Uploaded August 2015 | Updated September 2026, 10 hours ago
A panel debate sponsored by the International Socialist Organization
Bernie Sanders' entry into the Democratic Primary for the party's presidential nomination has triggered a debate on the left. Some have enthusiastically rallied to his candidacy as a chance to transform the Democratic Party. Others have criticized his entry into the Democratic Party as following the precedent of Dennis Kucinich to corral radicals back into a capitalist party. And still others are building independent formations in solidarity with his campaign as a way to consolidate a larger organized left. This panel will offer various viewpoint to discuss and debate how the left should approach the Sanders campaign.
Speakers:
HOWIE HAWKINS is a Teamster who unloads trucks at UPS in Syracuse, NY. An organizer in movements for peace, justice, labor, the environment, and independent politics since the late 1960s, Hawkins was the Green Party's 2014 candidate for NY Governor, receiving 5% of the vote, the most for an independent left candidate for New York Governor since Socialists in the World War I era.
ASHLEY SMITH is a member of the editorial board of the International Socialist Review, to which he is a frequent contributor. His writing has also appeared on ZNet, Dissident Voice, CounterPunch and Socialist Worker. He lives in Vermont and is a member of the National Writers Union.
JASON LOWENTHAL is a member of People for Bernie, the Boston Homeless Solidarity Committee, and the Green-Rainbow Party in Massachusetts.
JAKE ALTMAN serves on the executive board of the Boston local of the Democratic Socialists of America. Jake is also a member and former officer of UE Local 896-COGS, a local union affiliated with the proudly independent United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America.
A panel debate sponsored by the International Socialist Organization
Bernie Sanders' entry into the Democratic Primary for the party's presidential nomination has triggered a debate on the left. Some have enthusiastically rallied to his candidacy as a chance to transform the Democratic Party. Others have criticized his entry into the Democratic Party as following the precedent of Dennis Kucinich to corral radicals back into a capitalist party. And still others are building independent formations in solidarity with his campaign as a way to consolidate a larger organized left. This panel will offer various viewpoint to discuss and debate how the left should approach the Sanders campaign.
Speakers:
HOWIE HAWKINS is a Teamster who unloads trucks at UPS in Syracuse, NY. An organizer in movements for peace, justice, labor, the environment, and independent politics since the late 1960s, Hawkins was the Green Party's 2014 candidate for NY Governor, receiving 5% of the vote, the most for an independent left candidate for New York Governor since Socialists in the World War I era.
ASHLEY SMITH is a member of the editorial board of the International Socialist Review, to which he is a frequent contributor. His writing has also appeared on ZNet, Dissident Voice, CounterPunch and Socialist Worker. He lives in Vermont and is a member of the National Writers Union.
JASON LOWENTHAL is a member of People for Bernie, the Boston Homeless Solidarity Committee, and the Green-Rainbow Party in Massachusetts.
JAKE ALTMAN serves on the executive board of the Boston local of the Democratic Socialists of America. Jake is also a member and former officer of UE Local 896-COGS, a local union affiliated with the proudly independent United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America.
