Sanders Camp Blasts HRC's Hillary endorsement: 'Establishment org votes for establishment candidate'

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The presidential campaign for Democratic candidate Bernard Sanders (I-Vt.) tore into the Human Rights Campaign on Tuesday for endorsing Hillary Clinton.

After the Human Rights Campaign announced on Tuesday it would back Clinton, the Sanders campaign criticized the nation’s largest LGBT group in response to a Washington Blade inquiry for a reaction.

“It’s understandable and consistent with the establishment organizations voting for the establishment candidate, but it’s an endorsement that cannot possibly be based on the facts and the record,” said Sanders campaign spokesperson Michael Briggs.

Touting Sanders as “somebody who’s been for gay rights long, long ago” since he was mayor of Burlington, Vt., Briggs said Sanders as a U.S. senator voted against “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in 1993 and he voted against the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996. Briggs also cited Sanders’ support in calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn DOMA.

Recalling Sanders’ support for civil unions in Vermont when it became the first state to enact them in 2000, Briggs said Sanders was “a pioneer on this early version of gay marriage, and has by far the most exemplary record on gay rights of any candidate ever in American history.”

“So who knows what prompted the Human Rights Campaign to do what it does — I have trouble myself figuring why they do some of the things they do over the years — but I think the gay men and lesbians all over the country will know who has been their champion for a long, long time and will consider that as they make up their mind on support for his campaign,” Briggs said.

Brandon Lorenz, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Campaign, in a statement to the Blade responded to the Sanders campaign’s criticisms.

“There are certainly several friends of equality in this race, but the 32 community leaders who comprise HRC’s Board of Directors have unanimously decided that Hillary Clinton is the champion we need to fight for us each day on the campaign trail and every day in the White House,” said Lorenz. “She has a strong record, a strong agenda, and a strong ability to win against any Republican running on an anti-LGBT platform in November and lead from Day One.”

http://www.washingtonblade.com/2016/01/19/sanders-campaign-blasts-human-rights-campaign-over-clinton-support/#sthash.yGn229QN.uxfs&st_refDomain=t.co&st_refQuery=/RC7NTQraJS


...that's a pretty strong response. I'm not sure how the Sanders spokesman justifies equating this advocacy group with the political establishment.

I don't believe I've ever seen such sour grapes over endorsements as I've seen from DU supporters of Sen. Sanders - now it's reflected in the actual campaign. Bizarre.

[Smarmie Doofus]

1. Anyone got a list of the names of the "32 community leaders"...

...that make-up the board?

A link would be appreciated.

[bigtree]

3. .

http://www.hrc.org/hrc-story/boards

[Smarmie Doofus]

8. Thanks. Don't believe I recognize anyone there.

( Which might very well say more about me than them.)

Any bios available anywhere?

[Kelvin Mace]

2. "blasts"?

A tad hyperbolic, but I guess that was the point.

[bigtree]

5. so the Blade meant to be hyperbolic?

...why do you think that is?

[Kelvin Mace]

10. It is an inaccurate description of the exchange

You use words like "blasts" when Trump opens his mouth about a critic.

But framing candidates views with emotionally charged language sells papers. I see it on both sides these days, much to my disappointment. You can also tell which side a paper/magazine is on by the selection of photographs. When they are anti-candidate X, they pull the most unflattering photo they can find.

[bigtree]

11. I think the Sanders spokesman did lash out at the HRC

...it certainly wasn't a compliment calling them an 'establishment' organization voting for an establishment candidate.'

I'm not sure how he equates an advocacy group's volunteer board with a political establishment like our national legislature, but he was trying to say they're in the tank for Hillary. It would be a shame to let that pointed barb go unnoticed and unappreciated.

[Kelvin Mace]

18. It is certainly sharply critical

but, hardly "blasting", which implies a violent refutation. Again, any time there is a disagreement between Dems, it is played up as much more confrontational or acrimonious than it usually is.

[bigtree]

20. the critical part is no accident

...the Sanders spokesman looked to make an impact with his words.

The Blade simply obliged.

[Kelvin Mace]

21. I didn't say he didn't mean to be critical

he did. But describing the language as "blasting" was hyperbolic.

[draa]

4. There's a video of the discussion out there so could you post it for fairness.

I haven't heard what was said but if it's anything like what you folks normally fret over I'd like more proof than the link you posted. Thanks.

[Ron Green]

6. Wait - hasn't it been clearly established that while

Hillary flip-flopped on this issue, Bernie was solid and steady in his support?

If so, then 32 people of responsibility in this organization either separately or in collusion ignored that fact.

[bigtree]

9. it appears they took all of the support expressed by all the candidates into account

...and decided that Hillary stood the best chance of advancing to the presidency and advancing their agenda in office.

[lumberjack_jeff]

7. exactly.

Sanders has a 100 score from them, Clinton has an 85.

[bigtree]

12. they apparently believe she's the better candidate out of all of the 'friends of equality' running

...and a better spokesperson for their agenda.

[lumberjack_jeff]

15. There are lots of ways to influence the beliefs of 32 ppl.

[bigtree]

16. like I said in the op

...bizarre.

I'm at a loss as to why some feel questioning the motive or character of the community volunteers who make up the board is a reasonable response. I've lost count at how many Democratic allies have been besmirched by Sanders supporters for their endorsement of Hillary.

[geek tragedy]

13. Very similar to Ted Cruz's whining about Sarah Palin

Yes, HRC is part of the establishment--their corporate partners include Microsoft, Apple, and Northrop Grumman.

But the tone of this is really angry and bitter.

[tammywammy]

19. +1

This doesn't reflect well on Sanders. SMH

Especially the use of the word "establishment". Sanders isn't fighting against the establishment, so will he fight against these "establishment" organizations too?

[onehandle]

14. Sour grapes defines the 'Not Hillary' Party. nt

[Metric System]

17. Whiny babies.

[Dawson Leery]

22. Whiny.