillary” could be heard coming over the speaker’s microphone. The chants didn’t stop during an opening prayer and continued through many of the speakers’ addresses.
Sanders reportedly texted his delegate whips earlier in the day telling them not to protest on the convention floor.
