If Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders wants to win the Democrat nomination to take on President Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election, he is off to a bad start. Sanders angered black Democrats on Martin Luther King Jr. Day by taking a swipe at former President Barack Obama.
Sen. Sanders went to Jackson, Mississippi on Wednesday to participate in a town hall on economic justice, one of the favorite topics for the socialist. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba also attended. The two were commenting on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s commitment to economic justice when the independent senator made the remarks.
“The business model, if you like, of the Democratic Party for the last 15 years or so has been a failure,” Sanders said. “People sometimes don’t see that because there was a charismatic individual named Barack Obama. He was obviously an extraordinary candidate, brilliant guy. But beyond that reality…”
Jeff Weaver, who serves as Sanders top aide, attempted to fix the unforced error the next day. “What Bernie was doing last night was praising the power and significance of the Obama presidency while at the same time pointing out that the national Dem Party has had a lot of failures over the last 15 years,” he said.
Sanders took to Twitter to defend his statement, saying, “It’s unfortunate that some have so degraded our discourse that my recognition of the historical significance of the Obama presidency is attacked.”
It's unfortunate that some have so degraded our discourse that my recognition of the historical significance of the Obama presidency is attacked. https://t.co/rRc2KVl8Cl
— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) April 5, 2018
However, the damage was done as the senator was roundly dragged on Twitter for, what was perceived by many, as an attack on the former president.
“Nah, no, nope…Bernie…didn’t go down to Jackson…Mississippi…MLK assassination…50th anniversary…and try to drag…Obama…who ain’t perfect…at all. But. Bernie…if you want more than 3 southern black folks voting for you…you TRIPPIN’, ‘white working class Bernie,’” actor Jeffrey Wright, who has appeared in James Bond and Hunger Games movies, said.
Nah, no, nope…Bernie…didn't go down to Jackson…Mississippi…MLK assassination…50th anniversary…and try to drag…Obama…who ain't perfect…at all. But. Bernie…if you want more than 3 southern black folks voting for you…you TRIPPIN', 'white working class Bernie.' https://t.co/tGfUZRQbGc
— Jeffrey Wright (@jfreewright) April 5, 2018
“Y’all can defend Bernie all you want. On #MLK50 his lack of self awareness and arrogance in dismissing #44, is wild. Bernie 2020 died 4/4/18,” former South Carolina Rep. and CNN contributor, Bakari Sellers tweeted.
Y’all can defend Bernie all you want. On #MLK50 his lack of self awareness and arrogance in dismissing #44, is wild.
Bernie 2020 died 4/4/18. https://t.co/W6gKZ9dUO4
— Bakari Sellers (@Bakari_Sellers) April 5, 2018
It is the same reason that the mainstream media pretends that the Obama administration had no scandals in spite of the fact that his eight years were rife with them. From the Fast And Furious gun running operation to the IRS targeting of conservative groups, not to mention Benghazi, the Obama administration had scandals galore, but it cannot be discussed because, apparently, stating facts is racist.
