Sanders fires up thousands in North Las Vegas; O’Malley promotes immigration reform — VIDEO
More than 2,000 supporters of Bernie Sanders gathered at a North Las Vegas sports complex to hear from the independent U.S. senator from Vermont wants the Democratic nomination for president.
Sanders spoke Sunday evening in an outside rally at Cheyenne Sports Complex in North Las Vegas. He was one of two Democratic presidential candidates visiting Southern Nevada. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley spoke Sunday at an immigration forum in Las Vegas.
Sanders gave a speech that reflected the central themes of his campaign: Too much wealth and income growth is concentrated on a billionaire class that represents less than 1 percent of the population. His message include a call for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, campaign finance reform to rein in the ability of the wealthy to influence elections, and increasing family leave, including more time off for new mothers.
"The American people understand some very important facts and that is they know that today's economy is rigged," Sanders said."They know that the average American is working longer hours for lower wages."
Sanders casts himself as a candidate who isn't beholden to special interests and doesn't benefit from a Super PAC -- political action committee -- that raises unlimited amounts of cash.
"The truth is that these guys on Wall Street have more wealth and power than you can possibly imagine but there is something that we have that they don't have and that is what is here tonight ...the people," Sanders said as the audience roared their approval.
For any billionaires in the crowd, Sanders offered this: "I do not want funding from Wall Street and corporate America. I do not represent their interests and I do not want their money."
On immigration, Sanders said the country needs a "rational and compassionate" immigration process that makes the sanctity of families a priority.
O'MALLEY STUMPS
O'Malley criticized the argument that immigrants take American jobs, calling it an example of the "failed thinking of the past."
O'Malley, a former governor of Maryland, made his comments at a forum organized by the Fair Immigration Reform Movement and The Nation, a magazine. The event invited all presidential candidates from the Republican and Democratic parties to speak, and two candidates on the Democratic ticket, O'Malley and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, accepted. About 350 people attended the event Sunday at the LINQ Hotel, billed by organizers as a non-partisan forum.
"I represent a different generation," O'Malley said. "... The generation that I represent understands that comprehensive immigration reform is in the best economic interests of the United States as a whole."
O'Malley spoke about his family's immigrants roots, noting that his great-grandfather -- also named Martin O'Malley -- came to the U.S. from Ireland in the 1880s with no money.
O'Malley spoke of prejudice immigrants faced in that era, adding that today's immigrants aren't the first to face ugliness and scapegoating. He kept a sign from the late 1800s as a reminder that says: "Help wanted. No Irish need apply."
He touted his record as Maryland governor, which included legislation to make it easier for immigrants to get driver's licenses.
O'Malley also took aim at billionaire businessman Donald Trump, a Republican candidate for president. Calling him "carnival barker Donald Trump," O'Malley said, "The enduring symbol of our nation is not a barbed wire fence it is the Statute of Liberty." Trump has said he would build a wall along the U.S. border with Mexico -- and make Mexico pay for it.
Former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who leads in national polls, is the Democratic front-runner. Nevada is an early voting state, with February caucuses that will play a key role in determining who gets the Democratic and Republican nomination.
Sanders will speak at the forum Monday.
Contact Ben Botkin at bbotkin@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904. Find him on Twitter: @BenBotkin1.
