Why President Bernie Sanders will be a strong and effective leader

With all of the Sanders love being tossed around, I find it frustrating that many enthusiastic and dedicated supporters fail to complete the argument as to why Bernie Sanders will be a strong and effective president.  I would like to address that very issue by demonstrating that Bernie Sanders commands a collection of assets, strengths and talents which taken together can create an antidote to many of the problems in Washington.

It can’t be denied that Bernie Sanders has generated an enormous and dedicated following in a short time.  Whether he is able to grow that following into a nomination remains to be seen.  But his entire thesis of government implies that we need a political revolution, and implies that the revolution continues beyond election day, and beyond inauguration day.  Bernie's nomination would be the first symptom of said revolution, and his election would be the second.  But his thesis expects “we, the people” to continue the fight throughout his presidency and beyond.  Listening to him speak, it is clear to me that he knows that real change in Washington will happen because the people demand it, not because he does.  This army of “true believers” and the pressure that they exert on Washington will be the backbone of his presidency.

If Senator Sanders manages to win the Democratic nomination, it seems quite likely, due to the populist nature of his campaign, that he will have enormous coattails in the general election.  This will significantly weaken the Republican party's strangle-hold on congress.  Judging by his reception at Liberty University, Bernie Sanders is a man who is difficult to vilify and who is easy to respect — regardless of whether or not you agree with his political positions.  Sanders is sincere, thoughtful and passionate.  I think that these qualities, especially when combined with the force of the above mentioned army, have a strong potential to help the Democrats pick up a significant number of down-ticket seats, and to strengthen the resolve of Democrats who are already in congress.

Bernie Sanders clearly has the power to excite crowds and to excite them to action.  The topics that he speaks on are generally those that a majority of the public support.  He speaks from a position of fairness, of clear right vs. wrong, and of basic humanity and morality that is difficult to argue against.  I would venture to say that most of Secretary Clinton’s and most of Governor O’Malley’s supporters agree with the majority of Senator Sanders’ positions, but may not believe that he would be as effective a leader in today’s Washington.  But Bernie Sanders’ election would not occur in a vacuum.  His very nomination would indicate that the status quo of American politics has been refuted.  My understanding of Bernie Sanders is that he sees his role not as only a leader for change but as an instrument of the people.  His great strength as president will come from his ability to inspire the common citizen to force the common legislator to do what is right.

After nearly a decade of lurking, and nearly 5 decades of living, this is the first political opinion piece (and first dKos diary) that I have ever written.  I know that I am not the only person to be awoken to the possible by Bernie Sanders’ candidacy.  My hope is that millions of others are similarly inspired to join the conversation and to take charge of America’s future.

Respectfully yours,

Expat Zuzzguzz