Sanders hits Hub
Bernie Sanders put on a show of force in Elizabeth Warren’s backyard Saturday, rallying a crowd of more than 13,000 on the Boston Common in his most direct challenge yet to her home-field advantage in the Super Tuesday primary here.
“If we have the largest voter turnout in the history of the Massachusetts primary, we can win here in Massachusetts, we can win the Democratic nomination, we can defeat Donald Trump and we can transform this country,” the Vermont senator told a crowd more than triple the size he drew to Springfield on Friday.
Sanders fired up supporters just a short distance away from Warren’s home in Cambridge, making a point to come north as the Massachusetts senator continued her sweep of the South on the day of the South Carolina primary.
“It’s confidence. It’s showing that he believes he can win but at the same time is not taking it for granted,” said Sanders supporter Ryan Green. “If he pulls out a win above Warren, it shows it’s because he came here.”
Sanders, a front-runner for the Democratic nomination after victories in New Hampshire and Nevada and a popular vote win in Iowa, regularly draws thousands to his rallies across the country. Yet he still uttered a brief, “Whoa,” as he took the stage in Boston to introduce his sons and grandchildren.
Supporters cheered Sanders’ self-proclaimed “multigenerational, multiracial movement” — lauding his ability to generate excitement among voters in a cycle where electability reigns supreme.
“I think why he’s winning in Massachusetts and winning nationally has a lot to do with the enthusiasm he can inspire,” said Jim Lacey of Newburyport.
Sanders is running a tight race against Warren in Massachusetts. He led Friday’s WBUR poll with 25% support to her 17%. Last week’s UMass Lowell poll showed Sanders with 21% support and Warren with 20% support.
The democratic socialist from Vermont did not mention his Massachusetts rival by name as he made his late play for voters on her home turf. But he doubled down on his criticism of super PACs backing his competitors as the Persist PAC now supporting Warren raised its Super Tuesday ad spending to $13 million.
Sanders instead called out former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and repeatedly slammed President Trump in a potential general election preview as a few protesters holding “Trump 2020” signs stood nearby.
As Sanders wrapped up his speech, Warren’s campaign blasted out an email announcing an additional 29 endorsements from Bay
State leaders, including U.S. Rep. Richard Neal.
Warren has repeatedly declined to call Massachusetts a “must-win.” But her absence here was felt Saturday as Sanders supporters turned the muddy green Common into a sea of blue and white “Bernie” signs.
“That concerned me,” said Warren supporter Dan Taylor of Waltham. “Why isn’t she here?”
His daughter, Alexandra Smith Taylor, said she’d gladly vote for Sanders in November, but plans to vote for Warren on Tuesday because, “I really want to vote for a woman, and I don’t think I’ll be able to in the general.”
Jessie McLaren of New Bedford said she’s supporting Sanders so her 8-year-old daughter won’t “face the same medical and student debt I did.”
She added, “As much as I love Elizabeth Warren, Bernie is the most electable.”
Venezuela native Gigi Luckett of Newton said Sanders was the first candidate to draw her out to a rally since Barack Obama in 2008.
“Bernie is consistent,” she said. “He cares for the people.”