Why Radicals Like Bernie Sanders Should Run As Democrats, Not Independents
Point/counterpoint
http://inthesetimes.com/article/17948/bernie_sanders_democrats
The debate is about more than Sanders alone. While it’s clear that we live in the midst of a populist moment, many of the pragmatists continue catering to the center—ready to woo independents and endorse whoever sports a “D” behind their name. And many on the radical left, as always, disavow the idea that a political revolution can be waged from within the Democratic Party. Instead, they claim that only a third party candidate could offer a pure, uncorrupted assault on big money politics.
But these pragmatists and radicals are wrong. At the current conjuncture, it’s strategic for radicals to run as Democrats. For proof, we should look to the Right.
In recent years, the most successful radicals in the country have been operating on the Right. The Tea Party, as an insurgent movement within the Republican ranks, has achieved breathtaking success in a remarkably short period. Despite the fact that Tea Party ideas are unpopular with the public as a whole, they’ve galvanized a highly energized base to pull the Republican Party rightward.
Key to their success has been their use of the primary as a field of struggle. Primaries typically involve less money and lower turnout than general elections. For this reason, a small but highly energized and motivated base can have an oversized impact. Once Tea Party insurgents began to take out centrist incumbents, even the threat of a primary began serving to put centrists in line with the radical right.
Radicals on the Left should take note. And so should pragmatists. While the unpopularity of Tea Party views among the public should ultimately—we hope—limit its rise to power, the majority of Americans hold views to the left of many current representatives of both major political parties. By mobilizing a determined volunteer base, we can counter the power of big money and exploit the gap between Democratic incumbents and their constituents. In other words, we can use the primary to our own advantage. As we can awaken and embolden the progressive majority, we can demonstrate that moving left is a winning strategy for Democrats.
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In American politics today speaking the truth makes you a radical?
Working for the majority of the people makes you a radical?
If that is the case, sign me up.
I remember a time when you had to blow stuff up, or something like that, to be considered radical. Just speaking truths was not enough to get there.
Love me some Bernie, and I will help him when and where I can, us being radicals and all. 
