“People Are Really Getting Angry”: How Bernie Sanders Just Electrified Iowa — And What It Means...

[WillyT]

“People are really getting angry”: How Bernie Sanders just electrified Iowa — and what it means for ’16
At an under-the-radar town hall in Des Moines, Sanders had the crowd begging for more. Here's why it matters
Robert Leonard - Salon
Tuesday, Feb 24, 2015 07:35 AM PST


Bernie Sanders (Credit: AP/Rich Pedroncelli)

<snip>

DES MOINES — Bernie Sanders has neckties older than most of his audience at last Friday’s Drake University Town Hall in Des Moines. Yet the age differential didn’t matter. His college-age audience loved him. Organized by Drake progressive students, Sanders and his audience seemed to have a near telepathic connection. His issues are their issues, and if anything, they are more pissed off than he is.

Several Drake students set the stage for Sanders in brief topical introductions, laying waste to money in politics, Citizens United specifically, the reality and dangers of climate change, the importance of pay equity for women, immigration reform, and the crushing burden of the cost of college and debt. Then Bernie nailed it, touching on all of these topics and more.

Unlike the speeches at the recent Republican Iowa Freedom Summit, Sanders was long on ideas, and short on chest-thumping, fiery rhetoric. He also didn’t have an audience mostly old enough to vote when Ronald Reagan was running for president.

At first it was unclear who the bigger enemy of the people were to Sanders — the Kardashians or the Koch brothers. The Kardashians, or rather our public fascination with them, represents America’s apathy. Sanders was clear that nothing progressive can happen until people start paying attention. Sanders told his audience that Americans are getting screwed, and that we had better pay attention and get off our asses.

According to Sanders, our government is bought and paid for by the Koch brothers, and we are living in an oligarchy. He illustrated the point by reminding us of the recent announcement that the Kochs plan to spend $900 million on the next presidential election, when Obama and Romney each spent approximately $1 billion in 2012. He feels that soon, they will have more power than either the Democratic or Republican parties, just because of their wealth and the leverage the 5-4 Supreme Court Citizens United decision gave them and other billionaires.

The question and answer session took an interesting turn when a stocky young man with the voice of a broadcasting major asked Sanders, “Will you run for president in 2016?”

If he had asked, “Are you going to run…” Sanders might have responded differently. “I don’t know yet,” would have been a good answer. But since he was asked, “Will you run…” Sanders apparently heard it as a request for him to run. “That’s a good question that you’ve asked,” Sanders said. “Let me throw it back to you… do you think there is the support in this country?” To which the young man replied, “ I think I do. I do. I think there is the support out there … people are really getting angry about this income inequality, climate change…we’re tired of it.”

Hands continued to be raised, and Sanders pushed the question with each of them...

<snip>

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/02/24/people_are_really_getting_angry_how_bernie_sanders_just_electrified_iowa_and_what_it_means_for_16/

[Cali_Democrat]

1. It's looking like Bernie wants to run and that's great news.

The Warren 2016 folks should take notice.

Also, Bernie wasn't a Republican well into his 40's.

If you were hiring someone for a job, would you hire the person who wants the job? Or would you hire the person who doesn't want the job?

It's time for the Warren 2016 folks to stop banging their heads against the wall....and look to Bernie.

Bernie wants the job.

[Warpy]

3. A good showing for Bernie in the primaries might be a wakeup call

to the conservative dead wood running the party these days, that "business as usual" isn't going to sell to people who are being economically destroyed by it.

People are not angry, they're absolutely furious. The Tea Party is a symptom of that, co opted by the right wing and manipulated into hating the wrong things because they're too dumb to see who their real enemies are.

Sanders, on the other hand, is sounding a true populist call against the powers that be.

The party had better wake the hell up and start running on a better deal for labor instead of giving lip service to a middle class that no longer exists. If not, we're going to end up with another member of the BFEE in office.

[immoderate]

6. And remember Gene McCarthy's effect on Robert Kennedy.

--imm

[WHEN CRABS ROAR]

10. The people need to be told in clear simple language

who their enemies are and it needs to be repeated over and over.

It is time for a real progressive populist movement, but the message needs to be clear and not overly complex and needs to be repeated to drive it home into the minds of the people.

[Ghost Dog]

41. There's room for some hope, then. nt

[Scuba]

44. Don't expect the conservative wing of our Party change anything but their rhetoric.

[LongTomH]

57. That just means we should be watching how they vote!

n/t

[99th_Monkey]

2. Awesomeness cubed. Run Bernie Run!!! nt

[MissDeeds]

4. Thank you, Bernie

You rock!

