This may be anecdotal but man oh man does it say a lot.

[cherokeeprogressive]

My transgender Son is visiting this weekend, along with his transgender friend Shane. They're actually looking over my shoulder as I type this...

Last night we were watching The Martian and the subject of Hillary v Bernie came up. I asked if they were Hillary supporters and they both started laughing. "Bernie Sanders is the guy" is what they pretty much agreed on. They were kind of shocked that I support him as well.

My Son works at Disneyland and knows just about everyone there who is within 5 years of age either way (He's 24). He says EVERY TIME the subject comes up, it almost turns into a Bernie Sanders Lovefest. His friend Shane works at a boutique coffee shop in downtown L.A. and said exactly the same thing.

So, I asked them what they thought about Hillary's endorsements. They were both a little shady on why they mattered at all. I explained that newspapers, politicians, and labor unions' endorsements were very much sought after in the game of politics. My Son hit the ball out of the park... He asked "Why would the endorsement of a newspaper I'll never read, a politician who doesn't represent me, or a labor union I'll never be a part of matter in the slightest in the context of who they endorse?"

His name is Charlie, and he approves this message.

[virtualobserver]

1. Thank you for sharing that.......it is the type of anecdote that I keep hearing

It warms my heart.

[Faux pas]

2. Love it!!!!!

[Live and Learn]

3. It may be andecdotal but it is the same thing I experience everywhere I campaign for Bernie.

People are genuinely excited about him.

My millennial son and his friends all support Bernie too. His best friend and I usually disagree rather vehemently on politics but he couldn't wait to tell me that he was supporting Bernie this year. That earned him a Bernie t-shirt and a fist bump.

[Juicy_Bellows]

4. Tell your Son he rocks.

It's more than ever we need the young to come out and vote!

[Baitball Blogger]

5. Newspapers deserve that alienation.

[awake]

6. one more anecdotal story

my 37 yr old son has been saying for over a month that Bernie will win going away & none of his friends want to here Hillary any more.

[dixiegrrrrl]

62. Bernie has a huge number of people under 40 who support him.

and is making use of social media every single day...many times a day.
I know because I follow him on Twitter and Facebook, and see the comments by others.

[ChiciB1]

68. And Maybe They Are Missing Just How Many Of Us Old

Hippies who support him! Yes, I've stayed true to my beliefs from oh so long ago, but I have MANY, MANY friends in MY age group who are very committed STRONG supporters of his! My grandson is 25, my grand daughter is 20 and THEY are on board here in this very RED County in Sarasota, FL! Hey, I don't care who knows where I live... we're kind of famous for "those people" who elected Katherine "Cruella" Harris! You know the FAMOUS Secretary of State in 2000! AND got elected TWO TIMES as my Representative, EEEE-YUCK! So there is no bastion of lefties here.

BUT, we are now seeing an influx of Independents, I suppose people switching Party affiliation. RePUBLEMS have outnumbered both for a long time. While I haven't checked numbers, I think Indy's are dominating here now.

My daughter and son who are in their 40's also support him, forgot WHAT generation they're called. Don't think it's Gen X, or could be. Our area is a HUGE tourist area, but I'd have to say the Medical field might be the largest employment base we have. My daughter and her husband have their degrees in that field. BUT, as a city that ranks as either #1, 2 or 3 in per capita income with many concierge doctors, pay scale is lower than even St. Pete, FL. Meaning that they have huge incomes, but don't want to spread it around. I DON'T fall into that $$$ category by a long shot!

Anyway, not sure how many of this age group are big supporters. Although, many of the not so high end doctors have been shifting to the left. I have 3 doctors I see and 2 of them call themselves Liberals. Both from NY.

Ok, got a little long here adding info not really needed. However.... Just want to say, seems all over people are -- FEELIN' THE BERN!

[dixiegrrrrl]

69. Good to hear such nice details from down there.....

Not too long at all.
We may forget sometimes that "republican" covers a broad spectrum, just as "Southerner" does...

Your post helped me remember something else I had read....40% of millennials identify as Independent.
There is a push for a 3 party system...actually for anything that is more than 2 party, and I see that as a huge attraction for Bernie.

[ChiciB1]

72. YOU Are Correct, Which Is Where All This Crap About

Bernie attracting "Trump Supporters" comes from. The BIG LIE they're trying to push is that it's HIS supporters, but there are many Indy's AND RePUBLEMS who aren't Trump supporters! And yes, I know Bernie has welcomed ALL supporters, but a vote is a vote is a vote. Trump & Bernie aren't one and the same. But they BOTH tap into the serious unrest and disgust of "business as usual!" I'm just waiting for Tim Canova to KICK DWS'S ASS!

