Bernie Sanders defends comments on Cuban Revolution

[brooklynite]

Politico

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Monday doubled down on past remarks about Fidel Castro where he said it was "unfair to simply say everything is bad" about the communist regime in Cuba.

Speaking at a CNN town hall in Charleston, South Carolina, on Monday, Sanders said that he has always condemned authoritarianism and ardently believes in democracy. Still, he stood behind remarks he had made during a “60 Minutes“ interview that the communist revolutionary leader, who ruled Cuba from 1959 almost until his death in 2016, dramatically raised literacy rates in his country.

The remarks sparked outrage, particularly among Florida Democrats, who represent a state with a large community of Cuban exiles. State Rep. Javier Fernandez, who is supporting Democratic rival Joe Biden, went so far as to say: “Donald Trump wins Florida if Bernie is our nominee."

“If Bernie Sanders is atop the ticket, it’s going to make it tougher for all of us to win in Florida,” Fernandez said.

[empedocles]

1. 'Frontrunner' getting vetted

[PJMcK]

2. Sanders' comments about Castro and Cuba were a mistake

According to the Senator, Castro wasn't all bad because literacy rates rose during his "presidency."

Hey, Bernie! Mussolini wasn't so bad because he got the trains to run on time. Can you see now how your comment was a mistake?

Florida is a battleground state for the presidency and Sanders just shot himself in the foot. Isn't he familiar with the discord in Florida surrounding the issues related to Cuba?

[NurseJackie]

3. And Hitler's Germany had a awesome highway system, eh?

Hey, Bernie! Mussolini wasn't so bad because he got the trains to run on time. Can you see now how your comment was a mistake?

And Hitler's Germany had a awesome highway system, eh?

All I'm saying is: It's just remarkable the Bernie Sanders didn't understand why it was wrong then, and he he still doesn't understand (or lacks the personal integrity and political chops) to simply apologize and admit his failure. Instead he doubles-down.

We deserve better. He lacks the demeanor and temperament and humility and compassion that's needed to be our nation's leader. I'm tired of stubborn and rude leaders. I won't be supporting Bernie.

[PJMcK]

4. Agreed

We deserve better.

What has happened to our country?

[delisen]

9. Let's not forget the Volkswagen-another Hitler success story

He made "the people's car"possible.

Of course Hitler himself had to be transported in a Mercedes-security, frequent-traveler comfort needs, mobile work space and so on.

Nevertheless, the Volkswagen was a giant step forward in assisting the populace in its search for Lebensraum.

Joking aside, I have no problem with Sanders pointing out any health care and literacy successses but I think a very strong acknowledgement of human rights abuses is essential.

[totodeinhere]

14. I think that the people at DU who are so vociferously opposing Bernie need to come to terms

with the very real possibility that he will be the nominee whether they like it or not. And if that happens, then they need to decide whether to support him or just sit out the election and in effect cast a vote for Trump. No vote will be a vote for Trump because his zombie supporters will be voting. We can be sure about that.

[NurseJackie]

15. I wonder if Jane's earlier advice to her twitter followers will come back to bite her...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287578182#post2

[totodeinhere]

21. She probably could have phrased it better but I just think she was supporting the

concept that every American has a civic duty to go out and vote. And mostly likely if everybody did vote Democrats would win most elections. Of course that's why the Republicans do their best to suppress voter turnout.

And BTW, she will make a great first lady.

[Callado119]

26. Yup, this just gets more disgusting by the day and it may soon be too late to stop..

..the coming electoral disaster...

[corbettkroehler]

11. And When Obama Said Much The Same As 44?

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

17. Already debunked... try again.

[corbettkroehler]

19. An Exact Quote With Official White House Video Is Debunked?

You try again. I'll trust Obama's http://wh.gov over a Bernie basher.

[NurseJackie]

25. No, President Obama did not say the same thing as BS about Cuba.

No, President Obama did not say the same thing as BS about Cuba.

BS was talking about what he thinks Castro's revolution brought to Cuba in 1959.

President Obama was talking about the post 2014 strides that Cuba had made as part of the negotiated
pre-conditions for normalizing US-Cuba relations. Cuba had to meet benchmarks during the gradual process of moving towards normalization.

