If Bernie Sanders wants the Democratic nomination he should register as a Democrat.

[yellowcanine]

I welcome hearing why he should not have to.

[L0oniX]

1. Sanders says he will register as a Democrat if needed for primary fight

https://bangordailynews.com/2015/05/02/politics/sanders-says-he-will-register-as-a-democrat-if-needed-for-primary-fight/

[Agschmid]

2. Stupid OP.

Educate yourself.

[yellowcanine]

9. Educate yourself. He has not registered as a Democrat.

Saying he will do it if he has to to get on a ballot is not what I am talking about.

If someone runs as a Democrat they should be willing to register as a Democrat up front - not just do it as a tactical move. You can disagree with me - that does not make me stupid nor you smart.

[djean111]

10. His state does not have party registration. How hard is that to understand?

I look forward to reading an actual explanation, not just a regurgitation.

[yellowcanine]

22. Yours is the regurgitation. Nothing stops him from joining the Vermont Democratic Party.

It does exist and is how Vermont politicians run as Democrats.

[pnwmom]

47. Party registration for voters has NOTHING to do with candidates running with a party label.

In Washington state voters ALSO do not register by party, which allows them to vote for candidates from any party.

However, except in a handful of "non-partisan" positions (e.g., judges) the candidates themselves run as members of a party.

Sanders has chosen not to run under the Democratic label. Howard Dean DOES run as a Democrat. Nothing about the Vermont system discourages him from doing so.

[morningfog]

83. "candidates themselves run as members of a party." Just as Sanders is doing now.

[pnwmom]

92. He has preferred the label "Democratic Socialist" for decades.

Unfortunately, this will haunt him in the general election even if he gets through the primaries.

[morningfog]

94. Yes, I am sure that republicans and independents whow support and agree with his positions

would not vote for him since has identified as a Democratic Socialist.

[pnwmom]

96. People who might agree with his positions are likely to be turned off before they

get to the point of investigating, simply because of the label.

[City Lights]

15. In VT, one does not register by party.

It's not a matter of disagreeing with you. It's not done in Vermont.

[CherokeeDem]

27. Nothing stupid about the OP.

I respect Sanders and his opinions but I agree that he should register as a Democrat if he wants the nomination of the Democratic Party.

[Luminous Animal]

51. Since Vermont, you know... where he lives, does NOT allow voters to register by party,

how he would be able to do this?

Did you know that Howard Dean is also not a registered Democrat?

[leftofcool]

77. That is for voter registration only

Howard Dean ran on a Democratic ticket, period.

[CherokeeDem]

79. I'm aware of both issues....

While Dr. Dean is one of my favorites..... I did not support him for President. Your comment regarding Dean was unnecessary. Dean is not running.

Bernie should run as the Independent he is. Caucusing with Democrat's in the Senate is one thing, but accepting the Party's nomination is another.

I am not convinced Sanders believes he has a chance of winning the nomination. I believe he is a man with extremely strong convictions who is using the bully pulpit to ensure his views are discussed during this process.

I recognize the Party allows non-Dems to run... something I do not agree with. I also feel Sanders entrance into the race has complicated O'Mally's entrance, as O'Mally's was poised to be an alternative to Hillary. I feel he is a more viable candidate than Sanders.

Would I prefer a very liberal candidate to win? Yes. I have not made my mind up yet as to who I will be supporting in the primary. I only wish Sanders was a Democrat.

One other general observation not in response to this post. I have seen so much vitriol on the board between supporters of these candidates. The venom, the condescending manner on all sides is uncalled for. We're Democrats and we should be prepared to support our candidate during the primaries, then unite behind our nominee during the general election. The alternative? Just take a look at the Republican clown car. That should scare us enough to collectively support our nominee.

[Renew Deal]

72. It's a legitimate point

I'm sure you wouldn't say the same thing about some republican.

[shenmue]

103. Just go right to the name-calling

Smart move.

[immoderate]

3. He can't. His state does not have party registration.

How do you suggest he go about it?

BTW, what does the Constitution recommend?

--imm

[TheSarcastinator]

6. you're focused too much on reality!

And not what the poster BELIEVES is true.

[KamaAina]

42. Reality has a well-known liberal bias.

-Dr. Stephen T. Colbert, DFA

[pnwmom]

49. He can RUN as a Democrat in VT the exact same way Howard Dean and every other Dem does.

He has chosen not to link himself to the party. This has nothing to do with the state's process for registering voters.

