WAYNE - Bernie Sanders wasn't subtle - he never is.

Talking about the "oligarchs" running America today, he said, "We're here tonight to tell them to go to hell."

The crowd - 1,200 of them - jammed into a theater on the campus of William Paterson University came to their feet and cheered - and cheered.

Then, "Bernie" got to the point - the relevant point of the evening.

No, the country just doesn't need Democrats.

"We need progressive Democrats, not establishment Democrats," he said.

That was exactly what Analilia Mejia wanted to hear.

"Any blue won't do," she said.

With that, she took a swipe at big money in politics and candidates who are a bit too careless with stock trades.

The crowd murmured just a bit. Those who did knew she was talking about Tom Malinowski, one of her opponents in the CD-11 primary. A former congressman from nearby CD-7, Malinowski's past stock trades were looked at by a House Ethics Committee.

The William Paterson event was part of Sanders' nationwide tour to fight oligarchy.

But for Mejia, who was a "special guest," it was a chance to take center stage in front of a big crowd.

She is one of 11 Dems seeking to replace Mikie Sherrill in CD-11. The primary is Feb. 5 and the election April 16.

Malinowski and Brendan Gill are considered the favorites, but there are many variables.

Clearly, a candidate with enthusiastic supporters can be a big factor in the race. And that's what the evening was about. After all, no one excites Democrats like Bernie Sanders.

As the doors opened at 4 p.m, hundreds were lined up in the cold to enter the Shea Center For Performing Arts.

That wasn't all. At least 500 people could not get in, so Sanders and Mejia spoke to them outside.

Mejia, of course, had to wonder how many of them lived in CD-11.

Geography wasn't the only question.

Sanders' appeal to left wing Democrats is indisputable. But how many of them will vote in a congressional primary in February - on a Thursday no less?

His speech tonight was national in scope - no surprise there. The theme was easy to grasp. The rich are getting richer - and richer - at the expense of average people.

Beyond that, the senator from Vermont said control of major industries, the media included, now rests in the hands of very few individuals.

But he said there is still hope.

And it lies with "the people."

That prompted yet another standing ovation.