bernie sanders for senate minority leader?

[markpkessinger]

36. He's an independent . . .

. . . because Vermont has open primaries, and thus it isn't as important in that state to be affiliated with either party, and being an independent plays well among Vermont voters. He switched to Democrat to run in the 2016 primary, because he is a practical man, and knew that he would have zero chance running as an independent. He knew that the two parties have a virtual lock on the balloting process in many states, and as such running as an independent nationally would be a fool's errand. It was smart politics for him to do so. I find it curious that you are more attached to the label than to the actual policies candidates support.