Bernie Sanders Could Be the 2016 Democratic Candidate We’ve All Been Waiting For

[xchrom]

http://www.thenation.com/article/179837/bernie-sanders-could-be-2016-democratic-candidate-weve-all-been-waiting


Northampton, Massachusetts—Senator Bernie Sanders is inching closer to deciding to run for president as a Democrat in 2016.

When Sanders appeared in Northampton to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Progressive Democrats of America, and to honor the legacy of the group’s late co-founder and national director, Tim Carpenter, “Run, Bernie, Run” sentiment ran high. Carpenter’s last act was to collect 11,000 petitions urging Sanders to run as a Democrat. And nothing Sanders said discouraged the consensus.

Thus a memorial service became an organizational birth, just as Carpenter himself envisioned.

Nothing is decided until it is officially decided, of course, and pressures from the Democratic establishment are building quickly against the independent Vermont senator. Few if any Democratic elected officials are likely to endorse Sanders for fear of retribution from the formidable Hillary Clinton forces. Women’s groups, African-Americans, Latinos and Asians, Hollywood liberals and the organized labor are coalescing into a united front for Clinton too, and are sharply opposed to a potentially divisive primary fight with Sanders.

But just as 2016 will be Clinton’s moment as a longtime feminist, it could also be Sanders’ moment as the only candidate challenging what he calls the “oligarchic force” with their vast powers over the economy, campaign finance and suicidal exploitation of fossil fuels. Sanders’ warning that democracy is threatened by the oligarchs resonates profoundly with millions of Americans looking for answers and for heroes. On the economic issues, it is predictable that a majority of rank-and-file Democratic voters prefer Sanders’ message on the economic crisis to the neoliberal formulas long supported by the Clintons. Those populist issues are not the only motivators in an election, but create a pre-existing base for a credible challenger, just as the Iraq War and Democratic silence propelled Vermont Governor Howard Dean to national influence in 2004.

[Recursion]

1. Totally. 70+yo socialist from New England says "electoral landslide" to me.

I can't imagine anything that would go wrong.

[pangaia]

11. :>)))

[1StrongBlackMan]

20. Shhhh ...

You're gonna have a bunch of DU political thinkers a sad!

[Recursion]

49. Hey! Did I say a damn thing negative? (nt)

[1StrongBlackMan]

52. Not in my opinion ...

You just pointed out a political reality that many here either don't know, or wish to ignore.

[socialist_n_TN]

22. A couple of points......

Don't be deceived into fighting the LAST war (or campaign) rather than the current one. And don't discount a run as a "Tribune of the People" just to make sure these economic issues ARE discussed and given serious consideration.

[Laelth]

45. Hear, hear!

Pressure from the left can only help the Democratic Party. "The people" are still far to the left of mainstream Democratic politicians (as poll after poll has shown on the key issues affecting American families).

-Laelth

[ChisolmTrailDem]

66. That is my hope for Bernie Sanders' participation in the primary. nt

[randys1]

106. He and Elizabeth can change the conversation, which is all they need to do

[raindaddy]

24. OK Then, Imagine another Third Way "Democrat" like Hillary

If nothing else he'll push the debate into areas we know damn well Hillary won't take it.

“In the US today, the top 1 percent own about 38 percent of the financial wealth of America. The bottom 60 percent own 2.3 percent. One family, the Walton family, is worth over $140 billion; that’s more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American people. In recent years, we have seen a huge increase in the number of millionaires and billionaires, while we continue to have the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world. Despite, as many of my Republican friends talk about ‘the oppressive Obama economic policies,’ in the last year Charles and David Koch struggled under these policies and their wealth increased by $12 billion in one year. In terms of income, 95 percent of new income generated in this country in the last year went to the top 1 percent.“

Sanders to Yellen: “In your judgment, given the enormous power held by the billionaire class and their political representatives, are we still a capitalist democracy or have we gone over to an oligarchic form of society in which incredible enormous economic and political power now rests with the billionaire class?”

[adirondacker]

35. But Hillary is a Whole 5 years Younger!

Last edited Wed May 14, 2014, 08:16 PM - Edit history (1)

Edited to correct the age difference. Ageism still sucks. I can totally see Bernie being lucid enough at the age of 80 to run the country.

[raindaddy]

42. It's not his age adirondacker..

What we're hearing is, anyone to the left of Hillary Clinton is unelectable. So find a way to be happy living in a Corpocracy, knowing when you elect a Democrat at least they'll support us on social issues and say they believe that humans are responsible for global warming.

[Recursion]

50. No, Schweitzer and Tester are to the left of Hillary, and both electable

If you've confused me with part of the Hillary "momentum" you were mistaken... (Totally understandable, given the layout of the site right now, though....)

[raindaddy]

58. Thanks for the clarification Recursion :)

Wouldn't be great to watch the Democratic primary debates with "all" of the candidates to the left of Hillary?

[Recursion]

59. Well, in fact I think it would

And I'm one of those Sensible Woodchucks WIll Pitt warned you about...

