Cronyism and Personal Political Benefits in the Sanders Camp

[NCTraveler]

Last edited Fri Sep 25, 2015, 01:41 PM - Edit history (1)

In 2010 Sanders went on the campaign trail to help Peter Shumlin who was in a tight election battle. This wasn't the only year Sanders helped Shumlin out. Sanders has held many events for or been at many of Shumlin events supporting him. In the following years, Sanders wife, Jane Sanders, was appointed to two cushy commission positions by Governor Shumlin.

The first, in 2012(another year Sanders helped the Governor), as a Commissioner on the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission - Vermont Compact.

http://www.tllrwdcc.org/about-the-comission/

The second, in 2013, as Commissioner with the Vermont Economic. Development Authority.

http://www.veda.org/about-veda/board-of-directors/

Both are listed on her LinkedIn page.

https://www.linkedin.com/pub/jane-o-meara-sanders/1b/674/a4a

[ibegurpard]

1. you do realize

That this desperate smear attempt conflicts with the narrative you all have been trying to push about how Bernie doesn't help Democrats...

[NCTraveler]

2. I have post after post saying he does help democrats and is a great addition to the party.

You must be talking about someone else's narrative. Mine has been clear and consistent. He has worked within the party for decades.

[djean111]

3. Charges of cronyism from someone who supports Hillary?

Bwahahahaha!
But seriously, folks, if anyone stopped supporting Bernie because of charges of cronyism, Hillary would not qualify in the slightest as the politician to support. Just sayin'.

[ibegurpard]

4. indeed

[NCTraveler]

5. O'Malley is my first choice but I don't hide my respect for Clinton and Sanders.

First two posts so far have been deflections. Very telling. Talking points will be here soon so it doesn't have the appearance of simple direct deflection.

[ibegurpard]

8. Oh so telling...

Here's my direct answer to your lame post: I don't care about it...just like I don't care about Hillary's emails or Benghazi or the Clinton Foundation. I believe that Bernie will actually fight against cronyism and for transparency regardless of how anyone tries to spin some semblance of hypocrisy because he has a history of doing so. I believe Hillary will not...again because of her history.

[NCTraveler]

11. "Bernie will actually fight against cronyism "

Fight against that of something he supports and takes part in?

[Skwmom]

18. Don't they Support O'Malley?

Though, I'd have to look at old posts to be sure.

[ibegurpard]

26. supposedly

A lot of Hillary apologists claim that.

[artislife]

45. And yet only about 5 actually post anything more about him

We all love our O'Malley supporters that post his stand on issues, where he is going to be and why he is the best choice. There seems to be another set that .....well are for him.


It must be something in the way he moves, or something....because we sure haven't read their reasons or gushings.

[Skwmom]

55. They can push both Hillary and O'Malley - the establishment candidates. n/t

[kenfrequed]

103. Indeed

I have run into only one or two committed O'Malley backers here that I believe. There are about half a dozen that say they are for O'Malley and use it as cover for their attacks on Bernie. It is really, really sad since O'Malley is a pretty decent candidate.

[djean111]

32. Even if it IS O'Malley - this charge does not make O'Malley's Third Way-ism and enabling of the

Baltimore police to wreak havoc on the black community any more palatable.
Lately, O'Malley's good point that is stressed is that he was a good administrator. I am more interested in issues and past record. The campaign rhetoric and detailed plan stuff means nothing to me, really. I will stick with Bernie.

[Koinos]

6. They couldn't have been that chummy, since Shumlin endorsed Clinton.

But Sanders has worked well with the Vermont Democratic party, sometimes to the detriment of Sanders' Democratic electoral opponents.

[NCTraveler]

7. He did endorse Clinton.

He also did just what I described in the op. Three for three on deflection so far.

[virtualobserver]

19. You are accusing Bernie of working to elect Democrats

other than that, what is there to deflect?

[ibegurpard]

28. cronyism

Apparently there's some big cronyism scandal

[virtualobserver]

29. rewarding her with a commission post without pay, leave it to Bernie to have that kind of "scandal"

[kenfrequed]

104. Wow...

Yeah, an unpaid commission post?

How horribly corrupt can you get...

Is this the best that they can do?

[Chitown Kev]

94. Bernie didn't work to elect Dolores Sandoval in 1990, did he?

[DanTex]

9. If it was Hillary or Bill, there would be 200 OPs about this.

Especially since these cushy appointments were right after she drove Burlington College into near bankruptcy during her Fiorina-esque tenure as president.

