Would it be fair to compare a Bernie

[boston bean]

candidacy to the prior Kucinich candidacy for president?

[Zorra]

1. No. Kucinich was way ahead of his time. Bernie is in the right place at

the right time.

[VanillaRhapsody]

2. No...Kucinich was at the very least a real Democrat!

[still_one]

4. Hate to break this to you but Bernie is a Democrat. When you register to vote in

Vermont, you do not identify with a party. There are Conservative Democrats, Liberal Democrats, Moderate Democrats, and Bernie is a Socialist Democrat

Bernie is also running as a Democrat, and just like Pattrick Leahy he will be recognized as a Democrat because he identifies himself as such

[VanillaRhapsody]

6. No he isn't...hate to break it to you...you are wrong because

Sen. Patrick Leahy....DEMOCRAT from Vermont!

Sanders runs for office as an independentbut caucuses with the Democratic Party and is counted as a Democrat for purposes of committee assignments. He was the only independent member of the House during most of his service and is the longest-serving independent in U.S. Congressional history. Since January 2015, Sanders has been the Ranking Democratic Member on the Senate Budget Committee.[5]

[still_one]

10. Bullshit. People change party's all the time. You don't make the rules. He is running as a

Democrat, and he will be on the ballot as a Democrat. Kinda bothers you doesn't it?

[VanillaRhapsody]

12. Not Bullshit at all...

http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/politics/bernie-sanders-democrat-or-independent/


But you are right....they DO renounce and become a MEMBER of another party all the time. Unless Bernie says he is no longer an Independent (you understand what that means right) then he is not a Democrat.

Do you think he will run for his Senate seat if he loses this Primary as a Democrat?

[still_one]

17. We are talking now, and he is running as a Democrat now, therefore he is a Democrat. If he

changes his affiliation later that is hypothetical

As I said, people have changed back and forth their party all the time

[VanillaRhapsody]

18. No he isn't UNLESS he is now calling himself one....

otherwise he is STILL an Independent. PERIOD!

You don't have to BE a Democrat to run in the Democratic Primary...therefore just running in it...doesn't automatically make you one!

and he runs as an Independent in Vermont...(unlike Sen. Pat Leahy...Democrat from Vermont)

[AgingAmerican]

49. You're still flogging this long dead horse?

At what point does this become embarrassing to you?

[MADem]

47. Until he changes his registration with his FEC filing, Senator Sanders is an INDEPENDENT.

That's what's on record with the FEC. For now, anyway.

He might change that when he files to run for President, but he hasn't done it yet.

People here at DU don't seem to understand that it doesn't matter what "Vermont" says about VOTERS, when people run for NATIONAL office, they have to file with the Federal Election Commission, and they have to declare a party affiliation on FEC Form 2. That's why Pat Leahy is a Democrat, Howard Dean ran for President as a DEMOCRAT, and Jim Jeffords was a Republican, until he switched parties.

It's not simply a "Because I say so" thing, there's a formal process associated with it.

[LWolf]

7. And Bernie does a better job

working for the people the Democratic Party is supposed to serve than some other prominent Democrats. And, of course, he's running in the real Democratic Primaries.

[VanillaRhapsody]

9. So does Ghandi....

but it doesn't make him a Democrat....

and you see...you CAN run in the Democratic Primary and not be a Democrat....so UNLESS Bernie renounces his Independent Party cred.....and proclaims he IS an ACTUAL Democrat....he still isn't one.

Do you really think if he loses the Primary he will run for his Senate seat next election as a Democrat?

[LWolf]

15. I think

that position on issues should trump cheer leading for a political party for voters with any integrity. I think Bernie is as good a Democrat the party's got, whether he registers that way or not. I think that if the Democratic Party allows him to run in the Democratic Primary, you've got nothing. I think you know that, but your perpetual need to engage in simple-minded arguments in a futile effort to "win" when it's simply not in your wheelhouse is going to continue to provide entertainment for many.

[still_one]

14. Bernie is running as a Democrat, and he will be on the ballot as a Democrat in spite of what some

would wish otherwise

In Vermont you do not declare party affiliation when registering.

