Bernie Sanders Will Run For U.S. Senate In Vermont!

[Itsthetruth]

CNN just announced that A Sanders representative indicated he will run for the United States Senate!

Good. I hope he runs as an independent, not as a Democrat. He would easily win and would be the first socialist candidate for and member of the Senate in a very long time. Perhaps the first.

[wicket]

1. YAY!!!!!

I love Bernie, met him several times, he's such a good guy.

[Renew Deal]

2. Why do you hope he doesn't run as a Democrat?

[blm]

4. Haven't you read the postings from the OP these past few months?

Hates Democrats. Wants the party to disappear, supposedly so the leftists can form another party.

Horowitz style.

[Eric J in MN]

16. What is OP? nt

nt

[Arkana]

18. Original Poster, I believe

[Itsthetruth]

5. We Need Progressive Independents In Congress

Because he has a better chance of winning as a independent and will do much better running as a militant independent. I think that Sanders has also proven that you don't have to run as a Democrat in order to win elections. In fact, you'll probably do a whole lot better running as a progressive if you don't.

I believe in a democratic multi-party political system which also allows for progressive independents to run for office. The only thing worse than a two-party system is a one party system.

I believe in the 2000 election he received about 70% of the vote while the Democratic and Republican candidates for that Congressional seat only got about 30% of the vote combined.

[GreenPartyVoter]

8. Exactly. What does it matter what party the person belongs to? A

progressive is a progressive and I want to see them on the Hill regardless of party affiliation.

[Renew Deal]

13. It matters if you want to control the voting in congress.

A person that doesn't caucus with the Dems is useless and should be challenged. Now if he wants to run with some Democratic Party affiliation or a promise to caucus with the Dems, I might be willing to listen.

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. I think you will find that progressives will band together on issues

Why on earth, if the Dems are actually standing up to protect medicare, for example, would a progressive from another party (or no party) not stand with them?

But of course, if the Dems won't stand up on an issue, then we would have to reconsider who is being useless at that time.

Just saying.

[Itsthetruth]

28. Thanks

" Now if he wants to run with some Democratic Party affiliation or a promise to caucus with the Dems, I might be willing to listen."

How "liberal" of you to be willing to listen to Bernie. Thanks for nothing. Does that mean you will be voting Republican, not voting or will support a Democratic Party candidate who might run against Bernie?

[Renew Deal]

33. lol

Do you actually read what people say before you talk? :dunce:

"Now if he wants to run with some Democratic Party affiliation or a promise to caucus with the Dems, I might be willing to listen."

That speaks for itself. If he caucuses with the Dems and/or runs with some sort of Democratic affiliation, then I'm willing to accept him as an independent. Otherwise, the Democrats must challenge him and I would be inclined to support the Democrat.

[Itsthetruth]

39. You'd Want A Democratic Candidate To Defeat Sanders??!!!

"That speaks for itself. If he caucuses with the Dems and/or runs with some sort of Democratic affiliation, then I'm willing to accept him as an independent. Otherwise, the Democrats must challenge him and I would be inclined to support the Democrat."

You'd be inclined to support a Democratic Party candidate against Sanders???!!!!

Lots of luck. The Democratic Party tried that in 2000 and he left the Democratic and Republican Party candidates for Congress in the dust!

He taught them a lesson and they didn't repeat that fatal error in 2002 or 2004.

Let's hope Bernie maintains his independence from a corporate financed and dominated political party. It seems your loyalty to the Democratic Party is rather extreme and misguided.

Of course, you can oppose the right of voters to have more choices at the ballot box. But I really don't think only allowing people to vote for Democratic and Republican party candidates is very democratic at all.

[Renew Deal]

42. Keep putting words in my mouth.

You'd be inclined to support a Democratic Party candidate against Sanders???!!!!

Yes, if Sanders doesn't caucus with the democrats. If he doesn't caucus with the Democrats, he is of no use. Who would you prefer as majority leader, Frist or Reid? Don't avoid the question.

