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Sanders’ debate mantra: Let Bernie be Bernie

In this Oct. 7, 2015, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Public Policy Conference at Washington Convention Center in Washington. Sanders and his campaign team have a relatively simple plan for his debut appearance in a nationally televised debate: "Let Bernie be Bernie." It’s a strategy aides say fueled Sanders’ rise in the Democratic primary campaign, where the often-disheveled, 74-year-old Vermont senator has won the hearts of his party’s base with an unapologetically liberal message. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
In this Oct. 7, 2015, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Public Policy Conference at Washington Convention Center in Washington. Sanders and his campaign team have a relatively simple plan for his debut appearance in a nationally televised debate: "Let Bernie be Bernie." It’s a strategy aides say fueled Sanders’ rise in the Democratic primary campaign, where the often-disheveled, 74-year-old Vermont senator has won the hearts of his party’s base with an unapologetically liberal message. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) In this Oct. 7, 2015, photo, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. speaks during the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Public Policy Conference at Washington Convention Center in Washington. Sanders and his campaign team have a relatively simple plan for his debut appearance in a nationally televised debate: "Let Bernie be Bernie." It’s a strategy aides say fueled Sanders’ rise in the Democratic primary campaign, where the often-disheveled, 74-year-old Vermont senator has won the hearts of his party’s base with an unapologetically liberal message. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

By Associated Press 1 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – Forget about image consultants and mock stages. Bernie Sanders and his campaign team have a relatively simple plan for his first major debate: “Let Bernie be Bernie.”

The Vermont senator enters the first Democratic debate as an insurgent challenger to front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton and eager to prove that he could be the party’s strongest nominee.

Sanders aides say a key goal is introducing his personal story to a wider audience.

The challenge is how to present the proposals from his speeches at the debate Tuesday while engaging millions of viewers eager to get a more personal glimpse of the candidate.

In recent weeks, Sanders has talked about his background more frequently, highlighting his working-class upbringing in Brooklyn, New York, and student activism at the University of Chicago.