Muristek
Want to know exactly how much Texas progressives despise their Republican lawmakers? Attend an event with Bernie Sanders. The Vermont senator, who in person is equal parts bombastic professor, polished politico, and SNL parody, made a much publicized visit to the Texas State University in San Marcos on October 29. During his 20-minute speech, the former presidential candidate periodically mentioned various Republicans as examples of greed or incompetence, or both, inciting the outrage of the 350 or so people in attendance who booed in reaction. Though Donald Trump received a sizable collective outrage, the top boos were reserved for Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz, the latter receiving not one, but two hearty rebukes from the crowd. (Elon Musk drew the senator’s criticism, too, but more on that later.)
Amid this contentious and pivotal election season, Sanders (D-VT) joined Greg Casar, the former Austin City Council member running for Texas’ Congressional District 35, for an evening of events beginning with a visit to San Marcos. The crowd, a mix of students, locals, and politicians such as Texas Rep. Erin Zwiener, waited in Texas State’s Sewell Park for more than hour to see the Vermont senator, who eventually arrived wearing a suit jacket, sweater, and button down.
Once on stage, Sanders’ speech hit the progressive high notes — free tuition, healthcare for all, the overturn of Roe v. Wade, the environment — and was hampered only briefly by a protester in a conspicuous red wig. Ever the pro, Sanders continued on even...