Senator Bernie Sanders 'thinking of running for president' in 2016

[Galraedia]

Source: The Guardian

Bernie Sanders, one of the Senate’s leading liberals, said on Sunday he is thinking about running for president in 2016 as either a Democrat or an independent, in a move that could complicate Hillary Clinton’s presumed path to the White House.

Sanders, an independent from Vermont, could pose a challenge from the left to the former first lady and secretary of state, who is widely seen as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. She has not officially said she is a candidate but has acted very much like one.

“I think anybody who speaks to the needs of the working class and the middle class of this country and shows the courage to take on the billionaire class, I think that candidate will do pretty well,” Sanders told NBC.

Sanders is serving his second six-year term in the Senate. A self-described socialist who caucuses with Democrats, he has cultivated a following among some American liberals, especially on economic issues like the growing income disparity between rich and poor and corporate greed.

“I am thinking about running for president,” Sanders said, adding that he must decide whether to run as an independent or wade into the fight for the Democratic nomination.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/14/senator-bernie-sanders-thinking-of-running-for-president-in-2016

[liberal N proud]

1. If he does, I predict a republican win

He will pull votes from the Democratic candidate and not from the Republican.

[Purveyor]

3. He didn't rule out running as a democratic candidate in fact from my take of

his appearance on MTP this morning, if he runs it will most likely be as a democrat.

From the readings on this and other forums, he has broad support and he has wacked the hornets nest called the clinton camp.

[VanillaRhapsody]

5. WTF tells you that he will? Your gut?

[Purveyor]

6. Bitter much? LOL. I do understand your frustration however.

[VanillaRhapsody]

7. bitter because I asked you a question?

Afraid to answer? I am not surprised....and what would I have to be bitter ABOUT? EVEN IF (and that is one big damn if) Bernie became a Democrat...it doesn't mean he could win the primary now does it?

So why would this loyal Democrat be bitter about that?

[Purveyor]

8. Please point out where I said he 'will run'? Thanks in advance. eom

[VanillaRhapsody]

9. Point out where he says he will run as a Democrat then please...Thank YOU in advance!

[Purveyor]

11. Wow, you should perhaps slow down and read what I wrote.

"from my take of his appearance on MTP this morning, if he runs it will most likely be as a democrat. "

If you can't get your answer from this, there is little I can do to help you out. You are on your own.

[VanillaRhapsody]

12. and I asked you where you got that idea from "your gut"

and you seemed to think you have something more that that....please enlighten us!

[Purveyor]

13. I suppose ""from my take of his appearance" could be considered from

'my gut' if that pleases you but to most that is obvious.

Guess I could have written "from my gut feeling of his appearance..."

[VanillaRhapsody]

14. Your "gut" exactly AS I SAID!

in other words...YOU got nothing!

There is NO evidence to support this conclusion....

[Purveyor]

15. I never claimed to have 'something'. Wow, I do hope he runs for if you are any

indication, these primaries are going to be a 'hoot'!

[adirondacker]

36. Real Democrats VS New 3rd way Democrats; Sanders/Teachout/Warren VS Clinton/Cuomo/Kissinger 2016!

Bernie seems to share a lot of the Real Democratic principles based on this expose of Zephyr...

"She’s an ardent advocate of net neutrality, champion of renewable energy and opponent of fracking. Yet she is steeped in the core traditions of the Democratic Party of Franklin Roosevelt, when Democrats were the party of the people, standing with workers and the poor, arguing in FDR’s words that “government by organized money is just as dangerous as government by organized mob.”

Andrew Cuomo is the antithesis of that politics, a New Democrat 2.0. The original New Democrats argued that to win presidential elections, Democrats had to distance themselves from socially liberal causes – affirmative action, choice, gay rights – while championing “market-based reforms” and a muscular military. In the age of Reagan, they tacked right to ride with prevailing winds. New Dems 2.0 realize that the Obama majority is socially liberal. Cuomo has championed gay marriage and gun control in New York, while adhering to the economics of the Wall Street wing of the party – cutting taxes on the rich, cutting spending on education, and blocking populist Mayor Bill de Blasio’s attempt to raise the minimum wage in New York City, leaving the government, as The New York Times concluded, “as subservient to big money as ever.”
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1016102153

[VanillaRhapsody]

40. Your gut says a a Democrat....first he has to become one...

then he would have to raise money......and beat any other REAL Democrat....BECOMING one in the eleventh hour....doesn't exactly endear him to the party, n'est-ce pas?

[Jim Lane]

33. Your accusation of "NO evidence" is manifestly false

There is evidence, in the form of his MTP appearance. "Absence of definitive proof that establishes the conclusion beyond all reasonable doubt" would be accurate -- but that's not the same as "NO evidence".

Politico reported on his appearance with this headline: "Sanders considering 2016 run as Democrat".

UPI gave this quotation from him about the alternatives:

"The truth is, profound anger at both political parties," Sanders said. "More and more people are becoming independent. The negative of it is, how do you set up a 50-state infrastructure for running as an independent?" (from "Bernie Sanders says he may run for president in 2016")

I can't gauge Sanders's demeanor or tone of voice because I didn't see the program. The bare transcript obviously contains evidence both ways, and someone who did see the program and gives his or her "take" based on that is contributing useful additional evidence.

