Tonight I went to a Bernie rally and saw what America looks like

[Bjorn Against]

The media may want to make us believe that losing one state means Bernie's campaign is done for, but what I saw in Rochester, Minnesota tonight destroys the media narrative.

Tonight I attended a Bernie rally that began not long after it was announced that Hillary had won South Carolina by a big margin.

Did that dampen the enthusiasm of the crowd? Not one bit.

This was not only a very enthusiastic crowd, but it was a very diverse crowd as well. Minnesota may be a mostly white state, but this crowd was filled with diversity. There were black, white, Latino, Somalians, Asians, Native Americans, Indian Americans, it was one of the most diverse political rallies I have seen in Minnesota. There were also a lot of women in the crowd and ages ranging from teenagers to seniors and everything in between.

Bernie may be having trouble attracting people of color in the south, but he seems to have made major gains across demographics in Minnesota because this rally was far more diverse than the previous rallies I had attended.

Of the three Bernie rallies I have attended throughout the campaign, Bernie delivered his best speech at this one. He used more humor than he normally does but still hit on all the serious issues. The crowd loved every minute of it and it was clear that no one felt defeated by South Carolina. We still have 46 states ahead of us and the Bernie campaign is as motivated as ever.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. That's great to hear.

I'll be caucusing for Bernie next Tuesday in Minneapolis. I think he has a really good chance of winning Minnesota.

[cantbeserious]

2. Thank You For Sharing This Wonderful News

eom

[itsrobert]

3. CNN reported from the rally. And quote: "This crowd is not diverse"

You may have been been focused on the stage where campaigns place "people of color" as back drops for their speeches. I noticed during Bernie's speech they positioned them perfectly to fill the screen on his right and left and above his head. As the camera panned from the stage, the crowd got whiter and whiter the further from the stage the camera went.

[Bjorn Against]

5. Well then CNN is flat out lying

I was actually in the crowd, I was not just focused behind the stage. I had people of color standing all around me, I saw them in the line, I saw them in numerous places throughout the crowd, if CNN's cameras missed them that would suggest to me that they were purposely avoiding them. This was not an all white crowd, not even close.

It us flat out false to say that the people sitting behind Bernie were "strategically placed", the diversity of the people sitting behind Bernie were representative of the crowd as a whole.

[itsrobert]

9. Sorry, I don't agree

They were put there to show diversity. Most all campaigns do it. You weren't watching on tv, so you didn't get the precise camera angle view. And as the camera panned from the stage the crowd got extremely white. Afterall, Minnesota is 84 percent white to begin with. Maybe it's your perspective on diversity? Your view is Minnesota, mine is California. You may think 16 out of 100 people is diverse, My perspective starts about 4 out of 10.

[Bjorn Against]

12. No I was not watching on TV, I was actually there

Which means I got a much better view of the crowd than you did. Are you trying to tell me that the people I stood next to and the people I stood in line with, the people I saw throughout the crowd were strategically placed? I am sure that would be news to them.

Sorry but your view from California did not allow you to see as many people I saw in my five hours plus at the event site.

[itsrobert]

13. Good for you

Nice try.

[Bjorn Against]

14. Nice try pretending you know more about the crowd than I do when you were not there

[itsrobert]

15. CNN was there, the reporter was very clear

thank you.

[Bjorn Against]

16. Sorry I trust my own eyes more than a report from a pundit

[itsrobert]

17. He was actually a reporter

But go ahead and keep pushing what your selling, I'm not a buyer.

[Bjorn Against]

18. Yeah a reporter from a 24 hour gossip channel that lost its credibility years ago

[noiretextatique]

63. Don't believe your lying eyes!!! CNN said it, so it's true!!!

the things one has to do...
Remember how the media downplayed the Iraq war protests? I do too.

[MuseRider]

78. I believe they said

the same thing about the rally in Kansas City. I spent 3 cold hours in line and am too short to see the stage but I could see all the people around me and like you, I saw America.

[highprincipleswork]

32. What exactly do you buy? The MSM?

[madokie]

45. Of course you're not

Hillary wouldn't approve of it, now would she.

You should have seen the crowd here in Tulsa Wednesday night. I'm sure you probably wouldn't think it was a diverse crowd either but you would be wrong

[peacebird]

52. You are calling a fellow DUer a LIAR. That is against TOS.

[Enthusiast]

24. CNN has no more credibility than Fox "News".

[artislife]

26. CNN. 'nough said. nt

[Geronimoe]

34. CNN what a joke!

[smiley]

50. and we all know CNN would never lie fit their narrative right?

gimme a break please.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. Since the OP was physically there

and would have had to stand in line and mingle with the crowd, I expect he was in an excellent position to report on its composition. Minnesota, at least its larger cities, is more diverse than most people think. However, Rochester, where this event occurred, is pretty affluent, mainly due to the Mayo Clinic; and Olmsted County tends to vote GOP. So it's especially good to hear that there was a good turnout for Bernie.

