Bernie Sanders: 的 Am Prepared to Run For President of the United States (NOT a formal announcement)

[YoungDemCA]

John Nichols: Are you going to run for president in 2016?

Bernie Sanders: I don't wake up every morning, as some people here in Washington do and say, "You know, I really have to be president of the United States. I was born to be president of the United States." What I do wake up every morning feeling is that this country faces more serious problems than at any time since the Great Depression, and there is a horrendous lack of serious political discourse or ideas out there that can address these crises, and that somebody has got to represent the working-class and the middle-class of this country in standing up to the big-money interests who have so much power over the economic and political life of this country. So I am prepared to run for president of the United States. I don't believe that I am the only person out there who can fight this fight, but I am certainly prepared to look seriously at that race.

Nichols; When you say you are "prepared to run," that can be read in two ways. One is to say you have the credentials, the prominence, the following to seek the office. The other is to say that you are making preparations for a run. How do you parse that?

Sanders: If the question is, am I actively right now organizing and raising money and so forth for a campaign for president, I am not doing that. On the other hand, am I talking to people around the country? Yes, I am. Will I be doing some traveling around the country? Yes, I will be. But I think it's premature to be talking about (the specifics of) a campaign when we still have a 2014 congressional race in front of us.

Nichols: I want to push pack at some of what you are saying. Political insiders define presidential politics, and they are already hard at work, in both major parties and in the broader sense, to erect barriers to insurgent, dissident, populist campaigns. Don't progressives who come at the process slowly run the risk of finding that everything has been locked up by the time they get serious about running?

Sanders: Obviously, if I run, both in terms of the positions that I'll be advocating, and the process itself, it will have to be a very unconventional campaign. I hear what you are saying, and I think there is truth in what you are saying. But, on the other hand, I think there is profound disgust among the American people for the conventional political process and the never-ending campaigns. If I run, my job is to help bring together the kind of coalition that can win—that can transform politics. We’ve got to bring together trade unionists and working families, our minority communities, environmentalists, young people, the women’s community, the gay community, seniors, veterans, the people who in fact are the vast majority of the American population. We’ve got to create a progressive agenda and rally people around that agenda.

I think we've got a message that can resonate, that people want to hear, that people need to hear. Time is very important. But I don't think it makes sense—or that it is necessary—to start a campaign this early.

http://www.thenation.com/blog/178717/bernie-sanders-i-am-prepared-run-president-united-states#

[Samantha]

1. He and Elizabeth Warren would make a great team

I would vote for Bernie in a heartbeat.

Sam

[FiveGoodMen]

16. Absolutely!

[BlueJac]

25. For sure!

Change I could believe in!

[ladjf]

36. Count me in. He as Senator Warren would be a fabulous team.

However, I have confidence in Mrs. Clinton and would definitely support her if she becomes the nominee.

[reformist2]

56. +1

[HappyMe]

2. I'm prepared to vote for him.

[RGinNJ]

21. +1

[adirondacker]

3. Graceful! Big Kay & ARghh! nt

[aquart]

4. He's volunteering to be the outlier.

The sacrifice who runs to pull the policies left.

It's a thankless, stressful job and I hope he's cleared it with his doctor.

[Comrade Grumpy]

5. Uh-oh, this place could get messy with a Sanders candidacy. n/t

[The Masked Shrike]

41. It will be messy as long as HRC runs. nt.

[Swede Atlanta]

6. He and Elizabeth Warren would have my vote.......

unfortunately I don't see either one being sleazy enough or willing to lick the behinds of the special interests, including corporations, to get the donations and support to win. In fact their policies are anathema to money interests.

I will vote for HC if she gets the nomination but we can expect more of the same - more corporatism, more outsourcing of American jobs and giveaways to corporations. She will do a much better job than any R candidate in terms of social issues but I don't see much daylight between her and the Rs on jobs.

That's where BS and EW are the best.

