Democrat Senators Threaten to Punish Bernie Sanders

[Purveyor]

The blowup in Nevada has prompted many of Sanders’s Senate colleagues to urge him to get control of what he started—and direct it away from Democrats and toward Trump.

05.23.16 1:00 AM ET

Bernie Sanders has proven he can fill a stadium with adoring fans, but Democrats say he risks being ostracized by members of his own party when he returns to the Senate unless he can reign in his supporters soon.

While Sanders’s young and energetic base is something the Democratic Party desperately wants to coopt in the general election, senior Democrats want Vermont’s junior senator to harness that anger and point it at Donald Trump. Anything less, they say, and Sanders risks coming back to the Senate alienated from his colleagues.

The violence that erupted at the Democratic convention in Nevada last weekend, with chairs being thrown, followed up by threats of violence and vulgar, sexist insults being hurled at Democratic leaders by ardent Sanders supporters, was a wake-up call for many in the Democratic Party.

California Sen. Barbara Boxer was at the mic for Hillary Clinton when the now infamous convention erupted. She’s a four term senator, who defeated former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina in her last reelection, so she’s not Pollyannaish. Still, she says when she talked to Sanders on Tuesday she told him to never let his supporters do that again.

“I told him that what happened to me was very alarming, disturbing and that he needed to really get control of the situation,” Sen. Boxer told The Daily Beast. “He said he was distressed about it and expressed chagrin about it.”

Later, when Sanders sent out a press release on the affair, he doubled down, accusing the Nevada Democratic Party of being in the pro-Hillary camp. Democrats in the Senate didn’t like the sound of that, because they think it’s time for the party to heal, not throw more blows.

MORE...

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/05/23/bernie-sanders-risks-berning-bridges-in-senate.html

[RobertEarl]

1. He will be in total control

H will retire and leave the party to Bernie and he will reform it into a truly democratic party.

[COLGATE4]

20. I'd love to have some of whatever it is you're smoking.

[NCTraveler]

31. You don't want to sound like that.

Just say no.

[Baobab]

69. No chairs were thrown, and this is democracy. WTF?

If the Dem party tries to punish Bernie for doing his job well, there will be a price to pay. This way of thinking is just totally self-destructive to the party. If they want to destroy it, they are doing a good job of that.

[RobertEarl]

22. Of course he can't do it without us

But we can do it without the third way Clintons.

[anigbrowl]

47. I don't take enough drugs to find that claim persuasive... nt

[trueblue2007]

56. like .... what drugs are you on?

BERNIE ISN'T EVEN IN THE PARTY.
He isn't a Dem, he is a registered Independent.

[Beacool]

67. Earth to RobertEarl.......

[elehhhhna]

2. HRCs inlaw is a fuxking liar.

No chair thrown but for the Chair throwing the caucus to Hillary.

What bullshit.

[Vincardog]

27. Exactly so: the only think thrown was the chair throwing the convention to HRC. So much BS for 2

Delegates. The only explanation that makes any sense is that the Democratic Party Establishment has decided HRC can not win legitimately so the powers that be will have to STEAL it FOR HER.

They did this blatantly to start the narrative that Bernie's supporters are violent "Thugs" who need to be restrained "Collared" if you will.

The SnewZ organizations are in on the meme. This is to make, the Police Riots and violence against the people, coming in Philadelphia a reasonable response to the animals trying to hijack their sElection.

[liberal from boston]

62. Go Bernie

NPR walks back reports on Vegas violence:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1564677017168030&id=1449125955389804

[Samantha]

3. Have those same senators approached Hillary Clinton to ask her to call off Brock and Penn

If they are sincere in wanting the party to heal, the dirty tricks and misinformation from Brock and Penn must stop.

Sam

[farleftlib]

29. ^^THIS^^

If they want Bernie supporters then they can't threaten to punish him if we don't come to heel.
It's a package deal, if they want us, we want him.

What utter arrogance. This is a shot over the bow and guess what? They can just bring it on!

[renate]

34. thank you

Reconciliation is a two-way street, and Bernie's not doing anything but continuing to stay in a contest that he has every right to stay in.

[Kittycat]

55. What about the supporter that beat a woman?

Haven't heard a peep of condemnation on that one.

[Samantha]

58. Or what about the bullet fired into Bernie Sanders' headquarters

and he was inside? Have you heard the MSM address that?

Sam

[LiberalFighter]

63. Police investigated and did not find a bullet.

Media says the hdqtrs was shot up but there was only one hole in the window. This happened back in January and there is no more info about it since.

[Time for change]

59. I haven't heard of that

Do you have a link?

[mythology]

60. Here you go

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/05/16/wendell-pierce-actor-and-social-activist-arrested-for-allegedly-attacking-bernie-sanders-supporter/

Reports are conflicting, but in any event Pierce should be held to account for his portion of the violence, including hitting the woman in question.

[Kittycat]

61. Linked here

http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/16/entertainment/wendell-pierce-arrested-atlanta/

[Time for change]

73. OK, thanks

I don't understand the point of this though with regard to Bernie's responsibilities.

