Bernie Sanders does NOT SHOW UP to vote on Russian sanctions

[Eliot Rosewater]

Link to tweet

Bernie Sanders voted w Republicans against Russian sanctions:

2012 Magnitsky Act- Nay
2014 Russia Sanctions- Nay
2017 Russia Sanctions- Nay (twice)

Today, Bernie Sanders did not show up to vote on sanctions.

[trueblue2007]

1. he is lazy.

[NastyRiffraff]

4. He is lazy, but I think it's more than that

in this case. His siding with Russia on multiple occasions is puzzling and should lead to questions.

[Eliot Rosewater]

6. That and the tax returns to me adds up to real big problems, REAL big.

[Gothmog]

67. I want to see the tax returns

[Susan Calvin]

99. Me too.

I will not even consider supporting another run for President unless I see them the day he (hypothetically) announces.

[NurseJackie]

156. Amen.

[TSheehan]

218. Why?

[Raine1967]

220. Why Not?

He should have made them public when he ran for POTUS in 2016.

He didn't and I still would like to see them.

[Susan Calvin]

246. Yep.

And I say that as an ardent initial Bernie supporter.

[Gothmog]

249. Because presidential candidates need to be transparent

The only presidential candidates who have refused to release tax returns ate trump, Jill Stein and sanders. To date sanders has released only two pages of one return

To get onto the ballot in Maryland, sanders will have to release full returns

[Cha]

389. Absolute Transparency.

[yardwork]

406. Are you serious?

[trueblue2007]

374. i want to see the tax returns FOR ALL POLITICIANS.

ESPECIALLY for those running for president AND ESPECIALLY FOR POLITICIANS WHO WON'T PRODUCE THEM.


If they won't produce them, what are they trying to hide. Where are they Trump.

Where are they Bernie ?
Where are they anyone else who need to produce them?

[Gothmog]

375. Maryland has a ballot access law that will require these returns to get onto ballot

I want to see full tax returns from sanders and not just two pages of one return

[LakeArenal]

122. Yep.

[Me.]

181. Good On You

I got dinged for even mentioning tax returns in another thread

[TSheehan]

187. Nope.

[Raine1967]

222. Nope?

Why do you think Sanders should not be expected to show his returns?

[Susan Calvin]

247. Word. nt

[trueblue2007]

76. Bernie and Trump love Russia? Maybe they should move there.

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

101. What's, uh, "puzzling" about it?

Res ipsa loquitur

[Honeycombe8]

140. Yes, I'm seeing that the OP says that he voted against sanctions several times,

so he ain't THAT lazy.

[TSheehan]

186. Oh ffs, this is pure character assassination.

[fleabiscuit]

282. No mention of his Russia trip in the OP. nt

[betsuni]

283. ...

[radical noodle]

294. Certainly not

This is about policy. Russian sanctions have been a priority. Why is he voting against them (or not showing up to vote for them)? It's particularly disturbing in light of the Russian attack on the 2016 election.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

303. In other news, this just in... Bernie's not a Democrat...

[NurseJackie]

345. Yes indeed. He is quite vulnerable in that regard. People dislike that about him.

... thanks for the reminder. It's not like anyone's forgotten, but it's always good to draw attention to that fact.

[NastyRiffraff]

377. Is it character assassination to point out facts

such as his voting against the Magnitsky Act, was one of only 2 Senators who voted against new Russian sanctions in 2017 (the other was Rand Paul). Not to mention Tad Devine's connections with Paul Manafort.

Facts are not character assassinations. Your boy ain't perfect.

[yardwork]

407. Oh ffs, senators have one job. They vote on bills. Sanders failed to vote.

[True Blue American]

321. Bernie was busy

Trying to clean up the sexual harrassment case.

https://www.dailywire.com/news/5120/sanders-was-kicked-out-commune-laziness-hank-berrien

[uponit7771]

22. after once maybe 3 or 4 times though, that's an agenda. He sure made the presser this time too

[Squinch]

43. There is a theme to those votes. I begin to suspect it goes beyond laziness.

[yardwork]

72. There's a pattern.

[cwydro]

104. Me too.

Something is off here.

And never mind the fact we don’t need a lazy president.

[bluescribbler]

117. We don't need another lazy President.

We already have one.

[cwydro]

171. Yeah, no shit.

I want this nightmare to be over.

[TSheehan]

193. Fortunately Sanders is not lazy.

[KPN]

278. +1 ... inane stuff.

[True Blue American]

323. Could this be the problem

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/17/indictment-russians-also-tried-help-bernie-sanders-jill-stein-presidential-campaigns/348051002/

[Stuart G]

361. Take a LOOK AT POST 323...That is it..!!!!!!!!!!!!! MONEY !!!!!!!!!!!

If you want to be President as Bernie wants, you need lots of money..That is why Bernie wouldn't vote. The Russians might or have given secret money..(Of course you can't prove it..but it is all about money. Nothing new..

[olegramps]

335. Or could it be that he admires communistic dogma more than our constitutional government?

[onit2day]

371. His vote would have made no difference whatsoever. So why attack him?

Why make all these assumptions if not for pure prejudice and a pre conceived malice toward him. "He's lazy"? Conclusion based on what? It's the Bernie Sanders derangement syndrome based on pure malicious bias.

[W_HAMILTON]

2. It's time to start taking notice.

[nycbos]

3. Say it louder for the folks in the back.

[populistdriven]

98. I'm finally listening. Keep it up more will finally go: Oh....

Justifiably angry about it.

[Beakybird]

5. Bernie 2020? Nyet!

[WeekiWater]

7. Ouch. That graphic. Just ouch. NT

[Eliot Rosewater]

8. Russians are using him as propaganda as his no show helps them.

[33taw]

9. Tad Devine

[MaryMagdaline]

24. I think we have a winner!

[MrsCoffee]

176. Winner, winner, chicken dinner.

[Maven]

346. +1

[chimpymustgo]

21. Except he's not a Democrat. This looks VERY bad, and Dems are right to be

skeptical.

[TomCADem]

11. What is up with Bernie and Russia? Again?

This was a close vote, too, so why abstain?

[Cha]

13. Good questions.

[sheshe2]

253. Not a good look, is it.

[Cha]

258. Not good at all.. Shine the Light!

BS could have made both the "symbolic rebuke" of the Senate Dems effort to block trump's move.. and the "sexual harassment" meeting.

The excuses aren't working.

"..private meeting, told CNN Sanders was present for "about an hour" and described him as "conciliatory"

https://www.keyt.com/news/national-world/sanders-meets-with-campaign-staffers-who-raised-harassment-allegations/978568943

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

[True Blue American]

113. Bernie spent his

Honeymoon in Russia. The things he preches are Trump like. He is a Socialist, not a Democrat. Never was.

[hueymahl]

162. VERY good question

Why the hell would you not vote? Best case is you are just lazy. Worst case . . .

[paleotn]

168. Thats a damn good question.

One he needs to answer.

[calimary]

353. It IS a damn good question. And yes. He does need to explain himself. Fully.

[TSheehan]

203. Because he doesn't want war?

[Cha]

233. And, all the Dems who voted to Block trump's move

on Russian Sanctions "want war"?

That's Ridiculous.

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

[TomCADem]

262. Then He Should Own It So That People Can Make That Choice...

...he keeps on voting in favor of Russia, but with these lame excuses. The Russian sanctions in 2017 he blamed on Iran. Today, he had other stuff to do.

If he really wants to appease Russia at all costs even as Russia tries its best to subvert our government, then be prepared to own and defend that position.

Finally, be prepared to own the fact that Russia will then work support your campaign. Don't act shocked as Russia tries to clear the field of candidates who might be less willing to tolerate Russia's interference in our elections.

[davekriss]

269. That's very interesting

I was reading just the other day that one of the tools Russian propagandists use on social media is to frame everything as a choice between Putin's way or war, with "Putin's way" ranging from subtle meme to obvious themes. The propagandists use this to reinforce waves of "there's nothing that can be done, we don't want war" fears, thereby paralyzing thought and action. The gain for the Putin clan is inaction widens the field in which they can more freely act.

And there you go suggesting Bernie's failure to vote may be because "he doesn't want war". Coincidence, surely. I admit, though, that it doesn't exactly apply here. But unfortunately we live in interesting times.

