From Bernie's hometown newspaper: Why Bernie Should Run

[cali]

<snip>

So why doesn’t Sanders himself feed that hunger and demand that discussion? Politically speaking, there has never been, and will never again be, a better time for Sanders to run for president than in 2016.

With Hillary Clinton almost certain to enter the race, all but a few brave contenders — such as Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley — will clear the Democratic field for her. That will leave an enormous void for a challenger from the left to fill.

And as Sanders made clear to Tasini, he believes someone should do it. Asked whether another Clinton candidacy “offer[s] an alternative to the country,” Sanders replied, succinctly as ever, “No, it does not.”

Whether you agree with his vision or not, Sanders would certainly offer quite the alternative to Clintonian triangulation and poll-tested circumspection. His Ahab-esque focus on the white whale of income inequality would surely resonate with Democratic primary voters much like John Edwards’ did back in those halcyon, pre-Rielle Hunter days.

<snip>

It would also resonate with the Beltway’s horse-race-obsessed media machine, which, like your local political columnist, will be desperate to come up with credible narratives and counter-narratives over the next 36 months — particularly if Clinton saps the suspense out of it. You simply can’t invent a better foil for her than the crazy-haired, Brooklyn-accented, self-styled socialist from the Independent Republic of Ben & Jerry’s.

And if you think people wouldn’t pay attention, you’d be wrong, says progressive journalist John Nichols, Washington correspondent for the Nation.

<snip>

http://www.7dvt.com/2013why-bernie-should-run-sen-sanders-and-2016-presidential-campaign

[Cali_Democrat]

1. Bernie Sanders is unelectable.

If he ran under the Democratic ticket like another post here suggested, he would get wiped out.

If he ran as an Independent, he would take enough Dem votes to ensure that a Republican would take the White House.

Bernie Sanders 4 Prez sounds great, but it's pure fantasy.

[cali]

2. lol. not the point of the piece. reading is fundamental.

but my how this seems to get you all torqued up.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Torqued up?

[delrem]

6. I think "Torqued up" means something like, accelerating the momentum of the spin.

[Enthusiast]

4. The thought of a Hillary Clinton candidacy sickens me.

If she is elected it will be as bad or worse than we have now.

And Bernie is one of the few remaining honest politicians with the interests of the people at heart.

[polichick]

12. "Bernie is one of the few remaining honest politicians with the interests of the people at heart."

Yes - and that's the campaign really.

Amazingly, a politician with the interests of the people at heart is the "alternative" in a gov't that's supposed to be of, by and for the people.

[Enthusiast]

17. It was bad enough before the Citizens United decision.

The supreme court voted five to four to destroy the nation. Mission accomplished.

[thelordofhell]

5. This is why he should be Vice-President

Clinton/Sanders 2016

[glowing]

7. VP is the fastest way to silence someone IMHO...

[dotymed]

8. A VP has no clout or say-so in their administration.

Bernie is the most electable person in the world.
There would be millions of volunteers (including me) who would fight to their last breath for Senator Sanders. Of course dlc democrats do not want the change that Bernie offers, happily they are the minority.

The disenfranchised from ALL PARTIES would vote for him. That really jeopardizes the hegemony of the 2 corporate parties.

[delrem]

9. No. Sanders wouldn't do it.

Putting it in the only way I know how: Hillary Clinton doesn't offer anything new, to change from triangulation in accordance with the marker set by the right-wing extreme. That's an incredibly lazy POV for a Dem.

All politicians are triangulators, by definition. I don't think Sanders is *that kind* of triangulator, he isn't someone who would choose such an extreme to "run to the left of". That's Boehner's job, trying to make sense of the right-wing extreme. Not a Dem's job.

[vt_native]

10. Bernie a traitor to the Poor and moderate income in South Burlington and Winooski, VT

By supporting the basing of the F-35 in South Burlington, which will destroy housing in South Burlington, Williston and Winooski, Vermont.

This will render about 3000 modest homes "incompatible with residential use" per the USAF Environmental Impact Statement.

This is tremendously disheartening to this longtime Bernie supporter. Bernie is hiding from his constituents who oppose the plane here.

The plane can be put in a desert somewhere. This is Pat Leahy's power play, he really wants it here for his guard buddies.

[cali]

11. I gotta say: I think it's pathetic that you ignore all other issues. ALL.

and frankly, I don't buy for one nanosecond that you're a "longtime Bernie supporter".

I've been reading your posts. I have a pretty good idea of where YOU really come from. Interesting- and that's the best that I can say.

What I wish I could say to you, I can't.

[vt_native]

13. Hi Cali

You are entitled to your opinion. Have a great day!

[Dawgs]

14. Oh Jesus.

[Dawgs]

15. Love Bernie, but a populist independent with no ties to the current government is what is needed.

Someone with Obama/Bill's likability, Elizabeth Warren's fight, and Sanders vision.

The key is that it can't be a Republican or Democrat.

[stevenleser]

16. As a Hillary supporter, I would welcome this. I think it would be a good thing.

Depending on how it was handled, it (Bernie on the national stage for 6-8 months) could have the effect of pulling the whole country to the left.

If they could make sure they didn't beat on each other, this would be great. Bernie would not have a chance to beat her, but his voice would IMO have an important effect on the country. He would make it much harder for a Republican to beat Hillary too because after Bernie's discussion of the issues, it would make the Republicans look more extreme in the eyes of the country.

[MineralMan]

18. I think Bernie Sanders should run if that's the decision he makes.

Certainly, he'd bring a fresh voice to the primary season and could raise issues that need to be addressed. I'm certain that he would have to abandon his campaign after a couple of primaries, but he might raise some questions in the minds of voters.

I fervently wish we were in a position where a Bernie Sanders had the potential to actually become President. It would be a sign that the nation had evolved into a nation that was ready to make major changes in how it functions. I do not think that evolution has happened, though.

So, I hope he runs. But he won't become President, and I'm sure that knowledge is part of his decision-making process. He knows what US politics is and how Presidents are chosen. Whatever he decides, I want him to remain in the Senate, where his voice is heard frequently and is part of the conscience of government. I do not want him to disappear from that role. The House lost Dennis Kucinich already, and lost another voice for change when that happened. We need more such people in Congress, not fewer.