"It seems your loyalty to the Democratic Party is rather extreme and misguided."

What's the name of this website? Try to answer that one honestly too. Once that is established, reread what I actually have said over and over. "If he caucuses with the Dems and/or runs with some sort of Democratic affiliation, then I'm willing to accept him as an independent. Otherwise, the Democrats must challenge him and I would be inclined to support the Democrat."

I do not oppose him running as an independent, but an independent that doesn't even caucus with the Democrats is not a democrat. Like I said earlier, who do you prefer for majority leader? Frist or Reid?

[Itsthetruth]

50. Reid As Majority "Leader"? He's Not Even A Minority "Leader"!

"What's the name of this website? Try to answer that one honestly too."

That's an easy one. This is called the Democratic Underground.

"who do you prefer for majority leader? Frist or Reid?"

Is Reid "leading" the opposition to Bush's policies and appointments in the Senate? It sure doesn't look like it. In fact, Reid is rapidly becoming one of Bush's chief enablers in the Senate and I'm not just talking about the anti-worker, anti-consumer bankruptcy bill.

When Senator Reid begins to lead an effective and consistent opposition to George Bush in the Senate let me know. I'll consider supporting him when that actually happens.

""If he caucuses with the Dems and/or runs with some sort of Democratic affiliation, then I'm willing to accept him as an independent."

Who do you expect Sander's to caucus with .... the 35 members of the Congressional Progressive Caucas? They have been marginalized and have no power inside the Democratic Party or in the House. And not a single member of the United States Senate has joined the Congressional Progressive Caucus!

Sander's always meets with more liberal members of Congress. Only problem is they can't seem to get anything accomplished in Washington. They are always being undermined by people like Senator Reid and other Bush enablers!

Perhaps more Democratic members of Congress who actually oppose Bush ought to caucus with Congressman Sanders. They might learn something if they follow his lead.

[Renew Deal]

12. "Progressive independents" who don't caucus with the Dems are useless.

He has a better chance of winning as an independent? Not if the Democrats decide to challenge him, which could happen. What exactly is a "militant independent" going to do in congress? He will have no home and no party to work with. He will have to work with one of the parties to get anything done.

What it is a Democratic multi party? This is the wishy washy bullshit that loses elections.

Remember, a congressional incumbent has a >90% reelection rate.

[wicket]

15. Bernie caucuses with the Dems

n/t

[Renew Deal]

17. Cool

[Itsthetruth]

24. If Democrat Party Runs Against Bernie He Will Squash Them

"He has a better chance of winning as an independent? Not if the Democrats decide to challenge him, which could happen."

You're just uninformed on this matter.

Here was the vote in the 2000 election for Congress when the Democratic Party decided to run a candidate against Bernie.

Democratic 14,918
Republican 51,977
Independent(Sanders) 216,471

Let's hope he runs as an independent for Senator. He'll do a lot better than running as a Democrat. In fact, even an endorsement from the Democratic Party might do more harm than good.

[Renew Deal]

34. The Democrats voted for him.

You really believe that there are that many independents in any district in america? The key is him caucusing with the Democrats. Do you understand that?

[Itsthetruth]

40. Sanders Doesn't Need Endorsement Of Democratic Party

He doesn't need the endorsement or nomination Democratic Party. Look what happened to the Democratic Party when they ran a candidate against Bernie Sanders in 2000. He buried the Democratic and Republican party candidates for Congress. They ate his dust.

Running as an independent, with or without Democratic Party support, he will win the votes of most registered Democrats, most independents and even many "moderate" Republicans. That's what actually happened in 2000 and it will happen again when he runs for Senator, but especially if he runs as an independent.

I hope the Democratic Party doesn't run a candidate against Sanders. I'd just as soon see them stay out of the race and not as a party get involved in his campaign. Individual registered Democrats can and will support Sander's campaign but that's an entirely different matter. A formal endorsement by the Democratic Party could be the kiss of death and sure won't help his campaign very much.

