Sanders Signals he's Serious

[G_j]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/11/11/1344224/-Sanders-Signals-he-s-Serious?detail=email


Let the rumor-mill rumors turn into rip-roaring reality ...


Bernie Sanders Is Serious About Running for President

by Josh Eidelson, businessweek.com -- November 11, 2014

Vermont Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has lined up veteran Democratic campaign strategist Tad Devine for a prospective 2016 presidential campaign, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday morning. “I believe he could deliver an enormously powerful message the country is waiting to hear right now and do it in a way that succeeds,” Devine, a former senior adviser to the Kerry-Edwards and Gore-Lieberman campaigns, told the Post’s Robert Costa.
Tapping Devine is the latest sign that Sanders is serious about exploring a run, and not averse to the attention that comes with being seen as a presidential contender. [...]

“I don’t wake up every morning with a huge desire to be President of the United States,” Sanders told me last year. “But what I do wake up believing is that this country is facing more serious crises than we have faced since the Great Depression.” Among them, he said, are deepening income and wealth inequality, persistent mass unemployment, and looming environmental catastrophe. “The nature of media is that presidential campaigns and candidates are a means, to some degree at least, of getting these issues out there,” Sanders said. While “you can give all the speeches you want on the floor of the Senate,” he added, being on the campaign trail and on the debate stage “gives you the opportunity to talk about these issues in a way that you otherwise could not.”

Announcing a high-profile hire doesn’t hurt, either, whether or not Sanders actually takes the plunge.


And here's a little something here for the Sanders Nay-sayers ...


Why a Bernie Sanders presidential candidacy is good for Democrats — and for Hillary Clinton
by Paul Waldman, washingtonpost.com -- November 11, 2014

[...]
Sanders says he’ll center his campaign on economic inequality and the struggles of the middle class, and this is what Clinton needs to address as well. [...]
[...] If by focusing on the economy Sanders forces Clinton to articulate that story and support it with a specific agenda that she could implement if she wins, he will have done her a great service.

Of course, he’d say he isn’t running to do Hillary Clinton any favors. But the reality is that he would. By critiquing her from the left, he could pull her in his direction in order to satisfy primary voters, which on many issues would wind up being to her advantage. At the same time, the broader message their debates would communicate to the general electorate is that she’s a moderate. When Republicans try to argue that she’s some wild-eyed Alinskyite radical bent on turning America socialist (just as they did with Obama), she can say, “I ran against an actual socialist in the primaries, and it’s pretty obvious we aren’t the same person.”

A strong Sanders candidacy will do something else: make liberal Democrats feel that their opinions and their concerns are getting a fair hearing in the 2016 process. [...]

[Robbins]

1. SOrry

Things are more important than Hillary clinton.

His running would be last chance for liberals In party.She winning nominationn means liberals along with many others are no longer
welcomed In Democratic party as she moves to be republican lite and get along with GOP If she can win.

Clintons only care about oporions and concerns of corporations and 1%

[sabrina 1]

134. Yes, I don't want Bernie Sanders running simply to get her to SAY she is for certain issues in the

campaign, we know t hey will say anything while campaigning, then as soon as they are elected, they develop amnesia and we are told we didn't listen closely enough.

IF he runs he should be running to win.

I'm sorry too that this may be his only reason for running. I hope it is not true.

[silvershadow]

2. He and Warren and Grayson are the only bright spots I see as the way forward for the party.

Unlike the previous commenter, Hillary must be soundly defeated or the party is doomed. I won't be voting for her, and if she is the nominee I will leave the party (and DU, as has been suggested more than once). Today's Democrats don't even seem to know what the party is about anymore. Omaha Steve posts about union organization all the time, and gets hundreds of views, yet only a handful of rep's. My party has turned into Stepfords in a lot of cases.

[Robbins]

4. If warren doesn't run or bernie loses

We are doomed.It doesn't matter if Hillary wins or not.COrporations win.Bill CLinton proved where Hillary will go.

it's time to call Hillary and those like her what they truly are DINOS.Democrats In Name Only.

She wins nomination and i move from Democrat to Liberal Independent.

In last week we heard from Bernie but nothing from eather clintons.

[ReRe]

77. "Liberal Independent"

That just struck me funny... I've never heard it before. And actually, I like it!

