Warren to Sanders (audio): "I think you called me a liar on national TV."

[BeyondGeography]

Link to tweet

[oldsoftie]

1. EEP!

Steyer looks like the kid who crapped in the pool

[GemDigger]

2. And there it is. nt.

[Cha]

3. Wow.. I read "cnn had turned off the audio by then"..

Wow.. somebody had the audio! Whoa, Elizabeth was Not having it!

[R B Garr]

7. Hi Cha! Just read your reply and thought the same thing...

Warren was not having it! Good for her.

Good to see you, Cha!

[Cha]

13. Good to see you, RB!

Yeah, incredible how this all came to boil and bubbled over on National TV.. Sound effects and all.

[Demsrule86]

18. Good for Warren...Sanders wants his cake and to eat it too...he wants her to lay off of him and

be on the team while he slips the knife in her back with the script which he and his campaign were not truthful about...it was used to canvass last weekend...they admitted this. And then he calls her a liar on the debate stage...she has guts...

[George II]

23. They turned if off on their broadcast so their "pundits" could talk, but the camera....

...was still running and caught it.

Another dismissive reaction to a woman by him. Glad she tracked him down and confronted him, and he couldn't take the criticism. We've seen things like that for years.

[Cha]

40. She did! A beeline to call

out BS.. a thing of beauty. Shine the Light!

Now Tom Steyer can stop denying he heard anything. I don't blame him for wanting to stay out of it.. like he was going to tell on them.

Thanks for the explanation!

[Demsrule86]

43. Brushed her off...so arrogant...I am convinced he lied.

[dware]

99. Thank you Cha,

you're right, EW was having none of it.

[honest.abe]

4. Ugh.

Not good for anyone on our side.

[Quackers]

49. I disagree. It shows Warren ready to confront him right then and there.

I think it adds to her credibility and believability that it happened. If you were a liar(not you, just in general), the last thing you would want to do is confront the person you lied on. Kinda like how Sanders tries to run away when confronted. If he actually believed his own line that he told the truth, he wouldn’t be looking for the nearest escape route.

It actually makes Warren more appealing to me as a candidate.

[brush]

64. Same here.

[James48]

94. And sadly,

It makes her less appealing to me as a candidate. If she has an issue like that, I would have hoped that she first take it directly to him in private, away from the cameras, before making such an accusation. Obviously they have differing recollections if some conversation. I think it is important they discuss it first in closed session to attempt to resolve their differences. It could very well be that either one of them, or both of them, could get better charity if they talked it out first before displaying it in a public forum.

That’s my thought, anyway. I could be wrong.

[PassingFair]

110. Switched my allegiance from Warren last night, before the audio was released.

She brought the drama like a “Real Housewife” or a “Mob Wife” episode. I was an early backer of Warren. Not happy about this gambit. Sick about it, actually.

[elleng]

56. Right, BAD NEWS.

[Cha]

119. I think it's important.

[NYMinute]

5. Bernie thought he would get away with it because

he has so far been treated with kid gloves and none of his slogans/platitudes called into question.

This has to end NOW.

Go Senator Warren! My kudos to you.

[oasis]

106. +1,000,000

[R B Garr]

6. Wow! Warren is not having it. Maybe now it's clear

how insulting Sanders is to others and to our party. He insults Democrats constantly.

[BeyondGeography]

8. She'll have that discussion "anytime."

[R B Garr]

11. Love it! She went after it right there.

Good to see!

[Cha]

14. Yeah, the truth has a funny way of getting out sometimes..

dare I say GMTA?

[George II]

25. "He insults Democrats constantly." Mostly women.

[The Valley Below]

9. Sanders is burning every bridge in the party.

[tishaLA]

10. Of *course* he wanted to get in the last word

Not a good look for the junior senator from VT.

[Dennis Donovan]

12. "Yeah good... ok."

[Tiggeroshii]

15. I wish mommy and daddy would stop fighting.

And realize they are better together than apart.

[Demsrule86]

21. Sanders might be better off but not Warren...he stabbed her in the back with the elitist script,

at the very least his campaign was not truthful, and it was used over the weekend...they admitted it... then he calls her a liar on the debate stage...yeah I am sure Sanders likes this sort of arrangement...But it seems that Warren isn't getting much out of this 'friendship'. With friends like Sanders, well you know the rest.

