From Alex Gauthier at the Independent Voter Network:
Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders gave his take on the results of the 2014 elections in an interview with Stephen Colbert on Comedy Central’s Colbert Report on Monday.
Always the straight-shooter, Colbert prompted Sanders with the results saying, “A couple of weeks ago you liberal types got your asses handed to you by the Republicans. Democrats got slaughtered. Socialists did better… We have rejected liberal philosophy”
Sanders, citing low voter turnout nationwide, responded:
“I will tell you, Stephen, what I think really happened. About 64 percent of the American people rejected the two-party system. They rejected Washington as it now functions. They rejected a political system and a Congress which spends more time representing the wealthy and the powerful than ordinary Americans”
I don’t think that will happen.
Bernie Sanders, like his brother, who was elected as a Green Party candidate, Bernie should run as Green Party candidate. Be great for America, and the Green Party, and most importantly the people, and this world.
He’ll probably stay on the plantation, but there may be a small chance of an escape.
“Says a guy that caucus’ with the Democrats”
You kind of have to if you want to have any influence in Washington. Unless a substantial number of independents & opposition party candidates get elected, you have to caucus with one side or the other if you want to be an effective legislator. If I were elected to the Senate, I too would caucus with the Democrats. I don’t fault him for that.
“and will run as a Democratic if runs for president.”
He may not, his statement seems to indicate that he may be considering running outside the two parties. Or it may be that he is blowing hot air, as you say. It is telling though that he has always, that I know of, campaigned as an independent or with an alternative party, and not as an outright Democrat.
“Yeah, the support he gets from anti-duopolists is probably overly optimistic on their part.”
Perhaps.
Yeah, the support he gets from anti-duopolists is probably overly optimistic on their part.
Says a guy that caucus’ with the Democrats and will run as a Democratic if runs for president. I think he’s full of hot air just like Ventura. His threats to run are hollow and will influence no one.
With devious reasoning, as per usual. Yep. Kind of like the earmarks – stick them in, vote against the bill knowing it will pass, then simultaneously take credit for the pork at home and claim credit for being against pork on the national stage. Genius!
I believe Sanders has been an advocate of pro-Israel intervention, or at least opposed it less than most on the non-establishment left.
I agree with AC and suspect he’d run as a Democrat challenger to Hillary. I tend to be of the view that the best circumstance is the best possible candidates in each party. If he gets the nomination instead of Hillary, I suspect the debates will be far more interesting, perhaps more inclusive, and we’ll have a better chance at a good outcome.
I noted tonight, as an aside, that Rand Paul killed the bill to reign in the NSA.
What are the main things you disagree with his foreign policy views on?
On the one hand I love how Sanders continues to bring attention to the need for an independent third party in the USA….and on these mainstream programs like Colbert or Bill Maher. But it would be a cruel jest if he helps create enthusiasim for that idea and then encourages progressives to register Democrat in the end…He has no chance of winning the Dem primary or influencing HIllary (if Hillary is forced to move to the left, it will be because of another leftish challenger, not Bernie).
However if Sanders does run as an independent I will consider supporting him, even though I disagree with him on foreign policy.
Sanders presents a classic dilemna in third party politics. On the one hand a 3rd party would like to run an established, known, “credible” name. After all, he’s pretty much the best Senator, isn’t he? On the other hand a 3rd party has to watch out for infiltration and co-optation (think Bob Barr). Even if Sanders runs 3rd party, there’s always the chance that it would be counterproductive. With someone like Sanders it’s hard to know whether he’s gonna endorse the Democrat and drop out at the last moment.
Bernie is an independent-in-name-only. His rumored Presidential campaign, is almost certainly going to be as a Democrat in the primary instead of independent or alt. party in the general.
He has no more grounds to be posing against the two-party system than any other Democratic incumbent Senator.
I Like Bernie! But his contention that ” About 64 percent of the American people rejected the two-party system” is absurd. Every mid-term election about 60% of the public reject the two-party system by staying home but about half of them re-accept it again during presidential years? They are not rejecting the two party system by staying home ~ they are skipping these elections because no candidate has convinced them that the election is important!
You and I {you meaning readers of this blog} know how important each and every election is – or at least can be. But the general public does not agree.
Is immigration reform important? Maybe, but I’m not a Latino. Is Social Security important? Sure, but I’m only 45. Is Net Neutrality important? Yeah, but I’m busy watching a baby dance with a cat on YouTube! Does the government spy on too many people? If you have nothing to hide what does it matter? Do voter ID laws prevent some people from voting? Maybe but I think I can still vote if I want to, can’t I?
The two-party system is ingrained into the minds of almost all Americans. The last time it was challenged was a hundred years ago by a Progressive former president. The last time a major American political party was upended it was over Secession, State’s Rights, and Slavery and the result was that one party was replaced by another.
Remember, Lincoln served in the House of Representatives as a Whig not a Republican.
Both major parties are willing to adapt to minority party positions once they see political advantage to doing so. Who knows ~ The GOP might actually start believing in Global Warming before New Orleans and half of Florida are under water?