As the Democratic race narrows to a two-person primary and after an underperforming Super Tuesday, Sen. Bernie Sanders held a rally to invigorate supporters Thursday night at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
After a disappointing Super Tuesday and losing her home state, Massachusetts, to former Vice President Joe Biden, Sen. Elizabeth Warren dropped out of the presidential race. That makes the two Democratic front-runners Sanders and Biden.
“Together, we are going to defeat Donald Trump, who is the most dangerous President in the modern history of this country,” he said as the crowd cheered. “Trump is trying to divide the people of our country. Together, we are trying to bring our people together.”
Sanders talked about “Trump’s lies,” but also embracing Warren’s supporters in his campaign and how his policies are very different from his opponent Biden.
Sanders described Biden as an old friend of his. As the crowd booed, he said, “Joe Biden is a decent guy, and I know that if I win the nomination, he’ll be there for me, and if he wins I’ll be there for him.”
Many of his supporters also feel the same way, including Kiera Lacombe, 18, who said she would support Biden if Sanders doesn’t win the primary.
“The first order of business is to get Trump out of office because it’s an absolute mess in there,” she said.
Sanders mentioned the difference between him and Biden’s vote on certain policies like the Iraq War and the North American Free Trade Agreement.
“When George W. Bush and Dick Cheney were telling us that we needed to invade Iraq,” he said as the crowd booed. “I knew that they were lying, and I vigorously opposed that law. Joe Biden voted for the war in Iraq.”
After pointing out the two’s differences, he promised Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage, cancellation of student debt, the Green New Deal, women’s rights and affordable housing.
“We believe in the need to end the national embarrassment of the United States being the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all people,” he said.
Sanders also mentioned the financial burden that the coronavirus could have on low-income communities.
“Can you imagine people today, in America, who are sick they’re wondering whether or not they have this virus and they cannot afford to go to a doctor,” he said. “Health care is a human right.”
Brian Mecinas, director of Arizona Youth Climate Strike, endorsed Sanders and addressed why he believes Sanders is the person who will fight for the working class.
“We need somebody who is going to fight for us,” said Mecinas, 18, as the crowd cheered. “Someone who has fought for us before he’s even known us, someone cares enough to be outspoken on the issues even when it isn’t easy.”
Mecinas said as a young brown man, he has been told that his voice does not matter and that he doesn’t have a seat at the table.
“When generations prior to mines have failed me and my peers, I know that my voice does matter, and yours does too,” he said to the cheering crowd.
Living United for Change, a grassroots organization in Arizona, also endorsed Sanders. Stephanie Maldonado, the co-organizer, told the cheering crowd that they are all “Donald Trump’s worst nightmare.”
“If there’s one thing that Arizona has taught me is that the impossible is possible,” she said. “When we stop putting our faith in only politicians and start putting faith in each other.”
Arizona State University student Ronnie Torres, 21, said it was his first-time-ever hearing Sanders speak and had to attend the rally because he supports everything Sanders’ stands for.
“There was just an energy in the room that I just haven’t felt anywhere else,” he said. “He really cares about the people, and he’s genuine and treats everyone equally.”
Kiersten Moss contributed to this article.
Contact the reporter at jpbeltra@asu.edu.