[Renew Deal]

43. Why do you want to deny people the choice of voting for a Democratic

candidate? You asked me this silly question earlier. Have fun answering it.

"A formal endorsement by the Democratic Party could be the kiss of death"

Based on what? I have shown that it wouldn't. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3512668&mesg_id=3513466

What do you have?

[Itsthetruth]

51. Hardly. People Should Have The Right To Vote

Hardly. I think the 15,000 people who liked to vote for the Democratic Party candidate should have that opportunity just as the 150,000 people who'd rather vote for Sanders should have the right to vote for him.

Unlike many Democratic Party politicians and leaders of the Democratic Party, Sanders has always supported and defended the right of independent parties and candidates to be on election ballots. Sanders, along with some Democrats like Jesse Jackson Jr. and Dennis Kucinich, did not participate in the slander campaign against Nader/Camejo and they refused to participate in the Democratic Party operations which undermined voters rights in the 2004 election .... the ballot disruption program. The Democratic Party did support the principal that all votes should have been counted in 2004 .... so long as they were cast for Bush and Kerry. They just didn't want votes counted for anyone else!

I admit that the "kiss of death" term was a bit of an exaggeration. The point is, Sanders would actually do better if the Democratic Party runs a candidate rather than have the Democratic Party endorsement as an independent.

That opinion is based upon past election returns when Sanders ran both with and without Democratic Party opposition.

[deutsey]

36. I hope he stays Independent, too

AND I hope he gets into the Senate. I really like Sanders. He truly represents my views.

[David Dunham]

3. Howard Dean should run for this seat.

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. No! Keep him where he is for one thing

And for another, I seem to recall he said he would not run if elected as Chair. (Although it was in reference to a Presidential run, I would also connect it to other elected federal government positions.)

He's most effective and best used as the Chair, IMO

[Itsthetruth]

10. Dean? Yougottabekiddin!

Bernie has a much better and more consistent progressive record than Dean. Bernie isn't a flip flopper like Dean and has spoken out on issues like the bankruptcy bill while Dean hasn't flapped his jaw on this and other important issues affecting working class people.

[tnlefty]

7. Have I missed something? What about Leahy and Jeffords? Is

one of them planning to retire?

[wicket]

9. Jeffords just announced he is not seeking re-election

n/t

[tnlefty]

11. Wow, I did miss something big and thanks!

I've contributed money to Jeffords and a few months ago I received a letter in which he stated that the GOP would be gunning for him and pouring money into VT to try to take him out.

[wicket]

37. I guess it has a lot to do with his wife's health

She is battling cancer and he hasn't been doing so well in the health department either. I hope his wife will be ok :(

[eridani]

54. Well then, one independent replaces another

I don't care what Sanders calls himself, but he almost always votes with the progressive Dems.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

14. Hurrah! We need more independents who aren't beholden to anyone.

Especially socialists and other progressives.

[in_cog_ni_to]

19. I LOVE BERNIE!!!!

I hope he wins!!! What about his House seat? Who can replace him?

[mapatriot]

27. House candidates

Most likely candidates for Bernie's house seat will be Martha Rainville as a dem (she's currently Adjutant Gen. of the Vermont Guard) and Brian Dubie as a repub. He's the current Lt. Gov. and a big time right wing suck-up. Very religious right.

[mapatriot]

21. Hot contest

With Jeffords out, this will be a hotly contested seat and one we MUST save. Sanders has already made his decision, as we in Vermont knew he would (under these circumstances). It is possible that he could face a democrat, which would likely turn the seat over to the republicans.

Greatest risk from the right is Gov. Jim Douglas. He has widespread support and is viewed as a moderate by most dems up here. But the worst case scenario is IDX founder and VERY right wing republican, Rich Tarrant. He has nearly unlimited money and many believe that, given a shot, he'll happily invest $10 million of his own money in a senate campaign. The dems need to get fully behind Bernie and give him a clear shot at this seat. Tarrant would make Jesse Helms look like a liberal.

