Do you think Sen. Bernie Sanders should run for the Democratic Party nomination for President?

[Douglas Carpenter]

Sen. Sanders has taken a trip to New Hampshire in just the past week to explore the possibility of entering the race for the Democratic Party nomination for President. Yes, we ALL know that he is currently an independent who caucuses and supports the national Democratic Party. So, of course he would have to officially join the Democratic Party to do that. But he wouldn't be going to New Hampshire - the first major partisan primary in the nation to explore an independent race or seek the Green Party nomination or run as Republican, now would he?

This is not a question of whether you would personally support him in the contest for the Democratic Party nomination or think he has good chance of winning - it is a question of whether you think it would be a good thing if he entered the race.

24 votes, 1 pass | Time left: Unlimited
	I think it would be a very good thing for the country and the Party if Sen. Bernie Sanders enters the race for the Democratic Party nomination
	18 (75%)
	I think it would be harmful for the Democratic Party ticket if Sen. Bernie Sanders enters the race for the Democratic Party nomination
	1 (4%)
	If he wants to - he is welcome to try - but I don't think it will make much difference one way or another
	5 (21%)
	I think Sen. Sanders should give up his exploration of a possible run for the Democratic Party nomination and instead run as an independent or third party Presidential candidate
	0 (0%)
	Speaking of New Hampshire - if I was there in the winter preparing for the primary season - I would surely enjoy a nice hot cup of hot chocolate and a warm and crispy croissant.
	0 (0%)
	1 DU member did not wish to select any of the options provided.
Show usernames Disclaimer: This is an Internet poll

[NightWatcher]

1. Last I checked, Bernie's not a Democrat. Are we going to get to advocate for 3rd partiers here now?

He's free to do what he likes, but I don't see him changing party affiliation just to fit in with a bunch of people around here's wet dream. I guess someone has to fill the fantasy role left by Kucinich. Ah, good ol pre-primary season on DU.

[Douglas Carpenter]

6. Sen. Sanders in just the past week was in New Hampshire exploring the possibility of running in the

Democratic Primary. That is a fact.

[Bluenorthwest]

27. Let's talk Charlie Crist, shall we? First he was a Republican endorsing Palin

and saying she was more qualified than Obama. Then he lost his Republican primary and became an Independent. DU allowed support and some DUers supported Independent Charlie over the Democratic candidate because of a theory that 'Christ could win' although he lost. He then became a Democrat and is currently a heavily supported Democratic candidate for Governor of Florida as I recall.
One assumes if DU can go bottoms up for a 'Drill Baby Drill' Palin supporting former Republican, Bernie would be seen as a far more reputable entity than Crist.....

[yeoman6987]

31. Isn't he 72?

I would love for him to run just so that the debates go towards progressive thinking. He would do wonders for the tone of the campaign.

[GOPee]

44. I want his voice.

I don't believe he could win more than a primary or two, but I'd love his voice to force Hillary to the Left in the debates, and get her on the record. Not that that matters once they win, as she will, it give us at least some hope if she says it.

[hootinholler]

38. There is the Bernie exception to the TOS

Also he wouldn't do it to please us, he would do it as a pragmatic move to leverage the D machine.

[el_bryanto]

2. I can't see how it wouldn't be.

The biggest problem is that our politicians are too complacently middle of the road (or even right of center). Having Mr. Sanders in there would push the debate a bit lefwards and that can only be a good thing.

Bryant

[closeupready]

8. +1.

[mike_c]

3. I'd likely suppport Sen. Sanders no matter what his party affiliation...

...but if he runs as a dem, that will have the happy side benefit of fixing much of what's wrong with today's national democratic party. I can't see Bernie Sanders going along with any of that third way BS.

[VanillaRhapsody]

25. I will NOT vote against Democrats...under ANY circumstance...

much as I love Bernie....

