and THEY want to win. He's sending a message, let's see if the Dem leadership listens to the voters and to one of their favorite Senators this time.

the party if he runs as a Democrat.

he won't be running as third party.

He is a great candidate, has caucused with the Dems and speaks the language the people haven't been hearing from the Party Leadership, which is why they keep losing.

The Party needs him more than he needs them. And so do the voters.

So, it would be a very smart move to ask him to join the party and run as a Democrat.

....they currently have a double-digit leader in the polls for next year. If we're talking "Party", they would be better off with him as a member, but they don't "need" him. And if he has presidential aspirations, he most certainly needs the Democratic Party - he'll never win as an unaffiliated candidate.

the whining about Warren and Sanders (and whoever is next on the list) is at a fevered pitch

Nader was just trying to make a name for himself in the political arena, IMO. Sanders envisions a better country and wouldn't knowingly do anything to the detriment of that vision.

independent or a Democrat.

he would have told his supporters to vote for the Democratic nominee.

he would not be a spoiler candidate. It's possible to run as a third party candidate during the primaries before dropping out and throwing your support to the Dem nominee.

party candidate. Then obviously he would not be a spoiler but a winner. I don't think it's likely but remember that for a while during the 1992 campaign Ross Perot was actually leading both Bush and Clinton in the polls.

him run as an independent and siphon off votes from the dem candidate. It is the way the republicans have won in recent years.

excited to root for Bernie. Grassroots is my name

Hillary can tint her statements with vague progressive language. But Hillary and Bill have a record that defines them. Do we support her "third way" "new Democrat" positions or not?
After trying to stop her in any way possible in the primaries, do we then come together and support her in the general election to stop an even worse Republican. The lesser of evils yet again.. It all seems so simple...

Hope Bernie runs to give me a choice in the primaries..

M.O.N.E.Y.

will run as a Democrat, not as an Independent.

I think he does not want to be a Ralph Nader. He is sincerely interested in good government.

I really like and respect Bernie Sanders.

WHY does he need to become a Democrat after all these years...other than their money?

If you take Bernie "at his word" he would never become a Democrat at all....its hypocrisy for him to do so!

And he should, IMO, run in the primaries.

the Democratic Primaries....are to run to obtain the Democratic money to win....Get It?

Wtf would his own primaries be?

He has to become a Democrat ONLY because he cannot do it without their campaign money...that is all!

If he was so powerful without money...he wouldn't need us at all!

By the way....he currently polls only 4%

That means he will not run in the generals. What would the point be of his "own" primary?

And what's wrong with him running in the Democratic primaries? I think he could voice a lot of legitimate concerns, though he has no chance of winning. 2016 is Hillary's to lose, I think.

thats what they have that he doesn't!

Oh and he cannot run in the Democratic Primaries...UNLESS he becomes one....and after ALL these years not doing just that...

The reason he can't run as an independent in the general is that, in a race of an independent against a dem and a repub, the ind has virtually zero percent chance of winning, and, as he said, could even end up being a spoiler, splitting the left vote, and handing the WH to a repub. Really, the only chance he has to win, small as it might be, is to BE the Democratic candidate rather than to have to compete against one. It's also the only way he avoids the risk of being a spoiler.

Have I ever said I had a problem with Bernies' policies?

thats where you and I are different. I am a Democrat....and I support Democrats....I don't have to trash others who might be the candidate. Even if that chance is slim. I have never said anything disparaging about Bernie or his positions. But I am a realist...

I don't see that as a big deal, since none of the policies Sanders espouses should be in conflict with the Democratic platform and he has caucused with Dems for years. If he'd been a Republican and was still backing the sort of pro-corporate policies the GOP does, that would be a problem.

it doesn't change that fact. He cannot win without it....you may not like that fact...but the fact remains.

and he STILL only polls at 4%....but we have a candidate that polls at 61% and trounces ALL Republicans by double digits....

Like I said...I AM a realist!

Also, defanging the hysterical "OMG, he'll be another Nader!" crowd by not running as a third-party candidate would be another excellent reason.

He supports Democrats too.

You can't get elected if you aren't on the ballot.

