Better than expected turnout delays Bernie Sanders event in Austin this weekend
Thousands of people showed up to "Feel the Bern" at The Circuit of the America's in Austin this weekend.
Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders is making rounds around the State of Texas, with Super Tuesday next week.
Fox 7 spoke with the Vermont Senator before the rally, he said he loves Austin, and based on what he saw at the event he's feeling optimistic about the support from Texans.
Senator Sanders announced his Austin stop less than 12 hours before the doors were set to open at the COTA, but that didn't stop more than 10,000 people from showing up. ”It is a very long line, yeah I see that, one of the problems that we have is that we are going to begin, and there will be many many people not yet in. But, that's a good problem to have right? Better a long long line,” said Sanders. The event was delayed allowing everyone to get through the tight security.
Hillary Clinton has held a strong lead against Sanders in Texas, but he said polls don't worry him. ”We are worried frankly about a high voter turnout. We will not do well if the turnout is not high. So we are going to do our best to bring our working people, middle class people, (and) young people. When that happens we are going to do just fine,” he said.
One presidential candidate got the Bern more than any others, on and off the stage, “I think our message of a corrupt campaign finance system in which billionaires are buying elections. I believe that not only can we win this democratic nominating process but we can defeat and Trump and defeat him soundly,” Sanders said.
While democrats are voting in South Carolina this weekend, Sanders said he is focusing on Super Tuesday. “As you know there are 11 states that are up on Tuesday, so we are going to be trying to get to as many of them as we can.” Sanders pointed out the fact that Texas is the state voting for the most delegates.
People traveled from all over to join the rally Kathy Carriker is from Dripping Spring, “Bernie has awakened us to the fact that nothing happens without the people getting involved, and without the people nothing’s going to change. Carole Smith came from Johnson City. “What he is, he's yesterday, he's today, and he is tomorrow. He doesn’t change with the winds, and he speaks up for people that a lot of time don't have a voice,” she said.
Sanders said based on Austin's event, he's feeling pretty good about Texas. ”If all of you come out and vote and you bring your neighbors, your friends, and your coworkers, we are going to win here in Texas,” he said.