[hootinholler]

39. I would choose Bernie over DU if it came to that

As much as I love DU

[VanillaRhapsody]

40. So shouldn't you be building Bernie Sanders Underground right now....ya know...just in case?

[hrmjustin]

4. I support Hillary but I think he has a lot to offer and should run.

[NCTraveler]

5. It would be better than good. It would be great.

I think a Sanders or Warren type person running would do nothing but strengthen the party.

[Aerows]

7. +1,000,000

We need to have a debate that includes strong leftist views. If nothing else, at least we have the conversation as a party and as a country.

[NCTraveler]

11. Leftist views win out.

They almost always do. I put almost because I try to avoid being absolutist. We need someone willing to push back on SS. Actually talk about strengthening it by adding to it, not taking away. More money in, bigger payments out. Someone willing to talk about different ways to give all Americans access to healthcare. Not just fight to tweak the current system. We need someone who won't run from the word regulation, but explain how regulations can help to deal with the ills of capitalism. What these people say at the microphone matters. Some of the verbiage used in the party today really pisses me off. And yes, my loved Hillary is guilty of doing just that. Still love her. We need different verbiage coming from the leaders of our party at every turn. Sunday talk shows, conventions, debates, the hill, ect.... I truly believe that Sanders and Warren can change the face of the party where certain other leftists couldn't.

[Aerows]

14. I couldn't agree with you more

We desperately need different verbiage coming from our party leaders, and I hope that it happens!

[TheNutcracker]

9. If Bernie runs as a democrat, Hillary is toast. He is EXACTLY what our party needs.

If not Liz Warren or Amy Klobuchar . I do realize the party does not like primaries, top down. But I do. And I really like Liz, Amy, and Bernie for president. They are all my top choices.

Just saying...

[tazkcmo]

10. I'd like to agree with you

but IMHO too many people decide who to vote for on everything BUT issues, i.e. looks, popularity, charisma, etc.

[Art_from_Ark]

51. I think you are correct

Sometimes that type of voting works to our benefit, like with Kennedy. Other times, it works to our extreme detriment, like with Reagan.

[Douglas Carpenter]

13. i very much support Sen. Sanders and very much think he will have a positive influence on the body

politic if he were to run for the Democratic Party nomination - But, I have to admit that it would be a longshot as far as winning the race is concerned

[VanillaRhapsody]

26. Bernie is not going change parties....

this is fantasy land...

[m-lekktor]

12. I sure do like him so i voted for the first choice on your poll!

I DO have to admit i have a pessimistic view about the corporate DEM bigwigs with power in the party doing everything they can to stymie him from suceeding if he DOES run though it would make for a lively election season if it were him vs Hillary in a primary! DU would be lots of fun! lol

[Douglas Carpenter]

47. if he does run - yes DU will get really funny during the Primaries. And frankly despite what some

naive naysayers predict - I think he could win in New Hampshire and a handful of primaries.

[Cali_Democrat]

15. Absolutely. nt

[onehandle]

16. Only if he becomes a Democrat. You left out that selection, so I didn't vote. nt

[VanillaRhapsody]

28. Same for me....

[Douglas Carpenter]

42. that is precisely why I included this statement in the OP above

Yes, we ALL know that he is currently an independent who caucuses and supports the national Democratic Party. So, of course he would have to officially join the Democratic Party to do that. But he wouldn't be going to New Hampshire - the first major partisan primary in the nation to explore an independent race or seek the Green Party nomination or run as Republican, now would he?

[jmowreader]

17. I like Bernie, would like him in the primaries...

Problem: he is a self-identifying socialist. The GOP would have a field day. The campaign commercials would be an endless panoply of Red Square military parades and KGB officers. We'd win Vermont but the other 49 would be in play.

The next four elections are crucial: we have to prevent any more Republican infestation of Congress this year, keep the White House and flip a lot of Senate seats in 2016, maintain while starting to work on state legislatures in 2018, and then in 2020 just clean house in both the US Congress and the state bodies. I want to be in a position to re-gerrymander the states to cut back on Republicanism. But we have to take those elections in order.

