Leading liberal Senator Bernie Sanders has admitted he is considering running for U.S. president in 2016 in a move that could complicate Hilary Clinton's long-expected run at the White House. Mr Sanders, an independent from Vermont, could pose a challenge from the left to Clinton - widely seen as the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, despite not yet declaring her candidacy. Speaking to NBC's 'Meet the Press' show on Sunday, Mr Sanders said he will be using the key battleground state of Iowa to help him test whether there is an appetite for a liberal but independent candidate. If running as a Democrat gave him a better chance of success however, he would challenge Mrs Clinton.
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Sanders could pose a challenge from the left to Clinton's White House run
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Liberal Senator currently stands as an independent in the state of Vermont
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But says he is considering whether to compete for Democratic nomination
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Sanders plans to travel to key battleground state of Iowa in the coming weeks to test appetite for a liberal but independent presidential candidate
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Says plan to run is not attack on Clinton, for whom he 'has a lot of respect'
@placeholder candidacy could force her to the left in the Democratic