Bernie Sanders to sign 'affirmation' he will run as a Democrat in 2020

[workinclasszero]

By Gregory Krieg and Adam Levy, CNN Updated 8:11 PM ET, Wed February 20, 2019

(CNN) Sen. Bernie Sanders plans to sign a party pledge affirming that he will run for president as a Democrat in 2020 and serve as one if elected, senior campaign adviser Jeff Weaver told CNN on Wednesday.

The Democratic National Committee said on Tuesday that it planned to meet in the coming week with the presidential primary campaigns and distribute a form to the candidates, who under bylaws agreed on last August will be required "to affirm in writing" that they "are a member of the Democratic Party, will accept the Democratic nomination" and "will run and serve as a member of the Democratic Party."

Despite the criticism from some in the party, Sanders entered the 2020 race with stronger Democratic support than he had four years ago. The rest of his state's congressional delegation -- Democrats Sen. Pat Leahy and Rep. Pete Welch -- have endorsed him. In 2016, Leahy backed Hillary Clinton and Welch withheld his support for Sanders until just before the Vermont primary.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/02/20/politics/bernie-sanders-sign-dnc-affirmation-run-as-democrat/index.html

[CrossingTheRubicon]

1. Didn't Jeff Weaver make essentially the same promise on Bernie Sanders' behalf in 2016?

That promise was broken.

Why should we believe it now?

[Garrett78]

2. He didn't break it. He changed his affiliation and then changed it back after he was eliminated.

The agreement says that one must run as a Democrat and serve as a Democrat if ultimately elected POTUS.

The so-called rule change is meaningless. It would be a PR disaster to prevent Sanders from running. It's best to just let him fizzle out and hope that he doesn't spend too much time bashing the Democratic Party to his impressionable young base of voters.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

3. My recollection is that the 2016 promise was that BS would remain a Democrat forever.

So IMS, that was a broken promise.

Fool me once, and all that.

The rest of the argument here didn't work out well last time. And the "hope" here seems like wishful thinking to me.

[Garrett78]

4. I don't recall that. But, regardless, the DNC didn't have any rule in place...

...stating that those who run must remain Democrats forever. This new rule doesn't even say that. It just says the person must run as a Democrat and agree to remain a Democrat if he/she is elected POTUS.

Anyway, it would be far more disastrous to prevent him from running. Again, that would be a PR nightmare of epic proportion.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

5. If people are untruthful once, I tend not to believe them the next time.

"Rule" or no rule.

The logic you outline, as I said before, didn't work out well previously.

It isn't so much to ask that Democratic candidates be bonafide Democrats in my estimation.

[Garrett78]

10. I'm not saying you're wrong to be mistrusting. I'm saying that the DNC doesn't really have a choice.

I'm sure you can understand what a disaster it would be for us to prevent Sanders from running. The media coverage and public reaction would do us far more harm than letting Sanders run and fizzle out. Sanders has no shot at the nomination.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

6. To refresh our memories, I was correct on Jeff Weavers' previous promise.

“If Sen. Sanders is not the nominee, will he stay in the Democratic Party forever now?” Bloomberg Politics’ Mark Halperin asked.

“Well, he is a Democrat. He’s said he’s a Democrat, and he’s gonna be [supporting] the Democratic nominee, whoever that is,” Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver told Bloomberg Politics’ “With All Due Respect.”

“But he’s a member of the Democratic Party now for life?” Halperin pressed.

“Yes, he is,” Weaver said. “Yes, he is.”

https://www.politico.com/blogs/2016-dem-primary-live-updates-and-results/2016/04/bernie-sanders-democrat-independent-222228

[Garrett78]

11. And if our other candidates or the media want to call Sanders out on that, they can do so.

But the DNC knows that preventing him from running would not do us any favors.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

24. This Democrat doesn't respond well to threats.

[ehrnst]

61. Well. So there's that. (nt)

[MrsCoffee]

12. You may not recall but it happened.

Promises mean something. Credibility means something.

Period.

[Garrett78]

14. CrossingtheRubicon posted the Jeff Weaver quote. And perhaps other candidates...

...will call him out on that. But the point remains the same, the DNC doesn't really have a choice. Preventing him from running would be a PR nightmare. The ensuing media coverage and public reaction would be disastrous.

Sanders has no shot at the nomination. It's best to let him fizzle out and hope that he doesn't use Bernie Math to stick around and bash our party. Without Clinton as his opponent, I don't think he'll be able to gin up as much hatred for our eventual nominee as he did last time.

