With independent candidates running competitively in U.S. Senate races in Kansas and South Dakota, there’s renewed speculation about which party Maine’s independent U.S. senator, Angus King, might caucus with if the Senate is close to evenly divided come January.
It appears Sen. Bernie Sanders, Vermont independent and a self-described “democratic socialist,” wants to nip any speculation surrounding his own prospects in the bud.
“I intend to caucus with that party that will most likely support a major federal jobs program putting millions of Americans back to work rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure; supports overturning the disastrous Citizens United Supreme Court decision; supports raising the minimum wage to a living wage; supports pay equity for women workers; supports a single-payer national health care program; ends our disastrous trade policies; addresses the grotesque level of income and wealth inequality; and is prepared to aggressively address the international crisis of global warming,” said Mr. Sanders, who is toying with the idea of running for president in 2016 as a Democrat.
“I could be wrong,” Mr. Sanders continued, “but my guess is that will not be the Republican Party.”
Mr. King and Mr. Sanders currently caucus with Senate Democrats, giving them an effective 55-45 majority over Republicans.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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