For years, Bernie Sanders was known as the "Red Mayor of Burlington". When he first was elected to the U.S. House in 1990 and later in 2006, it was significant, because we had a socialist who was elected to office in America. It was a sign of the great political spectrum that is the United States.
Then Sanders decided to run for President and suddenly, there's a concerted effort to change history. Recently, in three different conversations with Sander's supporters, I asked them what has become "THE QUESTION." The Question is, "Is our nation ready to elect an avowed socialist to the Oval Office?"
Sanders supporters seem to think this is a dirty trick by the Clinton campaign.
But facts are facts.
Sanders began his electoral political career in 1971 as a member of the Liberty Union Party, a founding wing of the People's Party which originated in the anti-Vietnam movement. The Liberty Union Party promoted itself as part of the "greater Socialist effort" in the nation. He ran as the Liberty Union candidate for governor of Vermont in 1972 and 1976 and as a candidate for U.S. senator in 1972 and 1974. The last campaign drained the finances and energy of the Liberty Union, however, and in October 1977—less than a year after the conclusion of the 1976 campaign. Following his resignation from Liberty Union, Sanders worked as a writer and the director of the nonprofit American People's Historical Society (APHS). While with the APHS, he made a 30-minute documentary about American Socialist leader and presidential candidate Eugene Debs. (Source: www.politico.com/...)
In 1981, and re-elected three times through 1987, Sanders was Mayor of Burlington, Vermont. During his mayoralty, Sanders called himself a "Socialist" and was so described in the press. (www.theatlantic.com/...) and ""Self-Styled Socialist Takes Oath as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont". Boston Globe. Associated Press. April 7, 1981."
In 1990, Sanders's was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and was heralded by The Washington Post and others as the "First Socialist Elected" to Congress in decades. (www.highbeam.com/...) and (Pertman, Adam (November 11, 1990). "'The Times Caught Up' To Vermont Socialist". Boston Globe.)
In 2006, Sanders' refused the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate and was elected to the U.S. Senate as a "Socialist". (www.nytimes.com/...)
So why the running from history all of a sudden? Why are Sanders' supporters ignoring one of the basic tenets of who Bernie Sanders has, is, and will be and that is, Bernie Sanders is a Socialist.
As a final caveat, this author does now support Hillary Clinton. However, I began the 2016 as an avowed supporter of Martin O'Malley. I filed as a delegate in Arkansas of all places for O'Malley.
The Sanders' campaign likes to try to claim the moral high ground. But if they continue to play the same old political game of the shell game to hide basic facts, they are not an answer to the gridlock that is Washington, D.C. They are part of the problem.
One last fact, Bernie Sanders' supporters are seeking to claim the mantle of the work and support of President Barack Obama. Not only is the President supporting Secretary Clinton, Senator Sanders tried to primary President Obama in 2012. (thinkprogress.org/...) or (www.thenation.com/...)