Just before speaking to a large crowd in Portland, ME, Candidate Bernie Sanders spoke to Al Sharpton on MSNBC. He was asked about a variety of topics from economic issues, Jobs, Income Inequality, Billionaires, Millionaires, Progressive endorsements, and of course Hillary Clinton (half the questions were about Hillary)...
Al Sharpton also asked him especially about Issues in the Black Community and how he plans to improve his name recognition amongst African Americans. Below are some summarized responses.
First, Sanders said he was surprised by the current momentum in his campaign. Of course, he is very happy his campaign is doing so well. He says he is getting support from Unions, Students, ... etc. And that makes him really happy. A few remarks of Hillary were played on TV. Of course he was asked to contrast his positions with Hillary. Bernie said that his record would speak for himself. But in General, Bernie avoided to directly criticize Hillary. He consistently refereed to his record on the various issues.
Asked why he is a "Virtual unknown amongst African American voters", Bernie responded that he is going into an outreach to make sure his record is on Civil Rights is known to everyone. He talked about his involvement back at the University of Chicago in the 60s. He mentioned he marched with MLK in 1963. He explained how his economic agenda will make a serious impact in the African American and Hispanic Communities, where youth unemployments over 50%. He talked about pieces of Legislation he worked on with John Conyers to help the African American community with over $5 billions. He concluded by saying that his Economic Agenda will make sense to the African American community, Hispanic Community and to all poor people in the Country. He attended the National Action Network convention in NY a few months ago and sat will Bill DeBlazio. Sanders said he would welcome the endorsement of Elizabeth Warren and/or Bill DeBlasio.
Video Link: I don't know how to embed it. Anyone that knows please let me know.