WASHINGTON (NYTIMES) - After months of virtually encouraging his supporters to vote for Mr Joe Biden, Senator Bernie Sanders marked his return to the campaign trail on Saturday (Oct 3) with a rally in New Hampshire for his one-time rival.
Though many of his words were recognisable to anyone who has long watched the Vermont senator speak, the circumstances were dramatically different from any rally he has held before - a point that was not lost on him.
"I have participated in many rallies in my life," Mr Sanders said with a smile. "This is clearly the most unusual."
But if the rally was atypical for him - unlike his customarily large crowds that pack together, those in attendance were instructed from the outset to maintain social distancing of at least 6 feet (1.8m) - it also felt familiar.
There was Mr Sanders, walking up to his lectern to the song "Power to the People". There he was, in his signature sweater and jacket, waving his right hand in the air.
Much of his address, of course, was devoted to Mr Biden.
"It is no great secret that Joe Biden and I disagree on a number of issues," Mr Sanders said, as he often does. But unlike during the primary campaign, during which he and Mr Biden were adversaries, he went on to praise several of Mr Biden's proposals, including on the economy and healthcare.
"While Joe and I disagree on the best path to get to universal coverage, his proposal will greatly expand access to healthcare and make it more affordable for tens of millions of people across this country," Mr Sanders said.
And as he has many times since he dropped out of the presidential race in early April, Mr Sanders unequivocally urged his supporters to vote for the former vice-president.
"In the worst public health crisis of the last 100 years, we need Joe Biden as our president," he said.
One notable departure from his now-routine Biden-backing speech occurred at the beginning of his remarks, when Mr Sanders wished President Donald Trump and the First Lady Melania Trump, who were diagnosed with the coronavirus, "a full and speedy recovery".
He said: "What the last few days have told us is if there was ever any doubt, it should now be clear that no one - no one - is safe from this pandemic."
