Bernie Sez: Get out there and vote for Joe

(This is a very special interview conducted by ace cub reporter Ayomi Wolff for Madison 365, a fellow member of the LION group of independent online news organizations and used by special permission granted by editor Rob Chappell. For more, madison365.org. Check it out!)

With only one more day until the election, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), urges BIPOC people, especially young people, to get out and vote.

“We have a president of the United States who is a racist. A president of the United States who was trying to divide our people up based on the color of their skin or where they were born, or their sexual orientation,” Sanders said in a phone interview with Madison365. “So I cannot think of any election which will be more important for young people of color.”

However, Senator Sanders noted that civic engagement among the youth does not stop after the polls have closed.

“The end goal and be-all is not the election day,” he said. “What our job is about is trying to transform this country, so that we have a government that works for all of us, and not just the billionaire class and wealthy campaign contributors. What we have got to focus on is healthcare for all as a human right. We’ve got to be focusing on transforming our energy system, combating climate change, and creating millions of jobs, focusing on a strong and affordable childcare system, and making public colleges and universities tuition-free…[This is] the kind of nation that we should be creating as the wealthiest country on Earth.”

Sanders has put his support in one-time rival presidential candidate Joe Biden, noting that Biden is the candidate for the nation’s young people.

“For young people, young people of color, and young people in general, in Joe Biden, you will have a president who will be making public colleges and universities tuition-free,” Sanders said.

Sanders also encourages everyone to remain as safe as possible while voting. “That means definitely wearing a mask. Definitely social distancing yourself from other people,” Sanders noted.

“I think what we have got to do right now is defeat Trump, defeat him badly,” Sanders said. “And when he loses, together, we are going to make certain that he leaves office.”

The Bernie coalition will be hosting a virtual “GET OUT THE VOTE!” rally this evening at 8:15 pm (CST) on youtube.