Sunday with Bernie...

I confess - first time in my life I've been to Mt. Mansfield Union High School in Jericho. "Breakfast with Bernie" as in U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. More than 100 people turned out. Doors opened at 10 AM, Sanders started off at 10:30, introduced by Democratic State Sen. Jim Condos. 

Sometimes, Ol' Bernardo told the mostly baby-boomer crowd, "My wife tells me, 'You’re always preaching doom and gloom,'" getting folks "thoroughly depressed." But he insisted, "I really am optimistic in a lot of ways."

The American people, said Sanders, "are catching on. They want change. And I think they are prepared for significant change."

All the pundits agree, said Vermont's junior senator, the Democrats will pick up seats in Congress in November's election.

In the Senate, the key number is 60. Sanders, Lieberman and the Ds have 51. They need 60 to end debate and win on contentious legislation. Will they get 60?

Probably not. Will they go to 58 or 57?

Maybe.

In the House, everybody thinks the Democrats will gain more seats there as well.

In terms of the presidential election, what worries me is that, while Bush people understand how bad Bush is, I fear that you have somebody like [John] McCain whose politics are not radically different, but comes across as a nicer guy, and people will vote for him.

I think at the end of the day the Democratic candidate will probably win, but if you think that’s just a slam dunk, you’re wrong. It’ll take a lot of work.

Ol' Bernardo pointed to this evidence of how the winds have changed in Washington:

You’ll all be shocked to know, where is the business community now making their contributions?

To the Democrats!

Because the business community understands that the future in the House and Senate is certainly with the Democrats.They’re contributing more money now to the Democratic Party than the Republican Party.

Well, c'mon, Ol' Bernardo, no one ever said they were stupid, eh?