[winter is coming]

19. Why don't we ask the GOP who our candidate should be, then?

Or haven't you realized that no matter who we run the GOP will dig up or manufacture "evidence" that the Dem candidate is scary/evil/cowardly/other? Look at what they did with Kerry's war record.

We need to pick candidates based on their policies and qualifications, not on what attack ads the GOP might run. Using your logic, we shouldn't even consider Hillary as a candidate because the GOP will go into warp 9 on Benghazi while dredging up old Clinton "scandals" from the past.

[Douglas Carpenter]

22. yes, Bill and Hillary were counterculture McGovernites and radical leftist and Barack Obama is an

an atheist Communist who is trying to force gay marriage and an Islamic caliphate - so I think the GOP may very well have created their own Aesop's Tale of the boy who cried wolf.

[jmowreader]

36. Yes. They will.

The fucking Republicans will make her husband's dick and Chris Stevens her running mates. You know they will.

Try this one on for size: President Steve Beshear.

[GOPee]

45. The GOP can't out Hillary as a coward,

..she has voted for all the wars if my memory serves me correctly. That is my biggest problem with her, unless she is our nominee, up against a warmonger in the opposition, as if any Republican can claim not to be. I believe she, with Bill as her mentor, was smart enough to have had that in mind years ago with those votes. That may be wishful thinking.

[JI7]

18. YES

[quinnox]

20. If nothing else, it would be entertaining to see the conserva-Dems attack Sanders for being

a scary "socialist", and use their typical right wing themed attacks in service to whatever their favored candidate would happen to be.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

21. Yes. And, if he doesn't get it, run as a Socialist.

[Douglas Carpenter]

23. that I would not support

I would not risk throwing the election to right-wing kook

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

24. However, it could force the Democratic candidate to move left to get Socialist/Progressive votes.

Something they've been loathe to do for a long time.

[Douglas Carpenter]

29. if it was strong enough to do that - it would be strong enough to throw the election

I totally support Sen. Sanders running for the Democratic Party nomination. That is where he can have a positive impact - win or lose.

[Douglas Carpenter]

30. news report

Updated: Apr 09, 2014 1:09 AM


By STEVE PEOPLES
Associated Press
BOSTON (AP) - U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders is set to appear in New Hampshire this weekend as he weighs a run for president.

The two-term Vermont independent has two events scheduled Saturday, including a stop at the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester, N.H. The institute is a regular stop for politicians on the state's presidential primary circuit.

New Hampshire traditionally hosts the nation's first presidential primary. Prospective Republican candidates have been visiting for months ahead of the 2016 contest.

http://www.wcax.com/story/25192056/bernie-sanders-to-nh

[WatermelonRat]

32. I'd welcome him moving the debate to the left.

I doubt he could win either the primaries or the general election, but by merely participating he can influence which issues receive attention

[Iggo]

33. More lefties.

The more, the merrier.

[jwirr]

34. I am in favor of his running because I think that he speaks clearly for progressives and I want to

see Hillary answer to progressives. If she does not we can not be sure where she stands.

[Douglas Carpenter]

37. that is another very good reason for him to run

[Warren DeMontague]

35. The Primary process should be open to all qualified Democrats.

So under the circumstances you describe, why not.

[Douglas Carpenter]

41. knr

[dionysus]

43. yes, if he runs as a democrat.

[Douglas Carpenter]

46. knr

[WhaTHellsgoingonhere]

48. Abso-freakin'-lutely...and add Robert Reich who...

said the exact same thing Bernie said. Did people miss this?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024698857

What a strange question, anyway... On what grounds would it be a bad thing? This poll only makes sense if you had asked, "Would it be a good thing if Bernie ran as an Independent?"

[Douglas Carpenter]

49. knr

[Recursion]

50. Sanders would only do it if he thought it would help

The fact that he hasn't so far is probably significant too. This is, remember, a guy who voted for ACA. He can afford to push in ways that other politicians can't. Good for him.

[Douglas Carpenter]

52. one more for the fun of it