How Bernie Sanders just electrified Iowa

[NorthCarolina]

At an under-the-radar town hall in Des Moines, Sanders had the crowd begging for more. Here's why it matters

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.

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

and for those who keep insisting Sanders has absolutely no chance of winning:

Sanders pushed the question with each of them. Is there support out there for a progressive candidate? One man said, “I think people are ready for a champion…if you are a champion for our issues, people will follow you.” One woman had driven four hours to see Sanders, and assured him the support is there. One by one all agreed that they would support a progressive candidate.

The thing that frightens our bought political parties the most is a populist uprising. I think Bernie can fuel one. He's got my support and my vote. How about you?