Sanders joins Democratic leadership, isn't officially a Democrat

[MADem]

40. I think a committee "ranking member-ship" is fine.

That would translate to a chairmanship if we ever got the majority.

But actual leadership?

Democrats should be led by DEMOCRATS. If you want to LEAD Dems, you need to BE one. This is really more of a title than a real leadership responsibility he has been assigned. "Outreach director?" That's like "Secretary of Explaining Stuff" or "Talent hunter " -- it acknowledges support to the party (he might get some extra travel money out of it), but it's really not the sort of role where he's barking orders at fellow legislators to get them to vote a certain way, or anything on those lines.

FWIW, Sanders never got off his best intentions and did any whipping or ANY administrative work in the House, either. IIRC, he was approached by the progressives and just didn't want to do it. He's not motivated to do that unglamorous stuff, much of which is done in the background. It does take a lot of time out of one's day. The benefits aren't immediate, either--it's an "over time" kind of karma that one gains. It's why people like Steny Hoyer have such clout--they earned it.

What this "appointment" does do, though, is put him in a bit of a box. He's either ON the team, or he isn't, and by taking the title, he's got to act like he's supportive of the team. If he starts being hurtful, he'll look like he's not being a team player. Chuck Schumer isn't stupid.