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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums"Dems should stop politicizing the issue" RE: Russia (tweet)
Why the false equivalency bullsht damning possible future Dem actions?!? Jesus. Anything for clicks.
Link to tweet
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)mcar
(42,210 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)In the interview he was asked how to get Republicans on board with investigating Russia and he said it wouldn't be helpful to politicize it. He didn't accuse Democrats of politicizing the issue. At all.
That Twitter user misquoted the senator.
mcar
(42,210 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)He never said Democrats should stop politicizing the issue. I don't know where that quote came from but they weren't watching the same interview that the rest of us watched.
When asked how to convince Republicans to go along with the investigation Bernie said "WE have got to stand up in a non-partisan way and not politicize it. Democrats cannot politicize this issue".
That's it. The words attributed to him in that tweet are someone else's.
yardwork
(61,415 posts)betsuni
(25,123 posts)yardwork
(61,415 posts)Adrahil
(13,340 posts)LiberalFighter
(50,496 posts)Need to hear the whole session to better understand what was stated.
DemocratSinceBirth
(99,705 posts)I am not necessarily a Bernie fan but what he is saying is this issue is too grave to politicize. He's right. Trump's attack is on all of us regardless of party.
boston bean
(36,186 posts)Kingofalldems
(38,361 posts)Don't want to hear from him or read about him here. SOB.
Cooley Hurd
(26,877 posts)Response to boston bean (Reply #5)
Post removed
Panich52
(5,829 posts)USA part of Putin's kleptocracy
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Give these assholes endless negative sound bytes.
Unity my patootey. It's a shitty allegation to make against Dems.
Cha
(295,899 posts)NurseJackie
(42,862 posts)Why even IMPLY that the Dems are, or that the Dems are likely to do that? Why WARN them not to? He's not being very subtle in his suggestion (or his belief) that the Democrats are unable to do the right thing, or that Democrats are incompetent, or that Democrats will make the mistakes he's warning against, or that Democrats are ALREADY doing those things.
There's no good reason for him to be acting that way. It's a passive-aggressive way to "scold" Democrats for acts of incompetence they aren't guilty of. It's a parental "I-know-better-than-you" attitude that shows how little regard he has for our party's leaders and members.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,548 posts)I may try writing out a transcript so that people can see what was actually said, rather than reading the misrepresentations and jumping straight to outrage mode.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)access to video from embarrassing ourselves
Cha
(295,899 posts)mind his own house.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)He said they shouldn't politicize the issue if we want Republicans to support a special prosecutor.
He said "WE have got to stand up in a non-partisan way and not politicize it. Democrats cannot politicize this issue".
I agree.
yardwork
(61,415 posts)I've just about had enough of him and his extremely unhelpful comments.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)The only ones politicizing it are the Rethugs who are choosing party over country.
LiberalFighter
(50,496 posts)I would also say that the Democratic Senators are saying the same thing. So Sanders and them are on the same page.
Cha
(295,899 posts)need to drag in the "politicizing" accusation.. the repubs do that enough.
We don't need BS giving them cover. Pointing his finger.. he needs to mind his own house.
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)don't trust Republicans. It shows an absurd detachment from what is actually going on. Reality is that Democrats were in fact victimized. So why the hell is he bringing up his stump speech talking points when they don't apply.
WikiLeaks targeted Democrats; they targeted Hillary. Simple facts. Why can't he just admit it. Why bring his stump speech talking points into something when they are grossly off base.
Furthermore, he blames everything under the sun on oligarchs, until there is actual evidence of election interference by oligarchs, and then he goes silent on them and talks about people not trusting Democrats. wtf! No excuse for this anymore!
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)It's egotistical to deminish the impact on both Dems and HRC- no matter if it comes from Trump or Sanders. I hate seeing this.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)a huge constitutional problem-colluding with a foreign nation and accepting payment from said nation...Trump is attempting a coup and is a fascist at heart...very dangerous. Any aid given to this guy purposefully or not causes more risk to our Republic . And now, we will hear from every GOP type that even Sen. Sanders said it was too political...it gives the GOP cover and was an unwise statement. Sen Sanders should follow the old axiom "speak no evil". And I assume with little evidence that this was an accidental statement-possibly taken out of context. Otherwise it appears that Sen. Sanders is not supporting Democratic efforts to stop Trump and his merry band of criminals...and we need every progressive to fight Trump...very disappointing.
boston bean
(36,186 posts)moda253
(615 posts)Seriously just stfu already.
