What Bernie Sanders won today.

[JDPriestly]

Bernie Sanders' filibuster today is just brilliant. It is the first time I can remember that a senator spoke so sincerely about the plights of his constituents, about the dominance of lobbyists in D.C. and about the wrongs that our government does when it fails to put the interests of ordinary Americans first -- and all in the context of the Obama "compromise" and the threat to extend the tax cuts for the wealthiest among us in addition to ordinary Americans.

We do not know whether Bernie Sanders' filibuster will change the minds of any of the senators to whom he is speaking. It's Friday afternoon, and the Senate chambers are probably nearly empty. Most of our employees in the Senate have probably gone home to continue their fundraising and meet with lobbyists about their votes.

So what had Bernie Sanders accomplished.

First, he has established a record and created a video that all Americans can watch. I hope this goes on YouTube right away.

Second, he has established that he is willing to filibuster -- to slow the work of the Senate when necessary to protect the interests of the ordinary American people.

And is this second accomplishment that is the most important result of his work today. The value of Bernie Sanders' vote and opinions has just risen. He is willing to stand up and be counted. He has proved his integrity. If there is one thing that the weak, the quick-to-compromisers, those who have sold out to big business fear -- it is a person of integrity standing up for what is right regardless of that person's personal loss or pain.

I have to salute Bernie Sanders. Other members of the Senate will not dismiss him or his opinions so quickly in the future.