Sanders: Fighting for Social and Economic Justice ‘Motivates Me’

BORGER: “So, there's a buzzword that we use a lot in campaigns, and that's "authenticity." We always talk about authenticity. “

J. SANDERS: “He's very authentic. He is - I mean what you see is what you get. He's been consistent on the - on the issues. I know one of the things that people in Vermont feel is that we get support from Republicans in Vermont and they say, I disagree with you on many, many things, but I know you're saying what you believe and you will do what you say.”

B. SANDERS: “And, really, look at this haircut. Is this an authentic haircut? It cost me $2,000 to go to a hair stylist to create this.”

BORGER: “Somehow I don't believe that to be the truth.”

B. SANDERS: “You don't believe that.”

BORGER: “OK. So ‘The New York Times’ has said, and I'm sure you read it, that Bernie Sanders has a grumpy demeanor. Grumpy. And makes the case that you're not a great schmoozer. “

B. SANDERS: “Am I grumpy? Yes, I suppose I have to –“

BORGER: “Is he grumpy?”

J. SANDERS: “He does doom and gloom speeches. I tell him all the time, you have to bring it back to the hope at the end. But, no, he's not grumpy really, just except when the media doesn't pay attention.”

B. SANDERS: “I am not much - if the question is, am I much into small talk, am I a good schmoozer, am I a good –“

J. SANDERS: “No.”

B. SANDERS: “Back slapper with other politicians, no, I'm not so great at that. Do I enjoy retail politics? The answer is, I really do. I love going out. “

BORGER: “Now, some people say they won't vote for you because you're a democratic socialist, and socialist has - is a very loaded term in this country. What can you do to sort of assuage people about the socialist label here?”

B. SANDERS: “Good. Um –“

BORGER: “I like the way you approve my questions. That's a pretty good question. Good one. Bad one. No. “

B. SANDERS: “Not all your questions.”

BORGER: “I know. I know.”

B. SANDERS: “Some of them. A select few.  What it means is to pick up on some very important federal programs that we now have, which, if you like, are socialist. What is Social Security? It is a socialist program that says that our elderly people and our disabled people should be able to live with dignity. What do you think Medicare is? It is a single payer health care system for the elderly.

What it comes down to in one sentence is creating a government which works for the middle class and working families, rather than large campaign contributors and millionaires.”

BORGER:” So even if you don't win, will it have been worth it to have had this debate?”

B. SANDERS: “Well, we were in this race to win. By the way, my favorables are pretty high up there. People kind of - grumpy, though I may be, people do like me, kind of, at least compared to other politicians.”

BORGER: “Are you a politician?”

J. SANDERS:” I think of him as a public servant. “

B. SANDERS: “But check the record and find if there's anybody in the United States Senate who has anything like the political history that I have. I ran for the United States Senate way, way back, my first race on a third party. You know what percentage of the vote I got? Two percent. Then I got 1 percent. Then I got 4 percent. Then I got 6 percent. Nobody else. In other words, what motivated me? Do you think 30 years ago Jane and I would talk - Jane, I think I'm going to become president. Let's plan it out. A 30 year route to become president. You know, people do that, you know, right (ph) now (ph).”

BORGER: “I've heard. Yes.”

B. SANDERS:” I don't. You know, I grew up in a 3.5 room rent controlled apartment. My parents, who are both deceased, would not believe that I'd be running for president of the United States. It would be beyond their imagination. So I think it is fair to say that my life has been motivated from way back when I was a kid and for the fight for social and economic justice. And that's what motivates me. Took me into politics. So, yes, I guess I'm a politician.”

BORGER: “Do you ever get him confused with Larry David or is that –“

J. SANDERS:” I haven't yet, no.”

DAVID: “The only people I like are my seven adorable grandchildren.”

B. SANDERS: “That's absolutely - they are the joy of my life.”

BORGER: “Do you do a Larry David imitation?”

B. SANDERS: “I - what do you think I've just been doing for the last half hour?”