Perot got on the ticket didn't he?

Sanders wants to run in the Democratic primary. These are very different things.

Anyone can run on any line in November. But only Democrats can run in the primary in most states.

the visibility Bernie needs...COSTS MONEY!

But that is okay....we have a candidate that polls at 61% and double digits against all Republicans! That appears to be the candidate that REAL Democrats already want!

I found the law for NY because it is the one I am most familiar with.

visibility costs money....how much money do you think it will take to take it AWAY from the ACTUAL Democratic frontrunner who has nearly 2/3rds support already? (not to mention a TON of cash in the coffers)

O'Malley will win in a landslide before Bernie wins. But that's a different story.

He isn't, he just hits those "electable" subjective qualities which is what Hillary Clinton supporters said had more of than Obama who actually got unprecendented support. Bernie Sanders is far more popular than O'Malley than he is right now and there isn't even a primary yet. Hillary Clinton is different, I'd actually support her over O'Malley (who is actually just a lower profile career politician)

I think he's the frontrunner with Webb behind. Hillary and Biden voters aren't going to Bernie. But of course, if they fall through, Warren would be forced to run.

and Webb? Wow. There is a certain reason why Bill Clinton went from being "slim to none" to being wildly popular and it wasn't triangulation. He was very likable, far from boring which defines those candidates you mention, communication ability to connect with the majority of voters who happen to be the same people Bernie Sanders is directly fighting for but not in the manipulative way the vast majority of other candidates do. He really means it which separates himself from the vast majority of other politicians that vast majority of Americans voter or non-voter already are is disillusioned with.

Not sure if he could hold it, but I think he would stay near the top in that kind of race.

I'm not sure how unknown Obama was (outside of DU) because I was in the military 2005-2008 but I didn't even know who he was until the summer of 2008, the environment no cable TV which I hardly watched anyways, etc were all factors in not keeping me as political informed as I was before and since.

Also, my way of judging who would be more likely to different is entirely subjective as well but things like uncomfortable scandals in the past, losing the narrative, too many change in positions, etc are not conducive to winning. But there is a better way to describe what I'm saying. Which guy would you vote for in the video? Personally, I feel the impassioned support for things I also happen to support has a better chance than the waffling double speaker.

You go to the USA Democratic Socialist page they say they're an activist organization that supports the more progressive members of the Democratic Party.

People will either give him money or not.
I think he will change in order to get a chance to debate in the Democratic primaries. That means he has to have a certain level of support within the Democratic Party. I don't' think that Democrats like me want to vote Independent. I would rather not vote at all than vote something other than Democratic.
Bernie Sanders caucuses with Democrats all the time. Whey shouldn't he change his label?

I would very much like to see Bernie Sanders speak more and more to a national audience. I hope he runs. Anything can happen between now and 2016. Hillary is not the guaranteed win that some people think she is.

an election where you are behind the frontrunner who IS a Democrat by nearly 60%???

A.L.O.T.!

He has to get the money no matter whether he runs as an Independent or as a Democrat.

Just being a Democrat does not get you money for your campaign when you run against another Democrat. Makes no sense to me. Please explain your reasoning.

How can you be on DU and not know this???

NY being one of them.

You would have to have enough support in those places too....4% is not going to cut it!

Not in a major party primary.

but what Perot did have? M.O.N.E.Y.

do you spell M.O.N.E.Y. the same way for Hillary?

The reason Sanders is running as a Democrat is because he doesn't want to split the vote if he entered as an Independent. That is old news. Keep up.

Most people vote for either one of 2 parties. It wouldn't make sense to run as anything other than the 2 unless you don't care about being that unlikely to win.

Smells like fear

It sure does.

It's already turned to the "he is only spoiling the coronation for money (sorry, M.O.N.E.Y.)" talking point.

would make such a claim. That, or someone with an anti-populist agenda who is only here to discredit, not to discuss. I lend no credibility to such posters.

and maybe even more. Maybe he could win. Anything can happen between now and 2016. I'm keeping an open mind for a Democratic candidate I can fully support with my heart and soul. Bernie is one choice, and I make a promise. If he's our candidate, I will take my 68 year old self on the road and work every day to convince everyone I meet to vote for Bernie. I've got a travel trailer and a pickup and will welcome all who want to join me.

