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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsVermont Sen. Bernie Sanders: 'I am running for president'
In an interview with The Associated Press, Sanders confirmed his plans to formally join the race Thursday.
The self-described "democratic socialist" enters the race as a robust liberal alternative to Hillary Rodham Clinton, and he pledged to do more than simply raise progressive issues or nudge the former secretary of state to the left in a campaign in which she is heavily favored.
"People should not underestimate me," Sanders said. "I've run outside of the two-party system, defeating Democrats and Republicans, taking on big-money candidates and, you know, I think the message that has resonated in Vermont is a message that can resonate all over this country."
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"What we have seen is that while the average person is working longer hours for lower wages, we have seen a huge increase in income and wealth inequality, which is now reaching obscene levels," Sanders told the AP.
"This is a rigged economy, which works for the rich and the powerful, and is not working for ordinary Americans. ... You know, this country just does not belong to a handful of billionaires."
http://news.yahoo.com/vermont-sen-bernie-sanders-am-running-president-000144179--election.html
AuntPatsy
(9,904 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Yes, the sums required to run a national campaign are obscene. That said, exactly how is Bernie planning to finance his national campaign?
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Also pharmaceuticals, agribusiness, and coal. Maybe Google and Microsoft. Any predictions?
arcane1
(38,613 posts)If their money is mandatory, then our democracy is dead. I'd like to try it just once without their help (and, more importantly, without their expectation of payback)
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)At the moment he doesn't have much choice but to boldly go where Hillary and Barack have gone before unless he's got a printing press in his basement.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)I'm ready to join him in that noble cause.
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)but anyway good luck to him.
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)$2 billion, yes that billion with a B, from the big money boys. I side with the Populist candidate.
nationalize the fed
(2,169 posts)I just signed up to volunteer. Took 12 hours to finally get through to his website.
Bernie's gonna stir it up
rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)arcane1
(38,613 posts)That's how!
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)and where does he get your email address? What national party is going to help him out for example?
arcane1
(38,613 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)and there's no "democratic socialist" party with a national fundraising operation that I'm aware of.
arcane1
(38,613 posts)rhett o rick
(55,981 posts)By the way there is a Populist Movement just waiting for a leader. It's way past time to throw the Plutocratic Oligarchs out on their asses.
I understand your snide implication that Sen Sanders will not get the big money from the rich fat cats that you seem to admire. He is a candidate for the people not Goldman-Sachs and the Wall Street dancers.
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)which is a national organization.
http://www.dsausa.org/
Their honorary chairman is Cornel West.
Dragonfli
(10,622 posts)BrotherIvan
(9,126 posts)Yeah, let's just throw up our hands and let only the wealthy decide. That's so much better.