FULL SPEECH:
Bernie Sanders Rally in
Carson, California (5-17-2016)
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders kicked off his final push to win the
California primary Tuesday night with a bold prediction during a rally in
Carson.
“I think we are going to win here in
California,” Sanders told a crowd of more than 8,
000 at the
Tennis Stadium inside the
StubHub Center.
But Sanders said the only way to victory is with a “huge” turnout of his supporters. “Let this great state show the world that you are prepared to help lead our nation into the political revolution.”
If Sanders does pull off a California victory, it would be an upset: a
Field Poll last month showed him trailing
Hillary Clinton by six percentage points. The primary is June 7.
The Sanders campaign hopes to marshal resources from around the region.
Katherine Sprague of
Phoenix intends to spend the next two weeks campaigning for Sanders in
Los Angeles.
"I'm doing a
Bernie Journey," she said as she waited for the rally to begin. "We have a whole caravan of
Arizona State University students coming. Hopefully, 10 or 20."
Thousands await #FeelTheBern Sanders rally at Stubb Hub
Center Tennis Stadium in Carson 2nite @
KPCC pic.twitter.com/KxCXBIS7qM
—
Frank Stoltze (@StoltzeFrankly)
May 18, 2016
Will Kittler spoke through a megaphone to Sanders supporters as they lined up outside the stadium, urging them to volunteer, too.
“We need you to help this revolution come true,” he said.
Sanders' speech came as news arrived that he won the
Oregon primary Tuesday. “
I am getting to like the
West Coast,” Sanders quipped.
Clinton declared victory in
Kentucky in a tight race.
Sanders refused to ease up on Clinton, who holds a near insurmountable lead in delegates.
The self-described
Democratic socialist highlighted differences over trade policies and the minimum wage, and took Clinton to task for taking money from people and institutions tied to
Wall Street.
“Our job is to take on Wall Street, not take their money,” he said to a roaring crowd. “I am tired of the greed of Wall Street. We need a new moral compass.”
Clinton has said she acts independently of Wall Street.
Sanders also called on party leaders to be more open to his ideas. “I say to the leadership of the
Democratic Party, '
Open the doors. Let the people in.'”
Donald Trump was also a target. He chastised the presumptive
Republican nominee for wanting to prohibit Muslims from entering the
U.S. and for his refusal to rule out the use of nuclear weapons against the
Islamic State.
“We will not accept a president who recklessly talks about using nuclear weapons,” Sanders said as the crowd booed at the mention of
Trump.
The rally attracted Sanders supporters from around the
Southern California. Many tended to be younger.
Sabrina Rios, 30, of
Highland Park sported a T-shirt that read: “
Vato Loco Bernie Sanders.” Vato loco means crazy dude in
Spanish – in a “good way,” Rios said.
“I work full time. I am a single mom.
And I can barely make it work,” Rios said of her economic situation. “I’m in a very fragile situation, and one little setback can blow it all up.”
She believes Sanders’ push for a higher federal minimum wage and free college tuition will help.
“I’m looking for support to make my life better, make a better life for my daughter,” she said as her three-year-old girl stood at her side.
Jaime Ochoa, 28, of
Cypress Park also liked Sanders' stand on free tuition.
“
People deserve to go to college and not worry about the debt,” she said.
Nicolas Vasquez, 19, jams outside the #FeelTheBern Sanders rally in Carson. He likes the
Candidate & the tips @KPCC pic.twitter.com/XzBW47uFvY
— Frank Stoltze (@StoltzeFrankly) May 18, 2016
The atmosphere was more optimistic than angry. Nicolas Vasquez played his three-piece drum set as people waited in line. Vasquez, 19, studies music at
Fullerton College.
“I knew it would just be a great place to be,” he said. He’ll vote for the first time on June 7, casting his ballot for Sanders.
One hot question among Sanders supporters is whether they will vote for Clinton if she is the party’s nominee in November.
8-year-old
Vincent Aguiar is among those at the #FeelTheBern Sanders rally in
Carson, CA 2nite. @KPCC pic.twitter.com/vaw29TEY6r
— Frank Stoltze (@StoltzeFrankly) May 18, 2016
Norbert Chen said Clinton doesn’t compare to Sanders. “He promises real fundamental change in this country,” Chen said.
- published: 18 May 2016
- views: 725