If Hillary's our candidate, I will certainly vote for her and put up a sign, but I'll let the machine get her elected. That's mostly who she'll represent anyway.

One of the few that I would work my tail off for....


And believe me, I need to work my tail off.

I previously had the impression -- which he reinforced-- that he is not going to run.

Neither he nor Elizabeth Warren are polling anywhere close to Clinton.

http://www.politicususa.com/2014/12/15/hillary-clinton-leads-elizabeth-warren-48-6-poll-democrats.html

has pretty much been pushed down our throats by the media for 7 years since she lost to Obama.

We need to let the primaries get underway, let people really start running and become household names, and let the public compare them and their platforms, before we'll really know if Hillary will face any viable challengers. Right now it's all about name recognition.

uh 61% of Democrats WANT HER....and she has EARNED it!

I'll make book on it. O'Malley, Jim Webb, and maybe Joe Biden. Those will be the secondary options. Maybe others, none well-known.

that is one steep mountain to climb.

Yes, I know you love Hillary...

I am in GOOD company...


but I have also said many times....I am a loyal Democrat....whoever wins the Primary is who I vote for. I don't have to say false and disparaging things about any other candidate!

However, saying it is not a forgone conclusion is not "disparaging" or "false."Saying Clinton is polling so high because of name recognition is not "disparaging" or "false."

You are welcome to love Hillary--many people do. I doubt that the 61% love her as much as you do, but we will see when the primary is underway.

The bottom line is that, this far out, the polls are mostly about name recognition. No one else being talked about has ever run a national election, so though they are household names among DUers, that is not necessarily the case with the general public. If you look at the polling this time 8 years ago, Hillary was way out in the lead, but there were other names that were pulling double digit numbers, such as Kerry, Edwards, and Gore. Why? Because that had all run for president before--as top candidates. There is no one in the (possible) field that has been there before, except Hillary, and you could argue Biden, but he has never polled high on a national ticket by himself. All those polling numbers are going to her because she's the only one that has been there before.

If it were possible to do a scientific poll on DU, with people that are really politically aware, I've got a feeling she would not poll quite so high, though she might still be ahead this early in the game.

What I really don't like is people acting as if it is a forgone conclusion. It is not. Until the primaries are well underway, anything can happen, and often does. Barack Obama showed us that.

Obama was an anomaly...a longshot that paid off.

I am not willing to gamble with Republicans in the balance...we HAVE a candidate that is approved of by 61% who polls ahead by double digits against EVERY Republican. THAT is the candidate I put MY MONEY on!

I don't have to trash the competition to do it...unlike some around here....

Of course Bernie needs money. All politicians do. Yawn. g'nite.

when he announced. He was also young, handsome, and a fantastic speaker. He had a great story. He was different than anyone else running.

Also: Obama was polling in the 30s in early-mid 2007. That's a FAR cry from Bernie's 4%.

I love Bernie, but he is not a household name and will NOT get anywhere close to the presidency. He is a great Senator and (like Warren) can do a lot of good in the Senate. We need Democrats and liberals in Congress otherwise having a Democratic president is rather pointless!

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But if you want to know what happened to his candidacy, just Google "Biden" and "Neil Kinnock". It was a rather tame "scandal", but it was enough to derail his campaign.

Rule of American politics: If you're a Democrat with decent ideas, your campaign can be derailed by the slightest things, such as crying (Ed Muskie, Pat Schroeder), lifting a speech from another politician (Biden), giving a shout of joy (Dean), or even riding around in an army tank (Dukakis).
If you're a Republican, you can have a closet cram-full of skeletons which will never undergo real scrutiny.

and polls ahead of the other party in double digits...THAT my friend is performance art!

You run the risk of just becoming an unpleasant little frisson. Basically, if I take your posts at face value, Hillary has all the money and votes and supports she will ever need. Why care so much about Bernie? Mystifying.

Do you seriously think what you are doing on Democratic Underground is making a difference for Bernie Sanders?