[LongtimeAZDem]

27. "Sanders' campaign says he'll stay a Democrat after election"

“If Sen. Sanders is not the nominee, will he stay in the Democratic Party forever now,” Bloomberg Politics’ Mark Halperin asked.

“Well, he is a Democrat. He’s said he’s a Democrat, and he’s gonna be [supporting] the Democratic nominee, whoever that is,” Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver told Bloomberg Politics’ “With All Due Respect.”

“But he’s a member of the Democratic Party now for life?” Halperin pressed.

“Yes, he is,” Weaver said. “Yes, he is.”

Sanders’ Senate office has identified him as an independent as recently as April 1.

Sanders' campaign says he'll stay a Democrat after election

[SidDithers]

33. Yup. Why believe him this time?...

He’s already shown his true colours.

Sid

[Garrett78]

56. See post #14, right above yours.

Unless you are arguing that the DNC should not allow him to run (a PR nightmare), what's the point? The rule change has no teeth, and what Weaver said 3 years ago isn't really relevant anyway.

Our only real option is to let him run and fizzle out, which he will. But other candidates can certainly call him out for what his former campaign manager said. That's totally fair game.

The bottom line is that Sanders will essentially be eliminated by Super Tuesday just as he was in 2016. Hopefully he'll face more pressure this time to leave the race.

[LongtimeAZDem]

58. I am arguing that, but I don't expect it to happen, because, as you say,

it would be a PR nightmare.

And that is why he will be allowed in; not because he has earned it, not because he deserves it, but because he will make an almighty stink if he isn't

[ehrnst]

62. What Weaver said as his campaign manager "Isn't really relevant?"

By that, you leave open the question of what else that was said wasn't or isn't relevant.

[Garrett78]

63. It isn't relevant to the new DNC rule.

Read my whole post. Other candidates can certainly call Sanders out for what Weaver promised.

Again, the DNC knows preventing him from running would be a PR disaster, and that's the bottom line.

[ehrnst]

65. It's relevant in that it was a promise made, or a statement made

that didn't pan out.

Is that clearer?

Now, in that light, what other statements will turn out the same?

Is that clearer?

[Garrett78]

66. Sure, but that wasn't the context of my post to which you replied.

We were discussing the new DNC rule.

[ehrnst]

67. "what Weaver said 3 years ago isn't really relevant anyway."

Is what I was commenting on.

Is that clearer?

[Garrett78]

69. Isn't relevant to the new DNC rule. Context matters.

I've already made it clear that it's fair game for other candidates to bring up. I simply said it isn't relevant in regards to the new rule change.

I'm not sure why this seems to be an argument.

[ehrnst]

73. The fact that a statement that was made, then not honored, on this very topic

is indeed relevant to the topic. Whether it was a rule then doesn't change what was indeed said, and then done.

Is that clearer?

[Garrett78]

74. What Weaver said 3 years ago has no bearing on the new DNC rule that simply says...

...a candidate must run as a Democrat and remain a Democrat if elected president. The rule doesn't say that one must have been a registered Democrat for at least the last 5 years or anything like that. It doesn't say anything about not being able to run if one's campaign manager once lied about one's party affiliation.

Should Sanders be confronted with what Weaver said over the course of the campaign? Sure, it's fair game.

But it can't be used to prevent Sanders from running based on the new DNC rule. Simple as that.

And preventing Sanders from running would do far more harm than good. It's best to just let him fizzle out, which he will.

[ehrnst]

75. The statement has a bearing on what a campaign manager said about the topic

that turned out not to be accurate.

The statement stands alone, as well as being relevant to the topic of running as a Democrat.

[Garrett78]

79. What Weaver said is relevant.

It's just not relevant to the DNC's new rule.

As for the new rule, it's basically meaningless. Sanders just has to change his affiliation and agree to remain a Democrat if he becomes president, which isn't going to happen. And the DNC isn't stupid; the DNC isn't going to ban him. The media and public response would be devastating.

[betsuni]

7. Yes. Asked if Sanders is a member of the Democratic Party for life even if not nominated,

Weaver answered, "Yes, he is."

[stopbush]

8. As others have pointed out, a meaningless rule. A candidate could pledge to run as a D,

win the presidency and then claim they were an I or even an R after being elected. What would the DNC be able to do? Absolutely nothing.

The ONLY way it would mean anything would be if the rule stated that one needed to declare and serve as a D for five consecutive years BEFORE they are allowed to run for the D POTUS nomination. That would accomplish two things: 1. making sure the person was actually a D and not a "D when convenient", and 2. insist that they serve in any office as a D for a meaningful length of time before the DNC allows them to run for the D nomination as the POTUS candidate.

