"He is not a Democrat."

[WilliamPitt]

I keep seeing that pule, here and elsewhere.



Kiss every square inch of my ass.

Senator Bernie Sanders is more of a Democrat than any of the neo-lib bags of bloody air we've been enduring for more than 25 years.

The fact that he's not a signed-and-sealed "Democrat" by party affiliation tells you all you need to know about where the party has wandered off to.

I'm on his side.

Run, Bernie. Run.

[NV Whino]

1. Stay out of small planes, Bernie, stay out of small planes.

[Darkhawk32]

22. That was one of the first things I thought about....

Hope he doesn't get Wellstoned or Carnahaned.

[Nye Bevan]

129. JFK Juniored? (nt)

[Darkhawk32]

146. ok. n/t

[billhicks76]

186. Wellstoned & JFK Jr'ed?

I think not. Unlike those two he poses no significant threat. And btw, Hillary is definitely not a Democrat. There is a reason she couldn't beat Obama and she will lose to either Jeb Bush(incredulously sad) or Rand Paul(only if the opposition is war hawk and pro-drugwar). Only a fool would be still pushing for her to be the nominee. Unfortunately there are always more fools than thoughtful, predictive trendsetters in any given situation.

[GoneFishin]

196. Yep. nt

[merrily]

30. +1

[niyad]

64. YES

[Ed Suspicious]

115. If that happened the gig would be so up. It would usher in the national razor.

[Nye Bevan]

120. If a group with the ability to cause planes to crash wanted Sanders dead,

would they really give up on the idea of killing him just because he happened not to travel in any small planes? Or would they come up with some other way of killing him?

[7962]

127. I know. I'm so tired of that nonsense

[sabrina 1]

260. The truth is they don't do that anymore, they hire Security Contractors to conduct opposition

research in order to SMEAR anyone who dares to challenge them. They spend a whole lot of money on these smear campaigns as we learned when Anonymous exposed their MO during a little dust up one of them had with Anonymous.

Killing people is too risky these days. Smearing them is way more effective, or so they THOUGHT.

I'm waiting for the smear campaign against Bernie to begin and actually have seen a few signs of the start of it, no doubt they are waiting for him to declare his candidacy to bring out their big smears/guns.

[merrily]

273. Nailed it.

no doubt they are waiting for him to declare his candidacy to bring out their big smears/guns.

I guess he got close enough to that Sunday, and was impressive enough Sunday, to bring out the teeny weeny DU guns within minutes of MTP. Even for DU, that was record time to go from hero to be cheered to the guy with all the bus tire treads on his shirt.

[sabrina 1]

279. I know, I noticed too. Did you know he has a temper? Lol!

But if he's smart he'll follow Hillary's example and keep them guessing right up to the last minute, so they will have to 'keep their powder dry' for a while.

Knowing how smart he is, I'm sure he knows what to expect though. If we can see, he sure can.

[LiberalElite]

136. ^^^^^^^^

[glinda]

168. He needs body guards.

[ReRe]

172. Did you catch...

... the last words out of Chuck Todd's mouth to Bernie on MTP? He said, and I quote "Stay safe on the trail in Iowa." I thought to myself "Now what the eff was that supposed to mean?" If you haven't seen the MTP footage, go to http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025534033

[silvershadow]

269. I saw that. And immediately thought WTH. nt

[GoneFishin]

197. +1. I am not sure big ones are safer anymore. nt

[get the red out]

227. Definitely

Sigh, I don't want to have to think about that.

[Autumn]

2. I am whatever Bernie is.

Run, Bernie. Run.

[pa28]

49. Second that. n/t

[Earth_First]

94. Me three... nt

[MissDeeds]

123. Same here

Well said, Autumn.

[glinda]

169. me too

[tblue]

178. Me four.

[SnowCritter]

217. Looking for another way to say "me, too!"

But I'm not coming up with anything.

So, yeah, count me as a Bernie backer.

[closeupready]

252. Me freaking too!

RBR!

[Rockyj]

290. Me too! Love You Bernie!

I will NEVER hold my nose and vote for Hillary!

[Plucketeer]

296. Yup! nt

[Enthusiast]

298. Me too.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Damn right, my dear Will. I'm with you. RUN, Bernie. RUN! n/t

[kentuck]

4. Yeah, but...but...

That would divide the Party and make it more difficult for Hillary to win...

[whereisjustice]

16. lol

[merrily]

33. Not if he runs as a Democrat. Please conside signing the petition.

https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[WilliamPitt]

6. "he's a fucking piece of shit"

How exactly do you sleep at night?

[tazkcmo]

17. The only time I've watched MTP

was to watch Sen. Sanders. He will probably run as a Dem for practical reasons, according to him. As he put it, it's about having the infrastructure to run a 50 state strategy and running as an Independent would require him to build that infrastructure from scratch. Therein lies the advantage of running as a Democratic candidate.

[tazkcmo]

20. Oh well

As I said, HE said he'll most likely run as a Dem. If he doesn't I'm sure he'll be OK with you thinking he's a piece of shit as he probably doesn't know you exist.

[tazkcmo]

24. Well then

He may be crushed!

[tazkcmo]

27. Yup

And there he goes.

[left is right]

189. He very well may be crushed

but we, as a nation, will be better off--even if all he is able to do is change the conversation. Which, I am sure he will do.

[Volaris]

119. Sen. Sanders probably DOES know he exists, as well as many more like him.

It's kind of what differentiates him from a lot of the rest of Congress, who by comparison, are mostly worthless "Party before Country" types...

[calimary]

95. And what still galls me is chuck todd's introduction: "in his FIRST appearance on Meet the Press..."

UNBELIEVABLE!!! john fucking mccain and lindsey fucking graham and bill fucking kristol on damn near EVERY FUCKING WEEK, and last Sunday was Bernie Sanders' FIRST TIME EVER on "Meet the Press."

As I said the first time I posted about this - "WELL, THERE'S YER PROBLEM, RIGHT THERE!"

[tazkcmo]

98. Me too!

I was shocked but not surprised. Bernie handled that weasle very well, I thought.

[calimary]

106. Well, I woulda brought in a cream pie with his name on it. Bernie has more class than that,

of course! I thought he was most patient with his little prick student.

[tblue37]

157. Which is exactly why he is *not* normally welcome on MTP. He can hand them their fannies. nt

[tritsofme]

19. Sounds like an apt description of someone intentionally trying to win the White House for the GOP.

Sleeping habits aside, what would you call a third party candidate from the left trying to throw the election to the Republicans, pray tell? He should take that option off the table immediately, then he can fill his role as a harmless vanity candidate.

[tazkcmo]

23. Wow

Sen Sanders hasn't even declared although he is more upfront about it than any other unannounced candidate. He has said he'll probably run as a Dem as the infrastructure for a 50 state strategy is already in place and it's a big deal versus building that from scratch as he'd have to do as an Independent. The man is smart. At least give him that.

[arcane1]

32. He's not "trying to throw the election" he's trying to win it n/t

[tritsofme]

53. If he runs on a third party ticket, it would be intentional sabotage of the Democratic nominee

that could only benefit the Republican.

