Bernie Sanders
Related: About this forumI am home from the Town Hall here in Phoenix.
Last edited Sun Jul 19, 2015, 08:29 AM - Edit history (1)
Damn! Where to start.
Y'all can watch the Youtube videos of the speech so I won't go into great detail on it, but I do want to share what the experience was like.
So, we arrived at around 5:30pm to already forming crowds. I got to talk to some very nice folks while we waiting to work our way inside the hall. Already, I could see the incredible diversity that puts to rest the incredible lies both in the media and here on DU that Sanders only appeals to older white folks. Blacks, Latino's, men, women, older, and younger were all there. All of us excited to hear Sanders speak to all our issues.
As we waited, I connected with an old friend from my MBA program from the early 2000's. This man and his wife are staunch Republicans, or so I thought given what I knew then. I expressed my utter surprise at seeing them there. His reply? The bank he was made VP of was one of the ones shut down after the 2008 crisis. He felt that his small local bank was punished for the actions of the Wall Street giant banks. It took years for him to get new work. He and his wife lost a child due to a miscarriage they both admitted was caused in part by so much of their financial stress. It was heart breaking hearing all of this. They want and need change. He admitted being wrong about GW Bush and while still a conservative, he is now drawn to Sander's message of true economic change. Again, all I can say is wow!
So, we go inside. The hall has a large divider and it was down. As the hall filled, the crowd has to have topped out at between 10,000 and 12,000 people. I have not been in such a crowd since some of my arena concert going days.
The crowd still growing caused a delay in the start of the speech. A local black man that I know personally spoke to us about the delay. Yeah, I know, a black man. Then finally it began. A Hispanic woman introduced Sanders. She wasn't a great speaker but obviously loves his message. Then Sanders started.
He was amazing. Not in a hero-worshippy sort of way, but rather, he was passionate, pointed, and hit all of the main points of what traditional progressive liberalism should really be about. He talked about economic parity. He spoke about immigration. He talked about things we have all seen from other speeches. He did hit a few other points I hadn't seen him reference.
One was about CU and how the youth should be encouraged to run for office and not have to pay such a high price to do so. The crowd full of a lot of young people were seriously impressed. From there he went on to free public university education. Man the crowd went insane. Chanting and yelling. Student loan reform drew a huge amount of applause as well.
So what else? Well, we have a large Hispanic Catholic community here. When Sanders spoke about Pope Francis and climate change, he received a large roar from the crowd. The group I was with included some of the members of my Ile. We had a gay man with us, a post-op transgender woman, an older conservative Italian immigrant, and a very old Cuban woman who spoke next to no English. She had a translator present, and it was obvious that she too was loving what he was saying.
I know about what happened this morning with BlackLivesMatter and the Netroot Townhall. I will address that later in other posts. But I can tell you that what happened had literally ZERO impact on what occurred tonight with Sanders speech. Lots of blacks were in attendance. Some of the protesters themselves were there people. They are listening. Hell, we are listening. He called out the dividers for who they are - the GOP and I know that includes the New Dems as well. Those are the people who divide us by race, gender, sexuality, economic class, and race. He was the inclusive candidate par excellence tonight. And the crowd's noise reflected that!
We have overcome a lot of racism, and we have a long way to go is what he said, has said, and continues to say. He spoke out about violence against blacks by the police. He got standing ovations from those sitting down when he talked about the need to hold police officers that perpetrate such violence must be held accountable. So yes, I am going to say this loud and clear, fuck all of the DU Clinton supporters that push this bullshit meme that Sanders is not supportive of POC (BlackLivesMatter or immigration!). It is a divisive campaign tactic with no basis in reality. For fuck's sake he quoted Frederick Douglas!