[Samantha]

140. I really like Schweitzer and Tester but I would not vote for either

They both support the Keystone pipeline. This is an issues election for me, and so they are out of the picture as I see it.

This Hill article entitled "Montana's Democratic Governor slams Jackasses in DC for Keystone Delay" states:

“Ninety per cent of these jackasses that are complaining about the Keystone pipeline in Washington, D.C., one year ago wouldn't have even known where the Keystone was. While we were doing the heavy lifting here in Montana and in South Dakota and in Kansas and Oklahoma ... in Washington, D.C. ... all these great defenders had never heard of Keystone before,” Schweitzer said in an interview published Thursday.

http://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/212439-montana-gov-slams-anti-keystone-jackasses-in-dc

and Tester:

I have voted to approve the Keystone XL pipeline three times. I am disappointed that Congress and the president cannot work together to support this common sense project. Built with respect for private property rights and to the highest safety standards, the pipeline will safeguard our most treasured places and increase our energy independence.

http://www.tester.senate.gov/?p=news&id=294

I would vote for the 90 year old Jimmy Carter (who only served one term) before I voted for either of them. He is much more lucid on the issues than most tossing their hat into the 2016 ring.

Needless to say, age is not a factor for me.

Sam

[erronis]

120. Anything my Senator Sanders can do

To nudge the democratic party back where it belongs is fine with me. I hope HRC (Her Royal C?) is receptive to some nudging. Hard to know if she is a DINO or really willing to be a voice for fairness, liberalism, and yes - progressive.

Sanders and Warren are great examples of real people that became politicians rather than born-in-the-womb politicians who try to look like real people.

[DonViejo]

108. Huh? Hillary is 66 years old,...

Bernie Sanders is 72.

[adirondacker]

115. Ooops! That's what I get for reading the internets without fact checking.

5 Years, Meh, not much difference still.

[Ed Suspicious]

152. The debate goes there then the policy goes elsewhere. No, I'm sick of high minded rhetoric followed

with low minded policy.

[JoePhilly]

28. The search for the new Messiah continues.

[Fumesucker]

68. To replace the current one

Why bother looking when the New Messiah is already inevitable?

[JoePhilly]

73. You are close ...

... I used to make fun of right wingers who claimed that liberals saw Obama as the Messiah. I didn't know anyone who thought anything like that.

But now, I see the folks on DU who are the most angry at Obama, desperately seeking, and even pronouncing, their new saviors.

My guess is some of the same savior seekers that we have now, saw Obama in that same way back in 2008, and the right wing picked up on it.

And so, with one Messiah down, they're off to find the new one.

[NanceGreggs]

110. If Sanders or Warren were somehow elected POTUS ...

... (which, IMHO, is impossible), I'd give it six to eight weeks before their current vocal supporters here would be posting about how disappointed they are, e.g. "THIS is not what I voted for!"

The Messiah-seekers hang onto their belief that there is ONE person out there who is going to breeze into office (via their efforts), fix everything they perceive to be wrong overnight, and agree with their position on every single issue.

They have no concept of the fact that most Obama supporters are realists, who understood from the beginning that no one - not even Obama - was going to be agreed with 100% of the time on 100% of the issues by those who support his presidency.

The Democratic Party IS "the big tent", which includes conservative centrists to far, far leftists. What many here seem to be advocating is a complete dismissal of anyone who doesn't fall where they are on the political spectrum (or perceive themselves to be), in the idiotic belief that their numbers are legion and can sweep their next Messiah into office - the Messiah whom they will turn on, bitch about, and condemn within weeks of being sworn in as POTUS.

[SheilaT]

121. Actually, no matter who gets elected,

at least assuming a Democrat wins two and a half years from now plenty here will be complaining about how disappointed they are not long after. Sad, but true.

[Fearless]

144. And that's just fine

Better that than "shit don't stink" idolatry.

[tomp]

146. there may be "far, far leftists"....

....who vote D sometimes, but the democratic party NEVER represents the "far, far, left." NOT EVER.

the tent may be big, but lunch is seldom served.

[NanceGreggs]

157. There are many, many 'far leftists' ...

... who consistently vote (D), and support the party as a whole.

That's because reality-based people understand what's good for the country overall is more important than their particular individual desires.

At this point in time, there are only two viable parties - (D) and (R). Again, reality-based people know the difference between the two, and vote/support accordingly.

[tomp]

159. miss the point much? nt

[Fumesucker]

112. People need hope that there'll be change

Or so I'm told.

Like it or not Ronald Reagan showed that one man can change the direction of the nation, several other Presidents had done the same thing but not really within modern memory. I mean I remember Kennedy and Johnson but I wasn't really paying strict attention to politics then.

A lot of people here want a liberal Reagan I think.

[greatauntoftriplets]

151. I've also noticed that...

much to my amusement.

[heaven05]

31. his age?

[Stellar]

36. Nothing, as long as he doesn't chose a Palin

...like running mate. I'd much prefer he pick..say, a Elizabeth Warren. Now that's the ticket!

btw: Hillary Clinton is 66yrs old and Elizabeth Warren is 64.

