What Would Happen if Bernie Sanders Made a 3rd-Party Run?
By Steve Helmer
@srhelmer (7047)
Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
May 22, 2016 8:00am CST
There's obviously no indication he has any plans on doing this. But, with him feeling as though the Democratic Party is screwing him over and giving Hillary Clinton an unfair advantage, I wouldn't write this off either.
The question is, if he chose to run as an independent, what do you think the outcome would be?
Historically, 3rd party candidates haven't done so hot in the general election and the common belief is he would only succeed in preventing Clinton from winning the presidency, clearing a path for Donald Trump.
I, however, am not convinced that would be the case. Sanders has had a pretty strong showing during the primary process and America isn't in love with either Clinton or Trump. The timing would be right for him, as an independent, to do some damage, take at least a few states and maybe make it impossible for either of the main candidates to get a majority of electoral votes.
3 people like this
2 responses
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
22 May 16
Trump would love for Bernie to run as it would split the liberal vote. Remember, Bill Clinton was only elected in because radical conservative Ross Perot ran as an independent splitting the Rep vote and denying Bush Sr re-election. I have look up the stats. State after state Perot + Bush votes easily beat Clinton. Happened again in 1996 when Perot + Dole votes beat Clinton. Ralph Nader running as an independent damaged the Dems in several elections. Third party candidates are bad news for a split party.
@srhelmer (7047)
• Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
24 May 16
That's the most likely outcome. However, unlike Perot, I think Sanders could win some states. That could force Congress to pick the president if he prevents either Trump or Clinton from getting a majority.
@crossbones27 (53003)
• Mojave, California
22 May 16
Just write his name in.That would shock the world even if he even lost again. Of course has to be a significant amount of people. The forefathers should be credited. Rebellion is in their script.
