Sanders Calls for High Turnout at Milton Rally

MILTON, MA - On the eve of what could be a decisive day in the 2016 Presidential campaign, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders appeared in front of a packed Milton High School gym Monday night for a pre-Super Tuesday rally.

Of the 12 states and territories with primary elections on March 1, Massachusetts represents one of Sanders’ best shot at a win. He is likely to top his home state of Vermont and he is in a tight race in Massachusetts, down 1.5 points in the Real Clear Politics poll average.

For the Democratic candidates, Massachusetts was the place to be Monday. In addition to Sanders’ rally, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held events in Springfield and Boston, with former President Bill Clinton appearing at a Worcester rally.

Supporters showed up early and in numbers, forming a line around Milton High School before doors opened. Energy levels were high as students from the high schools kicked off the festivities with the National Anthem, with Sanders taking the stage about a half hour later.

Sanders discussed most of his platform during his 45-minute speech, starting by reflecting on how he was relatively unknown outside of New England when his campaign started 10 months ago.

“The reason the campaign has so much momentum is that we’re doing something radical, we’re telling Americans the truth. In politics, that’s a radical idea,” Sanders told the crowd.

Aside from his usual stump speech that included calls for new Wall Street regulations, finance reform, women’s rights and free education. Sanders also called on Democratic rival and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to release the transcript of her speech at Goldman Sachs.

“I don’t know how you can bring real change when you give a speech at Goldman Sachs for $225,000 and you don’t release the transcript,” he said. “If you give a speech for $225,000, it must be a hell of a good speech and you should share it.”

Sanders also touched on Republican leader Donald Trump, who got the loudest jeers of the evening.

“If you look at the polls we do much better against him. We’ll beat him badly,” he said. “We know bringing people together trumps divisiveness. We know that a community working with each other trumps selfishness. We know love trumps hatred.”

Sanders ended his speech with a plea to vote in the election, aware that a large turnout would likely be in his favor.

“Your beautiful state has made a lot of history, tomorrow you can do it again,” he said, “If we have a large voter turnout, we’re going to win in Massachusetts.”