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Joe BidenCongratulations to our presumptive Democratic nominee, Joe Biden!
 

highplainsdem

(48,731 posts)
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:18 PM Jan 2020

Sanders apologizes to Biden for surrogate's op-ed alleging he has a "big corruption problem"

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bernie-sanders-apologizes-to-joe-biden-for-surrogates-op-ed-alleging-he-has-a-big-corruption-problem-today-2020-01-20/


Des Moines, Iowa — Senator Bernie Sanders apologized to former Vice President Joe Biden on Monday for an op-ed written by one of his campaign surrogates that claimed Biden has a "big corruption problem."

"It is absolutely not my view that Joe is corrupt in any way. And I'm sorry that that op-ed appeared," Sanders told CBS News.

The op-ed, published in The Guardian by law professor Zephyr Teachout, claims Biden "has perfected the art of taking big contributions, then representing his corporate donors at the cost of middle- and working-class Americans."

"Converting campaign contributions into legislative favors and policy positions isn't being 'moderate,'" Teachout wrote. "It is the kind of transactional politics Americans have come to loathe."

While Teachout does not officially work on the Sanders campaign, she stumps for him, and has introduced and endorsed him.

-snip-

Sanders has also recently been fighting with rival Elizabeth Warren, after she alleged that Sanders told her a woman couldn't win the presidency. Sanders supporters, who have a fervent Twitter presence, helped to make #RefundWarren and #BidenSocialSecurityCuts some of the top trending topics in the country this past week.

CBS News asked Sanders if he approved of his supporters aggressively attacking his opponents online.

"No, I really don't," he said. "If anyone knows me, what I believe is we need a serious debate in this country on issues. We don't need to demonize people who may disagree with us."

"I appeal to my supporters: Please, engage in civil discourse," he added. "And by the way, we're not the only campaign that does it. Other people act that way as well. I would appeal to everybody: Have a debate on the issues. We can disagree with each other without being disagreeable, without being hateful. That is not what American politics should be about."



Teachout might not work for the Sanders campaign, but David Sirota and Briahna Joy Gray, who were tweeting that smear of hers against Biden, DO...and this is typical for them.

Sanders can pretend all he wants that he appeals to his supporters to "please engage in civil discourse." But he's hired some of the nastiest people around, and he's known exactly what they're doing.

And it's BS to claim that "Other people act that way as welll."
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
59 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Sanders apologizes to Biden for surrogate's op-ed alleging he has a "big corruption problem" (Original Post) highplainsdem Jan 2020 OP
Teachout was supported by many here for NY AG position won by Letitia James... hlthe2b Jan 2020 #1
OH NOooos. Another Dem against Dem post... JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #2
And, you kicking it. Cha Jan 2020 #5
Oh NOOOOOOOO!!!!!! JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #8
.. Cha Jan 2020 #33
Hey, Joe -- even Bernie realized his people had gone too far and he owed Biden an apology. highplainsdem Jan 2020 #6
Will Joe say he is wrong, for his supporters when they are wrong too? ntn JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #10
Supporters squirecam Jan 2020 #12
When has a high level Biden surrogate accused an opponent of being corrupt? nt Blue_true Jan 2020 #19
I cant squirecam Jan 2020 #22
When that happens, yes. George II Jan 2020 #25
The OP is about BS "apologizing" for.. Cha Jan 2020 #34
Seeing it in the latest polls Thekaspervote Jan 2020 #16
His internal polls likely show him crashing. Blue_true Jan 2020 #23
Always right on target Joe!! InAbLuEsTaTe Jan 2020 #26
No, it's an independent against "Dem" (Democrat) post.....l George II Jan 2020 #42
Shame on teachout.. wonder why BS Cha Jan 2020 #3
Maybe attacking Biden is costing him support... Demsrule86 Jan 2020 #9
The Sanders campaign was getting criticized in the media and on social media for this smear. highplainsdem Jan 2020 #13
Well, well...I guess just like others he is finding out it is not so easy to attack Biden. Demsrule86 Jan 2020 #50
It must be bad for this to happen. Cha Jan 2020 #35
I would love to see some internal polls...Sanders must be worried to do this. Demsrule86 Jan 2020 #49
.. Cha Jan 2020 #51
Everyone who's attacked Joe Green Line Jan 2020 #55
serves him right. Demsrule86 Jan 2020 #56
Can you post what she said? nt JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #11
"Google it". George II Jan 2020 #15
Why not post what you think is wrong? JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #30
BS "apologized" for teachout. Cha Jan 2020 #36
For what? JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #38
Ask BS. Cha Jan 2020 #39
You're all the way down to being the 38th post in the thread and you haven't read the OP yet? George II Jan 2020 #44
I'm sure you've seen what Teachout wrote, Joe. And there's another thread about it. highplainsdem Jan 2020 #17
Are you being coy? George II Jan 2020 #28
... Cha Jan 2020 #41
But he won't apologize for Sirota or Cenk. nt Blue_true Jan 2020 #24
Well the apology squirecam Jan 2020 #4
Day Late & Dollar Short Me. Jan 2020 #7
And yet he did NOTHING to make sure it didn't appear. The genie is already out of the bottle. George II Jan 2020 #14
Didn't Bernie have a corruption problem in 2015/16 too? I seem to remember something napi21 Jan 2020 #18
It had to do with the sexual abuse and harassment and pay inequality in his campaign.... George II Jan 2020 #27
I notice he took an opportunity to repeat the accusation. RandySF Jan 2020 #20
So "clever". Cha Jan 2020 #46
The fact that he has David Sirota, Briana Joy Gray, and Nina Turner as part of his campaign, only still_one Jan 2020 #21
I'll never forgive squirecam Jan 2020 #29
Even if they supported Amy? JoeOtterbein Jan 2020 #40
It's the oldest trick in the campaign book. RandySF Jan 2020 #45
If Amy squirecam Jan 2020 #47
You care because these are the people frazzled Jan 2020 #58
I agree...they are dead to me. Demsrule86 Jan 2020 #52
same here still_one Jan 2020 #54
In psychology, this is called "doing and undoing" NCProgressive Jan 2020 #31
Let's be clear Bernie, you're only sorry your numbers are in free fall because of your actions: Gothmog Jan 2020 #32
Wow.. it's like Chris D Jackson is reading Cha Jan 2020 #48
A day late and a dollar short NYMinute Jan 2020 #37
Apologies are for chumps boomer_wv Jan 2020 #43
Looks like the Senator from Vermont got the message that his surrogates had crossed the line peggysue2 Jan 2020 #53
Does sanders ever apologize to females? Gothmog Jan 2020 #57
I was thinking the same thing...where is Warren's apology? Demsrule86 Jan 2020 #59
 