[tazkcmo]

71. Dang!

If If If!
He said he'll probably run as a Dem! OK? I don't believe Sen Sanders is so ignorant to what a liberal 3rd party candidate of his stature would do to this country. Do you? Really? You give the man no credit for brains. He is not a self absorbed Ralph Nader. He has the respect of most everyone here on DU until he talks about running for President and then it's If If If. So, IF he runs as a Democrat, does he have your support based on his voting record?

[tritsofme]

84. No, he wouldn't have my support.

And he wouldn't be a serious candidate. That doesn't mean he shouldn't disavow a third party run, especially when given the opportunity.

[tazkcmo]

89. He will not run 3rd Party

He's not an idiot. But thank you, I appreciate your honest answer.

[JDPriestly]

176. He would have my support. I have already decided that if he runs, I will work for him unless

Elizabeth Warren runs, in which case, I will support the candidate that I decide based on the early campaigning has the best chance to win. I will not support Hillary.

I am an experienced, hard-working campaign volunteer. I can organize and do the footwork, either or, work with others or do it alone. I've done it, and I am a valuable supporter. Not just somebody who sits and chats on the internet.

Bernie Sanders already has some of the best informed and hardest working Democrats among his supporters. Same for Elizabeth Warren.

In contrast, Hillary has the big money and a lot of the support of the big cheeses in the Democratic Party.

[whathehell]

213. Mine too. n/t

[merrily]

222. The split the Dem vote stuff usually turns out to be bs.

Point is, the script; and the script has been calling for no serious challenge to Hillary since 2012, if not 2008. I don't know what went on behind closed doors, but, in 2012, before Obama was even re-elected I was hearing on TV again and again "If she chooses to run, she'll clear the field."

When did you ever hear that about a primary before?

[Ed Suspicious]

103. That or dems could vote for him. He'd have mine.

[HERVEPA]

166. He's not doing that. Do you know nothing of the man and his history?

[JDPriestly]

175. And under that logic, anyone who chooses to run on the Democratic ticket would be committing

intentional sabotage of Bernie Sanders. Come on. This is a democracy. The more candidates the merrier. I very much prefer Bernie Sanders to Hillary Clinton. I will not support Hillary no matter who else runs.

[Douglas Carpenter]

231. "then he can fill his role as a harmless vanity candidate." sheesh - you don't have a clue how

politics works in the real world, do you?

[tritsofme]

265. lol, are you serious?

I literally laughed out loud. You think Sanders would have a serious shot at the nomination, and you are lecturing me about living in the "real world"?

He would have all the success of Dennis Kucinich. Welcome to the real world.

[Douglas Carpenter]

281. you just don't get it. Was Eugene McCarthy a harmeless vanity candidate? He only brought

opposition to the Vietnam War into the mainstream of political debate. Is it likely that Sen. Sanders would win the Democratic nomination? No, I am afraid he would be a longshot - not absolutely impossible - but a long shot. But what is likely is that he will alter the course of debate and a fair chance of winning a handful of primaries. What is likely is that a that a paradigm shift in the range of debate can be facilitated by his campaign and the the Democratic Party can be pushed back toward the center for the first time in a generation - regardless who becomes the nominee. I suspect I have been following politics quite seriously long before you were born. If you think this is the same as the Kucinich campaign - wake up and smell the coffee. If you don't know how much Sen. Sanders themes resonate with the vast majority of ordinary Americans - you don't know which way the wind is blowing and you are living in the world of TV talking heads - not the real world of ordinary working people. You are living in that fantasy land of where Madison Avenue sloganeering and personality contest count and policy has no importance.

[tritsofme]

308. I don't agree.

He has zero name recognition and would be a non-factor in the primaries. People have to know who you are before you start changing paradigms.

I just don't see how he expands his support or even his message very far beyond the crowd that supports candidates like Kucinich.

[Douglas Carpenter]

311. no one heard of Gene McCarthy until he forced a sitting President out of office and made opposition

Last edited Wed Sep 17, 2014, 05:37 AM - Edit history (1)

to the Vietnam War the mainstream majority opinion. Unlike Gene McCarthy Bernie does not have to convince people to agree with him. The vast majority of Americans already do when it comes to his core message - more so than any other candidate within recent memory. And Bernie has a lot more name recognition than Gene McCarthy did in early 1968. Most importantly there is an army of hundreds of thousands of true believers waiting to spring into action. You will see.

[MineralMan]

28. Odd. That's the same question I had on another,

similar occasion.

[Nye Bevan]

58. In fairness, he didn't also call him a "used car salesman" (nt)

[navarth]

82. I hear that blithe ignorance is good for insomnia.

[sheshe2]

90. Hmmmm...interesting question.

I remember...oh never mind.

[Doctor_J]

130. Seems like the BOG can post just about anything and keep their privileges

[sheshe2]

160. Hmmmm...

another interesting post...

Piece.... oh never mind. That was allowed to stand.

[morningfog]

148. He sure scrubbed up this thread, lol. 4 hides...

He's letting his mask slip a little.

[Marr]

180. He/she does this shit a lot-- I don't think it's a mask.

I think they're just an asshole Third Wayer.

My personal favorite was from a few weeks ago, when they said they didn't care at all about civilian casualties in the pursuit of ISIS, and that we should just bomb indiscriminately.

They deleted it after they were called on it, naturally.

[morningfog]

204. That behavior reminds me a troll, AllINeedIsCoffee.

I'm not saying that they are a troll, or that they are AllINeedIsCoffee. But, AllINeed had a nasty of habit of belligerence and ignorance followed by a frantic scrubbing of the record through self-deletes. AllINeed was banned as a repeat return troll.

[Feral Child]

258. From my lurking days

didn't OMC use that tactic also?

[LondonReign2]

207. Yup

That one told me in another thread that Democrats should continue to "alter their policies to appeal more to the right wing" to make up for disaffected progressives. Not even Third Wayer, I wouldn't say, more straight out conservative.

[merrily]

224. Because rw haters of Dems are likelier to vote Dem than the Dem base?

[LondonReign2]

233. That seems to be their logic, if you can call it that

From many posts back and forth, it is clear that poster simply hates progressives. Therefore, he has concocted an elaborate justification for the continued more to the right by the Third Wayers. Despite me showing him actual hard data that liberals were amongst the most loyal Democratic voters in 2008, 2010, and 2012, he likes make believe that our lack of votes forced the party to the right. Like many right wingers I've argued with, he is immune to actual data and evidence if it goes against his fantasy world.

[merrily]

236. There are a lot of memes on this board to justify the rightward drift

of the Dem Party. So far, it appears we are supposed to believe them because someone who claims to be in the know posted them.

If someone loses an election it's never because no one is filling the needs of the constituents in their district and the constituents decided to give someone else a shot. It's because they were too far left.

Jimmy Carter didn't lose an election because of the hostages, Ted Koppel, lines at gas stations and he was somehow not inspiring Americans. Nooooo. It was because Kennedy opposed him in a primary. So, now, no one is ever again supposed to opposed an incumbent Dem in a primary. More and more reasons for the Party to be less and less small d democratic.

Based on what? Someone said Kennedy's challenge was the reason. That simple. Someone said it, so now it's gospel.

And all these unproven memes all "lead" to one conclusion. Rightward ho the Democratic Party.

Give me a damned break.

And, as you say, on the flip side, no matter how much evidence is posted, it's ignored next time, as though it never happened.

