Did Bernie register as a Democrat?

[JaneyVee]

This stupid WSJ article won't let me read the full story, cuts off after Sanders says "I am now a Democrat".

http://www.wsj.com/articles/questions-loom-about-bernie-sanders-qualifying-for-first-democratic-primary-1446674092

[MannyGoldstein]

1. Your former Presidential pick...

can't register as anything in Vermont. There's no formal affiliation.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. How did Patrick Leahy become a member of the Democratic Party?

Patrick Joseph Leahy (/ˈleɪhiː/;[1] born March 31, 1940) is the senior United States Senator from Vermont, in office since 1975. A member of the Democratic Party, Leahy served as the President pro tempore of the United States Senate from December 17, 2012 to January 6, 2015; as President pro tempore, he was third in the presidential line of succession. He is the most senior senator and took office at a younger age than any other current senator. Leahy received the title of President pro tempore emeritus upon the commencement of the 114th Congress.

Leahy is the only elected Democratic Senator in Vermont's history. He is the former chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The Senate Judiciary Committee worked extensively on prison reform with the introduction on a number of bills aimed at reforming the overcrowded prisons. The bills include: the Justice Safety Valve Act of 2013, The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2013, and the Public Safety Enhancement Act.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patrick_Leahy

[DianeK]

6. huh?

I don't understand your question

[LiberalArkie]

9. Just like Bernie, says he is. Bernie classified himself in Vermont as Democrat, but went by

indépendant in the Senate. Reid thougt he was Democratic enough to be ranking member of Budget Committee.

[Cali_Democrat]

17. Why doesn't he just call himself a Dem?

Instead a lot of people within the party view him as an interloper and an outsider because he still calls himself an Independent.

Patrick Leahy and Howard Dean never had a problem calling themselves Dems. I don't recall Howard Dean ever having ballot issues in NH.

[LiberalArkie]

22. I think because he did not feel like them. And when he ran for mayor and all the Democratic

party was the party of the right wing in the south, it was the party of Richard Daley in Chicago 68. I labeled myself as an Independent still. No problem in Arkansas, but the Democratic party in a lot of areas is pretty damn conservative. I was proud of being a Democrat during the RFK and up through Carter, but not so much since. That is probably the parties problem.

[Sheepshank]

32. Bernie has previously declared "I and not a Democrat"

And then more recently went one step,further and said that he is an Independent:

http://www.pressherald.com/2015/05/03/bernie-sanders-backtracks-on-party-registration/
Announcing his candidacy Thursday outside the U.S. Capitol, the Vermont senator rejected any suggestion that he register as a Democrat. “No,” Sanders said, “I’m an independent.”

So why doesn't he just come out and say what his most recent political evolution is?

[LiberalArkie]

33. Go to his campaign wiki page. To claim he was believed in all the Democratic principals

would have meant supporting DOMA, the wars, not supporting gay rights, not supporting the ERA etc. The easy path would have been to be Democrat and follow the same path as HRC and the others.

[Sheepshank]

43. But still he rejects the party, except he wants their voters allegiance. Nt

[Scootaloo]

51. Do you feel that Sanders' positions are antithetical or harmful to the Democratic party?

[MrMickeysMom]

52. Oh... I know!

Since you won't hear back from that poster, I'll answer it easily...

His positions are the last HOPE for the Democratic Party.

[Alittleliberal]

53. He ran and won on the Democratic ticket

Bernie ran and won as an Independent.

[DianeK]

2. there is no party registration in vermont

[JaneyVee]

4. But if you have to register as a Dem to run as a Dem in NH...

Why refuse to register as a Dem?

[DianeK]

11. i am not real concerned about NH

and I am sure he is not either...party affiliation is minor..imo..

[leftofcool]

30. Not according to NH State laws

And btw, Bernie won't be on the ballot in Kentucky either unless he registers here as a Democrat.

[Sheepshank]

36. Ahhhh, wonder if the new Republican gov will try to change that? Nt

[drm604]

39. He can't register to vote in Kentucky. He doesn't live there.

In what other way can he "register as a Democrat" in Kentucky other than on the voting rolls?

