Bernie Sanders praising the Soviet system in 1988

[True Dough]

His own words! If you're going to attack the messenger, remember that the messenger is Bernie himself!

Link to tweet

[WeekiWater]

1. He was just a kid back then.

Anything within the last couple of decades?

[NurseJackie]

2. General Election voters won't care. This would likely be enough to swing the vote to Trump.

General Election voters won't care. This would likely be enough to swing the vote to Trump. Face it... a big percentage of the electorate are under-educated and low-information voters. They, combined with the DITW Trump lovers would easily give Trump another victory.

Remember, these are the same ones who were rabidly concerned about emails. Does anyone really believe that the GOP wouldn't use this and milk this for all its worth?

Puh-leeze!

[WeekiWater]

4. I was just kidding.

The person who first told me that wasn't joking. It was in reference to a certain essay he wrote in his thirties. They literally referred to him as a "kid back then".

[Maru Kitteh]

11. I've heard that too! So funny. nt

[NurseJackie]

15. Whew!

[hueymahl]

5. Just a kid?

Is that sarcasm I'm missing? What was he, like 45-50?

[comradebillyboy]

9. These days, the American dream is more apt to be realized in ...

"These days, the American dream is more apt to be realized in South America, in places such as Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina, where incomes are actually more equal today than they are in the land of Horatio Alger. Who's the banana republic now?"

from Bernie Sanders own web site.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. LOLZ! He was a 47-year-old child? Am I reading your statement correctly?

[comradebillyboy]

12. I think that's a reasonable interpretation...

[NurseJackie]

16. Ha!

[WeekiWater]

30. Couldn't have read it anymore correct.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

27. Yeah. That was pretty much his first job. Only 47 years old.

We'd have to stretch all the way back to 2011 for his gem from his website:

“These days, the American dream is more apt to be realized in South America, in places such as Ecuador, Venezuela and Argentina, where incomes are actually more equal today than they are in the land of Horatio Alger.

Who's the banana republic now?”

[WeekiWater]

29. Ouch. NT

[LisaM]

33. LOL.

Ouch, indeed!

[LisaM]

31. A 47-year old kid.

Just sayin'

[brush]

44. Repug oppo researchers had this and worse ready to spring it in 2016...

if he had gotten the nomination, it wouldn't have been close as it was.

And they still have this and much more for 2020 just in case.

[LenaBaby61]

66. Repug oppo researchers had this and worse ready to spring it in 2016...

And like you said WORSE still hanging out there. REEMS of docs I hear/read "on" or "about" Bernie. You also know they'll throw in innuendo, LIES, LIES and more LIES to the mix as well. And we KNOW that the corporate media will run after the NEW shiny object and vet BERNIE when they never really vetted Wall-in-chief. Forget that wall-in-chief hasn't and won't release HIS taxes. NOPE. They'll stay on Bernie and make damn sure he releases HIS taxes, or get an explanation from HIM as to WHY he's not released his taxes, or make his tax situation the new Hillary's emails. PLUS, they'll go all in on his anti-Amber Alert votes, and that book/essay he wrote as a very young man in the early 70's about women/sex etc. They'll be calling him a rapist, although we know Wall-in-chief has over 19 allegations of sexual misconduct and worse probably concerning underaged girls hanging out there against him, yet you know that his team will go after Bernie's book about women/sex etc to deflect, and once again, the corporate media will go after the shiny object AGAIN, just like they went after that NON-ISSUE of Hillary's emails.

Let me put it this way, Bernie will be VETTED like never before by Wall-in-chief's asses and by corporate media asses.

What I believe they'll do to Bernie, won't be pretty. They've already signaled that they're going to go IN on any Dem running and get past what even Lee Atwater did back in the day. We also KNOW that the ruskies will be doing their part to keep their fat ass ruskie asset in the White House.

[brush]

93. Preach! Well said.

[Awsi Dooger]

100. I'm sure that is correct regarding GOP research owning this and more

I didn't pay much attention to the 2016 primary because I was certain Hillary would win it. I didn't realize this stuff was out there but one reason I didn't want Bernie was because I was sure a socialism tag was doom, given all the fear-based attachments.

Recently I thought Bernie had more of a chance at the 2020 nomination than others were crediting. Now I'm going to drift back to my own beginning from 2016. We can't afford to nominate anyone who is so easily categorized as too far from the center. I'll continue to emphasize that 46% who thought Gillum was too liberal for the state of Florida.

