Sanders: My Supporters Aren't 'Registered Dems,' Just 'Ordinary People' (Meet the Press) [View all]

[Playinghardball]

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders said on Sunday that the tens of thousands of people who turn out to his rallies aren't "registered Democrats," just "ordinary people" — and that's one of his main advantages in the race.

"When I speak to 28,000 people in Portland, Oregon, and 27,000 people in Los Angeles, the vast majority of those people, they're not, quote, unquote, 'registered Democrats.' They are ordinary people who are sick and tired of politics as usual," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Sanders argued that his independent status and broad appeal could be an asset if he wins the Democratic nomination, as he'd turn around "abysmal" Democratic turnout.

"One of the real advantages, I think, of me winning the Democratic primary, is that we can get a lot of young people, a lot of working people involved in the political process, getting them out to vote in a way that establishment politicians can't," he said.

"Democrats are losing because voter turnout is abysmal. I think we can change that."

More here: http://www.nbcnews.com/meet-the-press/bernie-sanders-im-talking-about-life-or-death-issues-n410686