Hey asshole we are trying to stop the country from being completely and totally swindled on many different levels and yer preaching about not politicizing the issue? Yeah. No.
Sorry I am completely done with frumpy grump.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)with bullshit accusations like "politicizing the issue."
he needs to order himself a 32 oz bottle of "STFU Cola."
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)I'm feeling there is something deeply rotten going on.
geek tragedy
(68,868 posts)Here's you and I agreeing on something
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)and he was pretty much spot on. if there is no proof that trump or his campaign did nothing wrong then they will limp across the line to run again in 2020.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)"Maybe there's no there, there" unless you're paid to say that. It makes no sense. And speculating Dems will try to continue to politicize this after the investigation is over- right when they're trying to shut down the investigation?!?- is just dirty politics. I'm amazed to see this baseless crap put out at a time like this. I'm sure DT is really pleased at the nice muddy waters.
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)all mr. sanders was saying. i think any dem would repeat that line if asked.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)this foot in mouth thing no longer looks accidental to me. Unity my ass.
JTFrog
(14,274 posts)And those optics aren't improved when you consider his campaign hacked Hillary and his campaign manager had ties to Russia and Manafort.
But hey, look at those bad Democrats! Over and over.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Just jump in line in front of the probable nominee and ACT like you got the nomination, maybe no one will notice!
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)okieinpain
(9,397 posts)Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)Your post points out why he should not have said it,"nothing here" says the GOP ,"just that Dems hating on Trump"...getting rid of Trump who attempting to undermine our Republican is way more important than anything else...and all progressives should understand be on board....Democrats or not.
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)okieinpain
(9,397 posts)Cha
(295,899 posts)Because there may be no there there?
Damn he needs to mind his own house.
moda253
(615 posts)The way he is handling this is completely and totally out of line.
Why the hell would we NOT politicize that?
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)Stuff they can't defend or proof.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)lose when they had endless Benghazi statements? Some folks need to let the bitterness of last year go...for the sake of the country.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)He was asked a question about how to get Republicans on board and he answered it honestly.
And he was right about the investigation too, none of our senators should be making unsubstantiated allegations about collusion yet.
This is another nontroversy.
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)Republicans cover to do nothing...they will simply say even Sen. Sanders realizes this is political. It always amaze me how people defend such statements...based on who said it...if say Joe Manchin said such a thing, the same people would lose their minds and call for a primary...
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)to the Russia investigation, and his spokesperson echoed this. This firing IN AND OF ITSELF is serious grounds for impeachment: it's obstruction of justice.
The Dems aren't politicizing the investigation; they have just been demanding it be carried out.It's the Rethugs with their obstruction tactics that have been politicizing the situation.
And Sanders has proven once and for all, by accusing both parties of politicizing, that he's no real ally.
QC
(26,371 posts)It will allow you to discuss the issue truthfully and intelligently.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)but then he topped it all off by lecturing Dems on the need not to politicize -- as if they were doing that.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)This is so exciting!
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)mostly from the GOP...did you watch any of Maddow recently, and clearly Flynn colluded and so did Sessions.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)I have no idea what you are talking about with the other stuff...it seems to me that hinting that the Russian investigation is political gives the GOP cover.
QC
(26,371 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I'd exaggerate and add the pretense of melodrama to the reactions of others too if that were all I could contribute of any substance.
It's fun to pretend simple concern is theatrical hate if an irrational bias compels us to. Though I'm certain you'll allege a valid justification for the pretense.
QC
(26,371 posts)and the kind of behavior we're seeing in this thread doesn't really lend itself to, or merit, substantive discussion.
It's either people falling for a false headline because they're too misinformed to know that it's false (and can't bother to inform themselves) or a case of people knowingly engaging in falsehood because it suits their purposes.
Funny that you could be OK with that kind of behavior but get all huffy when someone treats it with the contempt it deserves.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)LaydeeBug
(10,291 posts)Squinch
(50,773 posts)NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)It's a political statement he is making. Expect nothing less from a career politician. He knows who fills his coffers. Red meat for the JPR crowd.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)boston bean
(36,186 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)I have to believe it's deliberate now.
WoonTars
(694 posts)....oh wait a minute....
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)There's a red under my bed 🎶
ZOMG IT'S BERNIE!!!
*This is sarcasm, Bernie is not hiding under our beds trying to scare us into becoming commies.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)WoonTars
(694 posts)...
