Just finished listening to Bernie speak in Iowa City.
As usual, I found myself listening again to his words that I thought I had heard often enough to drain all their meaning and once again I found I was wrong about that, and listened to the end.
What I also found fascinating was watching Bernie deal with the energy of the crowd.
The energy was very high and very strong — Bernie just took it in and brought it to a serious level faster than I could have imagined. To me, that is the sign of a great teacher, not to mention a great politician.
Seriously, you’re yelling and shouting and waving signs, thousands of you, and Bernie, without missing a beat, begins his speech talking about what he feels serious about. And the room quiets down.
He knows how to use that energy. It’s not for him — like any good teacher, he transforms the energy and gives it back out in a form that doesn’t bury the spirit, but feeds it.
He spoke about young people and how the pundits say they won’t come out to vote, and then gave a funny line asking the audience if they wanted to make the pundits look dumb (not a high bar, lol). But then immediately he segued into why young people should vote, saying this election would impact their lives far more than his.
He talked about young people who allow the system to make their decisions for them. He said that was “dumb!”
He spoke inclusively, saying young people’s voices should be heard and that politics was not, as football is, a spectator sport. And the crowd roared.
It is not hyperbole to say Bernie is a once in a lifetime candidate.
I’ve said it many times and will say it again now — I feel that Bernie’s campaign is a gift to the people of this country and I benefit from it, as a citizen, every day.