[Midwestern Democrat]

9. The DNC would never adopt a rule requiring a candidate hold elective office

for five consecutive years before they can run for president - there have been several presidents who would not have met that standard: off the top of my head, Eisenhower (no prior elective office), Grant (no prior elective office), Hoover (no prior elective office - although he did serve as Secretary of Commerce in the Harding/Coolidge administrations), and Wilson (first elective office was Governor of New Jersey - only two years prior to being elected president).

[hughee99]

55. Hell, FDR didn't hold elected office for 5 consecutive years

Before running in 1932.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

13. Okay, there you go...now, thankfully, we won't have to listen to endless chants of...

"but Bernie's not a Democrat"!!

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[SidDithers]

17. Right. Now we can rightfully point out that he's a Democrat of convenience...nt

Sid

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

19. Yes, just like some candidates have "conveniently" adopted many of Bernie's progressive ideas...

So, I would say that makes Bernie just as much a Democrat as them... maybe more, since he was first to advocate those ideas on a presidential level, even though many initially criticized them as too radical.

[BeyondGeography]

26. Now there's a fertile line of attack

Run with it.

[workinclasszero]

29. Right

[Shemp Howard]

60. You're just going to be hearing new chants.

Instead of the "Bernie is not a Democrat" chant, you'll be hearing these:

"Bernie has not been a Democrat long enough."
"Bernie is not a real Democrat."

They both mean the same thing:

"I wish Bernie would drop out. That would help my candidate."

[marylandblue]

72. Well I don't mind saying he should drop out, and all the other candidates should drop out too

And demand that my preferred candidate run.

[still_one]

15. Actually that is not a valid assessment. In the polls I have seen Biden is ahead of everyone, and

he hasn't even announced.

This is not because of name recognition as some like to frame it. From the way I see it, the maority of Biden supporters are coming from the Obama/Hillary coalition which represents the majority in the Democratic party. Biden is a known, was VP from a popular President, and well liked in the Senate. All that works well for him.

Sanders is also a known, but that the poll numbers for him coming out of the gate is essentially tied with Harris, and I don't think for someone who people know, that bodes very will for him. I think those poll numbers for him are pretty much as good as it is going to get. It is unlikely he is going to get much support from the Obama/Hillary supporters.

The fact that Senator Harris is essentially tied with Sanders in the polls works quite well for her, since outside of California she is still not well known, as our the other candidates, and as people get to know them, I think their numbers can only go up from here.

We will see how things evolve.

[workinclasszero]

31. Joe benefits from the fact that he's not running

So he hasn't had to take any concrete positions on the issues.

Sure he has immense goodwill from democrats but if he decides to step into the ring and lay out his vision that could change things.

[still_one]

38. I don't think so. People know him, the good and bad. There are no surprises with Biden

When Sanders was not running, Biden still lead him in all the polls, and that was not because of name recognition, or because they were not running at the time. There positions on the issues are well known.


As I have said, Currently, I see Biden's support coming from President Obama and Hillary Supporters, along with those who were Biden supporters from the past.

Currently Sanders supporters are coming from those who have supported him in the past, but not much outside of that.

I think Biden's support extends into many areas, at least as of now

[workinclasszero]

41. Well I might just be ignorant on his positions

I was a huge supporter of Hillary last time. She was the strongest and best candidate in my mind at the time. And I loved President Obama too.

I mean I can't even post on the Bernie Sanders page because I'm banned there!

So maybe I'm an outlier, who knows? But here is a Hillary fan changed to Bernie.

I like the positions that Bernie has and he is a strong candidate with a ready made formidable network behind him.

Of course the last dem standing gets my vote in the general like always.

[still_one]

45. No doubt some Hillary supporters will support Bernie in the primaries, I just see the majority

Last edited Thu Feb 21, 2019, 12:26 PM - Edit history (1)

of those voters being Obama and Clinton supporters going for Biden

Here is Biden on the issues, and his voting record. There where be issues that people will agree with, and those that they will disagree with him on, but it is pretty well known:


http://www.ontheissues.org/joe_biden.htm

and no doubt some will not be thrilled with some of his past, such as the way he handled the Thomas hearings with Anita Hill, but when it comes up, it shouldn't be a surprise

[workinclasszero]

48. Hey great

Thanks for the info.

[leftynyc]

16. So he's planning on USING my party again

Wonderful.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

20. It's Bernie's party now. And since he's now a Democrat, he deserves the respect that comes with that

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!

