Samantha Bee Tries to Find Optimism in Bernie Sanders’ Supporters

Samantha Bee sat down with a collection of Bernie Sanders supporters and tried to latch onto their optimism on Full Frontal Monday.

Between rounds of word association — the word being “Hillary” — and breaking down the stereotypes of Bernie “Bros,” Bee tried to understand what keeps Sanders’ constituency so upbeat, despite trailing in polls and the delegate race. She even made a fake announcement that Sanders had selected Elizabeth Warren as his running mate, eliciting cheers from the small group.

“First of all, what I said was not true,” Bee deadpanned. “Second of all, I totally predicted your reaction,” she added, holding up a sign that read: “Communal Orgasm.”

“As long as you didn’t say ‘Communist Orgasm’ that’s fine with me,” one Bernie Bro replied.

Not even Bee’s comparisons of the Bernie movement to Obama’s in 2008 — which resulted in a presidency that was largely stonewalled by a Republican congress — could shake the supporters’ certainty that Sanders’ political revolution would yield different results. 

“So are you literally saying to me that the difference between Obama and Bernie Sanders is that the people of America are going to continue to be motivated within the political process and they’re going to keep putting pressure on our elected leaders to make change?” she asked. After a resounding “Yes,” from the crowd, Bee said incredulously, “Have you met people?” The answer, another resounding, “Yes.”