Let's make Bernie Sanders Majority Leader

[LaydeeBug]

What are the chances? Seriously. Maryland's retiring senate seat will most likely stay blue, but what are our other chances?

[still_one]

1. That is up to the Senators of the Majority party.

[LaydeeBug]

2. I know...so let's give them a majority nt

[randome]

5. The Senators who didn't endorse him for President?

I kind of doubt they'd suddenly think he's Majority Leader material.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Aspire to inspire.[/center][/font][hr]

[Armstead]

25. They should

He's a goddamn smart (and machavellian) politician, even though he has been underestimated all along

[still_one]

6. That is the first step of course, but then those Senators have to agree on who they

want their majority leader to be.

Reid, the current majority/minority leader has already stated his preference, and no doubt there will be others who wish to try for majority/minority leader.

I think the odds are against Bernie assuming that role. At the minimum he would have to remain a registered Democrat, not an independent, and then go through the process of persuading other Senators to vote for him.

There are a lot of committees that I could see him being the chair of though, from healthcare to other issues that were the prime focus of his campaign

[Hortensis]

13. Chuck Schumer will most likely be chosen

by the rest of the leadership, although a challenger could step up. Choosing the next majority leader is the job of those who have to work with him or her.

As for Bernie? We all have our strengths and weaknesses. Not one of his colleagues initially endorsed him for president. Big clue to how suited he would be to this position.

[still_one]

15. You are right Hortensis.

[BobbyDrake]

3. A Democrat for just a year, becoming Majority Leader?

I want what you're smoking.

[LaydeeBug]

7. I want more of it too, but I'm out. nt

[Armstead]

26. A Democrats who has been in Congress and vites with Dems..

and somehow managed to get 46 percent of the primary vote.

He's not a member of the centrist "club" but that's a plus, IMO

[NCTraveler]

4. Not only no, but hell no.

I say that as someone who likes Sanders. Our majority leader will be a democrat when it comes to it. West and others have shown why that is necessary.

[LaydeeBug]

8. Ok, maybe just the *option*, or more directly, let's take back the Senate. nt

[Hav]

9. I always heard Schumer as the obvious choice.

You need a certain kind of personality for that job and I'd think Schumer fits that.

[LaydeeBug]

11. and he's paid his dues...maybe just take back the Senate

so we can have this option.

Russ Feingold is probably coming back for a gain...

[liberal N proud]

10. You can write your Senator, but that would be about as much say as you have

The position is elected by the sitting Senators of the majority party.

[LaydeeBug]

12. I know. We need five seats, or 4 and the WH.

Where can we get 'em?

[Warren DeMontague]

14. I think we have a lot of great Senators who could do that job. As much as I like & respect Bernie.

Ron Wyden would be a good choice.

[tallahasseedem]

16. Um no,

He doesn't speak for the majority of us. I think the events of the past couple of days proved that. He is a divisive figure among the party now. That and he's returning as an Independent, so that's that.

[LiberalFighter]

17. Not going to happen. The Senators decide that and it won't be Sanders.

[DemonGoddess]

18. Nope, not going to happen

Schumer is going to be the Majority leader.

[etherealtruth]

19. I thought he was going to remain an independent following the election ....?

[MineralMan]

20. Can't happen. He declares himself an Independent

in the Senate. The majority leader has to be a member of the majority party. Bernie will remain an Independent in the Senate.

The Democratic caucus would not elect him. Now, they might elect Elizabeth Warren. Would that do?

[LaydeeBug]

21. ok but can we take back the Senate?

[MineralMan]

23. Yes, and I believe we will do exactly that.

GOTV like crazy! Help make it happen!

[GreenPartyVoter]

22. I think as an Independent, this won't work, but I agree that the Dems should look for

good place for him somehow.

[MyNameGoesHere]

24. I am all for giving him the

majority leader of Independents in Congress. He deserves to be recognized for his efforts.

[democrattotheend]

27. In 1993, he asked Bill Clinton to meet with him as the leader of the "Independent Caucus"

In his book, he wrote about how, noticing that President Clinton met regularly with the leaders of the Democratic and Republican caucuses, he asked the president to meet with the "Independent Caucus". He said Clinton was courteous enough to give him 30 minutes of his time.

[democrattotheend]

28. I love that idea

I doubt it would happen but it would be great. Whether or not he becomes Majority Leader, I think there is a place for him as the new "Liberal Lion", a role that has been sadly void since Teddy tied.