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)Last edited Fri May 12, 2017, 06:10 PM - Edit history (3)
party on the phone: it gets old...and a while back he said there was no evidence of Russian interference in our election....I don't trust him as he has ties to RT. And when a caller mentioned Russia...here is his response...I heard this and was already irritated, but this was it for me...just my opinion...some like the guy.
From March 6th...and my final day of ever listening to Trump.
https://trofire.com/2017/03/06/mistake-focusing-much-attention-russia-thom-hartmann-program/
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Again, really? Okay, I'll be your huckleberry:
Bernie on Russian hacking in December:
http://www.politicususa.com/2016/12/11/gop-russia-woes-worsen-bernie-sanders-speaks-trumps-nonsensical-denial.html
Bernie on Russia hacking in January:
http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/01/10/bernie-sanders-town-hall-russia-hacking-sot.cnn
Bernie on Russian interference in February:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/bernie-sanders-investigation-russia-michael-flynn-links-donald-trump-election-campaign-democrats-a7581996.html
Another from February:
http://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2017/02/28/bernie-sanders-on-russia-investigation-ac-sot.cnn
And his statement from Bernie's website:
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) Wednesday asked the leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee to investigate the relationship between President Donald Trump and the Russian government.
It is incumbent upon the Congress to take seriously its constitutional responsibilities. The American people must have confidence that governmental decisions reflect their interests, not that of a foreign government. A robust investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee is critical to restoring that confidence, Sanders wrote in the letter to Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the chairman and ranking member, respectively, of the intelligence panel.
The U.S. intelligence community has concluded that Russia played an active role in the 2016 election with the goal of electing Trump as president. Additionally, multiple media outlets reported last week that U.S. intelligence services have verified portions of a dossier that alleges that Russian agents hold damaging evidence about Trumps past personal and business dealings that could possibly make Trump susceptible to blackmail.
There also have been reports that the Trump administrations contacts with the Russian government are having both a chilling effect in the intelligence community and jeopardizing longstanding relationships with our allies.
Throughout his campaign, and continuing to today, President Trump has refused to come clean with the American people about the nature and extent of his relationship with Russia, Sanders wrote/.
Every day that President Trump and his team dodge these questions, and every time their previous denials are revealed as false, that confidence is further diminished.
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/-sanders-investigate-trump-ties-to-russia
You're welcome!
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)You make a false narrative about others not watching a posted video, yet you didn't watch this one.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)I have been disappointed in his radio show...Woontars who I was replying to clearly understood...as for you. I will ignore your post as it is pointless. Did you even watch the video? It is of the Tom Hartman show. I will change wording to reflect Tom's name so other people don't get the wrong idea ...but so far only you seems to have misunderstood. Can I just say that the primary is over...have a nice day.
WoonTars
(694 posts)...instead of feeding the flames of poutrage....
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)I believe my comment to be perfectly accurate. Accurate or not, your assumption is wrong.
WoonTars
(694 posts)He was answering a question with a straight forward answer...the fact that you can't, or won't see it that way doesn't matter as to the record of what he actually said.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)as if they are.
But they are NOT. Demanding a thorough investigation isn't politicizing the issue.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)Last edited Fri May 12, 2017, 12:26 AM - Edit history (1)
You can't stop doing something you aren't doing.
I've watched it several times and that quote isn't in there.
WoonTars
(694 posts)...
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)pnwmom
(108,925 posts)investigation isn't politicizing the issue.
The reason we are even in this situation is because Obama bent over backwards to NOT interfere in the election. He could have come forward with the info about the ongoing DT/Russia investigation, but he didn't.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)When Bernie was asked how to get Republicans on board with investigating Russia he said "WE have got to stand up in a non-partisan way and not politicize it. Democrats cannot politicize this issue". And he's right. No one should politicize it at this point. It's not a Dem 's Rep issue, it's a bipartisan issue.
He didn't say Democrats should "stop politicizing it".
That tweet is a misquote.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)can see how much it helps or hurts.
Cha
(295,899 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,548 posts)With his statements about Putin being an authoritarian who had definitively been meddling in elections, including our own, and actively pushing for the election of RWers like Le Pen, and implying a very strong suspicion of collusion between Trump and Russia which he says must be investigated.
Maybe the JPR that you've seen is different from the one that I've seen.
NCTraveler
(30,481 posts)Including the JPR crowd. The unique aspect they have in common is how they always get some kind of back handed shot at Democrats in, or worse.
