Nearly a week after 5,000 people crowded the Burlington waterfront to watch Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) kick off his presidential campaign, roughly 35 gathered across the street Monday night at Main Street Landing to show their support for former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.
Lopsided though those numbers may sound, Holly Jones of Shelburne reassured her fellow Clintonites that they were hardly a reflection of Clinton’s true support in Vermont.
“There was a lot of talk because he had 5,000 people down there,” Jones said. “But I can tell you what: She would get 10,000 people, if not 20 or 30 — and that’s the truth!”
Beach Conger of Burlington agreed.
“Cheer for Bernie! Vote for Hillary!” he said.
The hour-long event, which featured speeches from Gov. Peter Shumlin and former governor Madeleine Kunin, included plenty of talk about the “everyday Americans” to which Clinton and her surrogates have constantly referred this campaign season.
“Hillary Clinton, when she announced her campaign, pledged to be a champion for everyday Americans and that she would work hard to earn every vote,” her New Hampshire press secretary, Harrell Kirstein, said before the program began.
But few of those gathered Monday evening in the half-filled room could be considered everyday Vermonters. Rather, many were Democratic muckety-mucks, such as Rep. Tim Jerman (D-Essex Junction), former state senator Hinda Miller, former Shumlin chief of staff Bill Lofy, former Vermont Democratic Party spokesman Ben Sarle and Burlington Democratic Party assistant treasurer Andrew Champagne.
Leading the charge was Brandon Batham, whom the Clinton campaign hired in April to serve as its Vermont “grassroots organizer.” The Los Angeles native lives in Marlboro and got his start in Vermont politics last summer working on Sen. Becca Balint’s (D-Windham) primary election campaign. He went on to serve as the VDP’s southern Vermont field organizer last fall.
“Take a clipboard. Shoot me an email. I’ll send you signup sheets and voter registration forms. Get people plugged in. Get people excited about this campaign,” he said. “2008 was great … because of that. People were electrified going into the polling place. Voting was sexy. We’ve got to make voting sexy again!”
But even Clinton’s top supporters in the state appeared to acknowledge that, at least in Vermont, Sanders may be the sexier candidate.
“I know that many Vermonters are rightly proud of their almost-native son,” Kunin said, adding that she’s “glad that Bernie is running, because his ideas are important.”
Shumlin said much the same.
“We all know in Vermont that we love Bernie. Bernie is a friend and an extraordinary voice for Vermont. I’m proud that he’s running for president. I think it’s a proud moment for Vermont, and as governor Kunin said, he’s going to raise issues that are really important to this campaign,” Shumlin said, adding that he is also friends with the latest entrant into the Democratic primary, former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley.
“But the question for us at this time is very simple,” Shumlin continued. “Who of the candidates running for president has the ability to hit the ground running and can continue to lift up the economy for the American people that have been fighting and struggling to get a fair shot at a good wage and a good life for themselves and their families? And it is Hillary Clinton.”
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No one is going to get excited about Hillary in Vermont, except Democrat party insiders and big-money donors. “Working and middle class” Vermonters might vote for her if she wins the nomination, but that’s a big IF.
The attendance at this event was 35.. versus the 5,000 who heard Senator Sander’s announcement. Despite the organizer’s protestations, I’d say that’s a pretty good indication of Secretary Clinton’s support in Vermont. And, a reflection on Governor Shumlin’s popularity.
One of the benefits of being as old as I am, is to understand that Hillary is so far removed from “everyday Americans” that it makes it ludicrous for her to hijack the term and use it in her campaign. Her fame, celebrity and, yes, sense of entitlement don’t leave any room for authentic simpatico with the common man or woman in this country.
Sorry… as Bernie said, “I respect Hillary”… but I will not vote for the dirty money that is involved in her political juggernaut.
Another politicians politician… why do you Shumy threw in his endorsement?
This : http://www.salon.com/2015/05/31/the_cash_donations_hillary_simply_has_no_answer_for_partner/
Benghazi, Vince Foster, Clinton Cash, emails… How does anybody get behind Grandma C until these outrageous allegations are answered by her?
We’re talking honesty and character here. No wonder Shummy is endorsing her! And BTW, between Shimmy and Madame Kunin, name the top 5 things they have accomplished for working Vermonters.
You gotta appreciate Bernie’s openness and honesty. That may be a reason why 5,000 to 35-50.
“You gotta appreciate Bernie’s openness and honesty. That may be a reason why 5,000 to 35-50.”
Gee, another reason could be . . . oh, I don’t know, maybe cuz this is Bernie’s home state???
People who are comparing the size of the crowds at the two candidates’ respective announcements in Vermont, i.e., looking at one single event, and suggesting that this has anything to do with the long-term quality or viability or the electability of Bernie vs. Hillary, are not being realistic, to put it nicely.
I don’t ‘know your assumptions’ but I do know I was not suggesting anything about viability or electability. More like when Shummy/Kunin headline, the crowd is 35. When Bernie/home crowd/free ice cream headlines, it’s 5,000. A testament to drawability of Mr. Gov vs. Bernie Claus.