[LiberalArkie]

5. A couple of links below

http://ballotpedia.org/Jeff_Weaver
Jeff Weaver is a Democratic political advisor. He was Sen. Bernie Sanders' (D-Vt.) chief of staff and former congressional campaign manager. In May 2015, Weaver was appointed campaign manager for Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bernie_Sanders_presidential_campaign,_2016
Bernie Sanders for President
Bernie Sanders 2016 logo.svg
Campaign U.S. presidential election, 2016
Candidate Bernie Sanders
U.S. Senator (2007–present)
U.S. Representative (1991–2007)
Mayor of Burlington (1981–1989)
Affiliation Democratic Party
(serves as Independent in Senate)
Status Announced: April 30, 2015
Formal launch: May 26, 2015
Headquarters 131 Church Street Suite 300
Burlington, Vermont
Key people Jeff Weaver, campaign manager[1]
Symone D. Sanders, press secretary[2][3]
Receipts US$41,463,783 (2015-09-30[4])
Slogan A Future To Believe In
A Political Revolution Is Coming
Not For Sale

In Vermont there is no party membership affiliation

[Sheepshank]

38. Not quite the full story

http://blogs.rollcall.com/hawkings/bernie-sanders-2016-proud-non-democrat/
Updated 11:05 a.m. | When Bernard Sanders declared his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, he joined a lengthening roster of gadflies who have run in order to push the party to the left.

So will it matter that he is not now, never has been and does not plan to become an actual Democrat?


http://www.pressherald.com/2015/05/03/bernie-sanders-backtracks-on-party-registration/
Announcing his candidacy Thursday outside the U.S. Capitol, the Vermont senator rejected any suggestion that he register as a Democrat. “No,” Sanders said, “I’m an independent.”


http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/politics/bernie-sanders-democrat-or-independent/
A Democratic National Committee aide says the fact Bernie Sanders isn't a registered Democrat might not be a presidential problem for him
The party defines "bona fide Democrats" as someone "whose record of public service, accomplishment, public writings" comport with the party
Sanders has been an independent since the 1980s, but has caucused with the Democrats since coming to Congress in 1991


Each of these articles were from earlier on this year, but I've not found anything that has change or that Bernie has done to change his party affiliation since these articles were written.

[pinebox]

7. Use this

http://bugmenot.com It will allow you to read it in full.

[MohRokTah]

8. You do not register as a membr of a party in Vermont.

So technically, he is whatever he says he is. If he says he's now a Democrat, he is.

[VanillaRhapsody]

12. No but you can call yourself

Whatever you like....Sandets called himself a Socialist full stop....just 6 yrs ago!

[MohRokTah]

13. Sanders gets to "Evolve".

Didn't you know he gets a pass for stuff like that?

[bravenak]

16. I am also fine with his evolution. It is very prudent.

[VanillaRhapsody]

10. Nope but 6 years ago he described himself

As the lone Socialist....quite literally....want to see?
http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/sanders-socialist-successes

[DianeK]

14. scary!

boo! someone is actually an open minded independently thinking individual..whooooo

[VanillaRhapsody]

15. Do you oppose all Capitalism?

Sicialists do...you want THAT?

BTW Socialist Democrats prefer regulated capitalism with a Welfare State...

[DianeK]

19. of course not!

I am a business woman..have been for 26 years..but capitalism must be softened by a caring for the working person...we already have a lot of that with our public school system ..our interstate road system..when you pay taxes that is contributing to your socialist community..but we must augment that so that the least of us are considered

[VanillaRhapsody]

21. Socialists do!

Socialist Democrats dont.....but Bernie doesnt call himself that....and Democratic Socialist is just a Socialist with elections...

6 years ago Sanders called himself the lone Socialist...


http://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/must-read/sanders-socialist-successes

[aspirant]

37. No they don't

Bernie put it out in the CNN debate that he is against CASINO-CAPITALISM

[aspirant]

18. and the Op says

Questions Loom About Bernie Sanders Qualifying for First Democratic Primary
Presidential candidate says he is a Democrat now, but New Hampshire official is coy about whether lifelong independent will make ballot
By Laura Meckler And
Peter Nicholas
Nov. 4, 2015 4:55 p.m. ET

MANCHESTER, N.H.—When Sen. Bernie Sanders files paperwork on Thursday to run in New Hampshire’s presidential primary, a question looms: Is he a Democrat, and if not, can he run in that party’s primary?

"Presidential candidate says he is a DEMOCRAT now" Any DNC aides say he isn't?

[VanillaRhapsody]

20. Has Bernie said so?

Nope....has he disavowwed Socialism yet? Nope....

When do I get to hear Bernie say I am now a Democrat?

[DianeK]

23. you are hung up on labels...

[JaneyVee]

24. It seems NH is hung up on labels as well.

Can they even legally keep him off the ballot, or is this Gardner guy just being a douche?

