BERNIE PACKS 'EM IN – AT 8:09 A.M. ET:  Bernie Sanders had a great night last night, especially for a socialist.  Unfortunately, it occurred in Portland.  For a socialist to have a great night in Portland is about as surprising as a Republican getting a hearty welcome in Nebraska.

But, as WaPo reported, Bernie did pack them in:

Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders, who has been drawing eye-poppingly large crowds on the campaign trail, on Sunday night attracted his largest audience yet: about 28,000 people in Portland, Ore., according to his campaign.

Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont who has emerged as the leading alternative to Hillary Rodham Clinton for the Democratic nomination, appeared at a Portland arena with a capacity close to 20,000, aides said. An additional 8,000 people gathered in overflow areas set up for the event, aides said, citing numbers provided by officials from the venue.

“Whoa! Unbelievable!” Sanders said as he took stage at the Moda Center arena, where the NBA’s Portland Trail Blazers play.

COMMENT:  I suspect that these Sanders rallies are more anti-Hillary than pro-Bernie.  Hillary is just not terribly popular in her own party.  Have you sensed any yearning for Hillary, a "wanting" of Hillary?  Every day brings more bad Hillary news.  She may take the oath of office in the prison cafeteria.

The question is whether Bernie can go the distance.  It's unlikely, but there have been miracles in politics.  Joe Biden is in the wings.  However, it's been pointed out that Joe ran for president twice before, with disastrous results, and has a history of gaffes. 

The race for the nomination on the Democratic side may become as exciting as the one on the Republican side.  Even Donald Trump may be tempted to jump in.

August 9, 2015