Bernie's Revolution
Bernie is the most liberal candidate to be taken seriously in American politics since George McGovern. Moreover, even more than McGovern,who had to face the powerful Nixon machine at the height of its power, Bernie has a real chance to be President, as he faces a potentially deeply flawed GOP candidate. But Bernie's revolution is at least as important as the man himself. There is a great need to reinvigorate the left and rehabilitate true liberal policies in a mainstream pulled so much rightward by Reagan and those that followed him (in both parties). Getting people talking about true liberal ideas again is a start, but it is just a start. Bernie's ideas need to be echoed far and wide, until they reach the mainstream. Having Bernie as President would be a great way to have at least a spokesman for these ideas, but there needs to be a way to extend his "revolution," so that the ideas themselves take on a life of their own, regardless of his fate in this election.
Of course, a Reagan-like win for Bernie would be the most likely way to influence Americans. That is the model. And remember that although Reagan was hardly able to accomplish much of his conservative platform during his two terms due to congressional opposition, his influence continues to this day. My question is what other realistic paths are there to pursue in parallel to seize the momentum for progressive, liberal ideas now that the opportunity presents itself? One answer: more liberal candidates pursuing office, in the Sanders' mold? Perhaps that is the way, starting at the local level, who echo and develop Bernie's ideas. Perhaps some DUers and friends would consider running at the local level in this potentially very permissive environment, ripe for change.