This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/apr/08/bernie-sanders-brooklyn-hillary-clinton-new-york-primary

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sanders welcomed home in Brooklyn as Clinton reunites with New York voters Sanders welcomed home in Brooklyn as Clinton reunites with New York voters
(about 1 hour later)
Bernie Sanders returned to where it all began for him on Friday afternoon. In a last-minute campaign rally, he took to a windy podium in the middle of the street outside his childhood home off Kings Highway in Brooklyn to address supporters.Bernie Sanders returned to where it all began for him on Friday afternoon. In a last-minute campaign rally, he took to a windy podium in the middle of the street outside his childhood home off Kings Highway in Brooklyn to address supporters.
Across the state, there was another homecoming of sorts for his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who returned to western New York to once again ask the voters who helped launch her Senate career for their support.Across the state, there was another homecoming of sorts for his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton, who returned to western New York to once again ask the voters who helped launch her Senate career for their support.
“I have just felt a connection to this city and to western New York,” Clinton said, taking the stage for a rally in downtown Buffalo on Friday. “It’s been one of the great honors of my life to see … the transformation that has taken place since my first trip here.”“I have just felt a connection to this city and to western New York,” Clinton said, taking the stage for a rally in downtown Buffalo on Friday. “It’s been one of the great honors of my life to see … the transformation that has taken place since my first trip here.”
In Brooklyn, Sanders told an adoring crowd: “All over this state and all over this country, there is a movement developing that says it is too late for establishment politics and establishment economics.”In Brooklyn, Sanders told an adoring crowd: “All over this state and all over this country, there is a movement developing that says it is too late for establishment politics and establishment economics.”
As the building’s current residents peered down from open windows, Sanders declared that income inequality in America and the current campaign finance system was “unacceptable” – and received shouts of “Unacceptable!” from the crowd in response.As the building’s current residents peered down from open windows, Sanders declared that income inequality in America and the current campaign finance system was “unacceptable” – and received shouts of “Unacceptable!” from the crowd in response.
From there, he touched on all of his campaign’s main policy initiatives, from the “broken criminal justice system” to the $15 minimum wage, tuition-free public colleges and universities, and from student loan interest rates to the need to “rebuild our crumbling infrastructure”. But it was when he declared “climate change is real and climate change is caused by human activity” that he got an “amen!” from deep in the crowd.From there, he touched on all of his campaign’s main policy initiatives, from the “broken criminal justice system” to the $15 minimum wage, tuition-free public colleges and universities, and from student loan interest rates to the need to “rebuild our crumbling infrastructure”. But it was when he declared “climate change is real and climate change is caused by human activity” that he got an “amen!” from deep in the crowd.
Sanders wrapped up his first of three New York City appearances planned for Friday and Saturday with appeals to his electability, declaring that momentum was in his favor and it was he, not Clinton, who could beat Republicans in November. And with one last appeal to the assembled voters, he descended off the stage and attended to the crowd at the rope line – which was made of the NYPD’s ubiquitous metal barriers.Sanders wrapped up his first of three New York City appearances planned for Friday and Saturday with appeals to his electability, declaring that momentum was in his favor and it was he, not Clinton, who could beat Republicans in November. And with one last appeal to the assembled voters, he descended off the stage and attended to the crowd at the rope line – which was made of the NYPD’s ubiquitous metal barriers.
Sanders was introduced first by a singer, who chose America the Beautiful instead of the national anthem to lead off the rally. He then led the crowd – who did really sing along – in a new verse that ended: “We’ve got your back / No Super Pacs / We feel the bern, Bernie!”Sanders was introduced first by a singer, who chose America the Beautiful instead of the national anthem to lead off the rally. He then led the crowd – who did really sing along – in a new verse that ended: “We’ve got your back / No Super Pacs / We feel the bern, Bernie!”