[G_j]

5. and he remains my first choice nt

[Jefferson23]

7. Don't ever stop talking Bernie...keep it up. K&R

[Fumesucker]

8. He would be wise to avoid small planes

[father founding]

55. history repeats

And open cars.

[Octafish]

9. This!

Thank you, WillyT! Seems real Democrats are very popular. Nation knows it needs Democratic leadership. Bernie is willing to spell out what needs to be done and how to do it.

Hope he gets in the running so I don't have to defend Goldman Sachs all the time.

[WillyT]

20. You Are More Than Welcome, Octafish !!!

[Bluenorthwest]

11. Bernie Sanders for President please.

Never a Reagan/Bush Republican, never even a Goldwater Girl. A candidate that needs no asterisks or excuses. Yes please.

[Half-Century Man]

12. Ask not what your country can do for you,

Ask what you can do for your country.

you motivate younger voters by making them a part of the process.
JFK knew that.
Reagan tried it with the Young Republicans(only somewhat successful, because to a republican 42 is young).

[DeSwiss]

13. But I promise a chicken in every pot for all the downtrodden poors and middle classers!

- I knew she and Bill cleaned up but I had no idea she could buy that much KFC.....

K&R

Go Bernie Go!!!!

[smokey nj]

14. Kick for Bernie!

WillyT!

[WillyT]

19. :)

[Enthusiast]

15. Yay, Bernie! People want to hear, "No more lopsided trade deals!"

People want to hear, "We must have a more progressive tax system!"

People want to hear, "We must preserve social security and medicare!"

People want to hear, "We must make college affordable for young people again!"

People want to hear, "We must invest in rebuilding the infrastructure!"

People want to hear, "The United States should transition to a single payer type health care system!"

If your candidate of choice isn't saying those things, they are vulnerable to a candidate that is.

[Generic Brad]

16. Bernie definitely hears us

In all honesty, he electrifies me more than any other candidate. If he runs, he has my vote.

[Fuddnik]

17. If Bernie announces, I'm all in!

I'll work my ass off for him.

[840high]

39. Yes~!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[hifiguy]

18. GO, BERNIE, GO!!!

Bernie Sanders and Liz Warren - the last of the actual Democrats.

[snappyturtle]

24. You do know that Bernie is an Independent don't you? Not that that

would keep me from voting for him. I refuse to vote for a Democrat who doesn't espouse the same principles as Bernie. I will not vote for Hillary.

[hifiguy]

25. Of course, but when you sound that much like FDR you are

at least an honorary Democrat in my book. Like Bernie, I am a democratic socialist.

[WillyT]

28. Me Too !!!

[Sienna86]

21. Bernie.org

If you are inclined to see upcoming events or make a donation.

[WillyT]

23. Thank You For That... Here's The Link:

Link: http://www.bernie.org/

[nikto]

22. YES--Sanders COULD get elected

But the Dems would have to go all-out, without the backing of (gasp) Wall St and big Bank$.



And we can't have that!

[peacebird]

26. I will volunteer, stump, phone bank, and donate to Bernie Sanders. Enthusiatically!

I am retiring in August and will gladly work for his campaign!

[WillyT]

31. And That's A Major Part Of The "Thing" Isn't It ???

I would do the same for one I could believe in.

[Iwillnevergiveup]

27. Good to hear

Iowans are showing Bernie some love. He has the proven ability to appeal to people of all ages, and if he does make the leap, I'll work my tail off for him. And vote for him.

Thanks for posting, WillyT.

[cui bono]

29. Bernie is what this country NEEDS!

Especially after having had a Dem president that squandered away the opportunity to reverse the damage BushCo did.

The people want their country fixed!!!

[Autumn]

30. When people hear his message they like his message, no matter what party

they are in. I will do whatever I can to get this man elected.

[silvershadow]

32. To paraphrase Tweety, "I get a tingle down my leg". nt

[Thespian2]

33. K&R

I will vote for Bernie, if he chooses to run.

[dflprincess]

34. I was at a Progressive Issues meeting tonight

Last edited Tue Feb 24, 2015, 11:17 PM - Edit history (1)

and two people who have been active in the DFL longer than I have and who, I thought, would be Clinton supporters, told me they hope Sanders or Warren run. And yes, up until a few months ago they were in the Clinton camp.

