Sanders schedules stop at Liberty University

[SecularMotion]

Source: The Hill

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) plans on addressing students at the evangelical Liberty University next month.

The 2016 Democratic presidential candidate plans to visit the Lynchburg, Va. campus on Sept. 14 for the school’s fall convocation, according to Liberty’s website.

Its website touts the event — held three a times a week at its Vines Center — as “North America’s largest weekly gathering of Christian students.” The Lynchburg News & Advance said the events frequently draw more than 12,000 people.

The speeches are also mandatory for residential, undergraduate students at Liberty.

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/presidential-races/250375-bernie-sanders-schedules-stop-at-liberty-university

[Comrade Grumpy]

1. That doesn't seem like Sanders territory.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

3. It would appear that he's trying to expand his territory.

Preaching to the choir will get you only so far.

[geek tragedy]

7. This is more like preaching to the

Satanists.

This will be weird.

[still_one]

8. This will be interesting, and I give Bernie a lot of credit for doing it

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

31. Yup, Bernie in the lion's den, he has no fear. OTOH, maybe they should "Fear the Bern"!

[still_one]

33. They won't, and he isn't afraid either

[former9thward]

46. Maybe he is trying to win a general election.

[Heather MC]

2. he is very brave, this is my hometown. Fallwellers are super conservative idiots. I grew up

surrounded by these "morans"

[arcane1]

5. And people in Lynchburg are getting screwed over by the same system as the rest of us.

I'll be back in VA in October to visit family. I'll be too late for this

[Heather MC]

10. Lynchburg got hit very hard

Several top earning industries left in 1990 for mexico and beyond.
Those companies were never replaced. Now Liberty, GE, Walfart ar the top paying companies.

And the inner city is being flushed down the toilet.

They allow Liberty to purchase all the money making properties, then Liberty claims them as church properties and pays zero taxes on them.

It's really sad every time I go home to see the state of the city, and remember what it use to be like before they started diverted money to Jerry Falwell Inc.

[arcane1]

4. This should be interesting. He's definitely going to demographics Dems usually ignore.

He's going to deprogram them right before their eyes, as the Jewish guy who is more Christian than they are

[madokie]

50. And from what I understand

he's pretty much a non religious person like myself

No skyguy in my life, sorry

[Le Taz Hot]

59. "He's definitely going to demographics Dems usually ignore."

And it's about damned time! He's already thinking ahead about the General Election.

[appalachiablue]

72. Remember comments from a good many students when Ted Cruz made his debut?

Some weren't too wild about the extreme Xian crusader. Perhaps Bernie can reach out to some on specific issues. His bravery is admirable. Regards from the Old Dominion, arcane1.

[EL34x4]

75. I recall many of them wore "Rand Paul" t-shirts to Cruz's event.

An event they were required to attend, BTW.

I think Sanders will be received at Liberty just fine. I suspect many students go to Liberty because that's the only school their parents would pay for.

[geek tragedy]

6. Ummmmmmmm, this seems close to

Rick Warren/Donnie McClurkin territory.

[Bjorn Against]

13. It is actually the opposite

In the cases of Rick Warren and Donnie McClurkin it was the bigots who had the microphone, in the case of Bernie Sanders it is the person that supports equal rights who has the microphone.

[geek tragedy]

16. Hopefully he talks about civil rights there.

I admit I don't get what this is supposed to accomplish, but i hope he succeeds.

[Bjorn Against]

20. I suspect he will talk about civil rights

I don't suspect he will win a lot of votes there, but he has made it clear that he does not think any part of the country should be written off and this is his way of showing he is not writing anyone off.

[haikugal]

37. He has balls....I hope someone makes a video for us!

[jberryhill]

60. "I don't get what this is supposed to accomplish"

It would appear to be a candidate for political office seeking to address a group of voters.

[geek tragedy]

64. The confederate flag rallies are also

groups of voters.

