Sanders roots for Warriors ahead of Golden State primary
Bernie Sanders had a packed Monday in the Bay Area: walking in San Francisco's Memorial Day parade, participating in a community discussion at a church in East Oakland and speaking to a crowd of 11,000 in Ogawa Plaza where he was interrupted by animal rights protestors.
Then, to cap it off, he did what all the locals were doing and cheered for the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Western Conference Finals as they took on the Oklahoma City Thunder in Oakland. And throughout the game, Sanders tried to draw a parallel between the Warriors' come-from-behind series win and his own efforts to win the Democratic nomination, which will face a major test during next week's California primary.
It's coming down to the wire! Excited to see how this one ends. pic.twitter.com/ewAgdZjpK3
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 31, 2016
The comparison isn't really fair -- Sanders' chances of somehow winning the Democratic nomination are beyond remote, while the Warriors, fresh off a historically successful regular season, were never really written off.
Before Sanders went to the game his campaign spokesperson, Michael Briggs, came even closer to comparing Sanders and the Warriors.
"The Golden State Warriors were down 3-1 in what many of the experts said was mathematically impossible for them to win," Briggs said. "Now they are on the verge of a major comeback in California."
Sanders went to the came with actor Danny Glover, a longtime Bay Area resident and Warrior fan, and they sat under the Warriors' basket. When they arrived -- they were late, due to Sanders' rally in Ogawa Plaza -- "Bernie, Bernie" chants broke out and people crowded Sanders to take selfies.
The Warriors won a close game, 88 to 96, and Sanders is hoping for a win like that in the California primary, which will be held next Tuesday.
When he took to the podium at his rally earlier in Oakland, he joked that maybe sporting the hat of the local team would help him out.
"First thing I want to make sure is do I have the right hat! Does this guarantee me the California primary?" he said to the crowd as he donned the white-and-orange cap.
Perhaps he will be wearing that hat as good luck over the next week. When the Warriors won, Sanders again tried to tie his fortunes to the team.
Last week, Golden State was down three games to one. Tonight, they finished off a great comeback in California. I like comebacks.
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) May 31, 2016