NH-01: Bernie Sanders's son considering running for Congress

[RandySF]

Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I-Vt.) son is considering a run for Congress in New Hampshire's highly competitive 1st District, Vice News reports.

"Oh absolutely, I'm definitely considering it. I'm excited, motivated, and interested in the race," Levi Sanders told Vice News in an exclusive report Thursday. "I'm just dotting my i's and crossing my t's."

The younger Sanders told the news organization that, like his father, he would propose Medicare for all and free college tuition as part of his platform.

Levi Sanders worked as a senior policy strategist on his father's 2016 presidential campaign and has been an advocate for people looking to receive social security benefits.


https://www.google.com/amp/thehill.com/homenews/campaign/375196-bernie-sanders-son-considering-running-for-congress%3famp

[Tiggeroshii]

1. YES

[Demsrule86]

25. is he running as a Democrat? If not...I hope he loses and the Democrat wins.

[Maven]

34. +1

[pandr32]

38. +1 from me

[Gothmog]

58. Agreed

[Eliot Rosewater]

80. If he runs as a Democrat I assume he will withdraw the SHIT comments about Warren?

[Demsrule86]

109. I don't like those kind of comments...I think he should be more careful what he says. However, if

he is the only Democrat running I want him to beat the GOP candidate in the general. I didn't see anywhere that Levi is a Democrat...and it is a very crowded field. He is also not living in the district which is allowed but...I would not vote for him in a primary only a general based on hs comments about Elizabeth Warren.

[Voltaire2]

95. Yes.

[Demsrule86]

108. Then I want him to win...kick the GOP ass.

[Demsrule86]

110. Do you have a link to whether he is a Democrat? I could not find one.

Also this is a primary...I thought he already had it...wouldn't vote for him in a primary as he made those comments about Sen. Warren. I don't want anymore division and a circular firing squad. I don't live in New Hampshire so it is up to them.

[NBachers]

131. Donate to Conor Lamb here:

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/lamb-for-congress-1

[lapucelle]

2. Two questions

1. Is he a Democrat?

2. Is he aware that there is already a Medicare for All bill with 121 Democratic co-sponsors already in the House?

https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/676

[dalton99a]

3. Regarding Q1:

Link to tweet

[Cha]

4. Mahalo for that, dalton.. good to know.

Attacking Dems with "worse than trump".. that sounds really familiar from.. the 2016 election.

[Voltaire2]

16. Where does Levi Sanders state that

Warren is worse than Trump?

[lapucelle]

40. I wonder if he'll be moving into the district he wants to represent.

Mahalo Cha!

https://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/bernie-sanders-son-weighing-house-run-new-hampshire

[ehrnst]

49. Yes, that too. (nt)

[Cha]

75. levi sanders doesn't even live where

he wants to attack Dems from?

Your reply to me didn't show up in my "My Posts".. I just happen to see it.. strange!

lapucelle

[quakerboy]

14. How does that anwer the question?

Find me a day when a Democrat somewhere doesn't attack another Democrat, and I will find you a day before or after the existence of the party. We have mastered attacking each other, as demonstrated quite frequently here at DU. If we could turn as much energy towards opposing republicans.. Trumps ugly mug wouldn't be hanging in the lobby of my local VA.

I cant seem to find anything on his official party affiliation. Though the articles on the potential run often reference the "already crowded democratic field".

[Cha]

19. NOt with comparing them to worse than trump, they don't.

That was fucking jill stein's LIES.. that Hillary was "worse than trump".

[Demsrule86]

26. Sorry... this guy is off my list. She is not even running against him.

[emulatorloo]

52. Thanks for the heads-up. Trashing Warren? Sorry thats not my cup of tea.

Of course I don’t live in his state so it isn’t up to me. Sounds like voters in New Hampshire have plenty of candidates to choose from.

[Cha]

5. dalton answered #1 and I'll venture #2..

probably does but will ignore it like it only comes from one source.

Mahalo, lapucelle.

[Voltaire2]

100. House and senate bills have always been

different. This is a complete non-issue.

