Former R.E.M. singer Michael Stipe has made his presidential preference very clear over the past few months, flooding his Instagram feed with images of democratic candidate Bernie Sanders. On Sunday he made it official by introducing Sanders during a Coney Island rally.
"Over the years of traveling across the United States and outside America with my former band, I've discovered within myself an underlying but potent appreciation of justice and a common decency," said Stipe, who also praised Sanders for voting against the Iraq war, pushing for LGBT equality and marching with civil rights leaders in the 1960s. "I seek out leaders who represent themselves honestly and fairly and who share the same appreciation of justice... Bernie Sanders isn't worried about political expediency or doing what polls might say is the right thing to do. His moral compass is due north and that is exactly what we need right now."
Bernie Sanders Sings 'This Land Is Your Land' With Vampire Weekend at University of Iowa: Watch
The pair then grabbed some lunch at Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs (we'll assume Stipe went for the veggie dog) with Sanders' wife, Jane. Stipe was helping Sanders out in advance of the crucial April 19 New York Democratic primary, just days after the Sanders' checked out smash Broadway show Hamilton.
The New York Times covered the Coney Island hot dog summit, alerting us to the important condiment endorsement handed out by Sanders. "This is a breaking story," Bernie told the paper when asked how he takes his dog. "Mustard and sauerkraut."
.@BernieSanders eating a hotdog at Nathan's w/ his wife and Michael Stipe of REM. Apparently Bernie is a fast eater. pic.twitter.com/Mih8NKiMKN
— Yamiche Alcindor (@Yamiche) April 10, 2016
While Sanders is trailing former Sec. of State Hillary Clinton in the delegate count, he's definitely leading when it comes to rock and roll endorsements. In addition to Vampire Weekend, he's gotten some help from Dirty Projectors, Foster the People's Mark Foster, Killer Mike and the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
Hillary Clinton vs. Bernie Sanders: Vote For Who Has the Better Musician Support Squad
Check out video of Stipe's endorsement here:
Watch Michael Stipe Cover David Bowie's 'The Man Who Sold the World' on 'Fallon'