[still_one]

107. Patrick Leahy is the best example to use

[DisgustipatedinCA]

4. It sounds like this label matters to you more than it does to most

He functions more like a Democrat than many actual Democrats do. I'm not inclined to try to defend something that I don't believe requires a defense.

[bigwillq]

7. Good post.

[treestar]

18. Dumb post since Democrats are who they are

They consist of the people who call themselves that, so one who does not call themselves that can hardly be more them than they are. That whole meme is dopey.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

112. The irony here is that you're labelling a post "stupid", given the construction and usage

...in your own post.

The point stands.

[yellowcanine]

35. Not about labels. A Democratic President is the leader of the Democratic Party.

How can he lead the Democratic Party if he is not a member of it?

[Luminous Animal]

54. How did Howard Dean run as a Democratic candidate? If he had been elected, would you have rejected

him as the leader of the Democratic Party?

[pnwmom]

95. He always ran as a Democrat, first in the Senate and then in the Presidential primary.

The fact that he couldn't register as a Democrat TO VOTE has nothing to do with his ability to RUN for office as a Democrat.

[SomethingFishy]

55. What makes you think he gives a shit about the Democratic Party?

Bernie wants to lead us. Citizens, Americans, not "just Democrats or just Independents or just Republicans".

Maybe you should stop worrying about what letter is next to his name.

[pnwmom]

50. The label matters because "Democratic Socialist" will make him unelectable in the general election

even if he manages to get through the primaries.

[G_j]

70. the RW convinced many Obama was a Socialist, yet he won in two landslides,

I think that word had been overused, and lost it's sting. Also, I think most young people could care less.

[pnwmom]

81. Most people believed Obama when he flatly denied being a socialist.

Sanders, however, will say, "I am a Democratic Socialist."

Which is not a denial.

[bravenak]

5. Cali explained this very well the other day.

Because Vermont.

[upaloopa]

8. I think you do not register for a party in Vermont

[yellowcanine]

19. Doesn't matter. He could still join the Vermont Democratic Party.

That is the equivalent of party registration in Vermont. Lots of Vermont politicians run as Democrats or Republicans.

[upaloopa]

30. I think it is a moot issue. It is good that he

entered the contest. He brings up the issues that need to be talked about. But he will not be the nominee so it really doesn't matter if he registers or not.

[Luminous Animal]

57. The Vermont Democratic Party features Sanders and links to his Presidential Campaing website.

http://www.vtdemocrats.org/elected-officials/senator-bernie-sanders

[City Lights]

11. What, exactly, would you like him to do?

https://www.sec.state.vt.us/elections.aspx

Under FAQs - Voter Registration:


Do I have to register as a Democrat, Republican, Independent or some other party in Vermont?

No. There is no party registration in Vermont.

All registered voters can vote in the primary election—but can only vote on one ballot. You will be given a ballot for each of the major parties. You mark one of the ballots and put the remaining unvoted ballots into a discard bin. Which ballot you chose to vote is private and not recorded (except during the presidential primary, where voters must publicly take one ballot or the other, and their choice is recorded on the entrance checklist).

[yellowcanine]

28. "What, exactly, would you like him to do?" Join the Vermont Democratic Party.

Same thing other politicians in Vermont running as Democrats do.

If you are going to seek the party nomination, at least make that commitment.

[City Lights]

71. He caucuses with the Democrats in the Senate.

That's good enough for me.

IMO, he's more of a Democrat than many DINOs who "register as a Democrat" and then vote like a Republican.

[HappyMe]

12. In Vermont party registration is not required.

I believe that this has been explained here a few times.

[ScreamingMeemie]

14. It has, but there was a blank spot in today's schedule of activities on DU

so why not go over the whole boring explanation again?

[HappyMe]

21. I didn't check the schedule.

I guess this filler is as good as any.

[yellowcanine]

24. There is however a Vermont Democratic Party. He can join it.

Most Democratic politicians in Vermont do.

[HappyMe]

26. How do you know he hasn't joined?

He caucuses with Democrats.

[yellowcanine]

85. If he has he is being very quiet about it.

Maybe that is okay with Vermont Democrats, it is not with me.

[HappyMe]

86. Oh my!

I'm sure he's quaking in his boots because it isn't okay with you.

He has my vote. I don't much care about labels.

[yellowcanine]

91. I voted for every Democratic Presidential candidate since 1972.

And voted in every Democratic Presidential primary since 1972. I think I am entitled to an opinion on the topic. Deal with it.