[Tiggeroshii]

22. Not even a little bit.

This was a two hour conversation almost two years ago and both remember it differently. Nobody else was there to confirm or deny it, and no recordings took place. The only people this helps is centrists, and if Bernie and Warren supporters want their policies to succeed, it would be best to let this go.

[Demsrule86]

45. If I were Warren I would go after Sanders with everything I have...knock him out of the race...what

has she got to lose? Why should women play the 'good' girls ...the peacemakers...he went after her first with the elitist thing.

[Tiggeroshii]

48. What she has to lose is dividing the progressive vote so much that her viability is assuredly nil.

Let it go. Progressives want as much good will with each as possible. The two of them are the best hope we have impo(in my progressive opinion)

[Demsrule86]

65. If the nominee, she gets the votes...why should she help him...she is an individual

candidate running for the presidency...if he is so worried about splitting the vote, he should get out.

[Tiggeroshii]

66. Keeping this spat going makes the possibility of her being the nominee a no go

Same with Bernie. It is mutually assured destruction that could take down the eventual nominee with them.

[Demsrule86]

85. But will Sanders stop? He did put out the script after all...they should both stop but will it

happen?

[Tiggeroshii]

92. Hopefully

[Demsrule86]

95. seriously, I hope so too.

[True Blue American]

90. Elizabeth did not

Do anything, Bernie did. His defensive reaction was revealing.

[getagrip_already]

55. She has an ad with that clip right there.....

If she wants to go there. You know bernie would.

[Demsrule86]

68. True...I mean...I may not be a supporter but I am sick of women playing 'nice'...she is in it

to win it. I can't fault candidates trying to win. She can beat him on policy.

[elleng]

57. Right again, Tigger,

(tho I might be considered a centrist!!!) and I'm 'annoyed' at Dems who continue to try to make something of it.

It serves NO ONE well.

[Tiggeroshii]

62. Thanks elleng!

You're right, in the end this hurts all of us.

[Demsrule86]

69. I don't like the way Warren was treated. I object as a woman...has nothing to do with Biden or

anything like that...I am outraged at the way she was treated. In fact, since she showed guts, in calling Sanders on his calling her a liar...she is now my second choice should Biden falter. This election is not about policy for me...it is about getting rid of Trump and it will take guts to do that. And no way Sanders should be our nominee. Sorry if that annoys you but it is how I feel...As a woman, I have experienced what Warren did...and it burns me to this day.

[elleng]

72. As a woman (and a person,) I am annoyed at the way this whole thing is being handled;

they should BOTH be treated as human beings, and I wish we ALL could do that, as proposed by Tigger, AND jg10003 yesterday, https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287424377.

[Demsrule86]

79. I can't argue with that...We should all treat one another in more respectful way.

[elleng]

81. Thanks

[Demsrule86]

84. In the end, we all want the same thing...to get rid of Trump and make our country a better place.

We have more that unites us than divides us.

[elleng]

86. Yes we do.

I wish we'd ALL behave accordingly.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

87. Bernie treated as a human being?! We both know THAT'S not happening!!

Of course, you're right though... how sad.


Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[The Valley Below]

27. Guess who everyone is going to side with in this "divorce?"

Not him.

[The Valley Below]

36. Nope. Happily married (to a solid Democrat).

[The Valley Below]

39. LOL. I need to be divorced to know which side people are going to take in this "split?"

I don't think so.

[R B Garr]

59. Goodness. Nothing said was personal.

Vaping ? High school?

[The Valley Below]

101. Damn straight.

[Demsrule86]

47. Why would anyone share anything when asked in such a rude manner.

[SidDithers]

50. +1...nt

Sid

[Demsrule86]

73. First of all you don't need to be divorced to know about divorce...secondly this is not a divorce...

Sanders is not married to Warren. This is a political dispute. I am actually not involved politically as I support neither of these candidates in the primary. But as a woman, I was infuriated with how Warren was treated...that's it. That is how I feel. I will say one thing. I don't understand how Warren keeping their bargain when Sander clearly has no intention of doing so...(the script, what happened at the debate shows this) helps Warren in her quest to win the nomination. If she doesn't fight back she might as well quit. Well she did fight back and I say good for her. What is she supposed to do? Should she make life easier for Sanders? She is a competitor not his handmaiden, and he should treat her more respectfully IMHO. That is pretty much all I have to offer except Warren is now my second choice in the primary.

