Count me among the leftists who thought Bernie was crazy to run as a Democrat. I was wrong.
Historically, we know realistic malcontents are more comfortable and perhaps better off with an independent run, though seldom successful outside local elections.
That tact has been "problematic."
My best memory of the outsider phenomenon occurred here in Portland, when tavern owner and mayoral candidate Bud Clark knocked off a supposedly unbeatable Frank Ivancie in 1984 and served two terms.
Clark stunned the establishment and ended up on the Johnny Carson Show. Fortunately, he didn't let that go to his head. (I did see him in a national commercial the other day, playing a friendly and spry old waiter.)
I was wrong about Bernie's chances, but my type suffers from the flashbacks of Nader's campaigns in the old days, and Jill Stein's every electoral season.
We didn't "get it" this time concerning Bernie, and essentially misread the citizenry.
Too much is wrong, and people know it. People disagree about what exactly is wrong, but few are napping through the troubles.
Thus Trumpism...and the rise of Bernie.
Many of us didn't think Bernie could touch Queen Hillary. (We're yet uncertain that he can, but things are looking up.)
Never mind that Bernie's politics are half-assed much of the time. Everybody knows that.
Everybody also knows that the bought and sold ideas in America's political store are becoming increasingly tawdry.
The pols always lag behind the people.
Bernie, as weak as he is, understands this.
TS
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