[rhett o rick]

109. I'm not sure. Would it be called the Lie (LI) party? nm

[ReRe]

111. Yeah, that acronym wouldn't work, would it??

I got TB (tired butt.) I'm hittin' the hay for a while. Later, my friends

[rhett o rick]

114. On reflection I kinda like Liberal Independent Party or LIP. "If it's lip you want you came to the

correct party."

[ReRe]

128. That's a Duzzy!

LIP. Reminds me of this or this

[rhett o rick]

131. Ah, you're such a romantic. I was thinking something more like

or

[ReRe]

132. The word "lip"...

... think about it. GHWB had "Read my lips" and Sarah Palin had her "lipstick" quote. "Lip" seems to be a word that just sticks out. Think up a short but sweet "lip' slogan.

[JRLeft]

5. What about this lady?

[RufusTFirefly]

30. Barbara Lee is one gutsy lady.

I'm a long-time Bay Area person, so she's no stranger to me. But despite her undeniable courage on some national and international issues, I think she's still quite a local politician, who serves a district that is very much in sync with her views.

I can see her as a possible vice presidential candidate to balance out a ticket of either Sanders or Warren though.

[silvershadow]

45. Oh yes, and there are others. I should have said "few" in my opener instead of "only".

My point was that it is time for a Homecoming in the party. No disrespect intended to any of the good servants we do have.

[Elmer S. E. Dump]

36. If Bernie seriously runs, it's going to excite a lot of people.

[valerief]

71. Barbara Boxer is free now.

[rurallib]

3. liberals get a fair hearing?

suspect they will be treated like republicans treat democrats now - demonized and marginalized - with help from our favorites in the media.

[scarystuffyo]

6. What a primary debate it would be!

It would be fun to watch Hillary squirm and try to lie about her views

[earthside]

7. With all the crap we're hearing today from Harry Reid ...

... I'm prepared to go all in for Sen. Sanders.

[msongs]

8. sanders is NOT a democrat nt

[monmouth4]

10. Neither are the "Democrats" I've been listening to. I'm sure he will change from an "I", don't know

[JRLeft]

12. +1

[silvershadow]

47. +1. nt

[beerandjesus]

59. +1

[TRoN33]

64. +1

[still_one]

72. what they are saying is Sanders has to join the Democratic party if he wants to be a serious contender,

otherwise he will just be a spoiler

[MNBrewer]

93. I can't find how one "joins the Democratic Party"

Is there a special form I'd need to fill out? Do I get a membership card? A tote bag?

[Howler]

76. ROFL!!

+1!!

[JDPriestly]

79. Hope he does change to Democrat.

And if the Democratic Party does not treat him well if he does, I may, well, I've been a Democrat all my life, but I may ask myself whether the Democratic Party wants me to be a member.

[MissDeeds]

86. +1

[B Calm]

89. +1 Couldn't agree more!

[Maedhros]

13. Would that Democrats had a tenth of Sanders' courage. [n/t]

[Veilex]

19. Indeed +1

[polichick]

27. Amen.

[Scootaloo]

14. More of a democrat than a lot of Democratic party members

Are we in this for principle, or for team sports?

[Veilex]

20. +1

[silvershadow]

46. +1. nt

[MissDeeds]

88. Agree completely

Principle is more important.

[Veilex]

18. Having a "D" beside your name doesn't make you a democrat either.

There are plenty of imposters... and HRC is one of those.

[still_one]

53. so you have a definition of who can be a Democrat or not? Hillary is for Social Security and not

not privatizing it. She is a strong advocate of Medicare, and is against any cuts or voucher systems. She is a strong advocate of women's rights and civil rights, and a woman's right to choose.

http://www.ontheissues.org/senate/hillary_clinton.htm

[Veilex]

55. Who needs a definition when the evidence is in front of your eyes?

Last edited Fri Nov 14, 2014, 09:59 PM - Edit history (1)

She has strong links to corporate America and corporatist interests.

Clinton offered a message that the collected plutocrats found reassuring, according to accounts offered by several attendees, declaring that the banker-bashing so popular within both political parties was unproductive and indeed foolish. Striking a soothing note on the global financial crisis, she told the audience, in effect: We all got into this mess together, and we’re all going to have to work together to get out of it. What the bankers heard her to say was just what they would hope for from a prospective presidential candidate: Beating up the finance industry isn’t going to improve the economy—it needs to stop. And indeed Goldman’s Jim O’Neill, the laconic Brit who heads the bank’s asset management division, introduced Clinton by saying how courageous she was for speaking at the bank. (Brave, perhaps, but also well-compensated: Clinton’s minimum fee for paid remarks is $200,000).

