In an impassioned speech in Oakland Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders once again advocated for a universal healthcare program in the United States and the return of “old-school, hard-nosed” Big East basketball.
“We don’t need more war abroad or war between two medical conglomerates that aim to profit on the woes of everyday people,” said Sanders, pausing briefly to adjust the neck of his DeJuan Blair Pitt jersey. “What we need more than ever is a war in the paint!”
The crowd approved with thunderous cheers and applause, at which point Sanders further played to its zeal for the physical style of basketball that dominated the Big East in the 2000s.
“Our nation continues to ship its youth all over the Middle East, when we should be sending them to places like Pitt, Syracuse, ‘Nova, and Connecticut,” he shouted. “We don’t want young men and women dying in foreign lands, we want them ripping down killer boards and taking the foul while jamming it in their opponent’s punk-ass face.”
Political pundit Shay Duclair has followed Sanders throughout his campaign in several battleground states. She believes the Pittsburgh speech capitalized on his strengths as a candidate.
“Sanders’ message travels furthest when it combines sensibility with deep-seated concerns held by the public,” she said. “Hence why his analogy between capitalism and the ‘soulless corporate elements’ of high-scoring ACC basketball landed so well among those gathered in Pittsburgh. This generation of voters clearly knows it wants: affordable medical services and, most importantly, a brand of collegiate basketball that brings back industrious guards and big men ready to bulldoze anyone who dares challenge them for a missed jumper.”
Sanders headed to Primanti Bros. in the Strip District after his speech where he reportedly talked to locals about the importance of establishing a consistent running game in the NFL and, to a lesser degree, rampant wage inequality and workers’ rights.
