Institute founded by Sanders' wife, son is shutting down

[TomCADem]

It is amazing that after Bernie made attacks on Hillary's private foundation a cornerstone of his campaign in 2016 that in 2020 no one has really gone after the corruption of running a private foundation that was blatantly used as a tool for generating support ahead of his 2020 campaign.

https://apnews.com/81e3d6de30ee4ea589e8100f627ac059

Worse, Bernie also used foundation money to pay his son in law a six figure salary even though his son had no experience with nonprofit foundations. It just seems that there is a reluctance to call Bernie on his hypocrisy due to fears that online trolls will retaliate.

https://apnews.com/9e4794da89ab448399f3ff1457464d1b

The unexpected move by the institute’s board of directors comes as Bernie Sanders, a leading candidate for the 2020 Democratic nomination, prepares for a wave of intense scrutiny into his political network and his family’s role in its operation.

As a candidate in 2016, Sanders criticized Hillary Clinton over her family’s nonprofit, saying the foundation run by Clinton’s husband and daughter amounted to a back door for foreign leaders and others seeking to buy access and influence. The Sanders Institute could open the Vermont senator to charges of hypocrisy.

The institute was founded to promote liberal policies less than two years ago by Sanders’ family with the backing of pro-Sanders celebrities and advocates— though Sanders himself had no formal role. While it operates at a fraction of the scale of the Clinton Foundation, it has accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars during its brief existence and has declined to disclose its donors.

Jane Sanders, who also serves as a chief adviser to her husband’s presidential campaign, is not compensated for her role at the institute. Her son, David Driscoll, is paid $100,000 a year as co-founder and executive director. Driscoll previously was an executive for Nike and the Vermont snowboarding firm Burton, but had no previous nonprofit experience, according to his LinkedIn profile.

[DanTex]

1. LOL.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. LOL? Is this funny? Is it not true?

[DanTex]

3. Yes, it's funny the random nonsense people are trying to throw at Bernie.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. So is it false? AP is a reputable new source.

[DanTex]

7. It's completely irrelevant to anything. Do people really think this will turn anyone against Bernie?

Gee, he had a nonprofit that employed his son in law, I guess we don't need universal healthcare after all! Said no one ever.

[TomCADem]

10. So, Trump's Nepotism Is Not Relevant? What About Bernie's Hypocrisy?

If one of the key attacks on Trump is his corruption in his use of nepotism, it does not really help us if Bernie Sanders himself has a long history of nepotism and using charitable and campaign donations to pay his family members.

[Hassin Bin Sober]

16. Lol. It's pathetic at this point.

[LanternWaste]

30. Missin' the obvious irony by a mile and half, eh?

Well... keep tryin'. Or not. Whatever road your narratives takes you.




you're smart enough, you're good enough and doggonit, people like you.

[ehrnst]

37. BOOM!

[sheshe2]

21. Son by marraige not a son in law.

[LanternWaste]

29. It's bemusing watching you indict others for arguments no one but you brings up.

Almost as bemusing as the irony in how you indict others for throwing petulant irrelevancies against the wall in the hope it sticks... a practice you yourself seem to have perfected.

[ehrnst]

38. Straw man and red herring twofer!

I mean, if this isn't a big deal, you'd just be ignoring it, instead of frantically posting in a way that tries to indicate that you are bemused...

[TomCADem]

9. Did Bernie Pay a $100,000 Salary to His Son in Law?

From charitable donations even though his son has no experience running a charitable donation? Or, is it non-sense because you think that it totally okay?

Afterall, we attack Trump for having his son in law and daughter run various errands even though they have no relevant experience. Indeed, I think Bernie himself has raised such criticisms, yet he engages in similar conduct.

[DanTex]

13. Don't know. Don't care. At all. Nobody does.

Just take a step back, and try to think about why this could possibly matter to anyone who doesn't already hate Bernie. People care about healthcare, wages, education, environment. Not about whether his son in law ran a think tank or nonprofit.

