Inside AOC and Bernie Sanders’ ‘Fighting Oligarchy’ Tour
It seems the political circus rarely visits Boise.
On Monday evening, around 12,500 attendees — primarily retirees from the Boomer generation, along with some Gen X and Gen Z — filled an arena in Nampa, Idaho, just a half-hour from the state capital. They gathered for the latest event in Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s “Fighting Oligarchy” tour.
Sanders spoke here back in 2016. However, “Fighting Oligarchy” represents a fresh endeavor — progressive Democrats venturing into predominantly Republican regions. The duo had performed in Salt Lake City the previous day, with Missoula, Montana, set for their next stop on Wednesday.
Geri Lynn Green, a salon owner in downtown Boise, expressed the significance of the event, saying, “Being with Bernie and AOC is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially for Idaho.” She became emotional while discussing the Vermont senator.
College student Charlotte Konkol, who attended with her grandparents, was thrilled to witness her underappreciated hometown receiving attention from her favored politicians. “Boise is such a little blue dot and we get overlooked because we are one of the most red states,” she said.
Some attendees, like nurse practitioner Ginger Jensen, drove four hours to be there. Retired educator Carolyn Walpole, recovering from a knee replacement and ankle fusion, traveled over 100 miles, driven by concerns about Social Security — a fear heightened by MSNBC and Joe Biden comments.
“Being here and being counted makes my heart feel a little better. Like I’ve accomplished something,” Walpole shared.
The crowd erupted when Sanders declared, “We don’t accept this blue state-red state nonsense. We are one people.”
If arena rock defines one side of American entertainment, so too does arena politics. Donald Trump transformed campaigning into a touring spectacle with his 2016 run, drawing crowds to large venues to cheer and applaud. Crowd size became an obsession. The unsuccessful Kamala Harris campaign followed a similar model, also fixating on crowd numbers.
While a leadership void exists among Democrats, figures like Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and California Rep. Ro Khanna are attempting to “tour” but garnering little excitement.
Nevertheless, Sanders and Ocasio-Cortez’s left-wing populism is undeniably filling the seats. I was curious to learn why this resonates.
Eric Knutson, a local resident currently unemployed, remarked, “AOC is like a rockstar. She’s the Madonna of politics.” Green expressed hopes for her presidential run. (I share the sentiment, as I believe Republicans have a good chance in the next election.)
During their passionate speeches, the duo criticized the affluent 1%, eliciting enthusiastic applause — part political rally, part large-scale entertainment. Many attendees felt it was an opportunity to connect with others who share their views.
Retired counselors Howard and Julie Wiley from Boise left feeling revitalized.
“It’s uplifting to know there are other reasonable people in this area who consider it home,” Howard stated. “Seeing a unified voice was encouraging to me.”
The event bore a resemblance to a Trump rally, albeit with different heroes and villains.
The merchandise highlighted the contrast, with one vendor noting that their hottest item was a “Gulf of Mexico” T-shirt — illustrating how Trump’s agenda stirs the left while creating business opportunities for savvy sellers.
At this rally, the “oligarchs” were scrutinized, primarily targeting Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Mark Zuckerberg. Remarkably absent from the discussion were the left-leaning billionaire class (such as Soros, Pritzker, and Reid Hoffman), along with the fact that, despite attending Trump’s inauguration, Bezos and Zuckerberg are not typically seen as conservatives.
The audience jeered at SpaceX, cheering loudly for free healthcare, immigrants, kindness, and anything concerning the working class. Ocasio-Cortez celebrated the achievements of Columbia University pro-Palestinian protester Mahmoud Khalil.
A shared sentiment among both Trump and Bernie supporters is the belief that their candidate is advocating for them personally. “He’s for the people,” Knutson expressed about Sanders.
Notably, the media tended to overlook the momentum surrounding Trump rallies in 2016, often dismissing attendees as “deplorables.” However, the current wave of progressive enthusiasm cannot be ignored — even at this early stage.
I found myself seated next to a retired teacher and former Republican who had once considered Sanders too extreme, but now, she’s reevaluating her stance. She generously provided insights on local issues, including the ongoing debate over keeping public land public and the widely-discussed incident involving a middle school teacher ordered to remove her “Everyone is Welcome” poster from her classroom.
This dynamic serves as a caution to those on the right, urging them not to overextend their reach in the current cultural battles they seem to be winning.
During one moment in Sanders’ speech, a young attendee wearing a keffiyeh unfurled a “Free Palestine” banner over the American flag displayed behind the stage, resulting in a scuffle with police. Although she was swiftly removed, the crowd erupted into a loud “Free Palestine” chant, momentarily overpowering Sanders.
In his efforts to address the disruption, Sanders criticized both Biden and Trump for their financial support of “Netanyahu’s war machinery,” attempting to pivot back to poverty issues encountered by Americans. “If we’re discussing liberation for Palestinians from Hamas, I’m on board,” he suggested.
While it might seem inconsequential in Boise, as a New Yorker seeking to define the future direction of the Democratic Party, it’s evident that the prevailing anti-Israel sentiment could serve as a significant barrier to attracting moderate voters.
Moreover, this audience exhibited discontent not just towards Trump but also towards the Democratic establishment—having felt sidelined by party elites in candidate selection.
We are witnessing a transformation within the party — one seeking a new identity.
