General Discussion

longship

(40,416 posts)

86. Q: How does become a member of the Democratic Party?

Wed Jan 4, 2017, 02:07 AM

Jan 2017

I was a Democratic Party officer in the most populace county in KS where we had, at that time, a majority. The only requirement of holding party office, or being a committee person, was that one was registered as a Democrat.

In many states, there is no party specific voter registration. All voters in those states are by default independents. This includes VT, my state MI, and many others.

Now Bernie chooses to call himself an independent, not uncommon in VT. However, he has never, ever caucused with any party other than the Democratic Party.

So you decide. Is the label more important than his actions?

God love ya Nance, but IMHO, screeching "Bernie is not a Democrat" is chicken shit.

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The Rachel Maddow Show Tonight: Go BERNIE ! [View all] JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 OP

I really felt that flamingdem Jan 2017 #1

Yes, and along with Schumer, elleng Jan 2017 #2

Schumer was better than I thought flamingdem Jan 2017 #4

Yes, just posted that elsewhere. elleng Jan 2017 #5

Yes, thanks! JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 #3

Me, my mom and my adult kids will be out protesting on January 15th with other like- Dustlawyer Jan 2017 #6

I'll be out too on Jan 15, I hope we all join it! JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 #8

Need to also ask zentrum Jan 2017 #13

Sanders, Dem leaders urge day of rallies to 'save health care' demmiblue Jan 2017 #17

I'm all in! InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2017 #41

Thanks. I'm in. Just... zentrum Jan 2017 #57

Jan 15th? pnwmom Jan 2017 #9

Bernie was inspiring tonight. democrank Jan 2017 #7

"What more can we ask from any Dem leader?" NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #10

I don't think Senator Sanders has said those things. elleng Jan 2017 #11

No, he hasn't. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #12

He's an FDR Democrat zentrum Jan 2017 #15

FDR was a Democrat. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #21

Bernie is unique, and so is Vermont flamingdem Jan 2017 #34

Sorry, but no. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #36

Not this shit again. longship Jan 2017 #75

Yes, and lordy do we need him now! flamingdem Jan 2017 #77

Oh, no! Not the "Bernie caucused with the Dems" ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #78

I'll stand by my post, Nance. longship Jan 2017 #84

Bernie declared himself an Independent for decades ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #87

Who cares! longship Jan 2017 #90

It's like this, my friend ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #100

Well, my friend, he certainly acts like one. longship Jan 2017 #102

Acting like something ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #103

Thank you Nance! Thank you very much. longship Jan 2017 #104

Right back at ya! NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #105

Sounds like theological arguments SujiwanKenobee Jan 2017 #138

+2.385,193 pangaia Jan 2017 #140

"Rhetorical" that Bernie SAYS he is independent Hortensis Jan 2017 #191

Yeah! Maybe an analogy is like someone who won't join R B Garr Jan 2017 #99

Perfect analogy! NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #101

My favorite Groucho quote! mcar Jan 2017 #125

Again, who the fuck CARES?! Shitting on your scapegoat is apparently more important dionysus Jan 2017 #115

And this is a Dem, for crying out loud..... MaeScott Jan 2017 #118

Thank you for that.... pangaia Jan 2017 #141

Profoundly disrespectful to Bernie. Do we imagine Hortensis Jan 2017 #190

Some pithy quotes from Sanders over the years (there are lots more): George II Jan 2017 #130

OMG. You didn't just use Bernie's own words did you? Jakes Progress Jan 2017 #173

. George II Jan 2017 #174

So is Joe Manchin, but I'm not trying to follow him. Tatiana Jan 2017 #70

Agree entirely. Dem leaders feel Bernie can be helpful Hortensis Jan 2017 #188

Exactly. I don't care how many people register as Dems. I just want progressive policies enacted. femmedem Jan 2017 #117

Sensible comment. And since Bernie has done Hortensis Jan 2017 #192

If semantics are the issue, he is a great leader and representative of the left coalition. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #16

Being willing to BE a Democrat ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #19

I don't see that as being an issue. Bernie is what he is & he does not just talk the talk. I will Alekzander Jan 2017 #22

Talking out of both sides of the mouth? NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #24

Right. He didn't run AS a Democrat, he just IS one. pangaia Jan 2017 #30

Not according to Bernie. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #59

Please see my reply about a koan. pangaia Jan 2017 #64

But WHY do you need to imagine Bernie is a Democrat? Hortensis Jan 2017 #194

Ummmm...... keep pondering on what I said.... or not.... pangaia Jan 2017 #195

This is going to sound harsh, but I feel I understand Hortensis Jan 2017 #196

I could just comment on one thing.. pangaia Jan 2017 #198

Well, I can't follow into a level of enlightenment I Hortensis Jan 2017 #202

Unfortunate you feel it necessary to ridicule. pangaia Jan 2017 #203

I thought I avoided ridicule. I did wonder if Hortensis Jan 2017 #204

In his own words: "I am not a Democrat, period." George II Jan 2017 #131

Don't see that as talking out of both sides of his mouth. I am just fine with him right where he is Alekzander Jan 2017 #127

