More than a year ago, a self-described Democratic Socialist from Vermont, told a crowd of supporters – standing on his front lawn – that he was running for president.
At the time the national media gave him little attention, and any attention that was paid was often mired in a tone of disbelief and mockery.
Until the money started rolling in – $1.5 million in the first 24 hours after his announcement. The average donation was only $43 dollars. Bernie Sanders’ Political Revolution was born.
As Sanders toured the country, headlines blared: “Sanders draws record 26,000 in Los Angeles,” thousands in New York City – at one point Sanders drew more people to his rally in a small Iowa town, than actually lived in the city itself.
Sanders’ hyper focused message on economic inequality drew millions of “working people” and young people to his campaign – something Sanders reminded his followers of consistently.
Sanders’ winning streak started in New Hampshire and he went on to capture states all across the country. But after months of primaries, his winning streak hit a wall in New York – a state his rival Hillary Clinton represented in the Senate.
With every following loss, Sanders’ chances of winning the Democratic nomination became more and more unlikely – until a crippling loss in California made it mathematically impossible. Still, Sanders’ campaign continued, but his message started to change as he tried to convince his die hard supporters that stopping Donald Trump was more important than winning the nomination.
Not long after, came his full-throated endorsement of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton – which many of his supporters continue to reject.
But the disruption began to subside once Sanders spoke on the opening night, urging his supporters to support his rival, as the best way – and only chance – to continue the work they have done over the last year.
The “Bernie or Bust” movement was dealt its final blow when Sanders ended the convention’s roll call vote by declaring that Clinton be made the Democratic nominee for president – a symbolic gesture of party unity.
With his presidential campaign coming to an official close, Sanders cut one last ad –addressed directly to his supporters.
“If anyone tells you, ‘we didn’t change the world over night, I’m giving up,’ think about those people – who struggled, decade after decade, gave their lives,” Sanders says in the video – over memorable clips from his presidential campaign. “What we accept as normal, I want your grandchildren to tell you, you were crazy to accept it.”
“That’s when you have a revolution.”
At the time the national media gave him little attention, and any attention that was paid was often mired in a tone of disbelief and mockery.
Until the money started rolling in – $1.5 million in the first 24 hours after his announcement. The average donation was only $43 dollars. Bernie Sanders’ Political Revolution was born.
“What This Campaign Is About…”
As Sanders toured the country, headlines blared: “Sanders draws record 26,000 in Los Angeles,” thousands in New York City – at one point Sanders drew more people to his rally in a small Iowa town, than actually lived in the city itself.
Sanders’ hyper focused message on economic inequality drew millions of “working people” and young people to his campaign – something Sanders reminded his followers of consistently.
Sanders’ winning streak started in New Hampshire and he went on to capture states all across the country. But after months of primaries, his winning streak hit a wall in New York – a state his rival Hillary Clinton represented in the Senate.
With every following loss, Sanders’ chances of winning the Democratic nomination became more and more unlikely – until a crippling loss in California made it mathematically impossible. Still, Sanders’ campaign continued, but his message started to change as he tried to convince his die hard supporters that stopping Donald Trump was more important than winning the nomination.
Not long after, came his full-throated endorsement of his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton – which many of his supporters continue to reject.
“… Is Bringing People Together.”
The opening days of the Democratic National Convention were met with protesters, deafening “boos” at the mere mention of Clinton and eventually a staged walk out by a large chunk of Sanders’ delegates.But the disruption began to subside once Sanders spoke on the opening night, urging his supporters to support his rival, as the best way – and only chance – to continue the work they have done over the last year.
The “Bernie or Bust” movement was dealt its final blow when Sanders ended the convention’s roll call vote by declaring that Clinton be made the Democratic nominee for president – a symbolic gesture of party unity.
The Political Revolution Continues
With his presidential campaign coming to an official close, Sanders cut one last ad –addressed directly to his supporters.
“If anyone tells you, ‘we didn’t change the world over night, I’m giving up,’ think about those people – who struggled, decade after decade, gave their lives,” Sanders says in the video – over memorable clips from his presidential campaign. “What we accept as normal, I want your grandchildren to tell you, you were crazy to accept it.”
“That’s when you have a revolution.”