Ellison to Sanders Supporters: Don't Be Mad, 'Get Involved'

The nation was "born in protests" and will always be that way, Rep. Keith Ellison said Thursday, but he's not worried about Sen. Bernie Sanders' supporters who are continuing to oppose Hillary Clinton eventually coming around to back her.

"There is nothing wrong with citizens raising their voices about things they feel passionately about,' the Minnesota Democrat, who had backed Sanders, told MSNBC's "Morning Joe" program. "All of this country has done that, and they're doing it now, so I urge party leaders, don't worry about this now."

But "demonstration without legislation ends in frustration," the congressman continued, and it's important for Sanders' backers to not "just be mad," but instead, "get active, get involved."

"Get Hillary Clinton elected, and then we hold her to what she promised."

Ellison, the chairman of the Congressional Progressive Congress, further said he is not concerned, like some other progressives, that vice presidential nominee Sen. Tim Kaine is not progressive enough with his views.

"I'm happy with Tim Kaine," Ellison said. "I'm fine with Tim Kaine. Tim Kaine is alright with me."

Ellison also said he is happy with the Democratic Party's platform, including a $15 minimum wage, language on pensions, fair trade deals, and concerns about the Trans Pacific Partnership.

"We're going to get together on the basis of what we believe in, not just folding in and up our tent," Ellison said. "We believe in the same things, and we're going to fight together."

There were chants of "no more wars" while former CIA Director Leon Panetta was speaking Wednesday, and there are some Sanders supports still holding up signs supporting him, but Ellison said that is just something that happens on a convention floor.

"Look, this is a convention, man," he told the program. "You know, it's about cheering and rockin' and sockin'. It's okay. A few signs never hurt nobody."

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