Birdie Sanders

* Normal
* EX

Birdie Sanders is a parody of junior US Senator for Vermont, Bernie Sanders. He is the sixth opponent in Election Year Knockout.

## Fighting Style

Birdie Sanders himself doesn't do much fighting, rather he directs his blue bird to punch the player in a variety of ways. The bird has a variety of attacks, including punching high or low, left or right, and even bringing in a huge flock of birds to barrage the player. When the player stuns his bird, Birdie will then be susceptible to punches. Punches deal more damage to him than most other opponents, and he is extremely weak to haymakers.

## Normal Attacks

* **Bird Attack:** Only seen in normal mode. The unique part about Sanders is that his birds deals with most of the attacking, not him. The bird winds up in one of four directions, requiring you to use the correct punch or a haymaker to intercept it for a stun. It can also be dodged, but no stun will occur. Keep in mind that the bird won't attack unless you provoke the bird first.

* **Quick Hook:** It's the only attack done by Sanders. He might do this attack if the bird is left there for a while. it's quick, so you need to react fast. Can be dodged or blocked. In EX mode, this attack is a instant KD, regardless of your health.

## Special Attacks and Attributes

* **Flock Flurry:** Only seen in normal mode, the bird brings in a huge flock and attacks along with it for 4 to 5 times. can be dodged if timed correctly, or blocked.

* **Flock Combo:** Only seen in EX mode, the enhanced version of the bird attack. This time, there will be a combination which you have to memorize, and then dodge or counter appropriately. Although you only have to counter the last bird to start a stun, countering all birds is recommended for faster time. The sequence starts at 2 birds, then 3 after the first knockdown, and caps at 4 after the third knockdown.

* **Bird Charge:** Only seen in EX mode, can be considered as a sidegrade to the Quick Hook. After countering the last bird in a Flock Combo or waiting long enough, Sanders will attempt to charge fowards at you, dealing very high damage (around 75% of your max HP). The attack can't be blocked, but can be easily dodged.

## Maverick's Advice

 "I'm out of ideas, kid. Can't we just throw some bread crumbs at it?"

 "Round five, huh? You know if you wait long enough, he might just take a bribe and drop out of the race."

## Rule Infractions

As per the unified rules of boxing established by the Association of Boxing Commissions and Combat Sports:

* Birdie is 78 years old. Boxing associations don’t allow boxers to compete past the age of 40, meaning he should’ve retired 38 years ago.
* His attire violates several rules:
	+ Instead of boxing trunks, he wears slacks.
	+ His slacks go below his knees
	+ Instead of boxing shoes or boxing boots, he wears dress shoes.
	+ During his EX fight, he wears a hood over his head. This counts as a head covering, which is not allowed.
	+ Glasses are not allowed to be worn during the fight.
* Birdie also breaks a few rules regarding his use of birds during his fights:
	+ He uses his birds to fight the player. This counts as outside interference.
	+ Birdie brings the birds into the ring. This counts is tag-teaming, as only the referee and two boxers are allowed to be in the ring. He would get 6 infractions total, one for each bird he used.
	+ Animal endangerment could be pinned on Birdie because the birds get hit by the player, although this could also be pinned on the player.

Birdie Sanders has 12.5 infractions

## Trivia

* The blue bird is a reference to the bird that landed on Bernie Sanders' podium in a rally, with many joking that the bird stole the show.
* The bird's boxing gloves have a hammer and sickle on them, symbolic of the working class/proletariat. This is a reference to Bernie Sanders' more radical policies, which have the intent of empowering and increasing the living standards of the working class.
* At 78 years old, Birdie Sanders is the oldest character in the game with a confirmed age (The Maverick's real life counterpart, the late John McCain, was born earlier. However, he is never given an age in-game)
* His Punch Out!! equivalent is said to be Bear Hugger, as both are the sixth opponent, and Bear Hugger also sneaks a squirrel into the ring.
	+ He is also comparable to Don Flamenco, who also only starts fighting after he blocks one of the player's punches.