General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Clinton: I Urged 08 Supporters to Back Obama, Didnt Get That Respect from Sanders [View all]Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)Over and over on DU, I see people expressing this view -- that Bernie should not have been "allowed" to run for the Democratic nomination. Some say specifically that the DNC shouldn't have allowed it.
My question is whether the DNC actually had the power to exclude him. In general, ballot access is determined under state law. For example, there are varied requirements for petition signatures that a candidate must submit to qualify for the primary ballot.
AFAIK, the DNC never voted to "allow" Bernie in -- because it couldn't. Am I missing something?
As to what would have happened, it seems obvious to me that you're completely off base. Before he entered the race, he considered running as an independent in November, instead of working within the Democratic Party. If he had done that, splitting the vote, Trump would have carried even more states.