Independent Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is amassing a following nationwide for his presidential bid. But he's causing headaches in the Democratic Party establishment, as evidenced by his lack of support from Democrats in Congress.
Of the five U.S. senators vying to occupy the White House, Senator Sanders is the most active in using the resources and the media at the Capitol to push his platform. While it's actually a rally at the Capitol to hike the minimum wage, the cheering crowds make it sound like it's a campaign event.
While some critics charge that rallies like that break ethics rules about campaigning on the Capitol grounds, Sanders denies that's what he's doing. Other presidential candidates are now following in his footsteps. Sanders has been a part of similar events opposing so-called free trade agreements and calling for Wall Street reforms. He seems to sum up his agenda best.
"Enough is enough. Workers are entitled to dignity!" Sanders shouts to a cheering crowd.
At most of these events Sanders has been flanked by other progressives. Arizona Democratic Congressman Raul Grijalva is a former head of the Progressive Caucus. He lauds Sanders' populist message that's resonating nationwide.
"I think he's raising issues that need to be raised. I think he's being very good about being, I used the word 'consistent,'" Grijalva says.
"The hardest thing to do in politics is to be consistent on issues, you're always turned around. And so I appreciate the fact that he has debate and dialogued about the presidency," he says.
Still, Grijalva isn't endorsing Sanders for president.
"I've kind of withheld any support on any level. I'm going to let this thing play out a little more for a variety of reasons," he says.
Grijalva's not alone. Not a single member of Congress has endorsed Sanders. California Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman agrees with Sanders on most issues and has even held events with him to push progressive issues. But Sanders can't count on Sherman for support.
"I really respect him. I think our party would be best nominating Hillary Clinton and uniting behind her and that means Bernie Sanders would be a loud and effective voice in the United State Senate for many years to come,"Sherman says.
As for whether Sanders is using his Senate office to run for president, Sherman dismisses the charges that he's abusing his Senate privileges.
"He'd be just as vocal on this if he wasn't running for president, he's been vocal on this," Sherman says.
So what about Vermont's other two federal lawmakers? They're also not on board the Sanders train. Vermont's senior Senator Patrick Leahy says his support for Hillary Clinton isn't a jab at Sanders.
"I spent a lot of time with her as she was ending her time as Sectary of State, urged her to run. Just as I had spent time with her when she was a senator urging her to take Secretary of State even though she was enjoying being senator. So it's a personal thing," Leahy says.
Vermont Democratic Congressman Peter Welch is keeping his cards closer to his chest and has yet to endorse anyone in the race, but he's glad a Vermonter is in the contest.
"I don't have any plans right now but people are excited there's a race and he's from Vermont. He's making the income inequality argument and that's going to be a factor in the race. Hillary has a lot of support in Vermont, as does Sanders," Welch says.
While Sanders isn't attracting congressional support, he is turning heads in the nation's capital. Minnesota Democratic Congressman Keith Ellison says it's good for the party that Sanders is running.
"I am one who believes in robust debate on the Democrats' side, I don't think we should have a coronation. I think we should have a discussion, we should have a real primary race, we should have debates and we should be able to see what happens," Ellison says.
While Sanders is now surprising analysts by rising in polls nationwide and in key states, he isn't getting much love from the Democratic Party in Washington. If you've watched his campaign, it doesn't seem like that bothers him at all.
Copyright 2015 Vermont Public Radio
