User:Cullen328/sandbox/Solomon

Norman Solomon and the Bernie Delegate Network
Solomon was elected as a pledged Bernie Sanders delegate to the 2016 Democratic National Convention. As a resident of Marin County, he was elected to represent California's 2nd congressional district. He organized the Bernie Delegates Network independent from the official Sanders campaign organization. Solomon said, "As much as we love Bernie, we don't take orders from him." The network gained the support of hundreds of Sanders delegates, about half of whom were willing to protest and boo at campaign events, including on the convention floor. Bernie Sanders disagreed with the tactics of Solomon and the Bernie Delegates Network, urging his delegates not to boo or engage in disruption on the convention floor. "Our credibility as a movement will be damaged," Sanders wrote in a message to his followers, adding, "That’s what Donald Trump wants. But that’s not what will expand the progressive movement in this country." According to Solomon, a survey of the Sanders delegates showed that 28% felt no obligation to comply with Sanders' appeal.

On the afternoon of the first day of these convention, the Bernie Delegates Network loudly booed Bernie Sanders himself when he urged his delegation to support Hillary Clinton

By the third day of the convention, "it was clear that Sanders was not in full control of his delegates." That day, Solomon and his followers loudly disrupted a convention floor speech by former CIA director and Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, and the following day, booed retired General John R. Allen.

Solomon and his allies tried but failed to put forward a progressive alternative to Tim Kaine as the party's vice presidential candidate.