Bernie's softball game vs. media sparks last-minute controversy

[brooklynite]

Politico

Bernie Sanders' campaign sent an email to supporters Sunday night promoting a softball game between his campaign staff and members of the press corps at Iowa's iconic Field of Dreams. Pony up, it said, and receive a limited edition, Bernie Sanders baseball card.

But that solicitation has given at least some media outlets jitters: CNN and ABC News have pulled out of the event, not wanting to be associated with a campaign fundraising effort. (A POLITICO reporter had previously planned to attend the game but not play, citing her lack of athletic talent.)

According to the Sanders campaign, though, the game will go on. It's expected to feature local reporters, such as those from the political news site Iowa Starting Line.

“Unconfirmed rumors from scouts suggest that some on the opposing team — having realized Bernie 'the Bern' Sanders was the scheduled pitcher for tonight's contest — decided to stand down,” campaign manager Faiz Shakir wrote in an email to POLITICO. “Others say that a few media executives got a little squeamish about sharing the field with Bernie. Regardless, fans will not be disappointed. It is game on. Because we have to fulfill the promise of 'if you build it, they will come!'"

[TexasTowelie]

1. If the game was in Texas

hardly anybody would show up. It's too hot to go outside and watch a baseball game (unless one of the players is a young relative or it's professional baseball).

[George II]

3. I remember in 1962 when the Houston Colt 45s (eventually the Astros) first started playing...

...down there.

Back then it was unheard of for a Sunday game to be played at night. But the weather was so oppressive that they got permission to play Sunday night games. That's one of the impetuses for the design and construction of the Astrodome.

[TexasTowelie]

4. It's slightly cooler today than the last few days.

The temperature is 95 degrees and the heat index is 106. A few days ago it was 99 degrees and the heat index was at 111. I try to stay inside until after 7 p.m. because it's so hot.

[George II]

7. Believe it or not it's not much different here - it was 93 degrees with humidity in the high 70%.

But this is unusually hot today.

[George II]

2. Unbelievable.

[True Dough]

5. Based on recent tensions

I thought Bernie might have threatened to go after the media with a baseball bat in hand!

[Kurt V.]

6. i thought this was an onion story. ha!

[George II]

8. I fear that much of our politics these days is substance for Onion articles!

[mcar]

9. I'm confused

Sanders is having a softball game between his staff and the media - to raise money for his campaign?

How is that not a conflict of interest for members of the media? Who came up with this idea?

[murielm99]

10. Bernie has been complaining about lack of media attention.

Maybe he thought this would be a good way to get some attention. But fund-raising at the same time?

[mcar]

13. Like when he "fundraised" for other elected officials

but kept part of the take?

[murielm99]

14. Yes. I remember.

[George II]

15. So he invites the media to his "softball game" and hits them and others up for money?

[George II]

11. Yes indeed. This from twitter 35 minutes ago:

Link to tweet

[mcar]

12. Oh, for god's sake

and people are criticizing Kamala for holding an actual, upfront fundraiser?

[LongTomH]

16. Good example of why I rarely come here anymore!!!!!

No, I'm not making a big deal about leaving DU as have some others who've been driven away. I do want to say that; Once upon a time, I truly loved this place! It was my home away from the madness of the Bush years and it was my creative outlet. But DU has become positively toxic for Progressives and especially Bernie supporters.

I may lurk from time to time and even occasionally post in the Sanders 2020 forum.

I will be actively supporting Bernie Sanders with trips to Iowa, phonebanking, donations, anything I can.

Wanna make some hateful comments? Go ahead, just don't expect me to come here to argue with you.

[murielm99]

17. Bye-bye.

[MerryBlooms]

19. Some people spend their day finding articles to stir shit...

Doesn't matter what candidate, just matters the amount of shit stirred. I guess they get off on the amount of negative comments? Anyway, lots of posts have been made to discourage supporters of all camps- Biden, Harris, Sanders, etc... Support who you support for the primary, vote blue no matter what for the general. Don't let the shit posted here by people who don't have good intentions get you down. DU turns on itself in every primary... Always sad to see, but it's the same over and over... DUgly Masquerade Ball.

[betsuni]

18. If you donate, he will come.