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/12/why-liberal-democrats-are-skeptical-of-hillary-clinton-in-one-paragraph/282304/

Not only is Hillary more reliant on large donations and corporate money than any of her potential Democratic rivals, but she consistently chooses advisers who are closely affiliated with unionbusters, GOP operatives, conservative media and other Democratic Party antagonists. Hillary Clinton is a Corporate Democrat who is beholden to Corporate America and who is more likely to support corporate interests as President than the interests of average or middle-class Americans.

[ballyhoo]

73. Good work on doing your DD. We actually need to

do whatever it takes to get Warren to run or we are more or less history. Can you imagine the work the Republicans will be doing behind the scenes with crooked crap to insure more fixed elections in the next two years?

[Veilex]

137. It could be worse than another term under Bush Junior...

I could imagine it; I don't want to

[Eridenus]

125. Hillary Clinton emits zero excitement from me. Zero.

Her ass-kissing to Henry Kissinger ended her viability a long time ago.

Bernie Sanders is more than welcome to join the Democratic Party and he will have my vote either way!

[NorthCarolina]

39. ^This kind of thinking really frosts my butt.

"Sanders is not a Democrat"

Let me just say BIG FUCK'IN DEAL

This is about the greater good of the Nation, it's about the quality of peoples lives, not just the ultra wealthy but EVERYONE...it's NOT ABOUT LABELS

Jeezus - What the F ever happened to the moral compass in this country that we have been reduced to being more concerned about a label that we are about the general welfare of our fellow citizens. Is that what is really important? A Label? A silly freak'in LABEL?

We are so screwed.

[Veilex]

56. +1

[ReRe]

80. Cool your jets...

... learn to ignore comments like that, for your own welfare, because it's going to get very hot around here in the next couple years.

And we are not screwed. They are. Otherwise they wouldn't have to fight with cheap shots, now would they? When someone blurts that out (and it's happening more and more every single day now) "Sanders is not a Democrat", tell them they aren't either. Because it's true.

Give 'em Hell, NorthCarolina!

[NorthCarolina]

119. I hear you, BUT

it is quite irritating to me that so many are simply attached to a label and nothing more.

Do anything you want and as long as you have the correct "label" after your name I'm OK with it.

Sometimes extreme cases need a shock to bring them to their senses. I guess you could call me sparky.

[G_j]

133. it's like labeling a food "all natural"

..doesn't mean a whole lot. It could be a wholesome healthy food, but then again, it might not be.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

50. Well, list the Democrats that have announced they are running then. nt

[still_one]

52. a small point that many here like to ignore. The only way Bernie has a chance is if he becomes a

Democrat and runs in the primaries, and even then it is a uphill battle for him.

If he runs as an independent, and it is a three way race, the odds favor a republican win. It is as simple as that.

[ieoeja]

62. Why do you people keep posting this nonsense?

Sanders has spent a great deal of time in Iowa and New Hampshire the last year. Do you honestly believe that DUers are stupid enough to believe he has been preparing a run in a non-existent Independant Party primaries?

I rather doubt there is a single DUer as stupid as you seem to think we are. So why keep posting the same nonsensical statement knowing that everyone sees it as being nonsensical?

Serious question. I do not understand why you would want to do that since it only serves to make your bunch look unserious.

[still_one]

69. Until he actually joins as a Democrat what you say is nonsense

[silvershadow]

107. What if the Democrats don't do the right thing, and a whole bunch of us leave the party?

I would have no problem doing so at this point if it comes to that. Then where are the Democrats going to be? I can tell you: Sitting around whining because of the defectors, as if it was their fault instead of the party's. This party has got to STAND UP and stand for something real, not something third-way. Time will tell.

[still_one]

110. Then the republicans will win. Bernie is pragmatic I believe and run as a Democrat if he runs

It will all depend on how persuasive he can be within the party to win the nomination.

However, contrary to some sentiment expressed here the Supreme Court is a real issue, and I will vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is. Another justice Ginsberg is far better than another Scalia, alito, or Thomas in my view, and for no other reason that is why I will vote for the Democratic nominee

[silvershadow]

122. Oh, the SCOTUS. Hadn't entered my thinking for this conversation. Dang it. Why?

Why did you have to remind me? Sigh. There's always something.