[HappyMe]

93. I am entitled to my opinion

that crabbing about a label is ridiculous. Deal with it.

[yellowcanine]

98. Fine but if Bernie ignores the people who always vote in the Democratic primaries,

he is going nowhere.

[Luminous Animal]

58. The Vermont Democratic Party features Sanders on the website and links to his Presidential campaign

site.

http://www.vtdemocrats.org/elected-officials/senator-bernie-sanders

[pnwmom]

80. And that page HIGHLIGHTS the fact that he is an independent. The Vermont Democratic party

clearly thinks it's to their advantage to link to a very popular independent who caucuses with the Dems in the Senate.

But if he's a Democrat now, he hasn't officially declared that. He's spent his entire political life calling himself a "Democratic Socialist."

[99Forever]

13. Here's your sign.

Fail

[treestar]

16. Even if he did, I don't think his first job as a Democrat should be POTUS.

Presumptuous.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Because there's no party registration in Vermont.

There's also none here in my state. Washington.

[pnwmom]

40. But politicians in WA still run on party labels for all but non-partisan offices.

And they do in Vermont, too.

[emulatorloo]

20. He caucuses with the Dems, and he said he's going to run as a Dem

Bernie is a man of his word.

[jwirr]

23. Your question has been answered many time on DU. Not answer my question. Why do you keep

asking it over and over?

[yellowcanine]

31. If you are talking to me I asked it once. not over and over. And it hasn't been answered.

There is a Vermont Democratic Party. Bernie Sanders can register as a Democrat by joining it.

[jwirr]

46. Sorry I must have seen the same question from others. And none of those persons in the

Vermont Democratic Party are registered either. I would assume that to join one merely has to say I am a Democrat or I am running in the Democratic Party race and go to some of the meetings. There are no papers to fill out to go to the meetings or to belong to the group.

They have an open primary in Vermont and have no reason to have a party preference on a voter registration card.

[yellowcanine]

88. I am not talking about party preference on a voter registration card.

I am talking about volunteering for party activities, supporting party candidates, being an actual Democrat, and not being shy about saying it. If he can't say it, can he at least say why he is running as a Democrat? He needs to make the sales pitch if he wants votes.

[Luminous Animal]

60. The Vermont Democratic party features Sanders on their website on links to his Presidential campaign

site.

http://www.vtdemocrats.org/elected-officials/senator-bernie-sanders

[AtomicKitten]

25. He should do (1) what he is required to do and (2) what he wants to do.

Otherwise, your opinion of what he should do is just chatter from the cheap seats.

[yellowcanine]

41. I am a Democrat. I vote in the Presidential primary. He is asking for my vote.

I have a right to know he is actually committed to the Democratic Party before giving it to him. Actually joining the party is not enough obviously but it is a minimum. I am only one person but that does not make my opinion "chatter from the cheap seats," thank you very much for that.

[AtomicKitten]

44. Well then, you haven't been paying attention.

He has demonstrated his commitment already by caucusing and voting with the Democratic Party all these years. He had the good sense to vote no on the IWR and the Patriot Act, something some Democrats including Hillary didn't have the good sense to do. Your demand for a show of commitment has already been answered.

[yellowcanine]

53. There is a lot more to party politics than voting. How much party building has Bernie done

in Vermont and around the country. Typically a successful presidential candidate has a good record of party building in their home state and across the country.

[Luminous Animal]

67. The Vermont Democratic Party thinks he's done a lot. Here is what they had to say on their Facebook

page

"Congratulations to Sen. Bernie Sanders! We are grateful for your many years of support of the VDP and welcome you to our national party's primary!"

https://www.facebook.com/vtdems

[yellowcanine]

84. That's a start but not enough. Bernie needs to say more about why he is running as a Democrat.

And if he is unsuccessful is he going to work to support the Democratic nominee as Hillary did in 2008?

[HappyMe]

87. I care about the issues.

Not about labels. I personally don't know why he should yammer on about why.

You aren't going to vote for him anyway, so why do you care.

[yellowcanine]

89. You don't know whether or not I am going to vote for him. Don't assume.

You don't know me.

[HappyMe]

90. I assumed you weren't because of

the label rant.

I personally don't care who you vote for. I also don't care about the label or brand stuff.

[yellowcanine]

97. Well you were wrong. I actually haven't decided yet.

That is why I want to know why someone decides to run as a Democrat in 2016 but not before. For better or worse, we are a two party system. Someone wants to buck that, fine, but let us know how it is going to work. If he is the President, how does he work with Democrats in Congress? Where is the common ground?

