he's running for the Democratic nomination... hell, it's already started!!

and unfortunate.

I find that you have to tread very carefully. Often realistic objections are treated as heretical. And, I suppose, this post will be alerted.

If he runs as anything other than a Democrat, you can say whatever you want about him here as long as it isn't a right-wing talking point.

It's Bernie's time to shine after having made such an incredible showing in his very first run, when he had very little name recognition.

Last time, almost single-handedly, he pulled the party platform to the left.

I think a lot of people on DU don't want to move leftwards. I do!

yet, he is criticized here incessantly. Some even would rather see him run as an Independent, which would spell doom for 2020... it's hard to believe!!!

And then think about all the new potential voters Bernie has brought, and will continue to bring, along with him,... is there no room in the "big tent" party for them?!

It's "Bernie Bro" this and "Bernie Bro" that... all that does is divide people... it echoes of the old days. We need to unite, not fight. It's okay to have policy differences, and debate those... though I would argue Bernie represents the overwhelming will of the people.

Bernie attracted many independents and even moderate repubs with his middle-class-first messaging. Also, some extreme lefties.

They had no loyalty to the Dem party. So when HRC won, they went back to voting for non-Dems like Gary Johnson, Jill Stein, and alas, Trump.

Many DU people actually think that non-Dem Bernie voters should have voted for HRC. Or, that Bernie had any control over their votes. It's just silly.

I'm a Dem. So I easily voted for HRC.

Peace to you InAbLuEsTaTe.

He is not a friend. Look at his history.

so your point is kinda moot.

That would just guarantee ShroomHead a second term!!!

And we can still criticize him.

Some of my favorite posters are doing it right now.

...

and it has caused such outrage, I wonder if even that state will let him get away with that bait and switch again

he rigged the election so the Dems didn't have a candidate.

And he did have opposition.

The political orientation of online communities can be very unique.

I think some surprises are on the horizon.

as I said this is not 2016, the gloves will be off and I bet the real Dems are not going to put up with his bait and switch. Plus there is going to be that old tax return business and the adorings are not what they used to be.

To run as a Democrat, you must join the party and importantly, serve as a Democrat if you are elected. Candidates must sign an agreement to that effect.

Now there can't be a bait and switch like he did in Vermont. Of course, he could sign and renege. Not that I think he has a chance of winning any nomination but his own. Too many Dems running and they're not about to be pushed aside.

But, not a problem. THIS time he'll be vetted; we've learned our lesson.

But IMHO, victory is far, far beyond his reach this time. Too much anger among Democrats, it will be quite difficult to differentiate himself from other candidates with similar views, his age will be a factor, and if Trump runs, the issue of tax returns will be a factor.

Too many voters will realize that we must defeat Trump. Interest in long-shot candidates won't be a factor.

If he runs, it'll be as a Democrat... that's what he's always done and will continue to do.

We can debate issues, that's fine... I am confident Bernie's genuine progressive agenda for the people will win with them every time.

That would be the start of a whole new era here.

Where do we draw the line? How do we decide?

This isn't "whataboutism"; I am seriously asking.

to previous affiliation, that's problematic, especially if the want to pull the SOS again.

We were fooled once.

Now if the person converted to a Democrat and stayed a Democrat there woulld be no complaints.

See the difference?

to his previous affiliation after using the party.

around the Democratic nominee.

If that were not the case, all the steaming piles that were dropped around here about Secretary Clinton, in thread after thread, would not have been allowed.

and Secretary Clinton haters. I don't know if it was the "BernieBro" phenomenon, Republican or Russian trolls or just honestly people that preferred Sanders that went too far.

The peer review became a joke. That's why they revamped it completely. Hopefully it will never been as bad as it had been.

board because our "peers."

Sorry I can't put it behind.

It's fine of people want to debate and criticize those positions... let's have at it! That's what democracy is all about!

The first vote, Bernie and Rand Paul (!) were the ONLY two senators against the sanctions; regarding the more recent vote, Bernie saw fit to skip it altogether.