[still_one]

124. Hell, the court is almost gone anyway

[silvershadow]

126. That it is. And it all started with the coup. nt

[YoungDemCA]

138. Yes, it will be your fault if you and others defect en masse from the Democratic Party

But enjoy the results of that, if it comes to that. In the meantime, I would encourage everyone I know to move out of the country as Republicans get 100% control (as they surely would under this scenario).

[silvershadow]

140. What makes you so sure there are more of you than there are of us? In that case, it would be

your fault for not "defecting" as you put it. Also, how do you know there aren't some smart Republicans who would join with, just to make sure they "got theirs" ? How do you know you aren't in the minority?

[NorthCarolina]

123. The only way they can roil his campaign is if he is dependent upon them in some manner.

If he runs as an independent then they will have absolutely NO control over the sequence of events, OR the message that reaches the voters. They hope like hell that if he runs, he runs as a Dem so they can shutter his bid before it has a chance to catch fire. I'm very skeptical over their incessant demand that he run as a Democrat. If I didn't know better, I'd say they fear a Sanders run...and rightly so.

[ieoeja]

130. My point is that he obviously *is* running to be the Democratic nominee.

Iowa and New Hampshire are important states for the primary. For the general election, they fall way down the priority list. Were he not running in the Democratic primary, he wouldn't be spending so much time in those two states.

[ballyhoo]

66. You are as right as rain. He is the best of the Democrats

but if he does not change he'll become nothing more than a spoiler. The strange ones here think a US population that just voted for Republicans against their not just better interest--but total interest--are going to suddenly get smarts and jump for a Independent. Can you just see the thoughts ruminating in their minds: "Independent...what's that? Isn't that a newspaper?...Maybe a tv channel? Is this man running for a network? I ain't voten' for no dern Independent? Maybe I should just flip me a coin this time..."

As a Independent, he gets maybe 12 per cent of the vote--and that is generous. As a Democrat he get up to 20 percent with Hillary running. Enough to guarantee a Republican victory,which based on what just happened will probably happen anyway based on what you will see in the next two years, particularly if Obama does this EO on pausing deportation or amnesty by another color.

Until the Democrats do an autopsy on the past election and find out what the voters were really mad about, they don't know jack shit about what to do next. If nothing else, wait unitil the end of the first quarter 2015 and see what has happened with the big three: SS, Keystone and TPP; and then act accordingly. But whatever you do, use your own mind. Do no be guided by the OMG screechers (sic).

[still_one]

70. He has said he is considering becoming a Democrat, but until that happens it is unknown

[ballyhoo]

78. Sanders becoming viable depends on that and what bills Obama signs in

the near future and what he does on amnesty. The vote last week even without an autopsy of cause was a direct vote against Obama. The next vote will be the same despite Obama not running again. The Party of Bernie Sanders will be of minor importance if Obama does or signs off on stuff the public does not want; the Party of Bernie Sanders will be of major importance if Obama does not do a deportation pause and uses his veto pen freely--despite the Republicans saying this is what they want him to do! This voting methodology is becoming very banana republico, in my opinion. After the last election I am not sanguine that much really matters. The oligarch fascists have taken the reigns and will not let loose of them easily. On a side note: I was standing in a car wash yesterday listening to a radio station while they were finishing my car. This guy name Michael Medved, a Republican talk show host came on saying that the Republicans are now the Party of the young and energetic--people who want to get things done. The Democrats are the Party of old men who want to stay put...I thought WTF? And now the Blue Dogs are going after Liberals. Where are our spokespeople?

[still_one]

81. I think Bernie will become a Democrat if he officially runs. He knows the score. I disagree with

your view that the midterms were a vote against Obama. You cannot tell me that WI who voted for Scott Walker three stupid times did it as a vote against Obama. Neither can you convince me on the other govenor races that it was a vote against Obama. Those races have everything to do with state issues.

In fact I would argue that because of the results of the governor races, those can be used as a control to extrapolate why the other races also lost. Most of the states being contested were RED states. What was to be expected in those red states? Every since Nixon's southern strategy Democrats have lost control of South. Hell, the Southern strategy worked quite well against another republican, mccain, when rove push polled in South Carolina, "Would you be more or less likely to vote for John McCain...if you knew he had fathered an illegitimate black child?" A state he was expected to win after the NH primaries, he lost.

