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RandySF

(87,969 posts) Sun Oct 22, 2017, 10:44 PM Oct 2017

VT-SEN: Sanders to run as an independent in 2018 [View all]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) has confirmed that he will run for re-election in the Senate as an independent in 2018, despite recent pressure from some Democrats to join the party.

Sanders told Fox News of his decision to hold onto his independent status during an interview Sunday night.

I am an independent and I have always run in Vermont as an independent, while I caucus with the Democrats in the United States Senate. That’s what I’ve been doing for a long time and that’s what I’ll continue to do,” Sanders told Fox News.

Sanders had been facing pressure from some Democrats to officially run as a member of the Democratic party. Sanders caucuses with Democrats in the Senate.

http://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/356650-sanders-to-run-as-an-independent-in-2018

66 replies

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VT-SEN: Sanders to run as an independent in 2018 [View all] RandySF Oct 2017 OP

Sanders is such a traditionalist. delisen Oct 2017 #1

Post removed Post removed Oct 2017 #2

Guess he's going to have to run as an indie in 2020 too because after this he sure won't... brush Oct 2017 #4

You never know. aikoaiko Oct 2017 #6

Dems are not gluttons for punishment. He's had plenty of chances to join the party... brush Oct 2017 #8

I wouldn't be so sure. InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2017 #9

I don't think he can win a Primary and I believe he knows this so I don't think he will run. Demsrule86 Oct 2017 #60

I don't see see the Democratic Party barring Bernie from running as a Democrat and risk InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2017 #11

The Democratic party won't bar him from running as a Democrat, it will be a large number of still_one Oct 2017 #14

Oh okay, well if that's the case, so be it. InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2017 #18

Anyone who registers as a Democrat, and meets the filing requirements, they can run as a Democrat still_one Oct 2017 #19

You mean people who claim to be "progressive" could sit out an election or vote 3rd party Eliot Rosewater Oct 2017 #35

I'm not sure what you're saying, so not sure how to respond... InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2017 #43

Can You Back That Accusation Up Me. Oct 2017 #7

( crickets... chirp... chirp ) InAbLuEsTaTe Oct 2017 #10

You don't actually believe this, do you? Ace Rothstein Oct 2017 #31

In Vermont? I don't think so -- there is no Democrat or Republican that can beat him karynnj Oct 2017 #32

More to the point, Perez has no impact anywhere at the moment. comradebillyboy Oct 2017 #55

I agree - and he shouldn't karynnj Oct 2017 #63

Why Would He Do Anything Different Me. Oct 2017 #3

I will vote for the Democratic candidate in 2020, not someone who is a chameleon simply uses still_one Oct 2017 #5

He just has a burning need to be an outliar. DURHAM D Oct 2017 #12

+1, I last saw Kucinich bashing Hillary as a Fox News R B Garr Oct 2017 #15

Yeah, I would agree with that but if I do I might get in trouble. Eliot Rosewater Oct 2017 #36

Yeah, I would agree with that but if I do I might get in trouble. Eliot Rosewater Oct 2017 #37

What happens to the Dem voter data list he acquired as a Dem? Wwcd Oct 2017 #13

I never thought it was an error. murielm99 Oct 2017 #16

?! Wtf. That is really shitty. Gad I hate to even think of another election. Wwcd Oct 2017 #17

I started getting emails from the Sanders Campaign (as many as five or six a day!!) the next day. George II Oct 2017 #39

Either Sanders is right, or the State of Vermont is right DFW Oct 2017 #20

In his last book he says his proudest accomplishment is taking on the Democratic establishment. ucrdem Oct 2017 #21

I would have seen helping pass the ACA as my proudest accomplishment in Congress DFW Oct 2017 #22

Something about the ACA really bothers him. ucrdem Oct 2017 #24

That it's not "the best we can do" as a country for health care? RhodeIslandOne Oct 2017 #44

It's absolutely the best we can do. ucrdem Oct 2017 #45

Politically, it's the best we can do, you mean RhodeIslandOne Oct 2017 #46

Morally too. Morally especially. ucrdem Oct 2017 #66

It's a matter of priorities. George II Oct 2017 #42

Meanwhile he has a sweetheart deal w/ the Democratic Establishment ... SaschaHM Oct 2017 #49

My guess is that deal will no longer be operative in 2018. George II Oct 2017 #58

So hes a Democrat when its convenient? The party needs to wake arthritisR_US Oct 2017 #23

Actually it will be the Democratic voters who will determine their Democratic nominee, and I believe still_one Oct 2017 #26

Thats an excellent point! arthritisR_US Oct 2017 #34

He is not a Democrat oberliner Oct 2017 #59

I agree and they should cease coddling his minions. arthritisR_US Oct 2017 #64

He goes on FOX to make this announcement? coolsandy Oct 2017 #25

Great news. This clears the way for new Democrats to take charge democratisphere Oct 2017 #27

Good for Bernie. Rather than carp, Democrats should offer a viable opponent. Vinca Oct 2017 #28

I'm not carping at all... Bernie does what he does Blue_Tires Oct 2017 #33

Yes, and "viable" in terms of showing tax returns so that the R B Garr Oct 2017 #41

And that should be the end of that... Blue_Tires Oct 2017 #29

Fine. Then he cannot run as a Democrat for President, IMO. Adrahil Oct 2017 #30

Inside or outside? k8conant Oct 2017 #54

Great to hear he is running again. He's a strong voice for liberal/progressive issues. jalan48 Oct 2017 #38

I think it is a bad thing...win or lose ...it risks helping the GOP win in 20. Demsrule86 Oct 2017 #61

This is not a surprise since he'd already registered his 2018 campaign committee... George II Oct 2017 #40

I don't think so... k8conant Oct 2017 #53

The operative phrase is: George II Oct 2017 #57

Two points, here... k8conant Oct 2017 #65

Well bless his heart. I wish him well. NT GulfCoast66 Oct 2017 #47

That's fine to me. We all knew his "I'm a Democrat now" shtick in 2016 was bull anyway. SaschaHM Oct 2017 #48

Color me surprised Stinky The Clown Oct 2017 #50

Good for him! Snackshack Oct 2017 #51

Is this revenge? By splitting the vote, he'll hand the election to the Republicans. nt procon Oct 2017 #52

This message was self-deleted by its author 0rganism Oct 2017 #56

I hope not...surely Sen. Sanders would put the progressive agenda ahead of any personal animosity Demsrule86 Oct 2017 #62