He is just a man. But he's a man who consistently represents the Left in a way we haven't seen in thirty years. I think we can be excused for getting excited about that, even if we don't expect him to win.
There's nothing wrong with a little enthusiasm. Obama definitely used his campaign and the media to create a cult of personality during the 2008 election. Nothing against Sanders, but I don't see him having the charisma to inspire the same. Everyone I know who supports Sanders does so for his positions on the issues. I think the main reason for his success is that the left has been marginalized and ignored since Dukakis lost to Bush in 88. It's nice to have someone at the fore representing your interests.
The trouble is Obama's rhetoric during the campaign and his inauguration hasn't translated into action. I watched the 2008 inauguration in an American book store in Prague. The atmosphere of hope was amazing. I know he's been obstructed throughout by the GOP, but more was expected of him given the rhetoric.
That's a piece of Bernie's rhetoric that sits very well with me: he always mentions when he speaks that an election won't change anything. Him getting elected (or not) to the Presidency, by itself, changes nothing. Change can only come through a grassroots political movement that includes all demographics of Americans standing up to billionaires and corporations and saying "We want our government back!"
It's a very inclusive message, and judging by the bar that he just packed in the pouring rain with hundreds of thousands of other people watching the same message in similar gatherings in every state in America, I'd say it's being well received!
I don't think being excited about a candidate who hasn't been bought and sold by corporate interests is the same as declaring him a 'messiah'. People are excited about Bernie because he has strong ideas, a voting record that backs them up, and he's not afraid to piss off America's corporate overlords. It's refreshing to see honesty and passion from a political candidate.
He is very clear on his ideals, and those ideals are resonating with many, many people. I wish there were more people like him in government. I'm not on board with all of his ideas, but a lot I am.
Let's not make him out to be a messiah. He's still just a man.
He is just a man. But he's a man who consistently represents the Left in a way we haven't seen in thirty years. I think we can be excused for getting excited about that, even if we don't expect him to win.
There's nothing wrong with a little enthusiasm. Obama definitely used his campaign and the media to create a cult of personality during the 2008 election. Nothing against Sanders, but I don't see him having the charisma to inspire the same. Everyone I know who supports Sanders does so for his positions on the issues. I think the main reason for his success is that the left has been marginalized and ignored since Dukakis lost to Bush in 88. It's nice to have someone at the fore representing your interests.
The trouble is Obama's rhetoric during the campaign and his inauguration hasn't translated into action. I watched the 2008 inauguration in an American book store in Prague. The atmosphere of hope was amazing. I know he's been obstructed throughout by the GOP, but more was expected of him given the rhetoric.
That's a piece of Bernie's rhetoric that sits very well with me: he always mentions when he speaks that an election won't change anything. Him getting elected (or not) to the Presidency, by itself, changes nothing. Change can only come through a grassroots political movement that includes all demographics of Americans standing up to billionaires and corporations and saying "We want our government back!"
It's a very inclusive message, and judging by the bar that he just packed in the pouring rain with hundreds of thousands of other people watching the same message in similar gatherings in every state in America, I'd say it's being well received!
I don't think being excited about a candidate who hasn't been bought and sold by corporate interests is the same as declaring him a 'messiah'. People are excited about Bernie because he has strong ideas, a voting record that backs them up, and he's not afraid to piss off America's corporate overlords. It's refreshing to see honesty and passion from a political candidate.
He is very clear on his ideals, and those ideals are resonating with many, many people. I wish there were more people like him in government. I'm not on board with all of his ideas, but a lot I am.