Bernie Sanders spoke at Liberty University today. His speech was excellent. But what was really remarkable was the Q&A that followed. The Q&A was 22 minutes long and it involved Sanders sitting down with David Nasser, the school's Senior Vice President for Spiritual Development, and answering questions students had submitted.
Sanders has been taken to task by some here for even agreeing to speak at Liberty, the bastion of the Falwells. I was unsure of how the event would go, myself. But I have to say, this Q&A turned out to be one of the more remarkable campaign events I have seen this season.
I will let you judge for yourself how Sanders handled the questions. But I was struck by how respectful the dialogue was between Sanders and Nasser, even when Nasser pulled the abortion "gotcha'" question and Sanders responded in a way that was both rational and compelling.
Sanders was honest, smart, thoughtful and direct throughout.
Please take 22 minutes of your time and watch the Q&A. It really is quite fascinating.
The Q&A starts at the 31 minute mark of this video:
UPDATE
Here is the Q&A session directly, without Sanders' initial speech attached: