BOOM! Barbara Boxer: Hillary is a progressive EVERY day. Bernie is a Democrat "some days."

[monicaangela]

77. Democrat, Progressive, Independent, Progressive

So if a person declares themselves to be independent does that mean they can never change that title and become affiliated with one of the two dominate parties? How many times have you ever heard someone say, I belong to the independent party? I would guess not too many, because usually when a person says they are Independent, they don't mean I'm a member of the independent party, they mean I weigh the issues and vote according to my assessment of the situation. Democrats often vote with republicans, and independents often vote with democrats and republicans on certain policies. Bernie Sanders has earned the right to say, I will, because of my past voting record run for president as a democrat, after all, who has he caucused with since becoming a congressman?

If you will remember Joe Liebermann, you will know from his record during his time in congress ran whichever way the wind was blowing, one day caucusing with democrats, the next with republicans and he ran for president as a democrat with less friction than Bernie is getting.

Would you rather have had Bernie Sanders run as an Independent? I don't believe he would have had to do this rigorous primary, and would have IMHO in the end been a Ralph Nader effect in the General. I would say be glad Sanders is running as a democrat, and if he is the preference of the majority of democrats then throw your support behind him and help the democratic party win the White House. It is for sure, those of us who agree with the principals of the democratic party do not want to see a republican in the White House.