Bernie Sanders Sparks a Progressive Surge After Democratic Defeat

[Social Media]

 

Bernie Sanders Sparks a Progressive Surge After Democratic Defeat

 

Senator Bernie Sanders is once again mobilizing his formidable political machine — not for a presidential run, but to reshape the Democratic Party's direction after what he views as a failure to connect with working-class Americans in 2024. In doing so, he’s aiming to fill what he sees as a glaring void left by party leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris.

 

In an interview with The Washington Post during his recent “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, Sanders didn’t hold back. While maintaining that Harris is a friend, he was blunt about her presidential campaign. “The campaign she ran went around the country with Liz Cheney, had billionaires talking for her, basically did not talk to the needs of the working class of this country,” Sanders said.

 

Now, the Vermont senator — who caucuses with Democrats but maintains his status as an independent — is stepping up efforts to push the party toward more progressive policies and grassroots engagement. He has called for recruiting working-class candidates who reject funding from billionaires and lobbyists, people he says have constrained the Democratic agenda. His political group, Friends of Bernie Sanders, has already attracted about 7,000 interested recruits, half of whom are considering running as independents.

 

“Do Democrats do enough? No,” Sanders said. “The difference that I have with the Democratic leadership is not in the need to vigorously oppose Trump. It’s to bring forth an agenda that resonates with working-class families. And I think there are a number of Trump people who will support that agenda.”

 

This effort hasn’t been met with universal enthusiasm. Some party veterans fear Sanders could further splinter the Democrats at a time when unity is crucial. “If the Democrats have a shot at winning the House and the Senate, they need to be firing on all cylinders and not just steering to the hard left or the hard right,” said Steve Israel, former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The point of politics is winning in order to govern, not passing ideological purity tests.”

 

Still, Sanders seems undeterred. His team is planning staff hires in more than three dozen districts across 18 states to oppose former President Donald Trump’s agenda and to train activists to pressure Republicans against slashing the social safety net. Sanders himself has already endorsed four Democratic candidates: Adelita Grijalva in Arizona, Robert Peters in Illinois, Troy Jackson for Maine governor, and Abdul El-Sayed for Senate in Michigan.

 

“We have to keep our eye on who really is the enemy,” said former DNC chair Jaime Harrison, voicing concern about primary fights and potential vote-splitting. But Sanders is thinking long-term. He laid out a three-phase strategy in recent calls with supporters: block Trump’s legislative agenda, retake the House in 2026, and reduce the political influence of wealthy donors.

 

“All that we ask from you is that you have courage to stand up with a battered working class in this country. Have the courage to take on the wealthy and the powerful,” Sanders told the Zoom audience.

 

Though Sanders says he’s unlikely to run for president again, his movement shows no signs of slowing. Recent rallies with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew large crowds, fueling speculation about who might carry the torch next. His campaign’s coffers are ready, with over $11.5 million raised in the first quarter of the year and nearly $20 million on hand.

 

Sanders remains skeptical of the Democratic Party’s current organizing efforts, especially in red states. “There are a number of states around the country where it almost virtually does not exist,” he said. Democratic Party chairman Ken Martin has increased funding to state parties, including in conservative strongholds, and emphasized a renewed focus on uniting working-class families across all demographics.

 

Yet Sanders’s team insists their recruits are different. “These are people who know why they are running,” said Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir. “It’s a vision of taking on the elite, taking on the powerful, taking on the establishment to make working-class lives better. That is what motivates them.”

 

Related Topics:

Bernie Sanders Defends Private Jet Use During Anti-Oligarchy Tour: “No Apologies for That”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Washington Post  2025-06-04

 

 

[impulse]

The USA is in desperate need of a 3rd Party.

 

But I'm not sure Bernie is the one I'd trust to lead it.  And I know I wouldn't trust AOC.

 

[frank83628]

Bernie sold out in 2015 when he endorsed (k) illery after she cheated him from winning.

Since he only has him anti Trump stance... oh, and his properties

[impulse]

22 minutes ago, frank83628 said:

Bernie sold out in 2015 when he endorsed (k) illery after she cheated him from winning.

Since he only has him anti Trump stance... oh, and his properties

 

Are you insinuating he's an oligarch?  If you are, you wouldn't be too far from the truth.  Flying around in private jets to call out oligarchs.  Hypocrisy at its finest.

 

[Chomper Higgot]

He has a progressive message Americans want to hear.

