During the 2016 campaign, it was as if Bernie Sanders came out of nowhere. Really he had just been working tirelessly from behind the scenes, and finally found popularity when the internet could talk over the corporate media blackout. You gradually found out about everything he stood for and felt the Bern. This was not a slow sinking obsession — admit that it overtook you at once. I'm not going to get into whether or not it’s truly over for Bernie, and whether or not his victory is only the case if he's in the White House. That's for another article, perhaps. I will say that no matter what, he's changed American politics. He's ignited a passion in a generation that is now going to be paying close attention, and filling smaller offices with Bernie-worthy candidates. That is worth celebrating. Here are 20 beautiful moments in the Sanders campaign, and in Bernie's lifelong career. I'm sure we're going to be seeing a few more. #FeeltheBern
1. Birdie Sanders.
2. When he didn’t concede to the rude ambush journalism from The O’Reilly Factor.
Jesse Watters of Fox News treated him like a joke, and he was like, how about nope.
3. Did you hear his response for gay people in the military?
"You said something about 'homos in the military.' Was the gentlemen referring to the many thousands and thousands of gay people who have put theirs lives on the line in countless wars, defending this country?" It was pretty badass, and uncommon in its time.
4. When asked the debate question if he were against fracking and he said after Hillary, “My answer is a lot simpler: No.”
I liked Bernie before I saw that, but that is the moment my love and time commitment skyrocketed.
5. When he put on sunglasses for Larry Wilmore after the latter mentioned “Weekend at Bernie’s.”
6. When he spoke to an empty room in 1991.
Who are you when no one is watching?
7. When he said, “If you want to get tough on crime, let's deal with the causes of crime."
"Let's demand that every man, woman, and child in this country have a decent opportunity and a decent standard of living. Let's not keep putting poor people into jail and disproportionately punishing blacks.” The 1990s, so again, way before the times.
8. When he surprised everyone on Stephen Colbert’s “Wheel of News” segment.
9. The fact that he directed an SNL skit about himself.
10. Every moment he’s ever laughed ever.
Look at his joyful face!
11. When Danny DeVito endorsed and introduced him.
Every second of this video is my favorite second.
12. When he said regarding global warming, “we have a moral responsibility for our children and grandchildren."
"So that 30 years from now they do not look us in the eye and they say, 'Hey, all the scientists told you what was going on. Why didn’t you do something?' Well, we have got to do something?" That was June 2014. I was nervous that that quote was from thirty years ago, and it meant the end. And really, we have got to do something!
13. Let’s not forget about his standing ovation after the Brooklyn debate.
And the chanting of “Bernie.”
14. You’ve seen this picture a thousand times, but…
Look at what amazing things this candidate stood for in the ’60s.
15. Also this:
So much Bern.
16. When he said “Excuse me, Madame Secretary, I’m talking,” when he was interrupted during a debate.
Everyone was so outraged, and saying he was sexist, and rude and it’s like, umm, have you seen a republican debate?
17. The moment this picture was taken.
18. And then there’s this:
The picture I show people when they say I act like I have a crush on Bernie.
19. When Katie Couric asked if he was interested in being Hillary’s vice president.
I am interested Bernie. Pick me.
20. That one song he sang the intro to, and all the late night talk shows whipped out on the same week.
Was this really a political ad? I thought that was a really good idea. Who could argue with it? This song is much more than an endearing example of Bernie's Brooklyn accent. It attests that he truly believes in everything he's been saying, year after year.
