Democratic Primaries
Related: About this forumReminder; The "Putin helping Sanders" info was classified and leaked anonymously.
The important points in original Washington Post story:
1] Members of congress of both parties received the same intelligence briefing as Sanders and trump.
2] No member of congress, including Sanders, publicly discussed it because it was classified.
3] Someone, we don't know who, leaked it to the Washington Post for reasons unknown.
4] After the information was published, Sanders addressed the issue appropriately.
From the original Washington Post story;
President Trump and lawmakers on Capitol Hill also have been informed about the Russian assistance to the Vermont senator, those people said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence....
The disclosure of Russian assistance to Sanders follows a briefing to lawmakers last week in which a senior intelligence official said that Russia wants to see Trump reelected,.....
Sanders told reporters Friday after The Posts report was published that he received the briefing about a month ago. Asked why he did not disclose the briefing publicly, Sanders replied, Because I go to many intelligence briefings which I dont reveal to the public.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/bernie-sanders-briefed-by-us-officials-that-russia-is-trying-to-help-his-presidential-campaign/2020/02/21/5ad396a6-54bd-11ea-929a-64efa7482a77_story.html
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
SamKnause
(13,114 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
krissey
(1,205 posts)I wnat to know if thye know how he is being helped. $?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
jg10003
(976 posts)The investigation is probably still going on and revealing details could be counter-productive.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
krissey
(1,205 posts)More so as time goes by and we hear this. I want to know where his money is coming from. He is getting large donations and no transparency.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NJCher
(35,807 posts)where?
I want to see a link.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pnwmom
(109,021 posts)This is from the Associated Press
https://apnews.com/345bbd1af529cfb1e41305fa3ab1e604
Shadow group provides Sanders super PAC support he scorns
WASHINGTON (AP) Bernie Sanders says he doesnt want a super PAC. Instead, he has Our Revolution, a nonprofit political organization he founded that functions much the same as one.
Like a super PAC, which is shorthand for super political action committee, Our Revolution can raise unlimited sums from wealthy patrons that dwarf the limits faced by candidates and conventional PACs. Unlike a super PAC, however, the group doesnt have to disclose its donors a stream of revenue commonly referred to as dark money.
Now, with less than one month to go before the Iowa caucuses, Our Revolution appears to be skirting campaign finance law, which forbids groups founded by federal candidates and officeholders from using large donations to finance federal election activity, including Sanders 2020 bid.
SNIP
Our Revolution has taken in nearly $1 million from donors who gave more than the limits and whose identities it hasnt fully disclosed, according to tax filings for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Much of it came from those who contributed six-figure sums.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NJCher
(35,807 posts)and it was described as being nothing more than an assortment of the usual type of donor. In the program, they discussed it as something that might even be scrapped because it serves no purpose.
But above and beyond that, let me point out to you that your point is oxymoronic. What wealthy interests want Bernie in the presidency?
Please, go right ahead. Tell me what private interests are going to benefit from Bernie being the president?
Banks?
Insurance companies?
Investment bankers?
Wall Street?
Big sports franchise owners?
Oil companies?
Do you seriously think these people would bankroll Bernie?
Oh! OK, here's one: I'll bet you'll tell me that the powerful group of small organic farmers is in Bernie's PAC.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pnwmom
(109,021 posts)and donors.
And we just learned today that Russia is still supporting Bernie's campaign -- we just don't know how.
I don't know what radio show you heard on NPR, but Our Revolution should be transparent about its donations. It's a disgrace that they aren't.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Demsrule86
(68,771 posts)contributors are.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Dream Girl
(5,111 posts)That is the end game. Please open your eyes
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
W_HAMILTON
(7,878 posts)Like a super PAC, which is shorthand for super political action committee, Our Revolution can raise unlimited sums from wealthy patrons that dwarf the limits faced by candidates and conventional PACs. Unlike a super PAC, however, the group doesnt have to disclose its donors a stream of revenue commonly referred to as dark money.
...
Our Revolution has taken in nearly $1 million from donors who gave more than the limits and whose identities it hasnt fully disclosed, according to tax filings for 2016, 2017 and 2018. Much of it came from those who contributed six-figure sums.
It wont have to publicly reveal its 2019 fundraising until after this years presidential election. And money it raises between now and then wont have to be disclosed until the following year.
Taken from: https://apnews.com/345bbd1af529cfb1e41305fa3ab1e604
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SunSeeker
(51,787 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NJCher
(35,807 posts)For providing the same article for the third time.