Every major candidate for president has literally millions of supporters. No matter who the candidate is, some of them will be criminals, some will be violent, some will be be arrested for various things, some will be terrible people. Is Bernie or any other candidate supposed to take personal responsibility for every act engaged in by any of his supporters?

It seems to me that the best that can be expected of any candidate is that he or she never encourage violence and if it occurs in a context that seems to be related to his or her candidacy, discourage it. To the best of my knowledge, Bernie has done that. The article you linked me to doesn't even specifically say what the argument in question was about. Bernie's name may or may not have come up. Do you think he should take personal responsibility for that incident?

The biggest criticism of Bernie regarding violent behavior concerns the events at the Nevada State Convention. He is being widely blamed for the "violence" that occurred there, both by the Democratic Party and by our "news" media, even though, according to the credible accounts that I've read, no violence occurred there at all. What occurred was loud and angry protests over blatant abuses of power in an attempt to steal an election. This shows how desperate the Hillary campaign, the Democratic Party, and our corporate news media is to discredit him in any way they can.

[Kittycat]

74. First, there wasn't any 'violence' that occurred.

No arrests. People were clearly upset by the shadiness taking place, and even the modified rules being ignored/bypassed. Yelling, shouting is a form of protest when your voices are clearly being ignored. The foul language should be restrained, but even Sen. Boxer antagonized and flipped off Sanders supporters. It's a two way street. You can't do one thing, and not expect a response. On the flip side, no - I don't believe candidates are responsible for the actions of individuals. Bernie has stated multiple times that specific behaviors are unnecessary and discouraged. I've yet to hear that from Clinton, but I've seen similar and worse harassment online and then there is the report such as the one I linked with nary a peep from their camp. Either candidates are responsible or they are not. if they are not, then stop calling on Bernie to disavow everyone that breaths. If they are, buck up and take ownership for an awful lot of foul behavior on the HRC aisle, including that of elected officials representing the candidate and flipping people off/antagonizing people or the individuals just bullying for the sake of what they perceive as #unity.

[jwirr]

4. RW propaganda media using all the buzz words to tell a lie.

Boxer is not running from what I understand so we Bernie supporters will not have to deal with her. But we will still be around in 2018 to let people like her know exactly how we do not appreciate lies like hers.

[grasswire]

5. primary them, then

Their time is over.

It's a new day in America.

[oldandhappy]

10. That will happen!

[HooptieWagon]

6. DailyBeast lies have already been discredited.

There was no chair-throwing or violence. Boxer wasn't afraid...she was gleefully inciting insulting and attempting to antagonize the crowd, and finished her speech with flipping a bird. Given Clinton surrogates trolling behavior, I'd say Sanders supporters were within their rights to boo.
And BTW, Clinton ends up the big loser. 2 or 3 delegates isn't going to make a difference. But the Clinton campaigns cheating, lies, and smears added counted thousands to the Never Hillary rolls. LMAO. She's sabotaging her own campaign...even more incompetent as a candidate than as SoS.

[Joob]

7. You know it's bullshit when they say chairs were being thrown. And sure, it wasn't "rigging"

...not by "their" rules. Which is fine. However, it IS rigging to many IN the party, clear as day.
(And they won't stand for it like the Establishment)

Tch, it makes it worse the party doesn't see that as rigging.

[tonyt53]

8. The Democratic Party will be around long after Bernie is forgotten.

Most of his followers would lose interest in the campaign by November, even if he did get the nomination. People over 50 vote. Most of Bernie's followers never have and likely never will in a general election.

[timmymoff]

9. Possibly the most full of shit statement I have read today

I'm over 50, voted for all the crappy candidates the third way has sent forth. Now I have to decide if I want this insanity of voting against my best interest continued. I have until November.

[Downwinder]

18. +70+

[BigMin28]

12. in my 50's

A Bernie supporter, and have been a registered democrat for 36 years. Vote in all elections. This may be the first one I sit out since I was 18.

[2banon]

13. Keep drinking that kool aid, make it a double next time

[cali]

14. You are so wrong. And all you have to do to see that is go here

https://www.reddit.com/r/SandersForPresident/

[lancer78]

24. 29 and

younger were 3% more of the electorate than seniors in 2012.

[Cal33]

28. The Establishment and DNC are under the influence of the Corporatists, and have

been corrupted by them decades ago. Bernie and Elizabeth are the ones who are
trying to lead the Democratic Party back to the honesty and decency it once had.
The last president we had, who was also a decent human being, is Jimmy Carter.

I think this movement of Bernie's - whether he wins or loses - is here to stay.
The American people, especially the young and educated ones, are sick and tired
of the Corporatists' crooked ways. They will see to it that the movement started
by Bernie and Elizabeth will keep on growing, even after they will have left the
political scene.

[Scootaloo]

51. More fervent, white-knuckled hate from a Hillary supporter

[Mass]

11. We want names. because, with the exception of DiFi, there are few people named

that thinks Sanders should be punished and 2 (Murphy and Cardin) who think he will play a large role.

