By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
The Bernie Sanders for President campaign announced that on Monday, January 18, the Senator from Vermont and Democratic Candidate for President Bernie Sanders (I) will be in Birmingham to rally with supporters on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
The Real Clear Politics running poll average shows that Sanders trails former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (D) in Iowa by just four percentage points and has built a 6.2 percentage point lead in Sanders’ neighboring state of New Hampshire. Mrs. Clinton still leads in national polling 48.3 to Sanders’ 39.7, with former Governor Martin O’Malley (D from Maryland) at just 2.3 percent.
On Thursday, January 14, the Sanders campaign also announced that former US Senator and Democratic National Committee Chairman Paul G. Kirk Jr. (D-Massachusetts) endorsed Sanders. Sen. Kirk said in a news conference at Dartmouth College, “I had the privilege of serving briefly with Bernie Sanders in the United States Senate and I quickly learned that he is who he is: a plain spoken and authentic patriot who wears his passion for a better America on his sleeve.”
Kirk said, “Among all the Presidential candidates, only Bernie Sanders is telling that truth: The unlimited amounts of money flooding our political system from a narrow and immensely wealthy slice of American society is the most pernicious internal peril threatening the fundamental tenets of economic, political, moral and social justice and, not least, the fairness and vibrancy of our representative democracy. For his outspoken and courageous leadership, his candid and consistent pledge of allegiance to that All-American ideal, I am proud to be here to join this ‘untiring effort’; and, as a former Chairman of the National Democratic Party, to endorse Bernie Sanders for our Party’s nomination for President of the United States of America.”
Sen. Sanders said, “Sen. Kirk is right when he states that our democracy is being undermined by a corrupt campaign finance system. I very much appreciate the support from Sen. Kirk,” added Sanders. He noted Kirk’s “exemplary career as a public servant fighting on behalf of working families in our country” and praised Kirk’s leadership of the Democratic Party.”
Kirk served as chief of staff to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy before becoming the Democratic National Committee chairman from 1985 to 1989. After Kennedy’s death, Kirk was appointed to fill his Senate seat and served in the US Senate in 2009 and 2010. Kirk is also a Democratic Party super delegate who has a vote on the nominee. He is just the 16th super delegate to publicly pledge to support Sen. Sanders.
The Bernie Sanders campaign announced on Thursday that the Vermont Senator will celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day at Historic Boutwell Memorial Auditorium in Birmingham. Boutwell Memorial Auditorium is at 1930 Reverend Abraham Woods Jr Blvd in Birmingham, AL 35203. There is a public parking garage at 19th St & Abraham Woods Jr Blvd. Street parking is also available.
The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, however the Sanders campaign is strongly encouraged that you RSVP. Admission is first come, first served. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. and the program begins at 7:00 p.m.
The Democratic Presidential Primary is on March 1.
