AP Interview: Sanders says opposing Biden is 'irresponsible'

[George II]

Source: Associated Press

By STEVE PEOPLES / 55 minutes ago

Bernie Sanders said Tuesday that it would be “irresponsible” for his loyalists not to support Joe Biden, warning that progressives who “sit on their hands” in the months ahead would simply enable President Donald Trump’s reelection.

And lest there be any question, the 78-year-old Vermont senator confirmed that “it’s probably a very fair assumption” that he would not run for president again. He added, with a laugh: “One can’t predict the future.”

Sanders, who suspended his presidential bid last week, spoke at length about his decision to endorse Biden, his political future and the urgent need to unify the Democratic Party during an interview with The Associated Press. He railed against the Republican president but also offered pointed criticism at his own supporters who have so far resisted his vow to do whatever it takes to help Biden win the presidency.

He seemed to distance himself from his campaign’s former national press secretary, Briahna Joy Gray, when asked about her recent statement on social media refusing to endorse Biden.


Read more: https://apnews.com/a1bfb62e37fe34e09ff123a58a1329fa

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It was noted that Ms. Gray, along with ALL of his staffers were no longer on the payroll as of today, and will receive a severance check next month.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. Statesmanlike words. Welcome, and about time.

[AtheistCrusader]

2. Along with being convinced of his suitability as a candidate, this is

precisely the outcome I expected.

He was never our enemy.

[guillaumeb]

5. Well said.

I agree.

[democrank]

13. As do I.

I’m thankful for everything Bernie has done, especially his unwavering support for veterans.

[Eliot Rosewater]

16. Now the fight is will the fascist republicans destroy the USPS before the election

if they do, we will have to do something drastic.

If the virus they are purposely spreading to me and my family to kill us, doesnt kill me, I will not go down without a fight.

I hope we ALL feel this way.

[guillaumeb]

23. The reality of the USPS, and what it does,

contradicts one of the foundational conservative memes, namely, that the Government cannot do things efficiently.

[Eliot Rosewater]

25. Their biggest issue with it is the workers get paid a decent wage and have

protection from a union.

They hate that like the plague.

Thus the ultimate dichotomy of middle class, non professional Americans who would do FAR better in a union but hate unions.

[guillaumeb]

32. And the success of the very rich in making their interests seem like our own interests.

Orwell would shake his head.

[Chemisse]

3. Good for Bernie.

I did not think he would give his full-throated support.

I'm so glad I was wrong.

[SheltieLover]

4. I sure hope they listen!

Glad he made the statement. Msybe he will do virtual campaign events for Joe & down ballots? Hoping so!

[guillaumeb]

6. Recommended.

Sanders is aware of the real danger if Trump is re-elected.

[DarthDem]

7. Excellent. Quite Professional.

I hope he'll campaign for Joe. Thanks, Sen. Sanders.

[Indykatie]

8. Has Any One Heard from Nina Turner? It Seems She's Been MIA.

[qazplm135]

11. if she wants to say nothing, that's fine

that's quite a step above from pushing rape claims like Gray is doing.

[George II]

12. Her last tweet was around this time yesterday. Nothing since.

[RhodeIslandOne]

15. Holding a boombox over her head outside Jill Stein's gated community most likely

Another political mercenary.

[Evolve Dammit]

9. He will, as he did for H.

[Tiger8]

10. And if things turned the other way.....

I’d be all in for Bernie.

[Eliot Rosewater]

14. Like I said, if Bernie was the nominee you could count on me speaking as if

I was always with him, unconditional support.

I admire what he is doing now, he is proving that he will NOT put his own self interests or career over the actual lives of the people as Rump does daily.

I call on ALL Biden supporters to extend a hand to Bernie supporters, we need them, we need each other, Donald Rump and the GOP are killing us, on purpose and they will continue to unless we do something.

[abqtommy]

17. It's kinda late to be making with the Kumbaya Conga, Bernie! Just go away and shut up.

[paleotn]

18. Not really.

Heck, we're no where near convention time and Nov. is a long way off.

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. Not helpful...in normal times I would get the anger, but we will be killed if we

dont get people to vote for Joe, so the more we do to make that happen the better.

[Mister Ed]

28. "Go away and shut up"? Perish the thought.

Joe Biden says to Bernie, "I need you, not only to help me win, but to help me govern."

Is Biden wrong on either point? I have to think he is not.

[ramen]

30. Are you insane? This is exactly what DU was so sure he wouldn't do:

Endorse Biden and campaign for him. I hope he does so vigorously, because we are going to need his supporters to join/stay with us for November. This is all hands on deck and I am glad that he is still on our team.