It was a well delivered, passionate, and intelligent speech. He fired up this Phoenix crowd! The energy in the room by the end of speech was palpable. He spent time after making his way through the dispersing crowd. I was too far in the back to get a chance to personally connect with him myself. All of the people that I saw making their way out were fired up and emboldened by his speech. There is some serious and real support here now for Sanders. Tactically, Clinton made a huge mistake missing this.
I am meeting some former students tomorrow for tea to discuss what is going on here with the Sanders campaign in more depth. If the crowd was indeed around 10,000 to 12,000 people as I surmise, the grassroots outreach here is going to skyrocket. How could it not?
Overall, I come away from his speech even more certain that he is the only candidate I can vote for this round. He speaks to me on so many issues that impact me and those around me that I care about. He supports minorities. He supports the youth. He supports real economic change. He is personally a what you see is what you get kind of guy. Call him gruff or unkempt or not polished and I am glad that he is all those things and more. He is real, and as he said in his speech, a president alone can not make all the changes that are necessary. It will take ALL of us to do that. Obama blew that in his first days in office. Imagine for one moment what it would have been like had Obama chosen a lesbian Episcopal priest to give his inaugural benediction instead of Rick Warren?
Whew, I am one tired, hot, but excited man right now.
Go Sanders!
HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)Thank you! Falling asleep so I have to reread in the morning. But this was wonderful! Thank you!
Cleita
(75,480 posts)What a great report. I wish I could rec this a thousand times.
bjobotts
(9,141 posts)JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)OffWithTheirHeads
(10,337 posts)We were RSVP # 4&5. I was the guy in the Black Stetson. I'm sure you noticed.
Just watched the news in Phoenix. They said several thousand showed up. They forgot to mention that we had three times the number of progressivs show up as opposed to the racist assholes that showed up for Trump and Arpiio. If Dems running in Az. have the right message, we will no longer be a red state. We proved that today!
TM99
(8,352 posts)Black Stetson eh?! I was the 6'2" light brown skinned man with a cane way in the back.
The last numbers I am seeing are close to 12,000. That was definitely 3 times more than that fucker Trump!
I would love to see Arizona go blue this election. With cross-over appeal and disenfranchised voters plus a strong showing with minorities here, Sanders really could win this state.
Clinton on the other hand? Not a freaking chance.
Half-Century Man
(5,279 posts)Just wait till his next rally here.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)But wait till we get our turn here in NY.
MuseRider
(34,109 posts)How wonderful is this? Cities competing to see who can get the most people to hear Bernie Sanders? I kinda like that
SoapBox
(18,791 posts)Thank you for a great report...just so exciting.
Go Bernie!
Manifestor_of_Light
(21,046 posts)I plan to support Bernie. I find Hillary too corporate, like Bill was.
I think this is comparable to seeing Bill Clinton in the summer of 1992 when he was starting to separate from the pack, and getting noticed. I saw him three times in person. Except that Bill Clinton causes a lot of women to turn into speechless gobsmacked idiots in his presence. I don't know if Bernie does that to women, or not. He definitely has TV charisma.
I watched Bernie's speech on YouTube. Tomorrow he comes to Texas!
Sometimes you see someone make a dynamite speech on TV. And sometimes the person who makes the dynamite speech at the Convention does not get the nomination. The examples I remember are: Ted Kennedy, 1980, Democratic National Convention and Mario Cuomo, 1984, Democratic National Convention, Barbara Jordan, 1976, Democratic National Convention.
My dad, who watched politics for decades, referred to TV charisma as "they really come across on the tube". Another person I have seen on TV who I noticed immediately was Billy Connolly on Bill Maher's old talk show Politically Incorrect.
udbcrzy2
(891 posts)I think it would be good if he explained also about being registered to vote, getting to the voting booth for the primary and then the final vote. It wouldn't hurt to explain this to people.
TM99
(8,352 posts)It really would not have fit organically into the speech he gave tonight.
He seems to have a rare ability to combine passion and pragmatism. He presents the problems that make us all angry. He follows it up with a solution that we all know could actually be made to correct it. Seeing it in person was wonderful.
