Clinton campaign chair Podesta urges Democrats to 'make history' in November

PHILADELPHIA, July 25 (UPI) -- Hillary Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta addressed the Democratic National Convention at the outset of Monday's evening session, saying the party is poised to make history by electing the first female president.

Podesta also acknowledged supporters of Bernie Sanders, who comprise more than 40 percent of the delegates in attendance, by emphasizing that Clinton shares Sanders' progressive values.

"Those are the same values that he brought to this campaign and our country and our party are better for it," Podesta said.

Podesta's remarks were met with cheers inside the Philadelphia convention hall, though that was not the case earlier Monday when Sanders supporters booed several speakers who lauded Clinton and her running mate Tim Kaine.

Sanders then made a plea to supporters, sending a mass text message asking his delegates to refrain from staging protests on the convention floor.

Earlier, Sanders himself was booed in a speech to delegates outside the convention when he told his supporters they should vote for Clinton.

Podesta reminded delegates that they will make history in November if they elect the former first lady, who picked up the endorsement of Al Gore on Monday -- the man who served as vice president in her husband's administration between 1993 and 2001.

"If we work overtime for the next 105 days, we will succeed," Podesta said. "We will make history and elect the first woman president of the United States."