Tulsi Gabbard's Campaign Is Being Boosted by Russophiles

[PunkinPi]

Hawaii Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination is being underwritten by some of the nation’s leading Russophiles.

Donors to her campaign in the first quarter of the year included: Stephen F. Cohen, a Russian studies professor at New York University and prominent Kremlin sympathizer; Sharon Tennison, a vocal Putin supporter who nonetheless found herself detained by Russian authorities in 2016; and an employee of the Kremlin-backed broadcaster RT, who appears to have donated under the alias “Goofy Grapes.”

Gabbard is one of her party’s more Russia-friendly voices in an era of deep Democratic suspicion of the country over its efforts to tip the 2016 election in favor of President Donald Trump. Her financial support from prominent pro-Russian voices in the U.S. is a small portion of the total she’s raised. But it still illustrates the degree to which she deviates from her party’s mainstream on such a contentious and high-profile issue.

Though she has not courted their support, some prominent figures in the white nationalist community have flocked in Gabbard’s direction. David Duke, the former KKK leader, has heaped praise on her. And on several occasions, Richard Spencer, the avowed white supremacist, has tweeted favorably about her, including once again this week.

More here --> https://www.thedailybeast.com/tulsi-gabbards-campaign-is-being-boosted-by-russophiles

[kimbutgar]

1. They were calling into the Thom Hartmann show the other day when he did an informal poll

The calls sounded bs.

[hlthe2b]

2. Oh, my. What will they tell us next--that Trump is making money off of the Presidency?

Hell, yes, Gabbard is getting Russian bot help. Look at her defense of Assad (and Trump vis-a-vis Russia) and other Russia-friendly positions

[JonLP24]

12. She is getting a lot of real help from Americans because of her foreign policy views

She has qualified for the debates based on unique donors & poll numbers 2%.

[Hortensis]

25. As a response to claims she's being used to hurt you,

that seems lacking. People who've always lived in the U.S. don't know what it means to live in a nation that's become broken and impoverished after collapse of its democracy. Maybe it's time to start imagining, because that's the goal here.

As for those unique donor and poll numbers, that's what we're talking about. Russia chooses candidates to weaponize and promotes them. Exactly as they did Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein in 2016 and are doing again this time.

[JonLP24]

26. I don't think Tulsi is the end of Democracy but I certainly am aware of impoverished

Unfortunately a lot of homeless I hope if Tulsi (longshot) were President she would stop never ending wars & take care of people here at home. Medicare for all, ending the wars, & legalizing marijuana.

[hlthe2b]

31. She's getting a lot of help from Russian bots because of her "pro-Trump/Pro-Putin" views

Link to tweet

https://www.thedailybeast.com/tulsi-gabbards-campaign-is-being-boosted-by-russophiles

Tulsi Gabbard’s Campaign Is Being Boosted by Putin Apologists

The Hawaii congresswoman is quickly becoming the top candidate for Democrats who think the Russian leader is misunderstood.

[JonLP24]

32. I saw the link she is getting help by real people

Is this a Russian bot?

Link to tweet

[hlthe2b]

33. With all due respect, this and other posts of yours make no sense whatsoever.

You keep posting things that appear to contradict your point which I still assume is meant to defend Gabbard against the verified reporting that Russian bots are bolstering her campaign, given her pro-Trump and pro-Russia views.

[JonLP24]

40. That person or Russian bot influences my views on Tulsi more than anyone else

No she has an anti interventionist point of view and she is far from pro Trump who she called "Saudi Arabia's bitch". There are real anti war liberals that are boosting her campaign.

The Tulsi smears make no sense whatsoever.

[hlthe2b]

41. Your subject line is once again seemingly contradictory.

Last edited Sun May 19, 2019, 03:56 PM - Edit history (1)

Maybe it is a result of your taking shortcuts in expressing yourself, rather than expressing your full thoughts in complete sentences. I am absolutely sincere in saying that most of what you posted there makes no sense, at least to me and I have repeatedly read/re-read your comments. I in no way mean to insult you by saying that.

