Bernie Sanders Aims For Another Big Upset In Florida, And The Numbers Show He’s On The Way — On Thursday His Rally Drew 9,000 In Tampa, Clinton’s Had Just 600

Bernie Sanders wants to spark a “political revolution” in Florida, and if the numbers this week are any indication, he’s well on his way.

Fresh off a huge upset win over Hillary Clinton in Michigan, Sanders has shifted his focus to Florida and the important race that will take place there next Tuesday. Florida had been seen as a safe Clinton win, but after Sanders overcame a 20-point deficit to take Michigan, there are seemingly no easy wins, and the coming days are seen as critical.

If the rallies held there this week are any indication, Bernie Sanders is the one with all the momentum. On Thursday, both candidates touched down in Tampa for rallies, and the differences were stark. Bernie Sanders drew 9,000 people to the Florida State Fairgrounds, a group that Florida Politics called “a multicultural mix of citizens.”

Hillary Clinton’s rally, meanwhile, drew just 600 people to her midday rally.

Sanders spoke of a political revolution in Florida, noting that enthusiasm and a huge turnout will be needed if he is to pull off another big upset.

“On Tuesday there is going to be a very important primary here in Florida,” Sanders told the huge crowds at Expo Hall. “If there is a large voter turnout, we will win.”

Around 8,000 made it into Bernie's Tampa rally on a Thursday after rush hour!
From #Latinos Pro Bernie Sanders on fb pic.twitter.com/UspjtlfnPK

— Republicans R Evil (@CanProveIt) March 11, 2016

Sanders seemed to own the gap in enthusiasm as well, with his supporters undaunted despite Clinton’s lead in the delegate count.

“Win or lose, I think he’s created a revolution in as much as he’s demonstrated that it’s possible to have a successful campaign without the money from Wall Street,” said retired college Philosophy professor Jack Brush, who lives in The Villages. “I didn’t think it was possible to have a campaign like this, but it is.”

Bernie Sanders could also be making important inroads with Florida’s Latino population, a group he has been steadily improving. Hillary Clinton has held large leads among non-white voters, but Sanders’ Michigan performance showed he is doing much better among this important voting bloc.

As Orlando Weekly noted, Sanders had an important endorsement from the Latino community.

“Before Sanders’ speech, Betsy Franceschini introduced him to the crowd. Franceschini, who was previously the regional director for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration‘s Florida office, now works for the campaign as a regional director concentrating on the Latino vote.

“Franceschini says she’s from a humble Puerto Rican family, and Sanders’ message to better the lives of workers reminds her of her father, who worked for U.S. Steel. Sanders was one of the first in Congress to advocate for restructuring Puerto Rico’s current debt and helping people on the island, she says.

“‘My three children have been inspired by Sanders, and like them, I am also inspired,’ she says in Spanish. ‘That’s why I’m supporting him…He knows the struggle minorities have. I hope Latinos can hear his message and cause a political revolution.'”

The stark difference between Sanders’ and Clinton’s rallies drew the attention of Sanders supporters, who are remaining steadfast behind their candidate. After his win on Tuesday, there was a new rush of donations and efforts to reach out to voters in upcoming states.

Yesterday in Tampa @BernieSanders drew a crowd of 9,000, @HillaryClinton, 600. Don't believe the MSM! #NotMeUs pic.twitter.com/lFaAn9YHXK

— Socratic L (OLD) ? (@SocraticL_OLD) March 11, 2016

Bernie Sanders will still have a way to go if he is to complete the political revolution he speaks of in Florida, as polls still put him between 20 and 30 points behind Clinton. But after his win on Tuesday, the old math may be thrown out the window, and Florida is one of the final states in Clinton’s stronghold in the south. If Sanders can simply hold down the loss to 15 points or less, it could give a much-needed boost in momentum to other states moving forward and signal that Sanders is definitely still in the race.

[Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images]