Transparent as my spotless living room window.

[Rex]

158. Pretzel logic is kinda strange.

Probably sleeps during the daytime.

[morningfog]

202. He needs coffee.

All he needs is coffee.

[WilliamPitt]

218. Seems to know where the delete button is.

[Puglover]

235. I the logic is more

mavericky then pretzely.

[QC]

240. Wonder how things are in New Jersey today?

Isn't it funny how selective our self-appointed zombie hunters are? They never say a word about the reincarnations of posters like HamdenRice, PretzelWarrior, and NJmaverick, but they hound other returnees night and day. Wonder why that is....

[Rex]

267. I see what you did there!

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

242. Either way. How fucking obvious can it be? nt

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

286. Huh.

That's the second time I've seen that in a thread - Mohroktah gets a comment hidden and turns around and deletes all of his other comments in the thread. Actually realizing he's overstepped, or simply worried that he'll rack up 5 hides in a row, all in one thread?

[WilliamPitt]

289. I have another word for it.

Cowardice.

[HERVEPA]

7. Clueless

[Gidney N Cloyd]

14. No matter what he does he deserves better than being called "a fucking piece of shit."

[merrily]

34. Hence the petition encouraging him to run as a Dem.

[ScreamingMeemie]

8. He's got my vote and money...as I just told "Ready for Hillary" when I asked

the site to unsubscribe me.

Run, Bernie, RUN

[99th_Monkey]

11. A most excellent post! Thank you.

Bernie has totally earned my vote, 10 times over.

[winter is coming]

12. I'll take substance over labels any day. n/t

[SomeGuyInEagan]

37. ^^^This!!! A Thousand Times ... This!!!^^^

Republican-lite is still Republican, despite the label.

[a la izquierda]

100. Absolutely! Nt

[dflprincess]

132. Exactly!

[tazkcmo]

13. But

He once told someone to shut up at a town hall meeting so he is disqualified and unworthy to be President. If only he had claimed to be poor while his spouse was President and they lived in the White House...

[merrily]

36. The person who dissed him for that was Barney Frank who had no room to talk.

https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[tazkcmo]

41. Was actually

A DUer in another thread. A HCR supporter. Apparently lying is acceptable.

Wasn't aware that Frank said this. I support Sen. Sanders telling people to shut up when they try shouting over him while he's speaking.

[merrily]

45. Yes, and, per the link she posted, Barney Frank was the one who mentioned

that Sanders did that at a town meeting. In other words, she was basing her statement on a news story that quoted Barney Frank. She was not speaking from her own knowledge of the Vermont town meeting.

I believe the poster to whom you refer was pwnmom. I replied to her with the same video of Frank.

[tazkcmo]

51. I forgot

to thank you for the link. I remember that an applauded Frank then as I applaud Sanders now. Thanks again.

What I find sad is folks have only this or Sanders can't win. That's it. But Mrs. Clinton can go begging on Wall Street, talk about being "broke", claim she was dodging sniper fire, vote for war, serve on Walmart's board and still be held up as the most qualified Democratic candidate for President.

[merrily]

57. If he runs as a Dem in the Dem primary, so what if he can't win?

At the very least, he will change the discourse and hopefully move the meter needle left some.


https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[tazkcmo]

76. I believe he can

He'll be the only one out there talking about all of us, the 99%. I believe he'll win moderate Republicans better than Hillary Clinton can as the only person Republicans hate more than her is our current President. At least Sen. Sanders is an old white guy and Republicans loves them some old white men!

[merrily]

112. I hope you are correct.

Obama spent about billion bucks in 2012, not counting soft money. And he was not even opposed in the primary. And he already had his campaign team and his fundraisers, etc. in place. Also, Obama, Bubba and a lot of the other party stars will endorse and campaign for Hillary, who has already been campaigning for 8 years. And I doubt Bernie is going to be seeing Wall Street money. Maybe not even Clooney and Spielberg money.

If people really do want Sanders, they are REALLY going to have to put their money and their volunteer efforts where their mouth is, not only their votes.

[ReRe]

102. Thanks for the link to the petition...

... just signed up. Hope everyone who hasn't will do so when they come upon your link!

[merrily]

116. I had a thread, too, with that link and a link to his facebook page, plus

a link to the MTP video.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5534410

I've been trying to keep it kicked some.

I also sprinkled the link to the petition in several posts on this and will do the same on other threads. Please feel free to do the same if you wish. It's easy to grab. Just google Encourage Bernie to run

Thanks for signing!

[Faryn Balyncd]

26. K and R

Run, Bernie, run!

[Evergreen Emerald]

29. He's not a democrat

He is an independent. Kiss your own ass.

[merrily]

38. He is an indie who caucuses with Dems and whom Schumer describes as an

asset to the caucus and an ally. So much so, that Democrats do not run anyone against him for his senate seat. And, if he runs as a Dem, which he said Sunday he is considering, the divide the vote issue goes away. So, a group of progressive Democrats is sponsoring a petition to encourage him to run as a Democrat.


https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[tazkcmo]

78. He said he'll probably run as a Dem

But I understand. Anything that hinders The Annointed One is bad. Even if Sen. Sanders has said he probably will run as a Dem, something I'd also prefer so he can go head to head with The Annointed One without splitting our votes. I give Sen. Sanders credit for brains and doubt very seriously he'll run as an Independent.

[avaistheone1]

177. I hope Bernie does so!

[TransitJohn]

140. Kendrick Meek was a Democrat opposed by the owners and most of the posters of DU

They supported the independent. There's politics, then there's politics, if you catch my drift. I'm all for Bernie, a Social Democrat.

[merrily]

221. Chafee, a Republican, over the dem as well. And Crist had barely gone Indie

before he got endorsed over Meek. Crist had switched from Republican only because he had lost the Republican primary.

So, basically, two moderate Republicans were endorsed over Democrats. But an Indie who has always caucused with Democrats and has been dubbed an asset to the Dem Senate Caucus. Horrors!

Says a lot.

[Nay]

257. I know, right? Such hypocrisy. The Dems will accept moderate Pubs, but

it's a horror that an indie who caucuses with the Dems is a jerk for trying to run on a Dem ticket? Get out of here.

Never mind the fact that Bernie is more of a Democrat than the Third Way weasels we have been forced to vote for.

[merrily]

264. The Democratic Party will have a lot to say about whether he runs as a Dem.

He can switch registrations and file the right documents until the damn cows come home. If they want to cut him at the knees with no chance in Hell, they can. He knows that and they know it. And if that is what they want to do, they will find a way to communicate that to him privately.

So, it's not as though DU is going to have a say in whether he runs as a Dem or not, anyway. This whole "controversy" is a joke.

[Schema Thing]

226. Plenty close enough for government work.

[NYC_SKP]

31. Arrrgh!

Recommended.

You. Finally. Thanks. Thing. With. Period.

K/R!

[merrily]

39. Encourage Bernie to run for President as a Democrat.

https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[southerncrone]

40. Yep!

K&R

[still_one]

42. So let me get this straight, if Bernie runs as an independent, and someone else is the democratic

Nominee, who will you vote for in the general election

[tazkcmo]

79. More If's

He'll run as a Dem and I'll campaign for him.

[still_one]

105. that wasn't my question

[ZombieHorde]

43. I love that he voted against the IWR. nt

[tazkcmo]

80. Pfffft

That means nothing. He can't win. He's an Independent. He's, um, er, not Presidential! Yeah! And IF he runs as an Independent, he's a POS! I'm going to totally ignore the fact that he has said he'd rather run on the Democratic ticket because that takes away one of my points.

[heaven05]

44. me too

I hope he runs. I think he's a breath of fresh air in a very stale political process.

[merrily]

50. Encourage Bernie to run for Pres as a Dem

https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[baldguy]

46. I see the same said of the sitting Democratic President of the United States.

And I predict the same will be said of Pres Sanders by the very same people when he can't produce the proper flavor of ice cream or the right color ponies to their liking.

[merrily]

48. Aw, another pony post. What is that, number 42 million?

[baldguy]

65. Pales in comparisson to the number of posts from "liberals" unfairly criticizing Obama.

[merrily]

69. Hopefully they are not all the same exact thing over and over and over.

"Unfairly" is in the eye of the beholder. And if the criticism is so unfair, refuting it should be easy.

[baldguy]

131. But, surly you agree that blaming the Pres for the actions of the previous regime

and the inaction of the GOP controlled Congress is unfair by definition?

And further, if refuting unfair criticism was easy Faux Snooze wouldn't exist, Would it?

The simple fact is that there are some factions in this country that are heavily invested in tearing down the Democratic Party & their leaders, and have been striving to do so for DECADES - Obama is just the most recent target. And there's no way those factions could ever be mistaken for being liberal or progressive in any way, shape, or form.

[merrily]

185. Blaming Obama for his own administration, his own acts and omissions is very fair.

I suspect where you and critics might differ is what is fairly laid at the door of Bushco and what is fairly laid at the door of Obamaco.

Refuting Fox News has nothing to do with this. We are talking poster to poster refutation, not a poster trying to refute a television network funded by a billionaire. One is a level playing field, one is not.

[YoungDemCA]

152. It's been refuted many times

You just weren't paying attention.

[merrily]

184. I've seen many lame excuses and rationalizations trying to pass

as refutation and exoneration, along with some refutations. So, we probably differ on what qualifies as a "refutation."

[QC]

208. I sure wish the central committee would send them some new talking points.

That one got stale six years ago.

[merrily]

219. Don't we all? Pony, not king, ZZZZZzzzzzz

Lame and lamer.

[QC]

237. He doesn't have a magic wand!!!1!

[merrily]

238. And Dimson did?

Okay, now you've done it. I am picturing Dimson as tinkerbell and laughing.

[QC]

241. Georgie, as much a dumbshit as he was and is,

didn't waste six years of his presidency trying to make the opposition love him.

[merrily]

246. Yeah I am not sure that is what Obama was doing.

IMO, that just might be another of them there untrue memes. "Democrats are always caving to Republicans" also may be.

Somehow, one way or the other Republicans are responsible in our eyes for 100% of what Republicans do or don't do that we don't like; and, one way or another, Republicans are also responsible in our eyes for 100% of what Democrats do or don't do that we don't like. I'm not buying it anymore.

The man said that his politics are those of a moderate Republican in the 1980s. Has anything he has done in the past six years as President been inconsistent with his own description of himself? If not, why would we assume that trying to make Republicans love him accounts for anything he's done or not done? How about he did what he did because of his very own political philosophy, as he himself described it to us with his own mouth?

[QC]

266. I'm with you on this. The president has made very "centrist" choices

in areas where the Republicans had little to no power over him, like surrounding himself with people like Rahm and pursuing corporate education "reform" policies and taking economic advice from people like Austan Goolsbee and Jason Furhman.

[merrily]

268. Good points. And Larry Summer on Clinton's economic team when Clinton

was telling Democrats in the House and Senate that he wanted repeal of Glass-Steagall on his desk ASAP. And that had already hit the fan in the form of near global economic collapse well before Obama was elected. Probably helped him get elected, in fact.

A new President elected so strongly in both the popular and electoral votes does get some deference from even Republicans on his nominations. Unless, of course, they are tax cheats, like Daschle or violating other laws.

But, he peopled his administration with the same people as Clinton, plus the head of the NY Fed plus Republican Secretary of Defense Gates, plus re-appointing Bush's appointee, Bernanke. Geithner never registered as a Democrat either. Republican, until Clinton hired him, whereupon he registered Indie. The nation's blood and treasure, in the hands of Republicans during an economic collapse and war with two nations.

And we're obsessing over what a man who has espoused Democratic principles his whole life, one Schumer calls an asset, is registered as a Democrat or an Indie? Talk about form over substance!

[QC]

270. Yes, but just imagine Bernie in his swimsuit!

I guess that's what it comes down to for some.

[merrily]

271. Please tell me you just made that up. Please tell me no one

here posted anything like that. Please.

[QC]

272. Not yet. Just give it time. n/t

[merrily]

274. Whew! I can exhale. nt

[YoungDemCA]

147. What, you don't think he can just wave his magic wand

And do whatever he wants-or more to the point, whatever YOU want?

[LondonReign2]

209. Stupid

And trite.

I know I shouldn't expect anything better

[PeaceNikki]

47. Kiss every square inch of your ass, you say? Give it 24 business hours. Then I will. I swear.

BTW, I adore Bernie. And I hope he does something to push the Democratic party left. But I don't know if that is the right way to do it. I worry about the SCOTUS nominations too much to gamble.

[merrily]

52. If he runs as Dem, there is no gamble and he said Sunday he is considering

running as a Dem. A group of progressive Dems is sponsoring a petition to encourage him to do exactly that.


https://www.credomobilize.com/petitions/encourage-senator-bernie-sanders-to-run-for-president-in-2016-as-a-democrat

[PeaceNikki]

55. I agree that would be the best. And if he runs (I),

he could also, in theory, push the Dem nominee left and drop out before the GE.

[merrily]

59. It would be best. Please consider signing that petition.

[PeaceNikki]

63. Done. My parents just saw him at Fighting Bob Fest on Saturday. They were stoked.

[merrily]

192. Thank you. Sanders is good at stoking.

(That seems suggestive, but that was not my intent. I was just going for alliteration.)

[tazkcmo]

81. Or win. n/t

[Iamthetruth]

309. Just don't see it

This country will not elect an open socialist on a national level. I like Sanders, he's honest and speaks his mind, that us rare and respectful but this country is not ready for him.

[onecaliberal]

54. I hope he runs as well.

Will give $ and time. Sick of voting status quo then wondering why things don't ever change.

[840high]

56. He is a decent, hardworking, honest man. That's

more than I can say for some Dems.

[99Forever]

60. Not just a yes , but a HELL YES.

A thousand times an actual Democrat than any of the empty suits that are now pretending they are. And that includes pantsuits.

[Skittles]

61. I AGREE

yes indeed

[ChisolmTrailDem]

62. Thank you, Will. Run, Bernie, Run, indeed. Made a post about it too. I don't give

a shit who doesn't like it and the ones who don't can kiss my ass too.

[Historic NY]

66. In order to be nominated he has to run in primaries...

thats even something he has said he has not thought about a ground game. Of course he'd have to register as a Democrat. I wonder if he is jockeying for a spot on the ticket. He doesn't drop the bomb in Hillary...