[CharlotteVale]

63. Exactly.

[navarth]

9. Bernie is unafraid IMO

I believe that if anybody can do those people some good, get in some light where there is darkness, it is Bernie. It's because he's genuine. I think that the attractiveness of that crosses party and cultural lines. People are naturally attracted to somebody who is not full of bullshit. Agree with Bernie or not, he is not, repeat not, full of bullshit. That might just play well with those people.

[madokie]

52. Bernie is the real deal

and I love him for that.

feel the bern

[pnwmom]

11. What??? Imagine what people would say if Clinton, O'Malley, or Webb did this. n/

[think]

14. That it was a brilliant way to promote Democratic ideas & issues to voters who

May have never gotten the chance to be exposed to them?

[uberblonde]

22. Keep in mind...

This is the same school that revoked the charter for the student Democrats club. One might wonder what their agenda is here.

[pnwmom]

24. No. They'd be accused of being center rightists, appealing to the right wing crowd

at Liberty University.

[Tarheel_Dem]

40. I guess this is why Bernie appeals to conservatives more than the actual "Democrats" in the race.

Overall: 57% prefer Clinton versus 22% Sanders.
Very liberal: 64 Clinton / 26 Sanders
Liberal: 58 Clinton / 19 Sanders
Moderate: 59 Clinton / 16 Sanders
Somewhat conservative: 37 Clinton / 31 Sanders
Very conservative: 27 Clinton / 42 Sanders


http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/pdf/2015/PPP_Release_National_72215.pdf

Can you imagine if those numbers were flipped?

[candelista]

70. Of course the right prefers Sanders.

They think he can't win.

[Tarheel_Dem]

78. Ssshhhh! Don't tell anybody, but I agree with them.

[Comrade Grumpy]

81. You do know that the voters being referred to are actual Democrats?

Democratic primary voters who self-identify as conservatives.

I don't know what it means if you self-identify as a Democratic conservative. Conservative on what?

I see Clinton beats Sanders among the "somewhat conservative" Democrats.

[Tarheel_Dem]

82. She also whoops his a** among the "very liberal". Woot! For those of you who have complained,

RELENTLESSLY, about the "Turd Way" "Corporate Dems"...blah blah blah, your response somewhat surprises me. Since I'm assuming those identifying as "very conservative" wouldn't be BS' natural allies, you guys will have to find new talking points.

[Scootaloo]

42. Maybe she should try it. Let's see what actually happens.

[bluedigger]

19. I'd say they were pretty brave.

And so is Bernie.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

32. Me as well, which is why I expect that the others, especially Hillary, would never do it (too afraid).

[JoePhilly]

58. Or Obama. Obama attends a prayer breakfast and DU freaks out.

Bernie gives credibility to Liberty U ... and its awesome.

Weird.

[iandhr]

66. Yup

[sufrommich]

65. Heads would be exploding all over DU.

They would be accused of pandering to racists and homophobes and giving Liberty University credibility.

[okasha]

86. Exactly.

Tell me Bernie is brave after he's spoken to this crowd about women's right to comprehensive reproductive health care, including abortion. Tell me he has guts after he's spent a substantial portion of his speech advocating for LGBT rights.

Until then, it's kabuki.

[Fred Sanders]

12. The mandatory student attendance audience when Cruz announced looked bored out of their minds.

This is a strange move....and the "University" touting Sanders appearance seems....ungainly.

[RoccoR5955]

15. This is an interesting strategy

Go to states that don't normally vote for Democrats, and tell them stuff that they want to hear. I wonder if Virginia has open primaries. If it does, this is genius!

[geek tragedy]

17. Virginia is a borderline blue state now. nt

[Senator Tankerbell]

27. Yes, VA has open primaries

This is a great move for Bernie I think.

[Tarheel_Dem]

41. Open primaries are a great move for the "Operation Chaos" types. It all adds up now.

And it further explains the optics of his "crowds".

