Berning Down the House:  Sanders Supporters Hold Final Delta County Rally Before the March 1 Primary

By Thomas Wills

Delta County supporters of the presidential campaign of Senator Bernie Sanders as well as undecided Democratic voters are invited to attend a combination rally, musical event, finger-food potluck and caucus information session at the Blue Sage Center for the Arts in Paonia on Sunday, February 21 beginning at 1 p.m.  The rally will be the final Delta County for Bernie Sanders event before the March 1 (7 p.m.) Democratic caucuses, part of a “Super Tuesday” where several states will hold primaries or caucuses.

The February 21 meeting will feature a talk by Western Slope Bernie Sanders campaign organizer, Michael Gibson, of Glenwood Springs, music by the Scones and Eddie and the Lugnuts plus special musical guests, and general information on how the March 1 caucuses will work.   There will also be videos about Sanders shown, refreshments and potluck finger food snacks and time to socialize.

More information on the afternoon can be had by calling Susan Alima Friar – 808-482-4926 or Ed Boiani – 970-589-1111

                Caucus locations and other information can be found on-line at www.deltacounty.com under the Elections section. This includes maps showing caucus boundaries. Democratic Caucus goers, which must be Democrats who were registered by January 4, 2016, are urged to arrive at the locations by 6:00 p.m. to allow for adequate time to check in and be inside the caucus by 7:00 p.m. Normally only about 12% of Colorado Democratic voters bother to caucus, but this year, like in 2008, crowds are expected to be much larger. Delta County Sanders supporters and been holding organizational rallies and have been very active on local social media since the early summer of 2016.

Call Susan Alima Friar – 808-482-4926 or Ed Boiani – 970-589-1111

                Senator Sanders is competing strongly with former Senator, Secretary of State, and First Lady, Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination for president. Sanders and Clinton virtually tied in the Iowa caucuses with a slight advantage to Clinton, while Sanders defeated Clinton by over 20 points in the New Hampshire primary.  Clinton still holds a general lead in many remaining states but, according to recent polls, Sanders is surging and closing the gap. One major poll showed Clinton having only a three point advantage following the New Hampshire primary.

When Sanders announced in the spring of 2014 he was generally considered as a marginal, little known figure best known as the longest serving independent in congress and as a self-professed “democratic socialist” who suggested that the country could benefit by learning from the successes of the Scandinavian countries such as Sweden and Denmark where free college and taxpayer financed healthcare for all leavens the underlying capitalism resulting in a higher general standard of living and less economic inequality. Sanders would like expand Social Security and raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. Clinton suggests $12 an hour.

The winner of the Democratic nomination will face the Republican nominee in the November general election.  The leading Republican candidate in a large field is currently businessman, reality TV star, Donald Trump, who has never held elective office and is prone to making controversial statements.

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