Just a guess, but it’s likely that the corporate cash Clinton candidate will headline the democratic convention.
Bill Clinton was a member of the Trilateral commission,you know,an arm of the New World Order.
Hillary, for gutting America!!!
Bernie is drawing large crowds wherever he shows up. At an unplanned stop in Minneapolis this past weekend, where he expected 200 folks at most to show up, he had to change the venue to a large auditorium to try and fit the 4000+ people who showed up….3700 fit inside and the remaining 300 stayed outside, enthusiastically supporting him.
Bernie is not super well-known nationally, but is becoming more-so as the days move forward and he gets national exposure from the likes of Meet the press, Seth Myers, Jon Stewart, John Oliver, Katie Couric, all just this past week. His message and voice is being heard, and people are liking what they hear.
The clear winner is Ben & Jerry’s, with Bernie coming in a close second.
How disillusioned everyone is…of course, Vermont’s “homeboy” Bernie is going to be hailed as the hero! But that is Vermont. Soperman3 comments indicate, that 35 vs. 5,000 is, is a “pretty good indication of Secretary Clinton’s support in Vermont” is an unrealistic comment, based on this early, small venue. I watched Bernie’s Waterfront rebel rousing speech as he ranted about everything that is wrong with government, which, yes, I agree with most of his points, YET I did not hear any solutions. I personally like Bernie but I don’t think he has the overall backing or international experience to be a viable candidate. We are talking about getting things done in Washington and moving forward. No matter what you think of Hillary, she is super intelligent, experienced, AND politically savvy. I am not a “Democratic party insider NOR a big money donor” but a hard working, middle class Vermonter (Egmatic). I do think she will do a wonderful job as our first WOMAN President. I support her and I am looking forward to her breaking that “glass ceiling” against all the “good old boys” in Washington and making a difference….
You want to hear Bernie’s solutions to the problems, then listen and read a little ore carefully. Bernard Sander is a deliberate and thorough man, Hillary is a shill for the corporate interests, she does not have the people’s interests on her agenda. Make no mistake, Bernard Sanders is a serious contender. He’s in it to win for us and we are in it to elect him!!!
I’d bet Shumlin only supports Hillary because the Democrats are making him… If I was a leader in the party, I’d be sure as hell to not let Bernie make the ticket; he won’t race towards the middle like candidates usually do in the final election months and would unnecessarily lose a lot of the vote. Of course that’s because Bernie is not a typical politician. He is definitely something different, something which might not obey the traditional rules of politics. Personally, I don’t think Hillary’s resumé is of presidential quality judging from the last few years, and if Bernie doesn’t make it, I might honestly consider some of the less conservative Republicans we see.
GeishaGirl, if you didn’t hear any solutions at the rally, I would respectfully suggest you may not have been listening closely enough. If you’re open to it, go back and read the transcript. If that still leaves you with questions, search out his most recent speeches and media coverage.
Personally, I’ve heard far, far more common-sense and well articulated solutions from Bernie than I’ve heard … really anything … from Hillary. To me, this is telling. Bernie is running an authentic campaign, down in the trenches with real people, while Hillary is deliberately managing and curating hers. It’s suspect, and a turnoff.
Thank you, knowyourassumptions, for stating the obvious! And Jane, I offer you the same response you gave me about Bernie. Keep an open mind and go back and research Hillary’s speeches, her many, many accomplishments over her long career, her humanitarian work, etc…I respect Vermonters supporting the “home town” guy and good luck to them both! Washington needs a change and someone who can work with both parties and get things done. Unfortunately, I don’t think Bernie is savvy enough…
Paul, you should consider doing some research on Mr. Brandon Batham whose family ties were responsible for out of state cash fueling State Senator Becca Balint’s campaign. Mr. Batham was an aggressive and obnoxious presence at all of the candidate forums in Windham County and treated other candidates poorly. Clearly, the Clinton campaign is getting bad information on who this “field organizer” really is. Hillary Clinton deserves better than this opportunistic West Coast transplant. Then again, he is in good company with Gov. Shumlin – the penultimate opportunist in the State of Vermont. As I often say, only in Vermont!
Bernie’s been in Washington for at least 24 years (first elected to the House in 1990). Tell me about all his great accomplishments there.
As a non-native Vermonter, I hear all the time about how wonderful Bernie Sanders is but truthfully, I don’t know that much about him. What I do know is that his rhetoric resonates with the majority of Americans and I think that is his single biggest accomplishment. Accomplishments do not have to be in the form of bills past but more importantly, measured by the impact they have on real people’s lives. It’s obvious that Sen. Sanders has had a real and positive impact on many lives and garners broad support. As the world is filled with many intractable problems, perhaps all Vermonters (native and those transplants) should just enjoy and take pride in a dedicated Vermonter who is trying hard to bring about positive change for the country he passionately loves and cares about. Go Bernie! p.s. Bernie could also establish himself as a viable VP candidate so his candidacy is no laughing matter.