My point is simple, red states usually vote republican.

Voter apathy didn't help things, and neither did the fact that midterms are traditional low voter turnout, though this was one of the lowest on record.

The faux, and sheep media that follows their lead pushed that talking point, and it is BULL in my view

[ballyhoo]

94. Well, then, we disagree. But, then, I talk to real people

every day, which I will do until the end of the year because of my work. Many Democrats I talked to voted Republicans for the first time ever, including my next door neighbor who has been a Democrat for 68 years. I voted Democrat simply because that is what I do. I had absolutely no interest in my vote. The biggest issue why people voted Republican has not been mentioned here, and I will not be the first to do so. I personally do not believe there will be another Democratic congress in my lifetime or actually a Democratic President, if you include Hillary Clinton. Iraq was the US's Parthia, and Obama just did what he was told to do by the War Machine moneyed Fascists. As far as "would I be more or less like to vote for John McCain if you knew he had fathered a black child" being used as a voting strategy? You may be right, but my mind would never consider anything so trite with respect to voting. My mind asks before I enter the voting booth "Has the Party I am about to vote for gone against my core beliefs that made me fight to protect them in a war long ago?" I don't care if McCain screwed a beaver in the Crystal Cathedral. I have missed one presidential call since Ike. I presume that accuracy rating will continue for the last pick.

[ReRe]

82. I have a die-hard Republican brother...

... who says he is going to vote for him if he runs, whether Bernie runs as a Dem or an Ind. And I never thought I would hear brother say that, never.

[still_one]

84. I would bet your brother has no problem with choice, environmental issues, or civil rights. Which

flys in the face of what most "die-hard" republicans believe in.

I also suspect he may vote republican, but might be really more of a libertarian. There is no way a real "die-hard" republican would vote for Bernie Sanders, just based on what Bernie Sanders stands for. Bernie Sanders is the exact opposite of today's republican

[ReRe]

97. Nope. You are so wrong...

There are good Republicans. Republicans like Ike Eisenhower. Who do see past the haze of right wing BS. We did not discuss politics for about 10 years, as we know how it tears families apart. We called a truce and really did not discuss it until a couple months ago. And we did. We tread into no-man's land and got into it. And you can believe it or not, we ended our conversation on the same side!!!! And believe me, my brother would never just say soimething to please me. Ever. He has kids, grandkids and great grandkids and he's thinking about their future. And no telling how much of his pension he lost in the GW years and when the shite hit the wall in the fall of 2008. He is serious as a heart attack.

[redruddyred]

115. that was so long ago.

ike bears no ressemblance to the republicans of today. or is it the other way around?

[ReRe]

129. You're right...

... Republicans today bare no likeness to Ike's Republican Party.

[MNBrewer]

95. Couldn't he run as an independent in the Democratic primaries?

He's essentially a Democrat in all but the initial after his name already.

[LondonReign2]

91. Much more of a Democrat than Hillary

Sanders (Dem)
Clinton (Corp)

[jtuck004]

96. Yes. Among several other strong qualifications. n/t

[Capt. Obvious]

105. In at post 8

what took you so long?

[monmouth4]

9. If I had to leave the warmth and comfort of Florida (78 right now) and go north to knock on doors

to help him, I would. If nothing else, this is healthy for our Party and Bernie would certainly give any other candidates a run for their money. Go Bernie!

[bluestateguy]

11. And Professional Election Loser Tad Devine is running his campaign

I'm all for a LW alternative to Hillary Clinton, but I was thinking someone more like Sherrod Brown or Amy Klobuchar.

[Ilsa]

15. Bernie would likely get my vote. nt

[djean111]

16. Hillary's campaign rhetoric would move a bit left - that is all that would happen. n/t

[Veilex]

21. Indeed.

It'd just be empty promises or implications.
Nothing of substance.

[NorthCarolina]

17. I'll vote for the man...and I'm serious too. nt

[99Forever]

22. Senator Sanders will be our next President.

Repeat it, believe it, make it happen.

DO NOT buy into the lie that it cannot happen, it is just that, a lie.

Shout it from the rooftops, with joy in your voice:

Senator Sanders will be our next President.

[totodeinhere]

28. I don't pay any attention to political predictions at DU anymore since I was assured

by several posters at this site prior to the last election that the Democrats would hold the Senate. And now you would have us believe that Bernie will be our next president?