What else ya' got?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
W_HAMILTON
(7,878 posts)You apparently knew the exact anonymous six-figure donations that were being referred to and yet you tried to play dumb about them -- very disingenuous tactics.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NJCher
(35,807 posts)innocuous by the NPR report, I did not consider them in the same light as PAC donations by bankers, Wall St., etc.
A structure such as Bernie's PAC could still exist that is not serving a function. That is because this is a very focused campaign and I seriously doubt anyone has time for details such as disbanding a PAC.
If the NPR report is correct, they should disband it so they can kneecap ridiculous claims like this, you know, the kind that defy common sense.
So, uh, can I get an answer to my question about what big interests are backing Bernie?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
W_HAMILTON
(7,878 posts)Sanders and his supporters basically define """corrupt money""" as money that hasn't been given to Sanders -- nice set of principles you guys have there!
It's not a movement -- it's a following.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NJCher
(35,807 posts)and the "corrupt money" can be determined if you just cite the big-money interests, like I asked in my post above. You can't answer it, can you?
Instead you'll discount an honest response and twist it into a psychological maneuver. I do understand that's what it takes to get you through the night.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
W_HAMILTON
(7,878 posts)Sanders's founded Our Revolution to be a dark money organization that can hide its donors from the public. Tell us, though, how many "grass roots" salt of the Earth types have the capability of donating six figures to a political campaign? Hmm?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NJCher
(35,807 posts)"Dark money." It makes me laugh.
You will not slime Bernie because that is precisely what Bernie stands for: not being beholden to big money interests.
Now, if I had to speculate, the PAC may have been formed for the few people with the money who support these goals. Every now and then you do run across a "60 Minutes" story about millionaires who agree America is in trouble because of our compromised election system. There are a few people who do fall in that category and if Bernie's campaign did not have that option available for them, they would essentially have to turn that money away.
Bernie is not compromised to big money interests. He does not take their money. I wish all the candidates could say that.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
MontanaFarmer
(630 posts)We don't know. In light of this reporting, Sanders should tell us where it came from. Otherwise, he's no better than trump WRT Russian aid.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
pnwmom
(109,021 posts)their facts wrong, because this wasn't just an empty PAC. There have been large amounts of money passing through it, well beyond 2016.
And since it is DARK MONEY, we don't know what big interests might be funding it. But it could be almost anyone with an interest in giving Trump what they perceive as a weak challenger in the general.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
NJCher
(35,807 posts)They didn't say it was an empty PAC. They just said it wasn't a PAC in the sense of other PACs.
as you can see, unlike the other candidates, Bernie is not short on money. Never has been. He doesn't need to take funds from such sources and he wouldn't. If exposed, it would completely negate an entire lifetime of what he's worked for.
Sorry, no sale.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
pnwmom
(109,021 posts)that there's no problem with the Our Revolution funding, despite the formal complaint filed by Common Cause, an ethics in government organization?
https://www.commoncause.org/press-release/common-cause-files-complaint-against-pro-bernie-sanders-group-our-revolution-for-violating-soft-money-ban/
Today, Common Cause filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) alleging reason to believe that Our Revolution, a nonprofit political organization established by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) in 2016 and now supporting his 2020 presidential campaign, violated the federal soft money ban. Sen. Sanders has been a longtime critic of super PACs and so-called Dark Money groups. The complaint documents that Our Revolution has solicited contributions explicitly to elect Sanders president, received contributions far in excess of the applicable $5,000 contribution limit and spent funds in connection with federal elections, including current voter mobilization efforts supporting Sanders in Iowa.
Under the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, an entity directly or indirectly established by a federal candidate or officeholder is not allowed to solicit, receive, direct, transfer, or spend funds in connection with an election for Federal office unless the funds are subject to the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of federal law.
According to Our Revolutions tax returns showing contribution amounts but not contributor names, data compiled and first reported by the Associated Press, from 2016 to 2018 Our Revolution raised almost $1 million dollars from contributors who gave in excess of the applicable $5,000 contribution limit, including multiple contributions of between $100,000 and $300,000. Our Revolution has not disclosed any of its contributors to the FEC, as required by federal campaign finance law.
Americans expect and deserve to have our campaign finance laws enforced and they expect political organizations to abide by the law, regardless of their political views, said Paul Seamus Ryan, Common Cause vice president for policy and litigation. The facts surrounding Our Revolution, including its founding by Sen. Sanders, its receipt of six-figure contributions, its failure to disclose donors to the FEC, and its political spending in Iowa and elsewhere, point to a clear violation of the federal soft money ban. Common Cause is a nonpartisan organization and we work to hold power accountable regardless of party affiliation or policy positions. It is critically important that the soft money ban be enforced, or outside groups founded by candidates will become a commonplace means to evade contribution limits and disclosure requirements.
