Bernie Sanders is getting serious about challenging Hillary Clinton in 2016

Hillary Clinton won't skate to the Democratic presidential nomination without a challenge from the left, and it's sounding increasingly like Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders (I) may be the person to do it.

Sanders is scheduled to visit two early primary states, Iowa and New Hampshire, next month. And though the trips are for speaking engagements, Sanders says he'll also use them to dip a toe in the 2016 waters. "That's part of my trying to ascertain the kind of support that exists for a presidential run," he told The Hill.

Sanders has said before that he is prepared to join the race if no other liberal challenger emerges, if only to pull Clinton leftward. With Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) giving every indication she won't run, and no other serious progressive contender making waves just yet, that task may fall to Sanders.

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