[lapucelle]

113. The House Medicare for All Bill was first introduced in 2003.

It has been re-introduced in almost every session of Congress since that year. It was re-introduced in the House in January 2017 long before the current Senate bill was pieced together to great fanfare and the concomitant media splash last September.

The Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act (HR 676) is not the House version of any Senate bill. It is an original piece of legislation crafted during GW Bush's first term and revised and expanded in 2015-2016 by its original author. The version introduced in our current Congress (115th) has 121 Democratic co-sponsors.

https://www.congress.gov/bill/108th-congress/house-bill/676?r=6
https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/676?r=5
https://www.congress.gov/bill/112th-congress/house-bill/676?r=4
https://www.congress.gov/bill/113th-congress/house-bill/676?r=3
https://www.congress.gov/bill/114th-congress/house-bill/676?r=2
https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/676

http://www.medicareforall.org/pages/HR676

[Voltaire2]

116. Yes the house and senate bills have always been different.

[lapucelle]

119. There was never a Senate version of HR 676 that mirrored

its simplicity of delivery through a true single payer system. An earlier Senate Bill (S 915) was the companion bill to HR 1200. Neither were truly single payer.

The bill that was finally unveiled to great fanfare and media splash in September 2017 is the closest we have come to a Senate version Conyers' 15 year fight for Medicare for all. If we get a Democratic congress, we'll see what happens in reconciliation as a new representative picks up Conyers' banner in the House. Hopefully there will be no conflicts over nonsense like naming rights.

The grass roots organization MedicareForAll.org has been fighting for HR 676 for 15 years. I wish the Senate had been on board sooner.

http://www.medicareforall.org/pages/HR676_and_S915

[Voltaire2]

121. I dont think we are disagreeing.

The senate versions and the house versions have, at least for the last 15 years or so, been different. I keep saying that and you keep replying basically “no they are different”. I have no clue what the disagreement is.

Conyers, the major advocate for the house version didn’t view Sanders bill as some sort of obstacle, they were working on the same goal of building momentum for a real universal healthcare system. Either bill could be the vehicle to achieve that.

[Eliot Rosewater]

79. I am getting real angry. I hope people can figure this shit out before it is too late.

[Voltaire2]

97. Yes and yes.

[betsuni]

6. Isn't anyone going to start yelling about dynasties?

Oh wait, of course not.

[ecstatic]

7. +1000. lol. nt

[Cha]

9. lol.. oh that's right.. Joe Kennedy!

I'll do it.. "DYNASTIES!!!"

[DURHAM D]

31. LOL

I opened the OP to make a smart remark about the dynasty thing given that we heard so much about that during the primary from a certain group. Glad you beat me to it.

[NurseJackie]

47. The "NO DYNASTIES" mantra only applies to certain politicians.

[George II]

72. Especially those who are registered in a political party.

[joshcryer]

48. Only if it was a Clinton or a Kennedy.

[ehrnst]

50. ..... (nt)

[emulatorloo]

53. FWIW, the apparent nepotism is starting to bother me.

This is the third family member I know of who was paid by the campaign.

I am sure they are all talented but it is not a good look.

[George II]

65. Actually that was one of my first thoughts. I didn't read the article (will later tonight)....

....is he considering running as a Democrat, independent, or republican?

[treestar]

66. [phone]

Hmmm, we are not supposed to have those!!!!!!

[sheshe2]

77. Ha!

[Eliot Rosewater]

81. OMG how did I not think of that yet

Let's see what they say.

[EllieBC]

102. Doesn't apply to Our Saviour, Sanders.

Or at least that's how it feels.

[C Moon]

8. Awesome. It's always great to have great news about new young leaders

who will fight for the working class.
We are dealing with enough crap from the rich.
We are at war with the rich, folks.

[RandySF]

10. He attacked Elizabeth Warren and called her worse than Trump

[Cha]

11. Mahalo for getting the facts out, RSF..

I'll use CNN's #FactsFirst!

[True Blue American]

12. If Warren did vote to increase the Military budget

I would question, but I assume there was much more included than one item.

Most of Congress ignore what Dwight Eisenhower warned us about.

[lapucelle]

44. Yes, much of Congress does ignore the warning.

That's why they love the $1 trillion war machine, the F-15 fighter jet.

