The unimaginative major media players can’t quite figure out why Bernie Sanders is becoming so popular, especially since they had so little to do with it.
The major news media outlets, including television, are beginning to take Bernie Sanders’ run for the presidency seriously. This is because 27,500 people went to hear his speech in Los Angeles on Monday. This is after about 28,000 attended an event in Portland, Oregon, on Sunday. In spite of this, major news continues to refer toHillary Clinton as the front runner. Bernie Sanders drew 15,000 in Seattle; 11,000 in Phoenix; 10,000 in Madison, Wisconsin; 8,000 in Dallas; and 4,500 in New Orleans. In comparison, Clinton’s aides estimate her largest crowd to have reached 5,500.
A small network of middle and lower income donors and volunteers have formed, providing Bernie Sanders with the resources he needs to compete with the former secretary of state in the months to come. While Hillary Clinton has much more money, Bernie Sanders is leading in enthusiasm.
The huge crowds showing up to hear Bernie Sanders are a testament not only to his current popularity and the campaign’s social-media savvy, but also to the promotional abilities of his supporters, which include progressive activists and labor unions. Finally, the media is beginning to understand that his popularity is more than a temporary fluke. He has something to say, and massive numbers of people are listening. He is a fresh voice, who is not promoting the status quo, and is strongly opposed to the rich controlling congress.
Since the media isn’t providing us with specifics, others, such as Sarah Silverman, via her Twitter account, are. This is in addition to his campaign’s website advertising, and the emails sent to Bernie Sanders’ large numbers of supporters in the area, asking them to RSVP. The rally was also promoted on Facebook.
“Bernie Sanders is one of the few politicians that is voicing what needs to be said for the common man,” Walter Gaines of Pasadena, stated.
“Bernie always seems to be on the right side of history,” Sarah Silverman told the audience at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena. She noted the Bernie Sanders was a civil rights activist in the 1960s, supported gay rights in the 1980s, and was strongly opposed the Iraq war before most Americans.
“This is an economy that is rigged, and meant to benefit those on top,” Sanders said in a raspy, strained voice as he gave his speech. “We need an economy that works for all people.”
Mike Jelf, age 69, said he spent Sunday leafleting for the campaign. On Monday, he brought his Saint Bernard, Munro, who wore a shirt saying,
“Saints for Sanders.” Jelf said, “I want to see a country that’s returned to the people rather than a plutocratic oligarchy. I would like to have a planet that’s habitable for future generations.”
When Sanders went on the stage, the cheers were nearly deafening. Speaking hoarsely, Bernie Sanders told the crowd,
“This campaign is not a billionaire-funded campaign. It is a people-funded campaign.”
“There is no president who will fight harder to end institutional racism,” Sanders stated in his speech. “Or for a higher minimum wage. Or for paid parental leave. Or for at least two weeks of paid vacation. Whenever we stand together, when we do not allow them to divide us up by the color of our skin or our sexual orientation, by whether a man or a woman is born in America or born somewhere else, whenever we stand together, there is nothing, nothing, nothing we cannot accomplish.”