[honest.abe]

21. LOL

Good luck with that.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

25. No kidding.

[leftynyc]

28. If he's the candidate, I'll hold my nose hard

and vote for him but I'll never respect him. And it's Speaker Pelosi's party now. Bernie is merely using the party for his own ego and I'm not interested.

[comradebillyboy]

77. well said

[workinclasszero]

34. All I know is that when Kamala Harris announced and raised $1.5 million in 24 hours

Everybody proclaimed her the dem front runner.

Then Bernie announced and raised 6 million dollars in 24 hours and was met with hostility for the most part around here.

Oh well its all good, let the games begin!

I'm voting for the last democrat standing in any event but Bernie is gonna be one strong competitor, that's real obvious.

[still_one]

40. It is too early to declare a front runner, though I think if Biden runs he would clearly be at this

point in time.

Just to point out though that Senator Harris and Senator Sanders are essentially tied for second place in the current polls, and while it is still way too early, for someone who is known from the last election, Senator Sanders, to someone who is not known that well outside of California, I think that bodes better for Harris than for Sanders.

[workinclasszero]

42. Yes it's real early for sure

I like Harris, I like pretty much all the dem candidates, well except for Amy Klobuchar. Not a fan of her positions.

It's a contest that's just beginning and hey I love this stuff!

The dems have strong attractive candidates, its going to be a fun ride.

Who will be the one who gets to defeat that evil bastard in the white house?

[still_one]

43. As long as we don't setup our usual circular firing squad, engage in healthy debates among each

other, and our respectful toward each other, I think we have a good chance

[workinclasszero]

49. Sounds good to me

[still_one]

50. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

[Joe941]

57. Yup. I think there are rules on this forum about bashing democrat public figures.

[honest.abe]

18. Of course he will but he is not sincere.

He will dump the party as soon as he no need for us again.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

22. No, of course, not... he's Bernie, nothing he does will ever be good enough and must be trashed.

[honest.abe]

23. Trashed??

I just stated exactly what he did in the 2016 campaign. Has he changed??

[Tom Rinaldo]

32. On that point, we obvioiusly can't know with absolute certainty now, can we?

I suspect during this campaign he will be personally asked this question live on camera many times. Given that there is now a prior history, it will not slide by unnoticed. So at some point Bernie will probably give a definitive answer to this question moving forward, yes, no, or maybe, and I'm sure "maybe" would be considered by all to be the same as saying he will probably not remain a Democrat. And at that point people can decide for themselves whether Sanders is telling the truth, but I suspect it would just heighten divisiveness on this Board and elsewhere for people to assert that one of our candidates is boldly flat out lying to the public.

Meanwhile we have this to go on. Bernie Sanders endorsed the Democratic nominee in 2016, held a unity rally with her, and did some campaigning on her behalf. Many hold that he did not do enough, but that is a far different standard than opposing the Democratic nominee or Party in the General. Subsequently he remained in the Senate Democratic Caucus and was added to the leadership team of the Democratic Caucus. His voting record in the Senate since the 2016 election remains solidly within Democratic Party expectations, voting along with a majority of other Democrats far more often then some of our declared Democratic party member Senators.

[honest.abe]

35. I base my judgements on Bernie on his past performance.

Plus there is no indication he has had a change of heart towards the Democratic party. He simply tolerates us when its to his benefit. Bernie seems embarrassed to be too closely associated with Democrats. Its almost like he is afraid he will catch the "Democratic disease" if he gets too close.

I just don't trust him. He is likely to cause turmoil again. I really wish he wasn't running.

[mac56]

47. THIS

There are very, very many who are hard-wired to bash Bernie no matter what he does.

If he were to walk across the Potomac, they would say "Bernie can't swim."

[workinclasszero]

39. That's a fact

unfortunately.

[PubliusEnigma]

30. Why did he leave the Party after the last election if he wants to run as a Democrat?

[NurseJackie]

36. The whole things sounds unenforceable to me. And after he loses... will he remain a Democrat?

Also, is he just "running as" a Democrat, or is he ACTUALLY committing to becoming a member of the Democratic party? (There's a difference you know.)

All I'm saying is that I would have had much more respect for the guy if he had remained a Democrat after he lost the primary last time. But he didn't do that. That tells me that his "becoming" a Democrat last time wasn't sincere and was just a means to an end, and it makes me believe that this time will not be any different.

That's why the whole thing sounds unenforceable. There's nothing to compel him to comply.

[Andy823]

44. No way

He remains a Democrat. When he drops out, he will go back to being an independent.

