Democratic Presidential Candidate Bernie Sanders packed the house in Madison, Wisconsin -- and, yes, it looks like he did the same this evening in Portland, Maine.
The campaign reported that about 7,500 people attended. (Although some arena staff say it was closer to 9,000!) Portland is a city of just over 66,300 people. There were more people in attendance at Bernie's rally tonight than live in many small New England towns. This was incredible.
(If you're not familiar with Maine, it's a pretty conservative state. The Bush family has a big house there. They have a crazy Tea Party governor. It's not Vermont -- it's actually more conservative, I would argue, than Wisconsin.)
You can watch the entirety of Bernie's speech here.
Folks, this is what democracy looks like! (Closed space had to be opened for folks waiting in line outside to be able to enter.)
Crowd is so big they've had to open areas that were supposed to stay closed. @BernieSanders#mepoliticspic.twitter.com/kQw5XZPE3L
— Mario Moretto (@riocarmine) July 6, 2015And this.
Another packed arena for Bernie Sanders at presidential campaign stop in Portland, Maine - @maryaliceparkspic.twitter.com/TJwCfoXrjr
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) July 7, 2015And this is what democracy looks like. (Yes, folks are excited.)
Crowd filled to the top row plus standing for Sanders. Arena seats 9,000. Seems pretty close to that #mepoliticspic.twitter.com/JMfZvCsJlG
— Kevin Miller (@KevinMillerPPH) July 6, 2015And this is what democracy sounds like.
#BernieSanders arrives in #portlandme#Election2016#wmtw#mepolitics#politicspic.twitter.com/pRpwOJOaDO
— Courtney Sturgeon (@CourtneyWMTW) July 6, 2015Yes, Bernie can win this primary. Yes, he can win the Office of President of the United States of America.