My niece just "discovered" Bernie Sanders

[Siwsan]

She caught his interview on NPR Fresh Air, about half way through, and was very impressed by what she heard, but she hadn't caught his name. Instead of waiting, she got a hold of me because she probably figured I was listening. From what I'm hearing her say, Bernie has a new super-fan.

Much like me (her political mentor) she's open minded enough to listen to all of the candidates and will fully support the party choice because the alternative is horrifying. I'm just pretty thrilled that she's taking such an early interest.

[think]

1. It's pretty cool that all she had to do is hear part of Bernie's interview to understand

that he's a candidate worthy of consideration.

That's what's great about Bernie Sanders. He doesn't dance around issues. He tackles the issues and speaks about them in a way that makes sense.

[Siwsan]

3. That's exactly her point, and why she was so excited

It does my heart good because I had to steer her away from the influence of a VERY conservative political science instructor who steered her into being a Bush supporter, in 2004. That was her first time voting. No matter what I said, she blew it off. Then her friends started coming back from Iraq with terrible PTSD. And, for the first time, she was directly affected by the economy. Within a very short time, she was very interested in hearing my take on issues and getting my advice. By 2008 she was a devoted Obama supporter.

[INdemo]

11. the corporate media wont mention his crowds that he is drawing.

I think they think he will fade eventually but when he wins the Iowa Caucus will they still declare Hillary the winner ?Then NH.. will they realize he is a serious candidate?

I didn't realize that as far as the MSM goes to them there is no difference in the two parties because they give Hillary one hell of a lot of glory. They just want to stir things up and make more ad revenue and that is all they care about.

With Bernie I think they are actually afraid of him because he is correct about all the issues he is talking about and that scares the hell out of them

[Left coast liberal]

2. It takes a village...

My daughter will vote for the first time in this election. She, as well, is impressed with Bernie. We were both hoping for Warren but alas...

Good for you, sharing your activism and interest with your niece.

I have faith in their generation.

[rurallib]

4. My kids have gone nuts over Bernie

They have been so cynical (understandable). They heard Bernie once and they were on board.

[Nay]

5. My son as well. Lots of his friends are Bernie supporters, too. nt

[ChisolmTrailDem]

6. Feel the Bern!

[Kalidurga]

7. He reminds me of this guy

and soon he will be everywhere.

[cui bono]

15. But Bernie has more hair.

[Kalidurga]

16. yes he does

sometimes I get him and Einstein mixed up.

[frylock]

23. Love your sig!

I used that term the other day in a thread about Bernie's middle name!

[zeemike]

8. Well young people better take an interest.

It is their future that is at stake.
And we now have a chance to make it better for them...but rejecting the old tired political class and embrace the new old...the FDR one.

[Snotcicles]

9. Youth! the stuff hope is made of. nt

[Unknown Beatle]

10. My niece is the opposite.

When she was in middle school I tried to instill in her a sense of fairness and truth. I tried to tell her the difference between democratic and republican ideology. I really thought that she listened and learned.

After she graduated from high school, she told us (my family) that she was going to forgo college and join the Air Force. After about a year in the AF, she transformed into a hate-spewing bigoted right wing nut. I tried talking to her and she wouldn't listen, she completely closed off her mind to anything but Rush Lamebrain, Glenn Blech, and Faux Noose. I was shocked.

She married to a career air force like-minded bigot. Both of them have closed off their minds to anything but lies. After her four year stint, she left the AF and is now just a civilian married to a career military man.

I'm really heart broken. My sister was divorced right after the birth of my niece and I was very involved in her upbringing.

My niece is 34 years old now and lives in San Antonio, the fourth place she's lived because the military life takes them where her husband is needed.

Oh well, c'est la vie.

[sabrina 1]

12. That's great news. Just read some of the comments following Bernie's interview on the Diane Rehm

Show. One of them sounded like your niece, hadn't heard of Bernie before the show, is now a supporter:

nenette • 6 hours ago
I had never heard of Bernie Sanders prior to this show. I was pleasantly surprised by his candid answers and position about many social and financial issues that this country is currently facing. I am switching from Hillary to Bernie. He definitely has my vote. There is a lot of work ahead but I believe that citizens of this country will make the right choice.
Please keep up the great work and wish your success.
30 • Reply•Share ›

[hifiguy]

13. He speaks in plain English, not politicalese

and makes straightforward, understandable points that ring true on a common sense level.

That has a strong appeal to newcomers to politics and the disaffected. And a lot of us older-timers, too.

[Triana]

14. As did my Mom recently.

I had been telling her about Sanders for a couple years. She saw him on The Ed Show or Rachel (can't remember which) and was very impressed with him. She likes Hillary but she likes Sanders better.

[zentrum]

17. Tell her she..

..needs to also get out and vote for progressives in every election—not just for the President.

Otherwise, she'll have her political heart broken when Bernie can't ride in and do every FDR thing he would do if he didn't have a savage party in the opposition.

She needs to vote in all elections and bring her friends.

[Siwsan]

19. She lives in Florida, so working and voting for progressives is VERY important

She has just started a good job, is in a wonderful relationship, and is now fully invested in being a responsible citizen. And I am going to continue to mentor her.

[zentrum]

18. Excellent mentoring, Siwsan!

Meant to add that.

[L0oniX]

20. K & R

[Jesus Malverde]

21. He's honest compared to the next candidate.

[brer cat]

22. I am glad to hear this, Siwsan.

Our younger voters need to feel excitement about dem candidates if they are going to participate and vote. I had the good fortune to come of age when the Kennedys were center stage, and they were very exciting and motivating.

[raouldukelives]

24. I am so happy to hear about people catching the Bernie bug.

Conservatives, liberals, doesn't seem to matter. He is a straight shooter. A full frontal blast of honest democracy.
It is the only thing that can save the lives of so many yet born, it is the only way to confront the problems we have been ignoring for so long to the dismay and horror of so many alive.

[mother earth]

25. As more and more people "discover" Bernie, the bern will be unstoppable. They just don't know there

is someone out there looking out for our interests, once they do, all hands will be on board. Feel the bern!