Bernie Sanders: Alternative To Elizabeth Warren For Liberal Democrats?

Bernie Sanders is not Elizabeth Warren, but for left-leaning Democrats, he might be the next best thing.

Though supporters have been trying to get Elizabeth Warren to run, she has remained firm on her multiple statements that she will not be running for president in 2016.

Parts of Bernie Sanders’ agenda agree very well with major issues that are a focus for Elizabeth Warren, including reducing college debt, guaranteeing health care for everyone, creating infrastructure jobs through a government program, and keeping Wall Street Banks in check.

Tad Devine, one of Bernie Sanders’ top campaign advisers, told CNN that he sees the strong parallel in policy as an advantage.

“There are a lot of people out there who are looking for someone like Elizabeth Warren and are really interested in those issues, I think when Bernie starts talking about those issues in his own way, it is going to be a lot easier for someone like him to get their support, than someone like Clinton, O’Malley, Webb or Link Chaffee.”

Bernie Sanders even described Elizabeth Warren as a “good friend” in a recent interview, and got her stamp of approval when he announced his bid.

“I’m glad to see him get out there and give his version of what leadership in this country should be… I think that Bernie Sanders is going to play out a vision for America and that it is important for people to hear what he has to say.”

Elizabeth Warren was expected to be a serious contender for early favorite Hillary Clinton, and Bernie Sanders wanted to clarify that he too is a force to be reckoned with.

Bernie Sanders does not seem wavered by the underdog title, giving his fellow candidates and the American people a message: “Don’t underestimate me.”

He has already gained traction for the legislation he introduced that would waive tuition costs at public colleges and universities, his open-mindedness to legalization of recreational marijuana use and his proposal of a financial transactions tax on Wall Street.

So far, Bernie Sanders is practicing what he preaches about big money in politics, an issue for some Americans when it comes to campaigning.

“I don’t go to fundraisers where millionaires sit around the room and say here’s a million, here’s $5 million for your super PAC. That’s not my life. That’s not my world. And I think the American people are saying that is not what our politics should be about.”

Bernie Sanders said that he will not have a super PAC this campaign, and noted that the money he has raised so far has come from over 100,000 donors who have given an average of $42 each.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton has said that she would back an amendment that would overturn the Supreme Court decision that allows super PACs to dump endless amounts of money to campaigns, but she is seeing a lot of interest from those same groups.

Bernie Sanders is set to open his official presidential campaign Tuesday in Burlington, Vermont.

[Photo By Alex Wong/Getty Images]