[markpkessinger]

32. I think you'll find . . .

. . . that for the most part, those who were overly confident about the recent elections are a different crowd from those who would like to see Sanders or Warren as President.

[99Forever]

48. Sorry, but you misunderstand what I am saying.

It's a belief, not a prediction. I know that doesn't make a lot of sense, but I don't know how to express it better

[Dopers_Greed]

23. Will the corporate-owned M$M and Dems even give him a shot though?

I could see the DLC doing everything to stamp out his nomination and media outlets refusing to allow him to debate.

[cstanleytech]

33. Probably not. People like him and Warren will probably find it very difficult if not impossible

to win in a race for the office of president mainly due to the amount of money large corporations would throw into the race to stop them.

[ms liberty]

24. I'd love to see him run and would work for him...

And I believe he could win, too.

[NorthCarolina]

25. "he could pull her in his direction" WHO HERE BELIEVES a liberal opponent would change Hillary's

views in ANY meaningful, and more importantly, LASTING way.

Given such a competitor from the left, I find it hard to fathom that some here apparently believe Hillary would suddenly and miraculously have a Populist Epiphany that would erase all attachment to her current ties and set her on a new path lined with gold and a million points of light, never again to return to her Corporatist ways.

Sorry, but to me that is simply some pipe dream that is beyond ridiculous. I find it funny that someone would even give a moments credence to such a preposterous notion. If folks fall for another faux populist like they did in 08, then they deserve the government that they get.

[Nay]

83. Agreed. The idea that HRC being forced to give lip service to progressive ideas is worth

anything at all is ludicrous. As you say, HRC is who she is, and she, IMO, is too centrist/conservative to be an effective president for the 99%. The tide is turning. If we're going to get anybody, it does need to be a firebreathing progressive, if only to start the move back toward normal democratic policies rather than this wholesale sellout to Republican ideas.

[Recursion]

26. Historically primary challenges from the left have moved other candidates to the right

Since they aren't going to compete with Sanders (or Bradley, or Kennedy, or...) on the left, they shore up their support in the more conservative parts of the party.



I with Mr. Sanders well; anyone has the right to seek the nomination.

[redruddyred]

116. that could work in our favor tho.

here in new hamsphire a fairly liberal democratic incumbent won her race b/c her opponent was tea party. I think, when faced with the decision, most voters will shy away from those kind of reactionary policies.

[Old Nick]

29. On to GT with this thread!

[Duval]

31. Best news I've heard

in a long time!! If Bernie runs for President, he has my vote!!

[DocMac]

37. And mine. nt

[peoli]

34. just do it.

[Phlem]

35. He could use time as an advantage to the flood of money,

that will be the next presidential election. I'm behind him all the way. I would also like to see more progressives come out and run. The more the merrier!

[99th_Monkey]

38. Lord knows this nation needs Bernie Sanders, in a BIG way.

I totally hope he goes for it. We desperately need his voice on the national stage,
as we go into Election 2016 Zone.

RUN BERNIE RUN!!!!

[True Blue Door]

40. His message is strong. The question is whether he is.

A samurai sword in the hands of a mediocre warrior might as well be a butter knife.

There's no such thing as a noble defeat, so I'm not interested in a rehash of George McGovern.

Let Sanders show us something to marvel at. Otherwise, he's Dennis Kucinich with a slightly bigger soap box.

[ReRe]

85. I'm going to say it:

Hillary cries.

[True Blue Door]

135. But I don't see Bernie Sanders making her cry.

[ReRe]

139. I knew that would get a reply...

... I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me. Seriously. But it made me chuckle. What I was referring to was in her first run for the WH, she broke down on camera and wept. Had nothing to do with Bernie Sanders. Now, hit me over the head, cause I've probably got it coming to me.

[LeftInTX]

41. I hope he joins the Democratic Party so he can run in the primaries

[Zorra]

42. I'm already "campaigning" for him. He'd actually be a real President, instead of the Wall St. puppet

alternative.

[glinda]

43. Better build a "Bernie's Army" then because he will be nothing without support.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

51. I'd rather it be called "Bernie's America" than anything remotely militant-sounding, like "Army". nt

[glinda]

57. I hear ya.

[liam_laddie]

67. How about "Bernie's TEAM?" n/t

[Kalidurga]

44. If he makes it into the Democratic Primaries I will vote for him

If nothing else we can show that we think that Democrats need to start leaning left rather than tilting right.

