'We love you in Iowa' Crowds flock to Bernie Sanders during surprise visit to Des Moines' Downtown

[Donkees]

Kevin Hardy, Des Moines Register Published 12:26 p.m. CT May 4, 2019


Excerpt:

After filming an interview on the Principal Riverwalk, Sanders made his way through shoulder-to-shoulder shoppers. A few supporters had been notified ahead of time to help with crowd control, but Sanders impromptu visit took many visitors by surprise. Not that it mattered.

Immediately after wading into the crowd, Sanders had trouble moving forward and aides had to keep Iowans from completely mobbing the presidential candidate.

"We need more stickers than that," he said looking at the rapidly depleting stock of campaign gear.

Sanders didn't sample the wares available at the market. But he seemed in good cheer as others munched on egg rolls, pastries and other market delights. Toward the end of his multi-block jaunt, a bearded man shouted to Sanders and pointed proudly at his Raygun hoodie that read "Unhinged Liberal."

Jonathan Karl, the chief white house correspondent for ABC News, attempted to interview Sanders as they walked down Court Avenue. The reporter noted how different Sanders' 2020 bid looks on the ground compared to his out-of-nowhere campaign ahead of the 2016 election.

"I would say virtually everybody here at this farmers' market in Des Moines knows exactly who Bernie Sanders is," Karl said into the camera.

After snaking through several blocks and meeting hundreds of fans, Sanders arrived near the end of his route.

"We love you in Iowa," a man shouted at him.

"Thank you," Sanders said, before entering a black SUV to travel to his first official campaign stop of the day.

https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2019/05/04/bernie-sanders-farmers-market-des-moines-iowa-caucus-campaign-president-fans-election-20202/1101210001/

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