Al Sharpton Calls Out Bernie Campaign Manager: You Didn’t Win Black Voters ‘Even In The North’

[Cali_Democrat]

by Tommy Christopher

One of the issues that has dogged independent Vermont Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been his persistently low support among black voters, which the campaign has explained as a function of factors including Hillary Clinton‘s “relationship” with the black community, her support with older black voters, and the need for black voters to get to know Sanders better.

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Rev. Al Sharpton asked campaign manager Jeff Weaver about Sanders’ anemic support with black voters, and Weaver noted that Hillary did very well in early states, but countered that Sanders “has been doing better and better with African-American voters as this process has gone along.

Weaver: Especially early on, Reverend Sharpton, when we were competing in the southern states early on. He was not as well known and the Secretary has a deep roots in the South. She was first lady of Arkansas for a dozen years and first lady of the United States. As the campaign has gone along and we moved more north where the Secretary and Bill Clinton did not have as deep political roots, Bernie Sanders has done better and better with African-American voters and Latino voters.

Sharpton: Let’s be real clear, you did not win the African-American vote, even in the North.

Sharpton is correct, but even Weaver’s claim that Bernie Sanders is “doing better and better” with black voters is incorrect. According to Reuters, Bernie has lost more than 7 points to Hillary Clinton with black voters in the past month, and even with the group Weaver cited, black voters under age 49, Clinton has widened her lead by almost six points since April. Sanders still holds a seven-point lead with black voters under age 35.

http://www.mediaite.com/tv/al-sharpton-calls-out-bernie-campaign-manager-you-didnt-win-black-voters-even-in-the-north/

[forjusticethunders]

1. Reccing with the fury of a thousand suns.

[JudyM]

7. ... Because you believe in uniting the party rather than dividing by racial lines, of course.

[Spacedog1973]

12. This useless response is an insult

'Being divisive' about race, is a typical response of people who don't like race being raised as a valid critique, which becomes especially misplaced of a campaign that claims to have made special effort to do so. Bernie's campaign and its supporters claimed to value minority voters and their interests, but failed to claim a meaningful proportion of their vote.

For a campaign and supporters who wanted to reach out, this failing requires some reflection, not knee jerk denial - especially if this failure to bring in black voters meant anything other than simply votes.

[JudyM]

13. It's one thing to not get the votes, it's quite another to have aspersions cast about racism.

[Spacedog1973]

16. You don't get to decide what is racism

just because you have extra special frail feelings.

Al Sharpton was calling out the campaign's reach to Black Americans. Its true that they failed. That is in no way a racist remark.

There is something markedly Freudian about how quickly your defences come up regarding racism. You are certainly not alone with this. But your feelings aren't so important that a conversation needs to be shaped by how fragile they are.

Do you agree or not with Al Sharpton? If not, why not? Are you capable of conversation.

[JudyM]

17. I don't know who the hell you are. I do know your vitriol is not something I care to engage further

with.

[Spacedog1973]

18. You are on a forum

If you like to write unchallenged comments, write a blog.

[riversedge]

27. love that --its got spirit.

[Garrett78]

2. And caucuses, which suppress the vote, are the only reason Sanders is still around.

Caucuses have enabled Sanders to overcome - to an extent - his very poor showing among POC.

[oldandhappy]

3. Relax Al. You do not have to vote for him!

[HooptieWagon]

4. I wonder how much Foundation money Rev Al gets.

[Yurovsky]

8. Hopefully enough to pay his taxes....

I have a real low tolerance for tax cheats...

[forjusticethunders]

10. "Anyone who disagrees with or doesn't vote for Sanders is a paid shill"

[JudyM]

19. Good answer.

Sad to say I don't doubt it for a second. Same for any of her big name supporters.

[TwilightZone]

6. "We moved more north where the Secretary and Bill Clinton did not have as deep political roots"

Right, like New York.

[firebrand80]

9. Bernie has the momentum

If there were 225 states in the union and 3 years left in the primary, he would win

[BobbyDrake]

32. Genuine LOL here from that. TYVM! nt

[UMTerp01]

11. What did Sharpton say that wasn't true?

I'll wait....

[LexVegas]

14. Ouch. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

15. Hey Al? Hillary's got nothin' for ya. A stepping stone is all you are.

Sorry, but you chose unwisely.

[imagine2015]

21. The Democratic Party establishment has already helped him make a lot of money. He owes them.

[hrmjustin]

25. He never chose either.

[imagine2015]

20. Let's be real clear. Sharpton didn't say what you claim he said in your caption.

Nice try to spin and twist Sharpton's words to misrepresent what was actually said.

Well, not really that nice or effective. But, you're not a pro at that sort of thing.

Sharpton didn't say Bernie "didn't win Black Voters Even in the North" as you claimed.

Sharpton did say "you did not win the African-American vote, even in the North." meaning of course that Hillary got a larger percentage of the total African-American vote than Bernie.

And Sharpton did not even respond to much less "call out" and challenge Bernie's campaign manager statement that Bernie "has been doing better and better with African-American voters as this process has gone along."

That's absolutely true. In fact, Bernie began to win most of the Black youth vote in later primaries.

SPIN! SPIN! SPIN!

I think you need to work a little harder on your old method spin techniques. You'll never get a campaign job unless you improve your spinning. It's not just the quantity of spins that can land you a job, it's the quality of your spinning.

You're clearly an amateur.

[snowy owl]

22. Emphasis on blacks wearying. Country made up of many ethhnicities, races, etc.

I don't care if he won majority of blacks esp when it comes from an establishment MSNBC ex-host trying to keep that big paycheck.

[clarice]

23. Al Sharpton ?????!!!! I'll pass. nt

[Starry Messenger]

24. Weaver, you are just getting embarrassing.

[leftinportland]

26. Hillary panders...

Bernie does not...

[forjusticethunders]

34. go back to redstate

that goes for all you other fake progressives who use right wing dogwhistles to address race.

[leftinportland]

35. Careful who you call a fake progressive...

What do you call showing up in black churches on Sunday before Election Day giving their best stump speech...how about an editorial in a prominent American Jewish newspaper full of pro Israel Likud speak, or misrepresenting their opponents immigration record to Hispanic Americans...all examples of Hillary pandering, her identity political style is driving a huge wedge between Democratic constituencies and is why every day it becomes harder and harder to accept her as our nominee...I pray the prize goes to another.

[bravenak]

28. Harsh Bern!

[mmonk]

29. I'm approaching that cold day.

[mcar]

30. It is a ridiculous argument they've been making

I never did understand the strategy.

[NCTraveler]

31. I think a bit of questioning is starting to happen.

Some Sanders supporters are taking it as a personal shot but when worded properly it clearly isn't. No ones will would be subverted to as great of a degree as the AA community. The talk of flipping voters is a bit cringeworthy when certain oppressed groups so clearly voted in one direction.

I have made no commentary here for the reasons why people are voting the way they are.

[thelordofhell]

33. That's what Bernie gets for dismissing the first African American President

First one down is Sanders

Next one down is trump

Clinton/Warren 2016

[Number23]

36. Sanders has not won the black vote... ANYWHERE. North, South, East or West

The truth hurts like hell but it is what it is.