Bernie Sanders advocates for Clinton and Feingold
With the days to the election winding down, Bernie Sanders has an important message for voters
29 days. That’s all that’s left. With 29 days until the election, both candidates are pulling out the big guns to receive voters and mobilize the masses. However, more than just presidential seats will be filled on that day. Russ Feingold is also looking to represent the people of Wisconsin in the U.S. Senate. Feingold spoke along with several passionate orators to lock in the vote of Wisconsinites. Each person has a positive message about both campaigns to share and relate with.
The conference opened with a discussion on the working class. The huge crowd showed obvious agreement as comments of Donald Trump’s lack of knowledge on “the working class” were made. Next, Hannah, a student from UW Madison spoke about college debt and affordable education. She stated she was currently $30,000 in debt, a number that isn’t unheard of for many college students. The next speaker was Tia Nelson, daughter of beloved Wisconsin governor Gaylord Nelson. Just as her father created Earth Day, Tia spoke in the importance of the environment.
Next, a 17-year old student, Isha, spoke about the ethnic and racial discrepancies we’ve seen between the two presidential campaigns. The moment when she knew she had to get involved was when her younger brother asked, “If Donald Trump wins, will we have to leave because we’re Muslim?” After talking with Isha, she informed me even though she’s not of age to cast a ballot she will be involved with the campaign as much as possible. She also encouraged kids of younger generations to get involved even if they can’t vote and just “be there”.
Russ Feingold took the stage shortly after the introductory speakers to a room of thunderous applause. He noticed the true diversity in generations of the crowd in front of him. The audience was made up of young parents with their children, students, and people around retirement age. “6o isn’t that bad!” Feingold joked with the crowd.
Feingold spoke about Scott Walker’s recent initiative to change voting in Wisconsin. He assured the crowd this will not happen under his representation. He gave a list of credentials of why he was right for the Senate, but also gave his pick for President. Feingold argued Donald Trump was NOT qualified or right for this important job. Only Hilary Clinton would pick a good justice and help American families. Overall, it seemed everyone was hanging on his every word and was ecstatic to cast their votes for him.
Last, but certainly not least, was Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont. Just six short months ago, Sanders won the democratic primary for Wisconsin; however, his return was not to campaign for himself. Rather, he spent his minutes talking up his former opponent, Hilary Clinton, and encouraging votes for Feingold. The obvious discontent of Bernie not being on the ticket felt by some of the Democratic Party is being remedied by the two candidates coming together. A large American flag hung in the convention center surrounded by the words “Stronger Together” symbolizing the important bond the party has made.
Sanders had many key talking points that excited the audience. He stated one tenth of one percent of the population of the United States holds most of the wealth. This shocking statistic obviously resonated with many, as emotional outcries were heard throughout the room. “Enough is enough!” yelled Sanders in protest of this unequal distribution of money.
Sanders also made the short comings of Donald Trump obvious throughout his entire speech. He criticized him for hateful and discriminatory speech, illegal tax breaks, and credentials falling far short of a Commander in Chief. “He thinks everything he does is brilliant,” Sanders laughed. Sanders commented on minimum wage and the wage gap between genders. He advocated for health care. He strongly pushed the idea that the only way to make this country great is to education.
Bernie ended his speech with the reason he finds Hilary Clinton to be the most qualified candidate. He stated in regards to racial relations, Hilary is the only option. America is a melting pot of cultures which is what makes it so amazing. The most important take away from all of these speakers is to get out and vote.