Advertisements

It is looking more and more likely that Sen. Bernie Sanders is going to challenge Hillary Clinton and run for the 2016 Democratic nomination.

msnbc reported that Sen. Sanders is leaning towards running for the Democratic nomination in 2016:



Sen. Bernie Sanders is only days away from making a decision on a 2016 run, and leaning towards yes, according to his top strategist.

Advertisements

“I think we’re coming to the critical moment of truth here. He’s now spent enough time traveling around the country talking to people and feels there is genuinely a large audience of people who are with him,” veteran Democratic strategist Tad Devine, who is advising Sanders, told msnbc.

A formal announcement of his candidacy is expected to occur later in May.

It must be noted that a lean is not a yes, and Sen. Sanders could change his mind, but if the answer was going to be no, it would be expected that the trips to early primary states would cease and a flat denial of his candidacy would be issued.

If Sen. Sanders (I-VT) does run, it will be great news for Democrats and liberals on numerous fronts. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) is not running. Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley has not traction with Democratic voters. Sen. Sanders is largely unknown to many rank and file Democrats, but he is on television often enough that he has more of a base of support than any of the other non-Clinton Democrats who are considering running.

A Sanders campaign means that voters would likely get to see some Democratic primary debates, and the issues that might be debated include income inequality, Wall Street, the need to break up the big banks, trade agreements, Citizens United, and several other issues that do not get attention in the mainstream press but deeply matter to many on the left.

Sen. Sanders has stated from the beginning of this process that he would run if no one else from the left stepped up to challenge Hillary Clinton. No credible challenger has emerged, so it looks like Bernie Sanders is running.

Sanders draws passionate crowds all across the country when he speaks, and he will bring that passion with him to the campaign trail.

Sen. Sanders will have to run a small grassroots campaign. His odds of being the Democratic nominee are slim, but while he wants to win, Sanders’s candidacy will be important because it will allow for a discussion of important issues.

Bernie Sanders will be a welcome addition to the 2016 race.