[Maven]

347. This is a Russian talking point. Interesting

[R B Garr]

219. Great questions!

[NastyRiffraff]

378. He was "busy"

He's a busy busy busy busy busy busy man. Much too busy to vote. He was BUSY, dammit!

[Apollyonus]

384. Mueller probably has the answer. n/t

[Cha]

12. Too busy?

[dalton99a]

205. Very busy

A very serious man who knows his priorities

[Cha]

217. So busy..

he was too busy to vote for Russian Sanctions 'cause he was too busy with confronting the time he was too busy to know about the "sexual harassment" and the "$30,000 settlement".

"Micromanager" that he was purported to be.

Bernie Sanders apologizes, says he didn't know about 30k settlement of 2016 campaign staffer

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bernie-sanders-apologizes-says-he-didnt-know-about-30000-settlement-of-2016-campaign-staffer-accused-of-sexual-harassment/2019/01/10/db2c061e-14fc-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211652213

[dalton99a]

234. +1. His Russia stance deserves scrutiny

[Cha]

237. Yes, it does.. he was too busy again, and "missed the symbolic rebuke.."

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

[comradebillyboy]

14. He's a bit busy putting his campaign team together.

He has his priorities people.

[True Blue American]

328. I thought

Bernie was at a meeting trying to clean up the sexual harrassment case with his staff.

[zipplewrath]

15. It's always good to ask why

Thursday, June 15, 2017
WASHINGTON, June 15 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued the following statement Thursday after he voted against a bill that would impose new sanctions on Iran and Russia:

"I am strongly supportive of the sanctions on Russia included in this bill. It is unacceptable for Russia to interfere in our elections here in the United States, or anywhere around the world. There must be consequences for such actions. I also have deep concerns about the policies and activities of the Iranian government, especially their support for the brutal Assad regime in Syria. I have voted for sanctions on Iran in the past, and I believe sanctions were an important tool for bringing Iran to the negotiating table. But I believe that these new sanctions could endanger the very important nuclear agreement that was signed between the United States, its partners and Iran in 2015. That is not a risk worth taking, particularly at a time of heightened tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia and its allies. I think the United States must play a more even-handed role in the Middle East, and find ways to address not only Iran's activities, but also Saudi Arabia's decades-long support for radical extremism."

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

What liberal conspiracy theorists won’t tell you is that Sanders was joined in voting nay by Carl Levin (D-MI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Jack Reed (D-RI) none of whom stand accused by anyone of being Russian stooges.

What liberal conspiracy theorists won’t tell you is that the Obama administration opposed the Magnitsky Act. The administration flip-flopped only after the sanctions were attached to a bill normalizing trade relations with Russia, hence the bill’s official name: The Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012 (H.R. 6156).

What liberal conspiracy theorists won’t tell you is that Sanders voted for a second, more robust version of the Magnitsky Act in 2015.

What liberal conspiracy theorists won’t tell you is that Sanders supports imposing punitive sanctions targeting Putin and his oligarch cronies, supports the sprawling Russia counter-intelligence investigation of the 2016 election led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, denounces Russian aggression and Putin on a fairly regular basis, and during the 2016 presidential campaign supported sending more U.S. troops to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Eastern European members to deter Russia from attacking them the way it attacked Ukraine in 2014.

Clearly Sanders is no Putin stooge.

[Eliot Rosewater]

18. And yet oddly enough EVERY time...sigh

Stop calling people who REPORT the news liberal conspiracy theorists...that is a personal attack of me and most democrats.

[zipplewrath]

25. Quoting the source

I almost edited out those phrases, but I preferred to not rewrite the source material.

Sanders tends to be both very consistent, and very intransigent. He has a way that he thinks these things should be done and that's what he'll wait to vote for.

[emulatorloo]

56. Maybe edit in a link to your source so there isn't any confusion that those are your words

There’s no link in your post currently.

[TSheehan]

189. "personal attack of me and most democrats." What about Sanders and all the Democrats who support him

? The personal attacks and vicious smear campaign against him (and them), that is.

[George II]

23. The fact remains, he voted against the Magnitsky Act and the Russia Sanctions....

....two votes that totaled 189-6. Only one Senator voted against both of them.

By the way, the Iran deal that he voted to "protect" when he voted against the Russia Sanctions (one of only two Senators, he and Rand Paul) was abandoned about a year later anyway.

And now today he avoided the vote.

[zipplewrath]

28. That time

Sanders voted for a second, more robust version of the Magnitsky Act in 2015.

[Hekate]

142. "Liberal conspiracy theorists," zipplewrath? What might those be? Also, who wrote this & linky?

[zipplewrath]

341. Yeah

I wasn't fond of that wording. It was a quick summation of his stated reasoning so it was useful. I almost edited it to remove that language and just leave the substance but I kinda felt that'd be deceptive.

[Hekate]

365. Thanks for seeing what I meant, anyway.

[TSheehan]

188. +1000000

[hay rick]

266. Thank you for providing some context. nt

[Duppers]

272. Thank you! There's the Back Story...

That's necessary for context.

But haters gotta hate.

[betsuni]

17. K&R

[wroberts189]

19. https://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/senate/397879-rand-paul-blocks-sanders-russia-resolution-call

Got to do your own research these days as the real facts tell a different story.

"Sanders's resolution would also demand already passed sanctions legislation be fully implemented, move to protect the election system and "not accept" interference in Mueller's investigation, including the firing of Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein."


WASHINGTON, June 7 – Sen. Bernie Sanders issued the following statement after voting against a resolution that would impose new sanctions on Iran:
"I am strongly supportive of adding sanctions against Russia to this bill. As we now know, Russia actively worked to influence our 2016 presidential election and continues to try and destabilize democracies around the world, including ours.
"But I also have serious concerns about the sanctions on Iran contained in this bill. As we have heard from former Obama administration officials, some of these measures could undermine the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the very important nuclear agreement signed in 2015 between the US, our partners, and Iran.
"Let me be clear: We need to find ways to push back against Iran’s provocative and destructive behavior in the region. But threatening the JCPOA is not the way to do it. I also believe it's inappropriate to advance this bill on the same day when Iran has suffered a terrorist attack on its capitol, in which twelve Iranians were killed."
https://www.sanders.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/sanders-statement-on-iran-sanctions-resolution

[Eliot Rosewater]

20. Then WHY did he vote to combine the sanctions in committee?

[George II]

29. The real facts are he was on the negative side of two votes, 97-2 and 92-4. He's the only Senator..

...to vote no on both of them, and the only Senator to not vote today.

I wish I could create Venn Diagrams on DU.

[Eliot Rosewater]

32. I dont get it. Why do people ignore this and the tax return thing, I sincerely dont get it.

[backabby-blue]

38. Cult.

When you excuse every and all bad behavior, you are in a cult.

[MousePlayingDaffodil]

133. Exactly . . .

Which is particularly ironic, given the current President and the nature of his most dedicated supporters.

[True Blue American]

329. Same reason

People still back Trump. Cult like Apprentice lovers.

[fleabiscuit]

373. Lots of things bring up reoccuring questions.

[RandySF]

34. That was June 2017

Where was he today?

[Me.]

182. Yeah, Yeah Yeah ...He Always Has A Reason

too busy running to pay attention to his campaign, too busy to release tax returns. How many would pick Moscow for a honeymoon destination?

[SidDithers]

26. DU rec...nt

Sid

[wroberts189]

27. Yea sure... Bernie is pro russia...... and the moon is made of cheese.

Meanwhile putins stooge sits in the Whitehouse looking to pull out of NATO...amoung countless other pro Kremlin objectives.


But whats important? Attack Bernie!

[PubliusEnigma]

33. He is not Anti-Russia. That's for sure.

[elmac]

123. Most Americans aren't anti Russian

they are anti Putin, anti fascist, hate the Russian government as much as most Russians do. Russians have no more control over their fascist government then we do our fascist government.

[emulatorloo]

174. Well said

[delisen]

214. As an American I have much more freedom than a Russian citizen

Putin is very close to being a dictator

[elmac]

348. well, tRump isn't close, he is a dictator, some people here just don't understand that. nt

[pnwmom]

318. The sanctions against Putin-pal Oleg Deripaska were because of Russian meddling in the election.

And Deripaska was also closely tied to Paul Manafort.

