‘I am back,’ Bernie Sanders tells big crowd at NYC rally
Senator formally hits trail again after heart attack
NEW YORK — Storming past questions about his health, Bernie Sanders vowed that he’s “more ready than ever” to fight for a political revolution — with a little help from new friends — at a rally Saturday that drew thousands to a New York City park. The rally offered a pointed reminder to skeptics in both political parties that the 78-year-old democratic socialist is still very much a force in the 2020 presidential race.
Sanders opened his remarks by apologizing that he secured a permit for only 20,000 people. His campaign, he said, was forced to close the gates on many more people who were trying to enter the Queens park just across the river from Manhattan.
“To put it bluntly, I am back,” Sanders declared, sparking chants of, “Bernie is back” from the massive crowd.
“I am happy to report to you that I am more than ready — more ready than ever — to carry on with you on the epic struggle that we face today. I am more than ready to assume the office of president of the United States.”
The event marked Sanders’ formal return to the campaign trail less than three weeks after he suffered a heart attack that threatened both his life and political future. Even before that, he was in danger of falling out of the top tier in the 2020 Democratic primary field. Polls suggest he’s lagging behind liberal rival Elizabeth Warren and establishment favorite Joe Biden.
But the fiery Brooklyn native, backed by a slate of new endorsements and two new stents in an artery connected to his heart, appeared to be expanding his coalition Saturday.
Before the rally, Sanders campaign manager Faiz Shakir said endorsements this past week from Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y. and Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., in particular were proof that the Sanders campaign is growing. He predicted that they would especially help Sanders strengthen his support among young, minority voters.While he insists he’s ready to move forward, he’s doing so cautiously. Saturday’s rally was his only scheduled appearance before he returns to Iowa late in the week.