Actor and Sanders supporter Mark Ruffalo was up next, encouraging the crowd to talk to friends and relatives who were not ready to vote for Sanders. “They’re just scared,” he said, explaining that it was the job of Sanders supporters to encourage everyone to embrace their dreams.Actor and Sanders supporter Mark Ruffalo was up next, encouraging the crowd to talk to friends and relatives who were not ready to vote for Sanders. “They’re just scared,” he said, explaining that it was the job of Sanders supporters to encourage everyone to embrace their dreams.
“Incrementalism is dead,” Ruffalo declared – an obvious reference to Clinton’s supposedly more pragmatic policy platform.“Incrementalism is dead,” Ruffalo declared – an obvious reference to Clinton’s supposedly more pragmatic policy platform.
The two Democratic candidates are locked an increasingly toxic primary race in New York.The two Democratic candidates are locked an increasingly toxic primary race in New York.
An escalating war of words over whether the candidates are qualified to be president culminated in a reversal by Sanders on Friday morning.An escalating war of words over whether the candidates are qualified to be president culminated in a reversal by Sanders on Friday morning.
“You may have heard that Senator Sanders said I was unqualified to be president,” Clinton said during her rally as the crowd booed. “Well seriously I’ve been called a lot of things over the years, but unqualified has not been one of them. This morning he finally acknowledged that, of course, he doesn’t really believe that.”“You may have heard that Senator Sanders said I was unqualified to be president,” Clinton said during her rally as the crowd booed. “Well seriously I’ve been called a lot of things over the years, but unqualified has not been one of them. This morning he finally acknowledged that, of course, he doesn’t really believe that.”
Asked on NBC’s Today Show, Sanders said “of course” Clinton was qualified to be president.Asked on NBC’s Today Show, Sanders said “of course” Clinton was qualified to be president.
“On her worst day, she would be an infinitely better president than either of the Republican candidates,” the Vermont senator said.“On her worst day, she would be an infinitely better president than either of the Republican candidates,” the Vermont senator said.
Clinton also trained her fire on the other New Yorker in the race: Donald Trump. She argued that the Republican candidates should be taken at their word.Clinton also trained her fire on the other New Yorker in the race: Donald Trump. She argued that the Republican candidates should be taken at their word.
“When Donald Trump says women and doctors should be punished, it raises really serious questions that people have to pay attention to,” Clinton said. “Don’t just ignore it. It could be a very real threat.”“When Donald Trump says women and doctors should be punished, it raises really serious questions that people have to pay attention to,” Clinton said. “Don’t just ignore it. It could be a very real threat.”
Later at the Pierce Arrow museum in downtown Buffalo, Clinton received a jubilant reception from her former constituents. Outside the venue a group of protesters carried signs that read: Remember Benghazi. The clash was reflective of a new AP-GfK poll that showed 55% of Americans have a negative opinion of the Democratic frontrunner.Later at the Pierce Arrow museum in downtown Buffalo, Clinton received a jubilant reception from her former constituents. Outside the venue a group of protesters carried signs that read: Remember Benghazi. The clash was reflective of a new AP-GfK poll that showed 55% of Americans have a negative opinion of the Democratic frontrunner.
Even so, Clinton fares better than her Republican rivals. The poll also found that seven in 10 Americans dislike Donald Trump, while 59% view Ted Cruz unfavorably.Even so, Clinton fares better than her Republican rivals. The poll also found that seven in 10 Americans dislike Donald Trump, while 59% view Ted Cruz unfavorably.
“I feel very good about where I am,” Clinton said. “Donald Trump hates when I say it, but I’ve gotten more votes than anybody.”“I feel very good about where I am,” Clinton said. “Donald Trump hates when I say it, but I’ve gotten more votes than anybody.”
The crowd in attendance at Sanders’ rally was as eclectic as modern Brooklyn itself: a hijab-clad woman kept an eye on her little girl as she played with a slightly older boy in a yarmulke, looking for a good spot to catch a glimpse of Sanders.The crowd in attendance at Sanders’ rally was as eclectic as modern Brooklyn itself: a hijab-clad woman kept an eye on her little girl as she played with a slightly older boy in a yarmulke, looking for a good spot to catch a glimpse of Sanders.