TM99
(8,352 posts)Sanders has real charisma. Not the rock star type per se, but rather someone who is very comfortable in front of a large crowd just being himself. He was passionate AND pragmatic.
What you and I have seen on the 'tube' is what you will see in person if you can get to his speech in Texas. Frankly, it was better.
And yes, I am going to get a bit psychological now (after all it is my field) but here is the difference between these crowds for him and those like with Bill Clinton and Obama.
Rock stars are on the stage. The energy is flowing in one way towards the central figure there. Love, adoration, attraction, etc. are projected out towards them. Hell I met Bill Clinton several times. He is an incredibly 'attractive' man.
Sanders speaking was different. It was more of a dialog. He would passionately express something, and then the crowd as a whole would respond. He would respond to that energy and they would respond back again further. So by the time he finished, all of us felt like we were engaged with him in a real fight to change not only politics as usual but also the way we do things in this country with our governance. And he was able to talk to all of us. As a poc, I didn't once feel like he was only addressing the youth, or the whites, or the poor, or whatever. He was asking us all to come together not to support just him but to fucking support ourselves. I don't want another rock star president. I want someone who will fight to get some shit done.
BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)I hope that is the outcome of this campaign. I think it has shaken up DC and they hate the idea of people understanding that the government should work for THEM, not the rich and powerful. That alone is something we all need to do, to understand the that only role of government is to make people's lives better.
I am glad to hear your report. I have been thinking about the protest today and have not come to a conclusion about it yet to be honest. It is very uplifting to hear that you felt he connected to you.
I will try to watch the speech soon as it sounds like a barn berner.
TM99
(8,352 posts)It was excellent. Watch the crowd closely. It was diverse and very responsive to everything he said.
I look forward to seeing your thoughts on the BLM protest when you get the time.
Snotcicles
(9,089 posts)on him. Looks like it did, like it inspired and fired him up.
Pakhet
(520 posts)and even my republican mother listened in when I called her on speaker phone. then she decided to look up his web site and likes what she sees, so that's progress. It was an amazing sight: all ages and races. I was so excited to see so many young people AND older people. The older folks around here are rabidly republican, for the most part.
TM99
(8,352 posts)Yes, on all accounts.
Sun City and Paradise Valley are strong solid red communities. So seeing older people at an event like this in Phoenix is a very good thing.
It was wonderful seeing the diversity and the very loud support for Sanders here in Arizona. I spent the day with some former students who are eager to volunteer for the campaign. Is your son old enough to do so?
Pakhet
(520 posts)and that's actually a great idea. I haven't had the opportunity to show him how to campaign/canvass, but I'll definately mention it to him.
udbcrzy2
(891 posts)Thanks for giving us that report. I watched it on YouTube and I was also excited. He is so genuine and explains things very well.
tomm2thumbs
(13,297 posts)Videos help but that behind-the-scenes was a great wash of info you would never get from not being there. Much appreciated!
Beartracks
(12,814 posts)Glad you emphasized this.
==========================
rocktivity
(44,576 posts)Last edited Sun Jul 19, 2015, 01:03 PM - Edit history (4)
...I expressed my utter surprise at seeing them there. His reply? The bank he was made VP of was one of the ones shut down after the 2008 crisis. He felt that his small local bank was punished for the actions of the Wall Street giant banks. It took years for him to get new work...He admitted being wrong about GW Bush and while still a conservative, he is now drawn to Sander's message of true economic change. Again, all I can say is wow!"
And all I can say is, we must have a psychic bond -- I posted these just hours ago:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=128006
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1016&pid=128029
rocktivity
TM99
(8,352 posts)A lot of people of all demographics are pissed at where we have ended up as a country.
J and I spent almost 3 years together as study group members during our MBA. We argued, good naturedly, about everything from Bush v Gore to tax cuts to the War in Iraq to Hurricane Katrina. I was shocked and yet I really wasn't. His story is similar to thousands of others whether they are Democrats, Independents, or Republicans.