[brooklynite]

15. Elizabeth Warren has no problem tapping 1%ers for money...

...including me (I know her fundraiser).

Except, many of the liberal 1%ers will be backing Hillary Clinton.

like Elizabeth Warren...

[INdemo]

50. So you would agree that HC is not a liberal but more of corporacrat

Correct? Hillary has billionaires waiting for her to make up her mind. It would be more of the same except that Hillary could not give those impressive speeches as Obama does. In other words she is not the bullshitter that President Obama is.
Snaders/Warrren would be great and when and where can I send my money in

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

7. Count me among the profoundly disgusted he can count on.

[smokey nj]

8. I have a sister who was brainwashed by Rush Limbaugh in the 90s. I discussed Bernie Sanders with her

once and she was, to my surprise, a fan. She doesn't agree with him politically, but she appreciates that he doesn't talk down to her or bullshit her. Bernie gets it.

[wandy]

9. Bernie, I love ya................

I would support a Bernie Sanders / Elisabeth Warren ticket in a silly minute!
Bernie, your one of the few politicos I might have any trust in.
Just one favor.

Do so as a member of the Democratic party.
Doing otherwise will just split the vote.

The very thought of a President walker, or President santorum, or if there is a god may they forgive , a third President bush, frightens the living hell out of me.

Sure Bernie I know. Sometimes you don't agree with Dems. Sometimes I don't either.
Its just that the thought of President rand paul,,, well,,,,,,
well,,,,,,
How many cuss words can you say here before you get banned?

[dbackjon]

19. Exactly

[kentuck]

51. Right...

We can get those that like Bernie to vote for another Democrat but we can't get those Democrats that like someone else to vote for Bernie. Therefore, he doesn't have a chance.

[wandy]

53. I want Bernie to have a chance. I just don't want to split the vote...............

Hillery, Warren, Bernie, Grayson, all fine and good!
mike fuckabee, the 45 president?
I don't think so.

[kentuck]

60. So, which do you vote for...?

So that your vote isn't split??

[wandy]

61. Well I guessed I asked for that so here goes............

In terms of primaries, at this moment in time I would go with Alan Grayson.
Sure he has his deficients, and he is a bit of a loudmouth.
Maybe we need that.
Think about the absolute crap President Obama put up with from Eric Cantor.
Grayson might well have served Cantor his ass on a platter.

This doesn't mean that I couldn't make strong arguments for Hillery or Warren.

The only exception would be Joe Biden.
Smoking Joe is just too darn good at what he does.
Biden is disqualified as he should be appointed VP for life.

[Martin Eden]

64. Yes, he must run as a Democrat ...

... otherwise, the people who love him now would hate him like the incarnation of Ralph Nader if he split the vote enough to put a ruthug in the White House.

But how, exactly, does an Independent win the Democratic primary?

[AZ Mike]

10. Sanders is my political ideal.

I took a "Who's your candidate?" quiz during 2012 and scored a 92% to Obama - surprisingly to me. Perhaps the subconscious me is more centrist economically, but the conscious me would work as hard as hell as I could for the honorable Senator Sanders.

Even if his ultimate effect is essentially an Overton Window to the Left, I'll take that effect for what it means to the nominee. I'm tired of the incremental pulls to the right - we need some pull to the left. Bernie may do AT LEAST just that in his powerful, convincing, and effective style....

[Pretzel_Warrior]

11. He's running

[Douglas Carpenter]

12. he could open up the political discourse in a way we have not seen in more than forty years

perhaps the first real discussion of fundamental issues within living memory of most Americans

[HereSince1628]

13. Seems to go beyond "You might think that...but I couldn't possible comment."

A government that only acts on behalf of business can't possibly be democratic.

A party that serves only in exchange for campaign funds, graft from inside trading/special contacts and deferred deals available through revolving doors controlled by corporate giving can't possibly be democratic.