There are really big Bernie Events here every week-end. I'm missing my 2nd one just this week-end. I've had some bad back problems for years and have been looking to alternative methods for treatment so for now limiting my "boots on the ground" activity. Still, there are other things I can do to help his campaign for short periods of time!

DAMN BACK CRAP! Please no sympathy, millions of people have back problems. Several problems with my back prevent the possibility of surgery, just tired of epidurals as my best option. ENOUGH, on this... just wish I was able to be out there as a foot soldier, because this area has never had this much excitement about a candidate that I know of. And we did have several big events during Obama's elections. None this early and none with as MANY this early. Obama's events where AFTER he was the nominee.

Bernie's are RIGHT NOW! Says a lot to me!
-----

[Doctor_J]

7. many of the students in my college classes are sporting Bernie gear

The party big shots don't seem to care that nominating Hillary will drive the youngsters away from the party.

[cherokeeprogressive]

8. Pretty much says it all doesn't it.

None are so blind as those who will not see.

[Doctor_J]

11. They would rather have money than votes

Not complicated IMO

[bvf]

9. Charlie is one good egg! Same goes for Shane.

Put enough anecdotes together, and you have a movement.

[TeamPooka]

10. I support unions. I believe their endorsements are important. Unions protect the middle class

which is why the GOP and conservatives have been undermining them in every way as much as possible for the last 30 years.
Looks like your son's generation has bought into the 1%'s attack on them.
That's too bad.

[Marty McGraw]

13. shame on us!

we always forget those memorable moments of HRC getting out and supporting workers rights where it really counts. So many photos of her striking amongst worker labor disputes... one can simply not deny recorded history.

[mikehiggins]

33. Shouldn't you include a sarcasm thingee? n/t

[Marty McGraw]

43. ( ._.)

[passiveporcupine]

14. The union members do support Bernie

When they get to vote on it, Bernie is the choice. When they don't get to vote and the Union leaders choose, they sometimes choose Hillary. Anyone want to explain that one to me?

[abelenkpe]

25. Like IATSE

87 percent of union members voted to endorse Sanders but leadership ignored their vote and endorsed Clinton.

[NJCher]

57. or AFT

of which I am a member and saw what happened. No discussion whatsoever--just an announcement.

BFFs is what happened.


Cher

[loudsue]

73. Kinda like the democratic party, in general, ignoring the Bernie supporters n/t

[TexasBushwhacker]

27. I was thinking the same thing

I know a lot of teachers were POed when the NEA endorsed Clinton early in the campaign because the members were never asked.

[artislife]

16. Or there are no more union jobs for them to be a part of.

There are few unions left in this country, it is like looking at a wind up crank on an old fashion car. What is it?

[brush]

20. Perhaps if Sanders wins he'll help foster an environment for unions to come back

Last edited Sat Jan 16, 2016, 07:54 PM - Edit history (1)

BTW, without unions there would be no living wage, sick leave, unemployment insurance, holiday leave, paid vacation, safe working environments, forty-hour weeks, weekends off, overtime pay, to name a few.

Those things still exist and are not considered old fashioned like a crank on an old car.

[libdem4life]

46. Absolutely, Unions represent the middle class...a decent wage for a day's work.

I hope Bernie's next tour is to Union Halls. He needs them as much as the Black vote. Maybe he could take Ed Shultz with him.

[cherokeeprogressive]

30. "in the context of who they endorse?" You read that part, right?

My Son hasn't bought into the 1%'s bullshit on ANYTHING. We're solidly middle-class; though not Hillary's $250,000/year middle-class.

How the fuck was that an attack on labor unions? Your desperation and fear are showing...

[A Simple Game]

42. Do you really think endorsements are that valuable? I pay no attention to them and

haven't for many years. Back when a community had no internet and only had one newspaper and as in my case only one TV station endorsements meant something because the information wasn't readily available. People now have many multiple ways to educate themselves without listening to endorsements that may be little more than self serving promotions. Endorsements also used to be rarer and thus more valuable than they are now. Do you pay attention to pundits and entertainers endorsements?

I was a union member most of my working life but can't remember a single instance when a national or local endorsement swayed my decision. That said, I did often agree with their endorsements.

[whathehell]

66. +1000.

[ChiciB1]

70. Which Is Not Good In WHAT Way???

The millennials where I live have NO CLUE what Unions are or do! My husband worked in Telecommunications and THEY are among the very, very, very few Union jobs offered around here!

