( Democrat ) Party shuns Vermont Democrats in race ( rigging the election )

The Boston Globe ^ | July 13, 2006 | Rick Klein

[george76]

Seeks to clear way for independent in US Senate bid...

Vermont's Democratic Party is maneuvering to keep the Democratic candidates for the state's open US Senate seat off the November ballot, as party leaders seek to clear the way for independent Representative Bernard Sanders in his bid for the Senate.

State Democratic leaders are spearheading efforts to gather signatures to put Sanders on the ballot as a Democrat, even though Sanders has repeatedly said he would turn down the party's nomination if he wins the primary.

At least three other candidates have announced their intention to run for the Democratic nomination in the Sept. 12 primary, but party leaders prefer Sanders to any of them.

Sanders's candidacy for the seat left open by the retirement of independent Senator James M. Jeffords has put national Democrats in the uncomfortable position of supporting Sanders in lieu of any Democratic candidates.

National party leaders have also been preoccupied with the Democratic primary challenge to Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut.

the party's decision to shun self-described Democrats in Vermont has led some to accuse their leaders of rigging the election.

Peter Moss, a retired chemical engineer who announced last week that he will run for the Democratic Senate nomination, called the party establishment's support for Sanders ``highly unethical" and unfair to outsider candidates.

Jim Barnett, chairman of the Vermont Republican Party, said the Democrats' decision to embrace Sanders is another example of their lurch to the left.

Sanders, 64, supports a state-run ``single-payer" healthcare system, opposes foreign trade agreements...

[weegee]

DISENFRANCHISED VOTERS BUMP