Summary

Sanders uses this chapter to explain his early political life in his home state of Vermont. In 1971, he attended a meeting of the Liberty Union Party with one of his close friends to discuss filling a vacant House and Senate seat, where he was unexpectedly nominated to run for said Senate seat. He impressed those present at the meeting with a long-winded speech about economics, education, and the Vietnam War. Capturing only one percent of the vote in this race may not have looked good on paper, but Sanders felt confident about his progression as a politician. Two failed attempts at governorship and again at the Senate prompted Sanders to temporarily put politics behind him and pursue a career as a small media producer.

In 1980, Sanders was advised by an intelligent and politically minded colleague to run for mayor of...