[LWolf]

16. Yep. nt

[VanillaRhapsody]

26. No...Unless he calls himself a Democrat now....

He isn't....just running in the Primary doesn't make you one if you have been running in elections for years as an Independent. Pretty simple concept...

And by the way...Senator Patrick Leahy...Democrat from Vermont....Check MATE!

Sanders runs for office as an independent but caucuses with the Democratic Party and is counted as a Democrat for purposes of committee assignments. He was the only independent member of the House during most of his service and is the longest-serving independent in U.S. Congressional history. Since January 2015, Sanders has been the Ranking Democratic Member on the Senate Budget Committee.[5]

Do you honestly believe that if he loses this Primary he will go home and suddenly start running as a Democrat?

[morningfog]

34. Check mate? You're silly.

[VanillaRhapsody]

35. No you are....

failure to recognize....

you claimed you cannot register as a Democrat and therefore Bernie COULD NOT be a Democrat...unfortunately for your little theory...Senator Pat Leahy IS a member of the Democratic Party from Vermont.

[AgingAmerican]

50. You keep pushing this rediculous meme

Why? What is your point?

[840high]

27. That's for sure.

[morningfog]

30. It will be nice when, come tomorrow, you will have to give this bit up.

[smokey nj]

33. At that point, the only thing that will change is the tense used in the bullying and disruption.

It'll go from "IS NOT" to "WAS NOT." I have to go and get more Tylenol.

[immoderate]

3. Who??

--imm

[LWolf]

5. Compare and contrast.

They are both better than the status quo neoliberals they ran, and are running, against.

Sanders has better ability to get broad support.

[Buzz Clik]

8. Kucinich was a dork. Not fair to Bernie

[still_one]

19. Thanks. I really couldn't think of the right words, though I felt the comparison wasn't valid

and though I probably would not use the word dork for Dennis, he sure does not explain things as clearly as Bernie

[Zorra]

24. It's a real shame he wasn't cute enough for you. He had some great ideas.

Was it the fact that he voted against Bush's Iraq War, or maybe that he was the leader of the House Democrats against the Iraq War, that you find to be dorky?

The Bloodstained Path
by Dennis Kucinich

Unilateral military action by the United States against Iraq is unjustified, unwarranted, and illegal. The Administration has failed to make the case that Iraq poses an imminent threat to the United States.

There is no credible evidence linking Iraq to 9/11. There is no credible evidence linking Iraq to Al Qaeda. Nor is there any credible evidence that Iraq possesses deliverable weapons of mass destruction, or that it intends to deliver them against the United States.
snip---
America cannot and should not be the world's policeman. America cannot and should not try to pick the leaders of other nations. Nor should America and the American people be pressed into the service of international oil interests and arms dealers.

We must work to bring Iraq back into the community of nations, not through destruction, but through constructive action worldwide. We can help negotiate a resolution with Iraq that encompasses unfettered inspections, the end of sanctions, and the cessation of the regime-change policy.
We have the power to do this. We must have the will to do this. It must be the will of the American people expressed through the direct action of peaceful insistence.

http://www.progressive.org/node/1424

[Buzz Clik]

25. Really?

[tritsofme]

11. Yes, it is a very apt comparison.

He is a more grown up marginally more credible version of Kucinich. I don't think anyone can say with straight face or a clear mind that his chances are any better.

[Cheese Sandwich]

13. I definitely think a Senator has a bigger profile

But your comparison is not without warrant. They are very similar on the issues and the concerns they raise.

But just on style, presentation, and national recognition I think Bernie will be a stronger candidate.

In some ways Kucinich was actually further to the left, or more of an impossible candidate.

[leveymg]

20. More like Bernie is McGovern and Hillary is Nixon

We pretty much think we know this won't turn out the way we want it to. But, what the hell - like we can do anything else?

[seabeyond]

21. i do not know. i am thinking maybe it can be more like dean.

maybe not politics but what they bring/bought to the primary and candidacy.

[Starry Messenger]

22. I don't think so.

I think Bernie has deeper ties to more constituent groups. I don't have any info on how he stacks up in terms of success in getting bills passed. I seem to remember that was one of the criticisms of DK--he had good ideas, but not many of them made it into law? Memory fades.

