Bernie campaign mailer misleads by implying he was endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters

[Cali_Democrat]

Check out the mailing:


http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/01/28/1476430/-Bernie-s-Campaign-In-Deep-Now




The only problem is that the League Of Conservation Voters already endorsed Hillary back in November:

LCV Action Fund Endorses Hillary Clinton For President

Nashua, NH: Hillary Clinton will join the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund President Gene Karpinski and Board Chair Carol M. Browner today in Nashua, NH to receive the environmental group’s endorsement for President of the United States—its earliest endorsement of a Presidential candidate in the history of the organization and the first endorsement ever made before any votes are cast.

“When it comes to fighting the climate crisis, the stakes couldn’t be higher—and we are confident that Hillary Clinton is the right person for the job,” said Gene Karpinski, President of LCV Action Fund. “With her proven history of leadership, strong environmental record, and a campaign committed to building a clean energy future, Hillary Clinton is without a doubt the most effective leader to stand up to Big Polluters and push forward an aggressive plan to tackle climate change and get it done.”

http://www.lcv.org/media/press-releases/LCV-Action-Fund-Endorses-Hillary-Clinton-for-President.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Update:

Bernie's Campaign Never Got Permission To Use The League Of Conservation Voters Logo In Their Mailer

The League of Conservation Voters, however, has contacted Sanders’s staff, objecting to their logo being used on another mailer, shared with Newsweek, which portrays the senator as an environmental champion. The pamphlet, which is being sent out in Iowa, notes that Sanders “has a lifetime score of 95 percent from the League of Conservation Voters” and displays the group’s logo beside it.

<...>

However, the league requires permission to use its logo and only grants that to politicians who’ve been endorsed by the affiliated LCV Action Fund. In the presidential race, that’s Clinton. According to a spokesman, the group has asked the Sanders campaign to not continue using its logo, and the campaign is looking into how it happened.

http://www.newsweek.com/sanders-complaints-iowa-nevada-420806

[still_one]

1. So both with AARP and the League of Conservation Voters. I am going to spam both

the AARP and the league of Conservation Voters Facebook page for calling the Sanders' team out on this

[randys1]

4. They need to be called out for sure on AARP if that is what happened and appears it was

And the union meeting area deal and the racial profiling

[still_one]

8. you right Randy. and it isn't funny, it is disturbing

[notadmblnd]

35. What is disturbing is how deep you all are digging

in that hole you got going- to find something, anything to smear Sanders with.

[randys1]

2. Looks photoshopped to me

They would have had to go way out of bounds to do this on purpose

Hard to believe

[Cali_Democrat]

3. It's not a photoshop. nt

[randys1]

5. If it isnt, it is almost as if someone on his campaign is trying to destroy him

Or these are very bad staffers, anybody would know this would be called out and would hurt their candidate

[winter is coming]

16. Looks like a job for Corrupt the Record.

Um, Correct the Record.

Seriously, this could be a fuck-up on the part of the Sanders campaign, but it wouldn't be the first time false-flag mailings have been sent out in a political campaign.

[KingFlorez]

9. How does that look photoshopped?

There are no signs of layering or an overlay, which would be somewhat easy to spot in a photo like that.

[randys1]

11. Maybe more wishful thinking on my part. NO person alive would believe they could

get away with this, so either he has very bad and stupid staffers, or someone on his campaign is sabotaging him.

[KingFlorez]

20. Probably very bad staffers

This is the sort of thing that happens when a campaign has poor staff.

[winter is coming]

19. True, although it's odd to put something like that on a return envelope, near

where one would expect to see an address. If that image is meant to be of one envelope, the logo and stuff about 95% rating looks like it's right below the postage block. Who does that?

[Nanjeanne]

6. I've never seen this

But all it implies to me is that he has a 95% rating from them. That's if I would have even noticed that if I got the mailer. Don't think I ever did. Where does it say he was endorsed by them?

[KingFlorez]

15. You can't use logos without permission

And to the average voter they might see that as an endorsement. I've run for office before and received a 100% from Planned Parenthood, but I never used their logo, because that would have been an unauthorized use.

