Bernie Sanders Meme Template
“I am once again asking” - Bernie Sanders’ fundraising video screenshot - became 2020’s versatile meme template for expressing repetitive requests, annoyance at having to ask again (January-March 2020).
Origin: Bernie’s January 2020 campaign fundraising video opening; “I am once again asking for your financial support”
Image: Bernie in winter coat, mittens, sitting in chair; tired expression; relatable exhaustion
Meme explosion: Twitter editing text; “I am once again asking [relatable repetitive request]”
Examples: “I am once again asking my cat to stop knocking things off the counter,” endless variations
Political uses: Both Bernie supporters and opponents using template; bipartisan meme appeal
Mittens callback: Same mittens from Biden inauguration meme (January 2021); Bernie’s signature look
Peak: February 2020 primaries; Bernie content everywhere; meme reached maximum saturation
Campaign embrace: Bernie’s team leaning into meme; selling mittens; accepting meme status
Decline: March 2020 Bernie dropped out; meme faded; replaced by pandemic memes
Legacy: Template periodically resurges; anytime repetitive asking needed; dormant but ready
I Am Once Again Asking demonstrates political meme’s viral potential - Bernie’s awkward earnestness creating relatable template.
Sources:
https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/i-am-once-again-asking-for-your-financial-support
https://www.vox.com/