Perhaps the tide is turning.

[WillyT]

35. That News Is WONDERFUL !!!

[grahamhgreen]

51. Thank you!

[WillyT]

36. Kick !!!

[whereisjustice]

37. But, but Hillary promises to help Women CEOs close the pay gap, after all it isn't fair

that a billionaire CEO like Meg Whitman only gets $16 million a year in options and bonuses and $1 salary for completely fucking up HP.

Hillary only sees rich people.

[JEB]

38. Why can't any other politician say the things Bernie say?

Common sense stated in perfectly clear language.

[whereisjustice]

40. Rahm Emanuel called us retarded. Hillary's advisors say we have wealth envy. That's how out of touch

Hillary Clinton is with 99% of America.

[TheKentuckian]

42. Go Bernie!

[florida08]

43. Good to see so many on the same page

Bernie is and has been our man in our household. It's past time for a people's president. Wall St has had too many

[Cosmocat]

45. Here is the problem

I actually think he could start to get some traction with young people.

The problem is this.

The older people get, the more they tend to fall into the rat holes the republicans and main stream media put out.

So, while young people get pissed off at how government is bought and paid off by big money.

85% of the country is following around the Benghazi and OBAMA WON'T CALL ISIS ISLAMIC EXTREMIST clownshow bullshit like love starved puppies.

The "adults" are bickering over guns and how gay people having the temerity to hold hands in public, while eagerly lapping up their government based benefits on one hand while being enraged about all those takers taking on the other.

[TRoN33]

46. He may be an independent but Bernie is one of few true Democrats left in D.C.

[MelungeonWoman]

47. This does my heart good.

Glad to see so many on the same page here.

[CrispyQ]

48. Bernie would get my time, money & vote.

[tomsaiditagain]

49. Bernie has an age problem

that weighs on him as far as a bid to run for President goes. Hillary is only liked basically because she is of the female gender. Both of their platforms are strong but............................. they look tired and....

ok let me have it with both barrels

[father founding]

56. problems,problems

And then there's that other thing....

[greiner3]

50. To use an old phrase by now;

With a perfect storm, he could get elected.

[lewebley3]

52. What It means Is that Bernie will be helpful to Hillary!!!

Bernie should be a chair of Hillary's campaign, and then became part of
the leadership in the senate with Warren.
The formula for taking back the country is team work,
Hillary, need to running on Obama's record, she need to get him out
there taking a victory lap while she is out there running for president
Warren should become majority leader, Howard dean should become
head of the DNC: and Sherri Brown of Ohio should be Vice President.

[cadaverdog]

58. You might want too ask Howard Dean how well that worked

after Obama was elected President, in large part due to all of Deans hard work. Yeah, Rahm Emanuel, I'm lookin at you.

[ladyVet]

53. We need somebody to fire up the young people!

I had a good conversation with my youngest (20 years old) yesterday. He's totally disenchanted with politics. Won't vote for anybody. I talked to him a little bit about Bernie Saunders, as well as the Green Party, and he seemed interested but said he has no interest in anyone who's running.

His friends are the same way. They see the mess the country is in, the way pollution is ruining the planet, how poverty is growing, how gay people are treated, and they aren't happy with any of it. They're ready for things to change, and I told him that young people like them need to get out in the streets and start the change.

I'd vote for Bernie. I'd save my pennies and donate to his campaign, even though it would likely only be a few dollars all together. I'd rather he didn't run as a Democrat, though. I don't want him beholden to the party coffers, AKA the corporations.

If we keep voting for the same kind of candidates, we shouldn't be surprised when we keep getting the same kind of leadership.

[1StrongBlackMan]

54. Agreed ...

We need somebody to fire up the young people!

... while not giving shorts to the other segments of the Democratic base. For example, rand paul, certainly appeals to a significant segment of the youth, while being absolutely repugnant to PoC and a significant segment of women. IOWs, someone that believes the Civil Rights stuff matters.

[smokey nj]

59. Bernie Sanders has an impeccable record on Civil Rights.

NAACP gives him rates him 97%
Human Rights Campaign rates him 100%
The ACLU rates him 93%

http://www.ontheissues.org/domestic/Bernie_Sanders_Civil_Rights.htm

I'm a little confused as to why you brought up Rand Paul in a thread about Bernie Sanders, though. Bernie Sanders opposes the war on drugs and supports legalizing pot - which is the main reason the Pauls (both Rand and Ron) appeal to young people.

[woo me with science]

60. kick