Bernie Sanders spreads Joe Biden love as he stumps in Western Pennsylvania

The ongoing love affair between Sen. Bernie Sanders and his supporters was evident Saturday as Sanders stumped in Western Pennsylvania for former Vice President Joe Biden.

Although some Democrats said they still would rather see Sanders as their presidential candidate, they took Sanders’ advice to support Biden in an attempt to remove President Trump from the White House.

An energetic Sanders strode onto the stage about 4 p.m. during a drive-in car rally at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark in Rankin.

His message was clear as he spoke for more than 30 minutes.

“Simply stated, this country — in fact, world — cannot tolerate four more years of Donald Trump,” he said to a cacophony of honking horns.

Bernie Sanders takes stage @CarrieFurnaces pic.twitter.com/2HprxItL8O

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) October 24, 2020

Biden’s campaign officials said more than 125 cars were permitted on the grounds for the rally. Many left their vehicles to stand and cheer when Sanders was introduced. Lt. Governor John Fetterman and Democratic state Reps. Sara Innamorato and Summer Lee also spoke during the hourlong event.

Sanders attacked Trump for his handling of the covid-19 pandemic, the current economic crisis and what he described as Trump’s anti-science attitude.

“Let us elect Joe, and let us begin the process of transforming this country and creating the nation we know we can become,” Sanders said.

His words weren’t lost on 18-year-old Kaitlyn Donaldson of Turtle Creek. This will be her first opportunity to vote in a presidential election. Sanders remains her first choice.

“I’m kind of settling,” she said of voting for Biden. “I feel like we have to pick the lesser of two evils, but we gotta get Trump out. He has to go.”

Kaitlyn Donaldson, 18, of Turtle Creek say she’s more of a Bernie fan. pic.twitter.com/grfWuRDV3y

— Ben Schmitt (@bencschmitt) October 24, 2020

Vince Merringer, 33, of Indiana, Pa., had similar feelings. He was excited to hear Sanders speak.

“At this point, we just want to get Trump out,” Merringer said, “and I think Biden’s going to do a good job.”

Sanders chuckled at one point during his speech when he asked the crowd which candidate will be disciplined and responsible when dealing with the covid-19 pandemic.

“Bernie Sanders,” many screamed.

“Well,” Sanders said. “The answer is Joe Biden.”

Earlier Saturday, Sanders appeared at a get-out-the-vote event on the Community College of Allegheny County campus on Pittsburgh’s North Side.

“I don’t have to tell anybody here that Pennsylvania is a key, key battleground state,” Sanders said. “It may well be that as goes Pennsylvania, so goes America.

“So brothers and sisters here in Pennsylvania, in the next 11 and 12 days, please do everything you can to bring your friends, your family, your co-workers out to vote. You got early voting here until the 27th. Let’s have the highest voter turnout in Pennsylvania history. Let’s send Trump packing. Let’s transform this country.”

Duquesne Mayor Nickole Nesby attended the Carrie Furnaces rally. She echoed Sanders’ call for all people to vote.

“This is very important to get the voters out and let them know they matter,” she said. “It doesn’t matter which race, creed, religious denomination or sexual preference you are. You have a stake in the United States.”