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Challenges For Unity On The Opening Night Of The DNC

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We are live from Philadelphia and the Democratic National Convention. Looking at Hillary Clinton’s challenge this week and the Democrats’ own unity issue after the latest WikiLeaks splash.

A worker looks at his phone during preparations for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Friday, July 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)
A worker looks at his phone during preparations for the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Friday, July 22, 2016, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)

Hot times in Philadelphia already tonight. It is day one of the Democratic National Convention. We are there, broadcasting live from the heart of the jammed arena. People are very fired up. Hillary Clinton supporters, to stop Donald Trump and put their woman in the White House. Bernie Sanders supporters - fired up by WikiLeaks - who still want Bernie out front.  And the head of the Democratic National Committee, just plain fired.  It is rocking here. This hour On Point,  live from Philadelphia, the Democrats' opening night. — Tom Ashbrook

Guests

Laura Meckler, covering the Democratic Party in the 2016 presidential race for The Wall Street Journal. (@laurameckler)

Molly Ball, staff writer for The Atlantic, covering U.S. politics. (@mollyesque)

From Tom’s Reading List

The Wall Street Journal: Bernie Sanders Says ‘Elect Hillary,’ Gets Heavily Booed -- "In a remarkable display of resistance, Sen. Bernie Sanders was vigorously booed by his own supporters Monday as he urged them to rally around Hillary Clinton and defeat Donald Trump for president. Later, as the Democratic National Convention opened, more boos rained down when Mrs. Clinton’s name was mentioned."

The Atlantic: Bernie Sanders Supporters: ‘People Are Going to Protest’ -- "The mood quickly turned from enthusiasm to anger when Bernie Sanders made a request of his delegates to the Democratic National Convention this afternoon. 'We have got to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine,' Sanders told a gathering of delegates inside the Pennsylvania Convention Center, a message that was met with loud boos."

FiveThirtyEight: Donald Trump Goes ‘All-In.’ How Will Clinton Respond? — "No matter what happens between now and the election on Nov. 8, Donald Trump’s dark and defiant acceptance speech on Thursday will probably be remembered as a pivotal moment in American political history. If Trump wins the election — an increasing possibility based on recent polls — the speech will serve as proof that he did so as an explicitly nationalist and populist candidate, having stirred up support in a country that has historically resisted such movements. If Trump loses to Hillary Clinton, especially by a wide margin, the speech will probably be seen as an historic debacle, the hallmark of a convention that went wrong from start to finish. Either way, the Republican Party might never be the same.

This program aired on July 25, 2016.

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