BY DAVID GUILDFORD | KENTUCKY
LOUISVILLE, Ky – Presidential hopeful Senator Bernie Sanders came to Louisville Sunday to ask a packed downtown crowd for support in his campaign, and also to take aim at Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell in the heart of his state.
“Today here in Louisville I say to Senator McConnell, stop worrying about your billionaire friends, they’re doing just fine,” the Democrat from Vermont said to raucous cheers. “Start worrying about the working families of your state and around the country who are struggling to keep their head above water.” Some of Sanders’ most passionate remarks came when calling on McConnell to stop killing bills before they can be voted on in DC. “Stop blocking legislation from coming to the floor of the Senate,” he demanded. “Now, if you want to, Senator McConnell, you can vote against that legislation.
But we live in a democracy, the Senate is entitled to a debate, and the American people are entitled to know how you are voting.” Noticeable in the crowd was the robust presence of young people cheering on the 77-year-old. “We are the most progressive generation in the history of America and he really hit on some points that are really devastating in Kentucky, especially Kentucky families; such as not being able to get healthcare, not being able to get food on the tables,” said Demos Negash, 16, who won’t be old enough to vote in 2020, but is already an active member of Louisville Young Democrats.
“Look for a candidate that’s willing to do the good, honest work for the people that actually need help,” said Logan Gatti, 29, the former president of LYD. “Like [Sanders] said, the billionaires don’t really need help, they’re doing well. Any sort of minor legislation change or impact is not really going to affect them in any major way.” Before Sanders’ speech, Governor Matt Bevin released a video from his campaign accounts sharing a different view of the senator’s politics. “He’s here protesting business, he’s protesting those who create jobs and opportunity,” said the Republican incumbent, who’s up for reelection in November.
“He thinks that everything should be free; somehow the job creators are punished and the people who do or don’t work to varying degrees should get everything for free. It doesn’t work that way. Any time someone gets something for free someone else is paying for it.” Back in Louisville, Sanders calling on McConnell to work differently in Washington. “End the obstructionism,” he said. “Let us have democracy in the Senate. Let us address the needs of the working class of this country.” Senator Sanders is due to appear in Morgantown, West Virginia Monday, bringing the same message to another part of coal country hit hard financially in recent years.