Why shouldn't Bernie have joined the Democrats and even some Republicans in supporting the sanctions against him? Why should he be allowed to continue to do business in the US?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/us/politics/senate-trump-russia-sanctions.html

[TSheehan]

196. Why be anti-Russia? It's a beautiful country, rich in culture and history.

[John Fante]

206. That's not what the poster meant by "anti-Russia".

[Tipperary]

207. Dangerous to be a journalist there though.

[TSheehan]

208. There are tons of countries like that, some of which have been close allies of the US.

[Tipperary]

215. You certainly seem fond of Russia.

How nice for you.

[TSheehan]

216. Relevance?

[lapucelle]

224. Many people are confused about what is relevant versus what is irrelevant.

[emulatorloo]

265. It isn't rocket science. Putin attacked the US elections and Deripaska was a key player.

It is wrong that the Senate caved in to Trump and rewarded Oleg Deripaska.

Like you, I am not so sure why it is so difficult to grasp for some people.

[Tipperary]

228. Oh, I think Russia is plenty relevant.

I just read your comment about Bill Clinton in the thread you self-deleted.

Very interesting.

[Tipperary]

230. Lol.

Dasvedaniya

[lapucelle]

238. ...

Whataboutism is a variant of the tu quoque logical fallacy that attempts to discredit an opponent's position without directly refuting or disproving their argument.

In the US, it is particularly associated with Soviet and Russian propaganda. When criticisms were leveled at the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the Soviet response would often be "What about..." followed by an event in the Western world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whataboutism

[cwydro]

240. This. nt

[BannonsLiver]

275. Ah there's The whataboutism.

Who could have seen that coming.

[delisen]

223. Life expectancy of Russian males:66 years

High death rate among political critics also.

[lapucelle]

241. ...

In logic, equivocation ('calling two different things by the same name') is an informal fallacy resulting from the use of a particular word/expression in multiple senses leading to a false conclusion.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equivocation

[pnwmom]

317. This was a vote to maintain sanctions against Oleg Deripaska, a Russian oligarch

who was involved, along with Manafort, in the conspiracy to meddle in the US elections.

Why wouldn't Bernie be anti-Deripaska?

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/us/politics/senate-trump-russia-sanctions.html

[KPN]

322. Is he not?

[pnwmom]

324. He skipped a very close vote to maintain sanctions against Deripaska,

and he didn't explain why.

And he also was the only progressive to vote against the Magnitsky act.

[KPN]

330. He explained the Magnitsky Act at the

time very clearly. There’s an explanation this time — heck, you folks are beating him up on that particular situation too.

This is a vendetta in my view.

[pnwmom]

332. Why didn't he make THIS vote then? He spent an hour at a staff meeting,

but had the rest of the day free. And the vote was very close. His vote wasn't crucial, in the end, but it could have been.

[KPN]

333. I already said my piece.

[GulfCoast66]

397. New here I see.

Color me surprised

[populistdriven]

268. At this point we can still like him, just not support him

He not a liability in the Senate since we don't have the Senate, but if we did.... OUCH

[pnwmom]

316. He SHOULD be anti-Deripaska. And yet he didn't bother to vote to maintain the sanctions.

And the vote was very close -- we were just 3 short. How did he know his vote wouldn't have been crucial?

[RandySF]

30. What was so important that he had to miss?

[PubliusEnigma]

31. What is wrong with him? There is no excuse for this.

[onit2day]

372. The Russians have landed.Look at all the divisive comments over such trivia

His vote would not have made any difference whatsoever and really is no big deal but look at the number of comments posted here...the sheer number is overwhelming. And the hateful assumptions, all the Bernie hate is shameful. Maybe he was busy introducing his $15 hr. min wage legislature, or his Medicare for all/ single payer. With all that's going on this is such a trivial matter to get such a numerous response. Thank God Hillary is not in the senate any longer or we'd be getting nasty trivial posts on her as well trying to divide us all again. It happened in 2016 and look how easy it would be now.

[Joe941]

35. Not a big deal. He is a busy guy.

[Eliot Rosewater]

36. It's only voting against our enemy, is all.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

37. Would his vote have made or break the legislation?

Nope. But do go on...

[Eliot Rosewater]

39. speechless

[ehrnst]

44. Is that now an acceptable excuse for missing a vote when a Senator is minutes away?

Well, if it's a Democratic Senator, anyway.

Do go on.

[LanternWaste]

49. Rationalizing an excuse is clever as pie.

Would that excuse have been applied consistently to *all* Democrats over the past two years by his base, it wouldn't appear quite as empty as reality dictates. However, as a 60-second search reveals, that consistency was so very dramatically lacking.

Do go on indeed...

[Hassin Bin Sober]

54. What are you on about?

Last edited Wed Jan 16, 2019, 06:56 PM - Edit history (1)

You know Senators miss votes all the time. He had a meeting scheduled with the former staffers over sexual harassment. If he missed or postponed that meeting the tantrums, by the same people, would have been visible from space.

As it stands, y’all will have to pretend the results are not already calculated going in to these votes - and a Senator can’t run in if his vote will make a difference.

Like I said. Do go on...

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

88. Right on the money again HBS!!

[pangaia]

96. Good one.

[grantcart]

125. So your defense is

Sanders wasn't free because he had to spend time fixing problems from his own mismanagement on his campaign for higher office and because of this mismanagement he isn't available to complete the duties of his existing office but that he should be considered to handle the management load of the most difficult management position in the world as he approaches his 80th birthday.

[TCJ70]

128. Proof HBS' point right here. N/t

[Honeycombe8]

146. You didn't read the OP, did you? He voted AGAINST sanctions three times.

The writing is on the wall. He has made his position clear.

[paleotn]

173. Sorry, but voting records have consequences...

Why so many no votes concerning a foreign power who's been our primary global enemy since the dust settled from WW2?

[druidity33]

197. it sounds like...

on at least one occasion he voted no because he wanted TOUGHER sanctions on multiple parties. And he was joined by other Senators (D). I am all in favor of criticizing Sen Sanders. I don't think he should be our candidate (though i voted for him in the '16 primary) and i begin to suspect he is too enamoured of his own "vision" to see how it's been compromised. But sometimes the voting record doesn't give you a good enough picture by itself.

[Honeycombe8]

356. I wonder that, too. Donations?

He is like minded with Trump? It's strange for someone who ran as a Democrat, though.

Voting record history is one reason that Senators and Reps with a long voting record have trouble getting elected as President. There's just too much to attack there. Sometimes people settle for a bill and vote for it, as better than nothing, but that doesn't mean that's what they wanted to vote for. Or they voted for a bill that does a lot of good, but has something bad in it...he chooses to vote for the good, in lieu of not having an alternate bill to vote for. But those nuances and explanations aren't in the catchy expensive tv ads that promote the voting record.

[dansolo]

336. That meeting didn't start until after the vote

He wasn't at the meeting when the vote was taking place, and he was in the same building. Don't forget that the whole reason he was even having that meeting was because of the deplorable behavior of his campaign staff in 2016.

[backabby-blue]

87. It was defeated by 2 votes.

Bernie was one.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

91. It was three.

Would have been two with Bernie’s vote.

Try again.

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

[backabby-blue]

95. It doesn't take long to vote.

He could vote and has the rest of the day to do what he needs. He has voted against ALL Russia sanctions. It was a close vote and he is telling the American people what he believes in with missing this important vote.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

100. He voted for the updated Magnitsky act after it was expanded to include ...

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2019, 12:04 AM - Edit history (1)

... all potential despots. Which was his and Carl Levin’s and Sheldon Whitehouse’s beef with the law. Btw, they all voted for the original senate version but passed when the house scaled it down to Russia only.

This new version, btw, is how Saudi Arabia can now be threatened. That was the whole point.

You are entitled your own opinion. Not your own facts.

[sweetloukillbot]

390. So Bernie helped defeat it

Gotcha!

[Fuzzpope]

97. Jfc

It's a good thing you didn't write the constitution or we'd all be proper fucked.

That is the PRECISE voter mentality that contributed to that walking colostomy bag getting elected.

One vote DOES matter, ffs.

