Sanders launches first ad touting AOC endorsement
October 22, 2019
The Bernie Sanders campaign is launching its first ad highlighting his massive rally in New York City on Saturday — and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's endorsement of him.
The 30-second digital spot, part of a six-figure ad buy in Iowa starting Tuesday, features a popular line from Sanders' speech at the rally as well as images of the huge crowd.
"Take a look around you and find someone you don't know. Maybe somebody who doesn't look kind of like you. Are you willing to fight for that person as much as you're willing to fight for yourself?” Sanders said. “If you and millions of others are prepared to do that, not only will we win this election, but together we will transform this country."
The spot ends with an image of Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez clasping hands.
The phrase, “I'm willing to fight for someone I don’t know” has taken off online, with progressive activists, Sanders fans, and even some Hollywood stars, such as actors Don Cheadle and Piper Perabo, tweeting out the message of solidarity.
At the event, Sanders also said, "Are you willing to fight for young people drowning in student debt even if you are not? Are you willing to fight to ensure that every American has health care as a human right even if you have good health care? Are you willing to fight for frightened immigrant neighbors even if you are native-born?"
It's a new addition to Sanders’ stump speech, and notable for sending an implicit message to voters who are not yet supporting him. The Vermont senator has struggled to expand his base in 2020.
The Sanders campaign estimated about 26,000 people attended the Saturday event, making it the biggest rally of any Democratic candidate this year. It was the first rally he held since he suffered a heart attack at the beginning of the month.
Sanders’ spot also highlights a diverse array of audience members at the rally. His aides have said the endorsement from Ocasio-Cortez, as well as Rep. Ilhan Omar, demonstrates the multiracial working-class coalition that he is building.
In addition to the first paid ad featuring Ocasio-Cortez, the Sanders campaign unveiled this weekend a video featuring her endorsement of Sanders. It has nearly 3 million views on Twitter.
Source: https://www.politico.com/