[arcane1]

23. Perhaps, but I don't think even Kucinich had the same level and intensity of support

Though I did donate to him and slap stickers all over the place for him

Then again, there were a few differing factors: "social media" as such didn't really exist back then (and Sanders is really getting around on social media!), and the war in Iraq was a very specific thing to be opposed to, and with a repub president. Today, we have "income inequality" as a thing to be opposed to, but it's more multifaceted and less specific than the war was.

In terms of how far left they are, it's pretty close!

[Lil Missy]

28. Not even close. Kucinich came off as a nutbag. Bernie will do a lot better.

[VanillaRhapsody]

31. You have FAR underestimated Rightwing Media....

wait till they get through with him....

actually I think he is running interference for Hillary!

[NightWatcher]

29. I doubt Bernie takes a job with Fox after he retires from politics

[merrily]

32. There's just no comparison.

[dsc]

36. That really isn't fair to Bernie

Kucinich had, in a very high profile way, changed his views on abortion and gay rights which made anyone who cared about those issues rather suspicious that it was a rather convenient conversion. Sanders also has been in the Congress for coming up on 30 years and in the Senate for over a decade. That said, I think he has an uphill fight ahead of him.

[Zorra]

37. kick

[betsuni]

38. Bernie has a much stronger personality and maybe not exactly charisma,

but some sort of avuncular confidence and integrity that one can trust. He's always in control, never lets anyone lead him off message. He also seems to be gaff-proof. I think a good ticket would be Hillary running for president, appealing to older voters and maybe even a few conservatives, and Bernie as VP, popular with younger voters who might not ordinarily vote.

[Marr]

39. This is what people don't like about Hillary supporters. /nt

[seabeyond]

41. what? actually question another candidates elect-ability? that is off limits? to question

the reception of public perception?

tell me marr. how are the anti clinton people doing in their criticism of clinton? logo? really?

i am beyond flabbergasted after a good year of watching a good group of duers trash clinton now making comments like you are making.

sander supporter here? i am pretty sure he can handle this. if this is how his campaign is going to look, i am not seeing what i had hope in possibilities for him and us.

are dems, regardless who they challenge, suppose to only praise sanders?

[Marr]

48. When you're perceived to be in the lead, this sort of thing is bad form.

No candidate is going to be free from heat and criticism around here-- Hillary least of all. But she's perceived (and promoted) as being in the lead. So making these sorts of mocking, back-handed, derogatory posts looks worse. Criticize his policies and votes if you can-- absolutely. But this is just mockery.

If a sports team is presumed to be going to the playoffs, then mocking the underdogs is only going to make people hope that leading team loses.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

40. He's a primary challenger to your preferred candidate.

All's 'fair' in love and war. So feel free to compare Sanders to Kucinich. I'll compare Hillary 'Bosnian sniper fire' Clinton to Brian 'Chopper RPG' Williams.

[JI7]

42. i would say maybe Bill Bradley is a better comparison

[seabeyond]

43. bradley is very good in comparison, but i think there will be more of an excitement with sanders. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

44. Nnnnnnnnnope.

Only a fool or an idiot would do that.

[geek tragedy]

45. Hell no! Kucinich is a flake and a clown.

Can you imagine this phrase being reality: " Fox News contributor Bernie Sanders?"

[lumberjack_jeff]

46. No. Dennis was about the woo. Love him, but he was far too new-agey. n/t

[steve2470]

51. As soon as I heard that Kucinich actually answered that fucking question about UFO's...

instead of batting it away with contempt or with grace... I knew he was toast. Ok, we can all debate UFO's but MOST Americans see that as crazymoonbat stuff. He was toast. Sorry Mr. Kucinich.

[Jamaal510]

52. Slightly OT, but my POSCI classmates said

that they think Bernie is "adorable for an old guy" for whatever weird reason...
I was sitting there thinking
I have my classes at Humboldt with some of the most colorful characters.

[lamp_shade]

53. Oh my... yes.

[Bluenorthwest]

54. Looking at this thread in December and it seems that the comparison would be specious and

agenda driven.... looking back can be so amusing.