[abelenkpe]

39. I'd vote for him nt

[bvar22]

63. ..but a 69+ year old woman from New York?

Yeah...THATS the ticket!!!

[Le Taz Hot]

69. I know.

Simply amazing. One year younger. Shows you it's not about age and if it was, well, Elizabeth Warren will only be 66 . . .

[grahamhgreen]

80. 'Corporatist' woman

[winter is coming]

92. Shh. It's sexist to mention Hillary's age. n/t

[DonViejo]

109. Hillary is 66, Sanders is 72...

at least try to get the ages correct

[grahamhgreen]

78. Me Too! (Serious) :)

[Armstead]

113. Um, Ronald Reagan was 69

[raindaddy]

126. They marketed Ronnie

Musta been all of those wild west Ronnie photos with the hat and horse.. They used a similar version with Dubya, probably to make him seem manly and fearless. Ironic they had to substitute a pickup for the horse cus Bush was afraid of em.

[think]

133. Ya, we need a corporate mind in control..... /nt

[Beacool]

134. Yeah, my same thought.

[JDPriestly]

139. I know some things that could go right.

We could change the political assumptions of a lot of Americans. We could educate a lot of Americans who pay attention only when there is a presidential election.

Bernie Sanders speaks common sense. Vermont loves him. Progressives love him. If we are a democracy, we should welcome good ideas no matter where they come from.

Bernie Sanders is a positive man with new solutions for some of our deepest problems. He is lovable. His candidacy at the very least would change the political conversation in America and very possibly demonstrate the flaws in the current extreme right-wing philosophy that has taken over the Republican Party and that has a foothold among establishment Democrats.

Bernie Sanders would make a great candidate. He would bring out voters, the many, many voters who have given up because no one speaks for them.

If Progressive Democrats are to be expected to work and vote for and support a conservative Democrat like Hillary, then surely conservative Democrats can be expected to work and vote for and support a progressive like Bernie Sanders.

[cali]

143. It says an enriched debate in the primaries to me.

[Brainstormy]

2. The proverbial icicle in the proverbial hot place

never going to happen. I love Bernie, but I hope he stays out of it.

[nomorenomore08]

3. K&R just for interest's sake. I know his chances would likely be slim at best.

[freshwest]

128. I'd vote for him in a primary if he's up to traveling all those states. I don't know if he can pull

off the marathon that PBO did in both elections. It takes a lot of stamina to do that. Even so, near the end, he lost his voicer, so many plane flights and seeing many thousands of people a day.

I can't see Bernie doing it, but I'd vote for him in the general if he made it that far. I just don't think he will. But...

I want to have his ideas get coverage that only a candidate for POTUS can. I think that since the US Presidential Debate Commission or whatever it's called, took it over, it's been a real disservice to a variety of view and a bad thing.

However, if we don't flip the House and keep the Senate, he'd be up against a worse group than PBO faced in 2009. Those gangsters did all they could to overturn government, all the laws, and start a civil war.

And now they are even worse than they were, sad to say, much worse.

[bigdarryl]

4. OH PLEASE!!!! no way this will happen

[LuvNewcastle]

5. If he were just 10 years younger, I'd volunteer for him,

and I've never volunteered for anyone. But he's too old. I don't want someone who will raise issues to move Hillary left, I want someone who can beat her. I want someone who has proven themselves to be a progressive, not someone who will make a bunch of empty promises, anyway. I'm thinking Warren, Whitehouse, or possibly O'Malley. Bernie's a great man, and the country is fortunate to have him in the Senate, but he isn't Presidential material.

[starroute]

23. All our talked-up candidates are too old

Bernie will be 75 in 2016. Hillary will be 70. Elizabeth Warren will be 67.

I'm a Boomer myself -- but I deeply believe that when it comes to national politics, it's time to pass the torch. The Republicans may be idiots, but they've got people stepping forward who are in their 40s. Where are the Democratic equivalents?

[LuvNewcastle]

37. You're right. It's time for some new blood.

If we want to capture the votes of the generations that are starting to get involved now, we're going to have to relate to them. The Democratic Party has a real chance to be the majority party of the future if we play our cards right.

[closeupready]

71. Kirsten Gillibrand has potential; Gavin Newsom. Andrew Cuomo.

Kamala Harris. We have lots of good, smart, effective people in our party.

[Liberalynn]

95. Gillibrand is an unsung heroine!

She deserves to have more credit and attention given. I would vote for her in a heartbeat.

I am not a huge Cuomo fan. He should have fought the Puke redistricting plans for NY State instead of just going along with it.He had both the power and the options to challenge something that was so obviously politically skewed towards the Republicans but he went along with it without a whimper. He sides with them too often for my tastes. Loved his Dad though and wish he was more like him. In fact hearing Mario Cuomo speak is one of the reasons I became a Democrat.

[totodeinhere]

100. And Joe Biden is no spring chicken either. It seems to be the season of the older candidate. n/t

[ancianita]

129. Think of the cabinet he'd put together. The SCOTUS nominations he'd make. How he knows Congress.

Think about how Wall St.would see him. Just sayin'.

