Bernie Sanders: The Socialist who is running for president of the US

Experts say he can’t win, but he may pull Hillary Clinton to the left on some issues

(Getty Images)

Bernie Sanders, the self-described Socialist senator from Vermont, has revealed that he will run for the US presidency in 2016.

Political pundits have been quick to write him off, as his past status as an independent candidate and his Socialist history likely will make it difficult for him to raise campaign funds to compete with the likes of Jeb Bush and Hillary Clinton. He said he will run for the Democratic presidential nomination.

But Mr Sanders was confident when announcing his White House ambitions and he figures to bait Mrs Clinton, the leading Democratic candidate, farther to the left on some issues.

“People should not underestimate me,” Sanders told the Associated Press. “I've run outside of the two-party system, defeating Democrats and Republicans, taking on big-money candidates and, you know, I think the message that has resonated in Vermont is a message that can resonate all over this country.”

Many people who represent the left wing of the Democratic party feel that Mrs Clinton is too moderate and could support Mr Sanders as the candidate the represents their positions.

As it stands currently, he is a long shot to win the Democratic nomination, with just 3 per cent of Democratic voters saying they support him in a recent CNN poll.

The Vermont senator has indicated he will campaign for shrinking income inequality, combating climate change and raising corporate taxes.

“At a time of massive wealth and income inequality, we need a progressive tax system in this country which is based on ability to pay,” Mr Sanders said last month. “It is not acceptable that a number of major profitable corporations have paid zero in federal income taxes in recent years, and that millionaire hedge fund managers often enjoy an effective tax rate which is lower than the truck drivers or nurses.”

Mr Sanders is expected to hold his first campaign event in Vermont later in May.

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