These random nonsense attacks just go to show how little people understand about why Bernie is leading the polls and has such strong support.

[Mister Ed]

25. "Don't know. Don't care." Hey, that might make a good sig line. n/t

[blm]

26. Nobody cared about emails - till they did.

[NanceGreggs]

27. " ... why this could possibly matter to anyone ...

... who doesn't already hate Bernie."

Yet another tack that sounds familiar. Is that like people who only criticize Trump because they 'already hate him'?

How close are we to hearing about 'never-Berners'?

[ehrnst]

39. +1000.

[ehrnst]

35. You don't speak for everybody, despite what you seem to think.

And if you don't think that the GOP will whip that out the MINUTE there is a Sanders nomination, you are naive.

It will be used to rebut any and all discussions about how Trump's kids profit off his presidency.

Right now the GOP is promoting Sanders. Why do you think that is?

[TomCADem]

46. Sen. Chris Coons rebuts Lindsey Graham's claim that Trump's call was a "nothing burger"

Well, I guess if Republicans can say that Trump extorting allies is a nothing burger, then I can see why Bernie's campaign can respond to facts regarding Bernie's hypocrisy in using charitable funds for personal, political purposes and to pay his kids and say that no one cares. Of course, Bernie has charged that far less egregious conduct with a foundation was evidence of corruption.

https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-ukraine-phone-call-scandal-nothingburger-2019-9

Democratic Sen. Chris Coons disputed Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham’s assertion that President Trump's phone call with the Ukrainian president is a “nothing burger” in a tweet today and pushed back that Democrats could be overblowing the call.

"I don't think I'm overblowing anything. The memorandum of this call in black and white, there is a summary of a conversation where President Trump is asking the president of Ukraine to investigate Hunter Biden, and implicitly former Vice President Biden and then is asking if the current attorney general of the United States and President Trump's personal attorney Rudy Giuliani, can go and engage in meetings in Ukraine, notionally to pursue this investigation, among other issues. That's pretty striking. I find it hard to believe anyone could conclude that that's a nothing burger,” Coons said.

The Delaware senator continued: “The President of Ukraine clearly says we're in a position where we want to buy more javelins defensive missiles from the United States — an anti tank defensive system — and our president's next sentence is, ‘Do me a favor.’”

[TomCADem]

4. As 'We Find Ourselves Excluded': Racial Justice Leaders Ask Bernie Sanders 'To Get With The Program'

This is why I see Bernie's campaign as being driven by cult of personality that refuses to hold Bernie accountable against his own rhetoric. For example, the Sanders Institutes holds an event on social and racial justice, then refuses to invite the local Vermont NAACP. Instead, Bernie brings in his former campaign surrogates and supporters like Tulsi Gabbard, Nina Turner and Cornell West in an event funded by charitable donations that was designed to showcase Bernie.

Yet, you don't see any real explanation or reconciliation with Bernie's own criticisms of foundations. Indeed, there seems to be genuine amusement at the fact that Bernie is getting away with doing the things that he has repeatedly condemned.

https://www.vpr.org/post/we-find-ourselves-excluded-racial-justice-leaders-ask-bernie-sanders-get-program#stream/0

As Bernie Sanders seeks to broaden his national appeal among the black and Latino voters who would be critical to his success in a 2020 presidential campaign, the white senator from Vermont is struggling to improve a complicated relationship with racial justice leaders in his own backyard.

In an open letter to Sanders and an institute that now bears his name, more than a dozen racial and social justice advocates from across the state write that they’ve been “excluded” from the “national progressive movement that Senator Bernie Sanders is trying to foster.”

The flashpoint for this latest conflict between Sanders and prominent Vermonters of color came last week, when the Sanders Institute hosted a three-day “gathering” in Burlington that convened progressive luminaries from around the world.

Notably absent from the event, according to signatories of the open letter to Sanders, were the racial justice leaders from Vermont who have been working for decades on the civil rights issues the event sought to address.

