Sanders encouraged by Iowa crowds, rising polls

On the tail end of a three-day Iowa swing, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he's feeling good about his momentum here and across the country.

More than 150 supporters marched with Sanders on Saturday in Waukee's Independence Day parade, the last of his eight Iowa stops this week.

"It's very gratifying to have so many people here in Waukee marching with me," said Sanders, an independent vying for the Democratic nomination for president. "I think our message is getting through. People are tired of seeing our great middle class disappear."

In Iowa, Sanders has railed against money's influence on politics, big banks and the "billionaire class," while at the same time pitching policies to help strengthen the middle class, such as increasing the minimum hourly wage to $15, providing free college for all, rolling out a massive federal jobs program and making health care a universal right through a single-payer system.

"I think people want to see a change in the way we do economics, make our economic system work for working families and not just for billionaires," Sanders told reporters Saturday.

The senator's Iowa trip comes as national polls show him cutting into Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton's lead.

"Two or three months ago, not a lot of people here in Iowa knew who Bernie Sanders was or what our message was about," Sanders said. "I think it does indicate we're gaining some good momentum and I look forward to seeing it continue."

Sanders is drawing record crowds. On Wednesday night, more than 10,000 people attended his rally in Madison, Wisconsin, and nearly 2,500 attended a Friday evening event in Council Bluffs — the biggest Iowa crowd of any 2016 presidential contender yet. Sanders said he likes his chances in Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

"I think there's a lot of support and I think momentum is with us," he said.

In Waukee, Sanders led about 155 supporters who marched behind him. They chanted "Bernie, Bernie," donned "Bern Unit" shirts and cleverly inserted his name into a number of musical tunes.

"Bern, Bern, Bern, Bern is the word," they sang together to the tune of The Trashmen's 1963 hit, "Surfin' Bird."

Some parade-goers seemed surprised by Sanders' following.

"Wow, look at all those people," one woman said. "Dear God."

Sanders drew both traditional Democrats and conservatives on Saturday.

"This will be the first time I've caucused with the Democrats," said Michael Tallman, 25, of Des Moines.

Tallman, who works in banking, said Sanders seems like a candidate who will represent all people — rich or poor, male or female, gay or straight. He said many millennials are disturbed by the current political process and they could be key to boosting Sanders' shot at winning.

"I think he has a real chance," Tallman said. "We've seen it happen before."

Micheal Davenport, 35, of Des Moines said he generally votes conservatively. But he marched in support of Sanders Saturday.

Davenport is an anti-abortion Catholic (Sanders is staunchly pro-abortion rights). But Davenport said Pope Francis' call for tolerance and more moderate rhetoric surrounding social issues has made him rethink some issues.

"There's an interesting synchronicity between the Pope and Bernie," said Davenport, who works in security and is going back to school to become a teacher.

Davenport relates to Sanders stances on economic issues, which he says are just more pressing now than social issues.

"He's got the big mo," he said. "Great momentum."

AT THE EVENT

SETTING: Waukee Independence Day parade

CROWD: About 155 marching in parade

REACTION: Mills Roberts, 59, of West Des Moines said he's impressed with Sanders, whose rising stock is reminiscent of Barack Obama's come-from-behind campaign in 2008. "It has a little bit of that feel," he said as a crowd swarmed around the candidate shouting "Bernie, Bernie, Bernie."

OTHER STOPS: Creston Independence Day parade

WHAT'S NEXT: With his Iowa trip complete, Sanders will hold a campaign event in Maine on Monday. The senator has a fundraiser planned for July 16 in Washington and is scheduled to be in Iowa again July 17 for the Democratic Party's hall of fame celebration in Cedar Rapids. For details, go to DesMoines Register.com/candidate tracker.