Bernie, Please Consider Running Third Party Through Novemeber

Dear Bernie Sanders,

42% of Americans identify as Independent, and 65% of Americans would support a third party candidate. On the Republican end, 25% say they will consider a third party candidate if Trump wins the nomination. As I'm sure you've seen during your campaign, Americans are clamoring for another voice in the race.

You've said repeatedly that you will do everything you can to make sure a Republican doesn't make it into the White House. It turns out there is a mathematical possibility of an Independent winning the race. And by running Democrat, you have already secured the 15% requirement in national polls that would allow you to join the presidential debates along side Trump and Clinton.

You yourself have seen the polls that show Trump beating Hillary nationally. It's estimated that a fourth to a third (sometimes even higher margins) of your supporters refuse to vote for Hillary in a general election. Outside of your supporters, it's scary to realize Clinton's favorable ratings continue to drop and that she's never been able to raise her poll numbers in any campaign she's run.

I still have hope that you can overtake Hillary's delegate lead and present a challenging case to the superdelegates in July. But if that doesn't happen, if Hillary is the Democratic nominee, I ask you not to put yourself behind such a weak candidate who could so easily lose the general election. Your campaign has always had the momentum. I ask you to keep it going.

If, for whatever reason, you can't or won't continue, I ask instead that you endorse Jill Stein. Many of your supporters are already interested in her campaign. Many are also prepared to vote for her in lieu of writing in your name on the November ballot. Your endorsement could raise in her the polls, giving her the 15% she needs to join the debates. Not only, would she provide a fresh voice against Trump and Clinton, but she'd represent a woman candidate for President worth voting for.

I will continue to fight for your win, but if it doesn't happen, please don't back the establishment we've all been fighting against. That would be the biggest momentum killer of all.

Write Your Superdelegates!

Bernie's path to the White House relies on winning as many delegates and superdelegates as possible. For the delegates, we keep doing what we've been doing: canvas, phone bank, and volunteer. For superdelegates, we need to write to them and let them know why they should support Bernie over Hillary.

There's been some really bad communication between Superdelegates and Bernie supporters. We cannot argue our point with threats, name calling, or angry messages. This only serves to hurt our cause. If you feel you cannot be civil, leave the communicating for someone else. Otherwise, you can find a list of delegates and their contact information here. Below is a sample letter you can use:

Dear [superdelegate name],

I am a citizen of (your state), and I am writing to urge you to consider supporting Bernie Sanders for the Democratic Nomination.

It may be that you personally prefer Hillary Clinton's policies over Bernie Sanders's. It may also be that you are drawn to the idea of a woman president. I ask instead that you consider the general election in November and which candidate would perform best for the Democratic Party.

Hillary Clinton mainly appeals to loyal Democrats. Bernie Sanders, however, appeals to Democrats, Independents, Republicans, young voters, and voters who have long abstained from participating in our political process. Bernie appeals to a much wider base of voters, a third of which will not back Hillary but would be a huge advantage to the Democratic Party during the general election.

Bernie Sanders is more well liked than Hillary Clinton. A mid-April Gallup poll found Bernie had a net favorable rating of +52 among Democrats. While Bernie's favorable rating has climbed since last July, Hillary's has dropped to +36. Her rating could continue to fall and prove to be a detriment in the general election, where voters who dislike both Hillary and the Republican candidate could choose to stay home.

Bernie Sanders also polls better than Hillary against Trump and Cruz. Against Trump, Real Clear Politics has Hillary winning by a polling average of 8.5 points, whereas Bernie wins by 15.2 points. With Cruz, Hillary wins by 3 points and Bernie wins by 12. Bernie Sanders is clearly the better candidate of choice to propel the Democratic Party to victory.

Bernie Sanders has faced tremendous odds during the primaries. The major media networks will not cover him. Issues of voter suppression across the primaries have cost him in delegates. Yet, he has come impressively far and has proven himself to be a real contender against Hillary Clinton. If this is what he can do with forces acting against him, think of how much farther he could go with the Democratic Party's backing.

For the good of the Party, I urge you to consider voting for Bernie Sanders for the Democratic Nomination.

Sincerely,

[your first and last name]