[JonLP24]

43. Doesn't bother me

I clarified already and typing in English.

This twitter person influences my views on Tulsi more than anyone else.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

I'm an anti war liberal. Other anti war liberals support her.

If my posts don't make sense blame it on the Iraq war. I have a disability from war so if you don't want more war veterans typing posts that don't make sense then don't support war.

[Cha]

21. And, check out these tweets from Gabbard..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Me.]

3. What Campaign?

As far as I can tell, she's been invisible

[Cha]

5. She pops up every now and then..

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=121728

Me

[Me.]

7. Less Is Best

[JonLP24]

13. Drop the 2011 charges pardon Snowden

repeal the Espionage Act.

[lark]

4. She's only there so PUtin has a presence on the stage.

He will pull out all the stops to keep her in the race as long as possible and maybe have her switch to 3d party or will it be Stein again representing Russia's interest in dividing Americans to ensure their party - Russian Repugs - win?

[The Mouth]

6. I would *NOT* bet

against her doing exactly that.

[Laelth]

8. Interesting. n/t

-Laelth

[oasis]

9. No surprise. Tulsi's soft on both Julian Assange and Syria's Assad. nt

[Hekate]

10. Here's some excellent links on Tulsi's background...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211695834

In addition, there is a Hawaiian journalist who has been doing some deep digging on Tulsi's background, and one of our Hawaii DUers has posted those links. I'll add them in edit when I find them in my bookmarks.

That young lady is not all that she seems, by a long shot. She was groomed from childhood to be the public face of a very undemocratic philosophy.

Here it is, from Mahina, with many additional links

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211667912

[Cha]

15. Mahalo, Hekate.. I just posted

it down thread again..

The more we know..

[PunkinPi]

22. Thanks for the additional info, Hekate. Illuminating. nt

[dalton99a]

34. +1. Tulsi does what her cult leader tells her

[JonLP24]

11. I don't care if some pro Russia professor donates to her campaign

She hasn't done anything wrong I don't want to do McCarthy smears on Democrats. I donated to her and donated to her for the right reasons.

Link to tweet

[JustAnotherGen]

17. I don't care either

But I do care about her voting record in Fed Gov and in state gov.

To each their own - I'm pulling for my gang of five. She's not in it. She won't be in the mix in June 2019 - when the primary rolls around to my state.

ETA - her votes and actions as a legislator are not fake news. It's not McCarthyism to point out her votes and actions. Throwing McCarthyism out there at those who question this person might be fake news. See what one of my gang of five has to say about that:

https://www.yang2020.com/policies/news-information-ombudsman/
“Fake news” is a rampant problem. Online media market incentives reward ‘clickbait’ and controversy even as our social media feeds send us more and more outrageous stories to incite a reaction.

The rewards for publishing inflammatory content are high with no real penalty. At the extreme end, those who wish to misinform the American public can do so with little fear of repercussions. The lack of trusted news increasingly isolates us in information silos that hurt our democracy.

We must introduce both a means to investigate and punish those who are seeking to misinform the American public. If enough citizens complain about a particular source of information and news is demonstrably and deliberately false, there should be penalties. I will appoint a new News and Information Ombudsman with the power to fine egregious corporate offenders. One of the main purposes of the Ombudsman will be to identify sources of spurious information that are associated with foreign nationals. The Ombudsman will work with social media companies to identify fraudulent accounts and disable and punish responsible parties. The Ombudsman will be part of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

[JonLP24]

18. That may be so

I agree with her foreign policy views which are very much needed on the Democratic Platform. We can't continue never ending wars into the 2020s. She's in my top 3 but it is unfortunate the media is giving her a blackout and the media is covering Warren & Harris less as well compared to Buttigieg, Beto, Biden, and yes I'll say Sanders.

edit to your edit -- upthread there is someone said that she'll be Putin's voice at the debates -- no she will be my anti war voice. It is not helpful to do guilt by association smear a candidate as for Russia especially when past & current Presidents have a cozy relationship with the Saudis and support 73 of the world's dictators.

