A conservative political scientist says Bernie Sanders might be viewed as the front man for Elizabeth Warren in a challenge to Hillary Clinton.

Sanders made it official April 30, telling The Associated Press in an interview that he's running for president against Hillary Clinton, the favored candidate.

Dr. Charles W. Dunn, professor emeritus of government at Clemson University, says Sanders has a "lifelong history" of being a socialist.

"So he represents a well-defined historic element in American politics," says the political analyst.

Sanders says people should not underestimate him. He says his brand of what he calls "Democratic Socialism" has appealed to Democrats, Republicans and independents for many years in Vermont, and he thinks his message can resonate across the country.

Dunn says the best thing that can be said about Sander's candidacy is that he is the front man for U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren.

"The Democratic Party does not have a strong bench. In fact, it hardly has a bench," observes Dunn. "And so Elizabeth Warren is the best player on the Democratic bench."

So far, however, Warren has insisted that she is not interested in running.