''Every seat in the theater in LA filled up so Bernie went outside to talk to the people ... ''

[karynnj]

483. The Democratic Party did NOT choose the candidate before the primary

Anyone can file the paperwork and get on the ballot against Sanders. All they did was to ENCOURAGE Sanders to file the paperwork and to get on the Democratic primary ballot, because he caucuses with the Democrats and the Democratic party needs to defend 25 seats currently held by Democrats and to challenge 9 Republican held seats. https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/democrats-horrible-2018-senate-map-couldnt-have-come-at-a-better-time/

We need to keep ALL our seats and flip two to get the majority in the Senate. Sanders very likely would win the Democratic nomination as a write in, but it is possible that not enough people would bother to write him in without a campaign for people to do just that. Then, we face a three way race -- again, it is likely Sanders wins. Two questions? Would you argue that the DSC should fund and support the Democrat - knowing that he/she is likely the weakest of the three and the effect is that it would pull more votes from Sanders than the Republican? That would 100% waste money needed elsewhere and have some potential for giving a safe Sanders seat to the Republicans.

If you spent even a short time in Vermont, you would know that ordinary, unconnected people have far more ability to - and do - get their concerns heard by their elected officials. Disclaimer - the only states my husband and I have lived in that we can compare are NY, NJ and Indiana. We have been active in grassroots politics in all three. Vermont - hands down - has a culture where people can and do meet their mayors, governors, Senators and Representative and local officials.