So many attendees carried expensive DSLR cameras that it was difficult to tell photojournalists from supporters. An elderly woman in cheap knit pants leaned against a slim tree as a volunteer of South Asian descent led two African American supporters and their son through the crowd, telling them there was more room to stand on the other side of the press riser.So many attendees carried expensive DSLR cameras that it was difficult to tell photojournalists from supporters. An elderly woman in cheap knit pants leaned against a slim tree as a volunteer of South Asian descent led two African American supporters and their son through the crowd, telling them there was more room to stand on the other side of the press riser.
People shouted in support at inopportune times during Sanders’ speech, high school kids fresh out of class giggled in packs and everyone pressed forward towards the rope line the second his speech ended, hoping to get a selfie or even just a snap with their candidate.People shouted in support at inopportune times during Sanders’ speech, high school kids fresh out of class giggled in packs and everyone pressed forward towards the rope line the second his speech ended, hoping to get a selfie or even just a snap with their candidate.
Those who did emerged from a pack of humanity grinning, to show their friends (or even just their followers on social media) and then started the long, cold walk back to the subway.Those who did emerged from a pack of humanity grinning, to show their friends (or even just their followers on social media) and then started the long, cold walk back to the subway.
Watching the crowd from the other side of the barriers was Kiaza Dozorets, a 78-year-old resident of Sanders’ childhood building. Through a translator, she explained that she had only lived there for 24 years, and thus had not overlapped with Sanders.Watching the crowd from the other side of the barriers was Kiaza Dozorets, a 78-year-old resident of Sanders’ childhood building. Through a translator, she explained that she had only lived there for 24 years, and thus had not overlapped with Sanders.
She said that although she liked Sanders, she could not vote for him: despite being a citizen, she had never registered to vote.She said that although she liked Sanders, she could not vote for him: despite being a citizen, she had never registered to vote.
Though it is too late to register for New York’s primary on 19 April, when told she could register and vote in the November general election, she nodded. “Yes, maybe,” she said, watching the last of the Sanders supporters leave her block.Though it is too late to register for New York’s primary on 19 April, when told she could register and vote in the November general election, she nodded. “Yes, maybe,” she said, watching the last of the Sanders supporters leave her block.
Sanders wrapped up his day in New York with a rally along the East River in Greenpoint, with throngs of Brooklynites braving the cold to hear him.
Speaking with the Manhattan skyline behind him, the candidate mentioned Clinton only twice, recalling how his campaign began 60 points behind the former secretary of state.
Sanders joked that he had grown up in Brooklyn “just a few” years before many of the supporters who had turned out to see him, and when he proclaimed “We should not have to got to Canada to get our drugs” and that marijuana should not be a section-one drug, the crowd clamored in agreement.
At the call for a revolution akin to the civil rights movements – for women, black and LGBT people – they chanted his name. When Sanders mentioned inequality, the crowd cried out their disapproval, though mention of gentrification elicited something less than a roar.
Sanders noted the revelations of the Panama Papers, for instance, and said that tax havens around the world are “just one more scam” by the rich “to avoid paying their fair share”.
George Frye, a Michigan native who works at Chelsea piers and plays guitar for a “theatrical rock band” (“lots of costumes and things”) said he appreciated Sanders’ messages of reforming subsidies to fossil fuel companies and finance reform. “I don’t want to have to pay $2,000 to feel like I have a voice, you know, in a democracy.”
Reid and Sami Faylor, both 28 and an illustrator and flight attendant respectively, said they cared about inequality, and that Sanders had for the first time invigorated their interest in politics. “Usually we’re just trying to eke by,” Reid said. Though they hoped Sanders would win, Reid said he would vote for Clinton in a general election; Sami was not so sure.
“I would never fucking vote for her,” said Nicole Lawrence, 33.
Lawrence said that she supported Sanders for his adamant insistence on rooting money out of politics, and that Clinton simply could not be trusted. In the general election, if Clinton was the Democratic candidate, Lawrence said she would write in Sanders’ name.