[Half-Century Man]

67. He could be called our common law grandfather.

I firmly hold He is the living embodiment of what a Democrat should be. The only reason for the I appearing after his name is the Third Way......cult, which has so influenced what we were.
If he runs as something other than a democrat, I honestly can't say right now what I'll do then.

The mid-term elections in Kansas right now; the one where the Democrat dropped off the ballot (or at least is trying to) to get the more preferable Indy candidate a real chance to take the senate seat; has been on my mind. Is this specific to this election only, or is this a harbinger of what we need to do to drive the republicans from the political scene? In Alaska we are splitting the ticket with an Indy candidate to win the gubernatorial race. We might be doing this in Maine soon (according to a Rachel Maddow report a few minutes ago).

Best I have to offer is never relent on the message that the last fifty years have undone real America. Never relent on undoing Reagan's message.

[Jack Rabbit]

68. Why is Bernie Sanders not a Democrat and Larry Summers is?

Inquiring minds want to know.

[rurallib]

70. Is a democratic-socialist anything like the democratic-farmer-labor party of MN?

[New Orleans Strong]

72. May I please...

...say that a William Pitt entry is always erudite, hoped for, and leaves me joining California Peggy in wanting to call an amazing contributor "My Dear Will". Any objections --my dear Will?

[WilliamPitt]

230. None.

[BrotherIvan]

73. He can run on his record

Not run away from it.

[blondie58]

74. I LOVE Bernie!!!

I would so vote for him. 🌟

[spanone]

75. K& rec @100

[Veilex]

77. +1000000

[City Lights]

83. Cheers to you, Will!

[ReRe]

85. K&R

You're damn right, Will. The nay-sayers need to tell us who, within the beltway, rises to his character. No one comes near that dear gentleman. I'm watching Ken Burn's The Roosevelts on PBS.
Sen Bernie Sanders reminds me of those Democrats of old.

[Fred Sanders]

86. So we are all in favor of another Ralph Nader, resulting in President Cruz?

If he does run not run as a Democrat, will you vote for the Independent and thus doom America forever just to make a point, whatever that may be?

[still_one]

107. That question will not be answered. His supporters believe he will run as a Democrat, but that is

not for certain. I have heard him speak, and has not given a specific answer to that question.

Incidentally if he runs as an independent the vast majority of Democrats will vote for whoever is the Democratic nominee.

[Fred Sanders]

118. Of course the vast majority will vote for the Democratic nominee, and just enough will vote for

the Independent Sanders to hand victory to the Republican clown nominee...like before.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

288. Well, if you already know that's the case

And it's so obvious to everyone, then wouldn't that suggest the Dem should drop out so the Repub doesn't win? Or would HRC simply want to lose to 'prove a point'?

[ReRe]

181. Relax, Fred

He's going to run as a Democrat. Bernie would never run as an Independent in the general election, setting up another possible mess like in the 2000 election. Hell, he hasn't even announced yet.

[Orsino]

211. Yes, I want Jones back, Comrade.

The two-party system is a gross oversimplification, as this thread proves. I would love to have a president like Sanders, but what I would like even more is for us to become the sort of nation where someone like him could be elected.

We're running out of time to waste on neoliberal politics that fail to address urgent matters. I get the risk of splitting the left, but playing it safe is starting to look almost as bad as risking another Republican presidency.

Where each voter chooses to draw a line is less important than admitting that this conundrum exists and working to dismantle it.

[Maedhros]

251. Ah, irrational Nader reference.

Off to the ignore list.

[Fred Sanders]

263. Saying something is irrational with any backup makes any comment irrelevant.

[20score]

87. Thank you! He has my vote, support and my time as a volunteer. Absolutely!

I don't know if many will see the connection, but your support of Bernie Sanders transcends more than just all the issues he will be great at/in/for. It's also a shot in the war against reactionaries.

Reactionaries, the anchor on humanity that stops progress everywhere it rears its head. Wars, global warming, living wage, torture, racism, trade policies, over-population, progressive policies, privatization, war on drugs, green energy, ubiquitous spying, militarized police, hyper-partisanship, and political progress. They may be led by amoral, greedy bastards that direct people into doing the worst thing - almost every time - but the people they lead don't think past the talking points. They react without thought, hence they are reactionaries; and when they do get things right, it's purely accidental.

[Bartlet]

88. Bernie is what

Dems used to be before they had to pander to the conservative christian right.

[YoungDemCA]

142. ....

[PoutrageFatigue]

91. Abso-fucking-lutely!

[Demeter]

92. Couldn't have said it better, Will

The ground water has been so contaminated by DINOS and quick-change artists and con men and good ole boys and every other perversion under the sun, who knows what a Real Democrat is, any more?

And that dynasty thing....take the local Dingell dynasty, please! The key to "dynasty" is "nasty". The ultimate entitlement class.

[Earth_First]

93. Hear, hear! nt

[ucrdem]

96. He's going to have a rough road unless he runs on Obama's record

and promises to be a better Obama. Ironic I know, but there isn't much room to run left of Obama -- what exactly would he base his campaign on? Legalizing marijuana? Good luck with that. And he and Warren have already positioned themselves to the right of Obama on the ISIS intervention. But he can't run right of Obama because HRC has long ago staked out that territory. That leaves running on Obama's record, which means getting Obama's impramitur, which means running as a Dem. Good luck to him.

[radiclib]

110. What are you talking about?

No room to the left of Obama? Are you kidding? There's room for several galaxies to the left of Obama without legalizing weed. Expanding SS, single payer, prosecuting bankers and polluters, actually protecting whistleblowers instead of persecuting them, reining in the NSA…should I go on? And exactly what did Bernie or Warren advocate with regard to ISIS? More bombs? Ground troops? Nukes?
Somehow I don't think Bernie expects Obama's endorsement.

[ucrdem]

117. He won't win without it. Neither will HRC.

And the items on your wish list are commendable but as far as a national campaign either long past their expiration date (prosecuting bankers from a crash eight years earlier? Not a winner) or basically improvements on the Obama agenda -- single payer = improved ACA, continuing Obama's NSA reforms which have been substantial, etc. So he's going to have to join the team if he wants to win or even make a respectable showing.

[YoungDemCA]

150. Try getting any of those proposals through a Republican Congress

Go on, try it.

[radiclib]

276. So you expect a Republican congress in 2017?

But of course, we shouldn't even consider a presidential nominee who would ever propose any policies that would not be endorsed by Republican captives of the tea baggers. I can't imagine how this flawless logic escaped me.

[Enthusiast]

190. PLUS ONE, a whole bunch!

[Uncle Joe]

97. Bernie represents the people and he's not only an idealist but a pragmatist as well, $50

against a donut said he will run as a Democrat and the Democratic Party desperately needs him, if this political party is to reclaim its soul.

Thanks for the thread, WilliamPitt.

[LittleGirl]

99. OMG YES!

Thank you.

[Kilgore]

101. Bernie, if you run, I will vote for you.......

And I don't care if run as a D, or an I, or an XY or Z.

Tired of the bullshit, we need a stand up candidate who tells it like it is.

Kilgore

[LovingA2andMI]

104. K & R

Whatever Bernie is.....Independent or Democrat....he HAS MY VOTE, PERIOD!!!

Run, Bernie, Run!!

