Sanders was the FIRST Democratic candidate to visit Liberty University

[magical thyme]

The first to reach out to the people in opposition.

Here is how he started his speech:

"Thank you, President Falwell and David. Thank you very much for inviting my wife, Jane, and me to be with you even this morning. We appreciate the invitation very much.

And let me start off by acknowledging what I think all of you already know. And that is the views that many here at Liberty University have and I, on a number of important issues, are very, very different. I believe in a woman's rights....

And the right of a woman to control her own body.

I believe gay rights and gay marriage.

Those are my views, and it is no secret. But I came here today, because I believe from the bottom of my heart that it is vitally important for those of us who hold different views to be able to engage in a civil discourse."

Not pandering. Not pandering one bit.

[HooptieWagon]

1. It was a brilliant speech.

[randys1]

2. You were doing so well, promoting this great man, then at the end you had to DIG

at his colleague.

You had to DIG at the person Bernie will work his ASS off for if he doesnt win the nomination, because unlike some, Bernie knows the consequences of not doing so.

You were doing so well. We could have just applauded one of our candidates and left it at that.

[magical thyme]

3. because I stated that he was not pandering?

whatever.

[Autumn]

11. You should know that to some "attacks" on Hillary are bad "attacks" on Bernie

Meh... who cares

[Armstead]

5. He has been accused of pandering, so is a reasonable response

[Autumn]

7. randys1. Remove the mote from your own eye.

How come you didn't take this OP to task for the dig at Bernie?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251593881#post126

[HassleCat]

8. How do we say it, then?

We have to point out our guy does not pander to special interests, does not take money from Wall Street, does not do many things candidates ordinarily do. This is no insult to any candidate in articular, since nearly all political candidates follow the standard template. There are only a very few who refuse campaign contributions on principle, do not adjust the message to the audience, do not dodge questions with "I love you" answers, and so on. This is why we like Bernie, because he is different from the average candidate, but it's a general comparison. If it's a specific dig at Clinton, it will come out something like, "Bernie does not take big money like Hillary does." I'm sure you can see the difference. Some of us are trying to be civil, as Bernie himself is being civil, by pointing out that Sanders is different, without invoking specific names to make the comparison. That's the best we can do. We're not going to avoid mentioning Bernie's selling points because someone might infer a comparison.

[beam me up scottie]

9. I took it as a dig at hypocritical Hillary supporters.

But go ahead and spin away.

That just proves the op hit the intended target.

[jeff47]

10. Yeah, it doesn't actually say anyone else was pandering.

But you did an excellent job of inserting that so you could work up some outrage.

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Every candidate I have ever seen talk to the 'faith community' panders to them. Obama sure did.

He held rallies with 'ex gay' hate preachers as the only speakers, went to Rick Warren's church to denounce equality for LGBT. Pandering.
Bernie did not pander and yet he addressed people of faith. He opened by stating that he support LGBT rights whereas Obama and Clinton and all others have opened in church by saying they oppose our rights for God.

[HassleCat]

4. Breaking the rules

Bad Bernie! Bad Bernie! Here, put on this dunce hat and go sit in the corner. No, you may not come out until after the primary. You broke one of our very important DNC rules. Never talk to an audience that doesn't already love you. At the very least, promise them stuff to make them love you. Do NOT tell them you disagree with them. Say stuff like, "I know we all share the same fundamentally American values, and I want you to know I am WITH you, and will fight for you on the issues that matter." Geez, Bernie. Did you not read the handbook? You didn't, did you? This will be a mark on your permanent record, young man. No recess for you!

[azmom]

6. I give props to Bernie and the students. He was

Respectful to them and the students were respectful of him. I thought his speech was great. I am hoping the people making the spanish version of Bernie's video will do this one soon. I know that it would resonate with the hispanic community.