[Tom4784]

US Senator Bernie Sanders says he will run again for president in 2020, making a second attempt to win the Democratic Party's nomination.

The 77-year-old Vermont senator became a progressive political star in 2016 although he lost his candidacy bid.

In an email to supporters, he said it was time to complete the "political revolution" they had started.

An outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, Mr Sanders has described him as a "pathological liar" and "racist".

Mr Sanders - an independent who caucuses with the Democrats - is one of the best-known names to join a crowded and diverse field of Democratic candidates, and early polls suggest he is far ahead.

His calls for universal government-provided healthcare, a $15 national minimum wage and free college education electrified young voters, raised millions of dollars in small donations and are now pillars of the party's left-wing.

Mr Sanders, who lost the 2016 Democratic primary to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, said in his email: "Three years ago, when we talked about these and other ideas, we were told that they were 'radical' and 'extreme'.

"Together, you and I and our 2016 campaign began the political revolution. Now, it is time to complete that revolution and implement the vision that we fought for."

No longer an underdog
After building a grass-roots political movement that roiled the Democratic Party in 2016, Bernie Sanders is making another run at the prize.

This time, he won't be the rumpled underdog. He'll start the race near the front of the pack - with advantages in small-donor fundraising, name recognition and a 50-state organisation of loyalists.

His front-runner status will come with a price, however. Unlike 2016, when Hillary Clinton largely avoided confronting the Vermont senator for fear of alienating his supporters, his opponents will have no such reluctance this time.

In 2016, the self-proclaimed "Democratic socialist" staked out a progressive agenda in contrast with Ms Clinton's pragmatic centrism. Now, in part because of Mr Sanders' efforts, the party has moved left on issues like healthcare, education and income inequality. His message is no longer unique.

The 77-year-old senator will keep his devoted base, but will some former supporters opt for a fresh face? That could lead to conflict with those who believe a Bernie "revolution" is the only way forward, inflaming Democratic wounds not fully healed from the last campaign.

In a crowded field, Mr Sanders has a realistic shot - but it could be a bumpy ride.

Elizabeth Warren, Kirsten Gillibrand, Kamala Harris, John Delaney and Julian Castro are among those who have also announced their intention to run in the Democratic primary in 2020, the first time more than one woman has competed.

If Mr Sanders is successful in his bid, he will become the oldest presidential candidate in US history.

In his email, which lays out a series of policy issues, Mr Sanders also says: "You know as well as I do that we are living in a pivotal and dangerous moment in American history.

"We are running against a president who is a pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and someone who is undermining American democracy as he leads us in an authoritarian direction."

Who is Bernie Sanders?
Mr Sanders is the longest-serving independent in congressional history, but competes for the Democratic nomination as he says standing as a third-party candidate would diminish his chances of winning the presidency.

He attended the University of Chicago, and in the 1960s and 1970s participated in antiwar and civil rights activism, like the 1963 March on Washington.

He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1990, the first independent to achieve such a feat in 40 years. He served there until he ran for and won a seat in the Senate in 2007.

Mr Sanders entered the race for the 2016 Democratic nomination as a long-shot candidate but emerged as a surprise star during a series of televised debates.

He labels himself a Democratic socialist, which he has defined as someone who seeks to "create an economy that works for all, not just the very wealthy".

Mr Sanders also has a diplomacy-first attitude towards foreign policy and voted against the US invasion of Iraq in 2002.

He became Mrs Clinton's closest rival, but she ultimately won the nomination before losing the presidential election to Mr Trump.

In January, Mr Sanders apologised to female staff members on his 2016 campaign after allegations of harassment against senior aides emerged.

Several aides complained of a "predatory culture" in his campaign and alleged that senior male staff had mistreated younger workers.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-46965281

The president the US deserves

Between him, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, the democrats should have an easy time at the next election if they don't drop the ball again.

[Liam-]

King

[SherzyK]

Honestly, it’s what the US needs and deserves

[Epic.]

