Bernie Sanders in '08 or '12

[erpowers]

Ruth Contiff wrote a story somewhat pushing the idea that Sanders should run for president. So what do other DUer think about a Sanders run for president.

[WI_DEM]

1. No, let him run for Senator from Vermont

and then serve his term. Hopefully a Dem president will be seeking re-election in '12.

[AlmightyTallest]

2. Isn't he a Socialist?

Not that I have anything against that but this country is still waaay too hung up on the Cold War to elect a Socialist president.

[AlmightyTallest]

3. Sorry, double post. n/t

[paineinthearse]

4. How often does YOUR rep hold town hall meetings on poverty?

How often does YOUR rep hold town hall meetings at all? Spoke with mine over the weekend. He might have "a couple" in the summer.

Received by email:



Congressman Sanders Announces Congressional Town Meetings on Poverty

Let’s Talk About Poverty and What We Can Do About It

At a time when the wealthiest people in America are getting richer, poverty in the United States is increasing. It is time that we in Vermont and throughout the country began talking about this issue, and finding solutions to it.

I am pleased to announce that I will be holding three Congressional Town Meetings on Poverty (see side bar for dates and times). These meetings will feature local speakers, an open discussion, a free dinner, and awards presentations honoring Vermonters who have led in the fight against poverty.

As you may know, the Census Bureau reported last year that 36 million Americans, 13 percent of our population, live in poverty. And the numbers are going up rapidly. In the last 4 years alone, 4 million more Americans slipped into poverty and we have, by far, the highest rate of childhood poverty in the industrialized world.

Some of the growing manifestations of poverty are that millions continue to work at a national minimum wage of 5.15 an hour that has not been raised in years. Many of the new jobs being created in our state and country are low paying without adequate benefits. There is also a severe crisis in terms of affordable housing. This year, over 3.5 million Americans will experience homelessness, including 1.35 million children. Of those families who are fortunate enough to have housing, 14 million of them now pay more than half of their limited incomes on housing.

Further, our health care system is disintegrating and we are the only major country on earth that does not have a national health care program. Today, 45 million Americans lack any health insurance (including over 60,000 in Vermont) and even more are underinsured.

Whether it is unemployment or inadequate educational opportunities, low wages or lack of health insurance, homelessness or high fuel prices millions of Americans are finding it very hard to keep their heads above water economically.

AMERICA CAN DO BETTER,
AMERICA MUST DO BETTER,
AND THAT’S WHAT THESE TOWN MEETINGS ARE ABOUT.

Feel free to invite your friends and associates and neighbors to these important meetings.

To find out more about the Congressional Town Meetings on Poverty (including audio visual clips from the Springfield meeting held last Monday) - http://bernie.house.gov/town_meeting_se/

Meeting Dates:

Barre
Saturday, May 21, 6PM
Old Labor Hall
46 Granite St.
Barre, VT

Rutland
Saturday, June 4, 6PM
Rutland Middle School
67 Library Ave.
Rutland, VT

Newport
Monday, June 6, 6PM
American Legion Hall
Veterans Ave.
Newport, VT

[PaDem]

5. I'd love it, but only if he ran as a Democrat

and I doubt he'd do that. I also tend to think the Democratic wouldn't have him unless he became a Dem well before running for Prez.

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Very curious about why. :^)

[reprehensor]

7. '12

Let him play Senator for a while, if 'Socialism' continues to take root in Latin America, (and America does not invade every country south of Mexico), maybe he's got a shot.

It would have to be a grass roots campaign like no other. Howard Dean proved that the money is there, now someone needs to take the lead and swing it.

If Bushco continues to fuck the middle class, ignore the poor, manipulate Christians, and swindle elections, a leader will rise up breathing fire and populism, and will wrest control of the country away from the Oligarchy.

OK, I can dream, right?

[ztn]

8. how about NOW!!!

[Hippo_Tron]

9. Bernie's too honest to be President, he's also an admitted socialist

He'll be an AWESOME US Senator, though. I don't know if we've ever had a self-proclaimed socialist in the US Senate.