Are Progressives Ready for 'Political Revolution' with Bernie?

With lots of agreement, some divergence, and plenty of questions still to consider, progressives weigh in on a 'Bernie Sanders for President' campaign. (Photo: DonkeyHotey / cc / Text added)Vermont's Independent Senator Bernie Sanders has now said he is 'prepared to run for President of the United States' in 2016, but that he wants to hear from progressives across the country about what such a run should look like if and when he makes it official.

In interviews with both The Nation and Time magazines published last week, Sanders spoke in the most specific terms yet about why a serious progress candidate is necessary, what the goals of such a campaign should be, and the inherent challenges involved. And even though the self-described democratic socialist admits he's not 'the only person out there who can fight this fight'Sanders says the moment demands what he repeatedly calls a "political revolution."

"Sanders is right, now is a good time for a political revolution." Sonali Kolhatkar

Speaking with Time's Jay Newton-Small, Sanders said, "We need candidates who are prepared to represent the working families of this country, who are prepared to stand up to the big money interests, who are prepared to support an aggressive agenda to expand the middle class. And I am prepared to be that candidate."

And on two key issuesrunning against the as-yet-undeclared but clear Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton and the question on whether he would run as a Democrat or as an independent candidate outside the two dominant partiesSanders was descriptive if not conclusive in his answers.

In both interviews he made it clear he "likes" Clinton, has worked with her, and considers her both intelligent and highly experienced. But as he told The Nation's John Nichols, Sanders thinks that "the Clinton type of politics is not the politics" he has in mind when he talks about the need for transformational solutions to the most pressing issues.

"We are living in the moment in American history where the problems facing the country, even if you do not include climate change, are more severe than at any time since the Great Depression," he told Nichols. "And if you throw in climate change, they are more severe."

And to Newton-Small, Sanders was perhaps more clear: "If you talk about the need for a political revolution in America, I think its fair to say that Secretary Clinton probably will not be one of the more active people."

In the U.S. Senate, Sanders remains an Independent but has caucused with the Democrats since his arrival there. He currently serves as the chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee by appointment of Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).

Asked by Nichols if he would run for president inside the Democratic Party, competing in state primaries and appearing in televised debatesor running outside as an Independent or third party candidate, Sanders responded: "I want to hear what progressives have to say about that."