[Voltaire2]

17. No he didnt say that Warren is worse than Trump.

He tweeted a link to an article attacking Warren for voting for the horrible war funding bill. That article also never says that Warren is worse than Trump.

[Demsrule86]

28. Same thing...he retweet the article...for more exposure.

I hope he only wants to run in his neck of the woods...because those sort actions disqualify him for say running for president. I wouldn't vote for him in a primary... and only in a general if there was no Democrat running.

[Voltaire2]

36. No it isnt the same thing.

Neither the article nor Sanders says that Warren is worse than Trump. So that claim is just nonsense.

[Demsrule86]

112. You retweet things you agree with to get exposure for it...I consider it sort of cowardly too...just

say it if you must...(although you shouldn't go after Dems)

[Voltaire2]

114. The article doesnt say that either.

[Demsrule86]

117. Look no matter how you put...he retweeted the article...which was critical of a Democrat. If I lived

in New Hampshire which I don't, I wouldn't vote for him in a primary. And I hope Democrats vote for other candidates that don't feel the need to attack other Democrats or the party.

[Voltaire2]

122. yes he disagreed with Warrens vote for

the horrible war department funding bill. I agree with him on that.

[Demsrule86]

125. Oh please, compromise was needed...this is how it works...we got Chip and other stuff too.

This is why I don't think Sen. Sanders is presidential material...you have to make compromises ... I won't vote for Sen. Sanders in a 20 pres. primary and I wouldn't vote for son Sanders in a New Hampshire primary...vote for a yellow dog if he was progressive in a general.

[Demsrule86]

118. How about this...from Levi Sanders directly...No need to criticize Democrats who have no power.

Link to tweet

[Voltaire2]

120. What on earth is wrong with that?

Seriously? Suggesting a strategy of promoting the programs and policies of the Democratic Party is a bad thing?

WTF?

[Demsrule86]

127. He is criticizing Democrats...he apparently does it all the time.

[Cha]

39. Exactly the same.. whomever can

deny it all they want.. doesn't make it any less true.

It's all there for the world to see.. attacking Elizabeth Warren.

[Voltaire2]

43. The claim was that Sanders said that Warren

is worse than Trump. That claim is bullshit.

[emulatorloo]

59. Bottom Line: He retweeted a hatchet job on Warren

“Once again, Senator Warren, a "progressive" Democrat, demonstrates that she is no different from the establishment of both capitalist parties.”

You know as well as I do that Warren is nothing like a Republican. Unmitigated Bullshit. Nor are Democrats and Republicans “the same.”

The family name Sanders does not make one immune from criticism for saying dumb stuff or retweeting garbage articles by ideologues attacking one of the best Senators we have.

[Voltaire2]

64. Perhaps. The claim that he said that

Warren is worse than Trump remains bullshit.

[Cha]

74. sanders tweeted that?! Attacking a Mass Sen from NH!

what's his game?!

“Once again, Senator Warren, a "progressive" Democrat, demonstrates that she is no different from the establishment of both capitalist parties.”

Mahalo, emulatorloo

[emulatorloo]

76. Yes, Thats a quote from the article he retweeted.

Those aren’t Sanders words, but he tacitly endorsed them by retweeting that article

[Cha]

78. Oh I get it.. but still if you're Retweeting

something it's because you want to pass it on.

I don't tweet but I know that. You don't bother if you're not interested.

Mahalo

[Cha]

22. Yes, he did.. "higher than trump's budget" is

worse than trump's.. no matter how they parse it.

Comparing any Dem to trump is Fighting words.. it's dumb.

What else was in the Bill? Any reason she might have voted for this other than the military budget?

I don't trust anyone slamming Dems when they're not even running against them.. what's his game? Why attack Elizabeth Warren?

[True Blue American]

23. There had to be much more in that budget than the Military.

For me,I am sick of non Democrats critiquing those who openly admit they are Democrats.

Most Democrats compromise to get what they want. That is the way the system is supposed to work

[Cha]

24. I know, TBA.. so don't pick

one thing out of context, and to try and make Elizabeth Warren look bad. That's what pubbies do.

