Five months before he announced his presidential candidacy, I posted a diary called Don’t Underestimate Bernie Sanders. As I wrote then, I’ve been watching his political career from the very beginning, and it’s been a complete surprise to me. Back in the 1970’s, when he was indeed a fringe candidate capturing 1 or 2 percent in statewide campaigns, I was sure that the young, populist gadfly with the Brooklyn accent and unpolished looks would never be elected to any office. Well, he proved me completely wrong!
Successful 4-term mayor, 8-term U.S. Representative, 2-term U.S. Senator. Praised by Congressional colleagues on both sides of the aisle for his tenacity and effectiveness in getting critically important legislation enacted. His unwavering commitment to fighting for low-income and middle class folks, veterans and seniors, family farmers and union workers, has made him my state’s most popular politician — able to capture votes all across the political spectrum. And now he is breaking records — the most individual campaign contributions ever received, the most votes ever won in the New Hampshire Primary (an electorally crucial toss-up state) — in his bid to become President of the United States.
PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!
Because I’ve been watching his career for so long, I’m awestruck at how far he’s come, how well he’s done. It’s a wonderful American story. Bernie Sanders is a true believer in — and his career and campaign are testimony to — the potential of participatory democracy and activism to counterbalance the influence of wealth and privilege in our society. I’m so glad I was so wrong about him, way back when.
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Some of my other diaries about Bernie Sanders and his campaign:
Bernie Sanders has been a champion in helping millions of Americans access health care
It most certainly is reality-based to ignore folks who say Sanders can’t win the nomination
Bernie thinks a Progressive Revolution can be as successful as the Reagan Revolution. He’s right.
”For voters who may like ‘the Viejito’ but wonder if what he is saying is just talk...”
There are many good reasons why I’d like to see Bernie nominated, but here’s a funny reason
No, CNN, Bernie Sanders doesn’t want to “give” Medicare to all Americans
Bernie “Not Satisfied” Sanders
Washington Post can’t do simple factchecking on Bernie Sanders
Salon on Bernie Sanders’s Aaron Sorkin moment
Jane Sanders recalls moment she became convinced Bernie should run
Sanders themes are motivating folks who’ve never before volunteered for a political campaign