Team Bernie Fingers Richard Grenell for Leaking Russia Story

[Uncle Joe]

Sen. Bernie Sanders’ campaign has responded to recent reports about Russia attempting to aid the Vermont Senator in 2020 by suggesting the claim was leaked as part of a conspiracy against him concocted by Team Trump—specifically pointing the finger at President Trump’s new acting director of national intelligence, Richard Grenell.

In a Friday campaign email titled “Facts to Remember on Russian Interference Briefing,” Mike Casca—the campaign’s communications director—lays out an argument questioning the timing of the Moscow meddling report.

The email first skeptically notes that the briefing given to Sanders’ campaign warning of Russian meddling was “classified,” before pointing to Sanders’ past warnings that “Trump would use the federal government to help his reelection.” (Sanders himself confirmed to reporters Friday that his campaign had been informed of Moscow’s attempted interference about a month ago, but he said it was not clear how exactly the country was trying to help him.)

Casca then appears to suggest that it’s no coincidence reports about Russia seeking to boost Sanders came out immediately after Trump tapped Richard Grenell to serve as his new acting intel chief.

(snip)

https://www.thedailybeast.com/team-bernie-fingers-richard-grenell-for-leaking-russia-story?ref=scroll

[evertonfc]

1. Team Democratic Socialist

makes excuses.

[Cha]

6. The spinning is bizarre.

[5X]

17. the bizarre isn't coming from him. n/t

[Cha]

20. "Isn't coming" from whom?

[5X]

21. from Bernie, its coming from anyone saying he should have leaked the classified briefing.

I'll bet all the candidates got the same briefing, the question is, who leaked it?

[Cha]

22. Oh I know where the spinning is coming

from.

The point is that the Russians are helping BS..

Bernie Sanders briefed by U.S. officials that Russia is trying to help his presidential campaign

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1287&pid=553959

[questionseverything]

27. putin just playing both sides

n/t

[CalFione]

2. He could've told us a month ago

[Uncle Joe]

5. Did you read the part about "classified?"

[CalFione]

10. He didn't have to give specifics.

and he had an obligation to tell the other campaigns.

[Uncle Joe]

15. Do you mean like this?

REPORT

(snip)

Sanders, however, has previously warned of election interference. In January, he said, "Let me be clear: We must not live in denial while allowing Russia and other state actors to undermine our democracy or divide us. Russia targets the divisions in our society; we will work to heal those divisions."

Friday, the senator called again for an end to Russian meddling, and suggested that some of the bad press his supporters have received may, in fact, be a false flag to stir conflict in the Democratic presidential race.

"I don't care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president," Sanders told The Washington Post. "My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do."

"In 2016, Russia used Internet propaganda to sow division in our country, and my understanding is that they are doing it again in 2020. Some of the ugly stuff on the Internet attributed to our campaign may well not be coming from real supporters," he added.

(snip)


https://www.newsweek.com/us-officials-inform-bernie-sanders-donald-trump-russia-election-meddling-their-behalf-report-1488538

https://www.democraticunderground.com/1287554969

[CalFione]

16. The intel briefing said the Russians are trying to HELP him

so his claims that the negative posts by his supporters might be Russians trying to HURT his campaign makes no sense.

[uponit7771]

14. Sanders could've denounced Russia's helping him without disclosing classified information

[uponit7771]

3. Why didnt Sanders denounce outside involvement in US elections when he found out he was being helped

[Moderateguy]

9. Or even today after the story was leaked

[uponit7771]

12. he denounced it today but then said it was WP fault it ws found out

[krissey]

13. Right, instead wanting it hidden from the people then complaining when "leaked".

[UniteFightBack]

4. He KNEW this was bound to come out he should of took this bull by the horns. nt

[madaboutharry]

7. Someone needs to advise him that playing the victim

is not presidential.

I am so weary of all his campaign’s claims of grievance. It doesn’t serve the greater good.

All I can remember is how President Obama never for a moment did not maintain his grace and dignity in the face of unrelenting abuse. All I can remember is how President Obama never acted like a victim. Not once.

[renate]

8. Oh please

Blame a Trump minion to try to deflect attention from the fact that he’s known for a month.

Zero respect. I’ll vote blue no matter who, but his campaign is getting gross. And his spokespeople have been gross for quite a while.

[Sewa]

25. You nailed it perfectly

Sanders lost my respect in 2016 when he sulked for two weeks before announcing his half hearted support for Hilary.

[krissey]

11. "Leaked" Were they hiding it? Did they not want people to know? I thought he was about transparency

[Cha]

23. Good point.

[krissey]

26. The more I stew about this the less I trust. Large donation and no idea where it comes from.

voting to not do sanctions against Russia. I am not liking this at all.

[Garrett78]

18. It doesn't seem to have occurred to many here that Sanders is the new Biden, precisely because...

...he's the new frontrunner. So, of course Team Trump is going to start going after Sanders.

[Meadowoak]

29. +1

[MoonlitKnight]

19. Did they make him sign an NDA?

...think about it.....

[ibegurpard]

24. maybe maybe not

but sure as shit someone on this board will be along shortly to defend the honor of Richard Grenell if it means they can smear Bernie.

[wisteria]

28. He knew for a month that he was being assisted by the Russians

In his elect campaign, and said nothing because he was benefiting from it.