To read the FEC complaint against Our Revolution, click here.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)Corporation about this (yes, I know, radical!).
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-51582025
This is the only reference to 'evidence' I can find in reports on this.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
krissey
(1,205 posts)That "source" doesn't mean much. Nothing about FB suggest they can be trusted.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)Without evidence, it's just some US spooks visibly interfering by briefing anonymously to the WP. Advising people to beware of this happening is one thing; asserting without evidence that it is happening is quite another. If there is trolling in social or other media by Russian state actors there should be evidence of this and no reason to classify it - the opposite, in fact: disinformation needs to be called out.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
krissey
(1,205 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Ghost Dog
(16,881 posts)And I see no good reason why any such evidence would need to be hidden.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
krissey
(1,205 posts)Why did Sanders just a couple days ago suggest it was the Russian bot pretending to be his supporters cause chaos and problems when he already knew Russia was helping him?
We will have to wait to see. Sure would help if Sanders himself would share some of that transparency he so often rants about.
Then he can also give us the Medical records that he said he would absolutely give us before a first vote because it was the only fair thing to do.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
True Blue American
(17,995 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
krissey
(1,205 posts)to him? What Democrat behaves like that? None.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
True Blue American
(17,995 posts)Seen too much anger, rage ,fist pumping, finger pointing to last me the rest of my life.
I want a calm, intelligent, common sense man or woman leading.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
True Blue American
(17,995 posts)Thinking the same thing here.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
krissey
(1,205 posts)Trump. Really.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
True Blue American
(17,995 posts)I am trying to find out how to get off Facebook. It is rotten and corrupt to the core. So is Twitter, but at least they do not flood your IPAD.
BTW, new IPad yesterday. It is amazing, compared to my old one.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
krissey
(1,205 posts)ads and misinformation?
And glad you like the new Ipad. Lol. Enjoy. Always fun.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
True Blue American
(17,995 posts)Now,if they would dump the lying,hating,revengeful Twitterer in Chief. They would get my applause.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
krissey
(1,205 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
onetexan
(13,078 posts)Just like he'll release his medical records when president
Fox watching the henhouse.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
krissey
(1,205 posts)Such blatant disrespect for the people he asks for a vote from. Only Trump would get away with this.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
5X
(3,972 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... not seeing a good reason why Sanders didn't tell Russia to go to hell a month ago.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... was a way to carefully craft a denouncement as to keep himself covered at the leastr.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wisteria
(19,581 posts)I must of missed all those denouncements.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
calimary
(81,565 posts)Somehow, I missed all those other denouncements, too.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)I will tell you that I was absolutely outraged by his behavior in Helsinki, where he really sold the American people out. And it makes me think that either Trump doesnt understand what Russia has done, not only to our elections, but through cyber attacks against all parts of our infrastructure, either he doesnt understand it, or perhaps he is being blackmailed by Russia, because they may have compromising information about him.
Or perhaps also you have a president who really does have strong authoritarian tendencies. And maybe he admires the kind of government that Putin is running in Russia. And I think all of that is a disgrace and a disservice to the American people. And we have got to make sure that Russia does not interfere, not only in our elections, but in other aspects of our lives.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Autumn
(45,120 posts)I would think they would be doing the leader thing and let us all know and they would join in denouncing Russia with Bernie. Yet they have been silent since this leaked. That's curious to me.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
W_HAMILTON
(7,878 posts)He said that Russians were hurting his campaign by being responsible for the toxicity well known among his supporters when, in fact, he was briefed that Russians were HELPING his campaign.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SunSeeker
(51,787 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
W_HAMILTON
(7,878 posts)And let me say something else about this, not being too paranoid. All of us remember 2016, and what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up. I'm not saying that's happening, but it would not shock me.
Taken from: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/full-transcript-ninth-democratic-debate-las-vegas-n1139546
He blamed the Russians for the behavior of his toxic supporters when, in fact, he was briefed that the Russians were trying to HELP his campaign.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wisteria
(19,581 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... the outside involvement that AMERICA will not put up with it.
I don't see how America was helped with his silence in the end
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Garrett78
(10,721 posts)Sanders is the new frontrunner. Therefore, he's the new target. If someone else becomes the frontrunner, guess what's going to happen?