Am I supposed to just shut up when all I am doing is supporting the candidate that nearly 2/3rds of Democrats support? Who also polls ahead of EVERY Republican by double digits? Meanwhile you can say whatever you want about the NON Democratic Candidate on DU?

I really don't think the candidate with ^^^ those stats....is worried one way or the other what I am doing on DU....do you?

Also, I really do not think of Hillary as a Democrat, or at least what used to be a Democrat, before the party started oozing to the right.
Anyway, just wanted to kindly mention that the constant repeats do not change minds, they just glaze eyes.
I think those stats are just name recognition, and will fall once she starts to campaign. Like last time.
That's it for tonight.

Left Leaning Independents do not get to make that decision now do they?

If you cannot pledge to vote for whomever the Democrats select in OUR Primary election...then you are not one...you are ipso facto Independent!


and I am not surprised that facts are not on your radar!

I get to decide for ME. You do not get to decide for anyone but yourself. You really don't. You seem to be under the impression that you get to boss people around or something. Nope.

That "pledge" thing is really getting old and tattered. In addition, why on earth would I care if you call me an "ipso facto independent"?

Facts are on my radar, but evidently history is not on your radar. Hillary is not that great of a campaigner. Fondness for Bill has, I think, faded a bit. When people know that NAFTA and the TTP and other agreements are the reason their jobs are gone - they are not going to blame Ipso Facto Left Leaning Independents. Right now Hillary just has a lot of name recognition, which she had last time. Better watch out for those anomalies!!!!!!

the poster also asserts their right to decide everyone's affiliation (except Hillary Clinton who is allowed to decide her own).

Of course Hillary could come out and state she voted for Reagan and Bush the Elder once too and she'd still be a first magnitude Democrat in some eyes.

and looking at the new democrats and their values I decided she was right, I am not a democrat. So after over 40 years registered as a Democrat. I went to the DMV and changed my party affiliation.

In fact I'm not sure I shall ever recover from the slight. opps I mean

Big K&R!!!

Unlike shit-for-brains Nader.

Now I hope when anyone here on DU who posts about how if Bernie or Warren don't run, or run but don't win, then we should all vote for them as a "write in", we can call them on on their BS.

I will work for local and state candidates if Hillary runs.

LOL. Lots of wailing and teeth gnashing.

Hillary has 149.46% of liberal support!!!111!!1!!!

The whole country loves Hillary and I will punch a hippie if you tell me different!!!11!!!11 elevens!!!1!1!!

You're a-flirtin' with gettin' whomped upside the head with the feared WALL OF TEXT!!!

Seriously, there were times in the past -- before the republicans decided to inject themselves with insanity-producing bat guano -- when the attitude of a candidate's supporters WOULD have an effect on my vote. The more strident and obnoxious the support, the less likely the candidate would get my vote.

Today, I know the consequences are much too serious to be influenced by it. And if Hillary is the nominee (which I figure she probably will be), I'll stroll into the voting booth, sadly shake my head, and vote for her. It's an easy "pledge" to make, as pledges go.

But it'll still feel like I've been forced into a choice of watching a remake of Animal House starring Rob Schneider or Atlas Shrugged Part III with Jon Voight. I'll opt to watch Rob, but I know there's going to be a dead fly in the popcorn somewhere.

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And unfortunately, I can't say that about many politicians.

He has good common sense language and doesn't shit his pants, he seems to be always prepared and that scares the Shit out of the big guns whose time is mostly invested in covering up what they said in the past to fit any present need.

Too damn smart to be suckered in by anyone on anything, that is Bernie Sanders


I'd give my left you know what if he'd run. throw in a kidney for good measure too

The only people standing in the way of democracy are Wall St investors.

If he runs, he will run in the primaries as a Democrat. If he runs, he will do so with the knowledge that he has almost no chance of actually becoming the Democratic nominee. If he runs, he will run to bring issues to the surface that might not otherwise be part of the primary campaign.

Bernie Sanders knows that he will not be the next President. If he runs, it will be with that knowledge.

...deep in my heart that he would never run as a spoiler. I am so waiting for the chance to support and vote for Bernie.

allow Clinton to cruise to victory.