[Demsrule86]

37. Sen.Sanders agreed to stay a Democrat last time ...win or lose.

Thus, such a promise is meaningless to me. I won't vote for him in a primary and do not believe he will be the Democratic nominee. My kids and I voted for him in the Ohio primary in 16. This time none of use will vote for him in a primary. I liked both candidates then...my kids really like Sen. Sanders... but not anymore. There is no doubt in my mind had Sen. Sanders not run last time, we would be looking at a Clinton white house. He damaged Hillary Clinton and only supported her in a lukewarm manner. I will never forgive or forget. That being said, if Sen. Sanders wins the nomination, I will vote for him in a general despite my feelings towards him. I am open to all Democrats running with the exception of Tulsi Gabbard whom I dislike. I would vote for her in a general as well...the nominee will get my vote.

[lindysalsagal]

46. Talk talk talk talk talk

Get back to me when he actually does it.

I don't understand the games. In or out, now.

[redstatebluegirl]

51. Then he needs to become one now, why wait?

[ProudMNDemocrat]

52. If one is going to run for President for the Democratic Party nomination....

it makes sense to be a member of the Democratic Party. After all, Bernie caucuses with the Democrats anyway in the Senate.

[Gothmog]

54. The oath and the rules are set forth below

This is the actual rule that governs whether sanders can run as a member of the Democratic party https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/2019-01-03-2020_Call_for_the_Convention_12.21.18_w-attachments.pdf

The term “presidential candidate” herein shall mean any person who, as determined by the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, has accrued delegates in the nominating process and plans to seek the nomination, has established substantial support for their nomination as the Democratic candidate for the Office of the President of the United States, is a bona fide Democrat whose record of public service, accomplishment, public writings and/or public statements affirmatively demonstrates that the candidate is faithful to the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States, and will participate in the Convention in good faith. At the time a presidential candidate announces their candidacy publicly, they must publicly affirm that they are a Democrat. Each candidate pursuing the Democratic nomination shall affirm, in writing, to the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee that they:

A. are a member of the Democratic Party;

B. will accept the Democratic nomination; and

C. will run and serve as a member of the Democratic Party.

This requirement of written affirmation shall not supplant any necessary qualifications a candidate must satisfy at the state level, but is in addition to such affirmations required by individual states and territories. The written affirmation shall be done via an approved format by the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee appended to this Call

There is an oath that sanders and other candidates will have to take
https://www.thegreenpapers.com/P20/2019-01-03-2020_Call_for_the_Convention_12.21.18_w-attachments.pdf

Presidential Candidate Written Affirmation

Pursuant to Article IV of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention, I hereby affirm that, upon publicly announcing my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for President of the United States in the 2020 election, I am a member of the Democratic Party. I will run as a Democrat, accept the nomination of my Party, and I will serve as a Democrat if elected. I understand that signing this form does not supplant any legal or Party requirement by any state or territory to qualify for ballot placement in that jurisdiction.

Further, I acknowledge that in submitting this form to the National Chairperson of the Democratic National Committee, I am subject to the provisions of Rule 13.K of the Delegate Selection Rules for the 2020 Democratic National Convention and Article VI of the Call for the 2020 Democratic National Convention that authorize the National Chairperson to determine whether a presidential candidate has established substantial support for their nomination as the Democratic candidate for the Office of the President of the United States, is a bona fide Democrat whose record of public service, accomplishments, public writings and/or public statements affirmatively demonstrate that the candidate is faithful to the interests, welfare and success of the Democratic Party of the United States, and will participate in the Convention in good faith.
___________________

NOTARY AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF ______________
COUNTY OF _______________
I, ____________________________________, a Notary Public, do hereby certify that on this ____day of ___________________, 20____, personally appeared before me ______________________________, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and swore and acknowledged to me that they executed the same for the purpose and in the capacity therein expressed, and that the statements contained therein are true and correct. _______________________________________________ Notary Public, State of __________________ Name, Typed or Printed: __________________________________________ My Commission Expires: ___________________________

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

64. He better darn well

[SidDithers]

68. I'll believe it when I see it...nt

Sid

[forklift]

70. Good for Bernie

That's the way it is done to remove all doubts about his intentions.

[comradebillyboy]

78. Oh, I still have plenty of doubts...

[BlueIdaho]

71. Fool me once, shame on you.

Fool me twice, shame on me.

No Thanks Bernie, I prefer to vote for Democrats.

[AlexSFCA]

76. BS is much more popular now than 4 yrs ago

He has more influence on dem party and dem voters than anyone else. Probably only Biden can beat him in the primary. If he doesn’t run, I consider BS a presumptive nominee even though I am not voting for him in the primary.