Citizens have TRIED to start Unions through the largest hospital and well known hospital here and they live in FEAR if their name gets known. Even organizing during the small Occupy Movement we had prevented people from being "seen" with the group. I know because my daughter and son-in-law ALWAYS opted out of any demonstrations. NO PICTURES was the word!

Sad, but true!

Did I get the wrong message about your comment? Seems YOU aren't very big for Bernie. Please advise.

[TeamPooka]

82. I'm a Bernie supporter but I'm sad the kids don't think unions are a good thing.

In addition to direct attacks from the right there are a lot of subtle, subconscious attacks against unions in this country from the youth and hearing these kids say they will never join a union, or that the unions POV means nothing to them is just depressing for America if they are representative of their generation.

[ChiciB1]

83. Late Reply... But Situations Change...

They really haven't had much exposure to what Unions do or how they help. My daughter KNOWS and wholly supports Unions, but since down here we are pretty much a anti-union state my voting age grandchildren probably don't know ANYONE who belongs to a Union.

This country has been spiraling downward for such a long time, getting people like Bernie elected is just the first step on the way back. Each generation has had it's own experience and up until the late 70's and 80's with the first steps of DE-REGULATION we took a right turn. We're at the point in our history where "something's" bound to POP! So, as it was during the GREAT DEPRESSION, a new generation started. And my generation saw much upheaval during Viet Nam and we fought back. But then too many people let themselves become manipulated, and I can think of one example that changed the lives of many people of my generation. The credit card! How wonderful it was to just "charge it" and we've charged ourselves into a real mess.

IF we help this new generation stay focused and keep pushing back at the MACHINE, they will find their own new way to make things better.

Perhaps it may be more Company & Employee Ownership that will start this sputtering engine. That's only one way that it could happen, they may be even more innovative. We've already seen how Social Media has begun to emerge in HUGE ways. Something tells me that this might be "their time" to become the Patriots of the New America! Think we call this EVOLUTION. Something seems different with this election to me, I may be wrong... but if I am it's gonna get a WHOLE LOT WORSE!

[quoddy woman]

78. Union endorsements

I too support unions and was very active ,putting out the newspaper and holding office,but I think I love the ideal rather than what has become the reality. Sometimes the higher ups in the union get very pleased with themselves and their perks and forget what they are about. I know of only one union that polled its members before making the endorsement. They have been cooped and systematically degraded since Reagan. I'm hoping this new batch of kids will begin to take back the power. They are right not to take 3rd way unions seriously.
On another note, my 84 year old brother,retired banker who wears black so to bed, is big for Bernie. I'm not sure he isn't putting me on but he seems genuine and passionate about the need for radical change.

[MisterP]

12. all the anecdotal stuff--from people across the spectrum--is "don't trust her" and "don't

think she cares about common people"

even the ones supporting her do so mostly because they see her on TV, and don't know someone else is talking

[chervilant]

15. Our younglings give me much hope!

Also anecdotal: I saw my first political bumper sticker of the season, and it was "Bernie Sanders, 2016!" Now, this is huge because I live in NW Arkansas, wherein enough delusional people saw fit to elect Tom Cotton.

Go, BERNIE!!!

[oberliner]

17. What, in particular, do they like about Bernie?

What makes him "the guy" to them?

[cherokeeprogressive]

21. LGBT Equality is probably the highest on the list. Plus they've both just started an accelerated

EMT class (yesterday in fact) and plan on going back into the classroom bigtime based on how this goes so I know college tuition is also high on the list.

They both think racial justice is of major importance.

[oberliner]

23. Thanks!

I, too, have noticed anecdotally a lot of young people supporting him for similar reasons.

[NRaleighLiberal]

18. minor anecdote - bumper stickers in my area of Raleigh. Yet to see a Hillary-

in fact , yet to see any Repub except a few Carson (!!) - but a pretty good sprinkling of Bernie stickers (I've had mine on my truck since October). If you add up all of these tiny anecdotes....we know where it can lead!

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. I actually saw two Bernie Sanders bumper stickers in IDAHO of all places. nt

[Karma13612]

29. Oh yea!!!! That is something!! eom

[thereismore]

35. I have seen 1 Carson and 3 Bernie stickers in SoCal. nt

[JoeyT]

45. I've seen a handful of Bernie stickers in the deep south, too.

No one else. Well, no one relevant. I did spot a "Ron Paul" a couple weeks ago. Hell if I know what Ron Paul is running for that anyone from Mobile Alabama would be sporting a sticker for him, though. Just Ron Paul in general, I guess.

[mnhtnbb]

64. Up the road from NRaleighLiberal in Chapel Hill I have seen a few Hillary stickers

LOTS of Bernie stickers, a DUMP TRUMP sticker, and one Carson sticker.

