Hillary Clinton
Related: About this forumJake Tapper Corners Sanders on the Recent Acts of Violence Shown by His Followers
Oh Jake--why did you feel the need to hide behind the ruse of playing devil's advocate.
all candidates condemn violence. Weak response from Sanders.
Jake Tapper Corners Sanders on the Recent Acts of Violence Shown by His Followers
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/jake-tapper-corners-sanders-on-the-recent-acts-of-violence-shown-by-his-followers/
by J.D. Durkin | 8:44 pm, March 13th, 2016
video 237
Screen Shot 2016-03-13 at 8.36.11 PMDuring the Democratic Town Hall Sunday night, CNN moderator Jake Tapper pressed Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders on the topic of his passionate followers, some of whom have shown their strong political allegiance with displays of aggression. With many comparisons drawn between the candidacies and followers of Sanders and Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, the issue of aggressive political passion has become more heated than at any other point in this election.
Tapper preempted a question by noting that he was looking to play devils advocate on a point regarding the the differences between Sanders supporters and those of Trump. Some of your supporters in Chicago were acting violently as well, and I have to say the guy who rushed the stage yesterday at Donald Trump voted for you, said Tapper. That protestor Tommy DiMassino of Dayton, Ohio was caught on film abrasively rushing the stage towards Trump at an event Saturday before being subdues by Secret Service agents.
Millions of people voted for me. If I have to take responsibility for everybody who voted for me it would be a very difficult life, the Democratic candidate responded to a laugh from the crowd.
I never have and never will condone violence, Sanders continued. [But] people have a right to protest. .................
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)The violence, this will not end well. Not saying he has given instructions to go and protest but we do not need bloodshed.
BlueMTexpat
(15,349 posts)benefit of the doubt. But with every day that passes - and the nastiness that I see here on DU every day towards anyone who has not felt "the Bern" - that benefit is fading incrementally.
He can't continue to ignore thise cr** - not saying something that STRONGLY condemns such behavior in effect condones it.
Her Sister
(6,444 posts)pandr32
(11,447 posts)I guess revolution breeds chaos...and so Sanders is accepting of the over-the-top behavior...part and parcel of the revolution he is calling for.
Surya Gayatri
(15,445 posts)kjones
(1,053 posts)riversedge
(69,723 posts)listening.
Haveadream
(1,630 posts)This is a terrible response and sounds virtually identical to what Trump is saying. Bernie needs to tell his supporters to STAND DOWN on the aggression. There are too many of them who are caught up in the thrill of the fight and proud of themselves for the chaos on Friday night, online and in person. He needs to unequivocally say that his campaign is about peace and civil rights and that he wants his people to represent that. His support should stand in stark contrast to the thugs Trump whips into a frenzy. Bernie is losing control of his narrative with his supporters and he needs to get out of denial about it.
Protest absolutely should be done but he should encourage a page from MLK's playbook. Condemnation of Trump and his rhetoric and the actions of his supporters should be consistent and swift and legal. As it stands now, it was very difficult to tell the difference between Trump supporters and Sander's supporters on Friday night. Or, for that matter, when violently rushing the stage at the Trump rally. At this rate, people will get seriously hurt or killed. This is really making me question his ability to lead people in times of duress.