Go Bernie!

Keep the pressure on their rhetoric, they might come to believe in it...again.

[Enthusiast]

14. Bernie or Elizabeth Warren. We do not want another 1980s Republican.

Which is what we would have with Hillary.

[malthaussen]

17. He's absolutely right about 2014.

And I think his "preparation to run" is more in the vein of trying to inject some leftward-movement into the party, rather than seriously contemplating running. Much as I love the guy, I don't think he could beat the Dem machine that wants a more "centerist" (read "rightist&quot candidate.

-- Mal

[cali]

20. He's thinking of running in order to push the conversation in

certain directions and in order to bring things up that don't get talked about.

It's not about thinking he's going to win.

And yes, he really is serious.

[LoisB]

18. I wish he would. I am prepared to vote for him.

[Enthusiast]

22. The nation appears to be completely fucked.

Electing another Bush or Clinton is hardly the answer to our problems. We must have Bernie or Elizabeth Warren.

[C0RYH0FFMAN]

23. Presidential Elections are Tough....

Because the nation is so split that independents can really swing things. I would like for him to get into the Democratic Primary so as infuse our so-called progressive party with more progressive ideas. Anyway, I hope he keeps at least being open to the idea so that the Democratic Party brass don't short change progressives.

More importantly, I think would use more Independents, Greens and Progressives in the "safe" House districts and "safe" Senate races to influence more members of Congress with progressive ideas.

For instance, in Ohio's 9th district, there is a 100% Plus Democratic Advantage and that is not even including the independents who lean Democrat. The chances of a Republican winning in the general election are about as good as a Libertarians. It is the perfect opportunity to influence a high profile Democrat with the insights of Modern Monetary Theory in a general election as a Progressive Independent.

CoryHoffmanForCongress.com
twitter.com/C0RYH0FFMAN
www.facebook.com/CoryHoffmanForCongress

[bobGandolf]

24. Love to see you run Bernie!

You would have my vote. Not opposed to Warren as VP either.

[thesquanderer]

27. VP would be an especially big issue because of his age

Warren would be a great choice.

Who else?

Robert Reich? Russ Feingold?

[pa28]

26. Do it Bernie.

The public is hungry for a real alternative. They'll respond to your message.

[SmittynMo]

28. I would take him over Hilliary any day

Time to get it "out of the family". We need a fresh look at how this country is run, and get someone in there that actually cares about the middle class.

[KamaAina]

29. Whatever you do, Bernie, do not go third-party

I would hate to see "Sanders" become an anagram for "S.S. Nader".

[winter is coming]

32. IIRC, he's said before he wouldn't go third party. n/t

[KamaAina]

33. Excellent!

[winter is coming]

34. We went through a round of discussing Bernie a couple of months back, and that was

a concern many DUers had.

[Maedhros]

43. Bernie is an Independent, not a Democrat.

His candidacy would be third-party, unless he formally joins the Democrats. I don't think he would do that.

[winter is coming]

46. From the last time this was discussed...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=4217626

[Maedhros]

54. Clarification:

I don't think Sanders would join the Democrats because I think he has too much integrity to do that to his constituency, who prefers him as an Independent.

I hope he runs - I'll canvass to make it happen, if needed.

[nyabingi]

30. Bernie tells it like it is!

Bernie would be awesome to have run because he'd definitely challenge Hillary, who's already been crowned the Democratic nominee in the media, from the left and reveal her weaknesses to a base that's a deal more progressive than she is.

I'd like to see any combination of Bernie, Elizabeth Warren and Barbara Lee on a presidential ticket in 2016!

[Demo_Chris]

31. Works for me! GO BERNIE!!!

[sadoldgirl]

35. What is the law in Vermont?

If he runs for President and loses, can he still be a senator in that state? I would hate for him to lose his seat and the run for the WH.
Still, I am sooooooo happy that he will try it!!!!!

