United States Senator Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) said he wants to challenge Hillary Clinton because all presidential candidates should be challenged, citing American issues that need debate.

"[We] don't anoint people in the United States, not Republican candidates, not Democratic candidates" for a nomination, Sanders said in USA TODAY's Capital Download, a weekly news video series.

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The Vermont Senator added that the American people need to hear candidates debating about the very serious issues the country undertakes.

He would focus on income disparity, corporate greed, the collapse of the middle class and climate change, although he has not confirmed his bid, either as a Democrat or Independent.

Sanders said he would be encouraged to run if no other candidate presses on these issues.

And if he and Clinton were to debate, the Democrat socialist would take on these issues because they are the kind that must be raised at the presidential level.

Sanders said he knows his campaign could complicate Clinton's campaign, especially if he decided to become an Independent.

But in a scenario where he forces Clinton to the left in a Democratic nomination contest, experts believe it will make the party stronger and Clinton a better nominee.

As if to affirm that "the issue is not Hillary," he gave a preview of what his campaign will not be. He may want to challenge Clinton, but he would not let a Republican win.

"If I were to run as an independent, if that campaign did not kick in and it looked like as we got close to Election Day, the votes that I would get could help elect the Republican, I would not let that happen," he said, adding that he would concede to a Democrat.

Sanders visited Iowa last weekend. He said he was overwhelmed by the volume of attendees and their enthusiasm towards his likely presidential bid in 2016.

TagsBernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, Democrats, Independent, USA Today, Capital Download, Vermont, Iowa