We have a 2 party system when it comes to running for president. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #23

He is also NOT a Democrat. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #25

Yes he is a Democrat. pangaia Jan 2017 #31

Not according to the man himself. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #35

Yes,but he is a democrat. pangaia Jan 2017 #45

No, Sen Sanders never was and is not a Democrat. musette_sf Jan 2017 #48

Yes he is a Democrat. pangaia Jan 2017 #53

I see your response to facts musette_sf Jan 2017 #129

How nice that someone here respects Bernie for Hortensis Jan 2017 #197

Can you post a link ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #52

There are no "links." You will just have to figure this one out for yourself. pangaia Jan 2017 #55

They're technically correct, but I also treat him like a Democrat... Buckeye_Democrat Jan 2017 #93

Well, I certainly just learned something... Many thanks pangaia Jan 2017 #122

In his own words: "I am not a Democrat, period." George II Jan 2017 #134

You're picking nits. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #32

You're either a Democrat ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #42

Nance, you're missing the substance. :))) pangaia Jan 2017 #49

How incredibly irrelevant. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #54

My reply was extremely relevant. pangaia Jan 2017 #56

I guess we are now in territory ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #62

KOAN. pangaia Jan 2017 #144

Right... kenfrequed Jan 2017 #60

This discussion isn't about ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #63

No. kenfrequed Jan 2017 #67

Bravo!! pangaia Jan 2017 #71

In his own words: "I am not a Democrat, period." George II Jan 2017 #135

And there we finally have got to the truth of where your loyalties lie LiberalLovinLug Jan 2017 #137

... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #160

And the final nail in any argument on DU is... LiberalLovinLug Jan 2017 #161

If you'd bother to read my posts in this thread ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #166

Who is insisting he is a card carrying Democrat? LiberalLovinLug Jan 2017 #185

Whew thanks for the help. pangaia Jan 2017 #66

You're missing the point that Bernie would be Hortensis Jan 2017 #199

I don't want to get into the middle of this but mobeau69 Jan 2017 #79

Well, thanks for that! NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #82

Sorry, but I don't get it. tecelote Jan 2017 #133

My question is, WHY they want him to be a Democrat? Hortensis Jan 2017 #200

You are a member of the Democratic caucus or you're not. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #120

I haven't said anything about winning elections. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #157

He's still a leader of the left coalition Gore1FL Jan 2017 #162

Fine. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #163

I never did. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #164

I wasn't talking about you personally ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #167

I guess, but in a 2 party system, it's simply a matter of semantics. nt Gore1FL Jan 2017 #170

"You're either a Democrat ...... or you're not. " pangaia Jan 2017 #143

I don't care if he calls himself a bologna sandwich, I like his politics, America needs his politics putitinD Jan 2017 #152

He more Democrat than 99% of Democrats jack_krass Jan 2017 #73

Ah, the classic response. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #76

He is more dem than the DLC blue dog Dems. nt MaeScott Jan 2017 #107

But that's the point. He IS a democrat. pangaia Jan 2017 #145

If he is a Democrat ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #159

Pffff!!! riversedge Jan 2017 #109

Don't like that? how about : Bernie is to Democrats what Chuck Norris is to Tae Kwan Doe jack_krass Jan 2017 #113

Oh, balderdash! chwaliszewski Jan 2017 #40

When asked point-blank ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #46

And what's your point? chwaliszewski Jan 2017 #69

My point is that he said what he said. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #91

Perhaps he doesn't trust the Democratic party for some reason... chwaliszewski Jan 2017 #108

They will NEVER let go of it. It's like an intellectual Groundhog Day. pangaia Jan 2017 #29

It is not semantics. murielm99 Jan 2017 #37

Agreed. musette_sf Jan 2017 #47

I'm not that picky about who is in what club Gore1FL Jan 2017 #119

Pelosi and Schumer are the leaders of the Democratic Party. n/t murielm99 Jan 2017 #177

There are many leaders in the Democratic Party. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #186

Nonsense. murielm99 Jan 2017 #187

I posted a link that demonstrates otherwise. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #205

" If he can't join the party, then I will not follow him." pangaia Jan 2017 #146

He divided the party, murielm99 Jan 2017 #176

Bull. pangaia Jan 2017 #180

So much for that "big tent" thing........ Amaril Jan 2017 #155

Way to twist the facts. murielm99 Jan 2017 #175

Excuse me? Amaril Jan 2017 #189

Bye. murielm99 Jan 2017 #193

I've never played those games. I've always realized that Bernie was an independent who switched NWCorona Jan 2017 #18

He IS a Democrat. pangaia Jan 2017 #28

he IS a better Democrat than most in the party. He's liberal and dionysus Jan 2017 #114

