Despite cold January weather the “Bern” was on Tuesday night at the Orpheum Theatre in Sioux City. An obviously younger crowd lining up to hear democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders. Most not even born when the 74 year old started his political career.



“Ya know I didn’t know much about him. I knew he was a Sen. from Vermont, but I like what he’s said so far and I respect how he hasn’t changed his politics since 1980-1970,” said USD sophomore Kelly Law.

Now just two points back of Hillary Clinton in Iowa according to the latest Des Moines Register poll, Sanders didn’t miss the opportunity to tell students in the crowd he is serious about getting an affordable education.



“100 years ago a high school degrees in many ways got you a decent job, got you into the middle class. But in large that is not the case today. A college degree is the equvilant of what a high school degree used to be 50 years ago,” said Bernie Sanders.



Last week the Vermont Senator released his health care plan that provides medicare for all. It’s still unclear how the single payer system would change U-S health care but Sanders says insurance companies need to change the way they do business.



“The function of private insurance companies is not to provide quality affordable health care, it’s to make as much money as they can,” said Sanders.



Tuesday’s event was not a Dem’s only rally. Self professed republican Bob Morrisey of Sioux City told me Sanders’ focus on the middle class rather than the upper class, is hitting home.



“My income isn’t that high. I’m a middle of the roader. Personally I’d be very well off with what Bernie is talking about. Country-wise I don’t know but personally, yea,” said Bob Morrisey of Sioux City.



The Orpehum event wrapped up a 4-city swing in western Iowa for Sanders but he’ll be back beginning Friday when he has 3 full days of campaigning set for Iowa.

