Did Bernie Take The Pledge Not To Run As An Independent?....

[global1]

I think Bernie poses to the Dems the same type of threat that Trump poses to the Repugs if he ran as an Independent.

Bernie needs to use that threat to his and us 99%ers advantage.

I know Bernie said he'd support the Dem nominee - but that was as he entered this nomination process and I don't think he could have envisioned the type of support he'd get from the American People.

I believe that he wanted to move the presumptive nominee more towards a Progressive platform. In the process he has uncovered a fire in the belly's of the American People and a fervent desire to have a government for and by the majority of the American People and not the 1%ers, the corporatists and the Banksters.

Now I think he needs to re-evaluate his position on this as he sees how he is being mistreated by the DNC, the Dems and the MSM and how he is he is being thought of by the American People.

The American People understand that he represents the way out of this mess of a government we have.

He can't let the American People down now.

[L0oniX]

1. I think he expected this shit from the DNC. IMO he wants to see the Dem party return...

to what it used to be before Clinton.

[daleanime]

3. Before Raygun...

the Party has fallen a long way down.

[JackInGreen]

2. The DNC

Will continue to shit on Bernie whether or not he changes his affiliation, loyalty oaths are a joke. Just my opinion.

[RoccoR5955]

4. He should run as a Democratic candidate

As he said that he was going to do.
If he was to run as an independent, he would not win, the RepubliCONs would win, and we would all be doomed!

[global1]

7. Let Me Ask You This.....

If the Dems got behind Bernie and supported him and endorsed him - could he win the Presidency?

I'm asking this question because in other threads here on DU I read where - if Hillary falters - they are looking to Biden, Kerry, Warren or even Gore to become the nominee - in spite of all the support that Bernie is getting around the country. In fact, it is said in this post that

"If party leaders see a scenario next winter where Bernie Sanders has a real chance at the Democratic nomination, I think there’s no question that leaders will reach out to Vice President Biden or Secretary of State Kerry or even Gore about entering the primaries,” said Garnet F. Coleman, a Texas state lawmaker and Democratic national committeeman.

They say in this post: That has been disconcerting to Democratic officials who believe that Mr. Sanders, a socialist, is so liberal that his presence at the top of the party’s ticket in 2016 would be disastrous.

Here's the post where I got this from: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251581693 This looks like this originally came from the NY Times.

Now I happen to believe that if Bernie was at the top of the party's ticket in 2016 and they gave him the support that they would give Hillary or any of the other mentioned Dems above - that he would win the Presidency.

I just happen to think that the Dems are too much in the pocket of TPTB and that TPTB don't even want a hint of what Bernie would take with him into the Presidency as that would be disastrous to TPTB.

That's why I posted my OP. I think Bernie needs to re-evaluate where he is now (I take that back - maybe when he wins the New Hampshire and Iowa primaries) and if he still getting this non-existent treatment by the Dems - then he needs to threaten them with an Independent run - to force them to treat him like any other Democratic nominee and support his candidacy and not go out looking for a Biden, Kerry, Warren or Gore. Actually, I'm surprised that Warren was mentioned here. I think she is as much a threat to TPTB as Bernie is.

[truebluegreen]

8. Yes, he could win.

Unlike the other Democratic candidates Bernie can not only motivate our party, but also a good chunk of the 63% of eligible voters who didn't vote last election. I think of them as the "why bother" voting block. Why bother to vote if it's just the same old, same old?

Bernie's not like that. Among other ways he's not is that he won't destroy our chances of winning this very important race for the sake of his own ego. He won't run as an independent.

To be fair, Trump's not the same old same old either, but has the disadvantage of being a truly ugly person, and overtly ugly people don't win general elections at the national level.

[global1]

10. You Have To Understand My OP Was Motivated Because Of The Poor Treatment Bernie Has Been....

getting from the Dem Party. You say - yes, he could win - yet further in your response you say he won't destroy our chances of winning this very important race for the sake of his own ego and he won't run as an independent.

So I guess I'm confused by your answer. You see my premise is - if the Dems got behind Bernie - I believe he could win just as any other Dem that they would get behind. He wouldn't destroy 'our' chances of winning.

It's just that Bernie poses a threat to the status quo and I think that is what they are worried about. They know the other candidates won't be as Progressive as Bernie and they could take solace in that. Bernie is what Rumsfeld would call 'a known unknown'.

Bernie is right on just about every issue. He's been saying the same things his whole career in politics. He doesn't need focus groups, he doesn't have to flip flop - because he's always been true to his principles. He doesn't have to rely on PAC money as he has the People's support.

Other candidates - have to continuously re-purpose themselves because they don't stick by their principles - they go to where the money is coming from and have to try to keep their stories straight. They rely on the big money - cause that's the only way they could get elected - basically buy the election. They might say they are against Citizens United (CU) - but really they need CU. So Bernie - going after CU will upset their apple cart and they might not get elected next time by just their wishy washy principles that change based on the way the wind blows or focus groups. They know that their constituents are on to them or at least know that their false personna will get discovered and they lose the support of their constituents.

Bernie is genuine and that's not the MO in D.C. There are very few genuine politicians.

