Will Bernie Sanders Defeat Donald Trump and Transform the United States Into a Socialist Country?

Longtime Socialist Bernie Sanders announced recently he will seek the presidency as a Democrat to run against Republican president Donald Trump in 2020. This will be his second shot at the top job in the land following his unsuccessful attempt to defeat Hilary Clinton in 2016. There are still many Bernie supporters who claim the nomination was rigged the last time around against him.

Regardless of the disappointment he must've felt in 2016, Bernie had reason to rejoice this time around as he raised $6 million in the first 24 hours of his campaign, according to a New York Times article on Feb. 22, 2019. For those who predict Bernie's time has passed, his online list of donors far exceeds that of his Democratic rivals.

Further encouraging news for Sanders comes from a recent New York Times analysis which founds Sanders begins his candidacy wiwth 2.1 million donors who have given him money during the past six years..

The best chance for liberals to 'reconfigure a generation of American politics lies with Sanders running and capturing both the Democratic Party primary and the presidency", according to Bhaskar Sunkara in a recent article for The Guardian. Sunkara believes that while Warren is an ally of many progressive causes, she would be capable of bringing about less change than Sanders. Warren, former Republican, believes U.S. capitalism used to be good until the 1980s. During that time, she believes a shift occurred in corporate thought. A new theory emerged that corporate directors only had a duty to maximize shareholder returns. There was no longer a duty to customers, employees or communities, according to Warren's belief.

Sunkara believes Sanders is better equipped to bring about radical change to America through rebuilding trade unions and left wing organizations. While Warren's background is based in academia, Sanders has previous experience with unions during his political career as Senator from Vermont.

Sanders entry into the 2020 presidential race will probably force his Democratic candidates to take clearer positions on Medicare for all,the Green New Deal and free college tuition, according to the Burlington Free Press. While others have joined Sanders in supporting Alexandria Ocasio Carmen's Green New Deal, rivals Sens. Kamala Harris of California and Warren of Massachusetts have not been willing to accept the label socialist.

Former Texas Rep. Beto O'Rourke, another possible 2020 candidate, distinguishes himself from Sanders, proclaiming, "I am a capitalist."

Former Vice-President is part of the Democratic Party establishment. He holds the lead in nearly every poll,although he has yet to enter the competition. Biden could be a tough rival for Sanders.

"Personally I think he missed his time," President Donald Trump said upon hearing of Sanders announcement. " Trump further responded to Bernie's huge fundraising numbers by saying, "Socialist Bernie Sanders raised $6 million in 24 hours. Now I'm calling on you to CRUSH that number.

Trump added he thought it was sad what happened to Bernie Sanders in 2016. He said, "I don't think Clinton respected him."

He further said he believed Sanders agreed with him on tariffs, saying, "The difference is I've been very tough on tariffs. I don't think Bernie knows what to do about tariffs though."

Trump also said, "Crazy Bernie has just entered the race. I wish him well!"

The President first used the "crazy" nickname for Sanders during the 2016 presidential race, when Sanders failed to beat Clinton in the primaries. He said, "If Crooked Hillary Clinton can't close the deal on Crazy Bernie, how is she going to take on China, Russia, ISIS and all of the others?"

Bernie Sanders responded to Trump's nickname with anger, saying, "What's crazy is that we have a president who is a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and a fraud." Sanders further said, "We are going to bring people together and not only defeat Trump but transform the economic and political life of this country."

While Sanders has never shied away from the label "socialist" for himselt, it appears Trump will use that during the election.

Trump is already attempting to use the label "socialism" against Sanders and other Democrats. He said, "Bernie Sanders has already won the debate in the Democratic primary, because every candidate is embracing his brand of socialism."

Trump further said, "But the American people will reject an agenda of sky-high tax rates, government-run health care and coddling dictators like those in Venezuela. Only President Trump will keep America free, prosperous and safe."

Trump even before Sanders announcement was honing in on socialism. During his State of the Union address, he said, "Here in the United States, we are alarmed by new calls to adopt socialism in our country. America was founded on liberty and independence--not government coercion, domination and control. We are born free, and we will stay free. Tonight, we renew our resolve that America will never be a socialist country,"

He further said in another speech, "To those who would try to impose socialism on the United States, we again deliver a very simple message; America will never be a socialist country."

Sanders, 77, has many factors in his favor. He has the small money donors supporting him as well as having national name recognition which other Democrats don't have. He no longer has to face Hillary Clinton as he did in 2016. The Clinton Dynasty is evidently not going to enter the 2020 race which is a big plus for Bernie. Much of his socialist agenda has been embraced by other Democrats at a time when women such as Warren and Harris are appealing to other women in the political arena. However, he has a huge financial edge on his rivals.

Sanders positions include universal healthcare, tuition-free public college, women's reproductive rights,lower prescription drug prices, criminal justice reform.

While many of Sanders Democratic opponents have adopted his positions, he still faces possible challenges from as yet unnamed rivals. There has been talk of a possible Michelle Obama run. It is uncertain what impact the candidacy of former President Barak Obama's wife would have on Sanders. Would many of his donors and other supporters abandon him for her?

Right now, Sanders has the huge advantage of organizations in all 50 states. While the other Democrats don't have that, an Obama campaign would have the same built-in advantage.

Sanders is facing renewed scrutiny since he announced. Videos of him have surface of him making comments in the 1980s praising the Soviet Union, offering advice to the Nicaraguan socialist government and saying breadlines in communist countries would be a good thing.

"it's funny sometimes American journalists talk about how bad a country is because people are lining up for food. That's a good thing. In other countries people don't line up for food, rich people get the food and poor people starve to death."

Sanders was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and attended Brooklyn College. he graduated from the University of Chicago in 1964. While a student he as an active protest organizer for the Congress of Racial Equality, during the civil rights movement. As an independent he was elected mayor of Burlington in 1981. He won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1990. He served 16 years as a Representative before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006.

At this point in time, Sanders is considered the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination. The entrance of Joe Biden and Michelle Obama into the race could dramatically change that paradigm. And no one has totally ruled out another run by Hillary Clinton.

If enough Democrats believe Sanders has the best chance to beat Trump, then the Vermont Senator will win the nomination. Sanders has recently shown he is willing to stand up to Trump's attacks. A trump-Sanders general election would be exciting.

Impossible to tell this early what Bernie's chances would be against the Donald.