hlthe2b

(101,730 posts)
1. Teachout was supported by many here for NY AG position won by Letitia James...
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:21 PM
Jan 2020

All I can say is thank heavens Letitia won and not Zephyr Teachout.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
2. OH NOooos. Another Dem against Dem post...
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:24 PM
Jan 2020

...where is my fainting couch????!!!!!

Remember everyone. This is just our Primary. It's ok now because it's our Primary and we all need to toughen up a bit.

Be ready for what November brings!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
5. And, you kicking it.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:24 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
8. Oh NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:26 PM
Jan 2020

What could be worse???????????!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the hearty LOL!!!!!!!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

highplainsdem

(48,731 posts)
6. Hey, Joe -- even Bernie realized his people had gone too far and he owed Biden an apology.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:26 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
10. Will Joe say he is wrong, for his supporters when they are wrong too? ntn
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:28 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

squirecam

(2,706 posts)
12. Supporters
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:30 PM
Jan 2020

Or actual campaign surrogates?

Because they are not remotely the same.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
19. When has a high level Biden surrogate accused an opponent of being corrupt? nt
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:36 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

squirecam

(2,706 posts)
22. I cant
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:38 PM
Jan 2020

Think of one.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

George II

(67,782 posts)
25. When that happens, yes.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:39 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
34. The OP is about BS "apologizing" for..
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:59 PM
Jan 2020

teachout... who doesn't look very smart right now.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Thekaspervote

(32,606 posts)
16. Seeing it in the latest polls
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:32 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
23. His internal polls likely show him crashing.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:38 PM
Jan 2020

The dustup with Warren and his failure to apologize has to have hurt him among female democratic voters.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

InAbLuEsTaTe

(24,110 posts)
26. Always right on target Joe!!
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:42 PM
Jan 2020

Bernie/Elizabeth or Elizabeth/Bernie 2020!!
Either way, they're stronger together & can't be bought!!
Jump on the Bernie Bandwagon & join the revolution!!
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

George II

(67,782 posts)
42. No, it's an independent against "Dem" (Democrat) post.....l
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:07 AM
Jan 2020

You don't agree with your candidate's apology?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
3. Shame on teachout.. wonder why BS
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:24 PM
Jan 2020

"apologized" for her?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
9. Maybe attacking Biden is costing him support...
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:27 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
50. Well, well...I guess just like others he is finding out it is not so easy to attack Biden.
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:27 AM
Jan 2020

And there are consequences...thanks for this.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
35. It must be bad for this to happen.
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:00 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
49. I would love to see some internal polls...Sanders must be worried to do this.
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:25 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Green Line

(1,123 posts)
55. Everyone who's attacked Joe
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:43 AM
Jan 2020

Has crashed and burned, hopefully BS is next

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
11. Can you post what she said? nt
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:29 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
30. Why not post what you think is wrong?
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:48 PM
Jan 2020

I always do. It's easy to clip and paste.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
36. BS "apologized" for teachout.
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:01 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
38. For what?
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:04 AM
Jan 2020

May I ask?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

George II

(67,782 posts)
44. You're all the way down to being the 38th post in the thread and you haven't read the OP yet?
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:08 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

highplainsdem

(48,731 posts)
17. I'm sure you've seen what Teachout wrote, Joe. And there's another thread about it.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:32 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Blue_true

(31,261 posts)
24. But he won't apologize for Sirota or Cenk. nt
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:39 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

squirecam

(2,706 posts)
4. Well the apology
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:24 PM
Jan 2020

Should be followed by the surrogates apologizing too, and stopping with the attacks. Likely that won’t happen.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Me.