[brooklynite]

6. Someone who's never had a competetive election and get's a max of 300,000 votes?

That's someone not prepared for a national electorate.

[madokie]

9. In your wildest nightmare

cause what you're saying is not a dream

[TBF]

12. No - as much as I hate it Brooklynite is correct

He's better for us in Congress. We need a stronger, younger dem candidate. I love Elizabeth Warren but I'm not even sure she's that candidate. I think we should be looking more to Martin O'Malley or someone like him. Maybe Clinton/Castro simply because Clinton can raise the money and Castro brings the progressives.

Bernie's an awesome guy though - no doubt about that.

[madokie]

15. Yours too

LOL

[TBF]

17. Well, that's articulate.

[madokie]

18. What ever you think

go with it.

[brooklynite]

30. Well then, please enlighten us...

Please explain how a self-avowed socialist from a liberal State wins Ohio, Virginia, Florida, Wisconsin, or any combination providing 270 EV. Your thoughtful replies so far suggest you've thought long and hard about this.....

[madokie]

46. GOTV

same as the President we have now. Not many gave him a snow balls chance to begin with and look where he is today, Elected twice by big margins even

Are you enlightened yet? you should be

[brooklynite]

55. The big difference...

...beyond the fact that (as many people here complain) Obama was a mainstream candidate and not a Socialist, is that this time 8 years ago, Obama was reaching out to make the political and FINANCIAL connections needed to mount an effective Primary campaign. Right now, Biden, O'Malley and Schweitzer, and supporters of Hillary are doing the same. Sanders is doing what exactly?

[Enthusiast]

88. Bernie is centrist on the issues!

Not a fake centrist that runs to the right after the election (like some are working for), but a true centrist.

Bernie's a centrist that agrees with the American people about preserving Social Security and Medicare, taxing upper income brackets according to their means and reducing the wasteful military spending.

[socialist_n_TN]

147. And this is a very important point.......

Bernie IS a centrist, or probably more accurately, a populist. His stands on issues have been consistent and consistently THE SAME AS THE AMERICAN PEOPLE'S STANDS ON ISSUES. As shown in poll after poll.

But there is a legitimate question as to whether he'll have enough money to get that message out there.

[raindaddy]

26. I have a two word one letter response to that

George W. Bush

[totodeinhere]

102. Barack Obama never had much of a competitive election either. Alan Keyes? Come on. n/t

[joshcryer]

7. He should run.

Should change his affiliation soon.

[madokie]

8. I'll beat on every door within miles of me if he would run

I believe he will and I believe he is the person who will stop this slide we're on as a country right now. Obama was the start of something big and this gentleman will pick up where he left off. If Senator Warren would accept the VP slot I'd be in hog heaven. I'd be doing the happy dance from here to eternity.

[MineralMan]

54. Since OK's 2008 Presidential election gave

McCain a 31% margin, I doubt that your door-to-dooring will give any Democratic candidate OK's electoral votes. And that's the problem, in a nutshell for Bernie Sanders. If he were the 2016 candidate, that margin in OK would be at least 40%.

[madokie]

57. I don't share that thinking.

I see people waking up to what the hell is going on more than anything right now. I live here and I talk to people. One of my biggest faults is I talk to strangers, or so some think thats a fault anyway.
I'd say that half of that 31% was due to racist assholes more than democratic vs republiCON. Locally we don't have many republiCONs in any position. Sheriffs, judges, county commissioners, school boards, etc

[think]

137. GOTV!

[A Simple Game]

96. So by what margin do you think Hillary would win Oklahoma?

As far as I can see Oklahoma doesn't even figure in any Democratic presidential race, not for a while anyway.

[MineralMan]

148. Oklahoma is in the Republican camp pretty solidly,

I think. I doubt that a Democratic presidential candidate could possibly win there. Fortunately, that state has few electors, though.

[A Simple Game]

149. So what was your point about Sanders losing Oklahoma?

God wouldn't win Oklahoma if he ran as a Democrat.

[MineralMan]

153. My point was that it doesn't matter in Oklahoma.

But, I was making that point to someone else.

[A Simple Game]

156. Yes you were making your point to someone else.

Are you trying to discourage responses to your posts?

You did make it sound like you thought a Sanders candidacy would be a waste of time. I would disagree with that assessment.

[MineralMan]

160. Not at all. I think Sanders should run as a Democrat

in the primaries. I don't think he will get the nomination, though.

[A Simple Game]

161. I'd prefer to see him run as a Democrat.

I think he could win Iowa and should be able to win New Hampshire with no problem, then who knows?

[MineralMan]

162. I wouldn't predict anything. We'll have to wait and see,

assuming he runs at all. In the meantime, there's a mid-term election to GOTV for. That's what I'm doing. 2016 will take care of itself, and nobody's announcing anything until after the November election.

There's lots to do before then.

GOTV 2014 and Beyond!

[A Simple Game]

163. Good advice, I would only add to vote for the best candidate possible. n/t

[reformist2]

10. He should be Elizabeth Warren's VP running mate. They would make an excellent team.

[ellennelle]

75. could not agree more!

it's been my dream team for many months now!!

tho i'd miss her as my senator.