So - bottom line - I'm sorry for suggesting Bernie run as an Independent - should he not get the support of the Dem Party. I'm pissed at the shabby treatment he's been getting by the Dems and the MSM.

I just see it as a possible arrow in Bernie's quiver - should he need to employ it - if the presumptive candidate Hillary falters. Cause we all know they don't want Bernie - they want a real 'known known' to bank on. One that won't upset the apple cart.

[truebluegreen]

16. He won't destroy "our" (progressives and liberals) chances of winning the presidency

by running as an independent--should he not win the nomination--and splitting the vote--that is what I was saying.

I don't see anything good coming out of even implying that he will do so, despite the fact that the party establishment and power brokers richly deserve to be smacked down for their treatment of him. In my view, the "best revenge is living well"...in other words, beat them on their own turf. Win without negative ads or attacks or bazillions of dollars from PACs, show them just how poorly they represent us, no matter their organization or backing. If we can win it all with social media and actual grassroots organizing and small donors they just might get the message.

It is the fight of a lifetime, I think--we need to remake our party to remake our country to remake our economy to remake the world.

[RoccoR5955]

15. When Bernie wins the primary

He shall be endorsed by all of the Democratic Party. They shall have no choice but to support him, under their own rules.
Then when Bernie gets to be known by all, he shall win the general election in a landslide with very long coattails for the Democratic Party. They shall take back the House, and Senate as well!
Yes it is a tall order, but it is quite possible, and with the dissatisfaction of what we presently have, I see nothing more than this kind of sea change in our government.
Either that, or we are all doomed, with the continued oligarchy, with the crony RepubliCONs in charge. If the Dems lose, fascism shall come to the US, wrapped in the flag, carrying a bible.

[Phlem]

5. He said he wouldn't be a spoiler

and I believe him.

[appalachiablue]

6. Bernie has stated numerous times that he would not run as an independent.

[SheilaT]

9. Oh for chrissakes.

Have you been in a coma for the past few months? Bernie has made it very clear he's running for the Democratic nomination and has no intention of running as an independent.

[global1]

11. Please Read My Post #10 To Understand Where I'm Coming From.....

No I haven't been in a coma - I'm just frustrated by the shabby treatment Bernie has been getting. I guess if I were Bernie - this is one of those forks in the road that I'd take and damn the principles.

I admire Bernie for keeping his cool throughout his campaign. It's one of the things I admire about Obama as well.

I guess you could surmise that I'd never make it as a politician in D.C.

[SheilaT]

12. Bernie is staying quite strong, getting his message out,

having to move his events to larger venues, and has shown absolutely no desire to run as an Independent. And he has said that, loud and clear. Why in the world would you think he's going to change his mind? He understands that if he were to have a hissy fit and go the Independent route, it would pretty much guarantee the election of the Republican nominee. No matter who that might be. He's not stupid.

[global1]

13. But Could He Use The Threat Of Running As An Independent To Get The Dem Party & The DNC....

to support his nomination as a Dem and put the strength of the Party behind him instead of running to a Biden, Kerry or Gore? Again - this is in case Hillary falters or is knocked out somehow. Please check out the link on my post #7.

Yes he's getting his message out. He's had to move his events to larger venues. He's been rising in the polls since he declared his candidacy. And he's managed to do it without the help of big money and any major endorsements by anyone in Congress.

He's got a following that is growing by the day. Social media is getting the word out for him in spite of the MSM shutting him out. He's done all the right things - made all the right moves - and he's done this without uttering a bad word about the other candidates he's running against.

He's leading in the polls in NH and he's not far behind in Iowa and looks like he might be able to win both primaries. Given a win in NH and Iowa - Berniementum will accelerate and he'll probably gain more popularity as people begin to take notice of him and learn of him. He's doing this all the while he's still doing his job in the Senate and sponsoring very worthwhile legislation.

He's done all of this - only to have the Dem Party seek out another candidate like a Biden, Kerry or Gore because the Dems are afraid of him (see my other posts in this thread)?

What does he do - drop out? Put his tail between his legs and go back to D.C.? Does he let Berniementum die? Does he disappoint his followers who have come to admire, respect and back him?

What do I do with my Bernie t-shirts, bumper stickers, buttons and lawn signs? Did I buy that all for naught?



Or is he doing all this - just to be able to be recognized and given the privilege to deliver a speech at the Democratic National Convention?

[davidpdx]

14. If he loses he loses

There are obviously many people who are not going to be happy about it (including me). Each individual person has to decide how he or she wants to do if he loses and drops out. The thing is Bernie Sanders is not Donald Trump. Trump tried to use the threat of running as an independent for months before finally signing a pledge not to.

Yes, Bernie is persona non grata in the Democratic Party and the DNC minions are doing everything they can to make sure Clinton has an advantage despite her shitty campaign. The truth is though the only thing we can do at this point is continue to donate and to support Sanders as much as we can and wait and see what happens.

There are many things coming up that are important, the first of which will be Biden (most likely) saying he won't run. A few weeks after that we'll have polls that don't include him, which give a clearer picture of the race without Biden. The polls will be even more clear after the first debates and hopefully if Bernie has a great night we'll have ourselves a campaign.