[VanillaRhapsody]

28. Its possible.

Someone..anyone actually could challenge...I know at least 5 states that do require Democratic Registration.....calling yourself a Socialist 6 yrs ago does call it into question.

[VanillaRhapsody]

26. These are HIS labels

I am not making them up

[aspirant]

25. Read it and weep

Game, Set, Match

[VanillaRhapsody]

27. Exactly....

Has he said he was a Democrat yet?

[aspirant]

29. Read it and weep

"Presidential candidate says he is a DEMOCRAT now" Any DNC aides say he isn't?

[DianeK]

31. stay tuned

this is not over yet and it may get very interesting..i am not afraid of how it might play out..are you?

[aspirant]

34. NO fear here

Bernie wins any way it goes

If he is put on the ballot he will win as a DEMOCRAT in NH

If he's not on the ballot then they have literally thrown him out of the party and all hell will break lose.

[Major Hogwash]

50. Wow, was he the only one?

I wonder if there were any Marxists serving in Congress 6 years ago?

[Kalidurga]

35. You seem so concerned with labels

I think the content of a person's character is more important. But, carry on.

[Sheepshank]

46. It appears that Bernie is just as concerned with avoiding labels

Clearly, those labels have meaning. Why is he avoiding making the great public announcement that he has decided to become a registered Democrat?

[Kalidurga]

47. So he avoids being called a Democrat

I did the same thing after Democrat after Democrat voted for the IWR.

[Sheepshank]

54. More accurately he avoids calling himself a Democrat. Nt

[Sheepshank]

40. I posted this on another thread

Unfortunately this hand held device makes it difficult for me to format the quoted excerpts, but I think we get the idea from the links, that Bernie could register as a Dem, but choses not to. And that not only has he previously stated that he is not a Democrat, he clarifies that he is an Independent.


http://blogs.rollcall.com/hawkings/bernie-sanders-2016-proud-non-democrat/
Updated 11:05 a.m. | When Bernard Sanders declared his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, he joined a lengthening roster of gadflies who have run in order to push the party to the left. So will it matter that he is not now, never has been and does not plan to become an actual Democrat?


http://www.pressherald.com/2015/05/03/bernie-sanders-backtracks-on-party-registration/
Announcing his candidacy Thursday outside the U.S. Capitol, the Vermont senator rejected any suggestion that he register as a Democrat. “No,” Sanders said, “I’m an independent.”


http://www.cnn.com/2015/02/10/politics/bernie-sanders-democrat-or-independent/
A Democratic National Committee aide says the fact Bernie Sanders isn't a registered Democrat might not be a presidential problem for him
The party defines "bona fide Democrats" as someone "whose record of public service, accomplishment, public writings" comport with the party
Sanders has been an independent since the 1980s, but has caucused with the Democrats since coming to Congress in 1991


Each of these articles were from earlier on this year, but I've not found anything that has change or that Bernie has done to change his party affiliation since these articles were written.

[Bluenorthwest]

41. I'm a Democrat and the DNC says Bernie is a Democratic candidate and the Democratic Party

of New Hampshire says Bernie is a Democrat and the State Party Chairman Ray Buckley will be coming with him to the Sec of State's office, and last month, Buckley released a letter addressed to the Secretary of State explaining that the state party “considers Senator Bernie Sanders to be a member of the Democratic Party.”

So while primary fervor for your candidate is all good and well, this particular brand express a strong disagreement with the New Hampshire Democratic Party. You do not agree with their position, which gives you much in common with the New Hampshire Republican Party.
That's a wrap, Janey.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

42. A rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Shakespeare

Is a Democratic Socialist as sweet as a Socialist Democrat?

[Sheepshank]

44. From the definitions I have read

And from the outrage from Norway, I don't believe those terms are interchangeable.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

45. Norway? What outrage from Norway?

[Sheepshank]

56. Oh dear did I name the wrong country...Denmark?

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

58. Oh, that's OK. They all look the same...like Socialists.

[ibegurpard]

48. Did someone change Vermont registration law?

If not then if he says he's a Democrat and is running as a Democrat then he's a Democrat.

[PowerToThePeople]

49. Stupid op is stupid.

Trashcanning this turd flamebait.

[jfern]

55. For the 10 billionth time, Vermont doesn't have partisan voter registration

[Mnpaul]

57. and it doesn't matter

In presidential primaries, national party rules take precedence over state law, said Thomas Connolly, a spokesman for the BOE. As long as Mr. Sanders “espouses party ideals, then actual enrollment is not an issue.”
http://observer.com/2015/06/can-bernie-sanders-appear-on-the-democratic-primary-ballot-in-new-york/