For a long time I have posted on DU without much political input.

[Tobin S.]

I know that sounds strange here on a political message board, but I've posted mainly in social forums most of the time. I know I am among like-minded people and I just like to come here and blow off steam and goof off for the most part. I find this place entertaining and relaxing. You can probably tell that I don't get into too many flame wars.

But I am really excited about Sanders running for president. It caught me by surprise, actually. I didn't know he was seriously considering a run at it. Yes, I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the news.

So I changed my avatar to something political for the first time. I also donated to Bernie's campaign. It was only $50, but I am doing what I can right now. I hope to help out more in the future.

I feel really hopeful right now. Sanders truly speaks to and for me on the national level.

[monmouth4]

1. Good for you Tobin,he speaks for many of us...n/t

[Snotcicles]

4. He speaks for 99% of us, but sadly only about half of that 99% know it. nt

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

13. It's a damn shame, isn't it? The RW propaganda campaign has been very, very

successful. Turns out whathisname was right--tell a really big lie and everyone will believe it. A lot of people can't fathom anyone could be such shameless liars.

[BrotherIvan]

27. Good point

I think if he gets momentum, the others who are afraid "he can't win" will get on board. That meme has to go. But it's sometimes hard for people to look up from the hamster wheel.

[Snotcicles]

29. +1. I'll try to get the message to them without making them look up. If thats what it takes. nt

[A HERETIC I AM]

33. You still hauling cars, you old fart?

I'm not far from our old yard....and pass by it 6 times a week, for the time being.

Hope you're well and happy.

[Snotcicles]

36. Hey man, No I hung up my tie-down bar in 2012. I'm a CDL instructor now.

Getting ready to go visit my sister in Wyoming. Hope your well and happy yourself.

[stage left]

2. I agree

Bernie speaks for me. I would love to have him in the White House and a few more like him in the Senate.

[marym625]

3. Yay you!

That's ten times what I gave. Which I can't afford. But I had to

[Tobin S.]

5. Knowing Bernie

I bet that he appreciates what working folks have to give just as much as the larger donors. He knows that money means more to you than someone who has more than enough. Thanks for supporting Bernie.

[marym625]

6. Thanks! n/t

[smokey nj]

20. After Citizen's United, I joked that maybe the we could all chip in to buy a Senator. I figured we

could manage to get at least one if s/he was from a small state - one that falls outside the major media markets. Now that Bernie's in the race, that doesn't seem so jokey anymore. He's running for us!!!

[SamKnause]

7. That is wonderful news Tobin S.

Welcome aboard.

I don't think Bernie will disappoint you !!!!!!!!!!!

You Tube is filled with clips of him.

He is a pit bull for the people.

His message has been the same for 30 some years.

He is consistent to a fault.

[Tobin S.]

8. The people need a guy like Bernie right now.

The biggest problem we have in America is that a large portion of the working people here don't understand where their interests lie and they actually vote for candidates who secretly despise them. I'm hoping that Bernie can wake those people up and make them realize that Republicans in particular do not have their best interests at heart.

[SamKnause]

9. I agree.

[BrotherIvan]

28. The sad part is they now openly despise them

And people STILL vote for them.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

34. I'm feeling excited over him too.

We need him. and more. Maybe with growing public support, he'll overcome the Reich wing noise machine.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

10. Glad to see you on board, my dear Tobin!

His message resonates with me and my husband as well.

[Tobin S.]

11. Hot damn!

Well, if Peggy says it's so it must be so.

My wife is a big fan of the Clintons, so there's a little tension in the Tobin household right now. However, we will both definitely vote for the Democratic nominee, whoever that turns out to be.

[salimbag]

12. I think a lot of us are in the same boat

I have enjoyed this site for years, very few posts. Now I am excited, and made my first donation to Bernie. Buckle up, this is going to be a fun ride!

[JDPriestly]

14. K&R.

[panader0]

15. Damn it Tobin, you out-donated me.

I'll kick in more when I can. Go Bernie.