[Senator Tankerbell]

48. It goes both ways

Open primaries will also allow all the wealthy republican defense contractors in northern VA to vote for Hillary.

Seriously though, Hillary probably has VA locked up anyway. Centrism plays well. And Terry McAuliffe will be doing whatever he can to help.

[Tarheel_Dem]

77. Thanks for schooling me. Oh, and welcome back.

[Tarheel_Dem]

18. This thread cracks me up. "Bernie's a hero" while "Obama was a tool". The same, but only different?

[pnwmom]

25. +1000. n/t

[Scootaloo]

43. Who's saying "Obama was a tool" on this thread?

[Tarheel_Dem]

44. "Selective Memory". Look it up.

[Scootaloo]

45. "Browser search feature" seems a more relevant resource

According to which, you are the only person saying "obama was a tool" in this thread that is cracking you up.

[JoePhilly]

57. + 1

[a la izquierda]

74. I'm not sure how old you are, but I remember being an 18 year old kid.

I went to college where my mom made me go (thank god it was an excellent, reputable state school, but I still didn't want to go there). I registered as a Republican because my mom made me. I was an impressionable kid.
I think that there is an enormous difference between having a rabid right-winger give the address at a national prayer breakfast- sanctioned by the President, of course (or whatever it was that President Obama had Rick Warren do)- and campaign at a right wing university, in a purple state, filled with kids whose ideas may not be concrete.
But believe what you want and slam away.

[Tarheel_Dem]

79. For the record, your history seems fuzzy. The outrage came during a campaign event at

Saddleback (Rick Warren's church). This was well before Obama's inauguration. Nothing to do with a "prayer breakfast".

[a la izquierda]

83. Ahh, you're right.

I do remember that outrage. I stand corrected in terms of that aspect.

I do think Democrats are well served to reach out to people we may find...distasteful. I would recommend a lot of security, though. And I say this as a daughter of a lesbian woman and a niece of a gay man. The Falwells of the world make my skin crawl, but I've appreciated President Obama's efforts to reach across the aisle, so to speak. Then again, I'm an idealist I guess.

[Bradical79]

87. So, same people?

I have no recollection of this, so maybe you could show us what happened. I don't see what some people being negative years ago have to do with some other people being positive today.

[demmiblue]

21. This is great.

Maybe these young women and men will be exposed to a viewpoint that they haven't been exposed to before.

[Snotcicles]

23. I couldn't agree more. Good move on his part. nt

[pnwmom]

26. What would you say if Clinton or O'Malley campaigned there? n/t

[Snotcicles]

28. As long as they are getting the progressive message out it can only be a good thing

no matter who is doing it.

[demmiblue]

29. Yep... especially to young, impressionable students who are still figuring out their value systems.

They need to be exposed to a variety of thoughts, opinions and ideologies.

[Paulie]

49. At Liberty University?

They are fully indoctrinated before they even get there!

[Eric J in MN]

71. During Ted Cruz's speech at Liberty University

...some of the student posted sarcastic remarks to YikYak:
http://www.addictinginfo.org/2015/03/24/heres-how-liberty-students-really-felt-about-ted-cruz-speech-this-is-embarrassing-screenshots/

Maybe they're a small minority of Liberty University students but Bernie Sanders might reach a few people in the audience.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

73. No worries that would ever happen.

[appalachiablue]

76. I'd say fine, go for it. The more exposure the better. Our mother took us to see LBJ when

very young and I remember. Same when Carter debated Ford. We took young ones to meet Dems. incl. Hillary and they'll definitely see Bernie.

[Anansi1171]

30. A more accurate description of this event:

"North America’s largest weekly gathering of FUNDAMENTALIST Christian students.”

He could also bang his head against a wall, or just run an audio loop of Lindsey Graham saying "Strict Constructionist" over and over and over again.

All would bear equal fruit.

[bluestateguy]

34. I admire his cojones

A Jewish socialist at Liberty. Should be interesting, but I don't see it winning him many votes, unless there are a few students there who are being forced to attend the university by their parents.