Bernie stickers win for most often sighted.

[Fawke Em]

19. Yay for Charlie! I love Charlies!

Here's my Charlie (and his cat friend, Casper)!

[roguevalley]

24. damn, what great kities. Cure for depression: apply kitties liberally to your face. :D:D:D

[eggplant]

32. I prefer kitten immersion therapy.

Just put me in a kiddy pool (kitty pool?) and then fill it with mewing, frolicking kittens. Thick clothing is a must, of course...

[Fawke Em]

41. Well, it's a dog and a cat.

I have four dogs and one cat. The cat rules the roost. LOL.

[Conch]

26. Good stuff.

Your's sounds like a house I could pour a drink and enjoy the conversation.

[Karma13612]

28. Wanna talk anecdotes? Here goes!

I saw an old beatup red pickup truck in the parking lot at work.

Work is in a purple area of a blue state.

There was a bumper sticker on the back rusted bumper that showed support for Matt Funiciello, the chap who ran on the green party ticket for US congress NY-21.

I chuckled and kept walking.

An old fella stopped me and asked if I was laughing cause he had a pretty beat up truck.

I said no, I was smiling at his bumper sticker because I also voted for Matt in that election.

He smiled.

I smiled and asked if he was "Feeling the Bern"

He said: Oh yea!!!!

Made my day.

I think we're gonna need a bigger boat!!!

#FeeltheBern

[SammyWinstonJack]

31. Exactly!

[Duval]

34. Love it! Thanks for the OP!!

[kimbutgar]

36. I talked to my old bosses widow today

She is about 67 and currently lives in Burlington Vt after living in San Francisco for 65 years. She is a big Bernie fan and when I asked her about trump she said " he is a horrible person".

[virgogal]

37. If Charlie was running for office he'd get my vote. :-)

[Wounded Bear]

38. Endorsements are about the money...

if Bernie is truly getting enough contributions from small donations, that's great.

Elections still are about votes. The old school thinking is that endorsements equals money, money equal advertising, advertising equals votes. New school, started in a big way for Obama, is that on-line presence can get the money in smaller increments and exposure without expensive TV advertising.

The big thing is: Will kids like in the OP actually go register and vote for the guys they support, either vocally or through donations?

As has been the truth for decades, a big turnout favors Democrats. A suppressed vote favors the Repubs. The story is great, but make sure you impress on the kids the importance of following through and actually casting those votes. If we get that, we might just be able to save this country from the corporate hell that appears to be coming.

[TryLogic]

74. ...about the money. Yeah, I suspect politicians are promised money from DNC if they endorse Hillary.

Or, perhaps money from Hillary or Billy.

[Mendocino]

39. None of the democrats I know

are supporting Hillary, all plan on voting for Bernie in the primary. All but one say they would then support Hillary in the general if Bernie doesn't get the nod. The one is unsure, will likely support her or might write in Bernie. The ages here are about 2/3 over 50.

[zentrum]

40. I've been seeing the same thing

…..in young people. Luv for the Bern.

But, do you think it would be good to explain to Charlie that real labor unions, that represent the rank and file, (as opposed to just the top leadership) whether you belong to a particular union or not—effects the life and wages of the entire 99%?

(BTW—my grandfather was one of the artists who organized a strike against Disney back in the 30's with the aim of unionizing those who were working huge unpaid overtime schedules and not getting a fair wage. Very complicated story but Disney's pay policies hit his female animators especially hard.)

[jalan48]

44. The young people where I work support Bernie. They see Hillary as a professional politician.

[TryLogic]

75. Yeah. I'm so sick of traditional, lie-and-misrepresent politicians, I can't stand it. I turn off TV

anytime I see Hillary or a Republican.

[libdem4life]

47. My 26 year old son lives in Northern California. He and all his friends are for Bernie.

Just another anecdote. (and he votes)

[Thespian2]

48. Excellent

I keep hearing the same thing from my friends in the states...and, listening to my neighbours, Bernie could easily win here in Nova Scotia...

[uponit7771]

49. "... a labor union I'll never be a part of..." doesn't sound like revolution at all...

... doesn't matter how much Sanders camp tries to minamize those endorsements they were important

[cherokeeprogressive]

50. Yeah. And I pick my toothpaste based on what four out of five dentists recommend...

Not.

[uponit7771]

51. Those unions aren't in a commercial where they're getting paid and this isn't toothpaste ...

... and right now it's a little more than 4 out of 5... its more like 4.89 out of five.

