Running for the Democratic presidential nomination is the same as "declaring yourself a Democrat".

[Ken Burch]

Nothing else need be said on that point. Case closed.

[bemildred]

1. The point is that only YOU get to decide that.

If you call yourself a Democrat, you are. Nobody in Washingtion gets to decide that.

[marmar]

2. Not really. Just means that in a calcified two-party system, there's no other option. Yet. ......

...... although I think that day is coming soon.

[DetlefK]

8. Not as long as winner-take-all exists.

[joshcryer]

3. All that matters is whether there is a concession and a bowing out of the general.

For the losers.

That includes Clinton btw.

Anyone can renig on their primary challenge and run as an independent. Lieberman did that crap. What matters is not being a spoiler.

[Ken Burch]

4. And Bernie has already pledged not to be a spoiler, so there's nothing else he needs to say.

If you don't want him to be nominated, it's enough that you have the right to back someone else.

[joshcryer]

5. Correct.

He's no Nader.

If he loses I'm sure it will disappoint his supporters and there will probably even be a draft movement (because odds are he does win some delegates, if not Iowa perhaps New Hampshire or vice versa). But he's a man of integrity and will renounce such efforts.

I don't see him bowing out, if he's behind, until Super Tuesday, just to send a message.

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

17. I'd rather not see anyone 'bow out' until it's simply mathematically impossible for them to win.

I think it's undemocratic that the same states always get to make their decisions first, and thus tend to set the trending momentum for candidates. We'd have a completely different momentum if deeply blue states ran their primaries or caucuses first. The order has to affect which candidates are 'viable' and which aren't.

[cali]

6. that's it. And Bernie has stated over and over he will not play a spoiler role

One thing everyone should know here is that he is a person of his word

[Recursion]

7. State parties may have specific rules for ballot access but I have no doubt Sanders will meet them

There may be some X, Y, and Z hoops he has to jump through, but I have absolutely no doubt he will jump through them.

[Renew Deal]

14. In NY the state party has to vote to allow non-Dems to be on the ballot.

I don't know if that will apply to Sanders depending on their laws.

[leftofcool]

9. Oh wow! Then Rand Paul can run as a Democrat, yes?

[Renew Deal]

12. Technically yes.

[PoliticAverse]

10. Note that Bernie Sanders is a member of the Senate Democratic Caucus...

http://democrats.senate.gov/members

[Renew Deal]

11. That's just not true

There are lots of cross party candidates in local elections and it never makes them a candidate of the line they're running on. Often their loyalty is to the party they came from. The only way you have a little more certainty is changing voter registration like Specter did.

[Ken Burch]

18. We're not talking about local, cross-party races. We're talking about Dem presidential primaries.

Nothing in common with your example at all.

[Renew Deal]

21. Similar but different.

At least 50x more complex.

[Adrahil]

13. I'm not sure it's case closed.

I mean, i don't have an issue with it, but i do think its fair to ask him if he is embracing the Democratic party. After all, he is seeking the nomination of the party... Its fair to ask if he supports it.

[Ken Burch]

19. Define "embracing"

He's never been the Democratic Party's enemy prior to this.

[mmonk]

15. Yes, he made that choice. He didn't have to.

[fadedrose]

16. Since the election seems to have a "fixed" feeling,

although we all know that is isn't (do we?), let us all hope that the DLC doesn't step in and declare him ineligible for debates, funding, spaces on the ballot, and all that crap that makes one desirable enough to run as a Democrat.

[Renew Deal]

20. DNC funding is not an issue until the GE and he will get money if he's the nominee.

Ballot space is and should be a concern. States have strange laws about that. Debates could be an issue, but I doubt it since I think all of the Democrats will agree to let him debate.