[fleabiscuit]

290. +1

[Mr.Bill]

115. Trump is president now

partly because people thought their vote wouldn't matter.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

267. Silly. Senate and House votes are not like general elections or primary votes.

99 time out of 100, senate votes are a forgone conclusion and a Senator can miss a vote if not needed. As was the case here.

Try again.

[George II]

358. With that logic, I guess the 57 who voted Yea just wasted their time?

There are 100 Senators.

99 of them made the time to show up and vote. I was actually watching C-Span during the vote. Many of the Senators walked into the Senate Chamber, went up to the clerk and gave her their vote, then left.

[George II]

364. No one knew that in advance of the vote, including him. It could have been 59-40, it was that close.

If that happened it would have failed.

99 Senators felt it was important enough to show up to vote. One didn't.

"But do go on..."

[Clash City Rocker]

129. He can't be bothered with such trivial matters, when somewhere there's a camera to stand in front of

[Cha]

410. Exactly. Not so

so trivial though..

Link to tweet

[WeekiWater]

134. Still trying to clean up a past campaign.

Super busy.

[Honeycombe8]

143. Nope. He wasn't too busy to show up to vote AGAINST Russia sanctions 3 times.

So his position is clear.

[Cha]

144. "Sen. Bernie Sanders misses the vote; his spokesman says he was meeting with women who accused his..

2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct."

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[fleabiscuit]

291. I'm a bit of a simple dude. I see not voting being the same as voting against. nt

[Cha]

292. Exactly what I was thinking, flea..

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

Link to tweet

The plot has thickened.

[True Blue American]

331. I must be simple too

Because I see the same thing!

[SunSeeker]

295. The meetings were on Capitol Hill. He could have ducked out to vote.

The meetings, which stretched for almost a full day, began near Capitol Hill on Tuesday evening and picked up after the full group convened for breakfast on Wednesday morning.

 https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/01/16/politics/bernie-sanders-sexual-harassment-campaign-meeting-2020/

He only attended one hour of those meetings, so how did that keep him from voting?


There's no excuse. None. Zip. Nada.

[Cha]

296. Exactly right, SunSeeker.. There is No excuse. Zero.

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

Link to tweet

[Pachamama]

308. +1000

No Excuse

In my opinion, Sanders if he seriously cared about his work as a Senator for Vermont, for the Inites States and taking a stand against Russia, NEEDED to vote on this yesterday and his failure should be the biggest sign that he neither gave another term as a Senator and definitely not be a Democratic candidate for President of the United States.

[Honeycombe8]

357. He voted AGAINST sanctions three times. It's in the OP.

So his not voting this time would have been to not vote for the bill, anyway, one can assume, since that's the way he voted 3 times before. He didn't need to vote, though, because it was known that there were enough "no" votes to deny passage of the resolution/bill.

[Cha]

388. Every Vote Counts. It was a "symbolic rebuke"

vote against Russia if nothing else.

There's no excuse for him not being there and voting. None.

Link to tweet

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[hueymahl]

165. As someone who has a lot of respect for Bernie

This is a BIG DEAL. Sorry, can't easily explain this one away. You are being disingenuous if you try.

[pnwmom]

319. A very big deal. The vote was very close and Bernie's vote, if he had sided with the Democrats,

could have been crucial. And it would have been a signal that he was as concerned about Russian meddling in the election as the Democrats.

[StarryNite]

40. We have a big decision to make

as to who we want to be our candidate. Voting records are very important. A lot of people voted for tRump because they ignored the facts. We cannot fall into that trap. Keep the facts coming. If there is an explanation, let's hear it. Truth to power.

[Eliot Rosewater]

41. Yep. The FIRST requirement I have and all of us should have is tax returns.

This comes before votes even. When you think about it.

[StarryNite]

42. Absolutely!

People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing.

[Fla Dem]

64. Yes, said it before and will say it again, NO ONE can run on the Democratic ticket

or participate in the Democratic primary debates if they have not released at least 5 years of tax returns. We've already got a crook and possibly a Russian asset in the White House for just that reason.

[Chakaconcarne]

48. Maybe "let's hear it" before we jump all over our own....

Just saying....

You don't have to like him, but these (what end up into bash threads) aren't all that helpful.

[blugbox]

79. This isn't Independent Underground

[BigmanPigman]

94. Good point!

[ProudLib72]

169. Hey, I've used that one before

Glad to see someone else gets it.

[StarryNite]

120. I actually voted for him in the 2016 presidential primary

And what I said is hardly jumping all over him. I want truth and facts, I'm funny that way.

[Cha]

157. Yeah, they're very helpful because BS

missing this vote on Russian Sanctions isn't getting swept under the carpet.'

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[mac56]

45. Every opportunity to drag Bernie's name through the mud must be pounced upon.

Don't miss a single episode.

[Eliot Rosewater]

47. What? so is the information incorrect?

[nini]

58. Time to add those episodes up

don't ya think?

[FiveGoodMen]

66. Boy, you got that right!

[elmac]

124. Its the favorite pass time for some

like skipping stones or going door to door campaigning for tRump.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

131. Gettin' old.

[Hekate]

151. Is his public voting record wrong? You have a problem with his actual record, or just with people...

...who want to talk about it out loud? How is that "mud"?

[JCanete]

300. by all means bring it....the criticisms are few, they're just blasted over and over along with

the absurd insinuations. At least find some more colorful shit to throw at the wall already.

[betsuni]

305. How is a politician's voting record "shit to throw at the wall"?

It's their job.

[Cha]

310. Did they forget?

[JCanete]

311. its the hyperbole that is the absurdity here. nt

[betsuni]

314. Well, I think it's hyperbole to call discussing a Senator's voting record as:

pettiness
dragging him through the mud
fighting amongst ourselves
refighting 2016
not important because they know votes ahead of time
belittling
everybody misses votes so it doesn't matter
alienating Bernie supporters
the only votes that matter are the ones that make or break legislation
why was this vote pointed out

And so on.

[George II]

359. The vote was yesterday (Wednesday) What is the "over and over again"?

Did he vote? Did every other Senator vote?

[Cha]

309. BS did this to himself..

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

Link to tweet

[LiberalLovinLug]

369. Ironic how these Bernie Bashers are the real dividers

They are doing mucho more to divide and discourage Democrats than anyone. Certainly more than Bernie who has dedicated his life to working with Democrats, fighting Trump, and championing the "little guy", civil rights, universal healthcare.

Yup, they look for anything that can be spun into a negative against one of our most influential Senator ally and litter DU threads with their poisoned pens.

[NNadir]

376. Well if a statement of a fact is "dragging a name," perhaps that is a problem with the person...

...holding the name, no?

[Apollyonus]

382. Why? Who is afraid of the facts?

Let the facts come out.

Where are Bernie's tax returns by the way?

[sarcasmo]

46. Self delete since everything is being flagged.

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2019, 02:12 PM - Edit history (1)

[Magoo48]

50. Same old ax....grind away, grind away. That shit gets old faster than elevator music. Grind away.

[Eliot Rosewater]

51. I am confused, which facts are you questioning?

Did you think one day I just decided to be Anti Bernie?

That there is something in it for me personally?

Or would it matter to you if you found out I even voted for him in my primary, BEFORE I figured out some stuff.

That I listened to him with Thom Hartmann weekly for YEARS and nodded my head in agreement with him back before most ever heard of him?

But then I learned some things, noticed things, figured out some things. Just like when I make a mistake on this board I RACE to the thread to be the FIRST to admit I was wrong.

I am not involved here or in politics to score points or to be on the winning side of something. I think we are about to be all overtaken by a foreign power or killed by a nuclear war and to prevent that I am trying to do my part.

[Magoo48]

315. I don't question your facts Mr. Rosewater.

I do realize though that even progressive politicians are flawed like the rest of us. This man has drawn a massive following, because he champions the common welfare of our working class and the poor. He speaks out consistently against the crushing grip corporate America has on us all, and while not a Democrat himself, he’s introduced progressive ideas into mainstream democratic rhetoric that have helped to define the differences between us and republican/conservative/authoritarians. I believe that many of our new crop of enthusiastic young reps are positively influenced by his energy and message. I appreciate that. He is not a saint, and I’m fairly certain no democrats are either...✌🏽

[Apollyonus]

383. Corporate America is NOT an enemy

People who govern Corporate America and allow it to abuse people are the Republicans. THEY are the enemy.