[emulatorloo]

60. I read the article. It is one of those Dems are the Same as Republicans garbage pieces

Half-truth hatchet job on Warren, trying to tear her down and say she is anti-progressive and doesn’t give a shit about working people.. Binary thinking ideologues like the author of the article are toxic.

[Voltaire2]

37. Right. Maybe if you add more words and explanations

you might convince people that the claim that Sanders said that Warren is worse than Trump isn’t just bullshit.

[emulatorloo]

62. Article claims Warren is the same as Establishment Republicans. Maybe if you add more words

you might convince us Warren isn’t a progressive and doesn’t give a shit about working people, as the hatchet-job article Sanders’ happily retweeted asserts.

[Voltaire2]

63. The article says lots of things.

But neither the article nor Sanders said that Warren is worse than Trump.

[emulatorloo]

73. Dont piss on my shoes and tell me its raining n/t

[Eliot Rosewater]

82. If he did that he must NOT be allowed in the D party and he must be politically ATTACKED

in the election and on DU he must be politically ATTACKED the SAME way we attack trump.

If the rule is hands off of him too, then ... then ...

[crazycatlady]

35. He's in his 50s

So he's not exactly young leadership.

That said, I was impressed with him when he did town halls last year with (now governor) Phil Murphy.

[C Moon]

55. Oh. :D I should read up on things before I spout off. Thanks!

[Demsrule86]

134. He is 48 I thought. I am not impressed with a person who says the parties are the same...This is why

we are here today with no power...next week the Dreamers will begin to be deported because words like his influenced progressives to vote for Trump, Stein or to stay home.

[crazycatlady]

140. I met him last year

He did an event with Phil Murphy. Phil Murphy is 60 and judging from the photos I have from the event, they look around the same age.

I was impressed with him at the event, but he was stumping for someone else.

[lunamagica]

61. So, dynasties are OK in this case? Interesting

[Vinca]

18. I was worried he might split the vote, but it seems Carol Shea Porter is retiring.

If he can win, he should go for it. We don't want the GOP to get that seat back.

[Eliot Rosewater]

83. I want a democrat, period.

[Voltaire2]

89. Then Levi is your guy.

[Eliot Rosewater]

91. He is a Democrat? Link?

[Voltaire2]

92. No problem.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.wmur.com/article/report-congressman-levi-sanders-bernies-son-says-hes-considering-run-for-1st-district-seat/18667886

[Eliot Rosewater]

96. Can he run in a district he doesnt live in? Is he registered as a democrat?

Saying he will do what is dad did, run as a democrat but not actually BE a democrat?

Nah, never vote for him then.

[Voltaire2]

98. Wow those goalposts took a hike!

[Eliot Rosewater]

99. What goalpost, is he a Democrat?

You do see that is what I said, right?

So you can understand, for instance, Bernie is NOT.




Yeah, that is what I thought.

[Voltaire2]

103. Your goalpost.

You said “I want a Democrat. Period.”

[Eliot Rosewater]

104. Still have not seen a link that he is a REGISTERED DEMOCRAT

[Voltaire2]

105. I gave you the link.

Here is the text:

While his father calls himself an independent, WMUR confirmed that Levi Sanders is a registered Democratic voter in Claremont.

If you aren’t familiar with my state WMUR is the only commercial television station in the state.
http://www.wmur.com/article/report-congressman-levi-sanders-bernies-son-says-hes-considering-run-for-1st-district-seat/18667886

[Eliot Rosewater]

106. I am surprised, when I found out he attacked Elizabeth Warren I assumed

he wasn't.

Pretty sure he is on record saying other stuff about Democrats. Nah, I will vote for Democrats who are team players.


https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=10277550


I used to be a fan of his father, but not anymore.

[Voltaire2]

107. He attacked Warrens vote on war funding.

But I refer you again to your statement:
“I want a democrat, period.”

[Demsrule86]

135. She voted for a bill that included funding for the military ...don't repeat the lies in that article

[Voltaire2]

139. Of course. Democrats must never vote against

insane war department bills because that would actually be taking a principled stand.

[sl8]

142. "a bill that included funding for the military"?

Firstly, I don't know enough about the bill to have an informed opinion about anyone's votes, yea or nay.