[in_cog_ni_to]

23. Would the Dems run someone against him?

He's about as liberal as you can get. Why would they do that? Would NOT be very smart, IMCPO.

[mapatriot]

30. Open Seat

Bear in mind that there hasn't been an open senate seat in Vt. since Jeffords won the seat 15 - 20 years ago. Lots of repubs and dems have lusted after this opportunity. Everybody remembers Leahy running (with no name recognition) in 1974 and beating a well known repub. house member. ANYTHING could happen. And whoever wins this seat is likely to be at least a three termer (18+ years). That's a very serious issue, both for Vt. AND the country.

[ComerPerro]

22. Ok, fill me in

Which Senator is retiring?

[in_cog_ni_to]

25. Jeffords. n/t

[ComerPerro]

29. Thanks

[underpants]

26. Bernie should just ran as a Socialist

He called himself a Socialist when he was mayor of Burlington-at least that is what I was told.

[mapatriot]

31. Progressive

Bernie ran and served as a progressive mayor of Burlington.

[Itsthetruth]

32. Can't Run As A Candidate Of A Socialist Party

Everyone in Vermont knows Bernie Sanders as a socialist and that clearly has not hurt him in elections.

But, we don't have a significant socialist party in the United States so he can't really run as the "socialist" party candidate.

I hope he runs as an independent rather than as a Democratic Party candidate. Running as a Democrat could be the kiss of death for real progressives in Vermont and other states.

[Renew Deal]

35. Do you actually believe the things you say?

"I hope he runs as an independent rather than as a Democratic Party candidate. Running as a Democrat could be the kiss of death for real progressives in Vermont and other states."

This is in a state where one Senator is a Dem and the other is a former rep. The representative is a left winger and there are more Dems and Independents than republicans in both state houses. The governor is a republican. Yes, running as a Democrat would be the end. :scared:

BTW, would you say that Bernie is not standing up for what he really is by not running as a socialist? Would you call him a coward?

[Itsthetruth]

38. Do You Actually Read Posts Before You Comment On Them?

It seems not.

I wrote: "But, we don't have a significant socialist party in the United States so he can't really run as the "socialist" party candidate."

And you responded: "would you say that Bernie is not standing up for what he really is by not running as a socialist? Would you call him a coward?"

Please. Before you raise some kind of an objection to what I have written I urge you to read what I actually first!

That always works out better in any discussion or debate.

[Renew Deal]

44. Nice dodge.

I read it. Now answer my questions. Be as honest as possible.

[Dave Sund]

47. Sanders has caucused with the Dems

What makes you think that will change?

He's on our side as much as Jeffords was the last four years. Actually, he's on our side a heck of a lot more, since he's a true liberal independent.

[Renew Deal]

49. Nothing

Nothing makes me think that will change. Some here have a problem with him associating himself with the Democratic party which is odd considering this is Democratic Underground.

[sonicx]

53. Many here are independent or third party liberals.

[Idioteque]

41. According to CNN, Schumer has said that the DSCC will support Bernie! n/t

[Renew Deal]

45. Well that settles that.

He is a de facto Democrat. I am sure Itsthetruth and I are now both happy.

[Edgewater_Joe]

46. ... and will the Dems "keep" the House seat?

Who'd run for it, Vermonters? Do we have to worry?

[Robeson]

48. Good News!.....

...Thanks for reporting...:thumbsup:

[WI_DEM]

52. he'd be better off running as a democrat

because if the Democrats then nominate a candidate it would split the vote and could allow the republicans to win.

[Itsthetruth]

55. Democratic Candidate Would "Steal" Votes From Sanders?

You mean the Democratic Party would "spoil" Sanders election by "stealing" votes from him if they run a candidate????

I thought only independent candidates could spoil elections!

:)