[Beowulf]

25. CNN - parent company - Time Warner

To which candidate did Time Warner donate gobs of money?

[pkdu]

41. Hmmm...much maligned CNN could be right here..

[trillion]

53. Right about what? I see plenty of blacks browns and asians there.

It looks like it represents the general population's minority distribution.

[jwirr]

79. Plus Rochester is not all that far from the Twin Cities so it

would make sense.

[rjsquirrel]

49. They weren't even on stage

Sorry but what? The Minnesota stage was almost all full of young white faces too.

Bernie has a problem, and it's an old one for progressives. He ain't winning without black votes. He ain't getting black votes.

[trillion]

54. He's not getting them in South Carolina. You can bet he has nearly all of the college vote

no matter what color.

I wonder why...

And he's getting nearly all of the youth vote across the country.

I WONDER WHY?

I'm going to say they are very informed voters who did their homework and vetted.

[jillan]

74. Just look at how lily white it was in these pics taken last nite....

Yep, no diversity whatsoever.

[southerncrone]

4. "It's only just begun."

I watched that rally on CSPAN & it was the best speech I've seen Bernie give. He hit all the points that need to be addressed in this country & explained the back story well.
Hillary must promote the idea that she is already the nominee because it's all they've got. Plus, MSM has forced the idea that she is the "the chosen one" since the 2012 election was over. Egg on face if that doesn't come to pass. She never thought she'd have ANY competition in the primary, let alone this strong of a movement.
Now, if Elizabeth Warren would just announce Monday that she's backing Bernie, it would be all over but the crying.

[grasswire]

6. YES WE CAN

Nice report, thanks.

[MaggieD]

8. Uh huh

[tk2kewl]

59. We're you there too?

[dchill]

10. K&R

[Peace Patriot]

11. Thanks! Great report!

[Nyan]

19. Thanks for this.

We won't let the corporate media skew our perception of reality. Thanks. I needed this.

[erlewyne]

20. The DNC and MSNBC are in lock step.

But I am voting for Bernie Sanders !!!!

[elleng]

21. It's on C-span now.

[Enthusiast]

23. Kicked and recommended to the Max!

[Uncle Joe]

27. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for sharing, Bjorn Against.

[Punkingal]

29. I'm so jealous...I was going to that but a health issue kept me away.

I'm definitely caucusing on Tuesday though!

[desmiller]

30. K & R

[Iwillnevergiveup]

31. Bjorn vs. CNN?

No contest. Thanks for posting, Bjorn!

K&R

[840high]

36. ha! Bjorn gets my nod.

[pkdu]

38. Sure?

[noiretextatique]

64. +1000 eom

[TIME TO PANIC]

33. K & R!

[NBachers]

35. You make this Californian who's leaning Hillary wish I'd been at that rally with you. Sounds great!

[Petrushka]

37. K & R

[pkdu]

39. Care to comment?

[Bjorn Against]

58. Yes, it was a great speech.

What exactly are you asking me to comment on? The tight shots that show the backs of people's heads and only show a small part of the crowd?

[jeff47]

71. Deploy the melanin detectors!!!!

[TM99]

76. OK, I will comment.

Stop treating us fucking PoC as objects in your Where is Waldo game.

How is that for a comment?

[jwirr]

80. Perfect. I don't stand around counting POC every place I go

and when I saw Bernie in Duluth I did't count there either.

[TM99]

82. And that's why you are not a racist

and those pushing this 'count the colored folk' meme are!

[jwirr]

84. Thank you TM99 you have brought tears to my eyes.

[TM99]

85. You are very welcome!

I value all progressive allies no matter their race, creed, orientation, gender, or whatever. We need each other.

I know that it doesn't always seem like it here on this boards. There is so much rancor and bullshit. But I know that most agree with me out in the real world.

[pkdu]

86. Pfft - you obviously didnt read the OP with the same mindset. nt

[TM99]

87. Pfft right back at you.

The OP shared their experience and highlighted that in order to counter the already well established Clinton supporter pattern of counting the color folks.

So try again.

[Stuckinadeepredstate]

40. Feel good piece

Minnesota is 86.9% white: not representative of the the country or the Democratic party. Tonight was actual evidence of BS' inability to connect with the most loyal group of voters in the Democratic coalition and you're offering anecdotal evidence that all of a sudden that will change...I don't dislike Bernie but the writing is on the wall. He has no path to the nomination. He has pulled his advertisements from the Southern states on Super Tuesday. You simply cannot rely on white people to win the Democratic nomination. Feel the bern.

[snagglepuss]

43. Cool story bro.

[pdsimdars]

42. this post contains the essense of that rally

I am assuming. . . it is full of hope and positivity. Thank you. Nice post. And nice going to all those rallies. Soak it in.