[artislife]

46. 200 OPs about the same thing...

that is one of our behaviors, but not who you think it is...ha

[matt819]

10. Give it a fucking rest

Cushy commission positions:

Vermont Economic Development Authority. Take a look at their 2014 Annual Report - http://www.veda.org/2014-annual-report/#1. This organization is dedicated to economic development and business and employment growth in the State of Vermont. There is no line item for board member salaries. My guess why? Board members serve without pay. They are men and women dedicated to economic development in Vermont. Cushy? Give me a fucking break.

Texas Low Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact Commission - http://www.tllrwdcc.org/: This organization has two staff members and my guess, again, is that board members serve because of commitment to civic responsibility. Cushy? Give me a fucking break.

Stop with the Sanders bashing - and for that matter, the Hillary bashing - threads. They're pointless, self-defeating, and posts like this just show the stupidity and depths to which you're all willing to sink. And, if you want to play this game, look at Hillary's speaking fees or her paid corporate board memberships.

[djean111]

12. Thank you.

[LondonReign2]

13. Non-paying jobs are the cushiest. Or something

[NCTraveler]

15. Can you link to where the first commission position in the op is a non-paying job?

I have yet to see that argument made. Even if it is non-paying, you are standing up for power and influence in politics being shifted to family members after political favors are given.

[matt819]

63. An assumption

Knowing how these groups work on New England, I'm assuming it is unpaid. It is a reasonable assumption.

As for the political power thing, again, give it a fucking rest. It's about economic development not political power or cronyism. Are the tinfoil off your head, take a deep breath, and go do something else for a while. Political smearing and accusations of the sort we're seeing here are no less vile than the bigotry we see on the right.

[NCTraveler]

69. I don't think it is a reasonable assumption considering compensation is discussed in the by laws. nt

[LondonReign2]

75. I'm still waiting for your link as to how Sanders wanted to screw 10 million immigrants in 2007

The links from the poster above indicates that at least two of the positions are non-paying. That has your undies in a bundle but a Clinton surrogate using racial dog whistles doesn't?

[NCTraveler]

80. He fought relentlessly against the 2007 comprehensive immigration reform....

sponsored by Ted Kennedy. That bill included a pathway to citizenship for over ten million people. Sanders lined up next to some of the most conservative legislatures working to shoot it down. Obama, Biden and Clinton all supported it.

"at least two of the positions are non-paying"

Where?

"That has your undies in a bundle but a Clinton surrogate using racial dog whistles doesn't?"

Please link to where I have supported Clinton surrogates using racist dog whistles. That is extremely dishonest on your part. Someone posts something you don't like so you insinuate they support racist behavior. Really low on you part. Back it up with a link.

[LondonReign2]

82. You are saying they are paid positions, the burden of proof is on you.

How much did the positions pay? How much did Sanders and his wife benefit?

I also noticed that you like to play the martyr and make believe you've been accused of something. You did it to BMUS and now you are trying to do it to me. It is a childish tactic, given the posts are out there for all to see. To repeat:

--you complained about Sanders supporters using RW sources
--I said Clinton supporters had no reason to complain after citing Republican political ads claiming Sanders protected pedophiles and cheered a Clinton columnist that used racial dog whistles against Obama in '08
--you said that didn't interest you
--I then asked why Sanders' wife getting non-paying positions got your undies in a bundle but Clinton's surrogate using racial attacks didn't?

...which you then made believe was some sort of personal attack that was "really low". LOL. Playing the victim card.

Thank you, I will research Bernie's position on the 2007 bill.

[NCTraveler]

86. Conversation is over without you backing up you claim with a link.

"That has your undies in a bundle but a Clinton surrogate using racial dog whistles doesn't?"

Please show where I support Clinton surrogates using racial dog whistles. That is really low of you.

"you complained about Sanders supporters using RW sources"

Ron Fournier? Maybe you don't consider him to be to the right.

"Non-paying jobs are the cushiest"

You made the claim that they were non-paying jobs. I never made the claim they were paid or unpaid. Once again, not above board on your part. It is you who made the claim. I made no claim either way. Why? Dollars aren't necessary with cronyism. Influence and power are a big part of it. This is blatant cronyism with monetary compensation or not. Once again, only you made the claim, not me as you are now trying to spin.