[Conch]

38. He would still remain Senator.

If John McCain is any example.

[bigwillq]

42. Hello

Welcome to DU!

[hrmjustin]

40. His term is up in 2018 so it would not matter.

[Jackpine Radical]

37. He probly has no chance of winning the Primary,

Let alone the General, and no doubt he knows that. And at his age, maybe he shouldn't win.

I still think he should run because it would force the debate to the left.

[passiveporcupine]

39. I'd like to see him primary Hillary

"YES WE CAN"...we just have to believe we can.

Even if he runs and loses, he would get a big enough following to scare the bejeezus out of all the other politicians. We can at least show the country that we are disgusted and ready to see change. We all thought so with Obama, and we did get a lot of good stuff with Obama, but not the progressive changes we were hoping for. I don't blame Obama for that. I blame the party of no for most of that. But Obama is not a Bernie Sanders. Bernie has never swayed in his passion for protecting the people who make up most of this country. Now if he can follow in Obama's footsteps in going grassroots on fund raising and energy building we might have a chance.

[Earth_First]

44. Sanders/Sykes '16

Yes, as in Wanda...

[Fuddnik]

45. Run Bernie, Run!

I'm all in!

[YOHABLO]

47. He would definitely hold Hillary's feet to the fire .. love to hear that debate.

Joe Biden has more or less said he would give it a shot. He thinks he can ''out truth'' Hillary. Why she's such a "Gibraltar" I have no idea .. she's just a third way Democrat = corporatist.

[KansDem]

48. He's the third most-popular Senator...

http://www.publicpolicypolling.com/approval_chart/#senate

[kentuck]

49. Tell me who is going to be in your Cabinet, Bernie...

You're not going to hire Tim Geithner, are you?? Or Bob Gates?

[watoos]

52. He would make Repugs heads explode

because he would win, without Diebolt rigging. Then Repugs would realize the country is not center right.

I think Julio Castro for V.P, winning Texas would seal the deal.

[GRACIEBIRD]

55. "talk about hope and change"

That's a candidate that I'm 100% sure would bring change!!!

[G_j]

57. I believe he could win

in a landslide

[JPZenger]

58. if he runs as a Dem great. If he runs like Ralph Nader, screw him.

I'd be happy if Sanders ran as a Democrat. A competitive primary stirs public interest and media attention, and strengthens candidates and organizations as they get ready for the general election. It also raises many issues that deserve public debate.

I just hope he doesn't pull a Nader and form a 3rd party and help elect another George W.

[kelliekat44]

59. I like Bernie but....there goes 2016 unless he runs Dem. nt

[frwrfpos]

62. DU rec

[Beacool]

63. He can run all he wants, but he has as much chance of winning as Nader did in 2000.

That turned out so well for the Democrats..........

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

65. I love Bernie, so don't get me wrong when I say...

the biggest problem is money.
Once you forfeit yourself to big money, the kind that can get you elected, everyone seems to lose their soul. You owe them. That's a huge problem no matter who runs.

Now a days it take toooo much money to run. Way way way toooo much.

You accept those dirty dollars, you owe people.

If we could find a candidate that could run without corporate dollars, stay true to the people, then we might have a great president. Someone who without owing anyone except the voters that got that person there, we might have representation.

Bernie may be that man. I really don't know. I can only hope there is someone out there that is.

[merrily]

66. He also said he has no infrastructure and would not run as a Dem.

Obama spent a billion or more in 2012--and he did have infrastructure--and he was the incumbent.

It would be a monumental task for someone known mostly to political junkies to raise that kind of money, especially given that he cannot tap into either the Republican donors or most Democratic donors. ( I doubt the big money girls and boys are going to take a chance on Bernie over the Dem nominee, but I could be wrong.)

I still think that Bernie is talking this way to try to move the country left. And, if he runs for the Presidency, that will be the purpose of his run.

Whatever he does, I wish him everything good.