Bernie had a joint fundraising agreement with the DNC too.

[Jim Lane]

59. Here's the context: I support the Democratic Party's rule of neutrality.

The rule doesn't say that the party shall be neutral among all the contenders who are lifelong Democrats, or among all who have been Democrats for at least four years, or even among all who are Democrats. It commands neutrality, without exception.

That means that O'Malley (lifelong Democrat) and Clinton (Democrat since her teens) and Chafee (Democrat since about 2013 IIRC) and Sanders (caucuses with the Democrats but not formally affiliated) and Webb (whatever his status was) were all entitled to be treated fairly. And, yes, if Elizabeth Warren ever seeks the nomination, she'll also be entitled to be treated fairly. The issue of party affiliation, past or present, is up to the voters to decide, not the DNC.

It's obvious that quite a few people on DU disagree with this rule and would like to see it changed for the 2020 cycle. They certainly have the right to advocate for that. I personally support the current Democratic Party rule.