PHILADELPHIA, United States (AFP) — Comedian Sarah Silverman was a faithful supporter of Bernie Sanders this year, but she had a stern if humorous message to his never-say-die followers Monday at the Democratic National Convention: get over it.
Sanders supporters including some of his nearly 1,900 delegates had been loudly booing and jeering throughout the convention’s opening day as speakers declared their support for the presumptive presidential nominee Hillary Clinton.
But when Silverman, a sharp-tongued, sharp-witted stand-up comedian and actress, was met with a smattering of boos when she said she was going to “vote for Hillary with gusto,” she responded by uttering what perhaps 10,000 Clinton supporters had been itching to say all night.
“To the ‘Bernie or bust’ people, you’re being ridiculous,” she deadpanned, earning a deafening roar of approval from Clintonites in Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center.
Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, and Clinton waged a bitter year-long battle for the Democratic nomination.
But Sanders eventually endorsed Clinton, and unlike many Bernie fans in the arena, Silverman said she was ready to turn the page.
“I am proud to be a part of Bernie’s movement, and a vital part of that movement is making absolutely sure that Hillary Clinton is our next president of the United States,” she said.
“Hillary heard the passion of the people, the people behind Bernie, and brought those passions into the party’s platform, and that, that is the process of democracy at its very best.”
Silverman, told to “stretch” her speech as organizers prepared the stage for performer Paul Simon, laid on the humor.
“It’s so inspiring, just a few years ago, she was a secretary and now she’s going to be president,” she quipped of Clinton, a former secretary of state, first lady and senator.
“I mean, come on. She’s like the only person ever to be overqualified for a job as the president.”
Silverman walked on stage with another comedian, Al Franken — a former “Saturday Night Live” star who is now a US senator from Minnesota.
“I’m with her,” Franken said, referring to Clinton.
“And I have been feeling the Bern,” Silverman responded, before adding: “Relax, I put some cream on it.”
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