I did find your phrasing a bit odd, though - "a bill that included funding for the military"? It's the Defense Authorization Act. Isn't that pretty much all about military funding? Am I overlooking some signficant non-military aspects of the act?

From https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/115-2017/s199 :

H.R. 2810: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018
This was a vote to pass H.R. 2810 in the Senate. The federal budget process occurs in two stages: appropriations and authorizations. This is an authorization bill, which directs how federal funds should or should not be used. (It does not set overall spending limits, however, which are the subject of appropriations bills.) Authorizations are typically made for single fiscal years (October 1 through September 30 of the next year) but are often renewed in subsequent law.

H.R. 2810 authorizes and prioritizes funding for the Department of Defense (DoD) and military activities and construction, and prescribes military personnel strengths for Fiscal Year 2018. The bill authorizes $613.8 billion in base funding, including a $28.5 billion increase above the President’s budget for essential readiness recovery. Further, the bill authorizes an additional $10 billion in the Overseas Contingency Operations fund (OCO) for base requirements, and an additional $64.6 billion in the OCO fund to cover contingency operations. When factoring in $7.5 billion for mandatory defense spending, a total of $695.9 billion is authorized to be appropriated.[1]

...

More at link.

[zanana1]

20. I think I've got some volunteering to do!

I live in the 1st district and I'm already fired up!

[LexVegas]

21. ...

[Mike Nelson]

27. Hmm...

...I see the one post above on Elizabeth Warren. It's a red flag for sure... but, maybe Levi will join progressive Democrats and promote progressive ideas!

[Demsrule86]

29. Don't care...I don't like independents who take potshots at Democrats. Plenty of good progressives

out there who don't do that.

[True Blue American]

46. I agree,use the Party to run

Attack the Democratic presumptive nominee. Then revert back to ind. after saying he would remain a Democrat.

Sanders attacked Hillary again after it was exposed Russians helped him, then backtracked.

He is the main reason Trump is in office.

[Eliot Rosewater]

84. No shit.

[Voltaire2]

90. He is a registered Democrat.

Choose another talking point.

[Demsrule86]

111. Thank you for that. I couldn't find it anywhere...I still don't like his comments about Sen.

Warren...but then I don't live in New Hampshire....crowded field. I was reading about it.

[sarah FAILIN]

30. Yay.

More things we can't talk about.

[brooklynite]

32. Remember the olden days when "dynasty" was a bad word around here?

[EffieBlack]

69. I sure do

Apparently, as I noted below, that only applies to certain people.

[Maven]

33. Running as what? nt

[Eliot Rosewater]

101. Yeah, and all of a sudden what is this BULLSHIT about RUNNING AS?

Either you are a democrat, you follow the party accordingly and you have a D after your name, etc.

OR YOU ARE NOT

[mcar]

41. So, next time someone posits about Chelsea Clinton running

We won't see all the tiresome "no dynasties" complaint, right? Ditto Joe Kennedy.

I don't see that usual refrain here.

[Blue_true]

57. It pains me to say it among Democrats.

But we do have some hypocrites too. As long as it is someone they like, anything goes.

[Eliot Rosewater]

85. Among Democrats? Nah...progressives maybe, not Democrats. Not liberals.

[Blue_true]

124. I consider progressives to be democrats too.

The worst is ok most of the time, until they go on the purity crusade bull at critical times, like 2000 and 2016.

[treestar]

67. +1

[Voltaire2]

87. If Chelsea wants to run for Congress Im fine

with that. It’s a good way to develop a political career.

[Demsrule86]

136. It is more likely to be Joe Kennedy III...was on the view on Friday...he is impressive.

[Exotica]

42. Chris Pappas looks to be a better candidate

https://www.chrispappas.org/

[BoneyardDem]

45. Ahh the old family legacy (establishment) political office for the son and the step daughter

I remember lots and lots of angst with legacy candidates. Or is that hypocrisy suddenly missing from the conversation?

Attacking Dems? This candidate sucks and seems to march lock step with daddy.