[mnhtnbb]

16. I am SO happy to see Bernie in the race.

I'm not at the willing to donate level yet, but I'm inching towards it.

Good for you, Tobin!

[smokey nj]

17. Welcome!!!!

[chknltl]

18. As a regular listener to Thom Hartmann's "Brunch With Bernie"...

... I was getting pretty excited early on. I may be wrong here but if you asked me I would have to say that the number one topic caller's in to that show had was a plea for him to run for President. Sen. Sanders kept us fairly well informed along the way. He never once dashed our hopes but he kept things very real. Bernie understood what he would be up against and he said from the get-go that if he were to run it would not be a symbolic gesture designed to pull Hillary to the left. Bernie investigated carefully his chances for pulling support from a groundswell movement, from ordinary citizens sick of voting for candidates who primarily represented the upper 1%'s needs. Apparently the good Senator thinks he can win this. Looking at the recent DU Poll, http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=6592890 it appears that he didn't have to work very hard to win us over.

[Tobin S.]

21. That's an amazing poll.

I knew Bernie was well liked here, but that's pretty amazing.

[chknltl]

22. Yep. Bookmark it and refer to it....

...when corporatists tell you that Bernie can't win over the voters who are paying attention.

[Enthusiast]

32. These are real Democrats, not sock puppet lying fucks!

We want Bernie because we have seen the alternative!

I have no doubt that Bernie can beat Hillary.

In the event that Bernie would lose I wouldn't want to vote for a candidate that defeated Bernie Sanders anyway.

[awoke_in_2003]

19. Welcome aboard...

hopefully next paycheck I will be able to donate, too. I have never donated to a presidential candidate (because most get all their money from Big Money)

[secondwind]

23. I hear you, Tobin S.! I donated $50 today also... and $35 two days ago... Go Bernie!

[kentuck]

24. America may decide it is time for a change?

A big change.

[roody]

25. I haven't participated in a Democratic primary since ?

I am re-registering Democrat for Bernie.

[Live and Learn]

26. Sanders raises $1.5M after announcing presidential bid

Associated Press By KEN THOMAS
May 1, 2015 3:44 PM

WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says he has raised $1.5 million online in the first day since launching his Democratic presidential campaign.

The independent senator says he has received contributions from 35,000 donors, and more than 100,000 people have signed up on his website.

http://news.yahoo.com/sanders-raises-1-5m-announcing-presidential-bid-194439911--election.html;_ylt=AwrTccQtRUVVzXUA4JsnnIlQ



And that doesn't even include my donation since I made it on day 2.

[PatrickforO]

30. He speaks for all of us, Tobin.

Good for you. I've donated also.

[Enthusiast]

31. The media will unite against Bernie. We are already watching it materialize before our eyes.

This could ultimately work in Bernie's Favor because the American people have a huge disrespect for the media. We are sick to death of their lies.

[True Blue American]

35. First Post

I am so happy to see a real Patriot running I decided to join DU rather than just read the posts.

[L0oniX]

38. Welcome

[sabrina 1]

40. Welcome to DU!

[L0oniX]

37. K & R

[Stryder]

39. I'm in

Donated last night. $20 a month for a year.
I think his donations are going to tick up quite a bit as the news
sinks in. ( Though 1.5 mil. isn't a bad start at all.)
Took me a couple of days to wrap my mind around a candidate I
can get solidly behind. I'd love to breathe through my nose in the voting booth
for a change.

[ConservativeDemocrat]

41. I have no problem with Bernie

And I have no problem with him getting his ideas out there. And hell, even though I'm not voting for him in the primary, if he actually wins the nomination, I'll be voting and working for him in the general.

But yours is, unfortunately, one of the few pure-positive OPs on the discussion board. Most of what I read is excuses to bash mainstream Democrats.

So, good luck to you. May the best candidate win, and may the best ideas of all the Democratic candidates win.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Tobin S.]

42. You won't find me talking bad about other Democratic candidates.

I like Hillary. I just like Bernie better.