Yes, Bernie Sanders Is a Democrat

Campaign strategist Tad Devine confirmed in an interview with Chris Matthews on MSNBC’s Hardball that Bernie Sanders is in fact a Democrat.

CM: If he gets the nomination of the Democratic Party, will he become a Democrat?
Devine: He is. He’s running as a Democrat. In this campaign he decided to run for the Democratic Party nomination. He’s running as a Democrat.
CM: He is  a Democrat? Is he a member of the Democratic Party?
Devine: He can’t technically be a member of the party because there’s no registration in Vermont.
CM: Is he a Democrat?
Devine: Yes, he’s running as a Democrat.
CM: I thought he was a Socialist. Which is it?
Devine: Well, his philosophy is Democratic Socialist.
CM: Oh, I thought that his title was Socialist?
Devine: No.
CM: He’s an Independent in the caucus. He is a member of the Democratic Caucus in the Senate, but he’s not a member He’s an Independent member of the Democratic caucus of the Senate, but  he’s not a member of the caucus.
Devine: He’s a member of the Democratic Caucus.
CM: But he’s not a Democrat.
Devine: He’s running as a Democrat for President of the United States. He signed an affidavit..
CM: Ok. I personally – don’t argue with me it’s a weird situation. He’s now a Democrat because in the past he’s ran against Democrats. He ran against Democrats for mayor. He ran against Democrats for Congress.
Devine: In this campaign, he decided to run for the Democratic Party nomination. He’s running as a Democrat.
CM: He is a Democrat.
Devine: Yes.
Devine: Yes – I’m glad we resolved that.
CM: Well,  I didn’t know he changed parties. He..
Devine: He didn’t change party. If he could register he would, but he can’t.
CM: I think that’s a technical point. I’ll take him at his word. He’s a socialist which is fine with me.
Devine: He’s a Democratic Socialist.