[Enthusiast]

89. Plus one an entire shit load!

[Lee-Lee]

13. Even if he is just in the primary

It will force the rest of the field to either show their progressive side or expose their lack of one.

I see no downside here.

[leftyohiolib]

16. as of now he wont be in the primary for his own seat

[RufusTFirefly]

33. ^ THIS ^

A primary shouldn't be a coronation.

It should be a period where all Democratic views are aired so the candidate ultimately chosen is not only the most "electable," but also best reflects the heart and soul of the rank and file (not necessarily just the leadership) who make up the party. If we run in fear of kowtowing to the corporate interests then our pessimism about the process will become self-fulfilling. There are way more of us than there are of them.

(By the way, the fact that we may need to look to an Independent as the Democratic standard bearer should tell us something about the precarious state of the party. Rather than demonizing or ridiculing such people, we should listen and learn from them. They are sending us a powerful, valuable message.)

[Earth_First]

14. Alright!

Another reason to revisit Iowa and New Hampshire!

[mmonk]

19. I hope so. It would be nice to have someone debate against neoliberalism.

Without that, the race will have no real substance.

[1StrongBlackMan]

21. Bernies and I have very little difference ...

on economic issues. But what has me unsettled with a Bernie candidacy is his failure to articulate the HOW of his economic plans ... we know the what and why; but very little is discussed as to the political how.

That and he is clearly a one topic Senator ... economics; and why that is important, it is only about 30% of the POTUS job.

While one can do that in the Senate, it does not make for a national candidate.

[NightWatcher]

25. Anybody wanna buy a barely used Kucinich 08 tshirt?

Every election people are going to get all dreamy eyed and pick a candidate that has no chance at competitively running.

Bernie is this election's Dennis

[SoCalMusicLover]

98. So Get With The Program And Vote For Whomever You're Told To

We need to all fall in line behind the chosen nominee, even if we are convinced they are the entirely wrong person for the job. Even if we think they are corporate sellouts. Even if we think they are going to move the party farther and farther to the right. Even if we expect they will let the prior crimes of the previous administration go completely unpunished.

I am considering sitting out an election for the first time since I've been able to vote, which was in 1984 for Mondale/Ferraro. I would actually vote for Mr. Sanders, and think he's someone who actually believes in the ideals most Democrats hold, yet will not bow to the pressure of special interest groups, like every other politician will.

Do I think he has a chance in H&*L? Of course not, he would get clobbered, but at least once in my voting life, I want to be able to say I did not merely cast my vote for the person I was TOLD to vote for, rather than someone I believe in voting for. The last candidate I felt that way about was Al Gore, and my belief in this so-called Democracy has slid severely ever since that December 2000 day, and I see absolutely Nothing in the 2016 predictions of Clinton vs Bush, that will alter that belief.

[ScreamingMeemie]

27. Trashing thread. See you after the mid-terms.

[riqster]

29. If he runs as a Dem, good on him.

Our 2008 contested primary was very good for the country and produced an excellent President.

No reason to do otherwise in 2016. Whether or not he can win, he will inspire debate and bring a lot of voters into the tent.

All gain, no pain.

[Proud Public Servant]

32. Bernie wouldn't be Kucinich. He'd be Jesse Jackson.

That is to say, he wouldn't stand a chance of winning the nomination -- but he wouldn't be the kind of gadfly/running joke Kucinich was. Instead, I think he'd have a real shot at exciting the passions of the base, putting the Democratic Establishment on notice, and shifting the rhetoric of the overall campaign. Those would not be negligible contributions, even if we end up with Lady Inevitable as the nominee.

[randr]

34. As much as I love Bernie

I am not willing to lose the Presidency by throwing him to the Republican wolves.
Hillary is inevitable.

[bvar22]

64. Hillary was "inevitable" in 2008.

They said she would be "too old" by 2016.

[FiveGoodMen]

72. Hillary will inevitably be bad for all of us

Except the 1% and the weapons manufacturers.

She will be W's 5th and 6th terms.

[A Simple Game]

101. Hillary is inevitable? Where have I heard that before?

Me thinks some on DU are afraid of a a second strike.

I could easily see Sanders beating Hillary in Iowa and especially New Hampshire. Then what?

[Scuba]

38. I would only support Bernie with my time, money and vote.

I'd bust my ass for this guy. Thank you Vermonters for sending him to DC.

[greenman3610]

40. Ralph Nader redux

why not just vote for Rand Paul?

[blackspade]

119. Comedy!

Thanks for rolling that tired ass meme out!

Here, let me try: why not just vote for Sarah Palin?

[EEO]

41. Likely never going to happen.

Perhaps a Warren run, though.

[Laelth]

44. Agreed. n/t

-Laelth

[Laelth]

43. k&r for Bernie Sanders. n/t

-Laelth

[Douglas Carpenter]

47. America needs someone who will maintain the status quo - not change things

Who wants change?

[ladjf]

48. We have several good candidates but Senator Sanders is my choice.

He is intelligent, has encyclopedic memory of history, communicates well and is not afraid of controversy.

