Emotional speeches by Michelle Obama and Bernie Sanders

"I wake up every morning in a house that was built by slaves. And I watch my daughters, two beautiful, intelligent black young women, playing with their dogs on the White House lawn."

When U.S. First lady Michelle Obama delivered a speech at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia on Monday local time, she said the part, with her voice trembling. The speech showing her genuine support for Hillary Clinton, her husband's rival in the Democratic Party's presidential race eight years ago, deeply impressed many Americans. The Washington Post called the speech a "perfect home run," while CNN advised those who were not impressed by the speech to see a doctor.

This year's DNC is a meaningful occasion in which a woman became the presidential candidate of a major political party for the first time in U.S. history. However, bad news broke out just before the opening of the DNC. E-mail messages were leaked suggesting that the Democratic National Committee managed the primaries in a way that was unfavorable to Senator Bernie Sanders. Unlike the expectations that the scandal would put the Democratic Party into a chaotic internal feud, Sanders put the party together as one with a passionate speech in support of his rival Clinton.

"I think it's fair to say that no one is more disappointed than I am," Sanders said of his defeat in the presidential race. "It is no secret that Hillary Clinton and I disagree on a number of issues… That’s what democracy is about," he said, calling for clear acceptance and unity. "Hillary Clinton will make an outstanding president and I am proud to stand with her here tonight," he said. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton, who listened to the speech at the scene, stood up and applauded with tearful eyes.

To the eyes of die-hard supporters of Sanders, Hillary Clinton is a symbol of the political establishment that has led the U.S. over the last three to four decades. Even though they are the same Democrats, staunch Sanders supporters view Hillary Clinton "as bad as Donald Trump" and say they would vote the Green Party rather than voting for her. However, Sanders' outstanding speech moved Clinton's opponents with sincerity, not with glamorous rhetoric. Such mature attitude of losers shows the power of U.S. politics. We hope to see such moving scenes in Korean politics, too.

고미석기자 mskoh119@donga.com