WOW!After a week that started with an Ex-President threatening to commit even more election fraud, and then actually following thru on his threat...and having more ballots uncounted, than the declared victor even received, Berners spent what seemed like an eternity, being told by, oh...the entire world, how Bernie was a dead man whining, and should "Get out now"!Bernie, for his part, responded by taking whatever the President had to offer during a private meeting at the White House, and exiting to deliver a response that every network reported as "Phase 1" of his exit strategy. Now, I kinda sorta saw the same statement Bernie gave. And frankly, I do believe if you play it backwards at 78 RPMs (ask a Boomer, if you don't know)...you can actually here John Lennon saying, "Hillary is dead".I mean, are you really initiating an exit strategy when you check your watch while meeting with the leader of the free world, before politely excusing yourself to go hang out for an hour with 10,000 of your closest friends...at a campaign rally, for the campaign that same president spent the last hour suggesting, was over?I'm not thinking so.But, I confess...come Sunday morning, I was as spooked as people who haven't campaigned for Bernie in 22 states. Why the need for a press conference? Why 5 pm? Why on the lawn of your front yard? All of a sudden, I was back in my very first presidential campaign, and Daniel Patrick Moynihan was calling the entire staff and telling us to report to the Well of the Senate at 6 AM, because "the Candidate," Bob Kerry. had "an important statement to make".He was quitting.So... this morning, I called the person who texted me at 3 am, last night, and told me that we were "full speed ahead"...just to make sure that our cars were pointing in the same direction. And, even though I have done nothing but watch Bernie get madder and madder, and angrier and angrier, pretty much since the Nevada State Convention...the ghost of Bob Kerry actually had me trying to find out if Burlington, Vermont had any unemployed Teamsters who could pay the Candidate "a little visit" a few minutes before five.Then, I heard Bernie speak, though not without a minor "bandwith issue" that put me on about a 17 minute delay (Boomers, ask the grand kids).By the time I actually heard the announcement, I already had 27 emails, 11 text messages, 5 Facebook messages and 2 angry Tweets, that ALL started with the word "Fuck" and ended with the word "him," or "that Asshole"...not one of which had even so much as a 2nd sentence.When I followed up on the first one, I was told, "HE'S PREACHING PART UNITY...HE SOLD US OUT...DOESN'T HE GET THAT WE WILL NEVER VOTE FOR THE SHILL?"Okay, okay, I thought...how do I tell my great friends, colleagues and equally rabid Berners...what Bernie DID say, and DIDN'T say...and WHY...without having Penn & Teller sue me for hacking the concept of their wildly popular TV show where they tell you how some of the greatest magic tricks are really accomplished.Well...since I'm not even the smartest guy in the room when I'm the only one in it, I knew this was going to be quite the challenge.But, here goes...Ignore for the moment that I hold a degree IN Political Science, two Law Degrees, or that I'm currently a student in a Masters Program in Political Campaign Management, while jointly enrolled in a PhD Program in Political Science...in reality, this is just me, sitting in a hotel room, waiting for my roommate to return and 'terprit the NASCAR results for me. For now...this is just Billy V...and the 10,000 people a day who are now reading this Blog.And, we're just expressing an opinion or two, and hoping not to piss each other off in the process.How about we begin at the beginning?Bernie is an Independent, running for president, as a Democrat...who had been accused from the day he announced, of not being a real Democrat...even though he has caucused with the Democratic Party since Herbert Hoover was selling blankets and pencils on street corners for a nickel a piece.So...his allegiances always in question, Bernie was forced to spend as much time defending his Democratic chops, props and bona fides...And NOW, when it appears at least to people named Clinton and Obama (but nahhhhhht "Biden") that the race is over, and that Bernie should rally his troops in support of another Democrat...his every word is again being viewed, reviewed, and re-re-viewed, by once again...EVERYONE, in order to locate that ONE WORD, which will allow at least one of them to suggest that they KNEW IT ALL ALONG. HE'S AN INDEPENDENT, In FACT...he's not only Ralph Nader. He's Ralph Nader's illegitimate son, who was JUST WAITING to VINDICATE the family name!And...while all of THIS is going on, Bernie will still end up wining California, and showing up to the Democratic Convention with some 1900+ Pledged Delegates, and as many Superdelegates as can be cajoled.Oh, yeah...and THEN there's that little matter of ONE of the candidates being investigated by the FBI, for what looks at this point, to be about two dozen or more felonies, even before you get to any consideration of the Clinton Global Money Laundering & RICO Enterprise.So...Bernie, for some reason has a family/staff