[Sgent]

35. This is exactly what he didn't do last time

So far I think he has the perfect runner-up.

[Chicago1980]

38. Thats a foolish step.

Like it or not, there needs to be unity and Biden and everyone else will need his supporters to help push things over.

Time to stop the divisiveness.

[Aristus]

19. If nothing else, I'm hoping this pulls the slats out from under anyone claiming

to be a Bernie supporter in an effort to gaslight Biden's campaign.

Since Bernie Sanders is throwing his support behind Biden, I'm just going to assume that everyone online bleating about how real progressives never get a shot, and how this is all a devious plot by the DNC to hamstring a real progressive movement is the bunch of Russian trollbots I'm sure they were all along.

[George II]

21. Unfortunately he released all his paid staffers earlier today, so he now has no control over them.

[LiberalLovinLug]

36. Both can be true

Progressive candidates are generally not supported by the Democratic leadership. Just being real. They had to air lift in Perez to run and win for the DNC head for instance when it looked like Keith Ellison was the clear leader. Who was someone favourable to progressives. Predictably, Perez then appointed a majority of pro-Clinton (including a couple of visceral anti-Sanders) pro establishment convention committee members.
Disappointment is something progressives have had to deal with for a long time, and probably will again. We have developed thick skins and are used to resigning to the fact that America, even a large part of Democrats, just are not willing, or woke, enough in their thinking to fight for things like universal healthcare that almost every other country enjoys. Frightened just as easily by the word "socialism" as the GOP liberty caucus. Not by socialized medicare as a concept so much as they are frightened of Fox News, and RW media and don't have enough confidence in themselves to adequately explain how paying half as much for universal care by simply funding healthcare like they do the military, is not communist. That is the part that is frustrating to progressives. The lack of political courage.

As far as the DNC, I'm not going to get into it, but there is history, admitted and apologized for, of their bias and working with one campaign over another. That is fact.

But no, most progressives know, reluctantly, that however corporate-dependant the controlling establishment dominates, and slows down progressive policy, it is far far better to have someone from the Democratic party running things than Donald fucking Trump. Who is dismantling liberal policy, not merely slowing it down. We will lick our wounds, as usual, but not forget. And just like AOC, or Warren, or Sanders, we have to continue to fight from the sidelines. New voices like Katie Porter rising. Until one day, America will get what they deserve, and have waited far too long for, a truly progressive visionary as President. I still think that Sanders funding a campaign by small donations, a record number, was amazing and historical. That dramatic accomplishment proved a lot of so-called experts wrong, and could have really set him up to make real changes, unencumbered by billionaire and corporate donor influence. sigh.

So to be clear, I am wholeheartedly supporting voting blue no matter who. Just because I also accept reality doesn't change that. FYI I have recently visited JPR, and have chastised them sternly in a thread there those who proclaim they will vote Green over Biden. I was appalled to see that. I'll probably get kicked out there now too. Its ridiculous. and as Sanders put it "irresponsible" to not vote Democratic. But it doesn't mean life is going to be fair for progressives in America anytime soon. But as long as the Democratic Party allows more liberal voices to speak and run, its stupid not to be a part of the big tent, even if its at the back with the view obscured by columns.

[marble falls]

20. Bernie gets it. Will his followers get it, too?

[Garion_55]

22. Please God let Bernie supporters show up in the end for Biden

I stayed uncommitted, Bernie would have been my first choice but I literally would vote for a moldy raccoon turd to get rid of trump.

I am hoping people who really supported Bernie hardcore will put aside that and let's get this monster out of office.

And when that is done make sure you honor Bernie and his movement by adopting a lot of his issues

[Nacht Owl]

24. VIDEO, Please

And make it as passionate as one your own, Bernie.

[ramen]

31. I would expect plenty of that.

This is a prelude.

[still_one]

27. Good for Bernie. I would say it is far worse then irresponsible though, and anyone who does

not heed the advice of Senator Sanders is the enemy, along with trump and the republicans

[Thekaspervote]

29. Finally.. all the same kudos to bernie

[NBachers]

33. As one of the frequent Bernie critics here, I applaud Sanders' endorsement of Biden and

Last edited Tue Apr 14, 2020, 11:24 PM - Edit history (1)

his statements in support of Biden since Bernie dropped out.

If Bernie continues in this vein, and I'm confident he will, I'm dropping my opposition and supporting his efforts in our behalf.

There will always be a few sad slowpoke stragglers left over after the Revival Show has packed up their tent and left town. Abandon them

We are now united against great evil. Let's roll

[PubliusEnigma]

34. Even Bernie is not Bernie or Bust.

[Blasphemer]

37. Thanks Sen. Sanders! I am hopeful this will go a long way toward true unity! nt