Democratic Party Nomination: Bernie Sanders Running for President
Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont has confirmed he will be running for president of the U.S.
The independent from Vermont will be competing with former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination, pitting Clinton's reserved centrist views against his most progressive stance.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Sen. Sanders revealed he will be running for the Democratic nomination, even though he is an independent in the U.S. Senate. The 73-year-old senator is known for his left-wing ideas and sentiments, which appeal to the more progressive wing of the Democratic Party who do not view Secretary Clinton as progressive enough.
"People should not underestimate me," Sen. Sanders told the AP. "I've run outside of the two-party system, defeating Democrats and Republicans, taking on big-money candidates and, you know, I think the message that has resonated in Vermont is a message that can resonate all over this country."
The Vermont senator is known for being against big money and Wall Street, taking a more populist stance against those who buy themselves into power. He has taken stances against wealth inequality and in favor of equality for women and minorities.
"What we have seen is that while the average person is working longer hours for lower wages, we have seen a huge increase in income and wealth inequality, which is now reaching obscene levels," he explained, adding that "this country just does not belong to a handful of billionaires."
Sen. Sanders, as of now, is Secretary Clinton's only competition for the nomination. He will formally announce his candidature in May 26, according to a new campaign website.
According to the New York Times, Sen. Sanders said his campaign will not be like others.
"We're not going to raise $2 billion, and we're not going to raise $1 billion," Sen. Sanders said, adding he would not form a Super PAC, politicians' favorite way of fund-raising. "I do not have millionaire or billionaire friends."
However, Sen. Sanders' chances of winning are slim. A CNN poll from March found only three percent of Democrats questioned would support a Sanders nomination. When Sen. Elizabeth Warren was removed from the list, Sen. Sanders' chances increased to five percent.
Despite his slim chances, Sen. Sanders can challenge some of Secretary Clinton's points and stances, with the possibility of shifting her ideology more to the left, even if just a little.
He told the AP, however, he would not launch any attack ads against his counterpart, saying he has "never run a negative ad in my life."
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