[Nanjeanne]

27. Yes I know

It's a dumb rookie mistake. It's a shame it was done. Surprised it was.

Pity it happened.

Can't speak for other voters but I'm more concerned about real issues that affect me. If Clinton did this Id be shrugging my shoulder too.

[Jarqui]

33. That was my reaction

[passiveporcupine]

60. It does not say that.

Everyone is assuming the campaign is intentionally implying endorsement. Wrong. They should not have used the logo, but I can see why they did. The name would take up a lot more room on the mailer.

[workinclasszero]

7. Wow! What an underhanded dirty trick

by the *cough*ethical *cough* Bernie Sanders campaign!

[Fawke Em]

10. Apparently, y'all can't read.

That shows his lifetime LCV score. Not a word about them endorsing him.

[Metric System]

13. Their logo is being used without permission, with the goal of implying an endorsement.

[Cali_Democrat]

18. Exactly

It's straight up deception.

[frylock]

21. I hope you've reported this to the authorities.

[gyroscope]

23. How do you know he used it without permission?

are you psychic?

[Metric System]

29. The League of Conservation Voters said so. It is their logo after all.

[gyroscope]

41. Where did they say that?

excuse me if I don't just take your word for it or some random internet blog.

it could be considered fair use anyway. its not being used for commercial profit, and the claim attached to it is true.

[Schema Thing]

43. You'll be backing up that statement; or did you just pull it out of your ass?

[Metric System]

48. .

***The League of Conservation Voters, however, has contacted Sanders’s staff, objecting to their logo being used on another mailer, shared with Newsweek, which portrays the senator as an environmental champion. The pamphlet, which is being sent out in Iowa, notes that Sanders “has a lifetime score of 95 percent from the League of Conservation Voters” and displays the group’s logo beside it.

However, the league requires permission to use its logo and only grants that to politicians who’ve been endorsed by the affiliated LCV Action Fund. In the presidential race, that’s Clinton. According to a spokesman, the group has asked the Sanders campaign to not continue using its logo, and the campaign is looking into how it happened.***

http://www.newsweek.com/sanders-complaints-iowa-nevada-420806

[Bread and Circus]

49. What planet do you live on? Planet "Nologic?"

[Metric System]

52. What kind of comment is that?

[Alfresco]

12. The Sanders Campaign Of Deception.

[Art_from_Ark]

50. OH, FFS!

There is no deception here, for crying out loud! Sanders DOES have a lifetime score of 95% from the League of Conservation Voters. And there is no claim of an endorsement, just his lifetime score. Which, by the way, is much better than Hillary's

http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/bernie-sanders

[gyroscope]

14. What part of the mailing isn't true?

its your problem if you wildly misinterpret what the mailer says not the campaigns fault.
Sanders does in fact have a 95% rating from this organization.

What is also true is Hillary only has an 82% lifetime score from the LCS, so go figure.
Their endorsement of her is apparently based on something other than merit.

[frylock]

22. I think their ratings are now like golf scores.

[gyroscope]

26. You would be wrong

the score reflects the percentage of times they agreed with the persons views or voting record,
the higher the better.

[frylock]

28. :sarcasm:

[NurseJackie]

17. When it rains, it pours.

[angrychair]

24. It does not say anything

About "endorsement". It only speaks to his lifetime rating, which is true.

Are you attempting to prevent him from running on his record???

I swear, HRC people are getting desperate the closer it gets to Monday.

[frylock]

25. Where is the word "endorsed" on that mailer?

[jillan]

30. Can I see a link to that envelope because it doesn't make sense! The LCV part is where the addressee

goes.

You can tell it's an envelope because of the scanning info on the bottom and the place where the stamp goes.

This does not make sense.

Reeks of bullshit.

[lunamagica]

31. With all that has been revealed today, I wouldn't be surprised.

[Dems2002]

32. Seriously?

So Bernie is not allowed to brag about truthful information on a campaign mailer because the League didn't endorse him?