retreat (no "pow-wows" in this campaign) at his home on a Sunday. And, SOMEONE tells him...Bernie...You GOTTA say SOMETHING. Every network has been saying we're out. We have to fire up the troops!Well...to WHOEVER that might have been who made that suggestion, let me say that a VERY WISE MAN once told me, "Sometimes...the best thing to say...IS NOTHING"!And, in this case, the truth is that WAY too many Berners DID NOT hear what Bernie said today. They heard two words, over and over again..."PARTY UNITY"... Which, by the way, after watching the tape now FIVE TIMES...Bernie didn't actually say, ONCE.Let me suggest a scenario that may help explain the degree of difficulty that Our Candidate is dealing with right now.Forget the press. They haven't changed one iota, or even a mere scintilla, since this campaign began. Why would they do so, now? AND, take heart...every 24/7 cable news outlet, whether they want to admit it or not, are NICHE NETWORKS. The people who watch them today...are the people who watched them yesterday (except for those who don't watch them anymore at all). NO ONE, is waking up on Monday morning and saying to themselves, "Hey, I think I'll stay home from work and watch 23 hours of CNN, today". It JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN. The people who were watching Wolf Blitzer, yesterday, and using their best "Astro Jetson" voice to yell "Rook at the Rimp...Rook at the Rimp"...every time Wolf saunters over to "The Magic Wall"...are the same people who are gonna be back mocking his talentless pile of wasted flesh, again today.So...CNN isn't going to say anything nice about Bernie at a 5:00 PM Presser. But, since virtually everyone still watching CNN already has an opinion about Bernie one way or the other...FORGET THEM. They are so far more irrelevant than you could begin to imagine.On the other hand...there are millions and millions of voters, many of whom are Democratic, and many of whom will have a role of sorts at the Democratic Convention...that Bernie DOES have to be concerned about.Could Bernie have come out of the White House of Thursday, strolled up to the microphone and said, "After careful consideration and numerous visits to proctologists in 27 States, 3 Commonwealths and the District of Columbia...I have concluded that I no longer desire to be deep-dicked by The Clinton Crime Family, it's Pennsylvania Avenue Subsidiary, or a woman from Rat's Mouth who is about to be unseated by Tim Canova...and I am henceforth and forthwith announcing my Independent candidacy for president".Sure...He COULD have said that.But then...what happens to the 1900+ Pledged Delegates?The DNC Credentials Committee meets one week before the convention, for a number of reasons... But, one of those reasons, is to hear Challenges to the credentials or right...of any Pledged delegate to actually participate in the convention, the following week.And, why is it that the DNC and the Clintons REALLY want Bernie OUT NOW?Because he has coffee breath that he couldn't get rid of since Iowa?No...So that the Party can nominate and elect Mrs. Clinton by acclamation, or on a voice vote, AS A VOICE VOTE WAS USED, where...At the Nevada State Convention.Acclamation suggests, or rather DECLARES the kind of unanimity that is felt to be needed by the Party as it moves into a confrontation with Donald Trump.Bill Clinton wanted that in 1992, when he faced a challenge from the now Dementia Patient serving as California's current Governor.When Jerry Brown ran against Bill Clinton in 1992, Jerry took HIS campaign... 'ALL THE WAY TO THE CONVENTION".And, when Jerry wouldn't GET OUT, prior to the convention, and give Bill Clinton center stage every night, and a VOICE VOTE acclamation to the nomination...Bill Clinton's campaign filed Credential's Committee Challenges to virtually ALL Brown Delegates, seeking to strip these HARD WORKING DEMOCRATS who won elections of their own, many having to raise or borrow money to attend the convention...from even being admitted to the building.I know this, ya see, because I was the lawyer who represented those Brown Delegates in their hearings before the Credentials Committee. And, WHO sits at the head of the committee that will make those Credentials decisions...Debbie Wasserman-Schitz.Not thinking Bernie, or his supporters are gonna get anything other that a semi-lubed rubber glove, two fingers and hearty Hi-Ho SILVER, at those hearingsSo...does Bernie have to be somewhat careful about what he says these days?Uh-huh.Now...about this "meeting" with Mrs. Clinton.YES! YES, Friends...Bernie DOES know that Mrs. Clinton has absolutely NO INTEREST in his Agenda.YES, he DOES know that Mrs' Clinton will ABSOLUTELY say "anything to get elected". Even that guy who endorsed her on Thursday, said that, 8 years ago.YES. He knows that WHATEVER she agrees to, will be agreed to, ONLY until she is formally nominated BY ACCLAMATION...and even before the Clinton Delegates are directed from the rostrum, to fling their own poo, and the nearest Berniecrat.BUT...WHAT IF???What if one of those pesky indictments DOES unseal itself BEFORE the convention?And, WHAT IF...Bernie had come out of his 5 PM presser today, and either