[VanillaRhapsody]

41. Manifestly False that he would become a Democrat?

really? And what proof do you have of THAT?

[Jim Lane]

44. No, you've completely misread my post.

Let me try to break it down for you by numbering the propositions:
(1) Sanders will run as a Democrat.
(2) There is NO evidence in support of proposition (1).
(3) Proposition (1) is manifestly false.
(4) Proposition (2) is manifestly false.

You asserted proposition (2). In response, I strongly disagreed with you, and I asserted proposition (4). You respond by demanding that I produce proof of proposition (3).

I said that his MTP transcript provides evidence for proposition (1) and evidence against it. It should be obvious, therefore, that I don't agree with proposition (3).

[VanillaRhapsody]

45. I cannot get past proposition (1) without uncontrollable giggling.....

did you write that with a straight face?

[Scootaloo]

51. If he did, would your response be support, or derision?

[VanillaRhapsody]

52. Would he be the only Democrat in the primary?

If he DOESN'T become a Democrat....the more important question is....do YOU still support HIM?

Back atcha!



By the way the giggling wasn't ABOUT Bernie the giggling was about you....I love Bernie....but he is NOT a Democrat.

[Rod Beauvex]

17. My gut tells me I shouldn't have eaten that old chicken.

Always listen to your gut.

[VanillaRhapsody]

42. My gut tells me he is not going to run as a Democrat.....

and my gut warns me before I eat the old chicken....

[dflprincess]

26. I got the same impression from what he has said on Thom Hartmann's show. (nt)

[VanillaRhapsody]

43. As a Democrat?

[BlueCaliDem]

4. If he wins the primaries, you mean? I doubt he'll get that far. Although I side with his view

on national policy, he's too liberal for the majority of Americans and Independents, who are pretty much left of center, and they won't cast their vote for him.

And let's not forget that Republicans have done a good job demonizing Liberals to the point that it makes their low-informed flock see red just by hearing the word. MSM, always a dependable actor in whitewashing GOP lies and corruption, have worked hard at putting the last nail in that coffin, making the world "liberal" now akin to Satan worship.

[Veilex]

19. "I doubt he'll get that far"

It certainly wont be for lack of me voting or campaigning for him... that's for sure.

[VanillaRhapsody]

46. before or after he "becomes a Democrat"?

[Veilex]

48. "before or after he "becomes a Democrat"?" - I really dont care.

If you want to hang your hat on a label, that's all well and good. But for me, actions will always speak louder than words... or labels for that matter. It doesn't matter to me what Bernie chooses to call himself... only that he keeps doing what I deem as being consistent with my values. That is why I'll vote and campaign for him.

[VanillaRhapsody]

49. Um that "label" you speak about? Its part of the title of this actual website...

maybe you've noticed?

[Veilex]

50. And what do you think is more important?

Having the label but not acting like a democrat, or not having the label and acting like a democrat?

Perhaps you think having that label magically imbues you with mystical powers?

Labels only matter if the chosen label matches up with actions... until then, labels don't matter.

[VanillaRhapsody]

53. I am a LOYAL Democrat for life....not some mamby pamby Independent.

who blows like the wind!

[Chemisse]

10. That was my first thought.

Let's hope the Republicans don't go with bat-shit crazy this time, because that person will likely win the White House.

[raindaddy]

28. He'll probably run as a Democrat.

He's values are closer to traditional populist Democratic Party ideals than Clinton.

[VanillaRhapsody]

47. based on what?

do you have actual data and analysis and you know evidence.....or is this more of this "gut feeling" I hear has been going around DU lately?

[raindaddy]

56. Based on Sander's own assessment.

“I am thinking about running for president. And the issue of whether you run as an independent, with the necessity of setting up a 50-state infrastructure, running as a Democrat — that’s something that I’m looking at right now,”

- Bernie Sanders

As far as data and analysis, there's enough of it out there to convince me that a vote for Hillary Clinton would be a vote for what would be the equivalence of a moderate Republican.

[VanillaRhapsody]

58. Sanders said he would be a Democrat?

please enlighten us where he said he WILL run as one....

Otherwise it is just as I said another edition of "my gut feeling" that is all!



And my question to you....ARE YOU committed to voting for whomever wins the Dem primary?

[raindaddy]

59. I didn't say he WILL run....

I said he "probably" will run as a Democrat. Since he said "he's considering it",it's more than just a gut feeling.

At this point I'm not willing to commit to Hillary Clinton.

[VanillaRhapsody]

60. And WHAT besides this overactive case of "gut feelies" that is going around DU?

Since he is considering RUNNING.....so where is your evidence he wants to become a Democrat....and even more hilarious....that he could win the Primary?

Newsflash......

[raindaddy]

61. Yes, he's considering running for President...

And he's considering running as a Democrat. What's my evidence? I showed you his quote... Right now he's the only person that is considering a run for the presidency that represents traditional populist Democratic party ideals.

