NPR: How Russia is trying to boost Bernie Sanders campaign.

[pnwmom]

I don't think this is because Bernie's done anything wrong. I think Russia is boosting Sanders because they view him as the weaker candidate against Trump in the fall.

https://www.npr.org/2020/03/05/812186614/how-russia-is-trying-to-boost-bernie-sanders-campaign?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_term=nprnews&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&fbclid=IwAR3TvXG9qmB0-Jgs0IvJn9AGIZhF-hnFHe9aQvzav5ZOrTd6Ey7qFXTFKfE

While Sanders has acknowledged on the campaign trail that he was briefed by the intelligence community about Russia's efforts to boost his campaign, he has been steadfastly opposed to that support, saying at a recent debate: "Hey, Mr. Putin, if I'm president of the United States, trust me, you're not going to interfere in any more American elections."

It isn't clear precisely how much Russia is doing to help Sanders via the anonymity of cyberspace, but national security officials warned on Monday that social media agitation and disinformation have continued through this year's presidential race.

SNIP

While monitoring coverage on Russian news agencies RT and Sputnik, Watts has noticed an ongoing trend: While most coverage remains neutral, Sanders receives substantially better coverage than his opponents.

According to figures released by Watts' organization, Sanders received a higher percentage of positive coverage — more than 2 1/2 times — than any other Democratic candidate, and even more than President Trump.

And, Watts adds, "the important part is that they [the two networks] have been more negative about everyone else."

[Dopers_Greed]

1. Divide and conquer

They are also stoking resentment so that disappointed Sanders-supporters refuse to vote in November

[ibegurpard]

2. THAT is what it is

[NurseJackie]

3. He is absolutely the "weaker candidate"... they are correct. However...

... I'll never get over the fact that Bernie knew about Russian "assistance" for his campaign and HE SAID NOTHING! Absolutely nothing!

Why didn't he think the American voters deserved to know the truth about something as important as that?

Did he think we wouldn't find out?

Did he think that we wouldn't care?

Did he he even care? Or did he think that he'd just let it ride until it was too late do do anything about it (and he had already benefited from their interference... ie: facebook, twitter, poll manipulation, etc.)

he has been steadfastly opposed to that support,

Well, yes, that's what he said. And I suppose we should take him at his word. But in the end, actions speak louder that words... and there was NO ACTION that he took to let the American voters know and to be alert and to be critical of what they hear and read.

I'm very disappointed.

[FailureToCommunicate]

4. Pretty damning report. Not Bernie's fault, but it brings up the same sh*t as in 2016

[RDavisJ1]

5. It could also be

that Bernie has an online army very similar to MAGA that is radical and prone to being nasty and violent and easily angered.

If a leader can't speak to their followers better angels, how are they going to handle a world full of demons?

[Blue_Tires]

6. Luckily overall most people have been far smarter about it than they were in '16

[Cha]

7. KR