It all started on a Wednesday afternoon in December 2007. I was sitting in my office at the church, and the phone rings. My secretary had gone to lunch, and so it was left upon me to answer the phone which I normally don’t do especially on Wednesday’s cause that’s my study/meditation day. On the other phone was a staffer from the Hillary Clinton campaign. I was not too excited because at the time then Senator Barack Obama was a favorite amongst the community in which I live as their number one choice for a Democratic Candidate for President. The staffer informed me that Senator Clinton wanted to make a visit to our Christmas Sunday Morning Service, and that she would be bringing Former President Clinton with her. I was asked if I’d be interested, and so not seem so eager I said I would think about it, and get back to them, but in all actuality I had already been deciding what suit I would wear that day, LOL. I returned a phone call to the Clinton Campaign Office, and informed them that we would open our doors to the Senator, and Former President. I literally had a week to prepare for this historical event for our church. The shock really didn’t hit me until I received a call that Friday from the United States Secret Service saying that they needed to come do a sweep through of the church. Sunday morning had came. The snow was thick on the ground, but the people still came out expecting to see “The CLINTONS”. The special guests were running behind, and we were trying to stall the service to wait for their arrival. Finally my secretary informed me the motorcade had arrived, and I walked out to greet the couple. After briefly chatting we entered the sanctuary to a thunderous applause, and flashing cameras. I had the privilege of introducing President Bill Clinton, and in my intro I had mentioned a Television show called “I Love New York”, and on one of the episodes one of the male contestants had talked about a tie that he had got from President Clinton. It was a bold move for me, but I expressed that it was Christmas season, and I do love neck ties, and so immediately after my statement, and hint LOL Senator Clinton had nudged her husband to “Take it off”, and give me his tie which I have framed in my office. The President then came, and introduced his wife who pleaded her case about her issues, and campaign, and stressed her importance of people getting out to the Iowa Caucus. After service I had hosted an invitation only reception with Senator Clinton where people could ask her questions, and address their concerns. The day was amazing, and at that point I had decided to give my support to the Senator. Well long story short January 2008 came, and Senator Clinton lost the Iowa Caucus to Senator Obama coming in Third Place. For the next several months I continued to support Hillary as she went on to win many other states. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough to win, and Senator Obama thus became the Democratic Nominee. It haunted me for a long time, but eventually got over it. Earlier this year I heard that then Secretary of Sate Clinton was running I immediately voiced my support for her even before she had announced her candidacy. I had been waiting for this moment to come, and I just automatically knew she couldn’t be beat. The excitement was in the air. On April 8th in New York I was invited to be on the Politics Panel for Rev. Al Sharpton and the National Action Network Convention. Before our panel Senator Bernie Sanders was invited to speak. This was my first time hearing him after I had heard his name on so many occasions. It takes a lot to keep my attention from anyone I sit and listen speak. Bernie had me captivated from his first few lines. I have been a public speaker for twenty years, so I know when someone isn’t confident in their speech. Hearing Bernie talk I was able to tell right away the genuineness in his voice, and that he knew exactly what he was talking about. The fact that he had been involved in Civil Rights many moons ago was encouraging to me because he was doing it at a time when it was really real. I left the Sheraton Hotel in awe that day, and I picked up my phone, and contacted my mentor Charlie Stallworth who is a State Rep representing the 126th district of Bridgport Connecticut, and asked him if he ever heard of Bernie Sanders, and his response was “Who Hasn’t” LOL. I never thought I’d see or hear him again until three weeks later when I turned on the television, and saw him announcing his candidacy for President of the United States. I then realized that Hillary now has competition. I was still stuck on supporting my candidate no matter what. In the months to come the email controversy would sneak it’s ugly head into the public eye, and would hurt the Clinton campaign in a major way. I had met with several staffers in the local office to stay up to date with the campaign, and to offer my services as an advisor. For some reason the excitement was dying down, and the staffers were becoming more and more distant. I am not a boaster, but I am well respected in my community, and across the country, but it seemed like I wasn’t valued much in the campaign as I was in the two campaigns for President Obama. I had been invited to the White House for a Christmas party, I had been asked to give the Invocation at an event that the President spoke at. I felt appreciated, and welcomed, but that wasn’t the case in this present campaign. One of my longtime friends who works closely with the Bernie Sanders asked me to sit down with him, and one of the directors of the regional office, and I agreed. The first question that I was asked was “Why are you supporting Hillary”, and to be honest I couldn’t answer the question. So then I was asked what issues of Hillary do you take interest in, and again I couldn’t answer. At that point I was handed a huge list of Bernie’s issues something that I was never handed by the Clinton Campaign because when I asked to get some of Hillary’s issues I was told “We don’t have anything yet, and we will get back to you with something later. I was also told that they wanted to do a conference call with me once a week to keep me abreast of any new developments in the campaign. That never fell through. I was told after our meeting from my fellow “Bernians” lol to digest the info they gave me, and to check out his website, and watch a video that they had emailed me, and let them know my decision. I did just that. I studied Bernie’s website, and his long list of issues supercedes the four or five issues on Hillary’s website. I called the staff back, and said if you can get me a t shirt, and make me a vocal advisor to the campaign then you have my vote. The question is asked Why did I flip the script. I flipped the script because Bernie is passionate about the small people like me. Bernie’s campaign isn’t funded by Super PAC’s like Hillary, but rather ran by donations from the kind of people who don’t have thousands and thousands of dollars. They are donating from pennies, nickels, and dimes saved up in their piggy bank, they are donating from their little retirement checks, and saving up pop cans, and with that kind of support Bernie is gaining tremendously on Hillary. Can Bernie Win?? Hell yeah he is going to win. Ever since the late 70’s the democratic candidate that won the Iowa Caucus has gone on to become the democratic nomination. As great as Bernie is he can’t win this election by himself. He needs each and every one of us. We’ve got to keep the fire burning in our hearts, and we’ve got to get on the phone, and make call after call after call to get people to support Bernie. Make people see his track record. Get out on your feet, and knock on doors, and make people see that Bernie has been in this thing too long not to bullshit people, but he is here to make a better way for the average joes like myself. Tell them he supports Pay Equity for our beautiful women, tell them he strongly supports Civil Rights for all, tell them he believes in standing up for families, tell them he supports our military & veterans, tell them he supports education for all. Bernie is who we need in the White House, and with your help we can make it happen. I hope you stand with me, and Bernie. Do you feel the Bern? Well Bern BABY Bern!!!!

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