That's crazy. He doesn't say one word about the league either endorsing or a favorite mislead word, supporting him. He merely brags about publicly avaiable information that the League provides to rank members based on how good they are at supporting their issues.

This is what Bernie is claiming - he suports environmental issues and has his whole life. As a result, he has a 95% from the Leagueto back up this claim.

[NurseJackie]

36. Well, it's not merely a "bullet point" in a list of other ratings and accomplishments...

... he used their logo, and the implication is clear. Frankly I think they knew exactly what they were doing and probably knew how far they could push it. (Unless there's some disclaimer that I don't know about. You know, something along the lines of "Used with permission. No endorsement implied." or some other small print, footnoted words to that effect.)

[Dems2002]

39. Written hundreds of mailers

Listen,

I have written hundreds of mailers. Do we try to put candidates i the best possibly light? Yes. Have I included my candidate in a photo with a more famous politician that hasn't endorsed him or her? Duh.

Do I ever lie? Hell fucking no.

And neither did Bernie's flyer which conveyed fact based information.

[NurseJackie]

47. Things that skate-by as being technically legal aren't always 100% truthful or ethical.

In my mind, this is one of those cases. The implied message is pretty clear.

For any other candidate, I'd probably just shrug and think nothing of it. As you indicate, it's a common practice and par for the course.

But when a candidate (and his supporters) choose to focus so heavily on "ethics" and "trust" ... and when those same individuals make a grand effort at criticizing opponents who don't meet the lofty examples that are put forth ... well, then... that candidate also puts him or herself up for greater scrutiny as well.

There's nothing unfair about these criticisms... particularly for a candidate (and his supporters) who take great glee at scrutinizing his competitors.

Fair is fair? Right?

Ethical is ethical. Agreed?

[Dems2002]

59. Scraping bottom of the barrel

There are some tactics I'd probably be sad to see bernie use. Running on his established record isn't one of them.

What I hate are candidates who tie themselves to organizations or people in an effort to appeal to a demographic that they don't actually support. This is an actual problem (mostly with republicans and conservative Dems) and what trying to confuse voters is truly about.

If people who care about the environment see this flyer and vote for bernie based on their perception he will be good for the environment, they are not going to end up with someone who is going to suddenly turn around and pass environmentally damaging legislation.

To me, that makes this completely and totally above board.

[NurseJackie]

34. It's difficult for me to believe that this was "unintentional" or "fair use".

I guess the days of "coasting" through the primary process are over.

[Sheepshank]

37. More lies and deception for the Bernie campaign

and this thread has excuses and and more excuses by Bernie supporters.

So Bernie Campaign lies (per this thread), falsely infiltrates work places, racially profiles, and admits to stealing data from Clinton...I think the "integrity" label just went up in flames.

[Skwmom]

38. Wow - he put his lifetime rating on the mailer. We should HIDE that fact from the voter and let

them think only Hillary supports their cause.

[SheilaT]

40. Somehow, I'd think anyone who thinks that

merely showing the rating a candidate as from a particular group is the same as an endorsement, really isn't very good at reading comprehension.

[Avalux]

42. Did all of you Hillary supporters lose your minds? This is getting really silly.

It's a FACT that Bernie has a 95% rating, and there's nothing prohibiting him from informing people of that. There isn't anything about it that would lead me to believe they endorsed him.

How much lower can you go?

[MissDeeds]

51. +100000

It's really pathetic.

[Nanjeanne]

44. Well I can't vote for him now

First it's Buttongate. On the very day that it's announced that Assemblywoman Maggie Carlton of Nevada and a long time member of the very same union endorsed Hillary.

And now this outrage over unauthorized logos!!!

My goodness how can I possibly vote for Bernie now? Private prisons, expensive healthcare, fracking, greedy Wall Street, WAR, GMOs --- that stuff pales in comparison to BUTTONS AND LOGOS!

