Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to visit the Comet on Saturday

(Image: Comet Tavern)

Its been a politics packed week with the first ever City Council district primary and the first presidential debates of the 2016 election. The fun continues Saturday withthe first presidential candidate appearanceon Capitol Hill.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will hold a fundraiser meet-and-greet Saturday inside the Comet Tavern before a rally at the UWs Hec Edmundson Pavilion. Hes also attending a rally at Westlake Park. Youll have to pony upat least $200 for the Comet event asteep cover for the revamped Pike/Pine dive bar, but a steal for a smallpresidential fundraiser.

Comet owner Dave Meinert recently took to Facebook to plug the event: This event will be one of the few times in our lives we get to be up close and present with a presidential candidate. Its a great time to give money, and to listen to and meet U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders.

The longtime independent senator with socialist leanings should find a warm reception in District 3, where socialist City Council member Kshama Sawant emerged as the clear frontrunner in Tuesdays primary. Sawant, who will be attending the Sanders rallies, urged her supporters to back Sanders during her victory speech.

Mienert told CHS the arrangements for the Sanders fundraiser were hatched throughintermediaries when Sanders campaign staff went looking for an event space. The Comet has become something of a political hangout recently, as City Council candidates, consultants, and even Mayor Ed Murray gathered for post-election drinks on primary night.

But its not totally without precedent. The Stranger dug up this news item about a mock debate that President Jimmy Carters son participated in during his fathers presidential campaign in 1976.

TheSeattle stop for Sanders is part of a West Coast tour that also includes rallies in Portland and Los Angeles. The minimum contribution for the Comet event is $200. Here are the event details:

Saturday, August 8 at 5 p.m. (doors at 4pm)Seattle Meet and Greet Fundraising ReceptionThe Comet Tavern922 E. Pike StreetSeattle, WAHost: $1000Sponsor: $500Supporter: $200

Its the first presidential campaign trial stop on Capitol Hill in 2015, and it may be the last. So if you go, take plenty of pictures (and share them with us!).

Source: http://www.capitolhillseattle.com/2015/08/presidential-candidate-bernie-sanders-to-visit-the-comet-on-saturday/