On the other hand, Sanders, who would be 75 years old by Election Day 2016, has nothing to lose. Nobody would expect him to win, and running could afford him an opportunity to go after big banks, talk about income inequality and climate change, and make the case for single-payer health care – among other of his favorite issues.

Also, unlike Warren, Sanders has been open about the fact that he’s considering a run for the presidency. He’s made trips to New Hampshire and Iowa, where the group Progressive Democrats of America is launching a campaign to draft him to run.

Like Paul, Sanders would launch his run having already achieved cult status among a core group of supporters. In December 2010, he was toasted by the left for an 8-1/2-hour speech he made on the Senate floor blasting a tax deal cut by Obama and Republicans.

One question if he does run, is whether he would run as a Democrat or an Independent. Running as a Democrat would make more sense if he wants to influence the conversation, because he’d be allowed to participate in debates – which Ron Paul used to elevate his profile.