[Schema Thing]

45. You should delete this post, as it makes you look like a liar.

[beam me up scottie]

46. ZOMG IT'S MAILERGATE!!!

[MissDeeds]

53. Maybe it will result in an FBI investigation

[beam me up scottie]

54. It's like he promoted an illegal war in the middle east or something.

[lasttrip]

56. No that would only be a mistake.

[elias49]

55. Oh, you are such a crack-up!!

[Jarqui]

57. I honestly can take this too seriously.

When you compare the two on the environment, it isn't much of a contest:

Clinton lifetime score 82% over 8 years
http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/hillary-rodham-clinton

Bernie lifetime score 95% over 20 years
http://scorecard.lcv.org/moc/bernie-sanders


http://www.lcv.org/media/press-releases/LCV-Statement-on-Senator-Bernie-Sanders-and-Senator-Patrick-Leahy-s-Leadership-Following-All-Night-Climate-Speeches-in-the-Senate.html

LCV STATEMENT ON SENATOR BERNIE SANDERS AND PATRICK LEAHYS LEADERSHIP FOLLOWING ALL NIGHT SPEECHES IN THE SENATE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jeff Gohringer, [phone] or [e-mail]

March 11, 2014
WASHINGTON, DC –League of Conservation Voters President Gene Karpinski released this statement on Senator Sanders and Senator Leahy’s leadership during the Senate's series of all-night speeches pressing for action on climate change:

“We’re thrilled that Senators Sanders and Leahy joined with 29 colleagues from across the country to stand up to corporate polluters and give a voice to Vermonters demanding action on climate change. Vermont is already seeing climate impacts, including more extreme storms, less maple syrup production, and more sporadic fall foliage. We congratulate Senators Sanders and Leahy on their leadership and will continue working with them to push for action to confront the climate crisis.”

How Hillary Clinton’s State Department sold fracking to the world
http://grist.org/business-technology/how-hillary-clintons-state-department-sold-fracking-to-the-world/

Bernie Sanders is the only presidential candidate to oppose fracking
http://grist.org/article/bernie-sanders-is-the-only-presidential-candidate-to-oppose-fracking/


On Keystone, Clinton said " we’ve not yet signed off on it. But we are inclined to do so and we are for several reasons – going back to one of your original questions – we’re either going to be dependent on dirty oil from the Gulf or dirty oil from Canada."

http://www.motherjones.com/environment/2015/05/bernie-sanders-greenest-presidential-candidate

Bill McKibben, who founded 350.org and has led the fight to stop the Keystone XL pipeline, says he is confident Sanders understands the need to keep fossil fuels in the ground. Sanders has opposed Keystone, while Clinton has avoided taking a position on it. "He's been the most consistent and proactive voice in the entire Keystone fight," writes McKibben in an email. "Everything that's been needed—from speeches on the floor to legislation to demands that the State Department change its absurd review process—he and his staff have done immediately and with a high degree of professionalism…On climate stuff he's been the most aggressive voice in the Senate, rivaled only by Sheldon Whitehouse. He understands it for the deep, simple problem it is: that we can't keep burning this stuff."

Major Environmental Group Endorses Bernie Sanders’ 2016 Bid
http://www.nationaljournal.com/s/70765/major-environmental-group-endorses-bernie-sanders-2016-bid

Maybe Bernie should have used the logo but by the looks of things, he deserved to.

[Renew Deal]

58. It's misleading, but it could be worse.

[Half-Century Man]

61. Thank you for the much clearer picture.

3 quick observations.
First, as noted in a post earlier. There is a dark border on the upper right side edge. That border runs until just above the LCV logo, it is missing above the Sanders Campaign label. This has been cited as evidence of crude photo shopping.
Second, under the LCV 95% lifetime score. There is a bar code. Referencing only the bill paying envelopes in front of me; the bar code only leaves a 5/16ths margin to the edge of the envelope. Question what do the words under the Bernie stuff on the left say and does room exist for that font size?
Third, why is there a prepaid postage box in the upper right when there is no open spaces for addresses? Why prepay envelopes if the return address is where the sender address goes?

Is there a photo that shows the entire envelope/flier/brochure?
Are there photos that document the entirety of the mailer, all sides?

I know I'm being particular. I hope you give evidence harmful to your preferred candidate close scrutiny as well.


Thanking you in advance
HCM