Bernie Sanders Battles For New York By Enlisting Legions Of Young Supporters: How a 74 Year Old Became The Voice of Youth In America
Bernie Sanders supporters are mobilizing all over the state, aiming to disprove predictions that Hillary Clinton is an easy winner in New York. They are turning up at rallies by the tens of thousands, with sign up sheets in hand, ready to spread the word of Sander’s ideals, according to the New Yorker. The New York Times reports long lines of lip ringed, tattooed, long haired youths, along with more clean cut types, are standing in line for hours waiting to gain entrance to Sander’s rallies.
Young Bernie Sanders supporters, the often-ragged hordes of jobless and underemployed college students and graduates, are making a stand behind a 73-year-old leader. Disillusioned, because the American dream shut down just as they came of age, these kids aim to be heard, according to the New York Times, and Sanders is giving them a voice.
Jim Dessicino, a 31-year-old sculptor, explained to the New York Times why these young people are disgruntled. They came of age during the financial crisis, and have been unable to do what was once taken for granted, and expected. They can’t find a job, pay off student loans, or get their own place.
“[They are a generation] whose lives never got to start.”
Bernie Sanders supporters, at least all of those interviewed by the New York Times at rallies, say they will never vote for Hillary Clinton in a general election. While Politico polls report 25 percent of Sanders supporters will not vote for Hillary, is it possible that the number is a lot higher? Would all or most of these young liberal Bernie supporters really vote for Donald Trump?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YhwBHm9dQqg
Sanders spoke up for young people in an interview with Jake Tapper of CNN. First, Bernie replied to Clinton’s comments in a Meet The Press interview. He says Clinton’s statement that young people didn’t fact check properly was condescending.
“I think that’s a little bit condescending. I’ll tell you my experience with young people… I see them every day because they’re coming out to our rallies. These are young people who want to be involved in shaping the future of this country.”
“They’re proud of this country. They want to make it a better country. I think they do a whole lot of research and I think that the Internet has opened up the opportunity for them to do a lot of research. And I’ll tell you, one of the reasons I think we’re doing so well is a lot of those people are going to the Internet and hearing what we have to say and what Bernie Sanders believes in.”
Bernie Sanders also explained to CNN that he was expecting an attack from the Clinton campaign in New York.
“I think the Clinton campaign has made it public, basically, they have told the media that here in New York, they’re about to become very negative, about to beat us up.”
“A candidate like Secretary Clinton, who voted for the disastrous war in Iraq, who has supported virtually every disastrous trade agreement that has cost us millions of decent-paying jobs and receives incredible amounts of money — we’re talking about tens of millions of dollars through a super PAC, from every special interest that you can think of, from the billionaire class — I have my doubts about what kind of president she would make.”
Apparently, if Clinton wants a war, she can expect one. The first half of the primaries was very peaceful, at least for the candidates. Supporters battled online, debating and flinging all the mud, but the candidates stayed congenial. Now, the tone may be changing, as Sanders supporters continue to take a stand in greater and greater numbers.
Bernie Sanders legions of young supporters are ready to stand up for a better America, where they can finally start to live their lives.
[Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images]
