Independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders Makes Presidential Run As A Democrat

Bernie Sanders made it clear and concise. “I am running for president.”

Fox News is reporting that Sanders, the Independent senator from Vermont, will join the presidential race on Thursday and will run against Hillary Clinton as a Democrat.

Sanders describes himself as a “democratic socialist.” a far left alternative to Clinton. Sanders promises to do more than just get the issues out on the campaign trail in a race in which Clinton is favored to win.

“People should not underestimate me,” Sanders said. “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.”

One of Sanders’ major campaign points will be the devolution of the nation’s economy and the eradication of the middle class.

“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,” Sanders told the AP.

“This is a rigged economy, which works for the rich and the powerful, and is not working for ordinary Americans… You know, this country just does not belong to a handful of billionaires,” Sanders said.

According to the Huffington Post, Sanders, the first formal opponent to Hillary Clinton, will make a more official announcement on Thursday.

Sanders began his political career as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, then went to serve 16 years in the House of Representatives for the state of Vermont. Sanders caucuses with the Democrats and is considered a Democrat for purposes of committee assignment.

Sanders said in a Huffington Post interview last year that he would run for president whether Hillary Clinton ran or not.

“In terms of Hillary, I respect her. I’ve known her. I like her. So I’m not running to attack Hillary Clinton. I’m running to talk about the issues that impact the working class of this country and the middle class,” Sanders said.

Sanders characterizes himself as an “independent Democrat.” Sanders says the Democrats do not do enough to create an identity separate from the Republicans. Sanders also believes the Democrats also rely far too much on big money interests. Sanders considers it a “dilemma” to run outside the two-party system for president, and understands the challenges the trying to run an independent grassroots campaign for the office.

[Image courtesy of Cap Times]