L.A. TIMES: Why a huge Los Angeles crowd turned out for Bernie Sanders

[BigBearJohn]

They stood in a line that stretched for blocks around the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, eager for a glimpse of the star attraction: a sometimes cantankerous 73-year-old with unruly white hair and a populist message.

"Feel the Bern!" they chanted. "Bernie! Bernie!"

The object of their desire was Bernie Sanders, a presidential candidate whom pundits give no chance of winning the nomination but who has touched a nerve in what has otherwise been a low-key Democratic contest.

The crowd boomed in agreement as Sanders took the stage for an hour. He talked about criminal justice reform, income inequality and immigration. He railed against Wall Street greed and laid out his plan to raise the federal minimum wage and make public universities tuition-free.



See much more: http://www.latimes.com/nation/la-na-sanders-california-20150811-story.html

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. I hope so much that we can deliver CA for Bernie!

[angstlessk]

2. I love me some Bernie

[ladjf]

4. I've enjoyed your posts for years. nt

[C Moon]

6. me 2!!!

[AzDar]

3. Go Bernie, GO!!

[Peace Patriot]

5. "Pundits," eh?

I'll bet they've got a few right in their pockets who will "give" Bernie Sanders "no chance."

They're only just doing the "kook" bit. They're wa-a-a-ay behind in the plunditry line.

Used to be a good paper, but even in those days, people paid almost no attention to their editorial endorsements for political office or on issues. They were almost always wrong or on the wrong (non-progressive) side.

I usually reserve "Slimes" for the New York variety, but the L.A. Slimes have done their share and this is one of them: "no chance."
--------------------------

Aha! Just noticed the date on this article. Aug. 11, 2015. Well, anyway, the L.A. Slimes go on to quote some academic political "expert" from UCLA, back then:

She says, "Just because people are interested, it does not mean people will give money and actually cast a ballot in support...".

Ha-ha-ha-ha on UCLA political academics!

The article does quote some early Sanders supporters who attended the 27,500 person event:

Marilynn Manderscheid is a retired elementary school teacher who drove from Orange County to hear Sanders speak Monday night. She said that despite polls that show Sanders trailing Clinton, she believes he's a serious challenger.

"I remember when John F. Kennedy won when everyone said a Catholic couldn't possibly be elected. I walked precincts for Barack Obama when people said a mixed-race man could not win but he did," Manderscheid said. "So, yes, I think Bernie — if he sticks to his message — will have a strong chance at winning the primary."

Ledbetter, the 17-year-old, said she thought Sanders was taking the right approach to women's rights issues and income inequality.

"He's the first candidate I've really felt a resonance with," added Ledbetter, who said she had followed politics since she was 10. --from the OP

You can feel the engines of the Times grinding slowly to chew up and smash this upstart socialist before he gets traction, even if he drew 27,500 people LAST AUGUST!!! I don't read them any more. I wonder what they're saying today? Iowa tied. NH, smashed Clinton by 20%. MA nearly tied. And a number of wins in GE-important states; more near ties; an upset in Michigan, and fail only in non-GE important, "red" states.

"Still no chance." Wouldn't surprise me.

[Zira]

7. I thought the Spanish immigrants were going for Hillary so Bernie might not get California.

This looks hopeful. That picture sure shows a lot of people. I wonder if he's drawing the most people of any candidate.

I'd like to compare it to how many people come to Clinton and Trumps rallies.

[amb123]

8. The very sports arena where JFK was nominated for President.

An Omen, I hope.

[Left Coast2020]

9. If the person who shot this would have showed more of the crowd

it would have more power to what the message is conveying.

The Sports Arena is a yuuuuge place. Probably could have squeezed 30,000 in there.

Remember being in it for 84 Olympics.

[dana_b]

10. wow!! He's campaigning here already!

I live in Nor Cal but I am definitely looking forward to our turn

[fbc]

11. Y'all realize this is from last August, right?

[denbot]

13. Yeah, I just got home from a long trip, reading the OP thinking, god-damn, I MISSED BERNIE?!?!

I was bummed, till I realized how dated was the OP's story.

Last night (well actually now, Saturday Night) Alley and I attended my buddy's 21st annual St Paddy's Day feast/party.

After all the rest of the party goers left, the core couples sat around and all of us were both amazed at the Drumpf's following, and whom we are finding out from social media, support him. The general consensus is that, once this is over, those who waved Drumpf's banner can no longer hide from their core belief's.

Surprisingly to me, six of eight of us are Berniesitas, and two could go either for Hillary, or Bernie, as yet to be determined.

[Betty Karlson]

12. If Bernie went to WeHo, or the Castro, he'd be the belle of every ball. Or the beau...

You know what I mean.

[denbot]

14. Don't know about WeHo (back in the day we called it "Boy's Town"), or the Castro..

But if it means us straight geezer's riding Bernie's tail ( are the new hotties, so be it...

[Betty Karlson]

15. I think a Bernie T-shirt is about the only shirt that makes you hotter by not taking it off.

Just saying...

[denbot]

16. Sigh, yeah..

But for a moment, I felt the base beat..

[Le Taz Hot]

17. He was in L.A. in August

and barely got a blip from the local L.A. media. I'm glad to see they're giving this campaign what it needs.

[Gwhittey]

18. This was from Aug 2015

So imagine what it is like now. You can't stop feeling the Bern so it most be 10000 more.