WI: Bernie Sanders 2000

[JVM]

OTL, Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont won re-election to the Senate in 2000, but became an independent and caucused with the Democrats instead. He later retired, and was succeeded by Bernie Sanders in 2006.

What if Jeffords decided to retire early instead? Could we see Bernie run for the Senate seat and win - or is it too early? What role does he play in the Senate? Does he mount an earlier presidential campaign in 2004 or 2008? etc.

 

[Malkenny]

In my opinion,it would be way too early as I don't think he was even known all over his home state of Vermont yet.

Also,Gore was a better campaigner then Hillary and was able to seal up the nomination by Super Tuesday. With that said,Sanders is also almost entirely dependent on grassroots support and if he is too little known to get it then at best,he might be Nader's running mate and at worst,he is just a footnote.

 

[Gonzo]

OTL, Sen. Jim Jeffords of Vermont won re-election to the Senate in 2000, but switched to the Democratic Party. He later retired, and was succeeded by Bernie Sanders in 2006.

What if Jeffords decided to retire instead? Could we see Bernie run and win - or is it too early? What role does he play in the Senate? Does he mount an earlier presidential campaign? etc.

Actually Jeffords was an Independent Republican but caucused as with the Democrats.

 

[JVM]

In my opinion,it would be way too early as I don't think he was even known all over his home state of Vermont yet.

Also,Gore was a better campaigner then Hillary and was able to seal up the nomination by Super Tuesday. With that said,Sanders is also almost entirely dependent on grassroots support and if he is too little known to get it then at best,he might be Nader's running mate and at worst,he is just a footnote.

You misunderstood my post. I'm not suggesting Sanders run for president in 2000. I'm suggesting he runs for Senate in 2000.

Also, he was Vermont's at-large Congressman since 1991.

@Gonzo: Sorry, yeah, fixed and clarified wording some.

 

[Malkenny]

You misunderstood my post. I'm not suggesting Sanders run for president in 2000. I'm suggesting he runs for Senate in 2000.

Also, he was Vermont's at-large Congressman since 1991.

Oh i'm sorry then,my bad.

Anyways,I think he could potentially win given that he was a relatively popular Governor. If 9/11 still happens,maybe he could gain enough notability to run for President in 2008 or 2012,I could see him also potentially being considered a leader among Senate Democratics if they decide to go a bit more leftward.

 

[kodak]

He could definitely win. Vermont is and has been very enthusiastic about Sanders.

 

[greenbay2014]

Completely possible. Going even further, if the 2007/2008 financial crisis inevitably happens anyways, the anger towards Wall Street could thrust himself for a presidential bid during the '08 election.

 

[Alstein]

Him running in 08 might have thrown things to Hillary. He would take most of his votes from Obama and Edwards.

I think if Edwards hasn't had the scandal, he would either be one of the big Senators in Congress (and probably Warren's chief lieutenant), or a much stronger O'Malley.

 

[Heat]

Here's a related POD: what if he won his House seat two years earlier? It was pretty close.

 

[GeographyDude]

or Bernie could get elected governor of Vermont in 2002 following Howard Dean, and then run for the presidency in '08? Obama would squarely be the centrist in that primary.

But, we'd lose a longer story where Jim Douglas becomes governor in '02, who is an interesting politician, and one direct example that Vermonters really are willing to split their tickets.

 

[Hominid]

Sanders was never Governor. He was a Representative from the district that includes the entire state of Vermont.

If Jeffords retires in 2000 and Sanders runs in his place, Sanders wins. Easily. No question.