[whatchamacallit]

108. Fuck Yeah, Pitt! K&R!

[mountain grammy]

109. If Bernie runs, I'll vote for him, regardless of the letter after his name..

Let the chips fall where they may, I think he'd make an outstanding president. If this happens in my lifetime, i swear I'll die a happy woman.

[ColesCountyDem]

135. President Cruz is hoping you'll do exactly that. n/t

[mountain grammy]

163. Oh please, spare me that vision. I'm not buying it.

[Autumn]

201. The older I get the harder it is to scare me. That little throw away

phrase just cracks me up every time someone tosses it out there. .

[mountain grammy]

210. Me too, Autumn!

[QC]

291. You just want President Palin!!!!!!!!

[Autumn]

295. oH NOES not Palin !!! I want President Reagan!!!! He's perfect.

Seriously if I have to want a republican Prwesident, Reagan is the perfect one. Because like he's dead and I like that.

[QC]

297. And Reagan was a transformative president,

or so I'm told.

[Autumn]

303. That's what some one told me but I figured since I was there

I know what a destructive little rats ass he and his lousy policies really were.

[loyalsister]

111. The next Missouri "democratic" anointed gubernatorial in nominee is NOT a Democrat

Not in my opinion, at least. He switched from R to D a few years ago. Sadly, I don't think his values changed much with party membership.

In the flip side case of Bernie Sanders, I would hope his wouldn't either.

[LondonReign2]

212. Even sadder is that

even though his values didn't change, what is acceptable in the Democratic Party has changed to the point that they now welcome those right wing Republican views.

[Nay]

262. Exactly. Pubs changing to Dems? Dems should toss them out the door, just

like in those old Westerns. To accept them in as if they have truly changed sides is naive, especially when you know that Pubs and the ultrareligious have been infiltrating school boards, etc., for 30 years. Why on earth would you think that a Pub was being honest about this? They'd have to go door to door stumping for Dem candidates for 5 years before I'd believe a word they say. But they are ushered into the Dem party like there is no problem?

Well, I have a problem with it because THIS IS WHY WE HAVE SO MANY CONSERVATIVE 'DEMS' IN THE PARTY. They aren't Dems. They're Republicans. And the fact that they seem so interchangeable to the Dem leadership is ominous.

[loyalsister]

306. Sadly, it's nothing new

Either as atty general or governor, Our current Democratic Gov. has overseen 90% of all executions in MO. Capital punishment is not exclusive to republicans, but I think that kind of zealousness is less common among Dems. Aside from that, it has always been tough to hold Dem legislators together when it comes to votes on social issues.
So, it's not like he joined a party with a large majority of mainstream Dems.

[JEB]

114. I could give a shit what party initial is after Bernie's name.

He has my vote as the most sensible person in DC and for whatever office he chooses to seek. Give 'em hell Bernie. Keep telling it like it is.

[Xyzse]

121. If he does, I'll register Democrat this time...

Deal Bernie?

-at least for this election cycle-

[Nye Bevan]

122. I hope he runs as a Democrat. The debates will be much more interesting.

And the party members will have a genuine choice as to what kind of candidate they want to nominate. It will be interesting to see how popular Sanders' policies are compared to those of the other candidates.

If he runs as an independent, OTOH, he will probably do the Democrat what Nader did to Gore.

[OneAngryDemocrat]

124. We can talk about 'circling the wagons' AFTER Bernie eats Hillary alive during the primary debates

In 1964, a very young Hillary Rodham Clinton was one of the Goldwater Girls who campaigned for the Arizona Republican. She only became a Democrat later in the 1960s AFTER she attended the 1968 GOP convention.

Elizabeth Warren started life as a conservative who voted Republican because of the party’s pro-business stance, and she didn’t switch to the Democratic Party until the mid-1990s.

We can talk about 'circling the wagons' AFTER Bernie eats Hillary alive during the primary debates.

But ONLY after the debates.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

125. Robin Hood!!!

[DonCoquixote]

126. with all due respect to the powers that be

I remember when people were trying to say that Kendrick Meek supporters should submit to then Third Party candidate Charlie Crist, because to do otherwise would let Rubio in. I complained, and was told that this was an exception. Yeah, some exception, the result being that now, for governor, my choice is between someone who will make a bad governor, and someone who will make a Disaster.

Some damn exception.

[elleng]

128. No.surprise.

In.addition.to.other.problems.with.his.policies,not.corporatist,not.third.way,Party.affiliation.and.lack.of.party.support,likely.main.reason.a.run.by.him.would.fail.

[cantbeserious]

133. Go Bernie Go

eom

[treestar]

134. Yawn

the newest Messiah. What happened to Elizabeth Warren? He would still have to deal with Congress.

[neverforget]

141. Wow.

Someone who speaks about what ails the middle class and poor and you label him the Messiah?

[YoungDemCA]

144. It's easy to speak about your high-minded principles

When you don't have to deal with an opposition party that hates you on a seething, personal level, and hates that you are the first person of color to be President (which for many of them, is one too many) and is willing-no, EAGER-to sabotage the country's economy and deliberately shut down the government to score political points against you.

Sorry, but I don't think Sanders is particularly impressive. It's easy to be principled and idealistic when you're not the one where all the blame and responsibility is assigned, and where all of the public's impossible expectations are projected onto you.

Oh, and you have to deal with the rest of the world, too. Good luck with that!

[WilliamPitt]

154. Sen. Sanders has been walking and talking his "high-minded" principles since 1971.

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

Stack your own principles and record against that, and let's see where we stand.

[Enthusiast]

191. +1 an entire shit load.

[neverforget]

156. Having no principles got us into this predicament in the first place.

I'll vote for the Democrat, but I am sick and fucking tired of all the mealy mouthed, centrist bullshit we hear from Democrats in DC. If Sanders pulls the Democrats back to the Left, then more power to him.

[Rex]

159. What Congress? They are too busy going on vacations.

Weak.

[NealK]

188. "the newest Messiah"

Oh the irony.

[MissDeeds]

137. I'm on his side, too

Thanks for this, Will.

Run, Bernie!

K&R

[jwirr]

138. And he is not only Democrat but an old time Democrat. I will vote for him in the primary. I might

even write him in.

[silvershadow]

139. Best. Post. Ever. nt

[DCBob]

143. Bernie doesnt have a national appeal.

He might have impact in few deep blue liberal states but thats about it. Good to have his voice out there but he has no chance to be a significant candidate... a bit like kuchinich.

[kath]

145. he's a hell of a lot more of a Democrat than the Trojan Horse in the White House. Or either of the

Clintons. Or most of the so-called "Democrats" in the House and the Senate.

Right on, Will. Great post.

[YoungDemCA]

149. Introducing the new logical fallacy, courtesy of DU!

"No True Democrat."

[YoungDemCA]

151. Go Bernie, Run! You Can Do No Wrong!

And they said Obama supporters are the ones who care more about personality than policy.

[WilliamPitt]

153. They do.

And they're right.

[LondonReign2]

214. Perhaps that's because

Obama supporters don't care what the policy is, if Obama supports it so do they, they'll come up with a justification for anything.

Sanders isn't going to win anything based on charisma. His supporters are excited about his policies, not pretty speeches.