[Art_from_Ark]

44. K&R

Thank you for your report

[BainsBane]

46. He's lost three states, not one

But Super Tuesday will reveal more. MN is a state he should be able to win. If he can't, I don't see how he gets to the nomination.


Its cool that Bernie is attracting more diverse supporters. When I phone bank for Hillary, in one office alone we have African American, Hispanic, Asian American, Somali, and Middle Eastern supporters. Diversity is one of the things I most like about the Dem party.

[moondust]

47. Minority voters in MN

may indeed be different than minority voters in SC and other southern states.

Some of the old confederate states have been known to have a history of somewhat segregated, dual cultures even in modern times. If that's still the case, some southern blacks may naturally choose "anybody but the white guy from the other side of the tracks," while that may not be the case so much in northern states where minority and white cultures have historically been somewhat more integrated.

Similarly, I'm guessing many Republican voters may also be using the process of elimination: forget the establishment that has done nothing for them, but the racists still won't vote for the other party because of all the minorities there. Who does that leave with some chance of winning? The overtly racist Trump.

[jeff47]

72. It's not that.

The South is very much more conservative than everywhere else. Even among its minority populations.

The "Communist enclaves" here in NC, also known as "the cities" would be considered moderate if transplanted to somewhere like CA. And that's only because they've spent the last 30 years importing Yankees.

It's not some complex racial boundary. It's the people here. Of all races.

[jwirr]

81. We used to think of it as the Biblebelt but I think you are

much more correct - conservative.

[rjsquirrel]

48. White?

I love Bernie (but am probably voting HRC) but as my wife and I were watching his speech last night we both noted that we saw NOT ONE nonwhite face on the podium behind him (a crowded bleacher). Bad messaging on a night you lose 96% of the black vote.

[CdnExtraNational]

55. Look up...

There are a few video thumbs in this thread. And several non-white behind Bernie Sanders on the podium.

Dishonesty is not helpful.

[peacebird]

51. Thank you! Some Hillarians want us to throw in the towel after SC, but we are in it to win it!

[ALBliberal]

56. I think it was Bravenak that posted that

Many AAs in SC didn't even know Bernie Sanders name. This to me is a breakdown in communicating the primary election process to the electorate (that a majority of AAs weren't aware of who the competing candidate was). Not just a communication breakdown by the campaigns... But a breakdown in our educational system specifically in the area of civics. Couple this with the extremely low voter turnout (was it really less than 20%?) and I feel it's a generally sad statement for the way we choose our candidates.

[islandmkl]

57. civic involvement is closely tied to education...the less you know (or have learned), the less you

will tend to participate...this is a plan though out all the states via ALEC-drawn initiatives...

reality TV and X-box/PS#, etc. have drawn the attention of a generation...and who needs to know how government works?

it's sad...and it will most likely be way too late when a great deal of the people wake up to find themselves in a place 'they didn't see coming'...

[noiretextatique]

66. Which says to me: low-information voters

Tend to vote for the candidate with the most name recognition, regardless of race.

[noiretextatique]

65. I would

Take that with a grain of salt. Southern blacks, as a group, are probably more conservative than their eastern, western, and northern counterparts. Isn't the same true for southern whites? I expect Sanders will do better among AA's in other parts of the country.

[ALBliberal]

68. Perhaps Nevada is more representative of the country's minority voting blocks

In the non southern states

[noiretextatique]

70. Perhaps

Bernie got 26% of the AA vote in SC. Not sure about NV. But 26% is damn goid, considering.

[jeff47]

73. This is definitley true.

The South, especially outside the cities, is like going backwards several decades.

I grew up in CA, moved to NC. It's taken Raleigh 30 years of importing Yankees in order to turn the city to what I'd consider "moderate". And we're the more liberal Carolina.

[noiretextatique]

75. I just moved from Oakland to Atlanta

It is a bit of a culture shock. At least Atlanta is a big city, with lots of transplants. I thank my parents everyday for moving to California before I was born...and not indoctrinating us with religion.

[jwirr]

83. Another poster talked about the poverty in SC and the lack of

access to the social media. When we put that together with what Bravenak said and the lack of coverage from MSM. Then we have our answer.

Thank everyone for the insight.

[kgnu_fan]

60. It has been hard to get the Bernie sign because they are taken fast. But I finally got one yesterday

when a friend got it for me....We are fired up in Colorado.

[AzDar]

61. Let the South vote... and then let's GET IT ON.

Go, Bernie... GO!

[marions ghost]

67. Yep

hopefully loss of the deep South will lead Bernie supporters to fight even harder

[MrMickeysMom]

62. Saw that rally on BernieTV 2016...

Live streaming with you in spirit!

[brooklynite]

69. Sanders had big rallies in SC...maybe rallies don't translate to votes

[Land of Enchantment]

77. Oh to be able to attend a Bernie rally

but we cannot vote until the end of June and chances are he won't come to New Mexico. Thanks for posting.