Bernie Sanders is a dark horse who seemingly came out of nowhere, at least for most Americans. For those who know, he’s been around in politics for many decades. He is the independent U.S. Senator from Vermont. He has not been famous like Hillary, but for those just getting to know him, it is important to notice that Bernie has never changed his mind on key issues, changed his story, or backed down when he was standing up for the disenfranchised. As Sanders explained to the Guardian, he had been ahead of his time, but now people are beginning to see his point.

“Sadly enough, I suppose, the world has caught up with what I have been saying for many years. People are now saying, wait a minute, this is absurd, this is unsustainable, this is a rigged economy, and people are now demanding change.”

Looking at Bernie Sanders, it is easy to get the wrong idea. Yes, he is a bit older, but his health is exemplary and his energy very high. But then, he is actually only six years older than Hillary Clinton and five years older than Donald Trump. Watching him in the videos below, he moves fast, and his reflexes are probably better than average. Notice how quickly he reacts when a woman behind him faints.

Now watch as Bernie Sanders steps in front of moving equipment and a huge crowd to protect reporter Andrea Mitchell on YouTube, who is nearly trampled by crowds and camera equipment. You can see what sort of person he is in this video, even more than in his speeches and debates.

Bernie Sanders has had the deck stacked against him from the beginning. The Young Turks report in the video below how poorly he has been received by the mainstream media. They have done everything in their power to marginalize his campaign, but Bernie just won’t go away.

Bernie Sanders has a tremendous following among young voters because his ideas appeal to young idealistic minds. The Occupy movement echoed many of Bernie’s long-standing themes. His ideas are very much 21st-century ideals. He was a man who foresaw the problems of today long before anyone else knew they were going to be such huge problems.

Young Bernie Sanders Supporters cheer as Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-VT) speaks after winning the Vermont primary on Super Tuesday on March 1, 2016 in Essex Junction, Vermont. Thirteen states and one territory are participating in today's Super Tuesday: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, Wyoming and American Samoa. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Bernie Sanders packs in huge crowds when he speaks, and this has been true since the early days of his campaigns. His rallies typically have a turn out of over 20,000 people, which is five times greater than the typical Hillary Clinton crowd. For example, the Washington Post tells us that even back in August, he drew a crowd of 27,500 in Los Angeles. Almost all his rallies are packed houses, and many times, huge overflow crowds are turned away.

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) arrives for a rally on the campus of Michigan State University(Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

When Bernie Sanders wins in a state, he usually wins big, and he has been winning a lot more lately. He has won the last three out of four primaries. Clinton now has 672 delegates, and Sanders has 477. Either candidate needs at least 2,383 to win. Obviously, it is too soon to call the race yet over a difference of 205 delegates.

Bernie Sanders is not far behind Hillary even though many news sites have padded numbers that reflect superdelegates. The numbers above do not count superdelegates, simply because those delegates have not yet voted and will not do so until the Democratic Convention. It is incorrect for anyone to assume that they are committed to one candidate or another at this time. The mainstream media has reported superdelegate numbers, but it is misleading to publish their numbers since they vote last of all, not first. Even if these superdelegates do not change their mind, there are many other delegates to be won in upcoming primaries and caucuses. The race is just getting started.

Bernie Sanders supporters see him as a man with vision and a clear sense of fairness. They believe he stands for something greater than just another ego wanting to be president. Bernie’s stance is summarized on his website very concisely.

“The American people must make a fundamental decision. Do we continue the 40-year decline of our middle class and the growing gap between the very rich and everyone else, or do we fight for a progressive economic agenda that creates jobs, raises wages, protects the environment and provides health care for all? Are we prepared to take on the enormous economic and political power of the billionaire class, or do we continue to slide into economic and political oligarchy?”

Bernie Sanders is setting himself apart as a type of 21st-century David standing before Goliath. He makes bold statements like this all the time, because he is a man with a cause that he sees as bigger than himself. He doesn’t care if the opponent is bigger or stronger, only that he stands for the ideals he believes in and protects Americans. Bernie Sanders was quick to help the fainting woman and reporter Andrea Mitchell. Will he not be just as quick to assist ordinary Americans?

Bernie Sanders is beating the odds and taking on corporate giants because he says he wants to defend disenfranchised Americans.

[Photo by J Pat Carter/Getty Images]