Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) on Monday night conceded that he and Democratic presidential rival Hillary Clinton were locked in a “virtual tie” in the Iowa caucuses—but his supporters responded as if he had already won.
“While the results are still not known, it looks like we are in a virtual tie,” Sanders said to clapping from the audience. He then let out a “woo!” and laughed.
Sanders thanked Clinton and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, who dropped out of the race earlier Monday night.
“As I think about what happened tonight, I think the people of Iowa have sent a very profound message to the political establishment, to the economic establishment, and by the way, to the media establishment,” Sanders said, crediting Iowa with a “political revolution.”
Sanders went on to talk about his plan to offer tuition-free college and obliterate a corrupt campaign finance system. As his voice got raspy, he told the crowd that he was “very proud” to note that he was the only Democratic candidate without a super PAC.
“So you guys ready for a radical idea? So is America,” Sanders said. “We are going to create an economy that works for working families, not just the billionaire class.”