For people wishing Bernie had run as an Indy, I can tell you a major reason why he didn't.

Last edited Thu Apr 28, 2016, 08:23 AM - Edit history (3)

Assuming this started as a protest candidacy, running as a Dem guaranteed him something one cannot generally get outside of the Big Two parties: exposure. If sharing his ideas and ideals were the ultimate goal rather than the Oval Office, then making sure he was able to get on TV and noticed by other media was paramount.

I can tell you from years of being a Green that being marginalized by the media and shut out of the public debate are both idea and candidacy killers. The media won't cover you if you are an unknown, and you will remain an unknown if the media hasn't covered you. A vicious cycle, indeed. Fortunately the Internet is starting to making an end run around this problem, but until the vast majority of the electorate are tuned into the Intertubes Political Dialogue, the old media empire will still play the role of King (or Queen) maker.

So Bernie is now a victim of his own success. His message got out and resonated with many more voters than initially expected, but perhaps didn't get enough votes* to actually take the White House. But believe me, in the end the message and movement are on their way, and that means a lot more than another Indy protest run that barely rates a footnote. The ground is ripening for those future progressive seeds to take root outside of the old system.

*In the interest of full disclosure, I absolutely believe Bernie received far more votes than have been accounted for.

Editing to add a further thought, again assuming this began as a protest campaign, he would have been considering the fact that he would need to work with Dems in the Senate afterward.