Here's a scenario: Hillary gets the nom and Bernie joins with Jill Stein, Ind's vote for them.

[Ivan Kaputski]

Whadda ya think? There's more Ind's than repukes or Dems. I'm not advocating for this but I have seen this posted on FB. This is just another reason that Bernie must be our Dem candidate. Ind's will vote for him. Remember that the primary is not over yet and we can still be for Bernie here on DU. What you do after that is up to you and your conscience. I'll vote for Hillary if I have to but still hope I won't have to.

[Politicalboi]

1. Sounds good to me

[Ivan Kaputski]

16. We're not suggesting anyone vote 3rd party. I'm only noting that the topic is out there.

IMO it's not going to happen but I do wonder if Bernie will back Hillary or just re-register Ind and put his efforts into grass routes groups.

[malokvale77]

24. Vermont...

Like Texas doesn't have party registration.

Bernie will be same as he ever was.

[HoosierRadical]

2. Is Stein even on the ballots in all 50 states?

It would be extremely hard to get on ballots.

[Ivan Kaputski]

7. What if Bernie switches back to Ind?

[oldandhappy]

3. I doubt it.

I think Bernie has a clear view of what he can accomplish -- running with Jill would be a diversion and split the vote. Of course, if the Repubs run a 3rd party candidate there could be four dominate tickets! What a mess. But I don't know.

[SheilaT]

4. No. He is NOT going to go the third party route.

He's much smarter than that.

I would not vote for that ticket, because Green party people tend to be idealistic and naive about what it actually takes to get things done in the political arena. Plus, Jill Stein has run for various offices, never won anything, and would have almost no chance of putting together the sort of staff and Cabinet it would take to run the country.

The vast majority of Independents wind up voting for one of the two major candidates, because they know that a third party candidacy just isn't viable.

[Ivan Kaputski]

5. I don't think he will either but I have doubts he will support Hillary.

[SheilaT]

11. If you don't think he will,

then why in the world suggest it? Whether or not he supports Hillary simply isn't an issue. Except that if she gets the nomination -- and everyone needs to understand that she doesn't have it yet -- he undoubtedly will support her.

[Ivan Kaputski]

12. Hey! I did not suggest it. Put the crack pipe down!

I've seen this crap posted on FB.

[TM99]

9. Do you people even hear yourselves speak?

Greens are not naive, idealistic, or unintelligent. Without Ralph Nader, there would be no EPA! In your little Democratic bubble you have no idea what the left is like outside of it.

[SheilaT]

10. I've known my share of Greens

and that's they way they are. But the essential point is that Bernie isn't going to run as a Green. Or simply by himself. And all the people who suggest this stuff are even more naive than the Greens I know.

Plus, while Ralph Nader has helped accomplish some pretty remarkable things, his running for President all those times was nothing more than an exercise in vanity.

[TM99]

14. Yet another arrogant

Clinton sycophant goes on the Ignore list.

[SheilaT]

23. Boy are you dumb!

I'm proud to tell you I was banned from the Clinton group early on, and I've been supporting Bernie, including donating money.

You haven't a clue!

[Ivan Kaputski]

15. Amazing that people find no good ideas from other parties but only the Dem party.

Before you know it will be a TOS violation to thank Nader for getting Corvair gas bombs off the road.

[BernieforPres2016]

13. Right, because a staff and Cabinet can only be assembled from the same pool of people

in our two corporate parties who have run this country into the ditch. That's a Wall Street argument, that their people have to be in high places everywhere because they've embedded themselves so deep into the economy that nobody else is smart enough to understand what they do. I think it's complete bullshit, both for Wall Street and the rest of the government. If government is anything like other institutions, most of the smartest and most ethical people are down a few levels from the top.

I don't think Bernie will run 3rd party but if he does I will vote for him without hesitation.

[malokvale77]

25. As far as this goes...

The vast majority of Independents wind up voting for one of the two major candidates, because they know that a third party candidacy just isn't viable.

This election cycle is a different animal.

