Congress Quote by Bernie Sanders
![“As the longest serving Independent in the history of the United States Congress, as somebody who came into office by defeating an incumbent Democratic mayor in Burlington, Vermont, I know something about third party politics. And I respect Jill [Stein].” quote by Bernie Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/94c/bernie-sanders-233_congress_as-the-longest-serving-independent-in-th_10777.jpg)
“As the longest serving Independent in the history of the United States Congress, as somebody who came into office by defeating an incumbent Democratic mayor in Burlington, Vermont, I know something about third party politics. And I respect Jill [Stein].”
About This Quote
Third‑party candidates can break the two‑party dominance, offering alternative perspectives and challenging incumbents.
In simple terms: Independent runs disrupt the status quo.
Key Takeaway
Third parties broaden political choice.
Themes
politics
third parties
democracy
electoral reform
Mood
hopeful
critical
Type
political
analytical
When to use this quote
- local elections
- grassroots campaigns
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
pluralism
political strategy
Practical Applications
- Support independent candidates through volunteering or donations.
Questions to Reflect On
- What reforms could level the playing field for independents?
- How do third parties influence major‑party platforms?
A Different Perspective
Structural barriers often limit third‑party success.
![“You [Jill Stein] want to do something about student debt. And that affects conservative and liberal students. That's going to be a majoritarian position.” quote by Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d41/ralph-nader-1783_conservative_you-jill-stein-want-to-do-something-abou_2997000.jpg)
![“I'd rather have head to head and right now they're not getting any numbers. She's [Jill Stein] doing better than he [Gary Johnson] is, but right now in some polls she's actually not doing badly.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5c1/donald-trump-18_doing-better_i-d-rather-have-head-to-head-and-right-n_2832728.jpg)
![“She [Jill Stein] doesn't get media coverage only because people perceive her as hurting Hillary Clinton. I'm not sure that that's true.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9d4/donald-trump-18_clinton_she-jill-stein-doesn-t-get-media-coverag_2413800.jpg)
![“People perceive her [Jill Stein ] as hurting [Hillary] Clinton. I think she's doing very well. I don't think the numbers will be good enough for them to be in the debate.” quote by Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ca5/donald-trump-18_be-good_people-perceive-her-jill-stein-as-hurtin_2167841.jpg)
![“You [Jill Stein] also believe in a full employment policy that was the majority Democratic Party policy in 1946. They actually passed a law to that effect. You want to end poverty and when people see how relatively easy it is to end poverty. And one way is to increase the minimum wage: catch up…” quote by Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8dd/ralph-nader-1783_believe_you-jill-stein-also-believe-in-a-full-em_2057875.jpg)
![“[Jill Stein] want a global treaty to halt climate change that adds teeth and ends destructive energy extraction.” quote by Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8bf/ralph-nader-1783_add_jill-stein-want-a-global-treaty-to-halt_1757709.jpg)
![“[Jill Stein] don't have to engage in soundbites here as you may have experienced with some of the mass media.” quote by Ralph Nader](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e2c/ralph-nader-1783_jill-stein_jill-stein-don-t-have-to-engage-in-sound_1025822.jpg)
![“I can't imagine that I would be asked that by the president-elect [Donald Trump], or then-president [Barack Obama]. But it's - I'm very clear. I voted for the change that put the Army Field Manual in place as a member of Congress. I understand that law very, very quickly and am also deeply aware…” quote by James Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/761/james-mattis-9515_army_i-can-t-imagine-that-i-would-be-asked-th_3990.jpg)