I can't for the life of me figure out why you keep trying to attach me to someone who has posted something racist, acting as if I support it. You clearly have nothing to back it up.

[LondonReign2]

88. LOL, you know your posts stay out there as history, right?

So first, you made the claim these are crony positions. The burden of proof is on you to show how Sanders or his wife benefited. How did they benefit?

As far as the other stuff, you said you weren't interested in the fact Clinton's columnist had used racial slurs against Obama
http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1251&pid=621372

Sorry, no one is "attaching" you to someone that has posted something racist. Your victim card is invalid.

[NCTraveler]

98. You tried to deflect from the topic being discussed. Very dishonest what you are doing here. Very.

You cannot in any way come up for a reason for this blatant cronyism so you are simply deflecting. Exact same as you did before that you are now trying to use as proof of something. Not a very cool debate tactic on your part.

Sanders campaigned for Shumlin, a short time later Shumlin appoints Sanders wife as commissioner at two places. You have nothing for that so are deflecting and distracting. Anything to avoid what is obvious and blatant cronyism. I actually love your deflection. I really don't get why people support cronyism as you do. It really couldn't be any more blatant. You completely deflected on that other thread to avoid something that clearly made you uncomfortable, now you are using that deflection to deflect here. It is impressive that all of this can be kept straight. ooops. Kind of proof it wasn't kept straight. Still might throw some off to the blatant cronyism Sanders and his wife are knee deep in.

[LondonReign2]

112. Your claims of dishonesty are contradicted by the posts, so playing the victim card

just doesn't work, no matter how much you kick and scream.

If you are going to claim cronyism, you have to show how they benefited. How did they benefit? Were they paid? If so, how much? What other benefits did they receive? How were they personally better off? If you can show me HOW THEY ACTUALLY BENEFITED we have a basis for discussion. Otherwise, not so much.

I reiterate my point: You climb on moral high horse about Sanders, even though you can't show any way in which he benefited, but the fact that a Hillary surrogate that used racism against Obama is now trying to claim Sanders is a racist is of no concern to you?

Or perhaps I am wrong -- Are you offended by a Hillary surrogate that used racism against Obama? Are you offended when Hillary supporters then post a piece by the same person accusing Sanders of racism and they cheer the piece?

[DisgustipatedinCA]

84. Can you link to where the job is "cushy"? No. You cannot.

[NCTraveler]

99. Sanders helped Shumlin on the campaign trail....

and Sanders wife was rewarded with two commission positions. That is by every definition cronyism. Seems some don't think it is a big deal after all. I mean, your concern is if it was cushy or not. Seriously? That is your concern. A senators wife was given two commission positions for political favors. Let me say it again. Sanders helped Shumlin out on the campaign trail, soon after that, Sanders wife was appointed to tow commissions by Shumlin. Definition of cronyism and your issue is if I am correct calling it cushy. That really explains it all.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

101. You said cushy. I responded to it by challenging your false assertion, and you're not able to reply.

[NCTraveler]

102. I directly addressed that exact point.

Your issue is with me calling it cushy. You have no concerns about the blatant cronyism. Once again, Sanders helped Shumlin out on the campaign trail, soon after Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commissions. And your issue is with me calling it cushy. lol. I guess I would be doing the same if I felt the need to act like the person I supported didn't play politics. I know O'Malley will get knee deep in it. Only one of us is aware Sanders is knee deep in it. Soon after Sanders helped Shumlin to get elected, Shumlin awarded Sanders wife with two commission positions. You can deflect from it all you want. It is the definition of cronyism.

[DisgustipatedinCA]

105. I don't see blatant cronyism. You feel the need to, and so you will. Have a good weekend.

[NCTraveler]

108. Sanders helps Shumlin get elected.

Soon after, Sanders wife is appointed to two commissions by Shumlin, and you don't see cronyism. lol.

[NCTraveler]

14. Pay to play politics. That is exactly what this is.

A short time after Sanders helps Shumlin to get elected, Sanders wife is appointed as a commissioner by Shumlin to not one, but two commissions. Nothing to see here. lol.

[Romulox]

20. LOL. You got busted, but are still trying... nt

[NCTraveler]

70. Busted doing what? You have now made two brief comments with no content. nt.

[ish of the hammer]

21. weak tea, my friend.

I'm voting for Sanders because he is a progressive and Clinton is a corporatist.

