2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Has the seed been planted for a new political Party in this country? [View all]Algernon Moncrieff
(5,790 posts)IIRC, Sanders originally ran as a Green when he ran for Congress in Vermont back in the 90s (I'm sure someone can confirm or correct this). I recall the Greens were the hot up and coming thing in Europe at the time.
Just as the Tea Party represents the seed of what may well become a separate entity that represents a more strident and further right -of-center vision for the nation than the Republicans, the Greens represent a more socialized, leftist vision of America than most Democrats are not currently prepared to embrace. So I think the Green party serves as a viable home for progressive independents that don't feel at home in the Democratic Party. The real question is finding someone with the ability to organize it, and to start putting up serious candidates for offices other than President.