[R B Garr]

63. Why don't you share your divorce story.

[Demsrule86]

16. Wow, Holy shit... that woman did not lie. Sanders on the other hand...

[dalton99a]

17. Damn.

[Mike Nelson]

19. I think they should...

... forget about "having that discussion" until after this contest is over... I predict it will get much uglier.

[SaschaHM]

20. Well that rift is going to mend anytime soon.

It shouldn't really tbh. I've yet to see a Warren surrogate go after Bernie in the way that Nina Turner has been doing since Warren had her rise. Good to see that she's fighting back.

[highplainsdem]

24. CNN story, with full transcript of what they said:

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/15/politics/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-debate-audio/index.html

"I think you called me a liar on national TV," Warren can be heard saying.

"What?" Sanders responded.

"I think you called me a liar on national TV," she repeated.

"You know, let's not do it right now. If you want to have that discussion, we'll have that discussion," Sanders said, to which Warren replied, "Anytime."

"You called me a liar," Sanders continued. "You told me -- all right, let's not do it now."

After their exchange, fellow Democratic candidate Tom Steyer, who had been standing behind the two senators, can be heard saying, "I don't want to get in the middle. I just want to say hi Bernie."

A spokesperson for the Sanders campaign declined to comment on the audio. A spokesperson for Warren's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

[JudyM]

26. This is really disappointing for those of us who like them both.

She lost some of her appeal with this, at least for me, bringing it up publicly at the 11th hour right before the debate. Seems to have saved it to torpedo him, that’s low. Not a peep about it till she drops in the polls and he’s rising? Come on. I just find that to be poor character and certainly not in the least in the best interest of progressive values.

[Bummfuzzle]

32. Just two days prior Sanders stated a rogue employee was responsible for the trashing of Warren

Two days later we find out it was scripted and part of the campaign in a number of states.

[JudyM]

38. So it was vindictive.

Anyway, we don’t know that it came from Sanders — that’s usually the field director’s scripting. I’d be interested to know how Warren’s field is distinguishing her platform from Sanders’.

Look, she stabbed him in the back, in public. She should’ve worked it out with him. I wish they would have talked to each other but timing was too tight.

[Bummfuzzle]

44. Sanders blamed a rogue employee and we find out that is a lie.

[Blue_true]

51. Bernie Sanders has shown over and over that he micro-manages, I doubt that

script wasn't seen by him before it was sent out to FOUR early states. The script was a strategic attempt to kneecap Warren, she had a right to respond. Bernie sent the script out a few days before the debate, what is wrong with Warren responding in real time?

Unlike you, I have a lot more respect for Warren grabbing the ugliness by the horn and dealing with it.

[JudyM]

61. We don't have the facts

about whether Sanders knew the text of the script... he has been traveling and putting up bills etc, extremely busy. I’ve worked on campaigns, and this is the kind of thing that would necessarily be delegated, unless we hear otherwise.

I don’t fault Warren for responding to that, but I do fault her for pushing out an entirely separate, unrelated attack on Sanders. It’s discrediting to our values.

[Blue_true]

67. The script was sent to FOUR early states.

That is a high level strategic decision. I can see a few rogue operators in a part of one state, but FOUR states, the same script. There is no way that was not strategic and if Bernie didn't know about it, how can he say that he is qualified to lead a government of millions of employees?

There are only like 4-5 people in the upper most levels of his campaign where that script came from, so you are saying that he doesn't communicate with a handful of his most senior staff? If your view is right, that doesn't say much good about his leadership ability.

[JudyM]

71. Look we don't have the facts, that's an assumption.

And I disagree with the concept that the candidate knows the specifics of the script. His direction was probably “no personal attacks” and the script actually doesn’t cut her down personally, it points out a practical angle about electability. That’s a material difference, IMO. I think it’s ok, not at all out of bounds.

Here’s what it said: they stated that the “people who support her are highly-educated, more affluent people who are going to show up and vote Democratic no matter what” and that “she's bringing no new bases into the Democratic Party.”

Warren’s characterization of this as “trashing” her is simply not accurate.

[Blue_true]

75. Bernie's campaign admitted that the script had been sent out to FOUR

states from it's HEADQUARTERS. For that to happen, a minimum of two most senior people would have to approve, the field director and a higher up. There are only two people higher up than the national field director, that is the campaign manager and Bernie. So I repeat, if Bernie DIDN'T know about the script and the wording, what does that say about his leadership, since the script originated from two people that he should have daily contact with?