[matt819]

66. Do some fucking research before you go smearing people

Nt

[NCTraveler]

72. I am clearly the only one who has done research.

Please tell me where I have gone wrong with respect to your research. Shortly after Sanders helped Shumlin to get elected, Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commissions. Show where I have gone wrong as you are claiming. It is, by definition, cronyism.

[Armstead]

77. 1) You haven't proven it is only cronyism and 2)If it is, it's still innocuous

More in otehr post below

[NCTraveler]

83. Sanders help a politicain to get elected.

The politician then turns around an appoints Sanders wife to two commissions.

[Armstead]

95. I have one answer at this point.

So what?

[matt819]

100. Exactly. So what

I know it's not right to call someone a troll, but to keep pressing this issue is obscene. There's a big difference between Christie appointing his buddy Samson to the Port Authority and then Samson pressuring SW Airlines to run a flight to his vacation home, and the governor of a small state appointing a prominent, well-liked, and well-respected spouse of a prominent, well-liked, and well-respected Senator to an organization dedicated to economic development.

Correlation isn't evidence of causation.


Also, in the words of the police detectives on tv - who benefits? In this case, the STate of Vermont benefits from the commitment of a civic-minded person.

I had a final sentence to this post but I would probably be the subject of an alert or a hide, so I am exercising restraint. But as a DUer of long standing I am deeply offended by the original post and the continued defense of it.

Rant over. No more responses to this ridiculous thread.

[frylock]

106. What's the pay and where's the play?

[NCTraveler]

109. The pay is influence and decision making about state issues.

The play is in the connections. We are talking a different club than you and I belong to. I have to say I am really shocked people are deflecting and outright ignoring what is by every definition cronyism. Sanders helped Shumlin to get elected, a short time later Shumlin appoints Sanders wife to two commission positions. It isn't even a look of impropriety. It is flat out cronyism. No one can honestly say otherwise.

[frylock]

113. You've had this explained to you up and down this thread.

What was the pay of these cushy spots?

[NCTraveler]

116. I'm not sure. If it has been explained to me, please show.

Compensation often comes in the form of power, though I currently believe at least one of these is a paid position. Interesting you think the only political pay-offs out there are in green. That position is a first for me.

Sanders helped Shumlin get elected. Shortly after Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commission positions. What don't you get? It is beyond simple and the definition of cronyism.

[frylock]

123. What power do these positions yield?

[Skwmom]

23. She is the alternate member on the one board. n/t

[jwirr]

110. She was not given that first post. If I am not mistaken she

earned that post on her own. Doesn't she work with youth in a jobs program. She is a social worker. The exact kind of person you want on this kind of committee.

[magical thyme]

16. and then there is Clinton's relationship with Blumenthal

Did Clinton's Backdoor Adviser Illegally Lobby for Putin Ally?
http://gawker.com/did-clintons-backdoor-adviser-illegally-lobby-for-putin-1693111549
...leaked emails from her longtime confidant Sidney Blumenthal show that he and another former official from Bill Clinton's administration were secretly lobbying the secretary of state on behalf of a billionaire in the former Soviet state of Georgia who was seeking closer ties with Putin's Russia—seemingly in violation of a federal law designed to prevent foreign powers from covertly wielding influence within the United States.

Kornblum wasn't just a geopolitical hobbyist. He was a lobbyist for a pro-Putin politician who was exploiting a connection to the secretary of state. Blumenthal, perhaps eager to get a chance to play diplomat after being rejected for an official State gig, happily played middle-man. The memo clearly constitutes evidence that Kornblum sought to influence U.S. policy on behalf of a foreign political leader, and that he enlisted Blumenthal for help in that project.

Generally speaking, it's fine to lobby U.S. officials on behalf of a foreign power, as long as you register with the U.S. Department of Justice. If you don't register, it's a crime.

[Skwmom]

17. Oh, the scandal!

It's so nefarious she put it on her linked in page.

[NCTraveler]

22. Family members getting commission jobs after Sanders gives political favors.

And you just laugh it off. Cronyism on full display. Give political favors and have the favor returned to family members. No biggie.

[catnhatnh]

90. Since you think unpaid jobs are "cushy"...

I hereby name you to become both my household garbage can maintainer and bathroom cleaner. You don't get any money or benefits but think of the prestige!

