Sanders Only Candidate To Get On Texas Ballot By Petition, Doesn’t Pay A Cent

[one_voice]

Democratic presidential candidate, Bernie Sanders has had an incredible rise in popularity since he announced that he would be challenging Hillary Clinton in the party’s primary race. Clinton was once thought to be the shoo-in Democratic pick, but Sanders has been quickly closing in on the former Secretary of State in the polls. His pro-middle class policies, stalwart denouncement of corporate power, and vigorous condemnations on the influence of the one percent have catapulted the once little-known Independent Senator from Vermont into the national spotlight. Now, he is once again surprising people by getting his name on the Texas ballots – not by paying money, but by collecting the support of the people through petitions.

People’s World reports on just how powerful Bernie’s grassroots support is:

exas law says that major party candidates can get on the primary election ballot with signatures or with money. The Sanders campaign will save several thousand dollars when their petitions are accepted. More importantly, they have a data-base of supporters far in excess of any other candidate. In fact, their levels of individual donations and volunteer activism even exceed those of the vigorous Obama campaign in 2007, according to the state organizer.

http://www.occupydemocrats.com/sanders-only-candidate-to-get-on-texas-ballot-by-petition-doesnt-pay-a-cent/

more here: http://peoplesworld.org/bernie-sanders-uses-signatures-not-money-to-get-on-texas-ballot/

eta: I like O'Mally, however I like good news about any of our candidates...and this is good.

[ibegurpard]

1. sounds like the Sanders supporters

Are putting the real world ground game necessary to pull this off into action.

[artislife]

2. There is so much information in this OP

Thank you for posting.

There is a groundswell, whether people want to admit it or not, but read the article.


Makes me very happy indeed.

[tecelote]

3. Sanders got on the ballot through grass roots support and not by paying?

Isn't that Un-American? Money is everything. Profit even trumps peace these days.

Do we really want a President that cares about people over profits?

[Jack Rabbit]

4. Now, that's people power!!

[Divernan]

5. More great stuff from OP link:

DALLAS - Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign has been petitioning for ballot status all over the Lone Star state, and the payoff is now. Dallas activists say that over 10,000 signatures will be turned in to the election authorities in Austin this week! No other presidential candidate has gathered petitions to meet the state's signature quota!

Texas law says that major party candidates can get on the primary election ballot with signatures or with money. The Sanders campaign will save several thousand dollars when their petitions are accepted. More importantly, they have a data-base of supporters far in excess of any other candidate. In fact, their levels of individual donations and volunteer activism even exceed those of the vigorous Obama campaign in 2007, according to the state organizer.

In Dallas, the Sanders campaign rented an office in the Communications Workers Local 6215 hall, where the AFL-CIO offices and most labor-related meetings are held. The largest local union in Dallas is the school personnel (AFT) affiliate, and the AFT was the first big union to endorse Hillary Clinton; but the recent endorsement from the Postal Employees (APWU) gives the Sanders campaign a powerful ally among Dallas union activists. Phone banking is taking place every day at Sanders' Dallas headquarters.

In North Texas, individual activists began appearing at progressive activities before Labor Day. Meetings in people's homes and back yards drew big and enthusiastic crowds. Younger people, many of them first-time voters, predominate at Bernie meetings. The giant of Texas electoral demographics, Spanish-speaking voters, is strongly represented among the volunteers.

[aidbo]

6. Kick y'all

[beam me up scottie]

7. Thank you for the positive thread, one_voice!

K & R!

[Uncle Joe]

8. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, one_voice.

[Gothmog]

9. This is a stupid decision and it is clear that Sanders did not talk to Texas Democratic Party

I know that the Texas Democratic Party does not want candidates to file using petitions in that the Texas GOP have assholes who love to challenge these positions and actions taken by the signer can render the signature invalid. The TDP just told a couple of candidates wanting to run for congress not to use petitions. A signature on a petition will be invalid if (a) the voter signs another petition, (b) votes in the GOP primary or (c) is not registered to vote or such registration is suspended. The GOP has gone back and challenged petitions of candidates who won their primary to kick them off the ballot so that the GOP candidate can run unopposed.

Again, if Sanders talked to the Texas Democratic Party he would have been told not to use petitions. Sanders either ignored that advice or did not talk to the TDP

[tazkcmo]

10. "Sanders either ignored that advice or did not talk to the TDP"

Good on him.

[Gothmog]

12. A former staffer of the TDP had some fun comments about Sanders' stupidity on facebook

This was her comment

on behalf of every staffer of every party at every level who has ever had to verify a petition: #### you, Bernie Sanders.

Sanders may not have the money necessary to file in Texas ($2500) or care if the Texas Democratic Party will defend this application if the GOP decides to challenge it.

[HerbChestnut]

16. Oh he has the money

$35million raised last quarter. But why spend money when you don't have to? Getting 10,000 signatures sends a strong statement, and it's not like he's getting DNC support anyway.

[Gothmog]

18. Then Sanders is being stupid and is taking a really stupid risk

The Texas GOP is good at disqualifying candidates by going through petitions. Sanders' main hope is that the Texas GOP views him as a joke who might hurt Clinton and so will not waste their time on Sanders. The Texas GOP would love to use the term socialist as often as possible http://www.fortbendstar.com/2015/08/05/theres-no-room-for-socialism-in-fort-bend-county/

[Babel_17]

11. Wow, that's impressive

It's a great example of the people power that's behind this great campaign.

[Gothmog]

14. Sanders is fortunate in that the GOP is not that likely to challenge this petition

Sanders is the Texas GOP's preferred candidate and so it is less likely that they will spend the time to see how many names on this petition are valid. The Texas GOP is scared of Hillary Clinton in general and is really scared that she will select Julian Castro as her running mate

[WillyT]

13. HUGE K & R !!! - Thank You !!!

[Renew Deal]

15. That's a nice accomplishment

It's not clear if other candidates have collected signatures or not.

[liberal_at_heart]

17. so much for the he won't get support in the South meme.

[Gothmog]

19. Do you want to predict how many delegates that Sanders will get in Texas?

Texas has three times the combined number of delegates as Iowa and New Hampshire combined

[firebrand80]

20. How much did he spend in order to save "several thousand" dollars?

[retrowire]

21. This means something.

And if people aren't noticing, then... they're blind.