Amazing news . Hopefully this time the US picks him like they were supposed to so he can leave that smug douche shaking in fear

[arista]

Yes on CNN HD Business
they debated Old Bernie
who is now meeting more young Blacks.

[Underscore]

Ugh. More male, stale and pale politicians...

Supporting Kamala Harris myself. Interested in Tulsi Gabbard too.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Underscore

Ugh. More male, stale and pale politicians...

Supporting Kamala Harris myself. Interested in Tulsi Gabbard too.

More sexism and racism just like your President.

[Underscore]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

More sexism and racism just like your President.

?

I'm a Democrat. I supported Hillary. I'm not a fan of fat orange man.

It's not sexist and racist. He's white, and hes privileged.

[Matthew.]

We stan

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Underscore

?

I'm a Democrat. I supported Hillary. I'm not a fan of fat orange man.

It's not sexist and racist. He's white, and hes privileged.

"Pale, male, stale" - it seems you have a problem with a President being white, being male, and being a certain age. Regardless of their political persuasion.

Hilary isn't white and isn't privileged?

[Greg!]

He's coming for the win!

[Underscore]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

"Pale, male, stale" - it seems you have a problem with a President being white, being male, and being a certain age. Regardless of their political persuasion.

How can a 77 year old (79 by 2020...) be sharp enough to run for President and be President for a further four years? He'll be 84/85 by 2024...

We've already had 45 male Presidents. It's time for change. Same thing for white Presidents. We've had 44.

[Shaun]

It's just never going to happen. A socialist becoming US President is as realistic as gay marriage in Saudi Arabia.

[Underscore]

Why not support someone just as presidential, and even more progressive in Tulsi Gabbard?

https://www.tulsi2020.com/about

She's much younger.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Underscore

How can a 77 year old (79 by 2020...) be sharp enough to run for President and be President for a further four years? He'll be 84/85 by 2024...

We've already had 45 male Presidents. It's time for change. Same thing for white Presidents. We've had 44.

So, you want change for the sake of change.

If the only argument for forcing a female president is "We've had 45 male ones" and not because you have the perfect female candidate then it's rather sad. Same goes for white presidents.

Hilary Clinton is 71. Your ageism seems to only apply to men.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Underscore

We've already had 45 male Presidents. It's time for change. Same thing for white Presidents. We've had 44.

I suppose once/if we reach 45 male and 45 female presidents, you'll then be calling for dog presidents since it's "something different". Pretty myopic way of voting.

[Underscore]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

So, you want change for the sake of change.

If the only argument for forcing a female president is "We've had 45 male ones" and not because you have the perfect female candidate then it's rather sad. Same goes for white presidents.

Hilary Clinton is 71. Your ageism seems to only apply to men.

Originally Posted by Shaun

I suppose once/if we reach 45 male and 45 female presidents, you'll then be calling for dog presidents since it's "something different". Pretty myopic way of voting.

Not really. Women have been constantly held back in politics and still are. Someone has to break the glass ceiling.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Underscore

Someone has to break the glass ceiling.

Yeah and it sounds like you'll take anyone. So long as she is female.

[Underscore]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Yeah and it sounds like you'll take anyone. So long as she is female.

Not really. I wouldn't support a Republican.

Most Democratic candidates are good

[Wizard.]

Kamala Harris for the win God IS a woman!

[Twosugars]

Bernie is too left, not realistic, imo.

[Underscore]

Originally Posted by Riley.

Kamala Harris for the win God IS a woman!

[Epic.]

Yeah! Let's disregard someone just because they're an elderly male and go for young women just because they're young women! TRACYBEAKER2020

[Denver]

I do also feel he is too old but at the same time at this point I'm convinced he is the best for business

[Underscore]

Originally Posted by Epic.

Yeah! Let's disregard someone just because they're an elderly male and go for young women just because they're young women! TRACYBEAKER2020

That's actually really disrespectful to really qualified women who are running for the office...