Further, I believe that he is energetic enough to hold up under the strain of being President.

He and Warren would be a dynamic duo.

[Phlem]

51. If that's true, then the argument,

"If you don't vote for 3rd way Hillary, we'll end up with a teapublican", becomes bullshit. If he runs as a Dem it will be "You didn't vote for Sanders" that's why we have the 3rd way or worse the Republicans running the country!

[MineralMan]

53. If he runs, he should run as a Democrat, or his

run will be meaningless in its effect on the Democratic Party. Third party candidates do not affect the Democratic Party in any real way.

[backscatter712]

56. Even if he doesn't win, he'll push to keep the DINOs honest.

FSM only knows Hillary needs it.

I'll support him, just to see how far he gets. The more support he has, the more that Hillary has to cater to Sanders' positions to stay viable.

[rhett o rick]

70. Yes he will make the DINO's squirm a little during the campaign, but they

will immediately go back supporting the oligarchy. But his exposure might wake up some of the apathetic. If they think they have a candidate that truly represents them, they might vote. But Sen Sanders will face stiff opposition from the Wash DC Democratic Organization not known for it's support of liberal candidates.

[raindaddy]

124. You're right about the DINOs..

It's time to cull the herd.. The Democratic party should remain a big tent party when comes to race, creed and gender but why include Corpracrats who vote with the Republicans half the time anyway and don't have a populist bone in their body.

It's also time to focus on the young vote that Obama lost. Affordable higher education, decent paying jobs when they graduate, promise that Social Security and Medicare will be there when they need it and never again to use them as cannon fodder for some trumped up oil war.

[rhett o rick]

125. I like the way you think. nm

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

60. A candidate to vote for...rather than settle for.

[RufusTFirefly]

62. Exactly. We start out by settling and then spend the rest of the time conceding.

It's pathetic.

As legendary baseball manager Earl Weaver put it, "If you play for one run, that’s all you’ll get."

FDR called for an income limit of $25,000. He didn't get it. Instead, he was forced to "compromise." Congress established a top tax rate of more than 90 percent.

[raindaddy]

65. Exactly!

FDR wouldn't recognize today's Democratic party. Notice he's rarely mentioned by his own party anymore, too much of a "Socialist". Using today's standards Eisenhower was Socialist.

[winter is coming]

93. This ^^. And the harder people try to convince us that someone to vote for rather than settle for

could never ever be elected, the more I realize that it's not only possible but something that is greatly feared.

[A Simple Game]

107. I don't know why anyone wouldn't vote for the best possible candidate.

The way to elect the best possible candidate is to vote for them, it's that simple.

Hillary is electable? She couldn't even beat an unknown last time she ran for President.

[G_j]

123. the old "unelectable" brand

that becomes a self fulfilling prophecy because there are a lot of idiots who insist on repeating it over, and over, and over....

Personally, nobody I know likes Hillary much, but they love love Bernie and Elizabeth.

[Initech]

61. Run Bernie run!!! I'd love to see a Sanders/Warren ticket for 2016!

[MisterP]

67. his run will bring our country's actual problems into the national conversation

people can articulate what they need and make demands even if he loses

[Trust Buster]

74. Sanders would only help the Republican candidate.

[FiveGoodMen]

76. As opposed to others who would only help the republican cause

[Enthusiast]

90. And adopt a Republican agenda after they're elected.

Fixed that fer ya.

[FiveGoodMen]

91. 'Preciate it!

[grahamhgreen]

84. Actually, he pulls almost all the Independent vote, and many R votes!

Last edited Wed May 14, 2014, 08:43 PM - Edit history (1)

[Trust Buster]

94. You meant that as a joke, right ?

[grahamhgreen]

117. He got 208,000 out of 292,000 votes cast in Vermont in the last election. 71 percent of the votes.

[grahamhgreen]

77. Bernie Sanders Asks Fed Chair Whether the US Is an Oligarchy:

The senator began with the facts: “In the US today, the top 1 percent own about 38 percent of the financial wealth of America. The bottom 60 percent own 2.3 percent. One family, the Walton family, is worth over $140 billion; that’s more wealth than the bottom 40 percent of the American people. In recent years, we have seen a huge increase in the number of millionaires and billionaires, while we continue to have the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world. Despite, as many of my Republican friends talk about ‘the oppressive Obama economic policies,’ in the last year Charles and David Koch struggled under these policies and their wealth increased by $12 billion in one year. In terms of income, 95 percent of new income generated in this country in the last year went to the top 1 percent.“

Sanders then introduced an academic study, by Martin Gilens and Benjamin Page, that concludes, “The central point that emerges from our research is that economic elites and organized groups representing business interests have substantial independent impacts on US government policy, while mass-based interest groups and average citizens have little or no independent influence.”

That sounds like an oligarchy.

So Sanders asked Yellen: “In your judgment, given the enormous power held by the billionaire class and their political representatives, are we still a capitalist democracy or have we gone over to an oligarchic form of society in which incredible enormous economic and political power now rests with the billionaire class?”

