As cable media outlets cover Trump rally after after Trump rally in the days leading up to Tuesday’s midterm election, only a paltry pittance of coverage has been spared for the massive crowds that have been flocking to Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) in his 9-state campaign blitz.
Sanders has packed auditoriums, rural barns, and college campuses for nearly a month in his longest stretch of campaigning since the 2016 primary, many in the heart of Trump country. Sanders has been campaigning on behalf of Democratic candidates, particularly hoping to galvanize the young voters that turned out in droves for his campaign, which the Democratic establishment has struggled to energize.
In campaigns and in life in general you're going to have to do things that make you uncomfortable. But that's okay because this is how we grow.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
Thousands have shown up to rallies featuring Sanders, with even more watching online. Sanders aides estimate that 5 to 6 million have tuned in each day of the tour.
Images from some of his stops can be found below.
Bernie stumps for Jacky Rosen in Nevada
See you soon Las Vegas. Going to be tough to beat the Reno rally Bernie just did with
— Ari Rabin-Havt (@AriRabinHavt)
: Senator Bernie Sanders (I – Vermont) speaks at NVDems' "get out the vote" rally at the Las Vegas Academy.
— Barry White (@KTNVBarryWhite)
Bernie stumps for candidates in Florida
WATCH: stands alongside to rally students to the polls! "We have a candidate in Mayor who is finally prepared in this state to make government work for ALL THE PEOPLE, not just a handful of special interests!" – 🌊
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith)
Bernie draws thousands in California
Thank you, Oceanside. Let's go forward and do everything we can to flip California's 49th congressional district and elect to Congress.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
Bernie and in Berkley today.
— Ari Rabin-Havt (@AriRabinHavt)
Thank you, Senator , for your leadership, strength, and support of the workers at the as they take on the largest, richest hotel company in the world to ensure that is Enough for them to provide for their families.
— UNITE HERE Local 30 (@UNITEHERE30)
Bernie Campaigns for Jared Polis in Colorado
Colorado, thank you. Let's go win this and make the next Governor of Colorado!
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
In front of a huge crowd in Boulder, rallies Colorado Democrats to fight for a progressive future in Colorado against sexism, bigotry, and inequality.
— Colorado Dems (@coloradodems)
Bernie stumps for Ben Jealous in Maryland
Incredible night with and so many of you in Montgomery County!
Let’s keep building this movement, keeping knocking every door, and make every call.
Let’s go win this!
— Ben Jealous (@BenJealous)
Bernie brings out big crowds for Arizona’s David Garcia
The only way I know to take on wealthy, powerful and greedy people is people organizing at the grassroots level, standing up and fighting back.
In two weeks, Arizona can help make American history. Give us a strong progressive governor. Elect !
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
Bernie packs a Wisconsin room for Tammy Baldwin
The people of Wisconsin have an opportunity to send a message to Donald Trump and the Republican Party. By electing to Congress you can tell them: No we aren't going to cut Social Security and Medicare. We are going to expand them.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
Bernie campaigns for Gretchen Whitmer in Michigan
As governor will stand with Michigan’s working families who have been left behind by the political elite. Thank you to everyone who came to support her in Ann Arbor yesterday. Let's elect Gretchen in November:
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
Bernie calls for Medicare for All in South Carolina
. is taking the stage in South Carolina.
Watch now:
— Our Revolution (@OurRevolution)
Sen. Sanders fills a field for Liz Watson in Indiana
Thank you to everyone who came out in Bloomington, IN yesterday to rally with me and and march to the polls.
In 2014 voter turnout was just 28% in Indiana, the lowest in the country. This year is going to be different.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
Sanders brings it home in his home state of Vermont
Incredible turnout at our pig and veggie bbq on the Isham farm in Williston. and local Reps and Sens along with many hundreds from across the state. Stay positive, get active and vote for econ., env., and social justice.
— Dave Zuckerman (@DaveZuckermanVT)
Most mainstream media outlets have aired livestreams of most of President Trump’s rallies, along with endless dissections afterwards spanning an exhaustive array of articles covering everything from the usual fact-checks to Trump’s typically bizarre ad-libbed remarks. One CNN headline simply reads “Trump sticks to the script during Illinois rally.” This coverage comes despite reports of some Trump supporters even while he’s still speaking.
Meanwhile, media coverage of the rallies has been infrequent, with most articles about the tour focusing more on whether Sanders is planning to run for president again in 2020 than the overwhelming turnout. Sanders has maintained that his top priority for 2020 is supporting the Democratic candidate who has the best chance to oust President Trump, but he has not ruled out another run, and his decision to campaign in early primary states like Iowa and Nevada has raised eyebrows.
“The main issue that I’m trying to figure out, and I’m going around the country talking to people — is there support for a candidacy which is really prepared to take on the billionaire class?” Sanders said. “Can you do it? How do you do it? How do you get the resources to do it? How do you build the grassroots organization?”
Bernie Sanders drenched in sweat after giving his third speech of the day. "Brothers and sisters, you are not living in a democracy; you are living in an oligarchy."
— RevoltPolitic (@RevoltPolitic)