So, who are these senators who think Sanders risk "berning" bridges in the Senate. Or is it more media ginning up the story.

This reminds me of 2004, where the media were certain Dean would try to create a coup at the Convention. Guess what. Nothing happened.

[winter is coming]

15. Still pushing the "chairs thrown" lie? That's some quality writing. n/t

[azurnoir]

23. what do you expect? Chelsea Clinton Mezvinsky is on the Board of Directors of the Daily Beast

[bettyellen]

45. you got her name wrong, and should fix it. respect her choice.

[azurnoir]

64. I knew there'd be complaints no matter which sur-name I used , so I chose both

which one would make you happy and please be specific-I am not sure which Chelsea chose

[bettyellen]

66. nope- it is her choice of names, not yours. she goes by Clinton

[azurnoir]

68. well fine and it makes my point all the more plain Chelsea Clinton

[2banon]

16. Boxer et al, needs to get an effin' grip poste haste.

beyond the obvious credibility wrt to the entire story, (apparently she's not aware it's all caught on videos, her lies and her behavior is exposed)

But issuing moronic threats to Sanders is akin to biting their noses off to spite their faces. Seriously, Bernie doesn't NEED them

They need HIM and OUR SUPPORT. .

[renate]

35. weren't there times when, if Bernie hadn't caucused with the Democrats,

... the Senate would not have been in Democratic hands? I can't remember what era that was, but I remember thinking it was interesting that just caucusing with them, while not being one himself, gave them the majority.

Forgive me if I'm wrong--this is a drive-by post while I wait for the last few minutes of laundry in the dryer, or I'd look it up.

[2banon]

37. I don't have the exact number of times when his vote was critical at the moment either

but his presence and votes with the Dems in the Senate was critical on numerous occasions through the years. no apologies necessary!

[Art_from_Ark]

42. That might be Jim Jeffords you're thinking about

He was the Senator from Vermont who was Sanders's predecessor. Jeffords had been a Republican until around May 2001, when he switched to Independent and caucused with Senate Democrats, thus giving them a rather tenuous majority which many thought at the time would finally stop the Bush juggernaut.

[AgingAmerican]

17. Still pushing the 'Chairs were thrown' debunked garbage?

[KoKo]

40. Yep...that "Lie went Around the World" before "Truth could get it's shoes on."

I think it's a Mark Twain quote. I paraphrased it...

[blm]

19. The headline writer couldn't bring himself to use the word Democratic?

.

[seabeyond]

21. As they should. There should absolutely be repercussions to his behavior.

[riderinthestorm]

25. What behavior by Bernie merits "repercussions"? nt

[AgingAmerican]

43. It's for the thrown chairs and punches landed in Nevada!

As per the 'article' lol

[Scootaloo]

52. Challenging Seabeyond's candidate, mostly

[warrprayer]

26. The establishment

Is sodding it's linens!

[Mnpaul]

30. Big bunch of crybabies

I can see why Republicans use them as a doormat.

[Zorra]

32. It's "rein in" not "reign in". You stop a horse by pulling on the reins.

Someone needs to rein in all of that BS flowing out of the Daily Beast. They can't even get their idioms correct.

[Doctor_J]

33. The right wingers want Sanders voters but not Sanders himself nor his agenda.

[lumberjack_jeff]

36. We're gonna punish you for being the most effective and popular elected official in the country.

another good idea from good ideas, inc.

[Cobalt Violet]

39. NO CHAIRS WERE THROWN!

This is propaganda.

[Doctor_J]

41. Dammit, if the Hilloons say a chair was thrown, then a chair was thrown, even if

no chair was thrown.

[Art_from_Ark]

44. Shades of Karl Rove's "creating our own reality"

[Cobalt Violet]

48. I thought fact adversion was a republican thing.

Having a hard time accepting in the Democratic party.

[MisterP]

50. if Schrodinger's candidate sits in Schrodinger's chair, does it support her or do both vanish?

[Demoiselle]

46. That's DemocraTIC, please. It's the adjective form of Democrat.

I giggled when I first saw the Republicans (or perhaps we should just call them Publicans) played around with the word Democratic, implying of course that the Democratic Party wasn't really DemocraTIC at all. It saddens me to see this word game perpetuated on Democratic Underground.

[actslikeacarrot]

49. Clinton dodged some bullets, Boxer dodged some chairs...

...it was pandemonium I tell ya!

[jillan]

53. Punish? Bernie go to your room!! Grow up people.

[trueblue2007]

54. I am ashamed of Bernie. Ashamed of him and for him.

[Fumesucker]

57. Reined, not reigned

Idiot writers who don't know the difference shouldn't be writing for publication.

[Warren DeMontague]

72. A hard reign's a-gonna fall!

[anotherproletariat]

65. I was wondering how long the Dems were going to put up with him. nt

[senz]

71. Are the "Democratic senators" trying to embarrass themselves?

Time to vote a few establishment lackeys out of office and replace them with strong, clear-sighted progressives.

Let's bring integrity back into the Senate.