The crowd awaiting Bernie's arrival for his announcement is huge. I'm so glad he is finally

[karynnj]

116. This was a thread explaining a campaign announcement

Many people wanted to hear what was said, the crowd reaction etc. Until you interjected partisan politics, there was none.

In fact, this was a moment of joy both for people who are supporting Bernie Sanders and for the community of Burlington. Bernie is a very popular former mayor -- who won his first term as an extreme long shot against an incumbent 6 term Democratic mayor. By his last term, he beat a man, who had both the Democratic and Republican lines -- by a land slide.

Many people spoke of what he did as mayor of Burlington -- and it is clear that he has a very significant legacy --- and he changed the culture of the town to make it even better than it was. The people's park that we were congregating in existed because he and others argued that the waterfront should not be sold. This was an important fight and I can't really imagine Burlington without TWO very large public parks (Battery Park and Lakefront park) with fantastic lake views. - Battery park is right next to lakeside park, but as the land makes a steep climb, from Battery Park, you see the Lake unless you go to the edge and look down. Had high rises been built where Lakefront park is, Battery Park could have lost its view as well.

As to the crowd, there were people of all ages - including a healthy portion of long term residents of Burlington, who lived through the time he was mayor. There were also many college age people - even though the 3 colleges are long past the end of spring semester.
The atmosphere was friendly - like everything I have ever gone to here is. Things like an older couple getting two Ben and Jerry's to offer to a mom there with two young kids and a baby -- that absolutely made the kids' day were typical.

You should consider that this was a party -- that some attended in person and many remotely. Everyone was invited, but no one was forced to go. Do you go to party's and try to criticize others pleasure because it is not your prefered thing?

Consider that Hillary Clinton will have her announcement. She will pick the time and place and I have no intention of criticising the place -- though she will have to look pretty hard to find a nicer place than Burlington. In addition, she will have to look pretty hard to find a place where her personal actions contributed as much to what it is as Bernie did for Burlington.

Now, the reality is the party and the media are heavily behind HRC. It will be hard for anyone to be a serious challenge to her. That said, Bernie's speech recalls pure Rockwell American values. I suspect that if Bernie really does what he says with town halls and going door to door in Iowa, NH and then other states, there is a chance that his message AND HIM AS THE MESSENGER could resonate. If it does, it will be a major triumph of democracy over money.

Before I went, I liked Bernie and I have not especially liked the Clintons for years, but I was resigned to HRC being the candidate. It may be the glow of a beautiful late afternoon/ early evening, but I am now excited in what Bernie could mean the country.