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2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumBernie's POLITICAL REVOLUTION is here.
I've worked on a lot of Democratic campaigns. But since in the past few weeks, working with the wonderful Bernie campaign that is just getting started in Los Angeles, I am learning what Bernie means by POLITICAL REVOLUTION. I am stunned.
When Bernie first started talking about the POLITICAL REVOLUTION, I kind of had a vague idea about what he meant, and I have to admit, I wasn't entirely comfortable with that language. It sounded a bit threatening, brought images of Bolsheviks brandishing sabers to my mind. But I liked what Bernie was saying, so I ignored my apprehension.
But now I get it. Now that I have seen the POLITICAL REVOLUTION in action, now that I know what the POLITICAL REVOLUTION is, what those words mean . . .
I am thrilled to see that POLITICAL REVOLUTION in action.
Let me tell you: It's a new day in Democratic politics.
I've seen enthusiasm for candidates. I've sat through organizing meetings. I've seen well organized, nearly professional volunteers -- the political science and journalism majors and the union activists working hard. And I'm not slamming them. They are the leaders in the POLITICAL REVOLUTION.
But this Bernie campaign, this is different.
I have never, ever seen a campaign this organized, marked by constant awareness of the human values motivating it. I have never seen a campaign so solid, so keen on reaching voters, so filled with spirit as this one.
I have never, ever seen a campaign, especially at this stage, in which every single volunteer can explain the major issues and where the candidate stands on each major and differentiating issue to the extent I am seeing it in this one.
I remember my frustration watching young volunteers stumble and stutter when asked about Kerry's stances on the issues in 2004. It was sad, and maybe one of the reasons that Kerry lost. They were also political science major types, and they understood campaign finance law and how to register voters. But they did not know the issues. They really did not seem to care so much about what the candidate stood for. And of course it was always the stances on the issues that mattered most to me -- the morality of it -- not just the winning of it.
This year, in the Bernie campaign, all that is way, way irrelevant.
Every Bernie supporter I have met in the campaign thus far, young or old, can clearly explain to you where Bernie stands on maybe not all but a very significant number of the issues -- the ones that matter most to that volunteer. I am overwhelmed by this development alone.
But there is more. So many of the volunteers have no experience in politics, none at all. They never volunteered before. They are learning.
I feel a little jaded. I first canvassed for McGovern in 1972. To watch a woman maybe 20 or 30 years younger than I am, speak, for the first time, from her heart, to a stranger about the political direction she wants America to take is moving to me.
These newcomers bind with other newcomers in a very moving way.
This is the political revolution that Bernie is talking about. It's a huge shift from all the gossip about personalities, money and endorsements (which I never understood anyway). It's about issues and forming the kind of society we want to have. It's about working together and caring for each other.
I am so thrilled and moved by this development.
Bernie is the new direction. The POLITICAL REVOLUTION is really working.
Hillary is the last gasp of the oligarchs that have been running the Democratic Party for a generation and a half.
Bernie and those of us who support him are the future of the Democratic Party no matter what the outcome is of this 2016 election.
Feel the Bern!
Because the POLITICAL REVOLUTION is here.
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Bernie's POLITICAL REVOLUTION is here. (Original Post)
JDPriestly
Apr 2016
OP
JudyM
(29,265 posts)1. Good to hear! Are you canvassing in LA?
JDPriestly
(57,936 posts)2. Yes! And having a great time at it.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)3. We will fight to the convention and beyond. nm