[jwirr]

114. The least he could have done was give her a job with pay. I

do not see cronyism here. That is when you give a friend or a family member a high paying job they are not qualified to do.

[NCTraveler]

117. I never said it was a paid or unpaid job.

Do you have a link showing they aren't paid positions?

[jwirr]

121. Keep reading the post it is here somewhere.

[daleanime]

24. So this is how Bernie earned those millions of dollars that he has.....

oh, wait a minute, what's Bernie's wealth? Only around a couple hundred thousand? How about the other candidates in the Democratic Primary?

Don't worry, I know we're not going to agree about this either. Have a great day.

[ibegurpard]

30. He's a sly one

Has anyone checked the trunk of his Volvo?

[daleanime]

38. Bernie has a Volvo?

Why didn't someone tell me this? I need to know important details like that.

[hootinholler]

87. I heard he traded it in

For a 4 door Fiat so he can be like his bestie Pope Frank.

[LondonReign2]

79. Geez, you could learn a lot if you just became a member at hillarysupporters.com

Then you'd KNOW that Bernie keeps all his stash in secret Israeli bank accounts.

(All kidding aside, they actually made that claim there. Then they wonder why they get mocked here).

[beam me up scottie]

36. Right?

I love the smell of desperation in the morning.

[daleanime]

53. Yes.....

and no. I love that it shows the progress we've made on Bernie's campaign, we really can do this!

I hate the fact that even here, where people come just to talk about politics, we still can't have a decent conversation about the issues. The framing and spin are insane.

[Romulox]

25. Your OP has been exposed as bogus. It would be best to self-delete. nt

[NCTraveler]

27. Please link to where it has been exposed as bogus.

Sanders campaigned for Shumlin in a tight race. Shortly after Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commission seats. Where has the cronyism been shot down. Simply saying it doesn't mean a thing.

[virtualobserver]

31. the Hillary talking points get weaker by the day

[NCTraveler]

35. I thought cronyism was a big deal.

Sanders helped Shumlin. A short time after Shumlin appoints Sanders wife to two commission positions. You call that a talking point. lol.

[virtualobserver]

41. yes, the weakness of this talking point does make me laugh out loud

unbelievable

[NCTraveler]

33. Have fun folks. Nothing but deflection and HILLARY up to this point.

The echo chamber is alive and well. Political benefits to family members as reciprocation for political favors? All fine and dandy depending on who is doing it.

[ibegurpard]

56. if you want anyone to take this seriously

Then you better be prepared to show how Sanders or his wife directly benefitted from this. An unpaid position on a Board isn't going to cut it. I serve as an unpaid Board member and it's nothing but a pain on the ass that I do because I believe in the mission of the organization.

[Hortensis]

64. Oh, absolutely. Some people are just brain-locked by inability to see

anything but the virtues of their own "group" and the misdeeds of outsiders. Their very definition of cronyism requires that it be committed by others.

Now it should surprise no one that as a morally bankrupt and stupid moderate-to-strong liberal, I wouldn't bother making a big deal of this for any candidate. In the small world of local politics, it can be quite hard to find someone you like for a job that you don't have various interrelationships with.

BTW, did you know scientists've found a pair of genes that can predict whether a person usually votes or seldom bother to? Heritability of political attitudes has been known for decades, but thanks to the new field of genopolitics we're on the verge of a ton of discoveries that will finally help explain why "those people" are all crazy.

[AuntPatsy]

34. Actions need to be owned not ignored or at least that is what many DUrs are stating and I

happen to agree, deep breathing helps.....

Humans are imperfect, we should at least agree on that truth

[notadmblnd]

37. That is just pathetic and sad- to suggest what was just suggested.

[NCTraveler]

39. Shortly after Sanders helps Shumlin to get elected,

Shumlin appoints Sanders wife to two commission positions. And you call it a sad suggestion to call it what it is. Cronyism.

[notadmblnd]

44. Oh yeah, and so very high level those positions were

It's SOP for every damn politician and to suggest that this is something unique to the Sander's camp is just sad.

[NCTraveler]

50. "this is something unique to the Sander's camp is just sad."

Link to where I said this is unique to the Sanders camp. Interesting claim you have put on me here. I don't ever remember making the claim you are accusing me of.

[notadmblnd]

58. Why bother posting it, if uniqueness was not implied?

As I said, it is standard operating procedure for all politicians. Nothing new what so ever.