Right now, his message is truly speaking to all of us. I have not experienced that ever in my life politically.
Warpy
(111,261 posts)and telling me they like his message. Finally, someone is addressing the very real problems we're all facing, no matter what our party is.
I have a feeling the days of phony centrist "business as usual" that fattens the rich and corporate to the detriment of everybody else are numbered, if not by Sanders then by the next populist.
PatrickforO
(14,574 posts)is a no-brainer.
NBachers
(17,110 posts)Paka
(2,760 posts)Thanks so much for all the details.
I look forward to more stories like this. I hope to post my own someday.
carolinayellowdog
(3,247 posts)Great to read first thing after waking this am while coffee is still brewing. Now will go get a cup and come back and read it again just for the pleasure of reliving the experience-- you have a gift with words.
monmouth4
(9,705 posts)femmedem
(8,203 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)So yes, I am going to say this loud and clear, fuck all of the DU Clinton supporters that push this bullshit meme that Sanders is not supportive of POC (BlackLivesMatter or immigration!). It is a divisive campaign tactic with no basis in reality.
You would think they learned from the last losing campaign.
Over and out!
merrily
(45,251 posts)receive emails?
TM99
(8,352 posts)There were campaign workers after the speech meeting with attendees. And many of us are getting together on our own first to get groups of people ready locally for the 29th.
I did personally get some people there to sign up, however, from what I could see many were already quite aware of Sanders, his site, and his campaign.
merrily
(45,251 posts)Who will vote for Bernie ????
Nobody But The People !!!!
Thank you for the first hand report !!!!!!!!!!
Autumn
(45,084 posts)Arizona huh? Texas will fall next. Thanks for this awesome recap of your evening. You know what? We got this.
Thespian2
(2,741 posts)Being a long way from Arizona, your post helps bring Bernie more alive to those of us who can only read about it...I would really like to hear Bernie in person...
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)Puglover
(16,380 posts)I'll post results as soon as I have them.
TM99
(8,352 posts)AllyCat
(16,187 posts)LiberalElite
(14,691 posts)shoe fit someone and they didn't want to wear it. (Translation: the truth hurts.)
Puglover
(16,380 posts)On Sun Jul 19, 2015, 07:43 AM an alert was sent on the following post:
I am home from the Town Hall here in Phoenix.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/128026545
REASON FOR ALERT
This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.
ALERTER'S COMMENTS
"fuck all of the DU Clinton supporters that push this bullshit meme that Sanders is not supportive of POC" Harsh and over-the-top comment. Does not belong on DU.
You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Sun Jul 19, 2015, 07:53 AM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.
Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It is a divisive campaign tactic with no basis in reality.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Let it stand. Aimed at those who push a dishonest meme, not at all Clinton supporters.
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: It was a great post overall. I voted to leave it alone even though that 1 sentence is disgusting. Save the "fuck all _______ supporters ..." for the republicans.
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.
I love your OP and I love the excitement. Although I loath the "bullshit meme" that some Clinton supporters push I am sure as much as you I don't think it would be an awful idea to edit out the "fuck them" part. IMHO.
TM99
(8,352 posts)There are posts already this morning yammering on again about this full of lies and distortions.
That is what is disgusting.
I know it is not all Clinton supporters. Unfortunately the ones that do push this are so loud they drown out any other voices of her supporters that might disagree with smear job.
Puglover
(16,380 posts)It IS disgusting.
artislife
(9,497 posts)that you posted it here. They have to choose to come to an area that supports the man who is running against their H. If it is upsetting, don't come in.
I have gone into their area to see what was up. No way am I going to post or alert or probably ever read again. It's not my place.
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)ellennelle
(614 posts)that's the word. google it. lots of coverage!
