The Strokes help stoke the fervour for Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders has held easily the biggest arena rally of any Democrat candidate on the eve of the New Hampshire primary.

Fans enjoy the Sunflower Bean band perform before Bernie Sanders arrives for his campaign event in Durham, New Hampshire, on Tuesday. Picture: Getty Images

Bernie Sanders has held easily the biggest arena rally of any Democrat candidate on the eve of the New Hampshire Democratic prima­ry, cheered on by more than 4000 fans who performed Mexican­ waves while holding “Bernie” signs.

Across the state, US President Donald Trump was holding his own large New Hampshire counter-rally as if to send the message that, while the Democrats are fighting for the right to challenge him, it will be a tall order to beat him.

Senator Sanders’s big crowd was helped by his support act, popular American indie band The Strokes, but when the self-­described democratic socialist ­finally came on stage to huge cheers, he brought with him his usual revolutionary fervour.

“This turnout tells me why we’re going to win here in New Hampshire, why we are going to win the Democratic nomination and why we are going to defeat the most dangerous president in the modern history of America, ­Donald Trump,” he said.

“The American people are sick and tired of a president who is a pathological liar, who is running a corrupt administration, who is a bully and a vindictive person, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe, a homophobe and a religious bigot — and these are his nice qualities.”

Watching in the crowd was Jared Fineberg, 25, who had spent the past two days attending the rallies of every major Democrat candidate. “I’m leaning towards Bernie, but Trump is a riddle that is puzzling­ the Democratic Party and each candidate has their own ­solution,” said Mr Fineberg, an ­aspiring musician with New York indie band The Racquets.

“But I like Bernie because his politics of a social safety net and solidarity with marginalised groups and taking on wealthy and powerful interests are very much my politics. But who knows, he is a bit of a polarising figure and, while I don’t think he is unelectable, it certainly would be a gamble.”

A few hours earlier, in nearby Exeter, Amy Klobuchar spoke at the town hall to a large crowd that overflowed outside, an example of the renewed interest in her campaign after her strong showing in last week’s Democrat debate.

“We are going to surprise the country,” the Minnesota senator said to loud cheers and a sea of waving US flags. Senator Klob­uchar rattled off her moderate policy platform, sprinkling her speech with her personal story and folksy jokes. “I know you and I will fight for you,” she promised.

Watching on, mother of three Kathleen McCloud said the ­moment was enough to convince her to vote for Senator Klobuchar.

Julian Casablancas, lead singer of The Strokes, helps Bernie Sanders onto the stage at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham, New Hampshire, on Tuesday. Picture: AFP

“I came here not knowing who I would vote for but I’m definitely voting for Amy now,” the 54-year-old said. “I’ve been looking for a more moderate candidate and I love her policies but also she is a real person, she is funny and direct and I trust her.

“I started off being a (Joe) Biden supporter but I’ve moved away from him sadly because I think he’s done really poorly in the debates. And while I appreciate Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, they are too left-wing for me, honestly, and I don’t think they are electable.”

In nearby Rochester, Senator Warren bounds onto the stage of the town’s opera house opposite a sign that says “The Best President a Money Can’t Buy”.

“A country that elects a man like Donald Trump as president is a country that is already seriously in trouble,” she says to cheers.

“We have to be a different America, a better America. I was reading a bunch of commentators saying the fight against Trump may be unwinnable, after impeachment, after his polling is up.

“Well it focuses your mind. We have one job come November and that is to beat Donald Trump.”

In the audience, retired envir­onment worker Nancy Rice says she is flirting with voting for Senator Warren but fears she is too liberal and is instead leaning towards Senator Klobuchar.

“I’ve always thought of myself as pretty liberal but I think Warren is a little too progressive to win the election,” she said. “Amy is more moderate and she has a lot of experience. But what really counts above everything is choosing someone who can beat Donald Trump. That’s the key, it’s huge.”