JTA Bernie Sanders was everywhere on James Corden’s late-night show set on Thursday.
Life-sized cardboard cutouts of the Jewish senator in his now famous inauguration ceremony pose hands and legs crossed, slightly crumpled in his chair, wearing a pair of fawned-over mittens sat behind a synthesizer next to the house band, behind the bar for guests and scattered throughout the practically nonexistent audience.
“Speaking of breakout stars of the inauguration, we have another one with us in the studio,” Corden said, barely holding in his laughter.
It was a fitting indication of just how ubiquitous Sanders’ image was in pop culture and for the eyeballs of social media this week.
Bernie Sanders had his most viral week ever (Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images; Pixabay)
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(JTA) Bernie Sanders was everywhere on James Corden’s late-night show set on Thursday.
Life-sized cardboard cutouts of the Jewish senator in his now famous inauguration ceremony pose hands and legs crossed, slightly crumpled in his chair, wearing a pair of fawned-over mittens sat behind a synthesizer next to the house band, behind the bar for guests and scattered throughout the practically nonexistent audience.
“Speaking of breakout stars of the inauguration, we have another one with us in the studio,” Corden said, barely holding in his laughter.
While many on Twitter obsessed over important inauguration fashion moments such as how great Michelle Obama looked, Gaga’s brooch and, of course, Ella Emhoff’s sparkly-shouldered coat, most of the internet’s attention was focused on a picture of Bernie Sanders, hunkered down in a folding chair and bundled up in a puffy coat and enormous mittens. It has already become a meme, one which I fully expect to have great staying power. It’s an instant classic.
But Bernie’s sartorial choices are more than cute outerwear. At an event all about seeing and being seen, Bernie did what he has always done refuse to perform, and remain stubbornly himself. His mittens made by a constituent are a reiteration of his politics, a reminder of his suspicion of big money and showy displays dominating politics. He is there to focus on the important thing, the actual work of governing, and he sees no reason not to remain comfortable while he’s doing it.