[NCTraveler]

60. You just stated my exact point.

It isn't unique. We are in the minority and that can be seen by damn near every reply to the op. We are truly in the minority on thinking they all do it. You and I are the only two people saying it is nothing new.

[notadmblnd]

65. Well, you and I must be the only two people who have at least one foot firmly grounded in reality

What else can I say?

[Fawke Em]

40. Hell, I'm friends with Jane Sanders on LinkedIn

She and I attended the same university and I used to work in an educational industry, so we have mutual friends.

Guess I'm now a Sanders crony because I'm connected.



Seriously, this is a stretch.

Since you gave her LinkedIn page, the folks here can see what degrees she holds and why she'd be more than capable of serving on these boards.

That said, most people who are appointed to commissions of this type have both a background in something they can bring to the table and have been recommended to the post by someone in power.

[NCTraveler]

43. Complete deflection that has nothing to do with the issue.

Did the governor appoint you to two commission positions after you held campaign rallies for him? Shortly after Sanders campaigned for Shumlin, Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commission positions. That has absolutely nothing to do with you and linkedin.

[karynnj]

76. Have you read nothing that Cali has written on Vermont?

This might better be written as Jane Sanders volunteered to work on two commissions and Shumlin accepted her offer. Vermont gives meaning to citizen government and citizen legislature. ( Visit the State house and you see that legislators don't have offices - just desks on the floor. They don't have their own paid staff. They also get the huge salary of $636 a week! )

Seriously, this is ridiculous - especially when Hillary Clinton people see HRC signing off on Huma Abedin's special status to let her work as a contractor and work outside the State Department as well - ending up with a combined salary that was likely higher than the combined incomes of Bernie and Jane Sanders!

[leftofcool]

93. We try not to.

[karynnj]

122. Afraid to learn something?

I moved to Vermont almost three years ago. Though we visited annually for 20 years before that, I have to admit that as I learned the local culture many things that Cali had written over the years on Vermont resonated. Her descriptions are amazingly well written and I have found them on target.

[NCTraveler]

118. Do you have a link showing it was volunteer work?

I never said it was paid or unpaid. I have yet to see any link showing one way or the other. I simply called it what it is. Cronyism. Sanders helped Shumlin to get elected and shortly after Sanders wife was appointed to two commission positions. I do not take the poster you mentioned seriously. Reading the word "motherfucker" gets old to me after a bit. As does insinuating everyone around you is a racist. Not sure what they have to do with anything. They just cuss and insinuate everyone is racist. They have no part in this discussion. Thanks.

You might not want to simply take a poster at their word. Please look at what many commissioners in Vermont get paid. They do have volunteer positions, but it clearly isn't a claim that can be made outright.

http://vttransparency.org/index.cfm?section=state&pg=State_Compensation&title_part=commissioner

[99Forever]

42. Has Senator Sanders lied abput his association...

... Gov. Shumlin?

[99Forever]

67. *crickets*

Of course.

That's the problem with flinging shit at your opponent. Sometimes only the fool doing the flinging ends up covered by it.

[aidbo]

47. Nice Fox News question mark in your headline there.

[NCTraveler]

49. We have someone here taking part in cronyism and you just go to Fox News?

Shortly after Sanders helped Shumlin in his bid for reelection, Shumlin appointed Sanders wife to two commission positions. You call that a Fox News story. They would simply infer it was excellent politics.

[djean111]

54. Shortly after Bill Clinton helped Obama get elected, Obama appointed Clinton's wife to be SOS.

That's not cronyism?

[jwirr]

119. LOL

[aidbo]

59. I was referring to the OP's use of a question mark at the end of the headline.

It's a common tactic employed by Fox News to imply that what the headline is saying is true.

It's also sometimes called the Cavuto mark after Neil Cavuto, a host on Fox.

I hate to post all these Daily show links because it reminds me of Jon Stewart moving on, but here's one where he explains it.
http://www.cc.com/video-clips/8ov5kh/the-daily-show-with-jon-stewart-the-question-mark

Betteridge's law of headlines is an adage that states: "Any headline that ends in a question mark can be answered by the word no." It is named after Ian Betteridge, a British technology journalist,[1][2] although the principle is much older.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge%27s_law_of_headlines

I'm sure the OP was just asking a question, though.

[NCTraveler]

62. If I point you to five posts by one member about emails,

each one with the title to the post ending in a question mark, will you go make the same claim to them in all five posts?

