BERNIE ROMPS – AT 11:31 A.M. ET:  Bernie Sanders had another triumph yesterday, this time in Iowa.  If I were Hillary, I'd be worried.  It's not that Bernie will get the nomination, although it's a long-distance possibility, it's that Hillary arouses so little enthusiasm.  From WaPo: 

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Another day on the presidential campaign trail, another crowd of eye-popping size for Bernie Sanders.

The independent senator from Vermont attracted more than 2,500 people to a convention center here on Friday night as part of his continued quest to lead a "political revolution" and win the Democratic nomination in a field that also includes Hillary Rodham Clinton.

It was by far the largest draw in Iowa, the nation’s first caucus state, by any White House hopeful this cycle — though there were plenty of Sanders fans in the crowd who came across the river from Nebraska.

Still, by any measure, it was impressive gathering and the latest to underscore the strength of the Sanders phenomenon. Earlier this week, 10,000 people showed up in Madison, Wis., to hear Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, decry the "grotesque level" of income inequality in the country and the influence of the "billionaire class" on its politics.

His message was much the same Friday, as Sanders laid out priorities that include guaranteeing family leave and sick time for workers and making health care a national right, as well as fighting climate change and providing public financing for elections.

Among the enthusiastic supporters who turned out was William Pugh, a retired journalist and teacher who lives across the river in Omaha.

"He's the only truth-speaker out there," Pugh, 62, said of Sanders. "He calls the system for what it is. It's broken, it's corrupt, and it's an oligarchy. ... If he's not electable, there's no hope for this country."

COMMENT:  I disagree, of course, with most of what Bernie is saying, but I have to agree that he's a breath of fresh air in the hopelessly deteriorating Democratic Party.  At least the man speaks his mind and has opinions.  He comes off as a kind old uncle who really does care about his country...although his prescriptions hardly have a great track record.

Hillary has yet to fight back against Bernie, but she'd better start.  He is landing body blows that may do serious damage to the queen, even if she wins the nomination.

July 4, 2015