What Can Bernie Sanders Accomplish in Fargo?

The race for the White House is coming through Fargo.

Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders will hit town on Friday.

President Sanders probably won’t become a reality.

He is hundreds of delegates behind front runner Hillary Clinton.

Experts say North Dakota caucus voters are unlikely to change that.

But a rally in Fargo could still help the senator leave a lasting impact.

Bernie Sander’s visit isn’t a huge surprise to NDSU Political Science Professor Dr. Nicholas Bauroth.

“I was kind of expecting that this could happen; we could at least have Bernie Sanders come to town. Probably not Hilary Clinton, but if you’re Bernie Sanders you go where the delegates are,” Barouth says.

Sanders trails Hillary Clinton by several hundred pledged delegates.

Even the 18 delegates up for grabs in next month’s caucus look appealing.

Although Bauroth doesn’t think it’ll be enough.

Barouth explains, “If you think there’s still a chance, then it makes sense to go where there’s delegates to be found, although yes, I don’t think we’re gonna swing the election.”

But that’s not stopping his supporters.

The ones we talked to are pumped for the visit.

“I was pretty surprised at first,” says supporter and NDSU student Mitchell Abrahamsen, “then I thought it was pretty cool.”

While others aren’t as excited.

“I’m not really a big Bernie Sanders fan,” says NDSU student Rebecca Nelson. “It didn’t faze me that much. I’m not sure if I’ll go.”

Her friend Vanessa Eback adds, “I’m not a big Bernie fan. I think most millennials are jumping on a bandwagon.”

Political experts say Sanders doesn’t have much of a chance to clinch the Democratic nomination. But even then, people both for and against him say there’s a good reason for the candidate to come to Fargo.

“There’s no real reason for him to drop out if he wants to actually impact the convention and perhaps the future of the Democratic Party,” says Barouth.

Sanders can still push his ideals, like free college and universal healthcare, even if the nomination is beyond his grasp.

Abrahamsen thinks, “The idea of him running is also really good and maybe having him run will generate more ideas.”

Nelson concedes, “It’s cool that he is going around to all different cities.”

This could be as close as the 2016 race gets to North Dakota.

Bauroth says the republican stronghold practically becomes invisible in the general election.

He says, “So I think right now politically we should enjoy it while we can.”

As Sanders fights for political relevance, those on both sides of the aisle are enjoying the last shot of relevance North Dakota is likely to see in the presidential race.

For what it’s worth, Sanders says he’s still in the race to win it, flying against what political analysts have to say.

If you want to catch the Senator, doors for the rally open at 11 a.m.  Friday at the Ramada Fargo Convention Center.

You might want to get there early.

Admission is first come, first serve.