Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) told progressive supporters Monday that they were no longer “fringe players” in their party, delivering a pumped-up version of his stump speech ahead of the Democratic National Convention.
“As all of you will recall, when we began this campaign over a year ago, we were considered to be fringe players by the establishment and the corporate media,” Sanders said while addressing supporters in Philadelphia. “Well, a year has come and gone. We’re not fringe players anymore.”
“We have shown the entire world that our ideas are not some crazy, wild, utopian fantasies,” he continued. “They are ideas supported by working people from one end of this country to the other.”
Sanders also reaffirmed that he thought Donald Trump needed to be beaten in the general election.
“And we have got to elect Hillary Clinton and Tim Kaine,” Sanders said.
The crowd launched into a bunch of “boos.” Sanders didn’t comment on their reaction to his statement and continued talking about how Trump shouldn’t be elected.
He also predicted that Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz’s resignation would “open the doors of the party” to more people.
The crowd seemed to match the enthusiasm in Sanders’ voice by chanting back at him, “Bernie!” as his speech went on. Sanders was expected to give a speech at the convention later Monday.
This post has been updated.
So, does that mean they should be good, loyal Democrats and fall in line? Or, they are powerful and should bend the convention to their will?
“Sanders didn’t comment on their reaction to his statement and continued talking about how Trump shouldn’t be elected.”
A little red meat for the people who want to go off on him, TPM? Public speaking is no joke…staying on message with having to make different speeches all the time is a difficult talent to practice and hone. Very few can go off message at the drop of a hat to react to the audience and then go right back into their speeches.
Good for Bernie for saying we need to elect Clinton/Kaine. Bad on him for NEVER addressing their Boos. You helped create a monster, Mr Sanders, and you’ve never had an ounce of courage to do anything about it.
Any politician worth their salt could have addressed that. Obama does it quite often, and quite well. You’re making excuses for a cowardly move on Bernie’s behalf.
Public speaking is no joke? True.
A Presidential candidate should be able to think on his feet–even during a speech.