Sanders Tells Colbert He ‘Expected’ To Gain Traction In Dem Primary (VIDEO)

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Stephen Colbert opened “The Late Show” on Friday by explaining Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) incredible rise as a Democratic presidential candidate.

“Everybody feeling the Bern?” Colbert asked. “He wants to give you universal healthcare so you can have that burn checked out.”

Colbert noted that Sanders’ success is Hillary Clinton’s “most shocking political upset since the last time it happened to her,” alluding to her loss to Barack Obama in the 2008 primary.

Later on the show, Colbert asked Sanders how he has gained so much support.

“Did you expect this to happen? Colbert asked. “Because you have shocked the political class in the United States.”

“Well, this is what I expected, Stephen,” Sanders responded. “I knew that we had a message that would resonate with the American people.”

Sanders also explained to Colbert why he’s not insulted when people call him a “liberal” and a “socialist.”

“I prefer the term, actually, to be a progressive, and I’ll tell you why,” Sanders said, noting that countries like Denmark have universal health care and free college.

“What you have is a society where government, as I believe it — should in this country — radical idea though it may be, should actually represent working people and the middle class, rather than large campaign donors,” he continued.

Watch Colbert’s intro and part of his interview with Sanders below:

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