Chaos Erupts Between Texas Delegation's Clinton & Sanders Supporters
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PHILADELPHIA (CBSDFW.COM) - The day after Senator Bernie Sanders urged supporters to rally behind Hillary Clinton as the Democratic National Convention got underway in Philadelphia, chaos erupted among members of the Texas delegation.
CBS 11 News Political Reporter Jack Fink was there and posted the early morning shouting match between Clinton and Sanders supporters on Twitter.
Bernie Sanders supporters were up on stage being recognized for their hard work, when Russell Lytle, a Sanders backer from Denton County, said he "condemned the presumptive nominee" Hillary Clinton. The crowd then erupted. Boo's and "Hillary" chants could be heard in the shouting that ensued.
Clinton delegate Jack Weiss, and many other Clinton supporters shouted down Lytle. "Our objection is the language they use in describing Hillary Clinton. That is wrong," shouted Weiss. "You don't condemn," he continued.
Lytle also came under attack from his fellow supporters who let him have it after his speech. "You have no business getting up there expressing yourself as a leader, you are not," said Danny Fetonte, Delegate for Bernie Sanders from Austin.
Speaking to CBS 11's Jack Fink, Lytle said, "Democracy is not pretty sometimes. When you take a stand, you're going to upset some people, but word choice is not always perfect." When asked if he was going to vote for Hillary Clinton he responded, "We will support the eventual nominee."
Lytle gave up his credentials so he won't be on the convention floor, and won't be able to cast his vote during roll call later Tuesday when the former Secretary of State will be officially nominated. Lytle did not say if he was forced to give up his credentials or if he did so voluntarily on his own.
To help soothe tensions over, Democrats say Senator Sanders will address the Texas delegation at a breakfast Wednesday morning.
Former Texas state senator Leticia Van de Putte says, 'There's nothing like waking up to a good ol' Texas debate.' Another person described Tuesday's Texas delegation breakfast as "circus atmosphere."
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