[JudyM]

78. It doesn't say anything of the sort

He’s too busy to be reviewing scripts, are you kidding?! Unless he says he reviewed it, it’s just too much of a stretch to think he did. And as I tried to point out, it does not trash her, it is not a personal attack against her, so it could’ve been considered within the bounds of what would be ok, so says nothing about his management. Sorry, that doesn’t fly with me.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

89. Respect!

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[yardwork]

96. Did Warren bring this up? My understanding is that she did not bring it up.

[JudyM]

100. Yeah, she apparently told CNN.

[yardwork]

105. I think that's incorrect.

[JudyM]

107. Seems I read that, could be wrong.

But still, it would’ve been someone from her inner circle, if not her, since it was a private convo. And since rather than letting it go, she immediately made a point of taking umbrage, framing it as a real issue, that seems to suggest she was ready to press it forward when asked about it, without missing a beat. It came it right after the discovery of the field talking points and her dropping in the polls as Sanders rose. Looks to me she was involved in this aptly-timed release.
Makes me feel a little sick. I really liked her.

[Bummfuzzle]

108. Warren was asked about the script and only said she was disappointed Sanders was trashing her.

In the meantime, Sanders was saying on camera that it was a rogue employee. That one can't control 500 employees. That Warren too has problems knowing everything her 500 employees are doing.

About that time, it came out that someone on her team put out Sanders said a woman could not beat Trump. She had told people on her team about that after the meeting a year or so ago. She didn't get into it until Sanders got out there saying he absolutely did not say it.

She made a statement it was said, that is it. Again not elaborating or attacking.

She then told her supporters to deescalate. Before the debate. To let it go.

And about that time we found out that it was not a rogue employee but a four state strategic campaign plan, scripted, organized and implemented to hurt Warren. Sanders lied.

At the debate, Sanders reply was such it was calling her a liar. And again, Warren answered the question least of an attack as she could.

Warren had every right to confront Sanders and I expect no less from her. It is one of the many reasons I think she would do well on the campaign trail, dealing with Trump and Republicans when she wins.

[yardwork]

111. You are mistaken.

[JudyM]

115. Got a link? More curious about it now that you've said that.

[yardwork]

116. Thank you for asking! Below is a link to the original CNN article:

This is the original article that broke this story several days ago. The article states that four anonymous sources told the CNN reporter about the 2018 meeting between Warren and Sanders.

Warren was asked to confirm the account, and she did. She was not the original source, though.

https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/13/politics/bernie-sanders-elizabeth-warren-meeting/index.html

[JudyM]

117. Ok thanks. So there were 4 sources, that doesn't seem like it was coordinated with her at all.

I stand corrected on that fact; however, even if she wasn’t the one who went to the reporter, she acted completely on board with it from the outset. And that’s further supported by her actions at the debate.

Look, I was solidly in her corner, I have appreciated her work and what I thought she stood for, which is one of my two main issues: anti-corruption. I will vote for whoever I believe has the best chance of beating mr horrific when the vote comes to my state, but this has dampened my enthusiasm for Warren.

This was a well-timed breach of trust, even if she does honestly remember it as she’s stating. Months and months of friendliness just vanishes, why? Because friends of hers outed his (purported) statement? That doesn’t even make sense. Maybe because of their respective shifting in the polls. Or worse, out of vindictiveness.

This is as manufactured as the outrage about his field teams’ saying she won’t bring in independent voters like Sanders will. That seems to me to be a reasonable thing to say, even if it’s explained with reference to the demographics of her base. It wasn’t a personal attack on her, and she reacted as if it was.

on editI can’t spend any more time on this... I wish Warren well, I wish all of our candidates well and I just wanted to share my view because I was surprised at this turn of events.

[yardwork]

118. It's standard for news outlets to confirm stories with multiple sources.

CNN doesn't say that four people approached them. It sounds like somebody - not Warren - told this story to CNN and the reporter followed up with three additional sources to confirm. That's standard journalism.

[sheshe2]

28. There it is.

Go Warren.

[bluesxtreme]

29. I mean good for you guys

Wow. It’s just whatever anyone wants to hear right?

Not one of you were there. They basically both called each other liars they both believe they are right. Congrats Democrats! We really are the better party.

Unity my ass.

