Vermont
Bernard Sanders (I)
Thursday, November 9, 2006; Page A38
Bernard Sanders (I) is the first self-proclaimed socialist to become a U.S. senator. The eight-term congressman, known to voters as Bernie, ran on a populist platform, promising to empower farmers, veterans, the elderly and the indigent.
His opponent, the near-billionaire businessman Richard Tarrant, described Sanders as a "red" from New York. Sanders, 65, was raised by Jewish parents from Poland. His style is cantankerous cabbie -- his accent more Brooklyn than Burlington.
  (Alden Pellett - AP) Capitol Briefing
Paul Kane reports from the halls of the U.S. Capitol, updating readers on what's new in the House and Senate. |
• House Candidates Back on the Program
• President? What President? • Louisiana Primary Delayed After Hurricane • Capitol Briefing Archive  Sign Up for RSS Feed |
While campaigning, Sanders told reporters that the United States should learn from the democratic socialist models in Northern Europe. He first ran for the Senate in 1972, as the candidate of the socialist Liberty Union Party. He won 2.2 percent of the vote.
Sanders has since become a popular figure in the state. One TV spot for Sanders featured Vermont's sweetest celebrities: Ben and Jerry.
