Dr. Dean Wants Socialist Sanders Under His Thumb

Who is Bernard Sanders, the man Howard Dean plans to back to fill retiring Sen. Jim Jeffords' seat in the U.S. Sentate?

Bernard ("Bernie") Sanders (born September 8, 1941) has been a member of the United States House of Representatives since 1991, representing the state of Vermont. He is the only Independent member of the House, and is also the only self-declared socialist elected to federal office in the United States in recent times.

The son of a Polish immigrant, Sanders was born in New York and educated at Brooklyn College and the University of Chicago. He settled in Vermont in 1964. He was a member of the anti-Vietnam War Liberty Union Party, and in the 1970s was a candidate for state-wide office four times.

Sanders is now a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, an organisation descended from the old Socialist Party of America, but not itself a political party. He contests elections as an independent.

Dr. Dean has pegged a socialist to run for the seat Jim Jeffords (former Republican, turned Independent, which in his case means Democrat) will vacate after the 2006 election.

Why wouldn't the chairman of the Democrat party look to a Democrat?

From the Bennington Banner:


Howard Dean endorses Bernie Sanders' run for U.S. Senate
By EVAN LEHMANN

Tuesday, May 10, 2005 - WASHINGTON -- Breaking party lines, former Gov. Howard Dean said Monday he supports Rep. Bernard Sanders' bid for the U.S. Senate, saying the Independent makes a "strong candidate."

"A victory for Bernie Sanders is a win for Democrats," Dean said in a telephone interview Monday.

Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., announced last month he would not seek re-election, clearing the way for what's expected to be a crowded race in fall 2006.

But Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, added that his support is not unconditional.

"We've got a few things to work out with Bernie," he said, adding, "Bernie's not a Democrat."

Dean, the outspoken former presidential candidate whose aspirations for the White House abruptly ended during the primary more than a year ago, refused to describe Sanders' shortcomings in the eyes of Democrats.

"I'd rather tell him in person," Dean said...

"Sanders is a strong candidate," Dean said.

Jeff Weaver, Sanders' chief of staff and campaign spokesman, said the congressman won't formally announce his candidacy until "much later this year."

But Weaver said Dean's support is natural in a political atmosphere dominated by conservative voices.

"I think Gov. Dean and Congressman Sanders share an interest in beating back a very aggressive reactionary agenda of President Bush and congressional Republicans," Weaver said. "We intend to win this seat and Bernie will be a strong voice against the Bush agenda."

Weaver said the campaign will lean heavily on Democratic volunteers and supporters, but also on groups not necessarily aligned with a political party. He mentioned working families, farmers, senior citizens and veterans...

Jim Barnett, chairman of the state Republican committee, criticized the new alliance, saying it raises questions about whether "backroom deals" are being made between Dean and Sanders.

"This is exactly the kind of cynical politics that Bernie Sanders once said was corrupt," Barnett said.

Weaver, calling Barnett a "White House protégé" and a "Karl Rove character," said, "He can throw his bombs and we'll do our work for the people."
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Dean is quoted as saying, "We've got a few things to work out with Bernie. Bernie's not a Democrat."

In other words, before Sanders can benefit from the resources of the Democrat party in his campaign, relying heavily on its network of volunteers and financial supporters, socialist Sanders has to pass the liberal litmus test and pledge allegiance to the Democrat agenda.

If his wheeling and dealing goes as planned, Dr. Dean will agree to make Sanders, the only self-declared socialist holding federal office, an honorary Democrat.

Does anyone still wonder whether Dr. Dean is steering the Democrats further away from the center and to the outermost fringes of the left?

Thank you, Dr. Dean.