[calimary]

77. Just a kid? Already wrinkled and gray-haired.

[pnwmom]

85. If you're 150 years old, then it might make sense that you view a 47 year old as a "kid." n/t

[SidDithers]

87. This is an underrated post...

Sid

[BooScout]

95. He was 47 years old...

Exactly when do you think people reach adulthood?

[WeekiWater]

96. 48

[fleabiscuit]

101. LMFAO!

[Maru Kitteh]

3. Oh Gawd. I'm sure the GOP would just ignore the lengthy, effusive praise Jane and Bernie

had for the good 'ol USSR here. I guess, if it was so awesome, they might possibly agree with Putin that the greatest tragedy was the collapse of the Soviet socialist system?




I don't know. Maybe they should clarify.

[Hoyt]

6. That was awhile ago. However, his weak support gun-control, and bashing Obama/Clinton over TPP and

European trade agreements is an issue. He did not do well among minority groups either.

[mikehiggins]

7. What's the point?

Sanders said some nice things about Moscow and the USSR.

Stop the presses!

Silly, silly thing to criticize, IMHO.

[elleng]

14. The 'point,' if one exists, is to warn DUers and others not to dare to consider Senator Sanders

for POTUS. Lots of that going on around here, sadly.

[Devil Child]

38. Sounds so ominous to "warn DUers" and "not to dare to consider"

Sen. Sanders is not an unknown candidate and those who support him are aware of his past statements. If many around here are considering Sen. Sanders and this saddens you, it might be helpful to question why he might be generating such interest or support.

[elleng]

46. It doesn't sadden me. It appears he's generating interest because of his longterm devotion

to support and caring for people. What saddens, more like angers me is the regular bashing of Senator Sanders.

[Devil Child]

47. My most sincere apologies for misreading your post.

We are in agreement.

[elleng]

48. Good. Thanks.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

105. Me too, the constant Bernie bashing only creates division & hurts the Democratic party as a whole

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Join the revolution!!!

[elleng]

106. Hurts the party as a whole HUGELY!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

108. Some never learn.

Bernie & Elizabeth 2020!!!
Join the revolution!!!

[NurseJackie]

109. Nobody is bashing Bernie.

[workinclasszero]

21. It's called clutching at straws

Funny how GOP talking points are sprouting up all over DU since Bernie had a fabulous fund raising and volunteer effort pay off hugely and its only the beginning.

Just a coincidence I'm sure. x 10000000000000000000000000000000000

[Trenzalore]

42. You might want to get a helmet.

It is week 1 and the Clinton campaign had a uhaul truck of material they never used.

[workinclasszero]

74. I'm sure the pussy grabber in chief and his

party will enjoy these gutter tactics from democrats who are playing right into their hands.

[Trenzalore]

86. Better to come out now

Trump has a bigger Uhaul of shit

[disillusioned73]

70. Tonights CNN town hall..

probably isn't adding to the anxiety...

Tune in @ 8pm et

[tinrobot]

23. The point is that it can neuter his criticism of Trump's Russia ties.

Because both sides have expessed love for Russia (at least that's what the GOP will claim)

[LongtimeAZDem]

24. Exactly; it's not like he had a habit of praising lots of communist regimes

That is . . .

I mean . . .

Forget it.

[brooklynite]

54. Trump has decided to run against "Socialist" Democrats...

Very easy to do when you have video of a self-avowed Socialist praising a dictatorial socialist Government.

[pangaia]

59. In this case, what he states in this clip about the Russian attitude toward culture,

is 100% right on the money.

And this is still true today..

[brooklynite]

62. Now explain how Sanders makes that subtle distinction.

[pangaia]

64. What subtle distinction?

[brooklynite]

65. "When I praised a Soviet dictatorship, it was really only about culture"?

[Power 2 the People]

78. +1

[SidDithers]

91. The point is that this time Sanders gets vetted...nt

Sid

[Trenzalore]

8. Hopefully the entire Hillary campaing opp file is dumped

The sooner the better. Both for the other candidates and for the party as a whole.

[Maru Kitteh]

13. Yes. The sooner the better. We can't allow things to fester unchallenged the way they did

before.

