DU's Bernie problem.

[Jim Lane]

226. And Bernie is still just as much of a Democrat as he was when Weaver said that.

Did Bernie "stay" in the Democratic Party? Now, as then, he caucuses with the Democrats. Now, as then, he endorses Democratic candidates (including Hillary Clinton). Now, as then, he's featured on the Vermont Democratic Party's website in the gallery of elected officials.

The people who shriek incessantly about this so-called issue should note that Weaver used the word "stay". Bernie did nothing subsequent to Weaver's statement that could reasonably be called leaving the party.

I know none of that is enough for some people on DU. Here's a point that some of us consider important, though: If the members of the Democratic caucus (including the two independents) hold their Senate seats this fall, and the Democrats flip precisely two others (say, Nevada and Arizona although there are possibilities elsewhere), then the lineup in the Senate will be: Democrats 51, Republicans 49. BUT that's counting Bernie and Angus King as Democrats. If either of them switches to caucusing with the Republicans, then the split will be 50-50, Pence will break the tie, and the Republicans will stay in control. Counting Bernie and King as Democrats, though, means that the members of the Democratic caucus will take over as committee and subcommittee chairs.

Those chairships, however, would be horribly tainted by the presence of that vile Bernie Sanders in the Democratic caucus. I suggest you send a stiffly worded letter to all 47 D-after-their-names Democrats, demanding that they expel Bernie Sanders and Angus King from the caucus. After all, this vital principle of formal party identification is far more important than any of the substantive issues that might be influenced by such trivia as committee chairships.