Caitlin Tan
ctan@uwyo.edu
After canceling a rally in March due to a Wyoming spring storm, presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders made an appearance in the Cowboy State, a state that has voted red since 1968.
The democratic socialist gave a 22-minute speech in the Arts and Science’s auditorium on the University of Wyoming campus. The public began lining up at 3 p.m., while Sanders did not speak until 8 p.m.
“I was told that there were about 5,000 people who participated in the last Wyoming caucus,” Sanders said. “It looks like all of them are here tonight. Thank you.”
With the line zigzagging throughout the dozens of pathways of UW’s Prexy’s Pasture, the auditorium’s capacity of 1,800 was met by 7 p.m. Dozens of people were turned away, resorting to watching the speech on the live stream.
Once doors opened for the rally, the public filed through security, with secret service agents surrounding the premise. People walked through body scanners, with drug and bomb trained dogs readily on stand-by.
National news agencies including, CNN, ABC, Fox News and MSNBC were also in attendance.
Charles Pelkey, D-Albany, one of nine Democrats in the Wyoming state House of Representatives, introduced Sanders. Pelkey said for a majorly red state, the turnout for the rally “defies conventional wisdom.”
Sanders’ speech focused on his platform issues, addressing climate change, racism, LGBTQ rights, income inequality, education costs and various other social issues. The speech also served as Sanders’ victory speech, as only minutes prior his win in the Wisconsin primary was secured.
He strayed from his nationally relatable speech to encourage voters to participate in the Wyoming caucus this Saturday.
“Let’s be there. Let’s win in Wyoming,” Sanders said.
Although Wyoming only offers 18 delegates of the 2,383 needed for a nomination, UW political science Professor James King said candidates are fighting for any potential votes.
“In any tight race candidates will go anywhere to pick up delegates,” King said. “There’s still enough delegates out there to be won that if Sanders can have substantial majorities in some of the big states coming up it might weaken the support Clinton has with super delegates and they might waffle.”
Sanders said he is confident his campaign will trump his opponent, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, if people simply turnout to vote.
“We often win – almost win – when the voter turnout is high,” Sanders said. “We do poorly when the voter turnout is low.”
Sanders also addressed income inequality, with Wyoming being home to the highest gender wage gap in the country. Nationally women earn 79 cents to every dollar a man earns; however, in Wyoming it is 69 cents, according to the American Association of University Women.
“There are women giving birth in Wyoming and Wisconsin and Vermont today, but they’re going to have to go back to work in two or three weeks because they don’t have the income to take care of their family,” Sanders said. “Which is why together, we are going to pass three months paid family and medical leave.”
Although many people came out in support of Sanders, Robert Kemper, UW sophomore and College Republican member, said based off facial recognition, he estimated just less than one-third of the audience were not supporters, but protestors.
The line to get into the rally was comprised with students wearing Sanders paraphernalia; however, some were protesting with signs or simply with “Make America Great Again” hats.
James Inwood, UW graduate student in economics and finance, silently protested Sanders’ platform by standing outside the venue with a homemade sign.
“He speaks to people who recognize problems in the country – which worries me,” Inwood said. “They grasp on something that sounds amazing, and they aren’t looking into substance.”
This “something that sounds amazing” is socialism – a political ideology Sanders is running on.
Kemper said this is an ideology that realistically cannot be successful.
“I was surprised a candidate could get so many people behind socialism,” Kemper said. “It’s been tried before, socialism has never succeeded.”
However, Ellie Craig, UW exchange student from Manchester, England, came out in support of Sanders. Coming from a country with political roots in socialism, she said the U.S. political system is failing.
“I am excited to see the possible next future president,” Craig said. “Capitalism isn’t sustainable.”
Sanders closed out the night by thanking the audience and shaking hands with volunteers. Sanders and his wife Jane Sanders exited the stage and made a brief appearance outside the Arts and Science’s building to speak on LGBTQ rights.
Ultimately the speech was relatively standard, King, UW professor of political science, said.
“When you’re speaking to a lot of audiences you can’t make a new speech every time,” he said.
The Albany County Democrat caucus will take place at the Laramie Ice Arena Saturday where voters will choose between Clinton and Sanders.
“And let us have Wyoming Democrats making it clear,” Sanders said, “that this great state is part of the political revolution.”