GO BERNIE!!
totally trounced trump.
and thx for this account! appreciate your sharing.
the man's becoming unstoppable.
TM99
(8,352 posts)at over 12,000.
And I am glad to see there is a LOT of coverage. I don't follow mainstream news outlets.
ellennelle
(614 posts)so glad you reported your experience; can't wait till he makes it to the boston area.
meanwhile, luv your bhikkhu quote.
zentrum
(9,865 posts)Keep us informed about your republican friend.
Enthusiast
(50,983 posts)Bernie is supportive of everyone but the robber barons.
KoKo
(84,711 posts)Thank you so much for this first hand personal report. This is the kind of stuff I really enjoy reading. I have no use for reports from pundits telling me how I should have seen it.
daleanime
(17,796 posts)Thanks for taking the time for the write up.
for sharing. So exciting. Can't wait to see him.
MuseRider
(34,109 posts)every time I read one of these awesome reports. Thanks for this. I really did feel like I was standing next to you. Great job!
James Taylor
His blues parody from 1970 (?)
Steamroller Blues
Well, I'm a steamroller, baby, I'm bound to roll all over you.
Yes, I'm a steamroller now, baby, I'm bound to roll all over you.
I'm gonna inject your soul with some sweet rock 'n roll and shoot you full of rhythm and blues.
Well, I'm a cement mixer, a churning urn of burning funk.
Yes, I'm a cement mixer for you, baby, a churning urn of burning funk.
Well, I'm a demolition derby, yes, a hefty hunk of steaming junk.
Now, I'm a napalm bomb, baby, just guaranteed to blow your mind.
Yeah, I'm a napalm bomb for you, baby, just guaranteed to blow your mind
And if I can't have your love for my own, sweet child, won't be nothing left behind,
It seems how lately, baby, got a bad case steamroller blues.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
raouldukelives
(5,178 posts)historylovr
(1,557 posts)I can just imagine the energy bouncing back and forth there.
AllyCat
(16,187 posts)I was at the Madison rally earlier his month and it was a cross-section of our community. Many minorities, all ages, abilities, unionists.
Bjorn Against
(12,041 posts)I would be very interested in knowing how the events at Netroots Nation earlier in the day effected black turnout at this event. There were clearly quite a few African Americans in the crowd and I am sure that many of them planned to be there even before the events of yesterday, but I suspect that there may have been a few that came as a direct response to what happened at Netroots Nation as well. I am sure the are a number of black voters who were not happy that he was shouted down and those voters may take a closer look at Bernie.
I will be interested to see what happens in the days ahead but after seeing the very diverse crowd in Phoenix I can't help but wonder if the attacks on Bernie are actually helping him build support with people of color, not all people of color approve of these attacks and I could see a lot of them moving their support to Bernie in response.
Dems to Win
(2,161 posts)I'm fired up and Feeling the Bern just reading your account.
Go Bernie Go!
BlueJazz
(25,348 posts)swilton
(5,069 posts)I'm going to circulate this!
WillyT
(72,631 posts)Left coast liberal
(1,138 posts)Feeling the Bern in Washington State
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)who attended. The lies won't affect Bernie at all, because they ARE lies. He tells the truth and the truth along with his incredible record, that is what will and IS prevailing.
FreedomRain
(413 posts)I'll confirm everything you said - and add that the whole thing was incredibly well run. What a great thing to be a part of!
artislife
(9,497 posts)TM99
(8,352 posts)with the way it was run.
There was no problems with getting every one into the hall. They made sure to keep us informed of the delay of the speech. The music selections were excellent choices in my opinion.
Wasn't it great to have been there?
I spent the day with some former students eager to join his campaign as volunteers. They are a diverse group of young men and women with one thing in common. They are sick to death of the status quo and the damage that neo-liberalism has wrought in the Democratic party. None of them are affiliated with the formal party structure any more.
artislife
(9,497 posts)I devoured every word!