(35,454 posts)
7. Day Late & Dollar Short
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:26 PM
Jan 2020

no wonder Zephyr cannot get elected

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

George II

(67,782 posts)
14. And yet he did NOTHING to make sure it didn't appear. The genie is already out of the bottle.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:31 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

napi21

(45,806 posts)
18. Didn't Bernie have a corruption problem in 2015/16 too? I seem to remember something
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:34 PM
Jan 2020

close to the end of the campaign and some saying he can't control all the volunteers.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

George II

(67,782 posts)
27. It had to do with the sexual abuse and harassment and pay inequality in his campaign....
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:42 PM
Jan 2020

And his "apology" had to do with the fact that he was too busy to notice.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

RandySF

(57,659 posts)
20. I notice he took an opportunity to repeat the accusation.
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:37 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
46. So "clever".
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:13 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

still_one

(91,965 posts)
21. The fact that he has David Sirota, Briana Joy Gray, and Nina Turner as part of his campaign, only
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:37 PM
Jan 2020

demonstrates how shallow that apology is

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

squirecam

(2,706 posts)
29. I'll never forgive
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:43 PM
Jan 2020

Nader, Stein, or those who enabled them.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

JoeOtterbein

(7,698 posts)
40. Even if they supported Amy?
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:06 AM
Jan 2020

Seriously. I just don't get it. Who the hell cares what anyone other than the candidates say? And why should I?

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Undecided
 

RandySF

(57,659 posts)
45. It's the oldest trick in the campaign book.
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:10 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

squirecam

(2,706 posts)
47. If Amy
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:16 AM
Jan 2020

Had campaign surrogates who said they would vote green if she didn’t win, I would want those staff fired immediately.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

frazzled

(18,402 posts)
58. You care because these are the people
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 01:01 AM
Jan 2020

who will be filling government slots for a president. In the agencies, as advisors, god knows, even in cabinet positions.

Look at a candidate’s top staff and surrogates and advisors and you’ll get a good picture of what a White House under that candidate would look like. I’d say ... chaos and backstabbing and rumor mongering.

This is not the first time he’s pulled this stunt.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
52. I agree...they are dead to me.
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:31 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NCProgressive

(1,315 posts)
31. In psychology, this is called "doing and undoing"
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:49 PM
Jan 2020

It is used to cause damage to the other party but minimizes the damage to yourself.

Like saying to someone, "You're an asshole" and a while later saying, "Sorry, I was just joking"

This raises a massive issue of incompetence in the campaign's governance and messaging which is disqualifying.

Aren't there checks and balance and controls to make sure such a vile writing doesn't appear in Bernie's official newsletter?

Is anyone going to be fired for this or just get a wink and a nod?

This apology seems like crocodile tears ... only after so many people excoriated Sanders, including many Sanders-leaning people who were thoroughly disgusted.

Thus, I am not buying and/or accepting the apology.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Gothmog

(144,005 posts)
32. Let's be clear Bernie, you're only sorry your numbers are in free fall because of your actions:
Mon Jan 20, 2020, 11:55 PM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Cha

(295,926 posts)
48. Wow.. it's like Chris D Jackson is reading
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:16 AM
Jan 2020

our minds!

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

NYMinute

(3,256 posts)
37. A day late and a dollar short
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:03 AM
Jan 2020

Not buying it

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

boomer_wv

(673 posts)
43. Apologies are for chumps
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:08 AM
Jan 2020

let's see some action.

Bernie has two choices. He can either stand by the article, or fire Sirota.

He has to choose one. He doesn't get to hire an attack dog and then expect that his apology is enough when it bites somebody.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

peggysue2

(10,811 posts)
53. Looks like the Senator from Vermont got the message that his surrogates had crossed the line
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:35 AM
Jan 2020

If the apology is sincere, he'll start reining in the barrage of pitbull attacks, accusing Biden nonstop of one thing or the other. Otherwise, this is just to tamp down the pushback Bernie's been getting of late.

We shall see.

If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Gothmog

(144,005 posts)
57. Does sanders ever apologize to females?
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 12:51 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
 

Demsrule86

(68,352 posts)
59. I was thinking the same thing...where is Warren's apology?
Tue Jan 21, 2020, 01:03 AM
Jan 2020
If I were to vote in a presidential
primary today, I would vote for:
Joe Biden
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