Would Commander in Chief Sanders demolish ISIS? Maybe he could model USA after the Scandinavians.
“What I do know is that his rhetoric resonates with the majority of Americans”
Really? Do you have any poll results to show that specifically Bernie’s “rhetoric resonates with the majority of Americans”?
“and I think that is his single biggest accomplishment”
Really? His biggest accomplishment in 24 years of being in Congress is saying things that “resonate with the majority of Americans” (if that is even true)?
“Accomplishments do not have to be in the form of bills past (sic)”
Actually, if your job is being a LAWMAKER, then, yes, they do.
“It’s obvious that Sen. Sanders has had a real and positive impact on many lives”
Got any real data to support that?
“As the world is filled with many intractable problems”
Which ones has he solved?
“trying hard to bring about positive change”
How? And with what results?
To: knowyourassumptions
Sometimes its better not validate something with a formal response and your post certainly qualifies. Best wishes to you!
State Senator Becca Balint has emailed me and stated that “All donations to my campaign from CA were personal friends of mine–college and high schools friends and some of their spouses.”
I appreciate that Senator Balint offered this information and I wanted to share it with all readers.
Anyone wondering what Bernie Sanders’ “real accomplishments” have been, can easily check them here. Assuming they really want to know:
https://www.govtrack.us/…
Some of his most recently sponsored bills include…
S. 731: Social Security Expansion Act
Sponsor: Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders [I-VT]
Introduced: Mar 12, 2015
Referred to Committee: Mar 12, 2015
S. 268: Rebuild America Act of 2015
Sponsor: Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders [I-VT]
Introduced: Jan 27, 2015
Referred to Committee: Jan 27, 2015
S. 922: Corporate Tax Dodging Prevention Act
Sponsor: Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders [I-VT]
Introduced: Apr 14, 2015
Referred to Committee: Apr 14, 2015
S. 2905: Carbon Pollution Transparency Act of 2014
Sponsor: Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders [I-VT]
Introduced: Sep 18, 2014
Referred to Committee: Sep 18, 2014
S. 2899: Responsible Estate Tax Act
Sponsor: Sen. Bernard “Bernie” Sanders [I-VT]
Introduced: Sep 18, 2014
Referred to Committee: Sep 18, 2014
S. 1373: College for All Act
S. 1371: Inclusive Prosperity Act of 2015
S. 1364: Medicaid Generic Drug Price Fairness Act of 2015
S. 1366: A bill to amend the charter of the Gold Star Wives of America …
S. 1206: Too Big To Fail, Too Big To Exist Act
S. 1041: End Polluter Welfare Act of 2015
S. 964: Nuclear Plant Decommissioning Act of 2015
Anything signed into law? Just asking… My dog and I could sponsor a bill.
You, and your dog, aren’t wholeheartedly supported senators of a state. Bernie has been showing up at Vermont town meetings, voting against military pension cuts, and initiating more safety nets for real people. You can thank people like him when you have social security in your 70’s.
Hey, just some questions:
“Bernie has been showing up at Vermont town meetings”
Ok. But accomplishing what — other than repeatedly delivering the same ill-tempered rants against the so-called “right wing reactionaries”?
“initiating more safety nets for real people”
I’m not sure what this means. What does initiating safety nets mean? Can you identify all the “safety nets” he’s “initiated”?
“You can thank people like him when you have social security in your 70’s”
Can you say in concrete terms how he’s saved social security?
Just askin’.
Free lasagna! Free ice cream! Free college! Free healthcare! Who gets the check?
Another Flatlander Commandeers Control of the Vermont Democratic Party !
Brandon Batham, the Windham County Democratic Committee chairman “chose not to invite candidates who have run without the Democratic Party label at any point within the last five years.” Hell Brandon five years ago YOU were still a big California Progressive, who died and left you in charge?
You don’t believe me? Here is a brief bio on the latest flatlander to commandeer control of the Vermont Democratic Party (from the VDP website) and don’t overlook the part about him hustling for Hillary over Bernie this year – OMG !
Brandon was born and raised in Southern California, and moved to Marlboro, VT in 2012, where he studied at Marlboro College.
Prior to his move to Vermont, Brandon worked for progressive Democratic political candidates in California. Along with a number of local and state legislative races, he served on the field team for Congressman Brad Sherman in 2012, and the communications teams for former Los Angeles City Controller Wendy Greuel’s 2013 bid for Mayor of Los Angeles and 2014 bid for Congress. From 2011 – 2012, he also served on the Board of Trustees for the Los Angeles Community College District, which manages the nation’s largest community college district.
Since moving to Vermont, Brandon helped run the 2014 campaign for Windham County State Senator Becca Balint, worked as the Vermont Democratic Party’s Field Organizer for Southern Vermont in fall of 2014, and served as the Statewide Grassroots Organizer for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. He currently serves as the President of Vermont Theatre Company, a non-profit community theater organization based out of Brattleboro, and is the Chair of the Windham County Democratic Committee and a member of the Vermont Democratic Party’s Executive Committee.
You just can’t make this stuff up !