[Indepatriot]

155. He's what the Democrats ought to be.

Since "Bubba The Triangulator" a Democrat who's down for the Middle Class has been a rare bird. Bernie's agenda could win with the people, but the MSM will not allow that to happen. I hope to hell he runs!

[rhett o rick]

161. If I agree with you, do I get a reprieve from the ass kissing?

Run Sen Sanders Run.

[Smarmie Doofus]

162. Well.... technically he's not.

And DU is going to have to revisit and revise its policy of not allowing advocacy for non-Dems where there is an official DEM nominee.... in the event that Sen Sanders runs as an independent.

Looks as though 75% of the board will vote for him.... even as independent. (Including me, BTW).

[blkmusclmachine]

164. I support Bernie, but suspect that if he wins the White House, he'll face an army of obstructionist

DEMS to thwart him, and us.

[Kalidurga]

165. I like fire

We have too many so called champions of the people that have no fire and they are cozy with the people who are stripping away our rights and ensuring that we all end up as wage slaves.

[Strat54]

167. Run Bernie, Run!!

I will be voting either for him or Joe Biden in the primary.

[Veganhealedme]

170. Because of Bernie, I'm a Democratic Socialist too. knr nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

171. REC!

[gwheezie]

173. I hope he runs.

I am a Hillary supporter. I'm not going to play the stupid Hillary vs Obama game of 08 if someone else challenges her. If Bernie can get a campaign going he has just as much validity to run as anyone else. I hope if he runs it's as a dem but it's up to him. If Hillary wants to be president she will have to make her case to the American people no matter who else is in the race.
If Bernie runs as a dem and wins the nomination I will vote for him.

[PBass]

174. Wow.

Run, Bernie. Run.

You can almost feel the excitement.

[Marr]

179. No shit. Corporate stooges say Sanders isn't a Democrat without a twinge of shame.

Why isn't he a Democrat? Could it possibly be because the party has been dragged rightward and rightward by corporate stooges?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

182. EEEK! He's too liberal!! He can't win!!

[Ikonoklast]

220. Calm down there, Hillary. We already know how you feel about anyone else running.

If you can't win the voters over to due to your lame agenda, smear the other guy with the "loser" label.


Except this time, we already have a one-time primary loser in Hillary. Going to be difficult to tiptoe around that little fact.

[democrank]

183. Interesting responses....

especially from those Democrats here who have tossed aside the old meaning of Democrat and inserted their new, 2014 version. It reminds me of how war was peace under George W. Bush.

Bernie Sanders has always stood with workers and veterans. Always. He doesn`t say one thing and do another. His actions back up his words.

For those who chatter about his "far left ways"....like economic justice and real help for our veterans, please come up here to Vermont and see how many pickup trucks have both an NRA sticker and a Bernie sticker. To say Bernie has a narrow appeal is laughable.

If nothing else, Bernie will make the presidential debates worth listening to because voters will have the opportunity to hear a candidate who genuinely is for the people.

[Enthusiast]

187. K&R! This post deserves hundreds of recommendations!

Last edited Tue Sep 16, 2014, 06:49 AM - Edit history (1)

I see it has them.

Yay, Bernie!

Thank you, WilliamPitt. [url=http://www.freesmileys.org/emoticons.php][img][/img][/url]

[snappyturtle]

193. He's a Democrat in principle so I will vote for him if given the chance. K&R nt

[marym625]

194. I hope he runs

I will never vote for Hillary the warmonger. Sanders voted against the illegal war.

[AzDar]

195. Bernie!!!

[magical thyme]

198. Run, Bernie, Run. And please stay out of small planes...

I mean it.

[riqster]

199. Basic math proves you wrong.

If Bernie runs as an independent, he will lose, Dems will lose, and Repubs will win. That is mathematics.

On the positions, you are correct. When it comes to electoral outcomes, not so much.

Run AS A DEM, Bernie, run!

[Triana]

200. Pretty much my thoughts. Bernie is what a Democrat is SUPPOSED to be but...

..what most of our so-called "Dems" have long since left behind in favor of "middle way" bullshit.

[Progressive dog]

203. If Bernie runs in the Democratic primary,

I would probably vote for him.
It's nice that Bernie doesn't see either the President or Hillary as some conservative third way Democrats that he has to attack.

[B Calm]

205. Bernie is more a democrat than any who represents the DNC today. He would

be the right man at the right time, another FDR!

[NorthCarolina]

206. Ironic statement given the fact he's about the ONLY Democrat standing.

I wonder if it is possible to run a poll on DU that simply asks the question;

Who best represents your understanding of a tried and true Democrat?
a. Hillary Clinton
b. Bernie Sanders

Or would such a poll violate the TOS?

[Generic Other]

215. He is the closest to a viable candidate we will get

Frankly, I prefer defending his principles rather than Hilary's past gaffes, inaccuracies about her beliefs, record, sucking up to Wall Street, warmongering, and all the other "baggage" she carries.

I will back Sanders as well. He's the best we have, and I see no reason to back an inferior candidate.

[marym625]

216. I think I love you.

[Octafish]

223. Bernie's a Democrat.

Believes in what makes a Democrat more than most who call themselves "Democrats" do these days.

Who wanted to audit the Bailout of 2008? At. First. Only. Bernie. Sanders.

[freebrew]

225. I have never signed up either...

Democrat by choice and support. Good post and says exactly how I feel as well.

He's on our side.

Run, Bernie. Run.

[PatrynXX]

228. course my answer would be

whats a Democrat? Democrats and Republican parties are long dead

we have the Progressive Party and the Conservative party. I would think Bernie is part of the progressive party..

[Douglas Carpenter]

229. knr

[hifiguy]

232. If Bernie runs,

he has my undying support and loyalty.

He's a better Democrat than 90%+ of the officeholders who happen to put a D after their names.

He is, as the late and much missed Paul Wellstone famously said, from the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.

Bernie!

[raindaddy]

234. Add every square in of my ass as well...

Good to see there are still some Democrats left who haven't forgotten who their party is supposed to represent.

[leftstreet]

239. DURec

[dsharp88]

243. Ralph Nader, Part 2??? Help me on this.

If he runs as an Ind., doesn't he take away votes in the general from the Democratic candidate?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

247. Only if he appeals to Democratic voters more the the Democratic candidate does.

Which is what Nader did.

[WilliamPitt]

249. If he runs

he will run as a Democrat.

Fainting couches are in the storage area. Beware the mothballs.

[Heidi]

244. You're a professional writer, Will, yet

you couldn't frame that great OP (with which I otherwise agree) without, "Kiss every square inch of my ass"?

Come on, Will. Such invective makes the message about you. Is that really what you want?

[WilliamPitt]

248. In my published work

I am required to tame my invective, channel it, and craft it within the boundaries of acceptable dialog; hence, "Kiss every square inch of my ass" becomes "The reality of this argument beggars reason," or something of the like.

This, however, is not my published work. It is a forum I have been glad to call home for almost fourteen years.

You will pardon me if I let my hair down and take my shoes off here.

If you don't, bear in mind that I'm going to do it anyway.

Coping mechanisms are available in the lobby.

[Heidi]

250. I will pardon you

because you're one of the handful of remaining DUers who I truly admire and could say that I "love."

My coping mechanisms are fine, Will. If I thought for one second you, at this moment, sincerely cared about my "coping mechanisms," I'd thank you for the advice.

