Bernie Sanders, I or D in the General Election?

[Mike Nelson]

Bernie is presently an "Independent" - so, if he wins the Democratic Party's nomination, does that automatically make him a Democrat? Or, would he retain his identification as Independent. I will happily vote for Bernie, should he win the nomination - just wondering and think someone here probably has the answer.

[Maedhros]

1. He's running for the Democratic Party's nomination.

If he wins, he will be the Democratic Party's nominee, which means a "D" next to his name.

As if that really matters.

[Mike Nelson]

5. That's good!

Thank you.

[Warpy]

2. He caucuses with the Democrats and he is running as a Democratic candidate

Nice try, though.

[RobertEarl]

3. Oh? Well, there is this.

Star Member brooklynite (23,596 posts)
30. "Democrats welcome Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders "

DNC CHAIR STATEMENT ON BERNIE SANDERS’ 2016 ANNOUNCEMENT APRIL 30, 2015

Washington, DC – In response to Bernie Sanders’ announcement that he will run for president in 2016, DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz released the following statement:

“Democrats welcome Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders as the second candidate to officially seek the Democratic Party’s nomination for President in 2016. Senator Sanders is well-recognized for his principled leadership and has consistently stood up for middle class families. Throughout his service in the U.S. House and Senate, Bernie Sanders has clearly demonstrated his commitment to the values we all share as members of the Democratic Party.
‎

“The Democratic Party appreciates the contributions that Senator Sanders, Secretary Clinton, and other candidates will make to a healthy dialogue about the future of our party and our nation. There is a distinct contrast between Democrats who are on the side of middle and working class families and Republicans who are concerned with the very rich and wealthy corporations. Over the next year, the discussions we have during our respective nominating processes will help make that choice clear.”

[Mike Nelson]

7. So, if he wins, he's a "D"

I think that's best.

[RobertEarl]

8. Then we have this

MADem (115,382 posts)
62. If the establishment "hates the Bern," then why did the Bern ask to be included under the

establishment's Big Tent?

How do you "smash politics" when you're a guest in the DNC's home? They're the ones who will make the call if the primaries are neck-and-neck.

I don't think the "establishment" (if by that, you mean the individuals that We, The People, sent to Congress) "hates" anyone. I think they just don't believe he's the best candidate for POTUS.

[hrmjustin]

4. I tend to think if he wins the nomination he will join the party.

[onehandle]

6. Unknown. Nobody has a clear answer on this. nt

[Comrade Grumpy]

10. I can't sleep at night worrying about it. n/t

[SalviaBlue]

12. I have a clear answer on this:

Sanders, an independent in the U.S. Senate who is seeking the 2016 presidency on the Democratic ticket, explained in a Q&A session with the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that he feels a responsibility to stick to the two-party system in the presidential contest.

“If it happens that I do not win that process, would I run outside of the system?" Sanders said in the interview broadcast by C-SPAN. "No, I made the promise that I would not and I will keep that promise. And the reason for that is I do not want to be responsible for electing some right-wing Republican to be president of the United States.”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-independent_55ba86e7e4b06363d5a1742b

[Trajan]

9. I tend to think that the party left Bernie

Well before Bernie left the party ...

I have been disgusted with the Democratic Party for decades ... I believe my connection to Bernie and my appreciation for his values is due to our mutual frustration at a party that gave up its principles in favor of filthy lucre ...

The DNC, as it stands, does NOT represent my interests ... but my interests haven't changed one iota ...

We want the party to come back to it's roots. ...

[Tarheel_Dem]

11. I wish he had stuck to his so-called "principles". He's not a Democrat, and despite what is said by

others who ARE NOT Democrats, it does matter. And you'll see just how much it matters once IA & NH are in the rearview mirror.