The Bernie Sanders phenomenon

I don't know how he's going to look this time next year, but right now Bernie Sanders is winning hearts . . . and maybe some minds as well.   He sure knows how to handle a press conference.

He's fast becoming known for his candor.    Just ask him to comment on issues -- and you get refreshing, practical, credible answers.  He even addressed that "socialism" label head-on, saying that:

"It is not a radical agenda.   In virtually every instance, what I am saying is supported by a significant majority of the American people.   Yes, it is not supported by the Business Roundtable or the Chamber of Commerce or Wall Street. I may be old-fashioned enough to believe that Congress might want to be representing a vast majority of our people … and not just the Koch brothers and other campaign contributors.”

And then comes the zinger.

"Every time the media refer to me as a 'socialist,'  they should refer to my opponents as 'capitalists.'"

Liam Miller explained the "Bernie phenomena" like this: 

"Simply put: everyone is sick of politics as usual. . . .  Sanders is the only candidate who does not represent more of the same.   On a deep level, people know the only solution is to elect people who aren't beholden to big money;  to elect people who will fight for the poor and the middle-class's piece of the pie. If that's called socialism, then so be it. . . . 

"Everyone is sick of plastic, insincere, politician smiles and hairdos. Sanders doesn't waste time on it . . .  - and it's obvious he's sincere. . . .

" . . . people overwhelmingly agree with Sanders . . . and they're taking him seriously, even if the punditariat are not." 

I'm going to keep watching this carefully.   We've had a tendency to think of Bernie as an impractical idealist.    And we've seen what Washington does to idealists these past 6 years.   But it would feel so good to vote for someone so sincere and so uncontaminated by the political process.

Ralph