Bernie Draws 1,300 Supporters In Dubuque, IA On Friday 1/29/16

[Bigredhunk]

http://www.thonline.com/news/tri-state/article_822e19ae-c701-11e5-91da-e37423f7e522.html

Posted: Friday, January 29, 2016 9:28 pm
By William Garbe [e-mail]

It was better late than never for Bernie Sanders on Friday night in Dubuque.

While the Democratic presidential candidate was about an hour late for his campaign event at Grand River Center, an enthusiastic crowd of 1,300 people greeted him when he arrived.
“It sounds like Dubuque is ready for a political revolution,” Sanders said to the crowd that had chanted his name while waiting for him to arrive.

Sanders’ stop in Dubuque came hours after his main Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton, hosted a campaign event at Five Flags Center. Clinton’s event drew about 460 people. Polls show the two as the clear front-runners among the Democratic presidential candidates. The Iowa caucuses will be held Monday.

On another busy day on the campaign trail, Sanders discussed a wide range of issues, including his plan to make public colleges and universities tuition-free, the need to grow and strengthen America’s middle class by taking on Wall Street and raising the minimum wage and the importance of participation in the democratic process.

“Are you ready to make history in America on Monday?” asked Cornel West, who took the stage before Sanders. “Are you ready for the rebirth of American democracy? How sweet it is to build on the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.”

Among the Sanders’ supporters in attendance was Wyatt Avery, 31, of Dubuque.

“I’m a disabled veteran and I really appreciate what he’s done for veterans,” Avery said of the former U.S. Senate veterans affairs committee chairman.

Avery also is impressed by Sanders’ vision for the future.

“I think he’s our best chance for a New Deal for our generation,” Avery said, referring to a series of federal programs started in the 1930s that helped the U.S. recover from the Great Depression. “He has a long, consistent history of fighting for the middle class. My generation, we’re working two or three jobs at very low wages, and we just need a break. Something as small as a minimum wage hike would make an incredible difference for us in terms of being able to save money.”

Shayne Noble, 30, and Stephanie Noble, 27, brought their three children to the event. Neither of them have caucused before.

“We’ve been hearing a lot about Bernie from friends and co-workers,” Shayne said.

He added, “He talks about supporting the workers. A lot of families out there are unable to pay their bills and are fighting to survive because they just simply aren’t bringing home enough money to support their family.”

Joe Jacobsmeier, 72, of Dubuque, said he would vote for Sanders because “every morning when I wake up the first word I say is ‘Ouch.’”

“I take a hell of a pile of medications,” Jacobsmeier said, adding that he hoped Sanders could reign in prescription drug costs.

Clinton has pledged to go after drug companies for increasing the price of medication and she reiterated that pledge while in Dubuque Friday. Still, Jacobsmeier said he doesn’t think she will.

“He plans on going after the drug companies whereas I don’t think she will,” he said. “I hope she will.”

p.s. The main page for this site (http://www.thonline.com/home/) has a poll posted on the home page asking which party you support. They call the Democratic party the Democrat party. Clever stuff.

[angrychair]

1. So, looking at the numbers

From articles about candidate events there in Dubuque, IA

Sanders: 1,300

Clinton: 460

Rubio: ~500

So, even if only half as many attended caucus for each candidate, that still puts Sanders way ahead there.

[Nyan]

2. Cool!

Dr. West is being such a great messenger, too!

[Duckfan]

3. I was going to try to do the math on this equation

...but you beat me to it.

I mean it looked simple enough to solve for X

1300 > 460

Probably a 3:1 ratio.

And BTW, that 1300 to 460 speaks volumes as to what Iowa voters may be thinking.

[truegrit44]

4. The way I see it (hope I'm right)

is if these folks are not excited enough about their candidate to go to a campaign event, they may not get off their butts to show up to caucus ..............

[LiberalElite]

5. Calling the Democratic Party "Democrat"

originated with some right winger. I couldn't find a link. I don't get their point but - it broadcasts loud n' clear where they're coming from.