Bernie Sanders appeals for 'common ground' at evangelical Liberty University

The Democrat hopeful frankly discussed his views on wealth, youth unemployment, rising costs in health care, gay marriage and abortion

Bernie Sanders speaks at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virgina. ((Associated Press/Steve Helber))

Bernie Sanders has appealed to students from a conservative Christian university to find 'common ground' as recent polls put the left-wing senator favourite for the Democrat ticket in next year's election.

The senator appealed to students at Liberty University in Virginia to find ‘common ground’ during a 27-minute speech earlier on Monday.

During a 27-minute speech at the evangelical Liberty University in Virginia, the presidential hopeful frankly stated his views on wealth, youth unemployment, rising costs in health care, gay marriage and abortion.

The senator who defended his views on marriage equality, calling for a 'civil discourse,' spoke frankly to the nearly 12,000 capacity gathering.

"It is harder, but not less important, for us to try and communicate with those who do not agree with us on every issue. And it is important to see where if possible, and I do believe it is possible, we can find common ground," said Sanders.

Speaking to a largely religious group of students, the speech also highlighted Sanders' more liberal views on controversial topics appealing more to 'decent behaviour' and 'honesty.'

Sanders spoke about his vision using Biblical scriptures to illustrate his points.

"Some of you may agree with me, and some of you may not, but in my view, it would be hard for anyone in this room today to make the case that the United States of America, our great country, a country which all of us love, it would be hard to make the case that we are a just society, or anything resembling a just society today," Sanders said.

The Senator's polling numbers from New Hampshire and Iowa puts him on top of the Democrat leader board,according to the first wave of the YouGov/CBS News 2016 Battleground Tracker, which polled primary and caucus voters from both states.