Sanders campaign accuses Biden of 'continued lies' about 'Medicare for All'

[left-of-center2012]

Sen. Bernie Sanders' (I-Vt.) presidential campaign slammed former Vice President Joe Biden on Wednesday for "continued lies" about Medicare for All.

"Thank you, Joe Biden, for crediting our campaign for honesty," senior advisor Jeff Weaver said in a statement. "I'm sorry we can't return the favor. Your continued use of the same insurance company scare tactics that were used against the Affordable Care Act is truly disheartening."

"The real questions to be asked are about Joe Biden's pro-industry plan: Where is Joe Biden going to get the billions he's suggesting in new subsidies that will go into the pockets of drug company and insurance company executives? Why is Joe Biden leaving over 10 million people uninsured? Why is Joe Biden not willing to say every person should be able to see any doctor or health professional they choose?" Weaver said Wednesday.

The former vice president has proposed expanding the ACA while offering a government-run “public option” and allowing people to keep their private insurance if they so choose, while Sanders has said his plan would eliminate private insurance.

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/454632-sanders-campaign-accuses-biden-of-continued-lies-about-medicare-for-all

[dem4decades]

1. Would Bernie be allowed to post here? He seems to go after Democrats. I almost said other

Democrats, my bad.

[George II]

7. What's amazing is he was bragging about being the "first" to sign the Pledge, and nagging.....

...everyone else to sign it too.

Funny thing - first to sign, first to break the Pledge.

[Amimnoch]

27. I think he thought he'd do better than he is when he did sign it.

His mistake.

[corbettkroehler]

29. Defending Oneself Against Lies Is Not A Pledge Violation

We can quibble about what will happen during the Medicare For All transition period but what definitely WON'T happen will be benefit cuts for seniors on the existing program. They will see their benefits expand by a YUGE drop in prescription prices through bulk purchasing, like the Veterans Administration already does, on top of the inclusion of auditory, dental and vision care.

http://huffpost.com/entry/biden-mimics-gop-medicare-for-all_n_5d30d289e4b020cd9940ca6b



If that column from HuffPost didn't convince you, try the video.

Link to tweet

[George II]

30. Calling a difference of opinion a "lie" does break the Pledge.

The fact is, the way BS' plan is structured (from what little details we have), people will lose their coverage. Plus it doesn't get into the disparity of coverage between his "Medicare for All" and some private insurance plans, which he'll ban.

[corbettkroehler]

33. Check Your Thesaurus

A difference of opinion relates to implementation. For example: some automakers refer to a popular color of paint for automobiles as "silver". I always call it "gray". Who's right? It's a difference of opinion.

Sidestep the numerous facts in my previous reply if you wish. However, those of us interested in actually winning the nomination and general by providing coverage for all Americans know that bicameral legislation to cover everyone equals the fact that "everyone" means "everyone". That's not an opinion.

[emulatorloo]

2. I was really missing Jeff Weaver, lol. Is he unaware that Biden is pro-ACA?

"I'm sorry we can't return the favor. Your continued use of the same insurance company scare tactics that were used against the Affordable Care Act is truly disheartening."

Bernie 2016 supporter here. Weaver never bothered to expand Bernie’s base beyond his core supporters. He just threw out hot-headed “red meat” to people who already supported Bernie. Pretty bad strategy for a campaign manager imho.

I thought it was a good strategy that the Sanders campaign was keeping Weaver in the background this time. He’s a good friend to Bernie, but not great when it comes to doing what would help Bernie expand his base and win the nomination.

[George II]

15. Jeff Weaver - I've had seven root canals, would rather an eighth than see Weaver again.

[thesquanderer]

19. Get the nitrous. Root canals are a joy. (Except for the bill.) n/t

[George II]

31. They're really not as bad as the stories about them. I had little trouble, except for one....

....where the Novocaine didn't "take", the dentist yanked the nerve out in one piece with no anesthetic.

[R B Garr]

3. Jeff Weaver?! Wasn't he kicked to the curb after top management

in Sanders’ 2016 campaign were implicated in abuses towards women... ugh

[Me.]

4. Maybe

but now he's the highest-paid member of the campaign.

[JI7]

6. maybe that's why they couldn't pay those others

[Me.]

8. There's A Thought

[R B Garr]

17. It does make you wonder if Weaver had to fight as hard for

his compensation package as the 99% in Bernie’s campaign. Good point.

[R B Garr]

10. That is truly sad, and sad our Democrats get attacked by him...

again.

On another note, the comment section is brutal! They have totally nailed this campaign. Oh my!

edit-darn phone typing ...

[Me.]

11. THey're Making The Bed

Now they'll have to sleep on it.

[George II]

9. He's on a pace to earn about a quarter of a million dollars as a "senior adviser".....

Not to mention any media buy commissions.

[R B Garr]

14. Ah, Those lucrative media buy commissions again. Weaver is the 1%'er

in Sanders campaign. The hypocrisy is astounding. Wish we could finally find out about Old Towne Media.

[corbettkroehler]

25. I'm Sure Biden's Senior Advisors Go To Bed Dying Of Hunger (n/t)

[George II]

26. Biden hasn't had a problem with paying his lower level staffers a "living wage". His minimum....

....is $48,000 per year. Sanders' minimum, up until a day or two ago and after all the negative press, was $36,000.

[corbettkroehler]

35. Once Again, You Failed To Address My Response - I Referred To A Post About Weaver

I didn't mention rank-and-file staffers. I mentioned senior advisors. I defy you to tell me that Biden's senior advisors start at $48k.

[Blue_true]

20. It's an ages old trick.

When you are bleeding out, bring a vampire back into the mix to fix you. Weaver is going to kill Bernie's campaign faster, Bernie seems to be ok with that risk.

I would not be surprised to see Bernie go scortched earth on Elizabeth Warren next week.

[George II]

5. It would behoove BS to think about this. A difference of OPINION isn't a "LIE"!

He's third or fourth in most polls, he's getting desperate. He's even floundering in third in his assumed wheelhouse, New Hampshire.

Most people like Biden's plan vs. the still unspecified "Medicare for All".

[Cha]

12. Team BS must think accusing

Biden of Lying makes them look tough so they can pass Biden in the polls.

BS was first in the polls until Biden made his Brilliant launch vid.

Now.. where is he?

[George II]

13. It's the effect of Nina Turner and David Sirota.

[Cha]

18. Yes, that's why he hired them

and had the nerve to brag about being the first one to sign the Unity Pledge.

[Blue_true]

21. He has even pulled the stake out of Jeff Weaver's heart and brought him back into the fray.

So much for the women that suffered in his 2016 campaign.

[Cha]

22. Oh that's right.. that's why

Weaver stepped down but not out.

Wow.. talk about desperation.

[George II]

23. Was also the first to break the Unity Pledge, too.

[Cha]

24. Right on schedule.

[corbettkroehler]

32. Actually, You're Right. However, Deliberately Misstating FACTS Is A Lie

The false claims of loss of benefits not only attacks Sanders but Gillibrand, who wrote that section of the Senate version of the Medicare For All legislation, and Warren, who stated her support for the bill, along with several other members of both chambers of Congress.

A difference of opinion would be whether a single-payer system should be created from scratch or by expanding Medicare to include everyone. We had that discussion in the 2008 primary.

Oh, and, by the way, Obama supports single-payer.

Link to tweet

[Vegas Roller]

16. Here we go again

A non-Democrat attacking a lifelong Democrat over President Obama's signature achievement.

Divisive tactics.

[Everyman Jackal]

28. Sanders would eliminate private insurance.

Why?

[stonecutter357]

34. let's go Joe !