[seaglass]

51. He actually doesn't walk quite lockstep. Levi endorsed Phil Murphy for NJ Gov and Bernie stayed

out of the primary even though his NJ 2016 campaign chair was running against Murphy.

That being said, there are already 8 Dems in this race and it's a swing district.

[jalan48]

54. It will be interesting to see what the voters in his district think.

[Blue_true]

56. Those "No family dynasties", where are you?

Or does that apply to Bernie?

[EffieBlack]

68. Are we going to hear any dynasty complaints?

Or does that only apply to Hillary and Joe Kennedy?

[Eliot Rosewater]

86. Whlle we point out the hypocrisy, I really worry about the millions of Sanders fans out

there, mostly young folks, who simply are too young and naive and inexperienced to see what is really going on.

[comradebillyboy]

128. Oh no, it also applies to Chelsea and her children as well. Unto the seventh generation.

[LanternWaste]

70. If he runs as a Democrat, welcome aboard Levi!!!

If he runs as a Democrat, welcome aboard Levi!!!

Otherwise, get the hell out of our way.

[Voltaire2]

94. Youve got some welcoming to do.

[DFW]

71. If he is running as a Democrat, it'll be interesting to follow his positions on things

If not, why is this even news on this board? I'd sooner hear from the Bull Moose party.

[Voltaire2]

88. Oh and by the way he is a registered Democrat.

While his father calls himself an independent, WMUR confirmed that Levi Sanders is a registered Democratic voter in Claremont.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.wmur.com/article/report-congressman-levi-sanders-bernies-son-says-hes-considering-run-for-1st-district-seat/18667886

[bottomofthehill]

130. Thats great, but Clermont is already represented by

A Democratic member of Congress. We don’t need another idiot child of privilege running.

[Voltaire2]

133. Huh? Carol Shea-Porter is not running

for re-election. It is an open seat and lots of good Democrats, like Levi, are running in the primary.

[bottomofthehill]

144. Carol Porter Shea is not his Congressman

He lives in the other district represented by Anne

[Voltaire2]

145. Take it up with nhsos.

UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE - Must be 25 years of age and a United States Citizen for at least 7 years. Candidate does not have to live in same district they are a candidate for; however, must be domiciled and a registered voter in New Hampshire.

http://sos.nh.gov/Qualifications.aspx

[bottomofthehill]

146. Just what the NH Dems need

I have worked a bunch of campaigns in NH and have found it to be a very parochial place. A person from VT who lives in a different district in NH than the one he wants run in and works in Massachusetts should be well received there.

[jalan48]

93. Great! From what I've seen he is one of the few politicians questioning the size of

our obscene Defense Budget.

[Demsrule86]

137. Yeah because pitching a fit when nothing can be done about it and blaming senior Democrats shows

true leadership...not. We have no power, but we can talk talk talk our way back in ...if only we talk more the GOP will lie down and say...Democrats you have no majorities...but your talk talk talk has convinced us...you win. If it worked that way Mr. Sanders would be perfect for the job, but alas it does not. Thus, if I lived in New Hampshire, he would not get my vote. I want no Democrats or independents who attack Democratic elected (or the party)for political reasons period.

[jalan48]

141. I think we need to work together-no need to trash one another.

However, substituting personalities for issues will only work in the short term.

[Devil Child]

123. Just say no to political dynasties n/t

[nycbos]

126. What happened to no dynasties?

That was the argument I kept hearing from the leftist purest during the primary.


Oh yes different rules applies to Sanders. I forgot.

[Me.]

129. Enough

The step-daughter running for mayor...the son running for Congress...is Jane running too?

[pnwmom]

132. It's funny to see the reaction of some, when they condemn people like Joseph Kennedy,

saying they don't want someone part of a "dynasty," because his grandfather was a Senator.

[Demsrule86]

138. It is so hillarious...but I do worry there are some Sanders supporters who are convinced he will win

the Democratic nomination in 20, I don't think he will even if he runs, and I fear a repeat of 16. Sometimes it seems like devotion approaching fanaticism...anything he says or does is fine. In some ways the true believers resemble Trump voters who support Trump no matter what.

[StevieM]

143. If he decides to run he should be judged on his own merits. (eom)

[arthritisR_US]

147. -1000