As I understand it he will be running as a Dem. One out of many running.

be the Democratic nominee. He lost in 2016, and I suspect he'd lose again in 2020. The country has moved on, we've experienced Donald Trump, and we're going to be looking for a Democratic nominee who is not like Trump at all.

There are many talented people who will be running for that nomination. If Bernie Sanders is one of them, I doubt he will emerge as the nominee. In fact, I suspect he will be eliminated on Super Tuesday.

I'm just not concerned about any of that just yet.

"We're going to be looking for a Democratic nominee who is not like Trump at all"... or, am I missing something??

Never like to put words in someone's mouth, as some are prone to do.

I observe....

He is not going to split the Party and give the Republicans a chance to win in 2020. I know a lot of you don't want to believe it, but he really does have the best interest of the party at heart.

now that it's convenient?

Link to tweet

Along with women and minorities?

his constant Attacks on the Democratic Party.

He has shown that in voting and caucusing with Democrats.

is subject to criticism. Those who enter the race expecting otherwise will soon be disabused of that concept.

looking forward to that debate, which Bernie will win easily, as he's been with the people, a vast majority, for a very long time.

It does seem fashionable to be anti Bernie Sanders here for many and that is their choice. Perhaps they place blame on him for the results of 2016, perhaps they disagree with his viewpoints, perhaps they have other candidates they prefer. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I hope that folks remain civil and focus on policy differences, but suspect that the upcoming Primary Season will get rather ugly.

As to Bernie Sanders wining the debate we will have to wait and see. It appears that there will be many voices to be heard on a wide range of issues and a vigorous debate of the ideas benefits all.

For the moment I am personally looking at Andrew Yang as my choice, but we will see.

To take donations and develop anti-Bernie ads. The man is dangerous and likely to help Trump get reelected.

as anti Bernie seems to be very popular here IMHO but anti Bernie, mean ol Bernie, spoiler Bernie threads do damage to the Democratic party and to our chances of sticking together and winning in 20.

If you need an I.D. card to be recognized, you likely aren't a Democrat. It's a mindset of liberty and equality that defines a Democrat, and a political party that reflects that vision.

A vast diversity of people who come together with one goal, to see that vision carried into reality by the Democratic nominee.

Sometimes it's like herding cats.

Because we are a big tent with all kinds of lovely people, even the old white men who are actually members of the party

that he's trying to marginalize.

We don't have to "criticize" BS .. he does it all on his own.

May it keep on keeping on

He has started the divisiveness and broad brush attacks on the Democratic Party out of the gate. In his perfect world, everyone in out party would just hand him the nomination.

And the issues about tax returns and how female staff were treated in his campaign should be completely disqualifying.

however, it would appear that the "Du exception that is used to protect any criticism of him" doesn't.

I would say that this is a very large "if".

And that being said, I see nothing new here.

I wholeheartedly agree.

be able to use any candidates on the left to peel away support. WE are not the corrupt party, we are the party of the people and of progressive liberal democracy. We must protect progressive government by voting for Democrats and against the right.

Btw, our 2016 Democratic Party platform was also the most progressive since the New Deal era. Our 2020 platform will be very similar and committed to reform and strengthening of our democracy and to rolling back climate change. Sanders can promise much more in the primary, but to be truly progressive he must not undermine confidence in his fellow candidates' progressive ideals, and come the GE he must back whoever becomes our nominee with all he can muster.

After all, the primaries are for all of us to back who we want MOST to win, but in 2020 EITHER the Democratic or the Republican Party nominee will become our next president. That's just the way it is, and progressives back Democrats.

In this desperate era, it is as simple as that.

Bernie has said many times that if he is to run, he would only run as a Dem so as not to split the party.

Bernie haters can't seem to grasp that.

He won't get far especially since California's primary has been moved up.

Link to tweet

Let’s start here: Bernie, where are your tax returns?

Please do not waste any energy on Bernie. Work for a Democrat. Look what happened in 2016. Life long democrat. 55 years and counting.

After this Trump disaster the voters are going to be focused on candidates who can govern effectively.

...which he would not do, just as he didn't in 2016 (and he, and his supporters, supported the eventual nominee). This OP is dumb and flamebait.