Bernie Sanders says he won't launch a Super PAC and doesn't want billionaires to bankroll his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.
The Vermont senator who entered the 2016 race for the White House on Thursday told CNN's Wolf Blitzer in his first interview as a candidate that he'll instead look to small-dollar individual donors.
And he lambasted the growing influence that major donors like Charles and David Koch on the right and Tom Steyer on the left now have on the political process.
"Frankly, it is vulgar to me that we're having a war of billionaires," Sanders said.
Asked whether he would bless a wealthy donor's support for a pro-Sanders Super PAC, he said: "No."
"Frankly it is vulgar to me that we're having a war of billionaires."
Call me crazy but I think Bernie Sanders is trying to seduce me.
I mean he keeps whispering these sweet honeyed words into my ear, and acting all righteous and as if he were an actual honest to goodness trustworthy politician.
I swear it's enough to make me want to toss away all logic and run off with him to eventual electoral defeat.
I feel a little like those crazy college kids who threw their damp boxer shorts at Ron Paul, except for the fact that Bernie's not a crazy person.
And by the way I am far from alone.
Sander's campaign managed to raise 1.5 million in just 24 hours.
I might need to have somebody talk me down, before I end up voting for this guy in the primary.
And by the way, it might be too late for that talk.
I love Bernie. He may be just what us disaffected, apathetic voters need. I hope he shakes things up in a big way. Never overlook the underdog. 💜Bernie has my vote
ReplyDeletePS - rumour around Columbia KY is Bristol and clan are pissing off the locals. Too highfalutin
I'm feeling much the same way :)
ReplyDeleteGo Bernie!
ReplyDeleteMeanwhile, back at the batshitcrazy cave: http://www.politicususa.com/2015/05/02/sarah-palin-president-obama-flirting-devil.html
After I heard Bernie talk on NPR during my long AM commute, I did something I've never done re politics: I sent his office $20. I am seriously poor right now. And I will give more. Everything I heard on a number of levels, issues, tones -- I liked it. A lot.
ReplyDeleteSame here. I donated $25. I am a broke student; wish I could give more. I adore Bernie.
DeleteLove Clinton. Love Warren. Love Sanders. Love the Castros. That's a lot of love!
ReplyDeleteWe can elect any candidate who gets the nomination, as getting the nomination is a complex process which tests issues, grass roots appeal, GOTV efforts, the ability to understand primaries vs caucuses, financial support and a whole lot more.
I love primary season!
John Edwards 2008 campaign didn't end well, but he and Kucinich were essential in expanding the discourse, and our imagination. (Which usually means moving leftward.)
If Lyndon fucking Johnson can envisage, and fund, the Great Society so can we.
Let the process begin!
Liz I. I agree with every word you wrote!
Deleteoh Jesse,he seduced me a longtime ago. At first,I thought it was impossible that there actually was an honest politician but I have been following him for awhile.He walks the talk. It will happen if there is enough people to get behind him and I am leaning towards that there are enough people that want a change from the same old same old. I feel a tad bit guilty because I really want a female president and Hillary is certainly qualified but carries a whole lot of baggage and the right will make sure it gets as ugly as possible.
ReplyDeleteI know I am a dreamer but I'm not the only one.....
Hey, he already seduced me $50 worth, and maybe more as time goes on. HE IS WHO WE NEED. Walks the talk.
ReplyDeleteBernie all the way in this household :)
ReplyDeleteSheesh
Oh my god yes! I'm in bed with him right now! My son-25-is very excited about this and I think most young people will be. Just wish they'd vote in something besides presidential elections.
ReplyDeleteWe're so far down a corporate war path in this country that it's almost impossible to even dream of the difference 4 years of Sanders could make. If only!
ReplyDeleteI like Hillary. I'm from NY she was my senator, and I think she did more then a competent job. I like her a lot.
ReplyDeleteBut I'm voting for Bernie :)
Just when HC thought she'd have a clear run...deja
Delete'bama vu all over again. And Bernie's no newbie.
I also live in NY and think Hillary did a great job as Senator and SOS. I think she'll do a great job as President, too.
DeleteHowever, I love that Bernie is in the race because he will push her to the left, force her to deal with issues she would have preferred to ignore, and prove that she IS, in fact, the best candidate.
He is straightforward, no nonsense, honest, and dedicated to making life better for the middle class. There hasn't been anyone like that in the spotlight of national politics in way too long and we will all be the better for him being there now.
He deserves to win just for diverting the witch from getting near the President.
ReplyDeleteThat was Joe Lieberman;I think. For sure it was not Bernie.
DeleteHe's got my vote, I'm sending him a $10 check.
ReplyDeleteI sent him $35 yesterday, after my sister called and and gave me an earful about Hillary, and said she had donated. I'll vote for Hillary in the end, but in the primary, my vote is Bernie's. Unless he gets the nomination!
ReplyDeleteHe's got my vote and a $50 donation towards his election costs. Not sure why we think Hillary is so unbeatable. Money? Let's hope Bernie can be the exception to the rule.
ReplyDeleteWhat I've been saying and hoping for ever since it started to look like HRC would be anointed.
ReplyDeleteShe may well be inevitable, but I want the conversation!
The B.
How about a Hillary run w/ Bernie for VP (after all the discourse)?
ReplyDeleteYou're not crazy, he's the real deal. I was super unenthusiastic for Hillary but he's got me excited. It only takes enough people casting two "hopeless" votes in his favor to put him in the White House
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice if Bernie could mention this from time to time as part of his campaign info....
ReplyDeletehttp://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/2014/10/28/money-koch-bros-stole-tribes-could-swing-mid-term-elections-157542
"So where did all this money now being used to manipulate the outcome of U.S. elections come from?
In the whistleblower trial Koch Industries admitted it had taken $170 million worth of oil from American Indian and other federal lands without paying for it, AP reported.
The eventual “price” of that oil was the $25 million fine.
You do the math."
Sweet to read how many IMers have contributed to Bernie. Me, too!
ReplyDeleteI signed up to contribute monthly, they will automatically make a charge to my credit card each month. If you can possibly afford to do this, I encourage everyone to sign up to be a monthly contributor. It allows the campaign to hire staff, etc., when they know they will be getting stable monthly funding.
Bernie Sanders 2016!
I predict Bernie will WIN the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary, and we will be off to the races. Good Times!