[HappyMe]

99. lol!

He caucuses and votes with the Democratic Senators. Bernie is on the same side as the Democratic Senators.

All that matters is that he isn't going to kiss Republican asses.

[yellowcanine]

100. You mean like when he voted against the Brady Act?

No Republican ass kissing there, no sirree!

[HappyMe]

101. He didn't vote for Iraq war.

Some big label person did. Some big label person is also all about Wall Street. No republican ass kissing there either. No siree!

[yellowcanine]

104. If Sanders wants my vote he needs to give me reasons to vote for him, not why I should vote against

someone else. Nice diversion from the Brady Bill vote, though.

[HappyMe]

106. I haven't seen a single reason to vote for big label Hillary either.

I am not a single issue voter. Guns are probably dead last on my list of concerns. Nice diversion from Wall Street and the Iraq war.

Use google to get info about Bernie. Or not.

[HooptieWagon]

29. Has Hillary registered as a Corporatist?

If you're being all truthy and stuff...

[yellowcanine]

33. Nice diversion. How is that relevant?

[HooptieWagon]

34. Every bit as relevant as flame bait OP.

[yellowcanine]

36. How is it flame bait? I am serious. We have a 2 party system in this country.

The President is the leader of his/her respective party. To ask for the nomination one should be committed to the party.

[Paladin]

32. What's the point?

The Republicans are going to tie that "Socialist" label of his around his neck and never let it go.

[former9thward]

37. Do you hold that same standard for Obama?

He is not registered as a Democrat because there is no party registration in Illinois.

[pnwmom]

43. Obama was elected in Illinois as a Democrat. He ran on that label. n/t

[former9thward]

74. And so is Sanders.

There is no piece of paper which has Obama registering as a Democrat in IL. No party registration.

[pnwmom]

78. Voter registration has nothing to do with a candidate's party label in the states

that don't require voters to choose a party.

Howard Dean, for example, chose to RUN as a Democrat in Vermont, even though he wasn't a registered Dem because no one registers by party in Vermont.

Sanders chose not to run as a Democrat. And having run as a Democratic Socialist will hurt him in most other states. (Even in Vermont, Sanders only got 1% of the vote in his first run as a Democratic Socialist.)

[winter is coming]

38. I'm far more interested in contents than labels. Calling yourself a D isn't what matters. n/t

[yellowcanine]

48. No but is is a start. And he needs to do it as a minimum.

[winter is coming]

65. No, he really doesn't. He's been a much better Dem than many who wear the jersey. n/t

[markpkessinger]

111. Quite so . . .

. . . I think this entire thread is ridiculous, but even, for the same of argument, if I were to take the OP seriously, if anything, to the extent Sanders' failure to specifically call himself a Democrat suggests a departure from what has been the party's business as usual since, oh, about the mid-90s, I think that is a good thing!

[sufrommich]

39. Howard Dean (VT) was and is not only a democrat,but

was once the national leader of the Democratic Party. This whole argument that Sanders literally can't be a democrat is ridiculous and will be seen as such by a lot of democratic primary voters who have been involved with democratic party politics for a long time. If he's going to run as a democrat,he needs to start calling himself a democrat,anything less is bad optics and horribly tone deaf.

[yellowcanine]

45. Exactly my point. Thanks. The "can't register by party in Vermont" is a dodge.

And a cheap one at that. He can join the Vermont Democratic Party, which is a state affiliate of the National Democratic Party.

[jwirr]

52. Show us the application form for joining the Vermont Democratic Party he is supposed to fill out.

As far as I know there is not any in my state.

[yellowcanine]

63. This would be one way....

https://vtdemocrats.ngpvanhost.com/form/1371476429287852032

[jwirr]

76. Are we sure he does not do that. After all it was them who elected him senator.

[Luminous Animal]

62. The Vermont Democratic Party features Sanders and links to his Presidential campaign site...

http://www.vtdemocrats.org/elected-officials/senator-bernie-sanders

[Agnosticsherbet]

56. DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Statement on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 Announcement

DNC Chair Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz Statement on Bernie Sanders’ 2016 Announcement
“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.”

It appears that Debbi Wasserman Schultz considers him a Democrat.

[daleanime]

59. As long as some one is running....

as a Democrat with Democratic Values I'm happy. Sorry about that.