Kentonio
(4,377 posts)He's trying to soft talk the Republican's in the senate who are already wavering, and trying to gently push them towards helping the investigation.
Not everything is about us.
gohuskies
(1,153 posts)These gop goons are driving the wahbulance. Loke they haven't politicized an issue. I throw Whitewater, Monica Lewinsky, Vince Foster, Pres. Obama is a muslim, birtherism, Benghazi ad nauseum. They are all evil ratfuckers and TRAITORS!!
Response to bettyellen (Original post)
Post removed
Motownman78
(491 posts)"Don't politicize" this, "Identity politics" that. I am getting some serious "Bernie Fatigue".
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)What he said was in response to a question about how to get Republicans on board . Bernie replied that Democrats shouldn't politicize the issue. And he's right, in order to convince them to call for a special prosecutor it would help to not make this about Democrats vs Republicans. How is this an outrageous statement?
This is what he said when asked how to convince Republicans to go along with the investigation::
"WE have got to stand up in a non-partisan way and not politicize it. Democrats cannot politicize this issue"
How on earth is that a controversial statement?
And secondly since we don't yet know for certain that there was collusion Bernie's also right to note that he's not on the intelligence committee and be cautious about going on record with accusations.
I don't want any of our senators making unsubstantiated allegations and that includes Bernie.
I listened to the interview and agree with Bernie. This Wallace person cherry picked one thing he said, misquoted him and is using it to try to generate outrage. That may pass for serious political discourse on Twitter but to me it just looks like another cooked up nontroversy. I'll save my outrage for our enemies.
QC
(26,371 posts)on that video and actually listening to what he said?
Speaking from a place of knowledge is not as much fun for some as a good hategasm, I guess, but it would do wonders for the quality of the discussion here, which sounds more and more lately like a mirror image of the usual right wing cesspools.
m-lekktor
(3,675 posts)beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)They wouldn't make something up to generate clicks, would they?
Why should we watch the video when Kelly Somebody can just tell us what's on it?
QC
(26,371 posts)That's why about 90% of the posts here now consist of nothing more than links to something somebody said about something on Twitter.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)It's Twitler's favourite social media platform after all.
What could possibly go wrong with taking tweets at face value?
QC
(26,371 posts)and space aliens and their secret love children.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)QC
(26,371 posts)It's one of my proudest moments.
Perhaps I should set up a Twitter account and hold myself out as a journalist of some sort, like that Kelly Wallace.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)You're obviously qualified to be a Twitter journalist. I'll definitely follow you and repost all of your tweets.
LONG LIVE BATBOY!!!
Jno_Gilmor_
(127 posts)What some random people say on Twitter, Facebook or the comments sections from posts arw now "news." Usually used to demonize your opponents or otherwise spin a story. It's just the further dumbing down of political discourse.
QC
(26,371 posts)but the contagion has spread.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)You nailed it.
QC
(26,371 posts)and look how many people here gobbled it up like strawberry ice cream.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)That's EXACTLY what the Rethugs are accusing Dems of doing -- simply by demanding real investigations. Bernie doesn't help by buying into that line.
Cha
(295,899 posts)collusion between trump and the Russians Anything but trying to save our Democracy?!
Damn.. that gives trump cover.
QC
(26,371 posts)and all will be made clear.
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)with that spiel about how Democrats cannot politicize this.
He just can't seem to resist equating Rethugs and Dems, whenever he has a chance. He's the only one too pure to ever politicize anything.
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)don't trust Democrats and don't trust Republicans, which has nothing to do with the matter at hand. Why not just admit reality--the Democrats were hacked/victimized by the evil oligarchs. Why imply he's the only one who can be trusted.
Seriously, it didn't even sound like he's abreast of what is going on.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)This is a serious issue for our country and there is no danger of our side politicizing...why didn't he?
Cha
(295,899 posts)Link to tweet
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029052146
WSJ: Comey had just found "possible evidence of collusion" between Trump-Russia when he was fired
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10029046913
More TPM/Marshall "The Timeline Gets Tighter"
https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=9052347
The Sally Yates Thing.. It goes on and on.. but you get the idea..
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)I've watched the video several times and must have missed that part. In fact he referred to the overwhelming agreement from our intelligence agencies that Russia interfered. You put that text in quotes so you must have read it somewhere. Did he actually say that?
Also if I'm not mistaken the investigation is still ongoing so no findings have been released yet. Do you have links that show collusion because I haven't seen definitive proof yet. Pretty sure that's why Bernie and other senators are demanding an impartial investigation.