Yellen did not answer “yes.” But she did say, “There’s no question that we’ve had a trend toward growing inequality and I personally find it a very worrisome trend that deserves the attention of policy makers.”

http://www.thenation.com/blog/179739/bernie-sanders-asks-fed-chair-whether-us-oligarchy

[Swede Atlanta]

79. I admire Bernie Sanders and agree with him 100% on nearly everything.....

but I don't seem him with the patience to deal with the crap you have to deal with as President.

I would rather see him as an active firebrand in the Senate, a true voice for the people.

[grahamhgreen]

81. Patience - the country is on fire, Obama proved patience does not work. We need butt kicking, IMHO!

[A Simple Game]

104. Nope, that firebrand thing didn't work for Teddy or Franklin Roosevelt did it?

And a few others that could also be mentioned.

[Sienna86]

82. He seems to be a thoughtful, caring and intelligent person.

I would vote for him.

[allinthegame]

83. I repeat

Welcome to Washington President Rand.....
if the general population thinks so lowly of Obama's "socialist" programs why let the nutters in
by backing Bernie. We want to keep them out of the White House not continue to live a fantasy league.

[IkeRepublican]

85. Pie in the sky fantasy if there ever was one

Face facts, ladies and gentlemen. America is not going to let a Jew be president in any of our lifetimes. Christ, we all remember how the RW did Liebermann in 2000 and he was center right as could be - obviously going neocon later on out of convenience, but anybody over the age of 40 and politically aware back then clearly remembers his run with Gore. Sanders would get obliterated BIG TIME.

And let's just say he did win the presidency. I'd be as joyous as you all would be. But, he wouldn't live long after that.

Never underestimate how low the RW will sink. Just when you think they've really gone far and beyond even the slightest shred of decorum, they trump that a short time later at least tenfold. It's not by mistake we regard them as "the race to the bottom". And don't delude yourselves that the media wouldn't gladly wrap their lips around Republican phallus to destroy Sanders. They already receive it daily with drooling mouths and euphoric trembling anticipation.

Shit, they wouldn't even get near - let alone touch - the facts regarding special interest groups funding RW pundits to make up for their loss of ad revenue. How long did they cover the minimum wage failure? A couple hours? The rest of the time they're sucking up to To-Keep-Or-Lose-The-Dick Bruce Jenner and his bastard do-nothing kids along with Bungoozie.

[totodeinhere]

99. First they said that a Catholic could not be president. Then they said that an African American

could not. And we all know how that worked out. So why not a Jew?

[Enthusiast]

86. I am totally ready for President Sanders.

And I believe he can effectively communicate with the electorate so that they will embrace Bernie.

[WhiteTara]

87. Except that he's not a democrat

and doesn't have the backing he would need, yada, yada, yada.

[RufusTFirefly]

97. If it can't be Bernie, it's just gotta be Hillary

Welcome to BinaryWorld, where if we can't elect a progressive, we have to settle for a corporatist instead. After all, we have no choice.

What's happened to this country? Why aren't there a half a dozen Bernies vying for the Presidential nomination?

If you think Bernie's too old, we'll settle for the younger version of Bernie. If you're concerned that Bernie comes from a small state, then perhaps we should put our support behind the Bernie who hails from a more populous state. If you don't like the fact that Bernie has an (I) after his name instead of a (D), then maybe you need to support the Democratic Bernie. Where in God's name have all the Bernies gone?

Most of the party should be pushing Bernie's ideas and have Bernie's fire in the belly. How ironic that one of the few good Democrats isn't even a Democrat!

The fact that there are so few Democrats standing up for what were once bedrock Democratic ideals makes it way too easy for the shills and the sock puppets to marginalize and ridicule the few progressives. Just a handful of whispers, smears, and misdirections, and Presto! The path is cleared for the corporatist war mongers.

(With apologies to Sen. Warren. Based on what I know of her policies, I would probably support her. But with Bernie, there's no question. He has my vote.)

[blackspade]

105. If he runs as a Democrat, he has my vote.

He would be hands down, the best candidate of the last 30 years.

[Endgames]

111. Would make a fantastic president

[Jim Lane]

114. Sanders wouldn't be obliterated by the Republican, as some fear.

Sanders doesn't get the nomination unless he touches a chord, that is, unless the experiences of Bush the Lesser plus eight years of a centrist Democrat plus the increasing lunacy of the Republican Party all coalesce to persuade millions of people that real change is imperative.

Will that happen? Alas, probably not. The most likely outcome of a Sanders candidacy is that it pushes the 2016 campaign toward a dialog on some real issues; that debates with Sanders, Clinton, and anyone else in the race help publicize and legitimize progressive ideas; that Clinton moves somewhat to the left as a result; and that Clinton ends up as the nominee anyway. That's a win (i.e., we're better off because Sanders ran).

If my guess is wrong, and he picks up enough votes to overcome all the factors mentioned in this thread, then it tells us there's a turn of the tide. A Jewish septuagenarian Socialist from a small state beat a candidate with better name recognition, overwhelming endorsement of the party establishment, scads more money, and support from a whole range of powerful interest groups and demographic blocs. Whatever enabled him to win the nomination doesn't mysteriously vanish before the general election.

