I think we need to scrutinize what Sanders is getting at when he says I am not a Democrat. He is saying I'm not a Democrat as the party presently is. He does not like its present focus on a sort of elitist group think meritocracy, which Thomas Frank excoriated the Democratic Party for the same reason that Sanders has i.e. we have sort of forgotten our worker roots and we need to woe the independent, kids and new left revolutionaries. Same liberal revolution as in the 60's.
Sanders remains an independent for two primary reasons: one, he has more power and independence as an independent; and two, he wants to move the party left. Sanders wants the Democratic Party to embrace a revolution based on Nordic social structure i.e. he wants most socialization. Me to and the kids and others.
It is really nothing more than a matter of perspective. I am a yellow dog Democrat, because I am comfortable working from within the Democratic Party to move it left, as are many, as is Tom Perez who understands Bernie clearly or he wouldn't be doing this tour across the country and he would not have fired all the DNC people presently in place.
Sanders says right there in that piece, that he wants the Democratic Party to succeed. I think that is absolutely the truth. He just sees himself as a tool to facilitate that success. He wants to move the independents into the Dem party. That is good.
If Warren runs, Sanders will give all his power over to her. And expect Sanders and Warren and other progressives in the Democratic Party to work hand-in-hand fighting the Republicans.
So, don't think Sanders should not be supported because he doesn't fall into the Democratic Party. That is misreading his intent and his behavior.
Message #334081 from Sam at 4/18/2017 10:50:35 PM
Sanders: I don't consider myself a Democrat
BY BEN KAMISAR - 04/18/17 09:09 PM EDT 336
Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) said Tuesday night that he still does not consider himself a Democrat, despite taking part in a Democratic National Committee unity tour with the party's new chair Tom Perez.
"No, I'm an Independent," Sanders said when asked by MSNBC's Chris Hayes whether he now identifies as a Democrat.
"If the Democratic Party is going to succeed – and I want to see it succeed – it's gonna have to open its door to Independents," he continued. "There are probably more Independents in this country than Democrats or Republicans. It's got to open its doors to working people and to young people, create a grassroots party. That's what we need."
continues at thehill.com |
