The Bennington (VT) Banner has posted this.

How about some news, please? Howard Dean supporting a socialist is NOT news. Heck, what is the difference between a Socialist and a Democrat these days? I'll tell you. There isn't any.

Breaking party lines, former Gov. Howard Dean said Monday he supports Rep. Bernard Sanders' bid for the U.S. Senate, saying the Independent makes a "strong candidate."

Breaking party lines? Yeah right. Show me one instance the Democrats aren't completely in bed with Socialist interests. Just one. I'm waiting. That's what I thought. If there's any difference at all between Socialists and Democrats, it's just that the Socialists want MORE big government and they want it YESTERDAY, whereas the Donks are willing to take it only a little more slowly. IF there's any difference, that is.

"A victory for Bernie Sanders is a win for Democrats," Dean said in a telephone interview Monday.

Duh ...

Sen. James Jeffords, I-Vt., announced last month he would not seek re-election, clearing the way for what's expected to be a crowded race in fall 2006.

Jeffords wouldn't have been re-elected anyway. He wrecked it for himself. No one trusts a turncoat, not even the side he goes to.

But Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, added that his support is not unconditional.

"We've got a few things to work out with Bernie," he said, adding, "Bernie's not a Democrat."

Only because he figures he'll get more votes if he doesn't have the little "D" next to his name. Howie, you have no idea just how big a crash your party is headed for since you've become chair.

Sanders' practice of voting with House Democrats and his name recognition - bolstered by his position as the only U.S. representative in Vermont - makes him appealing to Democrats desperate to regain seats in every branch of government.

If Bernie Sanders is appealing to a party desperate to gain seats, your strategy MUST be that Vermont might actually elect him. He's not going to do you much good in most of the country. If you are going to be looking for more of his type, you are going to get your asses handed to you again, even if you do get the seat in Vermont.

But (Sanders Chief of Staff Jeff) Weaver said Dean's support is natural in a political atmosphere dominated by conservative voices.

"I think Gov. Dean and Congressman Sanders share an interest in beating back a very aggressive reactionary agenda of President Bush and congressional Republicans," Weaver said. "We intend to win this seat and Bernie will be a strong voice against the Bush agenda."

Mr. Sanders isn't much of a voice against the conservative (read that constitutionalist) agenda as it is now. What makes these morons think that's going to change with a simple move from the House to the Senate? Beating back this grassroots effort to put the power back into the hands of the American People isn't going to happen on Mr. Dean's or Mr. Sanders' watch, so they might as well get over it now.

Jim Barnett, chairman of the state Republican committee, criticized the new alliance, saying it raises questions about whether "backroom deals" are being made between Dean and Sanders.

"This is exactly the kind of cynical politics that Bernie Sanders once said was corrupt," Barnett said.

Let these idiots make all the backroom deals they want. The more corrupt they show themselves to be, the less likely they are to get elected. Mr. Barnett, no offense, but Mr. Dean has plenty of rope with which to hang himself, and he's doing a fine job of it on his own. Don't weaken your own cause by engaging in the kind of whining and complaining we see the Left engaging in. They're getting the shellacking they deserve because of it. Don't mess it up for them. Shut up and let them bury themselves by giving you compliments like "a White House protege" and "a Karl Rove character".

Of course, none of this is news. It's all predictable posturing by the Left trying to convince you that you need them and their big government in order to live your life. This has been going on for the last century. All we can do is roll our eyes.

RWR