[Capt. Obvious]

116. This holding up Bernie as the new Messiah is ridiculous

Biden is going to clear the floor of all possible challengers.

[Utopian Leftist]

118. Bernie is a hero to the left.

We should all be proud of his accomplishments.

Obviously I have someone else in mind for the job (Warren), but I can't think of anyone else I'd rather see on that stage, joining Elizabeth and Hilary in the primary debates! In fact, Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren have so much in common that I can't think of anyone alive who would make a more effective Vice President to her. Though I imagine the Powers That Be would force her to choose a more "establishment" figure, were she to run.

[jtuck004]

122. That's like hoping a hot pack will cure your cancer. n/t

[ancianita]

127. Re his age, he's got nothing to lose. He's not corporate and old conservative folks relate to him.

They do in Florida. He knows what to talk about.

I got no brilliant analysis, but I think his candidacy would have much on-the-ground power.

I'm no spring chicken, either, but I campaigned hard during the last two elections and I'd do it again for him.

Just his being in the primary along with other progressives would revive hope.

[blkmusclmachine]

130. Bernie won't get anywhere with our DC DEM Party apparatus, which is a subsidiary of Big Oil, Defense

, and Pharmaceuticals, and is perpetually given to fits of "bi-partisanship," "triangulation," and phony "11-dimensional chess."

[raindaddy]

132. That's as much honesty as I can take for the evening...

Goodnight!

[JEB]

131. Bernie may be 72 but he's

got the fresh ideas about making our country a better place. Hillary pals around with the likes of Henry (Jabba) Kissinger.

[SamKnause]

135. If we could get a few Progressive Socialist multi millionaires and billionaires

to back him, by flooding the airwaves with many of his ideas and quotes,

we might have a slight chance in "hell" of succeeding.

I would be willing to keep my fingers and toes crossed during the campaign if I thought it could affect the outcome.

My dream choices; (pardon the pun)

1. Alan Grayson
2. Bernie Sanders
3. Elizabeth Warren

[Beacool]

136. A Socialist in his mid 70s.

Yep, he could win a general election...........maybe in Europe.

[JDPriestly]

138. If Bernie runs, and if I am physically able, I will campaign for him.

If Warren runs, and if I am physically able, I will campaign for her.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders

[Jamastiene]

141. Is he really considering running?

If so, I'd love the chance to vote for him.

[DFW]

142. I'm with Howard Dean on this

In 2009, shortly after Obama's inauguration, I was asking Howard about his future plans, including 2016. He said no way, and that younger blood was needed to do this job. He said he preferred someone under the age of 50 to run, and that counted himself out (plus Judy would have gone ballistic if he ran again, but that's another story).

[brooklynite]

150. ...and he said he supported Hillary Clinton...

(CNN) – Howard Dean's presidential hopes may not be as high as his trips to Iowa and New Hampshire suggest, based on the candidate he currently supports for 2016.

"At this point, I'm supporting Hillary Clinton," the former governor of Vermont told The Des Moines Register Wednesday in an interview in Idaho.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2013/08/21/howard-dean-on-2016-at-this-point-im-supporting-hillary-clinton/

[DFW]

158. Not surprising

Who under the age of 50 has declared?

He will support the nominee, of course, but he still prefers younger blood. Not at any price, of course. He would support Methuselah before he'd support Marco Rubio.

[nikto]

145. if only he had a southern accent and loved to go duck-hunting...

He might have a chance in certain states.



For myself,
A Sanders-Warren ticket would truly rock.

And after they get elected, we could have Grayson for Attorney-General too.

[DemocraticWing]

154. If he's got Tom Hayden's support, that can't be a bad sign.

We live amidst a national celebration of economic prosperity while poverty and deprivation remain an unbreakable way of life for millions in the "affluent society", including many of our own generation. We hear glib reference to the "welfare state", "free enterprise", and "shareholder's democracy" while military defense is the main item of "public" spending and obvious oligopoly and other forms of minority rule defy real individual initiative or popular control. Work, too, is often unfulfilling and victimizing, accepted as a channel to status or plenty, if not a way to pay the bills, rarely as a means of understanding and controlling self and events. In work and leisure the individual is regulated as part of the system, a consuming unit, bombarded by hardsell soft-sell, lies and semi-true appeals and his basest drives. He is always told what he is supposed to enjoy while being told, too, that he is a "free" man because of "free enterprise."

Port Huron Statement, 1962

http://www.h-net.org/~hst306/documents/huron.html

[anti partisan]

155. The reason why he may have a difficult time winning

Has nothing to do with being a socialist, or his image.

Sanders will have trouble drawing big money to combat the GOP money machine. Wall Street will be strongly on the GOP's side.

Now, if Wall Street is on our candidate's side, what do we have to gain? I say not much. I think we HAVE to run a candidate against Wall Street to change things. That's the simple truth, and it may be difficult, but socialism is a very popular message when it is articulated. It's just that the general public doesn't understand it. Go Sanders!