QC
(26,371 posts)so that we can all weep and wail and rend our garments together, as is fitting.
It should be easy enough to post something like "8:57" or whatever.
beam me up scottie
(57,349 posts)The use of quotations indicates these are things that Bernie actually said yet no one can show us where he said them.
Curiouser and curiouser.
R B Garr
(16,920 posts)your own spin, but everyone else's interpretation has to be a word for word regurgitation or you don't get it. It's rather transparent.
It sounds like Bernie is sticking with his friend's spin on RT. That video was posted on this thread, but you obviously didn't view it. Now that this Russia meddling has gone global and mainstream 24/7 news cycle, Bernie is wading in more deeply for the TV. Curious...
pnwmom
(108,925 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,548 posts)rather than getting outraged over some cherry picked, out of context, misquotes.
Sanders: Great to be with you.
WB: What's your reaction to the president's firing of Comey?
Sanders: Uh, I think it is a situation where the president is impeding a significant investigation to determine whether in fact, there was collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russian government. As you know, Russia has been interfering in elections big time, in Germany, in Ukraine, many countries around the world. Our intelligence agencies all agree that they interfered significantly in the American election. They were in France last week, trying to elect Le Pen, a very right wing individual.
So this is an investigation that has to go forward in a non-partisan way. And in the midst of this, after Comey says we are doing an investigation. After, according to the NYT, he says "I need more money from the DOJ to do the investigation". After we know he was supposed to testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee tomorrow, suddenly, in the midst of all of this, after months and months and months, president Trump says "you're fired, you're not doing a good job". I think that his reason for firing Comey-he was concerned about how he treated Hillary Clinton, I'm kind of, "give me a break". That really does not pass the laugh test. So I think what we need to do now is go forward; and it's very important that this be done in a bipartisan way. We need a special council, independently selected.
WB: But how do you select that person? It's gotta be approved by Congress. There's gotta be legislation, I
assume. The president could veto that legislation. You would need a 2/3s override.
Sanders: If that happens, then you really are in the midst of a Constitutional crisis, but I would hope that within the bureaucracy of the career folks, in the department...
WB: So far it doesn't look like any of the Republicans support what you support.
Sanders: Well, that is a sad state of affairs, and I hope that changes. The bottom line here is that the American people have a right to know whether president Trump's campaign colluded with the Russians.
You know, it is amazing, I think alot of people scratch their heads and try to figure out, why has Trump been so positive about an
authoritarian type president like Vladimir Putin? What is going on? So is there collusion? Let's find out if there is.
WB: And you speak about Comey. You're no great fan of Comey, cause...
Sanders: I am no great fan.
WB: We checked in January. Jan 15th of this year, you told ABC news "It would not be a bad thing for the American people, if the FBI Director were to step down".
Sanders: Absolutely. I think the role that he played during the campaign was disgraceful. It was unprecedented, and it was a factor; one factor, in helping Trump get elected. But right now we're in a different place. Right now we are in the midst of an investigation. Right now this guy was supposed to testify tomorrow, before the Senate Intelligence Committee. And clearly that investigation has got to go forward in as non-partisan a way as it can. To fire the FBI Director in the midst of that investigation is totally unacceptable.
WB: So what can you do to get your Republican colleagues on board, and do you have confidence in the Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Burr, to conduct a thorough and complete investigation?
Sanders: I am not a member of the Intelligence Committee. I know Richard, I've known him for years, and I hope that he does the right thing. Look, this is a very, very important moment. The American people do not have a whole lot of faith in the United States government. Don't have a whole lot of faith in the Republican party or the Democratic party or the political process. And I think we have got to stand up now in a non-partisan way. Democrats cannot politicize this issue. It may turn out, you know what? That Trump's campaign was not colluding with the Russians. If that's the case, that's the case. Forget about it. But I understand now that the White House is saying "you had enough discussion about the investigation". That's nonsense. The investigation is barely beginning.
WB: That's what the deputy press secretary, Sarah Huckabee Sanders said today.
Sanders: No relationship.
WB: No relation. I know she's no relation to you. Same last name. But she said "it's gone on for so long, it's over let's move on."
Sanders: I mean that's just an incredible statement. It barely has begun. You have the FBI Director saying he needs more funds in order to pursue the investigation, expedite the investigation.
WB: Do you have any leverage, with Republicans to get an independent council?
