As most of us here at DailyKos know by now, Senator Bernie Sanders, Independent of Vermont, has made his official
announcement speech declaring his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States Of America.
As many Liberals know, Bernie Sanders is and has been a crusader for Liberal Values now for decades. Few politicians have been as consistent (though not perfect) or as principled as Senator Sanders. I personally offer him an open-armed welcome to the Democratic nomination process. Saving us from what had, until now, appeared to be nothing but a coronation for Hillary Clinton.
This isn't to say that it will be easy for Senator Sanders; but I see in him a challenge, one that I believe will end up surprising even the most optimistic fans of Senator Sanders.
On Bernie Sanders's Website, he lays out his agenda with a simplicity that can only be described as 'quaint' or maybe 'innocent' is a better word for it. In an age of Super-PACS and attack-ads, Bernie's platform is an optimistic breath of fresh air in the world of politics. No time is spent defending himself from attacks as is common on Pro-Hillary sites, nor are there any attacks on anyone except maybe the 'Billionaire Class' Bernie so commonly refers to.
But make no mistake, Senator Sanders's website is dedicated to the overwhelming issues facing our country and the world. Bernie delves head-on into these problems with a pragmatism rarely seen anymore on the left. He makes clear his positions on all of the most pressing issues facing our nation.
Where most Presidential aspirants offer platitudes, Bernie offers plans. Such clarity in politics is astounding, leaving even the most uncertain voter with both a terrifying vision of America on its current course but he also leaves the reader with the impression of a man not only willing to address this dystopian future, but a man ready to make the radical changes necessary to reverse the dangerous trends facing us today.
Under the section of his site for his Platform, Senator Sanders goes right at income inequality, Climate Change and Citizens United, unapologetically tearing apart at the facade that is the deception of American Mobility and Exceptionalism. Sanders leaves no room to misinterpret where he places his blame for the decay of the last forty years, pinning years of deterioration squarely on the elite-classes of both parties that knows nothing if not the philosophy of winner-takes-all. The Social-Darwinism that spills recklessly from the mouths and actions of career politicians and power-brokers.
But if you think the mainstream media plans on treating Bernie Sanders with anything resembling respect rather than contempt and distraction, you're sorely wrong. Every major news organization has gone out of their way to inject the word 'Socialism' before his name in every major article, news report and headline. Oftentimes more than once. Not one news source has even attempted to make the distinction between Social-Democrats and Socialists. It wouldn't surprise me to hear CNN start adding 'Communist' before his name sooner or later. We all know FOX will eventually, they just can't help themselves. Call it McCarthyism 2.0.
With any luck, Sanders will find a way to nationalize the infrastructure he has built over the years, combining a coalition of Labor and community activists known to rally to his side in Vermont. But Vermont is not Iowa and nor is it Wisconsin or Alabama. Neither does Vermont have a large minority constituency, despite his support for civil rights.
If Bernie can't find a way to connect with voters outside his typical constituency, he will end up finding it difficult to gain the momentum it will take to rob Hillary of the nomination.
Surprisingly however, Bernie has managed to get off to a strong start. More than 35,000 people donated an average of $43.54 per person. And that was only in the first 24 hours after Sanders announced his candidacy!
With enough grass-roots action, and more than a little luck, Bernie Sanders could start a new progressive movement similar to the Rainbow Coalition -In which Bernie himself participated- that formed around Rev. Jesse Jackson's presidential campaign in the 1980's and the momentum continued long after Rev. Jackson's lost bid.
Without a doubt, Senator Sanders is facing an uphill battle; but to count him out this early on, is to underestimate the power of a unified grassroots labor movement, Climate Change organizations and the simmering anger barely hidden under the surface of working and middle-class families; families that have lived through, and bared witness to, the decay of America's once abundant opportunities that offered so many people a fulfilling life and could once again.
That and more is why I will be endorsing Senator Bernie Sanders for the Democratic Nomination.