[revbones]

26. In the case proposed there would be 4 candidates

Personally, I think a lot of people would be happy to have an alternative because at that point you'd have:

1. Hillary Clinton - seen by many on the left as corrupt, bought and overly pro-corporate. Seen by many on the right as a complete villain. Supported by those that think she can do no wrong and the world is out to get her/them.

2. Donald Trump - seen by pro-business interests on the right as a wild card. Seen by the center & left as racists, fascist, etc... Revered by racists, etc...

3. Republican candidate - take your pick:
a) Cruz - seen as evil incarnate
b) Kasich - can't even win a state, very unknown even to many in the right
c) Romney - he filed to run just in case, possibly brokered convention result
d) Ryan - says he doesn't want it, but there's a push for him.

4. Bernie Sanders - hero to the left. Seen as honest anti-establishment uncorrupted candidate by independents and millennials.


In that scenario, however unlikely it is, I think the race would be very very interesting.

Also, it's not a case of being smart. I think he would have to overcome his loyalty pledge they make you publicly take at the first debates to support the nominee. I personally think he has grounds to given the behavior of Clinton and the DNC, but barring a weird scenario such as Trump running as a 3rd party, I don't see him even considering it.

[RoccoR5955]

6. It's not gonna happen for two reasons

1) Bernie shall win.
2) Bernie stated that he would support Clinton, on the rare occasion that she gets the nom. I trust Bernie, he's a man of his word.

[Ivan Kaputski]

8. "Bernie stated that he would support Clinton" Where'd you see or read of him saying that?

[RoccoR5955]

28. I didn't only read it...

I heard him say it on several occasions!

[Ivan Kaputski]

29. I don't believe you.

[RoccoR5955]

30. Okay

Believe what you will. I know what I have heard and read.

[TexasBushwhacker]

17. There are relatively few true independents

Most independents lean left or right.

[Ivan Kaputski]

18. A quick Google search...

http://www.people-press.org/2012/06/04/section-9-trends-in-party-affiliation/

...and that's old.

[TexasBushwhacker]

21. I'm aware of that, but at the end of the end of the day

the vast majority of "independents" are voting for Democrats or Republicans, otherwise we would have more independents in Congress, as governors, etc. In the study you cite, it shows that while party affiliation has changed considerably, ideology (conservative, moderate and liberal) has changed very little.

[basselope]

19. I wish, but he won't do it.

I will not be voting for Hillary no matter what, but Bernie WILL endorse her we will get deluged with e-mails form DFA and Bernie asking us to donate and support Hillary.

[Ivan Kaputski]

20. "Bernie WILL endorse her" Well that would make Bernie a total hypocrite.

I'll just give up on any party affiliation if that happens. Everyone is a liar so I'll just give up on politics, it'll be just a study of deception.

[basselope]

22. I don't like it either....

But, when he first got into this race he said he would NOT run as an independent if he doesn't win the nomination. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bernie-sanders-independent_us_55ba86e7e4b06363d5a1742b

He has also gone out of his way to talk about how much he respects Clinton, but has "differences of opinion" on some topics.

He has also gone out of his way to not attack her where she is the weakest. He hasn't brought up ANY of the shady Clinton Foundation dealings.. he has laid off the e-mails (which is fine, since I think it is a non-issue anyway)... but he hasn't even gone for the throat when it comes to Iraq or Libya. He says she made the wrong choice, but not the strong language he COULD use.. b/c lets face it, her and her ilk are responsible for the mess the middle east is in right now.

He doesn't even attack her THAT HARD on releasing her transcripts. When she says "I will do it when EVERYONE does it", he could respond with that is fake answer.. are you telling us, Ms. Clinton that you will only follow what Republicans do???

He doesn't do these things b/c he doesn't want to be a spoiler. He doesn't want to go down in history as the man who cost the democrats the election. The man responsible for President Trump.

Clinton never had my vote... and I won't be voting for her in the general, no matter what. I came back into this party (and to this forum after over 10 years) because of Bernie and I will leave again if he is not the nominee.

[mikehiggins]

27. Nope. Sanders has committed to not running as a third party candidate.

He's been around long enough to know that would be futile.