President Obama made the remarks at a joint press conference in Cuba in March 2016.

US presidential visit

President Obama arrived in Cuba for a three-day visit on March 20, 2016. Obama headed a delegation of between 800 and 1,200, including business people and congressional leaders who had helped in establishing the 2014 normalization deal.

Obama was the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. Obama said that he would only visit Cuba if he could meet with Cuban dissidents: "If I go on a visit, then part of the deal is that I get to talk to everybody. I've made it very clear in my conversations directly with President Raúl Castro that we would continue to reach out to those who want to broaden the scope for, you know, free expression inside of Cuba."

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

***************************************************************************************

David Sirota used an abruptly edited short clip in order mislead people. Here's the context that Sirota failed to provide. It's not the first time

Remarks by President Obama and President Raul Castro of Cuba in a Joint Press Conference

Palace of the Revolution
Havana, Cuba
March 21, 2016

Our growing engagement with Cuba is guided by one overarching goal -- advancing the mutual interests of our two countries, including improving the lives of our people, both Cubans and Americans. That’s why I’m here.

I’ve said consistently, after more than five very difficult decades, the relationship between our governments will not be transformed overnight. We continue, as President Castro indicated, to have some very serious differences, including on democracy and human rights. And President Castro and I have had very frank and candid conversations on these subjects.

The United States recognizes progress that Cuba has made as a nation, its enormous achievements in education and in health care. And perhaps most importantly, I affirmed that Cuba’s destiny will not be decided by the United States or any other nation. Cuba is sovereign and, rightly, has great pride. And the future of Cuba will be decided by Cubans, not by anybody else.

At the same time, as we do wherever we go around the world, I made it clear that the United States will continue to speak up on behalf of democracy, including the right of the Cuban people to decide their own future. We’ll speak out on behalf of universal human rights, including freedom of speech, and assembly, and religion. Indeed, I look forward to meeting with and hearing from Cuban civil society leaders tomorrow.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/21/remarks-president-obama-and-president-raul-castro-cuba-joint-press%20

It's disgusting the way Sirota continually tries to play the electorate for a fool and really sad that people keep falling for his dissembling.

[cannabis_flower]

5. Centrist Democrats are losing their minds over Bernie Sanders

First off the comment was true and I didn't see the interview but I'm guessing it was taken out of context.

Here's a breakdown of the demographics of Florida.

Eight percent (8%) of Florida is Hispanic.

Of that 8% , 29% (1,213,000) of them are of Cuban decent. Most of them are Republican. Some of them are not citizens and are ineligible to vote.

Twenty percent (20%) are Puerto Rican. There are 848,000. Most of them are Democrats and absolutely hate Trump. All of them that are over 18 are eligible to vote.

Fifteen percent (15%) are Mexican. There are 634,000 of them. Most of them hate Trump. Some of them can vote.

There are 1,613,000 other Hispanics in Florida. Some of them are eligible to vote. If they like Bernie in the same percentage as Nevada, Bernie will have no problem with Hispanics in Florida.

Let's also look at the fact that at least some released felons will now be allowed to vote in Florida.

People are making a mountain out of a molehill. Florida is not lost.

[OliverQ]

16. It was taken out of context.

Bernie flat out said he opposes dictatorships and he did not support the authoritarian Castro Regime. He simply commented on some of the things that worked out there, just as Obama did in 2016. I don't see people here bashing Obama over his "pro-Castro" comments. I wonder why?

[Just_Vote_Dem]

6. Castro improved literacy so he could sell his propaganda IMO n/t

[cannabis_flower]

7. Did he also

Decrease infant mortality so he could sell his propaganda?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nytimes.com/2019/01/18/opinion/sunday/cuba-healthcare-medicare.amp.html

[kentuck]

10. Did he have his own FOX station?

He could really have been effective.

[TCJ70]

8. I guess we're anti-literacy now...

...because Bernie mentioned it.

[honest.abe]

12. It makes one think Sanders doesnt actually want to win.

[corbettkroehler]

13. Florida Never Was In Jeopardy For Sanders (Still Ain't)

As a Floridian, I can assure all DUers that the faux outrage over Sanders' comments amounts to nothing but Bernie bashing.