Blaming corporations for everything would be attacking people who provide innovation and create employment for millions. That strategy is wrong. Regulate the corporations so that they are kept on the straight and narrow otherwise we'd be throwing a baby out the window because it is crying too much.

[Magoo48]

403. I would argue that corporate greed leads to environmental degradation and political corruption

which casts corporations as the enemy of all humanity.

[betsuni]

404. Corporations are the enemy of all humanity?

Many people work for corporations. When the big banks and corporations are all broken up, where will people work? Collective farms?

[Magoo48]

405. Individuals work in Big Oil, Big Pharma, Big Agri, Massive mining, The big banks, Industrial fishing

People must work, of course, but the corporate giants’ crimes against our environment, and therefore humanity, are no less heinous because good people must earn a living working for them.

[Apollyonus]

408. You forget a major part of capitalism

A corporation's (or any business's) only goal is to make money for its shareholders. The business really has no allegiance to "humanity" -- it only has to adhere to the "law"

So I'll say it again .... blame the republicans for weakening the laws -- not the corporations. It is up to the people to make laws to keep corporations from anything untoward.

[irresistable]

65. just whisper the name of anyone even associated with Bernie....

and an ugly mob will form.

[emulatorloo]

89. You mean Oleg Deripaska?

That’s who today’s bill was about. I am not surprised most DU’ers are not fans of Putin’s pet oligarch who helped put Trumpin the White House.

Not surprised that DU’ers are upset that the Senate voted to lift sanctions on Deripaska because Trump told them to.

[irresistable]

102. I'm also not surprised that Bernie skipped the vote to go meet with victims of sexual harrassment...

in his campaign.

The whips know the count. Bernie knew that his vote wouldn't matter. This meeting mattered very much to the people who were harassed. He gave them the full attention they deserved.

Only people who hate Bernie cared about missing a vote that had no impact on the outcome.

[emulatorloo]

103. Yes it is good he met with them.

[vsrazdem]

172. If he voted instead the headlines would be: Bernie Sanders Refuses to meet with victims of

sexual harrassment. There is no winning either way when it comes to Bernie on DU.

[DURHAM D]

301. He was at that meeting for less than an hour.

The meeting went on all day and he could of have easily planned his group encounter around the floor vote.

jftr - Senators Murkowski and Romney probably voted no today because they knew BS was not in the chamber and it was going down so they decided not to piss off their partners in crime, also known as Republicans.

BS has ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE for not voting. I can only assume he simply did not want to go on the record against Deripaska.

[irresistable]

391. Bernie knew the whip count. Your "probably" and what you "assume" are just thoughts in your head.

Implying that Bernie is aligned with Deripaska is a bridge too far, even for Bernie haters.

[DURHAM D]

393. At least I can think. nt

Last edited Fri Jan 18, 2019, 12:59 AM - Edit history (1)

[Honeycombe8]

147. LOL. nt

[orangecrush]

52. ...

[reACTIONary]

221. Talkin' bout MY generation nt

[orangecrush]

239. ...

[Hortensis]

53. Just wow! I expected him to fight to maintain THESE sanctions

on Deripaska. He came up with something of a rationale for his previous votes, but THIS one? If something happened, his vote might have been critical.

There can be no valid reason for refusing to stand against Trump and the Republicans as they lift the sanctions on Deripaska.

[Eliot Rosewater]

57. And there you go.

[Hortensis]

73. How about you? I never trusted his judgement and this

could be just another example of his failure to realize when he's going wrong.

But shouldn't people who intend to vote for someone require explanations for questionable behaviors? Forget why he wasn't there when with all the Democratic senators, we know he doesn't run with them. But he's "the anti-oligarch candidate," and this is ALL about being anti-oligarch?

I actually don't need a much better explanation than that he was busy with some minor personal matter, but if I were you I would.

[Eliot Rosewater]

75. Oh I came to a STARTLING conclusion about him 2 years ago.

I did a great deal of research, paid CLOSE attention to everything.

But, people wont listen so why bother.

[Hortensis]

86. Sorry, Eliot. My husband distracted me and I came back and

thought I was talking to someone else. Trumpsters are not the only ones who pride themselves unconditional loyalty.

[Eliot Rosewater]

90. NO problem, I enjoyed the question as it gave me an opportunity to expand on my position.

We are in real trouble if certain things dont change and soon.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

109. slightly OT: almost trashed 'yet another bernie' thread ...

Then I noticed who started it.

Thanks for the info.

[Eliot Rosewater]

110. You are welcome

[Hortensis]

127. Yes, thanks. This one is a real wowser.

I "listened" when I read the OP, all right, and re-listened to see if I had it right. The "anti-oligarch" was the ONLY one of 100 senators not to show up for this very significant vote. Kirsten Gillibrand rescheduled her campaign kickoff to fly back to DC.

[nini]

55. I've been slammed and alerted repeatedly about my thoughts on him

that's all I'll about that at this point.

[Apollyonus]

385. Really? On a DEMOCRATIC message board?

I'm new here but if that is true, that sounds like opposition is being forced into silence.

[MelissaB]

59. K&R from a former Bernie supporter.

I will not close my eyes and I will ask questions of Bernie and anybody/everybody else. Nobody gets a pass concerning Russia/foreign money.

I've had enough.

[Eliot Rosewater]

60. Thanks. I was so focused on healthcare for so long that I didnt want

to look at some stuff.

Because for some folks the luxury of worrying about russia is actually a luxury if they dont have healthcare and they do have cancer.

But at some point, AT SOME POINT people have to ask questions.

[BigmanPigman]

105. Hear hear!

[StarryNite]

276. Same here

I voted for him in the 2016 presidential primary, will not do it again. When we know better, we do better.

[Roy Rolling]

61. This Concerns Me

I'll hear all sides, I'm not predisposed one way or another.
Certainly Bernie's absence is curious.
The vigorous response is curiouser.
"Methinks thou doth protest too much" is what comes to mind.

[Eliot Rosewater]

62. Oh yeah, the RESPONSE by me and others is the problem...got it.

[Lucca2]

63. Just too many questions about him.

I'm sorry I caucused for him; won't do it again.

[elmac]

126. Some posts on this thread

remind me of Russian bot posts on twitter back in the day.

[MrsCoffee]

179. The ones who said look the other way, there is nothing to this Russia thing?

You know who else said that?

[dlk]

68. Sanders Has Shown Us Who He is--We Should Believe Him

[Eliot Rosewater]

69. Thank YOU

[TSheehan]

202. A Jewish Democratic Socialist from Vermont? Yes, he is. Do you have a problem?

[Blue_Tires]

70. Not much I can really say about this...

Except this is some really odd timing:

Link to tweet

[TSheehan]

191. It's very odd that some people are obsessed with tearing down Sanders. Who's paying them?

[John Fante]

211. This is dodging the issue.

[revmclaren]

227. So, you are calling anyone who doesn't support Sanders

or who are disturbed by his actions paid trolls???

You better have proof of that before using this blanket insult here on DU.



Absolutely ONLY! 2019 and beyond.

[betsuni]

231. Having fun? Oops, I mean did you have fun?

[revmclaren]

236. Yup...

Another one throws themselves on the proverbial FFR sword.

ONLY! 2019 and beyond.

[emulatorloo]

260. That one was trying way too hard.

[SidDithers]

259. +1...

Sid

[Blue_Tires]

340. I voted for Sanders in the primary, so

why don't you tell who *you* think it is?

[Apollyonus]

380. Apparently, he was at that meeting only for an hour

even though it was spun as a daylong meeting to make everyone think he was there the entire day.

He could have easily gone and voted.

[yardwork]

71. What's his excuse for missing this crucial vote?

[pnwmom]

77. He's previously voted against Russian sanctions. This is part of a pattern.

He voted against the Magnitsky Act, among other bills.

https://ivn.us/2017/08/03/meet-5-lawmakers-voted-against-russia-sanctions-bill/

President Trump signed new sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea after overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.

The vote on new sanctions comes as an investigation into possible election meddling and cyberattacks by Russia continues. It was one of the rare instances where both sides of the aisle were able to come together and pass legislation

But there were 5 US lawmakers who voted against the bill: 4 libertarians and 1 progressive independent.

Those lawmakers were US Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), John Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), and US Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

An interesting group, to be sure.