announced an Independent run, OR, sounded like he was about to BLOW THIS PARTY UP?Yeah, yeah, yeah...I know what you're thinking... Pretty mellow talk from the guy who started the hashtag, #BernieOrBlowThisFuckerUp!Perhaps, but...I see a MUCH BIGGER PICTURE HERE. In my picture, Bernie doesn't really go out of his way to piss anybody off right now. OF COURSE, I go after The Clinton Crime Family, EVERY DAY. Of course YOU SHOULD be highlighting all of the reasons why Mrs. Clinton should be disqualified...EVERY DAY.But, JUST IN CASE, an indictment unseals... And, just in CASE, Joe Biden can't get enough Clinton Delegates fast enough to counter the charge which WE SHOULD ALREADY BE PLANNING AND REHEARSING... in a sense, and very sadly, we need those establishment Democrats AT LEAST until we are sure we really DON'T need them.Now...Does this mean that suggesting that he will MEET with Clinton is selling out?Does it mean that pledging to take your campaign to the convention, is selling out?Does it mean that suggesting that you want to pursue YOUR AGENDA to try to influence the Party Platform, ELIMINATES ANY AND ALL OTHER OPTIONS that might exist, or present themselves between now and the middle of July?No.Hell no.And, FUCK NO!SHOULD the campaign be playing WHAT IF's and WAR GAMES...EVERY FUCKING DAY, right now? YOU BET YOUR ASS.Should Bernie EVER capitulate? NOT IF HE WANTS TO GET A GAME OF JACKS with anyone who ever gave him a dollar?Does Bernie honestly GET that the poll showing that 92% WILL NEVER VOTE for a Democrat in 2016 WHO IS NOT NAMES BERNARD SANDERS?I believe, he do.So, where do we all go from here?Let Bernie be "A GOOD DEMOCRAT"...for now, and say ALL of the things, that a good Democrat needs to be heard saying, by other Democrats, who just can't wait for that one last chance to stick a knife, or assorted body part, just a little farther into Our Guy.Let Bernie buy the time that we need to buy, in order to determine if the Democratic Nomination really is behind us...OR, whether my new BFF, "E Pluribus Comey," will soon be riding into frame, with a lasso, a zip-tie, and a 25 Count Indictment.Let the smartest people Bernie knows, explore WHAT MIGHT, COULD, or OUGHT TO happen, WHEN it becomes known that Mrs. Clinton decided LONG AGO, to run as far right as she can go, during a General Election Campaign...And, while we are understanding that EVEN BERNIE is forced to play jes' a lil bit of "politics" for the next month...Let's let Bernie KNOW that WE WILL NEVER ABANDON HIM.If Bernie is the nominee of the Democratic Party, by virtue of Indictment or other Divine Intervention...BONUS.If there is a 3rd Party Run in our future...and, personally, I HOPE THERE IS AND AM PREPARED FOR IT...Double Bonus!But...Friends, let me let EVERYONE in on what we started yesterday, on Twitter.The average contribution to the campaign, as we all know, is, or rather WAS...$27.00.I put together a plan, weeks ago, to prepare for a General Election Campaign.This Plan calls for 2,000,000 Americans to donate $ 54.00/month and to commit to donating for 5 months. The Plan is called..."HALF A BILLION 4 BERNIE"...And will FULLY FUND a general election campaign NO MATTER WHAT COLOR our states appear ON THE MAGIC WALL.We have already had HUNDREDS of people make the pledge, and in fact, already send in their first contribution of $54.00.JOIN US.If Bernie is conflicted about whether or not to make this Independent effort THAT WE ALL WANT HIM TO MAKE...How much easier will it be, to get the man to keep on keepin' on...IF HE IS RAISING OVER $100,000,000 a month, toward A GUARANTEED..."HALF A BILLION 4 BERNIE"?And when you do make this commitment...TEXT JANE. TEXT BERNIE TEXT NINA, TULSI, The DANNY's, SPIKE, MIKE, MARK, ROSARIO, CORNELL and anyone else you can think of. TELL THEM THAT YOU ARE PART OF..."HALF A BILLION 4 BERNIE"...and that you will GO ANYWHERE WITH AND FOR BERNIE...EXCEPT, into a voting booth to DISHONOR BERNIE SANDERS...BY VOTING FOR HILLARY CLINTON.What Bernie DID today, was tell you IN THE ONLY WAY HE COULD. that THIS IS NOT AN END...IT IS A BEGINNING!Many of you know me. But, to those that don't...Ask someone who does.I will crawl on my hands and knees through broken glass to elect Bernie Sanders. And, like you, had Bernie suspended the campaign at 5 PM... I wold still be in a fetal position, motherfucking every human and God, TWO TIMES...while simultaneously advising my Canadian Family to expect a permanent house guest...or at least a fourth for pinochle, for the next 40 years.I would not tell you that the world is still round, if it weren't.I BELIEVE, as a former Federal Prosecutor...that Mrs. Clinton has a better chance of getting indicted than she does of even being allowed to enter the convention center. And, there will be no happier Big Dog on the PLANET when THAT indictment is unsealed, than yours truly.PIZZA AT BILLY'S PLACE, on THAT day.But...to all those who think that there aren't "other things" being discussed...(shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...Be vewy, vewy quiet. We'we hunting Cwintons! Ahahahahahahaha)One CandidateOne VoiceWe Are ALL THE BERNWE WILL NOT BE SILENCEDWE WILL NOT BE DEFEATEDWE WILL...CHANGE THE WORLD!