Where was this vitriol when Obama said much the same as 44?

Link to tweet

[NurseJackie]

27. No, President Obama did not say the same thing as BS about Cuba.

No, President Obama did not say the same thing as BS about Cuba.

BS was talking about what he thinks Castro's revolution brought to Cuba in 1959.

President Obama was talking about the post 2014 strides that Cuba had made as part of the negotiated
pre-conditions for normalizing US-Cuba relations. Cuba had to meet benchmarks during the gradual process of moving towards normalization.

President Obama made the remarks at a joint press conference in Cuba in March 2016.

US presidential visit

President Obama arrived in Cuba for a three-day visit on March 20, 2016. Obama headed a delegation of between 800 and 1,200, including business people and congressional leaders who had helped in establishing the 2014 normalization deal.

Obama was the first sitting U.S. president to visit Cuba since Calvin Coolidge in 1928. Obama said that he would only visit Cuba if he could meet with Cuban dissidents: "If I go on a visit, then part of the deal is that I get to talk to everybody. I've made it very clear in my conversations directly with President Raúl Castro that we would continue to reach out to those who want to broaden the scope for, you know, free expression inside of Cuba."

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

***************************************************************************************

David Sirota used an abruptly edited short clip in order mislead people. Here's the context that Sirota failed to provide. It's not the first time

Remarks by President Obama and President Raul Castro of Cuba in a Joint Press Conference

Palace of the Revolution
Havana, Cuba
March 21, 2016

Our growing engagement with Cuba is guided by one overarching goal -- advancing the mutual interests of our two countries, including improving the lives of our people, both Cubans and Americans. That’s why I’m here.

I’ve said consistently, after more than five very difficult decades, the relationship between our governments will not be transformed overnight. We continue, as President Castro indicated, to have some very serious differences, including on democracy and human rights. And President Castro and I have had very frank and candid conversations on these subjects.

The United States recognizes progress that Cuba has made as a nation, its enormous achievements in education and in health care. And perhaps most importantly, I affirmed that Cuba’s destiny will not be decided by the United States or any other nation. Cuba is sovereign and, rightly, has great pride. And the future of Cuba will be decided by Cubans, not by anybody else.

At the same time, as we do wherever we go around the world, I made it clear that the United States will continue to speak up on behalf of democracy, including the right of the Cuban people to decide their own future. We’ll speak out on behalf of universal human rights, including freedom of speech, and assembly, and religion. Indeed, I look forward to meeting with and hearing from Cuban civil society leaders tomorrow.

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/03/21/remarks-president-obama-and-president-raul-castro-cuba-joint-press%20

It's disgusting the way Sirota continually tries to play the electorate for a fool and really sad that people keep falling for his dissembling.

[totodeinhere]

18. Just like so many things in life, this is not a matter of black or white.

The Castro regime held political prisoners. They did not allow free elections. In the early days of the regime the LGBTQ community in Cuba was brutally oppressed. I think we can all condemn those things and I am sure that Bernie would condemn those things.

But isn't it ironic that Cuba has a better health care system than we do? Every Cuban has access to quality universal free health care. And since that is the case, what is wrong with saying so?

We should be able to chew gum and walk down the street at the same time. Issues like this are not always mutually exclusive. I see nothing wrong with Bernie's comments about Cuba. In fact, I think that Bernie's comments are refreshing. At last we have a politician who isn't afraid to say exactly what he thinks.

[brooklynite]

22. Now all you have to do is convince 130 Million voters...

[totodeinhere]

24. That's what this campaign is about. n/t

[Cuthbert Allgood]

20. We need to normalize our relationship with Cuba.

Our policies toward them caused a lot of their problems.

And nobody lost their god-damned mind when Obama said the same this as Sanders while Obama was trying to normalize relationships.

I am constantly amazed at how much the cold war mentality still has not left so many people.

[totodeinhere]

23. That's another of the millions of reasons why we need to get rid of Trump.

President Obama had us on the right track when it comes to our relationship with Cuba. Then of course that fascist wantabe came into power and reversed President Obama's Cuba initiatives.