Sanders’ New York Campaign Officially Begins
In the wake of a five-state sweep by Hillary Clinton supporters of Sen. Bernie Sanders are surprisingly hopeful. March 16, the day after the third Super Tuesday of the primary cycle, over 100 Sanders supporters are meeting in Farmingdale, New York to begin local efforts.
Jon Fuhrer, a member of the a minor progressive political party known as the Working Families Party, gave a presentation detailing their plan to reach undecided voters in the weeks leading up to New York’s April 19 primary. “The most effective form of outreach is still knocking on doors,” Fuhrer told the crowd of Sanders supporters. He continued while others handed out talking point sheets, “Some key phrases you’ll want to use: “progressive,” “the only candidate without a Super PAC,” and “not bought by Wall Street.””
These are the qualities that seemingly drew most of his supporters to Sanders. “Long Island for Bernie” member Frank Imburgio explained why he supports Sanders, “I agree with him every single which way… but from the first time I heard Bernie Sanders it was campaign finance reform.” Many of the other supporters echoed this sentiment.
Sanders does not take money from Super PACs, but his primary opponent Hilary Clinton does. When asked his opinion of Clinton Imburgio said “I think possibly in part because of Bernie she’s a progressive on a lot of issues. Four years ago she wouldn’t be openly calling herself a progressive, and now she proudly says she’s a progressive who gets things done.”
Some held similar positions while others claimed to be “Bernie or bust.” Ron Widelec, another member of Long Island for Bernie asserted that he would sit out the general election if Clinton were the nominee. “I think it might be time the Democratic Party learns not to count on the progressive vote if they don’t nominate a candidate who represents their values.”
Whether Clinton is progressive or not will be a question raised throughout the rest of primary season. She currently leads Sanders by over 300 delegates but with 95 available in New York alone the state has huge implications for the Sanders campaign.
