The headline is real. From this morning's Burlington Free Press
“There are people in this world who, ever since they were 12 years of age, they decided they wanted to be president of the United States,” Sanders said.
“That is honestly not me,” he continued. “Anyone who really, really wants to be president is slightly crazy because this is an unbelievably difficult job given the crises that this country faces today.”
Still, Sanders says he is willing to consider making a run if no one else with progressive views similar to his ends up taking the plunge.
It is essential, he said, to have someone in the 2016 presidential campaign who is willing to take on Wall Street, address the “collapse” of the middle class, tackle the spread of poverty and fiercely oppose cuts to Social Security and Medicare.
The article states he would probably run as an independent - which I think is a mistake. More from the article:
“Under normal times, it’s fine, you have a moderate Democrat running, a moderate Republican running,” Sanders said. “These are not normal times. The United States right now is in the middle of a severe crisis and you have to call it what it is.”
The pros and cons
Sanders said if he does run, he would “probably” do so as an independent. It’s a label that has been of value to him in his statewide races but could become a complication as a presidential hopeful.
This is the problem - there will not be a moderate Repulblican running for President - they will almost certainly be a right wing radical. If HIllary runs and wins the nomination, I can't see how Sanders does anything but help the Republicans win.
BUT - we need a real progressive in the race. I will vote for Hillary - she is not a Republican Lite as some here believe.
But I am also convinced that the issues of globalization and economic inequality will not get much attention from a Clinton Administration.
My hope is that Sanders, or some other progressive, runs in the primaries. Markos and other pundits will tell you Hillary has the nomination sewn up. I am not going to lie - it will be tough to beat her.
BUT the primary history of the last 40 years is litered with instances of front runners failing. Muskie. Mondale. Gore, Hillary herself. Each were supposed to walk to the nomination. In every instance each found themselves in serious trouble.
If you understand how Iowa and New Hampshire work, you understand that the establishment CAN be beaten. I wrote about this in 2007. Nate Silver cited my work several times, once a here.
Don't believe the mighty can be beaten in a Democratic Primary. Consider the following from my article:
"MONDALE LEAD OVER NEAREST RIVAL IN POLL SETS NONINCUMBENT RECORD"
NYT front page story, February 28th, 1984
"Hart leads Mondale 38-31"
CBS NYT Poll, March 5th -8th 1984
The powers that be want you to believe we should not try to run a progressive in 2016. But if we don't what is the point of this site, of the activism that is supported here.
Run Bernie, run.
But as a Democrat.
8:19 AM PT: A couple of things for this native Vermonter in exile to ad:
1. Bernie isn't Nader - he is significantly smarter and far more savy than Nader. Bernie has supported every Democrat for President since 1984.
2. If you re-read the quote he talks about "in a normal year" you would have a moderate Republican against moderate Democrat. When Bernie ran in Vermont, when he did so the worst alternative was a pro-choice, pro-environment Republican. That won't be the case in the 2016 run for President.