"Obsessive." That is the word I have been looking for. pangaia Jan 2017 #147

Labels brooklynboy49 Jan 2017 #124

Joe Manchin is a Democrat too. alarimer Jan 2017 #126

Definitely not. A Democrat is NOT, by definition, a member of the Democratic Party. In terms of Democratic PRINCIPLES, Bernie is a prime example of someone who has them in abundance. InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2017 #44

YES, InAb! elleng Jan 2017 #50

BAM!!!!!!!!!! Home run into the upper right field deck.... pangaia Jan 2017 #148

What, a human. n/t kacekwl Jan 2017 #14

Party before country? Fiendish Thingy Jan 2017 #26

Not at all. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #33

He is, uh "standing with the party," or didn't you notice? pangaia Jan 2017 #149

Good for him. NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #158

Please, can you not just let go of it? pangaia Jan 2017 #27

Let go of WHAT? murielm99 Jan 2017 #38

Some of us would disagree with that statement. pangaia Jan 2017 #51

Show me his tax returns. murielm99 Jan 2017 #61

Look. You don't like Bernie, so we should just leave it there. pangaia Jan 2017 #65

No kidding. These guys clearly hate bernie more than trump.. bizarre, and sad. dionysus Jan 2017 #116

I think it is also being 'attached' to something, as any Buddhist would understand. pangaia Jan 2017 #123

Except for lukewarm support for Hillary, he did NOT support Democratic principals DFW Jan 2017 #132

This is the Democratic Underground, murielm99 Jan 2017 #179

Brilliant comeback. pangaia Jan 2017 #182

Jesus, give me a break... pangaia Jan 2017 #156

It is time for you to get over yourself murielm99 Jan 2017 #178

I'll get off the floor when I finish my pushups. pangaia Jan 2017 #181

I would like to see these tax returns also Gothmog Jan 2017 #207

Not just some, but all of my friends as do I, would disagree with that statement. 4bucksagallon Jan 2017 #154

I didn't post the OP ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #83

For Christ sakes Nance, give it up. longship Jan 2017 #81

Not true? NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #85

Q: How does become a member of the Democratic Party? longship Jan 2017 #86

By his own words ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #89

Here's the deal. longship Jan 2017 #92

I've never disputed that he has a long record ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #94

That label is fucking meaningless, and you know it longship Jan 2017 #95

Being a member of the Democratic Party ... NanceGreggs Jan 2017 #96

And to you, my friend. longship Jan 2017 #97

This is the time for us to all come together! Sparky 1 Jan 2017 #111

Trump's loyalty to his followers is also not in question. Hortensis Jan 2017 #201

C,mon Nance--he ran for POTUS as a Democrat. panader0 Jan 2017 #128

Here's the interview NWCorona Jan 2017 #20

Thanks for adding the clip! JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 #142

Bernie was masterful, as usual. He just comes across as so genuine... knows what he believes and is not afraid to say it! InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2017 #39

"I know who is MY Dem leader" musette_sf Jan 2017 #43

Right. SaschaHM Jan 2017 #72

Bernie was great -- as he's been since he began. Schumer was great -- hope he sticks to it. Sparky 1 Jan 2017 #110

I couldn't care less what initial Bernie has after his name. democrank Jan 2017 #58

Paraphrasing: Trump is off to a great start and hired some good people... ecstatic Jan 2017 #68

He said CHUCK (Schumer) is off to a good start and has brought . . . Sparky 1 Jan 2017 #112

Thank you. Snackshack Jan 2017 #74

Exactly. Let's not be shortsighted now flamingdem Jan 2017 #80

Bernie my ass! Bernie's been in congress since 1991 and suddenly... TreasonousBastard Jan 2017 #88

There is NO need to mention your rear-end, Bernie is doing what we need right NOW: Fighting! JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 #165

Bernie isn't doing squat. Schumer's using him and his adoring followers... TreasonousBastard Jan 2017 #168

Thanks for not mentioning your rear-end again. BTW, Treason is never good and it is JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 #171

Why was he so giddy? He looked oddly gleeful R B Garr Jan 2017 #98

Both Bernie & Rachel were great! nt Raine Jan 2017 #106

Oh man! If only Bernie was the nomination... Bernie 2020! Joe941 Jan 2017 #121

Reminder: Do not bash Bernie Sanders TonyPDX Jan 2017 #136

"This rule also applies to Independents who align themselves with Democrats" klook Jan 2017 #139

And in the meantime the Clintons, vlakitti Jan 2017 #150

Bernie, disillusioned73 Jan 2017 #151

I don't care if Bernie LittleGirl Jan 2017 #153

I quite agree, Girl Bayard Jan 2017 #183

I don't get it either LittleGirl Jan 2017 #184

He's a convenient scapegoat. Gore1FL Jan 2017 #206

Glad to K&R this! Rex Jan 2017 #169

Thanks Rex! JoeOtterbein Jan 2017 #172