System of a Down’s Serj Tankian on Bernie Sanders: ‘I’m Rooting for Him’
System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian has been outspoken in his support of Bernie Sanders since last summer and, as primary season nears an end, he’s standing strong behind the Democratic presidential candidate. “There’s only one guy whose voting record I respect here,” the singer tells Rolling Stone. “He’s said what he’s done and he’d done what he says in the Senate. All his contributions are from private individuals; everyone else’s are from major donors and corporations. It does not take a genius to see who’s working for whom here. “
Although the singer claims “Hillary Clinton is better than any Republican candidate,” he is alarmed to see the way that some Democratic superdelegates have pledged their support for her so early. “It makes me question the viability of our republic in some ways,” he says. “Our choice should be our choice. Although there are a lot of superdelegates aligned with public voting, some are not, and that’s wrong.”
Tankian is bothered by the way registered independents have not been allowed to vote in primaries. “That’s completely unfair,” he says. “Given the kind of duopolistic regime we have in this country, we are getting more and more independents out there. If they can’t be part of the initial process, then all they’re given is two delegates to vote for as president.”
Despite the way the system is set up, the singer has not lost faith in the Sanders campaign. “I’m hoping that Bernie can rebound,” he says. “He’s the underdog that really has been coming up. It would be a shame to not see him make it all the way through.”
Tankian will continue to voice support for Sanders despite negative comments he has received from his fans on social media. “Some artists look at their follows as, what do you want to call it, their ‘market,'” he says. “I just look at them as people. If you don’t like what I’m saying, it’s all right. You don’t have to agree. And if you’re pissed off and you don’t want to come to my [Facebook] page, then fuck off. I don’t care. I’m not trying to sell you anything.”