Bernie Sanders gets rousing welcome at Portland rally

Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders got a rousing welcome Friday in progressive Portland, where more than 10,000 people attended his rally at an arena that is home of the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Vermont senator battling Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination told the Moda Center crowd it would be a disaster if Donald Trump were elected president, but Sanders said Americans are too smart to let that happen.

People got in line as early as 5 a.m. to attend the rally, from as far away as La Grande and Bend.

Some of the people waiting in the crowd said they support Sanders because he is a more relatable candidate who understands the everyday American.

Sanders hopes he can increase his delegate count on the West Coast, with Oregonians get set to vote in May.

“I’m so ready to ‘feel the Bern,'” attendee Elena Bera said.

Another person at the rally said, “I like Bernie Sanders because he’s the only candidate who’s talking about climate change.”

West Williams traveled from La Grande with his son to attend the rally. He said he was a big Hillary Clinton fan but favors Sanders for his message about the working class.

“I support his plan to raise the minimum wage for working families, so people can make a living,” Williams said.

Sanders told the frequently cheering crowd he wants to raise the wage to $15 an hour for people who work 40 hours a week. He also detailed his stance on free college for every student and also called for reform of marijuana laws at the federal level.