[bobthedrummer]

61. He has my vote. Your biases and opinion don't matter to me-is that clear enough yellowcanine?

n/t

[yellowcanine]

69. Okay that will win me over. Thanks.

I can see you are a graduate of the Carnegie School of "How to make friends and influence people."

[Spider Jerusalem]

64. There is no registration by party in Vermont.

Any other ignorant opinions?

[Agnosticsherbet]

73. Vermont isn't the issue. Each state sets its own rules. Sanders and said h will meet all Requirments

And the Head of the DNC and the Head of the Democratic Party in New Hampshire are working that Sanders meets all requirements, even if that means being a "Registered" Democrat.

By the way, in Vermont, Senator Leahy is a Democrat as are the majority in their legislature.

It appears that self identifying is sufficient in that state and for the Democratic Party of Vermont.

[yallerdawg]

66. Even Rachel Maddow introduces him as...

Independent Senator from Vermont - which is what he is.

I guess there is no harm in declaring yourself "Democrat Bernie Sanders" for political purposes, convenience and money, is there? At least for the 'anyone but' crowd...

[Agnosticsherbet]

68. Sanders " “We will meet all of the requirements of all of the states, including New Hampshire."

Will Sanders have to register as a Democrat to run in N.H.? Probably
“I made the decision that the best way to be effective as a campaign, the best way to win is to do it through the Democratic primary process,” Sanders said, before leaving a house party that attracted close to 100 supporters in Manchester. “We will meet all of the requirements of all of the states, including New Hampshire. We will fulfill all of the requirements.”

When a reporter asked again, to clarify whether he would register as a Democrat, Sanders responded, “We’ll do what we have to do.”

“We’re going to be on the ballot in 50 states,” Sanders added. “You don’t win unless you do that.”

New Hampshire Democratic Party Chairman Ray Buckley, in a statement offered on Friday, said his organization “will work to satisfy any concerns of the New Hampshire Secretary of State” to make sure Sanders makes it onto the state’s Democratic primary ballot.

Sanders, with the Aid of the head of the DNC and the Democratic Party of New Hampshire will make sure that he meets all requirements, including being registered as a Democrat.

Hopefully this will not come up again.

[frylock]

75. Is this one of those pleas for purity I keep reading about here?

[yellowcanine]

82. Actually this is the opposite of a plea for purity. If you want to run as a Democrat,

embrace the Democratic Party, warts and all.

[frylock]

110. Does his voting record and the fact that he caucuses with Dems not an embrace..

of the Democratic party? Does embracing traditional Democratic values count for anything?

[yellowcanine]

113. Not enough if he wants to run for President as a Democrat.

To win in our electoral college system state parties all over the U.S. have to be on board working hard for the nominee. A half hearted commitment on the part of a candidate Just to get on the primary ballot is not going to cut it. That is just the way it is. So far I have not seen evidence of that commitment. There is still time but he has to do it and be convincing that he wants to win as a Democrat.

[Luminous Animal]

114. The Vermont Democrat Party ran him as a candidate twice in order to lock out all other

Democratic contenders.

[yellowcanine]

116. So he has Vermont's 3 electoral votes locked up. Awesome.

[frylock]

117. So loyalty oaths are more important than policy to you?

[yellowcanine]

118. Or course that is exactly what I said in my posts. Need any more straw for that strawman?

[frylock]

120. So what is the point?

Sanders is running as a Democrat. Full stop. If it's a requirement that he register as a Democrat, then I'm certain that he and his team are well aware of that, and will be in full compliance by the time primary voting takes place.

[yellowcanine]

121. The point is if he wants to run as a Democrat he needs to win over primary voters.

Not just check the right boxes to get on state ballots. That may not have been what he meant, but it sure sounded like it to this voter who has voted for every Democratic Presidential candidate and in every Democratic Presidential Primary since 1972 (McGovern). Yeah that makes me old. But guess what? We oldsters vote in primaries. You want our vote? Earn it.

[frylock]

122. Earn your vote by checking that box next to Democrat..

not by proposing and implementing policy to benefit the lower and middle classes. Gooble-gobble.

[Xyzse]

102. Odd, I thought that in Vermont there is no party registration.

He will run as a Democrat nationaly, so I think that is fine.

[yellowcanine]

108. Other Vermont politicians run as Democrats all of the time for local, state and national office.

Party registration for voting purposes is a different issue.

[fishwax]

105. If Sanders wants the Democratic nomination he should convince democrats to vote/caucus for him

[True Blue Door]

115. Agree, if only to remove it as an excuse for divisive bullshit.

[mmonk]

119. .