It's all about disinformation and chaos. This is modus operandi for Putin's Russia.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Hoyt
(54,770 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Cha
(297,935 posts)lack of trying.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
David__77
(23,600 posts)Is it released now? Does a document even exist?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
musicblind
(4,486 posts)I assumed if it were classified intelligence they would have called it that.
I'm not saying you're wrong, you might be right, but are there any reputable sources that specifically call the information classified?
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Autumn
(45,120 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... thinking this is a bad move by Sanders.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Autumn
(45,120 posts)very often. Maybe that's why. I just want to know what Dem leadership has to say about this. I've found nothing yet.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... campaign to any degree and generically said something not congress.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Autumn
(45,120 posts)I want to know what Nancy thinks is going on. Not what a bunch of people yell and whine about on their keyboards.
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Autumn
(45,120 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Aaron Pereira
(383 posts)Someone had a motive to release classified information clearly for the purpose of influencing an election. Who would want to damage Sanders electoral prospects enough to risk jail time?
primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
Qutzupalotl
(14,340 posts)So we Americans can sort it out for ourselves. At risk of personal repercussions. Thats patriotic. Thats a hero.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
rockfordfile
(8,709 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
apcalc
(4,465 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
TomCADem
(17,390 posts)...and blamed Russian bots for making threats against a union that did not support him. He knew otherwise based on the briefing, but decided to spread misinformation himself.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
HarlanPepper
(2,042 posts)You dont seem too interested in that part.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
EveHammond13
(2,855 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Coincidence I'm sure.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
wisteria
(19,581 posts)It was benefiting him. And, frankly, letting us know Russia was trying to help his campaign was not divulging any classified information. We all know Russia is interfering.
So, I dont accept this explanation.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
blue-wave
(4,372 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 22, 2020, 04:00 AM - Edit history (1)
Why don't we let someone like this run for President on the Democratic ticket even though they want a litmus test for all Democratic candidates and only use the party apparatus when it suits him? If candidates don't pass the test 100%, they get no support!! Don't you just love totalitarianism?
Then make sure that in the last election about 10% of said candidates supporters voted against the Democratic Nominee for President. Handing the election to the republiCON while all the CON's destroyed bits of democracy here and there throughout the PresiCON's term in office.
https://www.npr.org/2017/08/24/545812242/1-in-10-sanders-primary-voters-ended-up-supporting-trump-survey-finds
Gee I must be rocket scientist. No, just kidding. I'm a brain surgeon.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
RandySF
(59,614 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
SunSeeker
(51,787 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
radius777
(3,635 posts)Hillary's emails were a public issue, yet the Russian meddling that helped Trump (and Sanders to a lesser extent) was kept hidden in 2016.
The fact that Russia is #1 for Trump and secondarily for Sanders/Gabbard/Stein (all of whom have populist and isolationist beliefs, which Russia views as good for their expansionism) is not really news though to anyone who sees who the bots favor on social media, RT propaganda, etc.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
aeromanKC
(3,330 posts)The primary will go to the Convention and NO WAY the delegates will vote for a Putin endorsed candidate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
uponit7771
(90,370 posts)... there was no need for that comment and he could've kept themselves above the fray but it made it look like he was upset.
There's something wrong here, someone mentioned Iowa timing of the Russian "help"
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
jmg257
(11,996 posts)Last edited Sat Feb 22, 2020, 08:23 AM - Edit history (2)
Classified, but trumps info wouldnt be.
On edit: well trumps was...
Intelligence officials told lawmakers in a classified briefing last week that Russia is meddling in the election with the hope of getting Trump re-elected, according to officials familiar with the briefing.
Further edit: bernies may have been too:
Casca later sent out an email further making the case that Bernie was set up by Team Trump, noting that the briefing on Russia's efforts was classified and that Bernie had long warned that Trump would use the federal government to help his reelection.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
duforsure
(11,885 posts)trump engineered leak to provide distraction away from it coming out putin was helping him again? That is both trump and putins pattern they use. I do think this was .
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
Autumn
(45,120 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Undecided
NYMinute
(3,256 posts)primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
MrsCoffee
(5,803 posts)Bernie needs to drop out.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
madville
(7,413 posts)It was leaked on the eve of the Nevada primary to be used as a political weapon. By whom? Obviously someone wanting to use it against Sanders, for all we know it came from Trump's side and I have a theory about that. If the seed gets planted that the Russians are helping Bernie and he gets the nomination it will wipe out any weight to the Russian meddling argument since it would apply to both candidates.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden
mcar
(42,439 posts)He is a member of the Senate.
primary today, I would vote for: Joe Biden