Sanders doesn't get to decide if he runs for President "as a Democrat". Democratic voters do.

[Recursion]

He's totally free to seek the nomination (barring any state parties that may have rules that would keep someone in Congress as an Independent from seeking nomination as a Democrat). But there's not some magic wand he can wave that would let him run for President "as a Democrat". If he wants to run for President, he'll need to win primaries and caucuses in states in which he's currently polling in single digits. (Hey, it's possible.)

I think some of the worry is people look at his support within the party as it actually exists (outside of message boards), hear talk of Sanders "running for President", and assume that means he'll take the only likely way he can run in the general, which is on an Independent ticket.

[HERVEPA]

1. Thank You Captain Obvious

[OutNow]

2. Every once in a while strange things can happen - like Henry Wallace

He was a cabinet secretary in FDR's administration and later was nominated to be VP in 1940 and elected on the Democratic ticket. He was a loyal member of the Republican Party for most of his life, even when he served in FDR's cabinet.

So, who knows what will happen in the future?

[Thinkingabout]

3. He calls himself a Independent Progressive Socialists, this just may cause him some distress.

It may not be accepted with enough to win...It is one of his problems.

[tazkcmo]

7. Could be

All I would like is to see him give it a go. There is no down side to him running for the Democratic nomination unless one of them is the threat to the Anointed One.

[1StrongBlackMan]

4. I suspect that's all true ...

* Sanders can't run for President as a Democrat, without first declaring Democratic Party membership.

* Sanders can't run for President as a Democrat, without first declaring Democratic Party membership, and then, only after winning the Democratic nomination.

* Those concerned about a Sanders run, are actually concerned that he will run as an Independent ... and the only folks that want that are message board folks and republicans.

[tazkcmo]

8. lol

* Sanders has already indicated he'll run as a Democrat on national TV. I guess you missed it. Check out the MTP interview.

* That applies to all persons seeking the Democratic nomination, even Mrs Clinton. Of course, she's already a registered Democrat.

* Those concerned that Sanders will run as an Independent choose to ignore Sander's own words. Also, there is only one person Republicans hate more than Bill Clinton or President Obama and that's Mrs. Clinton.

[1StrongBlackMan]

9. You find that funny? ...

Curious?

Yes ... I caught what he said ... How does that refute/detract from what I wrote?

Yes ... It applies to everyone ... some (e.g., HRC, Warren) have already taken the first step; others have not (yet).

[tazkcmo]

5. sigh

Folks can assume anything they want but that won't make it fact. As for your first paragraph, of course he'll have to win votes. That's the whole idea behind elections. The only magic wand he needs is to register for the primaries as a Democrat and then appeal to the voters. Simple.

[1StrongBlackMan]

10. Yes ... simple. eom.

[silvershadow]

6. Don't worry, they will. nt

[fadedrose]

11. Benie said on Meet the Press that he has no choice but to run as a Democrat

because nationwide apparatus, voters, funding, is not set up for an Independent.