[ritapria]

31. Bernie did not call her a liar on National TV

That's a fact ..He didn't …Is he allowed to deny an accusation ?..Could she possibly be wrong ? .. Could she have misunderstood what he said in that conversation that took place in 2018 ? …. Where was the anger when she was hugging Bernie on that debate stage 6 months ago ?....The leak to CNN came after she began plunging in the polls ...That's you call a delayed reaction - in the extreme … Bernie supporters are done with Liz ….How does this Warren campaign leak , and refusal to shake Bernie's hands, bring her closer to the nomination ? ...How is she supposed to win t the nomination without the Left ? …. Very bad politics ...Unless she is hoping to become Joe's VP? …..If she knocks Bernie out , the Left will either stay at home or relunctntly vote for Joe - or Andrew Yang ……..

[Cha]

41. I'm going with Elizabeth's Truth..

[Demsrule86]

53. Yes he did...and he stabbed her in the back with the elitist script...which they lied about.

[RandySF]

54. When you flat out dent a clear-cut statement

You imply the other person is a liar. And are suggesting that Warren needs to let Bernie win?

[JudyM]

80. I suspect there are people close to her who put her up to this.

[madville]

109. She may have betrayed their private conversation for political gain

At the best she is untrustworthy, the worst she is lying about it.

[yardwork]

112. That's not an accurate summary. Warren hasn't made a big deal out of this.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

88. Absolutely right... to assert otherwise is absurd on it's face.

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!

[Southern Blueneck]

33. Devil's Advocacy

Is there a recording of Bernie actually telling Warren that a woman can't win? Hey, just trying to be fair.

"braces for incoming fire"

[Demsrule86]

58. Really

I don't need a video...I can tell by watching the debate she is telling the truth.

[AJT]

34. Each calling the other a liar will be in GOP ads if either is the nominee.

This terrible for both of them, and the party.

[defacto7]

46. I agree.

[vsrazdem]

35. You called me a lier, No you called me a liar. Grow up, both of you.

[RandySF]

52. Wow

[maximusveritas]

70. I believed her completly at first, but I must say that is an odd way of phrasing it

If she was confident she was telling the truth, she would directly say "you lied on national TV".
Instead, she seems more concerned about being called a liar.
This makes me think he said something similar (though not exactly the same) as what was reported and it is his flat denial without admitting what he did say that upsets her as it makes it seem as if she made it all up.

[Cha]

76. I disagree.. you don't go up to

someone and confront them if you're "lying". Nobody likes to be called a "liar" when the truth is on their side.. especially if you're running for potus

[maximusveritas]

77. Not saying she's lying either. Maybe what was said was slightly different or in different context

and therefore she's just not 100% confident it was said exactly like it was reported with that intent.

[Cha]

82. And, BS just got busted for making a false claim about their

conversation before cnn release the audio..

Bernie falsely claims he and Elizabeth were talking about the WEATHER

Link to tweet

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=426160

[JudyM]

83. Wow, that's insightful and rings true to me.

[yardwork]

98. Well, I disagree. I think she was being as gracious as possible.

Warren didn't call him a liar. Instead, she confronted him about his behavior without labeling it.

[brer cat]

74. I believe Warren

and I'm glad she is standing her ground. Bernie should have apologized and this would have been over.

[MyNameGoesHere]

91. The Independent Senator from Vermont

Has never ever been on my list of Democrats I would support so this isn't a big deal for me. Expected. but no big deal.

[dgauss]

93. This issue is like a Rorschach test for people to project their biases onto.

One of those threads in this forum that is more revealing about posters than candidates.

[betsuni]

97. I heard the "Curb Your Enthusiasm" music in my head.

I want Warren to go full Susie on him.

There need to be more "Enough is enough" moments.

[Cha]

102. Precisely!

[IronLionZion]

103. Like most disagreements, they probably have different perceptions of the same thing.

Their perceptions are shaped by their own life experiences. I bet each of them believes they meant well.

[BadgerMom]

104. Warren has said she has no fear.

She said it to a rally, seemingly as a means of encouraging her supporters as they look to the future and to trust her toughness.

I believe her.

[sheshe2]

113. Kick

[jcgoldie]

114. Sanders fucked up

She took the high road and was non-confrontational in the debate turning the question into one about the viability of women candidates rather than using it to attack Bernie. Bernie chose outright denial... it was a bad mistake.

[Cha]

121. I agree..

[RandySF]

120. K&R