[colsohlibgal]

49. I'm All In With Bernie

He's the one politician, with the possible exception of Elizabeth Warren, who tells it plainly like it is, what the right/oligarchs want to do and what we should do.

Anyone wanting the candidate that is most interested in lifting them up should be with Bernie.

[Old Nick]

54. REC, dammit, REC!

We need more RECS to get this thread to GT!

[newfie11]

58. If Bernie doesn't run AND win

We will have more of what we have now.

[Le Taz Hot]

65. Which is what happens if Hillary

gets the presidency.

[newfie11]

108. Exactly nt

[woo me with science]

60. kick

[Politicub]

61. We need a full throated populist message to reach people

If only to pull dems to the left.

[TRoN33]

63. I'm serious about vote for Sanders.

After 2012 soap opera campaign by Romney, I have no intention to follow 2016 campaigns. Sanders as front runner already got my vote. I even voted for him as my senator and damned sure never looked back. Proud of this dude. Sanders/Warren!!!

[LeftinOH]

68. Sanders will be 75 years old in 2016. He could (and should)

run in primaries for the 'D' nomination - but he won't get it. The Repubs will nominate a noticeably younger man who also happens to have a full head of hair, who would undoubtedly beat Sanders in the general election.

Sounds shallow? Of course it's incredibly shallow; just remember what country we live in. Not being snarky, either.

[ReRe]

92. Well, we need to turn it from a "shallow country"...

... back to a pre-Reagan deep one. I'm ready to go back to the older set for a President. Bernie's sharp as a tack, and I'm sure he will pick a great VP who can step right in and take over for him if his Doctor recommends he step down.

We're going to be voting for the person, not a perception of a person. Ah... age is the TPM of the day, isn't it? I hear McConnell is going after Pelosi on her age!

Age and hair is all you've got, isn't it???

[marions ghost]

102. Sanders defies age

...he's qualified, more than qualified.

[ReRe]

106. Of course he is. n/t

[valerief]

74. 75 is the new 55.

[Howler]

75. excellent!

Now there is someone I will absolutely vote for President!!

[B Calm]

87. He's got my support!

[MissDeeds]

90. Sen. Sanders has my full support

K&R

[Spitfire of ATJ]

98. Meanwhile the Republicans plan on a "Guns & Butter" campaign....

This will consist of claiming the rich getting richer trickles down and creates jobs including dragging up the "I've never worked for a poor man" canard and a foreign policy of "YeeeHaawww!!!" AKA: The mass murder of dark skinned people which appeals to white people.

Oh, and of course claiming the Dems are letting dark skinned people over the border to steal your guns and Bibles.

[BeanMusical]

99. Kick!

[Babel_17]

100. Happy to be able to Rec

He'd have my enthusiastic support.

[liberal N proud]

101. If he runs as an independent or thrid party, the republicans will win the White House n/t

[B Calm]

112. Our party is voting next week on the Keystone Pipeline. .

I really don't think they learned a damn thing in the midterm election.

Bernie is more of a democrat than all of them put together!

[liberal N proud]

117. Still if he runs, it will divide the electorate allowing the republican to win

His running will divide the Democratic leaning voter and not the republican or right wing voters.

It spells trouble just have past third party candidates. Vote third party at peril!!!

Will we the voters ever learn?

[NorthCarolina]

136. It was a Democrat that cast the deciding vote on Fracking here in North Carolina.

They are polishing the legislation now, and pretty soon all of us here in NC will be Fracked.

[Enthusiast]

103. K&R! This post should have hundreds of recommendations!

Thank you, G_j.

[hotrod0808]

104. Voting fo Senator Sanders

would be the greatest single political privilege of my life. To vote for him in two consecutive elections would be the greatest service to my country that I could perform.

[marions ghost]

113. to the point

[G_j]

121. [phone]..............

[daredtowork]

118. Does critiquing Hillary pull Hillary to the Left?

Or does it just encourage her to give lip service to the Left until she gets elected?

[Marrah_G]

120. I will phonebank my ass off for Sanders

[TheNutcracker]

127. Bernie is not about appeasing democrats and making hillary listen!

Bernie IS the serious candidate. Hillary is the party put up. I'm not using any support for anyone to placate others, then lead them to the slaughter. No way!

I'm with Bernie. For real.