At Portland Rally, Sanders Says He's The Candidate To Beat Trump

By Jeff Mapes

Published March 25, 2016 at 5:28 PM PDT

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders told thousands of cheering fans in Portland that he is proving he’s the strongest candidate to take on Republican frontrunner Donald Trump.

Sanders, anticipating a big win in Washington state’s Democratic caucuses on Saturday, attracted 11,500 to a Friday rally at Portland's Moda Center.

He exulted in a new poll showing him one point ahead of Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. He also boasted that several polls show him running stronger against Trump or other potential Republican nominees.

"If we do not allow the Trumps of the world to divide us up; if we stand together as black and white and Latino and Asian-American and Native American, gay and straight, men and women, there is nothing we cannot accomplish," Sanders said.

Sanders won repeated cheers as he called for free tuition at public colleges, immigration reform and government-paid health care for all.

He sharply attacked Clinton for voting in favor of going to war in Iraq. And he criticized her for taking campaign donations from Wall Street.

With 101 delegates at stake, Washington is the largest caucus state. Sanders has won almost all of the caucuses.

Sanders now believes he is entering a stretch of the primary campaign where he can cut into Clinton’s delegate lead. Among his targets: Oregon’s May 17 primary.

<p>Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders drew thousands to Portland's Moda Center for a campaign rally on March 25, 2016.</p> — Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders drew thousands to Portland's Moda Center for a campaign rally on March 25, 2016.

<p>Snaking around the basketball arena hours before doors opened, supporters carried signs, while Sanders' campaign staff asked for volunteers and others handed around petitions.</p> — Snaking around the basketball arena hours before doors opened, supporters carried signs, while Sanders' campaign staff asked for volunteers and others handed around petitions.

<p>Bernie Sanders Rally at the Moda Center on Friday March 25</p> — Bernie Sanders Rally at the Moda Center on Friday March 25

<p>"Little Bernie" makes another appearance in support of Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in Portland on March 25, 2016.</p> — "Little Bernie" makes another appearance in support of Bernie Sanders at a campaign rally in Portland on March 25, 2016.

<p>Jesus, or "Little Bernie," gets the crowd excited before Sanders takes the stage. When asked about his hair he said, "My mom put white paint in my hair to make me look like Bernie Sanders."</p> — Jesus, or "Little Bernie," gets the crowd excited before Sanders takes the stage. When asked about his hair he said, "My mom put white paint in my hair to make me look like Bernie Sanders."

<p>Brycen Driver from Clackamas at the Bernie Sanders rally at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.</p> — Brycen Driver from Clackamas at the Bernie Sanders rally at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.

<p>Tia McCann, left, and Emily Seemly at the campaign rally for Bernie Sanders at the Moda Center on March 25, 2016.</p> — Tia McCann, left, and Emily Seemly at the campaign rally for Bernie Sanders at the Moda Center on March 25, 2016.

<p>Brycen Driver, left; Ryan Rou, center; and Trace Czyzewski at the presidential campaign rally for Bernie Sanders in Portland on March 25, 2016.</p> — Brycen Driver, left; Ryan Rou, center; and Trace Czyzewski at the presidential campaign rally for Bernie Sanders in Portland on March 25, 2016.

<p>A bird landed on stage at a campaign rally for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.</p> — A bird landed on stage at a campaign rally for presidential candidate Bernie Sanders at Portland's Moda Center on March 25, 2016.

<p>Bernie Sanders at the rally</p> — Bernie Sanders at the rally

<p>Bernie Sanders raises his fist at his Portland rally on Friday, March 25, 2016.</p> — Bernie Sanders raises his fist at his Portland rally on Friday, March 25, 2016.

<p>A day to set up and the Moda Center is cleared out in a half hour after Bernie Sanders leaves the arena.</p> — A day to set up and the Moda Center is cleared out in a half hour after Bernie Sanders leaves the arena.