Sen. Bernie Sanders, the left-leaning Independent from Vermont, is reportedly contemplating throwing his hat into the ring for the 2016 presidential election.

Bernie Sanders Running For President?

Sanders sat down on Meet the Press on Sunday, where he discussed the possibility of making a play for the presidency in the next presidential race. Citing evidence that the American people are frustrated with both the Republican and Democratic parties, Sanders made the case that it could be time for an Independent. Yet, Sanders also acknowledged the inherent difficulty in launching a national campaign as a third party candidate.

“The truth is, profound anger at both political parties, more and more people are becoming independent, the negative is, how do you set up a 50-state infrastructure as an independent?” he said, before adding, “The American people want change. They want Congress, they want candidates to stand up to the big money interests.”

Sanders added, “I think anybody who speaks to the needs of the working class and the middle class of this country and shows the courage to take on the billionaire class, I think that candidate will do pretty well. There is a profound anger at understanding that the middle class is disappearing.”

In order to test out his chances – and to determine whether it might be more prudent to run as a Democrat – Sanders is heading to Iowa for a visit as a sort or litmus test.

As Sanders stated, many voters are tiring of Washington politics as is and could warm to the idea of embracing an Independent. Furthermore, Sanders' more progressive ideology could appeal to Democratic voters who find Hillary Clinton too conservative and who would favor someone more like popular Massachusetts politician Elizabeth Warren.

Clinton hinted heavily on Sunday that she’d soon make an official announcement of her intention to run again to become the president of the United States while giving a speech in Iowa on Sunday for Sen. Tom Harkin’s annual steak fry fundraiser. It was her first public appearance in the state since her defeat to President Barack Obama at the 2008 presidential caucuses.