Ro Khanna was on stage. I love the man, he’s one of the best, but he sounds like he’s announcing for a youth baseball game. Some one needs to get the man some signing lessons, teach him to speak from the bottom of his lungs.

Pramilla Jayapal on stage now. 5k watching. Unclear how many showed up/ in audience. This one might break another record. Glad to see they are growing the membership in terms of who Bernie and AOC are bringing on the roadshow. Movements need counterparts in politics. This shows people they’ve got backup in the halls of power. Medicare4All getting introduced in the next few weeks.

Musical interlude with Joan Baez. She should take Ro aside and do a bit of voice coaching on her way out. Great cover of “imagine”.

Lorena Gonzalas, union organziser, starting her time with a “fuck yeah”. Also, wow what a strong speaking voice. Drops two F bombs. Creates connection to families by mentioning her kids. First time hearing her speak, but damn. She needs to be elevated. She’s good. I really like this “whose side are you on?” rhetorical framing. I really like that she is highlighting the battle lines. Too many speakers want to have it both ways and not distance a side (third F bomb). Great use of history.

Now Maggie Rodgers; Bernie-chella. At least the music is from this century. I wonder if they could get greenday. Sounds like she is having fun. Strong tone of positivity through these speakers. Its incredibly important to have these rallies be a show of “positive” force, considering how generally negative the world is.

Almost 7k watching now.

Little duet with Joan and Maggie.

Big sweeping shots of the crowd. Really though to see how many people are there. At least 5k, but thats a gimme.

April Verret speaking now. Lots of good union leaders. This feels like maybe the plan is building towards a general strike. These rallies super important for battle testing potential future candidates.

Neil Young. I mean its Neil Young.

AOC on stage now. 9k watching. Quick bump of 2k. Already this is a different speech than we were hearing 3 weeks ago. This sounds like it must have been written last night, because she’s referencing events from yesterday. I think its a good thing because the last speech was getting repetitive. Focus on Republican damages. She’s calling out specific California D’s who voted yes on Republican bullshit. AOC gets it: the fight isn’t between R’s and D’s. Its within the Democratic party to even have the permission structure to fight the R’s. I’m wondering if she’s going to call out AIPAC. Big focus on money in politics. A lot of meat on the corruption bone this week, so she’s hitting the buy the dip point. Getting a bit wonky with committee stuff. Okay now we’re getting back into her previous beats. This is the intro from her previous speech (her dad’s cancer). Strong theme of belonging: man this is what D’s needed in 2024. Grow the tent, don’t push people out of it. Presentation of a path to victory ✅ . Class solidarity (are those words illegal yet?). AOC just announced Bernie.

Bernie coming on to “Power to the People”, but… not the regular one he uses… is that, a local choir? Bruh Bernie just got an upgrade. Not a lot of people have their own band for their walk on music. Bernie saying there are people a half mile away. And as usual, people chant “Bernie” and Bernie responds “No, its you!”. Man LA has a strong labor showing. Drink every time Bernie says “trade union”. Bump to 10k watching from AOC’s peak at 9.2k. Direct calling out of Musk and Trump. Good. Tell them to square up. 10.5 on the stream. Direct calling out the conservative movement for what it is: a cult of the individual. More direct calling out of Elon. I think this is good strategy on Bernies part. Elon has no control of his behavior. He isn’t capable of not responding. 11k on the stream. This whole rally approach is, really smart and very strategic on the part of Bernie/ AOC. Gives them their own platform, which gets news cycles, and really, neither Trump nor Musk have access to it. This speech is, basically the same as the one he’s been giving for the past 2 months (at least so far). Good focus on criticizing Democrats by Bernie. Always bananas’ in the banana stand as long as Dems keep being shit. EMT getting called in to a place. I want to update but this really is the same speech that Bernie was giving two months ago. Honestly, AOC’s was stronger. Hmm. I didn’t like his “entitled to rights” wording. This could be stronger. Break up the concept of entitlements. I’ve been watching this speech for a couple months now. It really feels like Bernie is handing off his legacy. Hence the repetition. Now he’s getting into his 99% framing. I haven’t heard that since the 2016’ speeches.

And thats the ball game. Great showing. Rally interested in seeing the numbers. Bernie said there were people in the streets up to a half mile away. Could be even bigger than the CO numbers they put up.

Sheepdogging. I hear Liz Warren is up next.