[honest.abe]

74. Must not be serious about running again.

No excuse for this.

[Apollyonus]

78. I can clearly draw a conclusion from this. n/t

[MontanaMama]

80. The optics are horrible for Bernie.

while I’m mildly interested in knowing why he could not be bothered to vote against lifting sanctions on an enemy of the United States, there really is no good reason for not showing up and voting NO. Voting records matter. If he truly had a conflict, a statement should have been issued. Those who give him a pass on this, well,

But, maybe I shouldn’t care...Bernie isn’t a Democrat anyway.

[redstatebluegirl]

81. To busy running for President to serve as Senator.

[pnwmom]

85. He voted against the Magnitsky Act, and more recent sanctions bills.

President Trump signed new sanctions against Russia, Iran, and North Korea after overwhelming bipartisan support in Congress.

The vote on new sanctions comes as an investigation into possible election meddling and cyberattacks by Russia continues. It was one of the rare instances where both sides of the aisle were able to come together and pass legislation

But there were 5 US lawmakers who voted against the bill: 4 libertarians and 1 progressive independent.

Those lawmakers were US Reps. Justin Amash (R-Mich.), Thomas Massie (R-Ky.), John Duncan Jr. (R-Tenn.), and US Sens. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)

An interesting group, to be sure.

https://ivn.us/2017/08/03/meet-5-lawmakers-voted-against-russia-sanctions-bill/

[Gothmog]

82. @SenGillibrand changed her campaign kickoff schedule to return to DC for a cloture vote

Link to tweet

[Eliot Rosewater]

84. Yeah, it was important. Again there are ONLY TWO reasons NOT to vote.

[mcar]

92. Not a good move

[Fuzzpope]

93. Not good.

[Red Mountain]

106. And we lost by just one vote......

Or not. I'd guess he might have made more of an effort to vote if it were close. We should give him the benefit of that doubt, I think. Independent or Democrat he's been a faithful friend.

[honest.abe]

118. So that the new "Sander's Rule"?

Only show up if the vote is close?? Pathetic.

[Honeycombe8]

150. He voted AGAINST sanction three times. It's in the OP.

So he doesn't need a benefit of the doubt. He has made his position clear. No sanctions on Russia.

[Red Mountain]

178. Is there an answer on record?

Question: Why do you vote against Russia sanctions?

If he won't answer or doesn't answer satisfactorily.......you win. You get to ascribe a motive.

Short of that why pick a fight with family?

[UniteFightBack]

107. Gee when you lay it out just like that...sure does look odd. nt

[TSheehan]

204. lol

[RelativelyJones]

108. Exhibit A as to why Bernie can't be trusted.

[cp]

111. WTF Bernie?

I think we're done here.
Former supporter

[Kurt V.]

112. this is not and / or

[Eliot Rosewater]

114. What? This is, especially when added to past actions, a very big deal.

This is a STATEMENT even.

People can choose to ignore this or not, I cant control that.

[cab67]

116. I encountered a real, live Bernie or Buster on Facebook last week.

The topic of who should run in 2020 came up. One or two people said it should be Bernie. I wasn't going to say anything until one of them started bringing up the whole DNC conspiracy bologna and polls that showed him beating Trump before he'd ever really faced a hard-core negative campaign.

Any effort I made to address these issues was rebuffed, as though I was part of a conspiracy myself.

I really am concerned about this group in 2020.

[Liberal In Red State]

119. He is dead to me from this point forward. I will never support Bernie for anything.

He and Jill Stein have shown that they were agents to upset HRC. If he can’t show up and vote on the Russian sanction issue - when it is clear without Mueller’s report that Putin owns the orange ass and half the GOP - that Putin effectively took over the executive branch of this country - I have no use for him.

[mysteryowl]

121. I wonder if anyone has asked Sen. Sanders about it?

Only he can explain his actions.

[elmac]

130. I noticed that many of the anti bernie posts on this thread

are all fairly new DU members, interesting, isn't it.

[allgood33]

135. But are they true?

Facts are facts.

[paleotn]

175. You sure about that?

[emulatorloo]

232. Like it or not, Senator Sanders voting record will be examined if he chooses to run in 2020

He’ll be vetted by the press this time, as well as other primary candidate.

Probably best to prepare substantive and coherent defenses of his votes now, rather than insinuate criticism of his questionable votes are coming from trolls.

[Honeycombe8]

355. +1.

It's strange that some are defending pro-Trump-position votes.

Me...I try not to let personal loyalty prevent me from seeing facts.

[MyNameGoesHere]

339. I've noticed that Sanders supporters are fairly new posters

Such as yourself. Some of us have been around long enough to know a dog and pony show when we see it.

[Beakybird]

132. I wish Bernie would quit his national aspirations.

He's turned me off. He's on his team, not our team. IMO.

[Progressive dog]

136. Bernie didn't have to show up to vote

We already know where he stands on Russia and Putin interfering in our elections.

[Honeycombe8]

137. O M G. I'm floored by this. nt

[NurseJackie]

138. I honestly wonder how he would have voted today if he had bothered to show up.

Bernie Sanders voted w Republicans against Russian sanctions:

2012 Magnitsky Act- Nay
2014 Russia Sanctions- Nay
2017 Russia Sanctions- Nay (twice)

Today, Bernie Sanders did not show up to vote on sanctions.

I honestly wonder how he would have voted today if he had bothered to show up. Based on all these previous votes against Russian sanctions, it's reasonable for people to have doubts that he'd have voted any differently today anyway.

[mastermind]

139. As soon as I get home I'm burning all my Bernie stickers, hats, shirts, action figures & books

[Apollyonus]

386. Burning causes pollution

Donate. I'm sure there is someone who will worship them out there.

[JAD]

141. No word from trump about the 4 dead US soldiers

No word from trump about the 4 dead US soldiers in Syria.

[mastermind]

145. OMG, now I know how to get my posts to the greatest section

just post some crap about Bernie, its a sure thing!

[Cha]

154. BS brings it on himself by missing the vote on Rusian Sanctions

because he had to address the women who were "sexually harassed".

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[Me.]

184. And Yet, He Couldn't Meet With The Women When It Was Happening

because he was too busy campaigning...always an excuse

[Cha]

213. Right! He was "too busy".. and now

he's too busy to vote for Russian Sanctions 'cause he was too busy with confronting the time he was too busy to know about the "sexual harassment" and the "$30,000 settlement".

"Micromanager" that he was purported to be.

Bernie Sanders apologizes, says he didn't know about 30k settlement of 2016 campaign staffer

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bernie-sanders-apologizes-says-he-didnt-know-about-30000-settlement-of-2016-campaign-staffer-accused-of-sexual-harassment/2019/01/10/db2c061e-14fc-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211652213

[ismnotwasm]

148. Why?

Why wouldn’t he show up? What the hell....

[mastermind]

149. Children, its 2019

let it go, that mean ol Mr Bernie can't hurt you anymore

[Honeycombe8]

152. He's possibly running again in 2020. Besides...

anyone who ran under the Democratic Party's banner, siding with Trump and Russia is a matter of concern to all Democrats.

If you don't care, that's your business. Try not to denigrate the adults in the room who are taking care of business. There are few things more important than how a politician votes. That's what institutes sanctions, removes them, makes laws, changes laws.

It's important how anyone who ran under the Dem Party banner voted, and currently votes.

That's a cute cartoon on PBS channel with a song about how a bill becomes a law, if you want to view that to see why votes are important.

[mastermind]

297. I do enjoy threads like this

gives me lots of bernie haters to add to my ignore list

[eShirl]

312. please ignore me too

thanks

[Honeycombe8]

351. Your comments over the short time you've belonged, have been noticed.

This is a DEMOCRATIC forum.

[BannonsLiver]

368. That cuts both ways!

[MrsCoffee]

180. And get off of my lawn!

[WeekiWater]

153. Instead of being a leader, Sanders was a no-show.

He is supposedly presidential material yet he can’t jump in on something like this and deliver two more votes to get it across the line. He did the same thing in the 2000’s when he voted with Republicans to block a pathway to citizenship. We only needed a couple of more votes then, as well. Just as he did today, he couldn’t be a leader and deliver just a couple of votes for the greater good.

I think it’s funny that people think he would make a good executive.

