Can Bernie win? My take.

On May 5 my son, Jeff, and I attended Bernie Sander's first event after announcing he was running for President. It was at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 26, union hall in Lanham, Maryland. About 60 people showed up as a thunderstorm raged outside. Bernie was late but was greeted with enthusiasm when he arrived. He spoke for about half an hour, with the enthusiasm and vigor that we've come to expect, and then introduced some local people with interesting stories to make his point.

Anyone attending this initial rally probably would have pegged Bernie as a long-shot candidate. I did. Few could have foreseen that this initial halting performance would presage the amazing string of huge rallies to come.

I've always been a big Bernie Sanders fan but never expected, in today's political atmosphere, he could mount a successful run for PRESIDENT as a scary socialist (I'm a scary socialist too), but every month seems to prove he has a message that resonates with millions. The reason I'm writing is because Sunday's debate performance was the first time I've felt he really has a chance to win.

I have to admit that I am not anti-Hillary. I have tremendous admiration for the way she handled the Benghazi committee. She has matured a lot as a politician since her campaign against Barack Obama in 2008 (I think that fight helped Obama too). As President she would probably govern similarly to Obama, building on what he's accomplished. I can accept that! Still, I believe the country needs a major change, we need someone who is first and foremost an advocate for the poor and working classes and determined to dismantle the oligarchy now running our country.

I hope the debates from here on do not degenerate into anger and name-calling. The worst thing that could happen to us is if large numbers of Democrats stay home because they are angry at the winning candidate.