Capitol Hill Blue Forums Political Issues Politics In General Bernie Sanders: "I am prepared to run for President of the United States."

Bernie Sanders: "I am prepared to run for President of the United States."

Bernie Sanders: "I am prepared to run for President of the United States."

Is this headline scary to you?
I ALREADY have a fairly good idea what the right, conservatives, libertarians and Republicans will say.
It's Reader Rant so I can't stop you from posting, and I wouldn't want to try either, but I'm directing this to the liberals and Democrats in the forum.

Please note: I am not necessarily supporting Sanders wholeheartedly either. I like some of what he says, I think he's an honorable man of integrity, he's a tough fighter and he's prepared to work with ANYONE regardless of their political affiliation; his track record proves that.

But let's face it, elections in this country revolve around candidates who are favored to win.
So the purpose of this post is more focused on taking the temperature of voters who might or might not be inclined to vote for Bernie if he were to run.

Personally, I have had enough of the revolving door dynasty in the making: Bush/Clinton/Bush/Clinton(?) and although I liked Bill Clinton for the most part, my feelings soured when he signed NAFTA and the Commodity Futures Modernization Act of 2000. I think Hillary is cut from the same globalist mold as her husband thus I don't think she's presidential material in this day and age.

So here's the question: Is Bernie a nonstarter for you? Or do you think he is precisely what we need right now?
Do you think he is capable of crafting a convincing message that can put him over the top in a primary challenge against Hillary?

For Some Democrats, Taking On Hillary Clinton Isn't Such a Crazy Idea

Do you think he has what it takes to win, should he successfully get the Democratic nomination?

I realize that a lot of folks can't see past the dreaded tag of SOCIALIST but frankly, to me, not only has the right masturbated that old label to the point where it's dead, the fact is, Bernie Sanders isn't able to turn this country socialist. Nobody is.

Americans don't want socialism, they just want committed and capable leadership with a fine tuned message and the ability to cut through the BS.
I think Mr. Sanders is far more interested in that. I seriously doubt he has ever entertained any notion of "turning us socialist"...he's not that stupid.

So while I am not ready to throw my full support behind Sanders yet, I do like what he represents so far.
That could change, I could find something that negates everything I like about him, or I could come to the conclusion that, like him or not, he doesn't have a fart's chance in a windstorm.

I'd like your opinions, I'd like to hear them.
Conservatives, LP's, Republicans, I'd like to hear yours too, but seeing as how there is no way you'll ever support the guy, it's kind of like watching reruns of I Love Lucy or kissing your sister. Nothing exciting, nothing we haven't already heard and seen.

But I could be wrong Surprise me. (LOL)

Depends upon whether or not economic challenges arise and to what degree. If they do, his candidacy may gain traction. People tend to vote democratic in difficult times or for whomever they believe will help them and their families. Voters might even overlook his lack of a full head of hair if they believe that he is what they need.

No. I love me some Bernie Sanders. He and Liz Warren are my two favorite politicians.

• Social Security
• Medicare
• Universal Health
• Unemployment
• Police protection
• Fire protection
• US Military
• US highway infrastructure

I can't imagine Democrats nominating a candidate I couldn't support.

I like Hillary Clinton just fine, but I'm a little worried about the general election. There IS the dynasty thing ... without that second Bush in there, it wouldn't seem so bad. She can be charming, but doesn't have magical charm like her husband does. I have talked with older women who just can't like her ... quite a few cite "the way she talks." I don't know how to answer that.

Bernie Sanders? Oh, yeah. I would definitely support him if he were the nominee. Eight years of him, followed by eight years of Elizabeth Warren would be nirvana.

When I think back on the last Democratic primary (2008), I remember how many really good candidates we had to choose from -- Obama, Clinton, Edwards (Whew! We dodged a bullet there!), Biden, Kucinich, etc. Our job was to pick the best of the best.

Then I remember the Republican 2012 clown car of candidates -- Romney, Bachmann, Gingrich, Santorum, Paul, Perry, Cain -- Huntsman was the only non-clown, the only one who never got to be the flavor of the week. Heck, even Republicans hated their candidates, kept wanting SOMEBODY else to get in the race. Until finally ... "OK, I guess I'll vote for that bleeping Romney."

I'm thinking that the best Republican candidates stayed home because they didn't want to get beaten by President Obama. And what respectable Republican congressman could run, with their approval rating in the toilet and nothing but a record of obstruction for four years? Bad timing for them. I don't know what held back their more popular governors ... maybe just not wanting to face a popular incumbent and be seen as a loser next time around.

In 2016 I think we will see a much stronger slate of candidates on the right -- maybe not so many publicity seekers. I doubt if Mitt Romney would finish in the top three if he were to run again. I think they are going to throw their best at us. And if that guy isn't the far-rightest of the litter ... if they have learned anything about appealing to the middle ... 2016 could be a tough race.

All that to say this, we have a lot of good people, and I think we are going to have to be careful to pick that person who personifies our ideals AND can win the general election. I know that sounds simplistic, but it means that I might have to stifle my first preference if a majority of Americans can't get behind my favorite.

A Sanders/Warren ticket? I'd so vote for that. But... what the country needs and what the country will vote for are so at odds I can't imagine it happening. If the GOP can call Obama a Socialist, imagine what they'd subject Sanders to. There is, alas, another election to get through, and the outcome of that election is likely to shape 2016 more than any since 1994. If the GOP gains majorities in both houses of Congress, the damage to the country would be so immense we may well not recover in my lifetime. We have yet to recover from Reagan, who crippled the government, and then Bush, who drove the economy into the toilet and created international discord and animosity. The judiciary cannot recover without an influx of liberal thinkers to challenge the sclerotic majorities placed there by Republicans, and that can't happen without a sustained D Senate majority and another D President.

I have no doubt that Sanders would make an exceptional president, but, sadly, I think he is unelectable in the present hyperpartisan environment. I don't want to imagine the catyclism that could shake up that circumstance. It feels, howver, like it is right on the horizon.

Like her or not, Hillary Clinton is the most qualified candidate we have had in a long time. She is smart, savvy, and experienced. She served long enough in elected office to be reelected, ran a major executive agency well, and has serious foreign policy cred. The original George Bush was the last candidate with similar credentials, and, with the exception of kowtowing to his party, served with distinction. Gore would have done well, too, but was burdened with history.

Sanders has the proper brain and demeanor for the office, but not the right resume.

Stronger? Like who? Ted Cruz?
What does the word mean? Harder to the extreme right?

She may be the most "qualified", it's true.
You won't get an argument from me on that one, NWP.
But if this country is so busy with pissing matches about the SIZE of the resume rather than the quality then why did it elect Barack Obama?

Riddle me that, Batman.

I am still of the opinion that Barack Obama was a man for his time, just as Bill Clinton was. It was the unique qualities of persuasive, eloquent speaking, a strong sense of destiny, and the ability to express an inclusive vision of the possible that got him elected and then reelected. People genuinely like the policies that he has pursued, although that is hard to see with all the deceptive rhetoric out there. I believe that Elizabeth Warren will have her time too, even if she never runs for President. She has a presence and approachability that is unique, and a very strong sense of self and vision for the future. Her straightforward attitude and plain speech are something that the nation needs.