Can someone in the know explain to me how Bernie Sanders is running as a Democrat in the Primaries

[Tumbulu]

How is it that the Democratic Party allows him to run in the Primaries when he is not a registered Democrat?

I am not trying to create a conflict here. I just do not understand why. Is the reasoning that they don't want him to create a third party? Is it because he votes with Democrats as a Senator? I am seriously trying to understand the reasoning.

Who in the Democratic Party makes the decisions about out of party members being allowed to run in the primaries. Is it a state by state thing or a nationwide Democratic Party decision?

[jalan48]

1. Well, third party would be the only other option and that would be a disaster for Democrats.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

2. What he does in his state is irrelevant.

We don't register for a party in Wisconsin, so should someone in Wisconsin be eliminated to run for President because they don't register Dem to vote.

OK, sure, he runs as a Dem in Vermont. Again, that's a state issue.

He has gone through every step that every other person running as a Dem has done to get to this point. So he gets to do it.

Sometimes it feels like people really want Sanders to:
1. run for President as a third party and
2. stop caucusing with the Dems in the Senate.

Sweet Jesus.

[LisaM]

3. He doesn't run as a Democrat in Vermont.

The Democrats offered him the nomination and he declined it.

[tonedevil]

7. I don't think it was merely offered...

I seem to recall he won the Democratic primary and declined to run as a Democrat. It is clearly political theater that the Vermont Democratic party is actively participating in.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

11. So?

Why does that bother you so much? That's state politics. Even though he isn't a Dem from Vermont he caucuses with the national Dems and votes with them way better than a lot of "real" Dems.

[Tumbulu]

8. I don't know how I feel about him running as Democrat

but I am grateful for the answers. I feel that I understand it a bit more.

[Donkees]

4. Vermont Resolution sent to DNC

https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4793362-RESOLUTION.html

RESOLUTION
Whereas, the State of Vermont has no Party registration;

Whereas, the Vermont Democratic Party has been, and continues to be, committed
to a membership policy that is broadly inclusive of all who share and promote our
values of creating a more just and equitable society for all people;

Whereas, this policy has created a more vibrant, engaged, and successful Vermont
Democratic Party;

Whereas, we recognize that candidates who appear on the Vermont ballot as an
Independent may share the values outlined in our platform and are eligible for a
Party endorsement;

Whereas, efforts have been made at the national level to question the status of
elected officials who caucus with Democrats in Congress due to their Party
registration status;

Therefore, let it be resolved that the Vermont Democratic Party affirms that any
federal candidate who receives the endorsement of our State Committee and who
caucuses with the Democrats in the U.S. House or U.S. Senate shall be considered
a member of the Democratic Party for all purposes and entitled to all the rights
and privileges that come with such membership at the state and federal level;

Let it be further resolved that the State Committee directs the Party’s Executive
Director to send a copy of this resolution to the Democratic National Committee,
the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee.

[CentralMass]

5. Thank you Donkees..

[Tumbulu]

6. thank you for answering my question.

[DanTex]

9. The most important reason is because they want to beat Trump.

He consistently polls as the most popular senator and most popular active politician. He caucuses with Democrats and has huge support from the Democratic base.

Preventing him from running would be committing suicide as a party.

[zentrum]

10. Oh God. Wish people could

...let this go.

Bloomberg was a Republican for years. Could we carry on about that instead?

Frankly, BTW, Bloom should run as a Republican now if he really wants to beat Trump. Billionaire to Billionaire. And force primary debates which Trump does not face now at all.

The wealthy donor class would flock to Bloom and desert Trump, as would many Republican politicians.

Not running as a Democrat is the most impactful thing Bloom could do. So could we please complain about him running as a Democrat and siphoning off votes which would help Trump in the end? And leave alone the guy---Bernie---who has caucused with the Democrats for as long as he's been in Congress?

[HarlanPepper]

12. Because it benefits him.

The end.