[Trenzalore]

18. Donald Trump don't care what's fair or even legal

The whole record needs a spotlight so people can make an informed choice on who will do best in the general election.

[fleabiscuit]

102. HRC would never do anything to hurt the party.

[pangaia]

60. At least SOMEBODY was listening..

[TCJ70]

19. And Elizabeth Warren was a Republican then...

...people change.

[tinrobot]

20. ...and Russian bots supported his campaign in 2016

I'm starting to think there are no coincidences.

[melman]

22. lol

If you click through you can see this comes from "the Reagan Battalion". Says it all really.

[Go Vols]

26. yes it does

[Devil Child]

39. Council of Foreign relations and "Reagan Battalion"

Scraping the barrel for mud to fling.

[bitterross]

25. FFS, how long are we going to continue to punish people for 30+ yr-old actions?

Seriously? That was 31 years ago. The WORLD was a different place.

It's just plain dumb to take some statements a person made 30 years ago and try to evaluate them as current in today's world.

[tinrobot]

32. It might be less relevant is Russia hadn't interfered in the last election.

But they did, and they also supported Bernie.

It is highly relevant.

[bitterross]

37. Did you buy tin-foil at the market this weekend? /nt

[tinrobot]

41. No... but I did read Mueller's indictments.

WASHINGTON – It turns out Donald Trump wasn’t the only candidate the Russians allegedly tried to help during the 2016 presidential campaign.

A 37-page indictment resulting from special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation shows that Russian nationals and businesses also worked to boost the campaigns of Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Green party nominee Jill Stein in an effort to damage Democrat Hillary Clinton.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/17/indictment-russians-also-tried-help-bernie-sanders-jill-stein-presidential-campaigns/348051002/

[bitterross]

43. Well, Holiday Inn Express awaits then.

Did the indictments implicate Sanders or his campaign as having colluded with the Russians on that? Did the indictments indicate there was knowledge of this in the Sanders campaign and they could have done something pro-active to stop it and did not do so?

I think Reynolds Wrap is still the best for conspiracy theories.

[tinrobot]

45. So, you're saying "no collusion?"

Figures.

[bitterross]

51. On Bernie's Part - Yep. On Trump's LOTS of Collusion.

Did I miss a whole line of stories somewhere about how current and former associates of Sanders were meeting non-stop with Russians and lying about it?

[MrsCoffee]

94. His campaign strategist worked with Paul Manafort to do Putin's bidding.

That's not a smear or a swipe, it's just a known fact. And obviously I don't mean while working on Sanders campaign.

It's perfectly understandable to have concerns about some of these coincidences.

[Trenzalore]

35. What will a swing voter in PA think

Fair or not.

[bitterross]

36. I don't know any swing voters in PA. Do you?

If you do, I'd be curious to hear the answer to your question about whether or not they think it's fair.

[Trenzalore]

40. Depends on the region

My neck of the woods they would probably get the socialism and communism confused and this wouldn't help his case.

[disillusioned73]

71. There is no such thing..

& I live in PA - although I may have visited Russia

We have to get the Independents out.. non voters out - the party lines are already drawn, we need the new voter.. the youth, we need to energize & excite... if Dems put up a ho-hum down the middle typecandidate - PA is not happening..

[CrossingTheRubicon]

81. Scranton Joe Biden would take PA in a landslide.

[disillusioned73]

88. Joe gives us a 2016 redux

In PA - too close to call..

[CrossingTheRubicon]

89. LOL. Boy are you wrong!

[disillusioned73]

92. I live in PA..

If you don't draw in NEW voters - ppl that sat out 2016, YOUNG voters engaged by Climate Change & gun reform... Independents that are tired of the same ole same ole - which unfortunately is Biden personified.. PA Republicans r motivated, they don't care how bad Trump is, in fact the worse he gets the more they support him.. it's disturbing really.

I just see it being a close race again.. close is not a good omen IMO

[brooklynite]

55. When the commenter has eventually disavowed them?

[WordsMatter]

28. This thread should keep some people busy all day!

Note to candidates: Don't you ever dare to comment on other countries...past or present!

[WeekiWater]

34. I had to watch it. Dammit.

Those chandeliers are such a great display of social progress. The video is actually kind of funny in a sad way.

[honest.abe]

49. Gold for the GOP...

should Bernie win the nom.