[DanTex]

8. LOL. It's not working. Really not.

https://www.newsweek.com/bernie-sanders-leads-all-democratic-candidates-support-non-white-voters-new-polls-show-1486807

[TomCADem]

12. Trump Also Likes To Respond to Arguments By Pointing to Polls...

...this is what worries about Bernie. Here is a key issue regarding his ability to attack Trump's corruption and nepotism. Yet, rather than dispute the facts, you argue it is irrelevant because of a cherry picked poll.

That is why I don't support Bernie. The universal answer to any criticism is either "LOL" or look at my polls. Not only is it not convincing, but it is reminiscent of the actions of Trump.

[DanTex]

15. So now you're comparing me to Trump? LOL.

Yes, LOL. So much pointless nonsense gets thrown at Bernie, and it gets more absurd by the day.

The accusations that Bernie is corrupt, or that nonwhite voters don't like him, are so obviously contrary to reality that there's really not much to do but laugh at them.

[TomCADem]

17. I Think We Are Talking Past Each Other. Is Bernie's Nepotism Okay?

I get it. You want to change the topic, rather than respond to this basic question. You are not disputing that this is nepotism, which makes sense because David Driscoll had no previous non-profit experience. Likewise, you are also not arguing that nepotism is fine, because it is one of the most clear examples of Trump's corruption.

But, spamming LOLOLOL is not really convincing me. Likewise, pointing to polls just seems to confirm that there really is not a good factual response to this example of Bernie's hypocrisy.

Or, are you going to argue that Bernie is not being a hypocrite in criticizing private foundations, then starting one and employing his family members?

I am holding hope that we will get a more reasoned explanation, rather than LOLOLOL or brag about poll numbers?

[DanTex]

18. No, you actually did compare me to Trump. That did happen.

I'm sure that nothing I say will convince you, because you already hate Bernie. You think that his son-in-law running a tiny non-profit is some huge deal. Trust me, nobody else thinks that, except for people who already hate Bernie. Nobody thinks that remotely comparable to what Trump does. Because it isn't.

[TomCADem]

22. But Bernie Himself Has Said That Such Non-Profits Can Be...

...used to curry favor and influence? Indeed, you look at the Sander Institute's big event, the Gathering on Social and Racial Justice, he not only excluded local civil rights leaders, but his key speakers were former campaign surrogates.

Also, the fact that Bernie's son-in-law is getting paid a six figure salary, would seem to be pretty significant given that he was working on Bernie's own foundation. Bernie's foundation does not have a rich history of actually getting anything done besides showcasing Bernie.

I understand you are saying its not a big deal, but if you listen to Bernie, this should be a huge deal, particularly given Trump's own issues with foundations that are the subject of numerous investigations regarding Trump's self-dealing.

Bernie can certainly dish it out, but can he take it. Or, does his presence in the race simply validate Trump's defenses. I can see the talking points now: "It is just tiny compared to the Trump empire. Everyone who raises an issue already hates Trump. It is not comparable."

Notably, I don't see you saying that this is fine or that Bernie was not motivated by nepotism. You are just saying, you don't think it is a big deal. On that, I disagree given that corruption is going to be one of the key areas of attack on Trump.

[DanTex]

23. Seriously. You think this tiny think tank is being used to "curry favor"

Huh? Who? What favor? There’s nothing there.

Also, according to the article you posted Bernie isn’t even involved. And yet you call it “Bernie’s foundation”. Hmm.

Try something new. Really.

[TomCADem]

44. So, You Are Saying This is a Big Nothingburger?

Where have I heard that before?

[ehrnst]

34. One rule for everyone else, another for Candidate Sanders.

Always been that way.

[ehrnst]

33. "you already hate Bernie."

That's a strawman/ad hominem twofer!

[Grokenstein]

20. As Dan Rather says, "That's the tell."

But it does answer your question, in a sense.