[TexasBushwhacker]

68. Well, they worship a socialist Jew

why not listen to one. I mean seriously, would Jesus say "Corporations are people my friend."?

[jberryhill]

35. Good. It's about time they heard from someone sensible

You can say their minds are made up.

But nobody is ever going to change their mind unless someone else talks to them.

Good on Bernie.

[cosmicone]

36. Desperate to get headlines and stay relevant

Otherwise it is a waste of time

[Eric J in MN]

55. Giving speeches is the normal way to campaign. Not desperate. NT

NT

[cosmicone]

67. Outrageous acts get attention ratings

Bernie Sanders gave a speech to democrats in Vermont would elicit a big yawn.

Bernie Sanders giving a speech to rabid right wingers is what reality TV is made of.

It is almost like Cheney giving a speech at a hippie commune. Inquiring minds just want to watch that.

If the term doesn't exist, I'll coin it now -- "Tabloid Politics" is what Bernie is doing.

[olddots]

38. will he bring an interpreter ?

[Jamastiene]

39. One speech I won't be watching.

Too many triggers for my PTSD. Falwell is not dead enough and Pat Robertson just won't fucking die already.

I am not as altruistic and principled as the rest of DU. In fact, I'm not altruistic or principled at all when it comes to the people and places that have been thrown in my face all of my life in the Bible Belt.

I will admit I wished it for Falwell and Jessie Helms and have given up on Pat Robertson ever dying. There is some hope though. Strom Thurmond eventually kicked the bucket. I rarely drink wine, but when I do, it's because another fucking right wing homophobic fuckwad preacher died.

And I'm still miffed I never got to see that homophobic preacher from Texas actually follow through on his promise. Lying bastard.

I hope Bernie is smart enough to take a lot of security and get the hell out of dodge as quickly as he can afterward. Those people are dangerous if you are anything but extremely right wing. In the Bible Belt, the number one rule is you MUST hate gay people. Number two rule is you MUST hate women and see women as less than garbage. Rule #3 is see Rule #1 and make damn sure to do that one at a two to one ratio to Rule #2.

Yeah, I won't be able to keep up with that part of his campaign. Too many triggers. Best of luck to him though.

[Senator Tankerbell]

47. Jesus was also a Jewish socialist...

Bernie also worked as a carpenter as a young man...

😇😂

[former9thward]

80. Jesus was not a socialist.

Capitalism and socialism did not exist in those days. All property was controlled by or belonged to the Roman empire. Jesus never challenged that system.

[Senator Tankerbell]

84. I was clearly joking.

[former9thward]

85. A lot of posters have made the same post

and they were not joking. They don't have an understanding of socialism or capitalism or maybe any economic system.

[Marrah_G]

51. Good for him

Maybe something he says will resonate with a few of the students there and it could change their views on some issues.

[Eric J in MN]

53. Clever, inexpensive way to spread his ideas.

The media will cover this because of the strangeness of a liberal speaker at that conservative setting.

Network TV news broadcasts will probably play at least one sentence of his speech.

[Blue_Tires]

54. uh....WHAT?

[DonViejo]

56. I can see Jerry Falwell flipping in his grave, doing somersaults too....

"a Democrat is coming to my University!"

[drm604]

61. I don't understand why Liberty is allowing this.

Maybe they think it hurts Hillary somehow?

In any case, this may be a smart move on Sanders' part. Even if he doesn't sway a single student, the weirdness of this will likely attract media and put his name, image, and words before more of the public.

Also, it may cause more on the right to pay attention to him, and he does seem to have an attraction for a certain segment of the right, so he may gain more support from that segment.

[Eric J in MN]

69. Maybe they think it makes the university more respectable.

I respect them more after this announcement.

[Recursion]

62. I said when Sanders declared that he and Webb were seeking the same constituency

Sanders is courting them from the left and Webb from the right, but those are the votes both of them want.