Sanders: Yeah, I think you do. I think essentially the United States Senate does not function very well unless there's unanimous consent. Unless there is a certain level of cordiality. And I hope, and at this point I'm giving the benefit of the doubt to my Republican colleagues, that they are prepared to do the right thing.
Let me mention one area, not my idea, this came from Senator Patty Murray, which I think would be a very, very good gesture. I think that as we proceed and go forward with the appointment of a new FBI director, right now, under the law, under the rules of the Senate, it would only require 50 votes-51 votes to get that person in. I would think it would be a really good gesture, given this moment, when there's so much acrimony and so much distrust, that Mitch McConnell, leader of the Senate say, "you know what, we'll go back to 60 votes. We'll do this in a bipartisan way, so that the entire country feels confident that the new director is not simply a political operative for Trump, but somebody who has the best interest of the DOJ and the FBI..."
WB: Cause as you know, they passed that nuclear option eliminating, going down from 60 to 50.
Sanders: I understand that. Democrats did their thing. But I'm saying that at this particular moment, as we look at a new FBI director, I don't think the country wants somebody who is simply gonna be a activist, or proponent for Trump's policy. They're gonna want somebody who has at least bipartisan support.
WB: One of your Democratic colleagues, Ron Wyden, a man you know, he's suggested that maybe the Democrats should use parliamentary maneuvers to slow down confirmation of individuals for, nominees for various positions. Take other steps in order to...
Sanders: I hope it doesn't come to that, but that's what I meant when I answered your question "what can you do?" You know, the Senate needs to function with unanimous consent, otherwise it really gets slowed down. I don't want to see that happen. I don't want to see that happen.
WB: Give us some historic perspective on what's going on right now. Step back a little bit, and give us some comparisons to other moments in American history. I ask you that as someone who's lived through some tumultuous times.
Sanders: Obviously the suggestion is it goes back to Watergate.
WB: Do you see comparisons?
Sanders: I see some comparisons, but what I think, right now, at this moment. When there is so much distrust of the political process. That we have a president who, I hate to say this, lies a whole lot. When we have a president who has attacked media, you, as "fake news". When we have a president who refers to judges who render verdicts against him as "so called judges". When you're seeing that attack on, what in a sense on the fabric of American society, people are nervous, and now you're seeing a president firing an FBI director in the midst of an investigation. So, I would say this is a moment in which Congress has got to take a deep breath, slow it down. Let's do this thing right.
WB: Senator Sanders. Thanks so much for joining us.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)It was a partisan attack- it's already been politicized but you'd never know it.
Cha
(295,899 posts)betsuni
(25,123 posts)It's not like Republicans have earned the benefit of the doubt. If it turns out there's no collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, of course Dems will "forget about it" -- they're not Republicans who lie and mindlessly believe fake news and politicize everything. If Sanders didn't do the false equivalency, what he said would be fine. Why not be polite to everybody? Why give the impression that Democrats need to be warned not to behave badly? At least I didn't hear "establishment" "status quo" or "coastal elites" so I guess that's an improvement.
Demsrule86
(68,348 posts)Convince me...good luck.
Thomas Hurt
(13,903 posts)to say what they mean by that.
To Fat Fascist 45 politicizing it means to speak of it at all or to challenge anything him or his lackeys say about it.
As FF45 has made clear the existence of the investigation is a conspiracy against him for the Dem loss.
betsuni
(25,123 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)alarimer
(16,245 posts)The lies and mischaracterizations continue apace, I see.
Squinch
(50,773 posts)I really have no desire to feel those particular bus tires any more, but I guess I can't escape it.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Squinch
(50,773 posts)bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Happy dance! OMG how are we allowing trump to have a private meeting w Putin next week? How? They're north trying to destroy NATO with these intelligence leaks. So crazy!
Squinch
(50,773 posts)illogical their behavior is if the story was false.
CNN's saying the leaks came out because DT(R) needed to brag. Figures.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Squinch
(50,773 posts)to work in this staff and not be covered in doo. This is where it falls on McMaster, I bet. His reputation will be dirt within a week.
SpicyBoi
(161 posts)The ritualistic beating of Bernie Sanders by establishment Democrats. I just don't.
okieinpain
(9,397 posts)it would seem to me to the a truthful honest statement. if no one can find any legal evidence we will have to move on from there with trump still president.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)Also anticipating that they may try to politicize this when the GOP already has is absolute crap. That's the kind of bullshit that makes people distrust Dems. It's playing to his base at the expense of the rest of us, and giving the GOP credibility.