[NurseJackie]

50. This is what extreme vetting looks like!

You think they had fun with "emails"??? ... this would be an endless and perpetual goldmine!

There's no way that Bernie could defeat Trump.

[dogman]

53. This is the GOP, The Reagan Battalion!

There was a time that citing RW sources was not accepted. I guess if it's Bernie, anything goes.

[Go Vols]

52. 1988, during Gorbachev's glasnost/perestroika movement

Mayor Sanders and others Q&A

[dogman]

56. So promoting democracy in the Soviet Union in 1988 is the new scandal?

In what world is this a thing other than with the GOP?

[melman]

61. Isn't it intersting

how the same crowd that's been howling about edited videos for the last three days...


...suddenly has no problem with edited videos.

[Go Vols]

63. A crowd of possibly 1 commented on full vid

:/

[workinclasszero]

72. Real interesting

And hypocritical and disgusting that democrats are using GOP opp research bullshit talking points!

[Devil Child]

76. Awesome find Go Vols!

[pangaia]

57. Do you have ANY idea at all what Sanders and his wife are talking about?

They are absolutely right.

They are talking, in this clip at least, mostly about the extraordinarily high level of culture in the former Soviet Union, particularly in cities, a level which continues to this day, and the importance that is placed on culture in society- an importance that puts culture in America to shame. And that it was and is strongly supported by the government.


So for you to say that, in this clip, Sanders is "praising the Soviet system" is disingenuous.
I have no idea what else was said at this event, but in these few seconds I agree with him..

[Devil Child]

73. Thanks pangaia for the patient and thoughtful post

[IluvPitties]

58. That's the oldest 47 yrs old I've seen in a while!

[Scurrilous]

67. ...

[disillusioned73]

68. Is this supposed to look unfavorable???

Only a RWer would think this has any negative connotation or significance.. my goodness, keep scraping the bottom of the barrel I guess...

[Go Vols]

69. +1

[Devil Child]

75. +2

[Hassin Bin Sober]

80. Omg! Bernie said something nice about the Russia!

[flotsam]

79. I wonder what AOC would say about this?

Oh yeah,that's right-the clip is so fucking old she wasn't born yet!

[Hav]

82. I'm no fan of BS at all but the comments of both were quite mild praise

I grew up in East Germany. The things he mentioned were very true for East Germany as well. Good public transportation, support of culture, programs of all kinds for kids. Learning an instrument, for instance, was incredibly affordable. He didn't mention the negatives, which is of course crucial, but what he said was so mild that it's ludicrous to make an issue out of it.
It's hard for me to believe that praising nice train stations (some stations in Russia are actually stunning) or affordable ticket prices is something that will have any impact.

[CrossingTheRubicon]

90. As you said, he didn't mention the negatives.

Which, as you also said, is crucial.

When one leaves out things that are crucial, to focus only on the positive, one becomes an apologist.

[forklift]

83. I don't want to see or hear anything like that

I believe and I know Bernie to be a progressive who will provide free education, free health care and tax free existence to poor people by taxing the rich people instead.

As long as people making under 50,000 are not taxed at all who cares what Bernie said way back when?

My faith cannot be easily rattled. Bernie is the only person who can save the world.

[Lazy Daisy]

97. I mean no offense

and I know it can be difficult around here as a Sanders supporter so please take this from where it's coming. But......your post is making you look like a plant and not the green leafy type. It's over the top. Nothing is "free" I hope you understand that.

[forklift]

99. My apologies

Of course nothing is free in the plan except college tuition on the part of the students.

Same thing with healthcare which will have a sliding scale with zero to low out of pocket to low incomes and then supplemental insurance for those who can afford it.

Taxpayers will be paying for the programs, hopefully by higher taxes on people with very high incomes and by savings from cuts in the military budget and corporate welfare.

[progressoid]

98. hahahaha!

[ZeroSomeBrains]

107. Love it

Watching all the anti-Bernie people reach for anything they can to attack him is rather entertaining.

[James48]

103. I don't get it. He's absolutely correct!

The public transportation systems in just about EVERY European nation are far superior to the public transportation I. Most US cities.

Hell, I live outside Detroit, and there IS NO Public transportation where I am.

When I lived in Germany in the US Army, I could travel to almost any town or even village using trains, streetcars and buses.

You can’t do that here in most cities.

[Tiggeroshii]

104. this was an edited video by a right wing coalition, right?