[sheshe2]

47. David Driscoll has vast experience in non profits.

He sold snowboards.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

[ehrnst]

32. BOOM!

[ehrnst]

31. Are you saying that the NAACP leadership statement about Bernie is false?

Or worth nothing?

Because some polls?



Or just desperately trying to change the subject.

I didn't see that coming...

[ehrnst]

36. Nervous laughter instead of any real response or rebuttal.

[KPN]

6. Okay. LOL.

Getting ridiculous really.

[TomCADem]

14. See? Rather Than Dispute Facts or Offer an Argument

The response, once again, is "LOL" or citing to some cherry picked poll.

Why can't we get a clear response on whether it is okay to hire family members to do jobs that they are not qualified to do? I have yet to see any Bernie supporter respond to this basic question, which I think is telling?

https://www.politico.com/news/2020/01/01/ivanka-trump-jared-presidential-delegationdavos-092374

Ivanka and Jared included in presidential delegation to Davos

President Donald Trump on Wednesday named his daughter Ivanka Trump and son-in-law Jared Kushner to the official White House delegation to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Ivanka Trump and Kushner serve as assistants and advisers to the president and have accompanied the senior Trump on numerous official appearances. Several Cabinet secretaries will also be in the Davos delegation, including Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer. Keith Krach, undersecretary of State, and Chris Liddell, assistant to the president, will also be there Jan. 20-24.

[KPN]

24. Why can't we stop the 24/7 attack on Sanders is a better question. A substantial number of

Democrats here agree strongly with his positions and support him. Your constant barrage of criticism is, as I said, getting ridiculous. As for not qualified to do their job, that's subjective. You only want to attack. You don't like him, fine. I don't like the attacks. They are counter-productive and only serve to divide. Vote for who you support. I have no problem with that whatsoever.

[TomCADem]

28. Trump Is Being Investigated for Using Charitable Funds...

...from a foundation for his own personal benefit. Bernie appears to use his charitable foundation for his personal benefit by using it to showcase himself politically and to funnel funds to his son in law for a six figure salary even though his son had no non profit experience.

If Bernie can’t respond to mild fact based criticism, then he should not be the nominee. Yet, the response is let’s not talk about it. Bernie himself has argued that foundations are fair game.

Bernie’s campaign has relentlessly attacked his rivals complete with charging his opponents of corruption (Biden) or liars (Warren). IF we can’t justify Bernie’s actions, then maybe he should not be the nominee.

[ehrnst]

40. So you've gone from "OK, LOL" to

frantic scolding in two posts...

"Lol." I don't think that word means what you think it does...

[KPN]

42. LOL!

[ehrnst]

43. LOL!

[TomCADem]

45. GOP senator shrugs off new evidence of Trump misconduct, contradicting his stance from hours earlier

Bernie's campaign seems to be taking cues from the current White House. Nepotism is not a big deal. Bias. Itis a nothingburger.

https://www.vox.com/2020/1/24/21080406/john-barrasso-impeachment-trial-evidence-trump-tape

A Senate Republican news conference on Friday served as an astounding example of how shameless Republicans have become in their efforts to defend President Trump.

The news conference was held shortly after ABC News reported it had obtained an April 2018 audio recording of Trump talking about firing Marie Yovanovitch, who was the US ambassador to Ukraine at the time. Her ouster was a key goal of the shadow diplomacy in Ukraine that culminated in Trump’s impeachment on charges he abused his power and obstructed Congress.

According to ABC News, the recording has Trump apparently telling Lev Parnas, Rudy Giuliani’s fixer, to “Get rid of her!”

“Get her out tomorrow. I don’t care. Get her out tomorrow. Take her out. Okay? Do it,” Trump can be heard saying on the tape, according to ABC.

[krissey]

11. Hypocrisy thru out, in many ways. HRC foundation scored 93 on transperancy & Accountability

Just another offensively sick thing to attack her on a foundation that does so much for people.

[betsuni]

19. +1

[ehrnst]

41. +10000.