Bernie Sanders Addresses Thousands At Madison Rally

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders spoke to a crowd of thousands in Madison on Saturday as he continues to challenge rival Hillary Clinton for the party’s nomination.

“You are the momentum — look around you tonight,” the U.S. senator from Vermont said. “We are making significant inroads in Secretary Clinton’s lead.”

Just before taking the stage, Sanders was declared the winner of Alaska’s Democratic caucuses. During his speech, he was declared the winner of Washington state’s caucus as well. The remaining race of the evening, Hawaii, hadn’t been called yet.

Though Sanders faces a steep climb to overtake frontrunner Clinton in the number of delegates, the victories were considered boosts to the campaign’s momentum.

Wisconsin will hold its presidential primary on April 5.

“With your support here in Wisconsin, we have a path toward victory,” Sanders said.

The latest Marquette University Law School poll, released on Feb. 25, had Sanders leading Clinton by just 1 percentage point in Wisconsin, with 44 percent of likely Democratic voters saying they would support him. In January, Sanders had trailed Clinton 43 percent to 45 percent.

In his speech, Sanders focused detailed his position on a range of subjects, from paid family medical leave to a $15 hourly minimum wage. Sanders also had some harsh words for Republican Gov. Scott Walker throughout his remarks: He called the governor out for weakening collective bargaining for public-sector unions with Act 10.

“And let me tell Governor Walker — he may have won a short-lived victory here against the unions, but that short-term victory will not stand in the long run,” Sanders said. “We are going to rebuild the trade union movement.”

Sanders also called out the governor’s relationship with the Koch brothers, who were high-profile supporters of Walker’s failed presidential bid.

“When you have the Koch brothers and a handful of billionaires prepared to spend $900 million in this election cycle, that, my friends, is not democracy. That is oligarchy, and we will change that,” Sanders said.

Sanders also decried Wisconsin’s new voter ID law, which went into effect last month.

“I say to Governor Walker and all the other cowardly Republican governors: If you cannot win or participate in a free and fair election where everybody votes, get out of politics,” Sanders said. “Get another job.”

Supporters, wearing “Feel the Bern” T-shirts and waving “A Future to Believe In” signs, were enthusiastic about the senator’s chances in Wisconsin’s primary next month.

“I think that people who are voting with their hearts, whether they’re independent, Republican, Democrat, or people who have never voted before, all the people I know who are voting with their heart rather than with their fear are voting for Bernie,” said Rebecca Zambrano of Madison.

Kim Wolf, who had never attended a political rally before, agreed.

“I really wanted to be a part of history,” Wolf said of her decision to attend the rally. “I really see this happening.”

“Bernie Sanders supporters are going to come out of the woodwork as time goes on,” said Marie Young of Madison. “It’s not quite done yet.”