[WilliamPitt]

255. I sincerely care about your coping mechanisms

and hope they are well-greased. They seem to be, which is why I was surprised by your reply to an OP of mine that really isn't much different than everything else I've posted here.

And P.S., I love you too, old friend.

[Heidi]

261. Our tribe

will always try to help us be better and do better. I count on you to do that for me (as you always have) and I hope you will insist that we/I do that for you. Love to you, Will, and your beautiful-in-all ways two ladies.

Run, Bernie, RUN!

[Zorra]

245. Oh, heck yeah. Totally.

The most honorable awesome Senator from the Peoples Republic of Vermont rocks!

[DinahMoeHum]

253. He damn well better run as a Democrat. . .

The Howard Dean/Elizabeth Warren version, that is.

BECAUSE I WILL FUCKING NOT STOMACH ANOTHER 3RD PARTY RALPH NADER SIPHONING VOTES FROM US GOOD GUYS TO RESULT IN ANOTHER FUCKING REPUBLICAN FASCIST PIG IN THE WHITE HOUSE

[WilliamPitt]

256. Whaaargarbl.

You has it.

[fbc]

254. Bernie Sanders is what we wish our democratic politicians were.

[ms liberty]

259. Thanks, Will...I agree 100%! n/t

[merrily]

275. FOUR HUNDRED ELEVEN RECS SO FAR?

I don't think i've ever noticed half that.

[LordGlenconner]

277. It would appear Elizabeth Warren's FOM status is at an end

I eagerly await the next change in the direction of the wind.

[WilliamPitt]

278. Thanks for the kick

[rhett o rick]

287. Really? Really? I am guessing you are not a fan of progressive candidates.

Maybe you wish the Left would just sit down, shut up and support the status quo, Goldman-Sachs' candidate.

[LordGlenconner]

292. And maybe you have a persecution complex?

[rhett o rick]

293. Wow, you got me there. And maybe you are a conservative posting on

a message board for politically liberal posters. I don't mind if you are willing to argue you positions. But it seems you are only here to disparage the Left and I don't have time to waste on you.

[RoccoR5955]

280. Here, Here.... Run, Bernie. Run!

Damn straight he's a REAL Democrat. An old school Democrat, if you will. None of this "progressive" crap. Not one of the neo-liberals who just want to sing Kumbaya, and make sure everyone is happy, but one who is willing to put up a fight, and get his hands dirty. If he makes some enemies, so be it.

I have seen my own town taken over by these lily-livered "progressives." They have made statements in their meetings that they just don't want to fight, because, "people get turned off by it." Hell, you are supposed to be going against your opposition, who will do anything to get their way, and you are worried about pissing a few people off? Give me a break.

Bernie is originally from Brooklyn, so I am confident that he knows how this goes. You sometimes have to fight for what you want, or need, or is in the best interests of everyone, and if you lose some friends, that's the way the ball bounces. If you don't make waves, nothing gets done.

I would vote for Bernie in a New York nanosecond!

[Babel_17]

282. 418 Rec's, as of this writing

I urge a continuation of the tactic of pointedly reminding disenchanted voters "But Senator Sanders isn't a Democrat!".

[TBF]

283. Just noticed that - that's the most I've seen in a very long time.

I'd vote for him in a heartbeat. Dem or not.

[lark]

284. I agree totally that he should run.

He has the best ideas and acts in the best interests of the working class. I do think he should run as a Democrat, however, so as not to split the vote and end up with Repug clown du jour for president.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

305. +1

[PADemD]

285. Does your state have an open or closed presidential primary?

[Thespian2]

294. Damn Good!

If your only definition of "Democrat" features the CORPORATE couple Bill and Hillary, then Bernie is certainly not a Democrat. He is simply the best hope that Americans have for a future.

[Enthusiast]

299. Bernie is not a fake.

Imagine, a non-fake!

[Enthusiast]

300. I support Bernie with every square inch of my ass!

[TheNutcracker]

301. Very interesting post Mr. Pitt.

[marble falls]

302. Don't ever stop speaking out, Will!!!!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

304. you're confusing Democrat with liberal. he is not a DEM but he is liberal. these are just facts

factually he is not a Democrat

[Indepatriot]

313. Paperwork aside, Bernie's much closer to being a democrat than Hillary.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

315. you too are apparently confused about party affiliation and ideology.

[Babel_17]

307. I'm looking forward to many more threads about Senator Sanders running for President

There is a great spirit, and some great talk, in this one.

[Nye Bevan]

310. Jury results:

On Tue Sep 16, 2014, 09:00 PM an alert was sent on the following post:

Killing Today's Meme, Chapter the Infinity: "Sanders = Nader"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025545821

REASON FOR ALERT

This post is disruptive, hurtful, rude, insensitive, over-the-top, or otherwise inappropriate.

ALERTER'S COMMENTS

My way or the highway? Either like my candidate or kiss my ass? I am sick of this clown's belligerent posts--they aren't passionate, they are rude and nasty and sound like they are coming from a place where the writer isn't thinking straight--this kind of shit is straight out of "used car salesman" territory and he needs to just cut the crap. This blowhard posts intemperately and rudely, and his opinion is just that--an opinion. He's doing a great job of making Clinton Democrats--and we ARE Democrats and we don't deserve to be treated like fish bait--feel VERY UNWELCOME here. This guy is touting a candidate who is NOT (yet) running as a Democrat, and teling those of us planning on voting for a Democrat that we're assholes if we don't agree with him? --Instead of telling people to kiss his ass, or calling people who don't agree with his rude and blowhardy opinions "chickenshits, " he needs to learn to speak civilly and stop with the Kiss My Ass hyperbole. It's a big tent, Will--we're ADULTS here--enough with the childish and bullying tone. It makes you sound UNHINGED.

You served on a randomly-selected Jury of DU members which reviewed this post. The review was completed at Tue Sep 16, 2014, 09:12 PM, and the Jury voted 0-7 to LEAVE IT.

Juror #1 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Even though I don't enjoy WillPitt's posts, he doesn't cross the line here. He's not calling anyone an asshole, and he's not referring to any DUers as chickenshits.
Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Nothing wrong with the post at all.
Juror #3 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given
Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: uh-buoy
Juror #5 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Pitt's OP is fine. He's saying that a potential presidential candidate, who will run as a Democrat, should be given due consideration. What's the problem: some mildly abrasive language? Has the alerter only just arrived on the internet? It would take a lot more to be considered rude or over the top.

Also worth noting, Pitt's OP does not mention Clinton or Clinton Democrats by name. He challenges us to 'fish or cut bait' but does not actually accuse anyone of BEING chum, squid, or other fetid lures...
Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: William Pitt is indeed a bit of a ridiculous self-important blowhard, but I don't think this needs to be hidden. Given that his prognostications frequently prove to be embarrassingly wrong, better to leave them up for posterity.
Juror #7 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: What a pathetic alert.

Thank you very much for participating in our Jury system, and we hope you will be able to participate again in the future.

[m-lekktor]

312. damn, somebody is copy/pasting the same alert in every WillPitt thread on this topic.

glad to see it gets the same results, NO HIDE! hahaha

[bigwillq]

314. I am on Bernie's side.

I agree with this post. So very true.

K and R