[Honeycombe8]

158. If he had shown up, he would have voted w/the Republicans, like before.

The OP says he has voted three times AGAINST Russia sanctions. He's made his position clear, it seems.

His vote wasn't needed this time, since the Republicans had the votes to kill the Democratic bill.

This is why it's important to note the difference between someone who uses the Democratic Party banner at times when it's convenient, but isn't really a Democrat, and doesn't sign onto the Democratic Party Platform. There is a difference.

[WeekiWater]

160. I do get that.

It’s happened more than once and not just with respect to Russia. He is not a legislative leader. Not sure why people turn that around to think he would make a good executive leader.

[Honeycombe8]

161. Hmmm. Not sure you get the point. It's not leadership that is lacking.

It's his position on Russia that is lacking. He is indeed leading...he's leading those who are independents like himself, who agree with Democrats much of the time, but have a different view of Russia. Have the gumption to vote against sanctions, he has shown.

I have always questioned why he was running as a Democrat, when he was never, and is not, a Democrat. If he agreed w/the Democratic Party Platform, he'd be a member of the Democratic Party.

[WeekiWater]

167. One does not negate the other.

He has not been a leader for the party he wishes to be President of. He also seems to have a thing for Russian oligarchs.

[Honeycombe8]

354. True dat. (stealing a phrase from the younger generation)

I'm too for that phrase, but I do like it. You are right, tho. One does not negate the other.

[Tipperary]

226. Bernie is better than Hillary? Is that your view?

Who did you vote for? Hmm?

[betsuni]

155. I wonder if the word "oligarchs" will disappear from his speeches like "millionaires" did.

From now, every time he rails against oligarchs we're going to think of his voting record.

[Me.]

183. Yep, Now That He A Millionaire

Billionaires are the target

[TSheehan]

192. Stop it.

[betsuni]

198. ...

[TSheehan]

199. ok.

[ZeroSomeBrains]

159. The missing vote was bad optics

But only that since his vote wasn't deciding and he was busy meeting with the women who were harassed in his campaign. I'm sure Senator Durbin (the Minority whip) would've told him to come quickly if he would've been a deciding vote. I still think Sanders is an important voice in the Senate.

[apcalc]

163. His assignment was to attack Hillary from the left.

He did. He is suspect. These Russian votes prove it imo.

[TSheehan]

201. You are suspect. Your divisive conspiratorial rhetoric proves it imo

See, that wasn't so hard!

[apcalc]

334. ...hmmm... still waiting for tax returns, and a full accounting of campaign finances...

Is he hiding things much? Why?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.politico.com/amp/story/2018/02/16/bernie-sanders-russia-2016-election-interference-415691

[R B Garr]

392. +1, and the Tad Devine and Paul Manafort connection explains

a lot of the similarities in attacking Hillary....

[ehrnst]

164. Numbers don't lie.(nt)

[paleotn]

170. Exactly how deep have the penetrated our political system?

Pretty deep it seems. I wonder who exactly is on their payroll.

[MineralMan]

177. He appears to be conflicted.

[TSheehan]

194. Who cares. Sanders is a great political fighter.

[Cha]

235. So Many People Care.

[MontanaMama]

284. I care.

A lot. I’m not anti Bernie, I’m pro getting the Russians the fuck out of our country, elections, WH, Congress etc. Wish Bernie felt the same. His voting record on sanctions proves he does not.

[Autumn]

200. Oh no! They lost by Bernie's one vote?????

[TSheehan]

209. lol, right?

[Autumn]

212. If he had left wherever he was to vote he would have been criticized for leaving

somewhere else to go vote when his vote wouldn't have made a difference.

[Devil Child]

273. Pretty much this

The "Sen. Sanders Outrage Flow Chart" is very convenient and easy to use as all paths lead to outrage.

[George II]

363. We won't know for sure, will we?

[Cha]

225. BS was too busy..

he was too busy to vote for Russian Sanctions 'cause he was too busy confronting the time he was too busy to know about the "sexual harassment" and the "$30,000 settlement".

"Micromanager" that he was purported to be.

Bernie Sanders apologizes, says he didn't know about 30k settlement of 2016 campaign staffer

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/bernie-sanders-apologizes-says-he-didnt-know-about-30000-settlement-of-2016-campaign-staffer-accused-of-sexual-harassment/2019/01/10/db2c061e-14fc-11e9-90a8-136fa44b80ba_story.html

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100211652213

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[Autumn]

242. The headline would have been Sanders blew off sexual misconduct victims to vote on

a bill that had no chance of passing in the Senate. You made my point. to you.

[Cha]

243. No, I didn't, and "sexual harassment" is Not funny.

BS didn't even stay for an hour.

[Autumn]

245. No one said "sexual harassment" was funny. Nice try. He missed the vote people are pissed,

he didn't leave the meeting people are pissed, he didn't stay long enough at the meeting people are pissed.

Now that shit is funny. He was damned by some people no matter what he would have done.

The headline could be "Bernie Sanders caught walking on water...."

a two day discussion would be the "The SOB can't swim."

[Cha]

252. Keep laughing..

"..private meeting, told CNN Sanders was present for "about an hour" and described him as "conciliatory"

https://www.keyt.com/news/national-world/sanders-meets-with-campaign-staffers-who-raised-harassment-allegations/978568943

BS had time to make both the "sexual harassment meeting" and the ".. symbolic rebuke" against Dems efforts to block trump's move..

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

[Autumn]

254. I will keep laughing. Cause it's funny as fuck how people complain about everything

Bernie does, they also complain about everything he doesn't do

Now if you'll excuse me I'm trashing the thread. Toodaloo or mahalo, whichever means see ya Cha.

[Cha]

289. Yeah, keep yucking it up.

[betsuni]

248. Spending an hour at a daylong meeting comes really close to "blowing it off."

It seems to me. Wonder why it had to be that exact hour when it went on all day?

[Autumn]

251. You should call his office and ask them. nt

[betsuni]

256. Can't, I'm a little bit busy.

[Cha]

274. ..

TouFreakingChe!

[Cha]

255. Who knows what mr "micromanager" had in mind..

Last edited Thu Jan 17, 2019, 12:50 AM - Edit history (1)

BS could have made both the "symbolic rebuke" of the Senate Dems effort to block trump's move.. and the "sexual harassment" meeting.

The excuses aren't working.

"..private meeting, told CNN Sanders was present for "about an hour" and described him as "conciliatory"

https://www.keyt.com/news/national-world/sanders-meets-with-campaign-staffers-who-raised-harassment-allegations/978568943

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

[betsuni]

263. It's perfectly understandable if he isn't going to run.

If there's not going to be a campaign then no reason to spend a lot of time, and at least he did listen for that hour. His no-show vote too, if he's not running then he wouldn't worry about the optics.

Imagine if a Democrat had a day like this.

[Cha]

277. I was thinkig the same thing ish..

What if President Obama had done something like that.

[betsuni]

306. And he was never, ever given the benefit of the doubt.

Always some diabolical motive that mind-readers could predict.

[Cha]

307. Yes, I remember.

File this under Double Standards.

[Gothmog]

261. I was surprised that sanders only spent one hour in this meeting

The CNN article is interesting

Link to tweet

?s=20

[Cha]

281. Sanders Meets With Former Staff Members, Seeking to Quell Anxiety Over Sexism

From the NYT link in Electricbrotha's tweet.. Thank You.

There were some signs of trouble even before the meeting began. Some attendees were upset that the draft of the agenda did not directly address specific allegations of mistreatment of women, or say which top Sanders aides would attend. Several women said the travel logistics were poorly handled, with some saying they were not invited until 48 hours before the daylong meeting was scheduled to begin

Some of the women who have spoken out to reporters about pay disparities, harassment and other instances of discrimination said they were not a part of the planning process for the meeting and were not aware it was happening. Last Friday, concerned that there would be no meeting, some of those women told the Sanders office that they felt it would be unfair to be excluded should a meeting occur, according to emails reviewed by The Times

.

Some of them scrambled to rearrange their schedules, but several women said they did not hear back from Mr. Sanders’s office after being asked for travel details. One of the women was Sarah Slamen, who was the state coordinator in Louisiana in 2016 and who told The Times that she quit Our Revolution, Mr. Sanders’s progressive organization, because of gender discrimination.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/16/us/politics/bernie-sanders-discrimination-sexism.html

I'm not suprised.

