# 2016 Bernie Sanders (D-VT) campaign for POTUS thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [April 28, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754 "2015-04-28T22:40:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2015, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/1 "2015-04-28T22:40:28Z")
[The AP is reporting that he’s gonna run: > [@](#): > > Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders will announce his plans to seek the Democratic nomination for president on Thursday, presenting a liberal challenge to Hillary Rodham Clinton. > > Sanders, an independent who describes himself as a “democratic socialist,” will follow a statement with a major campaign kickoff in his home state in several weeks. > [@](#): > > The white-haired senator and former mayor of Burlington, Vermont, has been a liberal firebrand, blasting the concentration of wealth in America and assailing a “billionaire class” that he says has taken over the nation’s politics. His entry could be embraced by some liberals in the party who have been disenchanted with Clinton and have unsuccessfully urged Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren to join the race. > [@](#): > > Sanders generated attention in 2010 when he staged a lengthy Senate floor speech opposing a tax agreement by President Barack Obama and Republicans. > > He has called for universal health care, a massive infrastructure jobs and building program, a more progressive tax structure and reforms to address the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision, which Sanders says has unleashed a torrent of money from big donors to political candidates. > > The senator has generated some enthusiasm on college campuses and liberal enclaves in the early voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina and made several trips to court the influential Democratic voters there. > > “He will add color,” said Lou D’Allesandro, a Democratic state senator from New Hampshire. “He’s not bashful about anything.” ]([http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US\_DEM\_2016\_SANDERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-04-28-18-01-14](http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_DEM_2016_SANDERS?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2015-04-28-18-01-14))Aye, I do indeed think he will add quite a bit of metaphorical “color” to the discussions about to be had. I could also see where he might garner quite a bit of support and could find himself on the ticket even if he doesn’t win the primary. What do y’all think of Senator Sanders campaign and of his chances? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2015, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/2 "2015-04-28T22:43:38Z")
I think he got recruited by the DNC so he could bracket Clinton, reducing any traction the predictable “dangerous ultra-liberal” bullshit will have. Warren wouldn’t do it but somebody had to. ---
**Author:** ![a35362](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3da27b/32.png) [@a35362](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/a35362)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/3 "2015-04-28T23:56:30Z")
I have no problem with supporting him as long as he stays in the race, although I still think Hillary’s gonna be the nominee in the end. I want to support a more reliably left of center candidate while I can. He’s 73! HRC and Elizabeth Warren are both in their late 60s. Why don’t we have any Democrats ready for the big leagues who are younger than 65? Where are the younger Baby Boomers and the Generation X presidential candidates? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/4 "2015-04-29T00:13:13Z")
They’ve been too busy embarrassing themselves on Twitter and Instagram. ---
**Author:** ![JackieLikesVariety](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackielikesvariety/32/296_2.png) [@JackieLikesVariety](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JackieLikesVariety)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/5 "2015-04-29T01:09:48Z")
people need to see what liberal\* really \*looks like ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 1:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/6 "2015-04-29T01:12:37Z")
He’s not going to win, and I think we all know that (including him). But hopefully, he’ll manage to pull the Overton window a bit to the left. ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/7 "2015-04-29T06:23:57Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > He’s not going to win, and I think we all know that (including him). But hopefully, he’ll manage to pull the Overton window a bit to the left. Yea, its a little silly to analyze his campaign in terms of his chances of winning, he won’t win and winning isn’t what his campaign is for. He’s a pretty good spokesman for Progressive causes (better than Kucinich, anyways, who I think was the last person to run a similar Dem campaign). ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/8 "2015-04-29T07:33:18Z")
> [@Snowboarder\_Bo](#): > > I could also see where he might garner quite a bit of support and could find himself on the ticket even if he doesn’t win the primary. There is no way a self-described socialist, albeit a democratic socialist, will be on the democratic ticket for president. Not in 2016 and not in any foreseeable future. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 10:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/9 "2015-04-29T10:43:23Z")
( **I** -VT), surely? ---
**Author:** ![dalej42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@dalej42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dalej42)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/10 "2015-04-29T14:35:02Z")
It’s mainly a vanity candidacy. He will get some tv coverage to speak out on issues that are important to him. I’m not even sure he’ll get to the debate stage. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/11 "2015-04-29T15:01:15Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > He’s not going to win, and I think we all know that (including him). No, he’s not. But if he could, he would make the best POTUS since Truman. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/12 "2015-04-29T15:06:18Z")
Brilliant strategy by the DNC. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/13 "2015-04-29T15:08:37Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > But hopefully, he’ll manage to pull the Overton window a bit to the left. Hopefully, and much more importantly, he’ll help spark a resurgence and insurgency in the left-progressive wing of the Dems, a counterpart to the Tea Party. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/14 "2015-04-29T15:21:00Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I think he got recruited by the DNC so he could bracket Clinton, reducing any traction the predictable “dangerous ultra-liberal” bullshit will have. Warren wouldn’t do it but somebody had to. I had the same thought. I almost find myself wondering if Clinton is funding his campaign, so that he can be the Washington Generals to her Harlem Globetrotter primary campaign. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/15 "2015-04-29T16:07:23Z")
I wonder which candidate Warren will endorse now? ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/16 "2015-04-29T16:29:13Z")
The only thing Bernie Sanders does is make me like Hillary Clinton more. Incidentally, Liz Warren and Barack Obama accomplish the same feat. I am consoled that even if Clinton wins, at least it’ll be better than the alternatives on the Democratic side. Well, not totally. O’Malley and Biden would probably make better Presidents but they don’t seem to be under consideration. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/17 "2015-04-29T17:10:42Z")
> [@BrainGlutton](#): > > No, he’s not. But if he could, he would make the best POTUS since Truman. Depends on what you consider “Best.” If Best means most correct-thinking, humanitarian, reasonable, bold etc. Then yeah he’d be fabulous. But when it comes to crippling the oligarchy that’s gotten control of the country, then no. He’s too old and not ruthless enough. Hillary, if she wasn’t already part of the problem, would fit the bill. As it is, I have no hope the election will be anything more than picking which flavor of diarrhea garnishes the shit sandwich we’re all gonna have to choke down. Barring an independent willing to purge opposition (Joe Stalin style) I can’t see future elections being more than a distraction to keep the masses divided. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/18 "2015-04-29T17:27:32Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I think he got recruited by the DNC so he could bracket Clinton, reducing any traction the predictable “dangerous ultra-liberal” bullshit will have. If that’s the reason (which I doubt), then it’s not a very good strategy. By the time the general election rolls around, which is when such things will matter, Bernie will be a footnote. There is no need of such bracketing in the primary. ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/19 "2015-04-29T17:29:46Z")
Republican voters pay attention to Democratic primaries too, you know, and vice versa. It’s almost impossible not to. Independents follow both. The general election campaign does not start from scratch, and candidates’ identities are well-established by then. So you’re wrong. ---
**Author:** ![adaher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dec6dc/32.png) [@adaher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/adaher)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2015, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754/20 "2015-04-29T17:29:57Z")
Plus I doubt the DNC would recruit an independent who has never been a reliable friend of the party. He’s defeated Democrats in his career as well as Republicans and in one case even defeated a candidate that both parties endorsed over him. There are plenty of liberals they could have used for that purpose. Barbara Boxer has nothing better to do, she’s retiring, and she’s actually a loyal Democrat. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2016-bernie-sanders-d-vt-campaign-for-potus-thread/718754.md?page=2)