If Sen. Sanders (VT.) self-identifies as an "independent socialist", why...

[Smarmie Doofus]

... do the networks insist on categorizing him as an "independent".... whatever that is?

[DesertFlower]

1. i've heard him say "i'm a socialist democrat".

since then that's what i call myself.

[Smarmie Doofus]

14. Actually wiki says he self-describes as "democratic socialist."

Not "independent socialist".

If wiki's right, you are closer to the mark.

[fascisthunter]

2. because the media is dumbed down info

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. Or is there a conscious effort to keep the word "socialist" taboo? n/t

[fascisthunter]

7. indeed...but if it isn't mentioned.. it doesn't exist

right?

[hifiguy]

9. Bingo!

[gobama21995_bo]

12. precisely

that word is still poison to many

[cali]

6. sorry, no.

that's how he designates himself for election/political purposes and that's what's printed on the ballot.

[Archaic]

3. The majority of the populace has been conditioned to not understand the word socialist.

If they show "I", they don't have to explain other positions, they can call it moderate or bipartisan.

But if they put "S", and show socialist, it could create questions. And research. And corporate media can't handle that.

[marmar]

4. Because corporate media is terrified of the S word.

nt

[fascisthunter]

8. because the corporate media is biased against socialism of any kind

except when it comes to the wealthy and corporations.

[cali]

10. you are all wrong. it has shit all to do with the media or corporate anything.

How many of you voted in VT today?

It's Bernie's choice to list himself as an Independent. That is what is on the ballot.

[Smarmie Doofus]

13. Capital I or lower-case?

>>> He is the first person elected to the U.S. Senate to identify as a socialist in six decades.[3][4] Sanders caucuses with the Democratic Party and is counted as a Democrat for the purposes of committee assignments, but because he does not belong to a formal political party, he appears as an independent on the ballot. He has also been the only independent member of the House during much of his service.>>>>
wiki

NBC listed him tonite w. capital I.

In either case, the term (independent or Independent) conveys little information about who he is. Media are in the business of disseminating information.

[cali]

15. lol. virtually every single person in VT knows who he is

and it's with a cap I. That is HIS choice.

[Starry Messenger]

11. Because he's the only one?

*rimshot*

[Angleae]

16. Networks have 3 categories for simplicity.

Democrat
Republican
Other (i.e. Independent)

Since the number of people elected that are neither D or R can be counted on fingers, it's easier to list just 3 rather than the 38+ that actually exist (38 national organized parties per wikipedia).

[cali]

17. One more time: Bernie identifies himself as an Independent on the ballot.