I'd ignore them if they endorsements were split, but right now it's hard to call everyone endorsing Clinton the establishment

[cherokeeprogressive]

53. Yeah well I've just spent the last two days with two twenty-somethings who are as socially

adept as anyone I've ever known, with HUNDREDS of friends, and neither knows anyone who supports Hillary Clinton regardless of what labor union, newspaper, or politician endorses her.

[uponit7771]

54. Sanders has enthusiasm of course but IMHO its because he's totally dismissing congress...

... and the ability to get anything past them.

Of course, promise unicorns while congress ignores the 2 trillion person movement Sanders gens up but I'd like to know what happens to this enthusiasm if he mentioned it'd be a cold day in hell before the historically GOP gerrymandered congress does anything for the majority of America people

[cherokeeprogressive]

55. I'm casting my lot with someone I HOPE can change things rather than someone I know WON'T.

[Mnemosyne]

67. +1,000,000,000 And your son and friends rock! nt

[eridani]

61. It is the "New" "Democrats" who turned away from unions and accelerated their decline

With a Sanders presidency, there is at least a chance of reversing the trend and making union membership feasible for more young people.

[RKP5637]

52. So beautiful to hear!!! Thanks for sharing!!! I have faith in today's youth!!! n/t

[babylonsister]

56. Thank you Charlie and Shane,

and cherokeeprogressive, for sharing this. I would like to share; is that okay? I approve your message!!

[JDPriestly]

58. K&R. Campaigning for Bernie in Southern California is one of the easiest things I've ever done.

You walk up to somebody with a brochure and a pin and a tee-shirt on you and they beam and tell you they are for Bernie! Piece of cake!

[A HERETIC I AM]

59. Must be the cold mountain air that got to them.

Stay thirsty, my friend.

[cherokeeprogressive]

60. Drive safe, Wheel Man.

[vkkv]

63. This is what I'm hearing from the kids of CONSERVATIVES I know!!

Tea Party Patriot PARENTS are listening to the Bernie-fan kids!!

Well... of the one TeePee family that I actually know... but MULTIPLY that!

[neeksgeek]

65. I see Bernie bumper stickers everywhere in Charlotte

I had been keeping track. I've seen two for Hillary, one for Ben Carson, two for Trump, and so many for Bernie that I stopped counting! I see one or two every time I go out, and I live in the Southpark/Sharon Road area.

Most of my students (I teach college) are very much in Bernie's camp!

[marble falls]

71. And so do I! Why not? Its the simple truth. I'm voting with the "young people"!

[hfojvt]

76. sorry, but that is kind of a silly anecdote

The endorsements obviously matter because they are

the endorsements of

newspapers that lots of people DO read
politicians who DO represent a lot of people
labor unions that lots of people belong to (or respect or support)

They don't have to matter to everybody in order to matter.

But in this respect. I, myself, ran for Congress. My first hurdle was the primary election. In that primary campaign, I tried to get the former Congresswoman (Democrat) to endorse me. After all, I had volunteered for HER campaign in 2004, 2006, and 2008. IF I had gotten that endorsement, I would have shouted that news far and wide. It would have been a trump card in the primary.

I lost that primary, but the one thing that really drove home to me was - the ignorance of the voters. Not trying to be insulting, but just stating facts. MOST of the voters, even in a Democratic Primary, did not know all that much about any of the candidates.

For one example, I advertised all week in the Topeka paper, but there were STILL 500 people who did not vote for ANY candidate in my race. They knew so little about any of us, that they honestly admitted they could not decide.

The race basically broke down geographically. Why did I win the county just to the north of where I lived? Because they knew me there? Nope. Because I campaigned there? I doubt it. No, because the ballot told them "he lives only 30 miles from me" and of my opponent "she lives 200 miles from me" and THAT was how it seems that most primary voters decided.

Many people do more work for Presidential elections. There are debates to watch. TV ads to see, and articles to read, but still, if there is a Congressperson or other elected official that you have supported, and that you like or respect and they endorse. Yeah, that can influence some voters.

[EriktheRedder]

77. I am 49 years old

and my oldest daughter is 17 turning 18 years old soon. We both cannot wait to vote for Bernie!

[Roland99]

79. Now they just need to vote

[cherokeeprogressive]

80. My Son and Shane were on their way out the door when I read this out loud.

Charlie says tell you not to worry; he'll rent a bus to get Bernie supporters to the polls if he has to (then he laughed and asked if I'd pay for it).

[Roland99]

84. +a gazillion!

[WestSeattle2]

81. Clinton's = 1990's, Sanders = 2016. The country has moved on; the Clinton's have not. It's harder

today for presidential candidates pretending to be someone/something they're not, to successfully pull off their charades. Two out of our three candidates are authentic; I hope Sanders chooses O'Malley as his running mate.