Let’s stop saying that Bernie Sanders can’t win

I’ve watched an interesting phenomena on facebook over the past few months. I’ve observed friends of all political and religious persuasions go public with their support of Bernie Sanders. Some of them have been a surprise (a few life-long Republicans even), others not so much. But I’m seeing people from all walks of life “feeling the Bern.” And I get it. The guy is charismatic. He’s a breath of fresh air. He is the perfect antedote for “politics as usual.” Many of us realize that the greatest hindrance to making our country great is not the convictions of our politicians, but rather the way their convictions are swayed by campaign contributions. Our country’s values are being shaped by those with the money, who shape those in office. Our elected representatives no longer represent us. They represent the people who can fund their re-election. And so, for many, Bernie is a chance for change. And yet . . . for as many people as I’ve heard express support for Bernie, I’ve also heard this: I would love to see Bernie Sanders be president but I’m not going to vote for him because he won’t win. I feel like I hear this sentiment so often that it has almost become a farce, because if this many people feel the same way, he actually COULD win. And the polls are suggesting that very thing. The most recent poll out of Iowa found that he is drawing 49 percent support among likely Democratic voters, compared with Clinton’s 44 percent and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley’s 4 percent.  And in Western Illinois University’s mock election, which has accurately predicted who will win the president every time it has been held, Sanders was the winner. It makes me think that the biggest hindrance to a Bernie Sander’s win is simply the perception that he can’t. So let’s stop saying it. Let’s voice our support with confidence and without caveats, and get this guy in office.