[Cha]

14. If you think Rep Tulsi Gabbard is progressive, you should read this

mahina.. https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211667912

[JonLP24]

16. I could go line by line

a couple of those is fair she was raised by a crazy father her views are different now. She was wrong on the refugees but the main reason she is hated is because she resigned from the DNC and endorsed Bernie. People need to get over the 2016 primary. The Hindu nationalist stuff is smear. She is more knowledge of western Asia affairs than most of the candidates or has the right policies. I stopped reading at "manchurin candidate".

I can find worse like when she used the ticking time scenario to defend torture but she has recently clarified her views like Assad defender this reminds me of the "Saddam lover" crap from the right wing and if you problem with progressives going on Fox or other outlets blame MSNBC & CNN for not inviting them on. I have seen hours of interviews of her.

[PunkinPi]

20. I don't consider her one, and thanks for the link, Cha. nt

[Cha]

23. You're Welcome, PunkinPi..

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Reasons..

[Cha]

19. I can NOT imagine why!

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[Cha]

24. Tulsi Gabbard Says She Would Drop Julian Assange Charges And Pardon Edward Snowden

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287121728#top

Link to tweet

Mueller Report: Assange Smeared Seth Rich to Cover for Russians

https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142304837

[oasis]

28. Facts are a DUers best friend.

Thanks Cha, for putting them front and center.

[Cha]

30. "It's impossible to overstate how tone deaf and dunderheaded this is.."

Link to tweet

Yes.. and this is a fact.. no one can defend this.. except.. well.. I think we know who likes this kind of rhetoric from Gabbard.

Mahalo, oasis!

[Mike Nelson]

27. This is may very likely...

… be true. It's also been the case with Bernie Sanders and Jill Stein. But there is a difference between them and Crooked Donald. He welcomed, asked for and coordinated with the Russians. They had exchanges - polling dat, physically, and ideas at meetings. I don't think Bernie ever coordinated - or will coordinate anything with Russians. Not sure about Jill Stein, but wouldn't be surprised... Tulsi Gabbard is not one of my options, but I would want to look at her the same way - and, I would expect her to be declining any help from Russia, Syria, North Korea, etc... it would help, also, if the candidates Russia prefers would speak publicly… "Russia, if you're listening... go to Hell and take Crooked Donald with you!"

[JonLP24]

29. I don't think Tulsi Gabbard is colluding with the Russians

we need to calm down when it comes to McCarthy rhetoric.

[Hekate]

37. It isn't "McCarthyism" when the US is, in fact, being subverted in 2019 by Vlad Putin....

...authoritarian dictator of an oligarchic regime. Just because the "commies" no longer run Russia doesn't make them our buddies.

Fact: They are hostile to all Western democracies, not just the US

Fact: Putin was born and bred in the KGB and nothing about him and his methods has changed

Fact: If in doubt, look up Malcolm Nance's books

[JonLP24]

42. I wouldn't read Malcolm Nance

Who has been caught lying before.

Tulsi has nothing to do with it. Tulsi's name wasn't mentioned anywhere in the Mueller report.

[Gothmog]

35. Who is surprised by this?

[NurseJackie]

36. Good information! Thanks for sharing!

[Cha]

38. KICK!

[Tarc]

39. #TulsiGabbardEnemyList is trending on Twitter now

Her acolytes are doxxing critics to their FB groups and calling for harassment.

The last, sad vestiges of the Jackpine morons right here.

[Gothmog]

44. Water is also wet

[MineralMan]

45. I don't think that's going to help her, frankly.

She will remain at the bottom of the list anyhow.

There are too many attractive candidates who don't have her drawbacks. She's more at a Jill Stein level of support, I think. I wonder if they know each other.