Endorsements: gotta love em.
Not because Joe Public is waiting for voting instructions from Joe Pesci, but because endorsements can be a powerful way to reach people. Give GOTV volunteers something fun to talk about. Some earned media to share. And put the candidate in a perspective which can be instantly accessible and relatable.
Celebrity endorsers have not only fans but a place in our shared national experience. Activists, professors, authors, experts have their own fans… and reinforce the candidate’s credibility with their areas of expertise.
So without any further ado, let’s take a look at some of Bernie’s endorsements. You’ve probably seen some, maybe all… have another go!
DICK VAN DYKE
This one has it all… clips of Dick Van Dyke back from the early years through to today… while he talks about Bernie’s consistency, honesty, integrity, interspersed with both the need to defeat Trump and with policy references such as health care.
And a FANTASTIC call to action, where Van Dyke goes full GOTV, addressing his own “generation” to “please” vote for Bernie.
As Dick Van Dyke is 20 years older than Bernie, the clip finishes with the perfect line…
“I think someone younger, like Bernie, is just a perfect candidate...”
DANNY DE VITO
You’ve probably all seen this, and knew this was coming…
Really interesting to scroll through the comments:
-—I was already sold but this sure dont hurt.--—
--—I love Danny DeVito the actor, now I love him as a person because he's my brother in a common cause.Gonna have to go binge watch some It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.--—
--—I know for damn sure I wanna be on the side Danny Devito is on--—
--—It makes me so happy to seeDanny Devito hugging Bernie Sanders' waist --—
Interestingly, Danny’s video inspired comments from around the world:
--— I really hope and pray that he wins. It is not only America that needs him, this world needs his leadership and compassion. Good luck. Love from Pakistan. --—
--— G'Day mates from Down Under 🇦🇺A lot of us down here are backing Bernie too. Our environment needs progressives, our World needs progressives. Bernie IS THE REAL DEAL. 😎✊🤘 --—
--— I as a Dutchman would love to see an official state visit from the 46th US President Bernie Sanders to the Netherlands soon.The current one (45th) can stay at home, we don't want anything to do with him, but Bernie is very welcome. --—
BARBARA SMITH
What an awesome American and what an awesome video. And damn inspiring, to put it mildly.
Sometimes, just the calm elegance of someone saying their name and who they are can be at once gentle and powerful:
“My name is Barbara Smith.., and I’m a long-time activist in many movements since the 1960’s... I’m really happy to endorse Senator Bernie Sanders.”
One comment inspired by her video struck me in particular:
-—My father marched with Martin Luther king jr., and he was native American, we were put in the back of the classroom with our black friends ,and I drank from the "colors only" water fountain. I was called nasty names from my white school teachers too, but you know it made me stronger and made me fight harder for my fellow Americans. Miss you Dad. -—
SUNRISE MOVEMENT
Love the focus on Bernie as “Organizer in Chief.” Folks like SUNRISE are living and breathing the “Not Me. Us.”
And you want to see a comment which just glows with positive GOTV?
--— Sunrise is no joke. I see them everywhere. Picket lines, ice centers, community meetings. Sunrise movement thank you. --—
TAMALES FOR TIO BERNIE
I know, not a specific endorsement per se… but I love the video, and the comments… and tamales!
--— BERNIE is the only presidential candidate that I can remember EVER to visit EAST LA!!--—
--—When Latino families all across America refer to him as "Tio/Uncle Bernie" that is a very strong bond. You have won the hearts of ALL of us Latinos because you actually care about us all. Thank you for giving us hope once again #Bernie2020----
--—Bernie is invited to the carne asada forever--—
I’ll do another round in a different diary. Lots of other GREAT ones. And again, these endorsements aren’t about someone waiting to vote based on what a celebrity or activist says… they’re stories, experiences, and calls to action to share.
I saw very very few negative comments in any of the comments sections towards any of the other candidates — it’s all about beating Trump and positive energy for the country and the planet. And for other candidates who have great endorsers… rock on!!