Introduction
On Wednesday night, Stephen Colbert aired a segment on his show called “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” in which he interviewed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Throughout the interview, Colbert tested Sanders on various issues, including his thoughts on the current state of the U.S. economy and how he would have fixed it if he were in charge. One of the more memorable moments of the interview came when Colbert asked Sanders about his views on capitalism. Watch the full clip below to get a better understanding of what happened and what you can take away from it.
The Moment Bernie Sanders Arrives on Capitol Steps
On Monday night, April 14, 2016, a small group of supporters of Bernie Sanders gathered on the Capitol steps to welcome their candidate as he made his way towards The West Wing. Moments later, Sanders would make an impromptu speech to the crowd, vowing to continue his campaign until the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia.
How Colbert frames the conversation
On the night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Stephen Colbert delivered a scathing monologue lambasting then-candidate Bernie Sanders. The “Late Show” host criticized Sanders’ policy proposals and argued that he was not a truegressive, noting Sanders’ support for free trade and cuts to social welfare programs.
Colbert framed the conversation around Sanders’ beliefs and how they differed from his own, painting the Vermont senator as out of touch with mainstream America. While Colbert acknowledged that Sanders had won over some voters with his passionate rhetoric, he ultimately concluded that Sanders was not electable.
What Bernie Sanders Actually Says
Bernie Sanders is a self-described socialist who has been in the U.S. Senate since 2007. He is running for president in the 2016 election as a Democrat. As a senator, Sanders has introduced legislation to increase Social Security benefits, increase taxes on the wealthy, and end Wall Street bailouts.
Here are some of Bernie Sanders’ most popular quotes:
“The issue is not how much wealth we create but how we create wealth so that all of our people can benefit from it.”
“When families cannot afford health care, they are forced into bankruptcy or out of the workforce.”
“The very rich are getting richer while the middle class is shrinking and poverty is increasing.”
The Takeaway from Colbert’s Epic Interview
In what was surely one of the most engaging interviews of the year, Stephen Colbert sat down with Vermont Senator and presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Capitol Steps. The wide-ranging discussion covered everything from Sanders’ record as a legislator to his plans for the Democratic party and America’s future. Here are five takeaways from the interview:
1. Bernie Sanders is an advocate for social justice – he’s been fighting for marginalized communities for decades.
“I have fought for civil rights, I have fought for women’s rights, I have fought for gay rights,” Sanders said. “What I am trying to do is bring people together who have common interests and try to move this country forward.”
2. Bernie Sanders wants to make sure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare.
“If there is one thing that we know in America it’s that when somebody does not have health insurance, they are much more likely to die,” Sanders said. “That is something that we cannot stand if we are going to be a great nation.”
3. Bernie Sanders knows how to get things done – he has a track record of delivering on important legislation.
“When you’re talking about getting things done in Congress, I think my record speaks pretty clearly,” Sanders said. “If you look at my bills, many of them got defeated because they had bi-partisan support.” But even though his proposals may not always pass first time around, he believes they’re still
The Statues
The statues on the front of the US Capitol are a popular tourist attraction, but they aren’t all that they seem. Some of them are actually quite outdated and need to be replaced.
Bernie Sanders wants to replace some of the old statues with new ones that depict people from all walks of life. If he gets his way, Capitol Hill will finally have a statue honoring Martin Luther King Jr.
The Messages
In this full guide to the Colbert episode on Bernie Sanders’ Capitol Steps, we’ll explore what the episode was all about and some of the more interesting moments.
First, it’s worth noting that unlike most late night hosts, Colbert took a fair amount of time during his show to discuss the presidential race. He began by discussing Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server while she was Secretary of State, saying “the FBI investigation into her emails is just getting started.” This led him to interview Sanders about how he plans to enact change if he were elected president.
One of the biggest moments from the episode came when Colbert asked Sanders if he would step down if Clinton were able to secure enough delegates to win the nomination. Sanders refused, saying he would continue campaigning until the convention in July. This led Colbert to ask him what kind of message it sends young people who are interested in politics that someone like Trump can become a major political figure despite having little political experience. Sanders responded by saying “not much” and then went on to talk about how his campaign is unique because he doesn’t take money from corporations or billionaires.
The Music
Bernie Sanders has been criticized by some for his lack of support from the music industry, but Colbert took it on during his recent show.
He had Sanders step up to the mic and perform a few of his own songs, starting with “The Bern” from 2015. It wasn’t perfect—Sanders struggles to hit high notes—but the crowd laughed along anyway.
“I got this feeling that I just have something inside me that’s gotta come out,” he said. “And I think it might just be a little bit of anger.”
The Theater
In his opening monologue on Wednesday’s Late Show, Stephen Colbert welcomed Bernie Sanders to Capitol Steps. “Welcome to Capitol Steps, Senator Sanders. I understand you’re a big fan of the show.”
“Yes, I am,” he said. “I’ve watched it since I was a young man.” Colbert asked Sanders about his favorite scene. “My all-time favorite is when Robin Williams says ‘I’m just a poor boy trying to survive.'”
Sanders also spoke about working for change and staying true to himself. “People ask me how do I keep going, when the odds are so great against me,” he said. “And the answer is twofold: First of all, I have a lot of hope and faith in people that are fighting for justice in this country and all over the world.”
Colbert then played a clip of Trump attacking Sanders at a recent rally. “‘He’s got no chance,’ Trump said about Bernie Sanders in Des Moines last night. ‘He’s got no chance.’ Well, we’re here to tell you Donald Trump: You’re wrong.”
The Crowds
Beginning his routine on the Capitol steps, Colbert took aim at Bernie Sanders and his supporters. “It’s not about Hillary,” he said to the cheering masses. “It’s not about me. It’s not even about you!” He went on to criticize the Vermont senator for running a campaign that is based on emotion rather than policy. “He talks a big game, but Bernie doesn’t have a plan.” Colbert then poked fun at Sanders’ age and lack of experience in politics. “He may be old enough to know better, but young enough to still believe in socialism,” he joked.
The Aftermath
The aftermath of Senator Bernie Sanders’ historic speech on the steps of the U.S. Capitol was nothing short of incredible. The Vermont senator’s impassioned plea for political change resonated with millions of Americans, and his message of fighting for social justice and economic equality struck a chord with those who feel that they’ve been left behind in the current economy.
Following Sanders’ speech, Colbert wasted no time in tearing into the Republican Party for their lack of response. “What did you expect? They’re Republicans,” he said on his show. “They don’t believe in government.”
While Republicans continue to bash Sanders and dismiss his campaign as a failure, many progressive Americans are inspired by his campaign and caucus support is growing nationwide. In fact, Sanders has already won more delegates than Hillary Clinton so far! And it’s not just liberals who are rallying around him – even some conservatives are starting to pay attention to what he has to say.
Regardless of how the primary race plays out,Sanders’ successful Capitol Steps speech is sure to be remembered as one of the most significant moments in modern American politics.