[DURHAM D]

302. BS spent most of the day looking for his tax returns.

I think Jane ate them, much like Trump eating the Putin notes.

[George II]

360. That's not the point. The fact is 99 Senators voted, one didn't.

Win or lose, this was an important vote.

[Tipperary]

210. Color me NOT surprised.

And hey, anything on those tax returns yet?

[dubyadiprecession]

229. I thought he was a democrat all this time.

Is Bernie really a socialist!?

[dem4decades]

244. Time for Bernie to go away.

[Scurrilous]

250. ...

[Polybius]

257. This NY Times report said Gillibrand didn't show up

The measure passed 57 to 42, with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Democrat of New York, missing the vote as she announced her first step to start a campaign for the party’s 2020 presidential nomination.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/15/us/politics/republicans-sanctions-russian-oligarchs.html

There is no mention of Sanders. Strange.

[emulatorloo]

264. That's yesterday's vote. Gillibrand was there for today's vote, Sanders was not.

Gillibrand voted with Democrats and 11 Republicans today 1/16/15 to keep Trump from lifting sanctions on Deripaska.

Sanders was not there today to vote.

Today was the final vote.

[Polybius]

270. Thank you!

My apologies.

[emulatorloo]

271. ...

[Cha]

288. CNN and CNBC mention it..

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[George II]

362. The vote the previous day was a procedural vote requiring a simple majority, it passed easily.

[fleabiscuit]

279. To be fair, he only says he is a Democrat lately when he runs for president. nt

[azureblue]

280. so what?

As per AOC, Turtle is nowhere to be found and he alone is responsible for keeping the government shut down. Mitch could re - open the government by simply allowing a vote but he won't do it and has disappeared.

Now once again, what is your point?

[SunSeeker]

285. K & R for exposure.

[Cha]

287. The meetings lasted for nearly a day. BS attended for less than an hour.

Link to tweet

[dalton99a]

298. +1. So hard to pencil in a few minutes

[Cha]

304. Obviously didn't feel it necessary to cast

a "symbolic rebuke" at Russia.

Senate Democrats' effort to block Trump move on Russia sanctions fails

The sanctions resolution from Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, which required 60 votes to proceed, was defeated in a 57-42 vote. Vermont independent Sen. Bernie Sanders missed the vote.

But the result still represented a symbolic rebuke of the Treasury Department's decision in December to lift the sanctions on the companies tied to Deripaska, a Kremlin ally. Eleven Republicans joined with Democrats to support Schumer's resolution, arguing that the Trump administration erred in deciding to lift sanctions on Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminum producer, as well as EN+ Group and JSC EuroSibEnergo.

Wednesday's vote came one day after Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin went to Capitol Hill in an effort to ease Republican senators' concerns about the sanctions plan. He failed to convince those 11 Republicans who broke with Majority Leader Mitch McConnell later Tuesday to vote with Democrats on Schumer's resolution.

https://www.cnn.com/2019/01/16/politics/senate-democrats-sanctions-russia/index.html

The only one to miss the vote was Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. He was meeting with women who had accused his 2016 presidential campaign of sexual misconduct, his spokesman, Josh Miller-Lewis, told CNBC.

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/01/16/senate-democrats-vote-to-block-trump-from-lifting-russia-sanctions-fails.html

[fleabiscuit]

293. Well, it's not like we ask everyone to get to the polls and vote.

[Cha]

313. Yeah, it's not like we haven't seen

that "every vote counts".

[JCanete]

299. I like that one...and some republicans voted with democrats for russian sanctions....how stupid do

we have to get here.

[pnwmom]

320. I don't know? How stupid is it not to impose sanctions against the Putin-associates

who assisted in the Russian meddling in the election? Unless, like the Rethugs, you think you might have benefited.

[betsuni]

326. What does this mean: "some Republicans voted with Democrats for Russian sanctions ...

how stupid do we have to get here."

[JCanete]

366. it means saying that Sanders voted with republicans against sanctions is specious. nt

[honest.abe]

338. Yeah, how stupid does Bernie have to get?

Those Republicans that voted with the Dems outdid him.

[Ezior]

325. Shame on me, I wanted Bernie's book for christmas 2 years ago

I was a fan, and my mother in law gave me his book for christmas.

Over the years, my impression of him got worse and worse. Now I'm afraid he or Tad Devine might work for Russia, or the Russians have Kompromat on them. There's no good explanation for this behavior. Seriously, there's an important and very close vote in the senate, but Bernie can't take part because 30 mins later there's a meeting nearby where he shows up for a relatively short time? That's BS. I say he didn't want to vote. WHY?

Well, recent years certainly helped me develop my political views. I was a bit sceptic about globalisation, and interested in politicians like Bernie Sanders and Jeremy Corbyn, and hoped we'd have someone like them in Germany, too. Now it seems like I'm more on the side of so-called "neoliberals", even though I still think a basic and reliable social safety net is important. But I want none of those isolationist / nationalist tendencies and appeasing to authoritarian leaders of other countries observable in some left-wing politicians.

[KPN]

327. Oh the drama.

[betsuni]

337. Why is the voting record of a politician drama?

It's not like someone called him corrupt.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

342. He voted against sanctions?? Didn't show up for final vote?

No maybes about it. 🤬. He’s not ok. (And I originally thought he was great). Also, he allows the behavior of the bernie boys. Not ok.

[lark]

343. OMG, I thought the news about Russia supporting him was probably fake, now???

Think Bernie just outted himself. Hope he doesn't run or if he does, he fails spectacularly since he seems to want to protect Russia so much.

[Texin]

344. Hugely troubling (and CONSISTENT) behavior.

I don't think it's possible to draw any other conclusion about this than he must have received significant campaign contributions from a Russian source or sources - and from the NRA-Russia infused political contributions. He has also not voted with Dems against the NRA on a consistent basis as well. One could argue that since he's an independent, he's playing both sides of this matter. One could, but they'd have a hard time convincing me that it's simply his position in order to maintain whatever rethuglican support he gets in Vermont, because he must get some of those votes in order to stay in office. It's still taking blood and treasonous money in my book.

[Eliot Rosewater]

350. Wrong one, he did NOT VOTE

https://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=116&session=1&vote=00006


I will assume you just found the wrong vote, because that is the wrong vote.

[dsharp88]

352. My mistake. You're right.

One was the vote to proceed, and the other later was to invoke cloture. I was confused because it was the same vote total on the same resolution.

[BannonsLiver]

367. Typical Bernie. Nobody is surprised.

Maybe they should have held the vote in Rome.

[cstanleytech]

379. To be fair he might have gotten word that the Repugnants had already agreed not to support it

which means even if he was going to support the sanctions this time that it would not have mattered.

[fleabiscuit]

395. To accept that then we would have to say voting records are meaningless. nt

[cstanleytech]

396. Not at all, his past voting record is still relevant when he votes but when he is not there

to actually vote the relevancy is muted a bit.

[fleabiscuit]

399. So he only votes on the easy and safe way.

Which IMHO describes it pretty well.

[cstanleytech]

400. If you want to see it that way thats fine, personally I am willing to try and give him the benefit

doubt.
And incase you were wondering, no I was not a Bernie supporter during the nomination as my allegiance and support was with Hillary.

[fleabiscuit]

401. Well he is the one who parlayed 99-1 votes into being a $27 independent rogue. nt

[Apollyonus]

381. I'm sure Mueller has a folder

that has a list of ALL Russian agents ... not just Trump and his gang.

There must be others .....

[Scurrilous]

387. Boink.

[NurseJackie]

394. Russia is so pleased at the very generous gift given to them.

[GulfCoast66]

398. Can't vote against lifting sanctions on a proven enemy of our Democratic System,

For the 3rd time.

Because too busy dealing with a Bro Sexual Harrasment situation in his campaign.

Hell of a candidate.

For the first time I think I am glad he is not a Member of the Democratic Party.

And thank god, DU has changed in 2 years. As have I.

[revmclaren]

402. ...

ONLY! 2019 and beyond.

[Cha]

409. Wait. The Senate voted to stop sanctions so billionaire Russians can get paid, but not to stop the..

Link to tweet

[honest.abe]

411. Just reminder to those thinking of supporting this man

    Sanders