[aidbo]

71. Nope.

[NCTraveler]

73. I didn't think so. Only time for one side. lol nt.

[cyberswede]

48. Bill Clinton helped Obama get elected; Obama appointed Bill's wife to a cushy job.

[djean111]

52. Oh, did you notice that, too? The ultimate pay-off, really.

Another of today's meme's is to attack Jane Sanders. I don't even know what the point is - no one is going to switch to a candidate laden with so much baggage that it is amazing that they can even move.

[Fumesucker]

51. ...

[Armstead]

57. Politics is cronyism. Sanders is a politician. What matters is....

...what kind of cronyism, who benefits how, and what quid pro quos are involved.

First of all, it's kind of sexist to suggest that Sanders wife should be excluded from serving in such positions simply because she is his wife.

Second of all, those seem to be public-service positions that don't benefit the Sanders family personally. And they are totally in open view. It's not like behind-the-scenes influence peddling to get favors for the Sanders' vast business enterprises.

So, trying to respond in a non-deflecting way, I don't see anything unseemly in this. It seems to be a very benign form of cronyism,rather then the skeezy stuff that goes on in the corridors of Washington among lobbyists, large corporations and the revolving door of officeholders or appointed regulatory officials getting million dollar jobs from the corporations they were supposedly regulating.

[Luminous Animal]

61. What makes you think these postions were cushy?

And was she unqualified?

[John Poet]

68. So ?

Pretty small potatos compared to millions paid into the Clinton foundation by foreign countries hoping for favorable treatment by the Secretary of State...

[ibegurpard]

74. just trolling

[bobbobbins01]

78. Cronyism requires that the person be unqualified for the job.

Until you can prove that she wasn't qualified for either position, you're just flinging poo.

[jwirr]

120. Example: JFK and his attorney general RFK.

[jeff47]

81. Unpaid jobs she's well-qualified for? Sanders really sucks at cronyism. (nt)

[SunSeeker]

85. Is that Texas Commission the one in charge of dumping VT nuke waste in a poor TX latino border town?

http://social-ecology.org/wp/1998/10/the-texas-vermont-maine-nuclear-dump-bringing-environmental-racism-home/

[leftofcool]

92. Yes it is. Nuclear waste dumping and racism!

[SunSeeker]

96. Well that explains all the deflection in this thread.

Even if the job was unpaid, it certainly benefited Bernie having his wife on a Board that will make sure his "Not In My Back Yard" Vermont constituents are kept happy. They get to enjoy their nuke energy, while getting rid of their nuke waste in someone else's back yard.

[Armstead]

97. Could have been. The Sanders were consipiring. It's all so nefarious....

Racist dogs. They hate blacks, Latinos, gays and women, they love guns and are right wing socialists who are really stooges from Moscow...I think they're secret Muslims too....or is it tools of Israel?...I dunno. These memes get so confusing.

[Comrade Grumpy]

89. There's too much trollish behavior around here.

[Admiral Loinpresser]

91. Three questions.

Was Dr. Sanders paid for her work?

Has anyone in the public arena made a charge of cronyism?

What evidence do you or anybody else have of cronyism?

noun derogatory
noun: cronyism; noun: croneyism

the appointment of friends and associates to positions of authority, without proper regard to their qualifications.

https://www.google.com/search?q=definition+of+cronyism&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8

[Skwmom]

107. Cronyism? You support O'Malley and you went there with this lame accusation...

[kenfrequed]

111. Well the answer is pretty easy

He really isn't an O'Malley supporter.

He is just using it as cover to make attacks on Sanders without making Hillary supporters look bad. They have been doing it for awhile. There are like two definite and frequent O'Malley supporters on here and maybe another dozen quiet supporters. Then there are half a dozen people that throw up his name whenever they get called out for putting posts like this out there.

[liberal_at_heart]

115. pretty weak but thanks for showing just how little there is to attack Bernie on.

This thread is going in the trash where it belongs.

[djred678]

124. HR629

Look up HR629. Bernie Sanders not only VOTED, but COSPONSORED to dump low-level nuclear waste in Sierra Blanca TX. https://www.congress.gov/bill/105th-congress/house-bill/629/cosponsors Jane IS the key in this. Look at Bernie's financial filings on OpenSecrets. All their investments are in her name. http://pfds.opensecrets.org/N00000528_2015_Pres.pdf