 

And this while Republican representatives refuse to hold town-halls and get booed and heckled by the audiences they invite when they do.

 

 

 

[hotsun]

Sanders and schumer wont condemn antisemitism. The term self hating jew comes to mind

[safarimike11]

7 hours ago, Social Media said:

 

Bernie Sanders Sparks a Progressive Surge After Democratic Defeat

 

Senator Bernie Sanders is once again mobilizing his formidable political machine — not for a presidential run, but to reshape the Democratic Party's direction after what he views as a failure to connect with working-class Americans in 2024. In doing so, he’s aiming to fill what he sees as a glaring void left by party leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris.

 

In an interview with The Washington Post during his recent “Fighting Oligarchy” tour, Sanders didn’t hold back. While maintaining that Harris is a friend, he was blunt about her presidential campaign. “The campaign she ran went around the country with Liz Cheney, had billionaires talking for her, basically did not talk to the needs of the working class of this country,” Sanders said.

 

Now, the Vermont senator — who caucuses with Democrats but maintains his status as an independent — is stepping up efforts to push the party toward more progressive policies and grassroots engagement. He has called for recruiting working-class candidates who reject funding from billionaires and lobbyists, people he says have constrained the Democratic agenda. His political group, Friends of Bernie Sanders, has already attracted about 7,000 interested recruits, half of whom are considering running as independents.

 

“Do Democrats do enough? No,” Sanders said. “The difference that I have with the Democratic leadership is not in the need to vigorously oppose Trump. It’s to bring forth an agenda that resonates with working-class families. And I think there are a number of Trump people who will support that agenda.”

 

This effort hasn’t been met with universal enthusiasm. Some party veterans fear Sanders could further splinter the Democrats at a time when unity is crucial. “If the Democrats have a shot at winning the House and the Senate, they need to be firing on all cylinders and not just steering to the hard left or the hard right,” said Steve Israel, former chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. “The point of politics is winning in order to govern, not passing ideological purity tests.”

 

Still, Sanders seems undeterred. His team is planning staff hires in more than three dozen districts across 18 states to oppose former President Donald Trump’s agenda and to train activists to pressure Republicans against slashing the social safety net. Sanders himself has already endorsed four Democratic candidates: Adelita Grijalva in Arizona, Robert Peters in Illinois, Troy Jackson for Maine governor, and Abdul El-Sayed for Senate in Michigan.

 

“We have to keep our eye on who really is the enemy,” said former DNC chair Jaime Harrison, voicing concern about primary fights and potential vote-splitting. But Sanders is thinking long-term. He laid out a three-phase strategy in recent calls with supporters: block Trump’s legislative agenda, retake the House in 2026, and reduce the political influence of wealthy donors.

 

“All that we ask from you is that you have courage to stand up with a battered working class in this country. Have the courage to take on the wealthy and the powerful,” Sanders told the Zoom audience.

 

Though Sanders says he’s unlikely to run for president again, his movement shows no signs of slowing. Recent rallies with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez drew large crowds, fueling speculation about who might carry the torch next. His campaign’s coffers are ready, with over $11.5 million raised in the first quarter of the year and nearly $20 million on hand.

 

Sanders remains skeptical of the Democratic Party’s current organizing efforts, especially in red states. “There are a number of states around the country where it almost virtually does not exist,” he said. Democratic Party chairman Ken Martin has increased funding to state parties, including in conservative strongholds, and emphasized a renewed focus on uniting working-class families across all demographics.

 

Yet Sanders’s team insists their recruits are different. “These are people who know why they are running,” said Sanders adviser Faiz Shakir. “It’s a vision of taking on the elite, taking on the powerful, taking on the establishment to make working-class lives better. That is what motivates them.”

 

Related Topics:

Bernie Sanders Defends Private Jet Use During Anti-Oligarchy Tour: “No Apologies for That”

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Washington Post  2025-06-04

 

 

Yes, he will probably be very successful in enlisting massive support - especially from all the genius students enrolled in Ivy League universities.

[impulse]

2 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

He has a progressive message Americans want to hear.

 

And this while Republican representatives refuse to hold town-halls and get booed and heckled by the audiences they invite when they do.

 

No, those are the shills hired by the Dems heckling them.

 

[stevenl]

17 hours ago, impulse said:

 

No, those are the shills hired by the Dems heckling them.

 

Any proof of that? Has been claimed a few times already, proof still lacking.