Now tell us, will you commit your vote to Romney in a skirt?

[George II]

2. As much as I like him and identify with him, he'll never win the Democratic nomination. And....

....if he runs as an independent, he'll go down in history as a spoiler a la Ralph Nader.

[Veilex]

20. "he'll never win the Democratic nomination" - Why? Because he's the underdog?

Seems to me we had an underdog win the presidency within recent history.

[George II]

27. He's not a Democrat

[Veilex]

30. Ahhh... he's not wearing the sacred "D"...

therefore He cannot win... is that it?

Independents have come close to winning before... even more important; few independents have had the level of support from he does from BOTH SIDES OF THE ISLE!

Add to that, he's far more a Democrat than most who wear the sacred "D".

I'll have to disagree with you. I think he could definitely win.

[George II]

39. Look at the subject lie of your response to me:

" "he'll never win the Democratic nomination" - Why? Because he's the underdog? "

Are you saying that a person who isn't a Democrat can win the Democratic nomination????

A couple of questions for you, since you brought it up:

What independents have come close to winning before, and what did they come close to winning?

If you're talking about "winning" the Democratic nomination, no independents have come close.

If you're talking about "winning" the presidential election, the only independents that have gotten any significant numbers of votes in the last 50 years were:

George Wallace in 1968 (13%)
George Schmidt in 1972 (2%)
Eugene McCarthy in 1976 (1%)
John Anderson in 1980 (7%)
Ross Perot in 1992 (20%)
Ross Perot in 1996 (9%)
Ralph Nader in 2000 (3%)

The closest anyone has come was Perot in 1992, and he got less than half the votes of either of his opponents.

The only candidate to win any electoral votes was Wallace in 1968 with 46, less than 9%.

[Autumn]

16. I hope he runs, he certainly sounds like he might. It was a good interview

on MtP. He's being very deliberative about it and looking at all angels.

[turbinetree]

18. YEAH,

YEAH,
A Great Human Being to help Protect OUR ENTITLEMENTS
Enough said

[Veilex]

21. "Protect OUR ENTITLEMENTS" - are you trying to be sarcastic here?

You do understand that we all pay for those entitlements... and that by paying for them, we are, by definition, entitled to them right?

Getting what you paid for...crazy. I know.

[Veilex]

22. Run, Bernie, Run!!!

[montanacowboy]

23. He said on MTP this morning he was exploring a 50 state

exploratory and left open the door to his running as a Democrat. I believe the American people are fed up to the gills with the shit we have had crammed down our throats and they are ready for a real progressive like Bernie. He can stand strong among the liars and sycophants of media and tell the truth, unafraid and unflinching and in your fucking face.

We need to stop whining that he "can't" win and we should just "settle" for the corporate wall street bullshit type candidate we always seem to end up with. Not a real champion of human rights. If this is what we really believe in, then put your money and your time where your mouth is and stop whining that he can't win.

[Veilex]

34. +1

[truthisfreedom]

24. He'd make an interesting President, if we had both the Senate and House.

I like him.

[Kilgore]

25. Bernie, if you run, you will get my vote

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

[Veilex]

31. +1

[Zorro]

29. He would make an alluring VP candidate

[Veilex]

32. He'd make a better president.

[NealK]

35. K&R

[JDPriestly]

37. K&R.

[wordpix]

38. I say the more people challenging Hillary from the left the better

I just viewed The Inside Job about the Wall St. banks, financial system deregulation, and the 2008 financial implosion with the predatory lending and subprime mortgages sold as "assets" to investors. The Clinton admin. hired the same people demanding deregulation in the '90's to be its exec. branch financial advisors, and they made million$ each (many made hundreds of millions). Since then, the Clintons have been very friendly to Wall St., probably because they've given Hillary large campaign donations and are donating to the Clinton Foundation.

I don't trust the 1% supporting the 1% running for president.

[davidpdx]

54. I hope he does run and I hope we see many other candidates run as well

I know some have concluded that only one person can win the next presidential race for our party and want to squash any notion of others running against that person but throwing out phony arguments. My feeling is we should encourage as many people that want to run to run and then determine the nominee.

[candelista]

55. The RNC will just Red-bait him.

With assistance from the DLC. Even though Bernie's not really a socialist in the traditional sense.

[Babel_17]

57. I see the majority of voters as disgusted with the breaks, and leniency, many groups have received

The collapse we're still trying to recover from is a constant reminder of those groups. I'll guess that the candidate not beholden to those groups will start with an advantage.

Going along with that is the voters disgust with policies that were designed around benefiting the wallets of the few over the greater good of the majority. The candidate with the best record of weighing in on those policies starts with an advantage.

Imo, the more that the voters look at the facts relevant to voting for a President, the better off we are as a nation. Imo, the facts relevant to voting for a President are looking like they are biased towards Senator Sanders.

I think having Sanders in the primaries would draw in the participation from some much needed voices. And if HRC ended up the winner, her campaign will have emerged all the better from the experience. A strong majority of people will have come to look to the Democratic party for the way forward.