I know Bernie is officially an independent senator as a self-proclaimed "socialist". However, he has always caucused with the Democrats, serves as a Democrat on congressional committees, and is running under the Democratic banner.
So why even bring up the socialist word. Too many incorrectly think it is something like communism and will never understand the difference no matter how many times Bernie educates the American people as he recently told Bill Maher he needs to do. Why bother?
Why not just state he is for expanding the great Democratic programs like Social Security and Medicare? He could then discuss universal health care, tuition free college, paid family leave, and taxing millionaires and billionaires to pay for it. Goals that most Democrats and independents agree on.
He never needs to use the "S" word at all. After all, Hillary herself said that they agree on what needs to be done, but only disagree on how to get there. Note that she proudly states she is a progressive (who likes to get things done) and not a "socialist democrat" which most voters wonder just what the hell Bernie is talking about anyway!
I, like Bill Maher, want Bernie to win and become POTUS and would hate to see him lose over a damn word that few fully understand. Bernie can be a proud socialist after he wins.