If Bernie Sanders were perhaps 20 years younger, he might be in a prime position to effectuate the same sort of takeover of the Democratic Party that Donald Trump managed on the other side.

In April 2015 when Bernie Sanders was 10 years younger, he tried that "takeover" and failed. Four years later, he attempted another "takeover" and failed.

Nobody's more authentic than Bernie, after all.

If Bernie Sanders is so "authentic," he could have obviously run for President under the "Independent" (or pick your own) label versus the multiple attempts at any sort of "takeover" of a Party to which he'd never belonged. If you have to sign a loyalty pledge affirming you are a member of any Party, a pledge which you will ditch in seconds, I would say your "authenticity" speaks loudly for itself.

But even he realizes he's now too old to be the standard-bearer in 2028.

Maybe also that a "standard-bearer" of any Party ought to at least actually be one of them versus the con job that Donald Trump managed on the other side.

I'ma go out on a limb and inform that next year's election hinges on the economy. :)