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| Bernie Sanders denounces Russia's reported efforts to aid his campaign – live | Bernie Sanders denounces Russia's reported efforts to aid his campaign – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Frontrunner condemns interference and says: ‘Unlike Trump, I do not consider Vladimir Putin a good friend. He is an autocratic thug’ | Frontrunner condemns interference and says: ‘Unlike Trump, I do not consider Vladimir Putin a good friend. He is an autocratic thug’ |
| As we blog, pundits on CNN discuss the interesting dynamic between Sanders and Trump that today’s news on Russian interference sets up. | |
| While Sanders has both acknowledged and condemned Russian interference across the board, Donald Trump and his supporters have continued to dismiss and downplay the role Russian actors may have played in getting him elected. | |
| The New York Times reported today that US intelligence officials warned House lawmakers last week that Russia was interfering in the 2020 campaign in an effort to re-elect Trump. | |
| Pundits note that it will be interesting to see how Trump responds as he’s potentially pulled between two conflicting impulses: To throw mud at Sanders and his position as a frontrunner versus the desire to protect the legitimacy of his presidency. | |
| Today’s surprise Russian-interference news aside, Sanders’ campaign marches on in their efforts to reach out to Latino voters in often overlooked corners of California. | |
| Sanders emerged early on as a front-runner in California, a position his campaign has attributed to a massive ground game across the Golden State. Young Latino voters in particular have embraced the Vermont senator for his history of supporting unions and taking to the streets in protest. | |
| Reuters has more on the efforts in California: | |
| As news trickles out that the Russian government is currently working to aid Sen. Sanders through online disinformation tactics, the Vermont Senator has suggested that a recent dust-up over purported Sanders supporters and culinary workers in Nevada can be traced to Russian bots. | As news trickles out that the Russian government is currently working to aid Sen. Sanders through online disinformation tactics, the Vermont Senator has suggested that a recent dust-up over purported Sanders supporters and culinary workers in Nevada can be traced to Russian bots. |
| Sanders said in a statement:“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.” | Sanders said in a statement:“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.” |
| After the culinary union distributed flyers that was critical of Sanders’ health care plan and broadly supportive of Warren’s, members of the union-members said they received threatening messages from who they believed to be Sanders supporters, or so-called Bernie Bros. | After the culinary union distributed flyers that was critical of Sanders’ health care plan and broadly supportive of Warren’s, members of the union-members said they received threatening messages from who they believed to be Sanders supporters, or so-called Bernie Bros. |
| So far no evidence has been reported that ties Russian interference to the controversy. | So far no evidence has been reported that ties Russian interference to the controversy. |
| US officials told Bernie Sanders that the Russian government is working to help him secure the Democratic nomination, the Washington Post reported Friday. | US officials told Bernie Sanders that the Russian government is working to help him secure the Democratic nomination, the Washington Post reported Friday. |
| And new reports are emerging that Sanders knew a month ago about the interference. Asked why the news is only coming out now, Sanders pointed to the Nevada caucuses and suggested media was to blame. | And new reports are emerging that Sanders knew a month ago about the interference. Asked why the news is only coming out now, Sanders pointed to the Nevada caucuses and suggested media was to blame. |
| Unlike Trump, who has repeatedly dismissed the role Russia may have played in the last election, Sanders has acknowledged the meddling, but has worked to distance himself from Russia and Putin. | Unlike Trump, who has repeatedly dismissed the role Russia may have played in the last election, Sanders has acknowledged the meddling, but has worked to distance himself from Russia and Putin. |
| “I don’t care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president,” Sanders said in a statement to The Washington Post. “My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do. | “I don’t care, frankly, who Putin wants to be president,” Sanders said in a statement to The Washington Post. “My message to Putin is clear: Stay out of American elections, and as president I will make sure that you do. |
| That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Mario Koran, will take over the blog for the next few hours. | That’s it from me today. My west coast colleague, Mario Koran, will take over the blog for the next few hours. |
| Here’s where the day stands so far: | Here’s where the day stands so far: |
| Bernie Sanders has reportedly been briefed on Russian efforts to aid his presidential campaign, which the Vermont senator denounced in a statement. | Bernie Sanders has reportedly been briefed on Russian efforts to aid his presidential campaign, which the Vermont senator denounced in a statement. |
| Trump dismissed reports of Russia’s preference for him in the 2020 election as “disinformation.” | Trump dismissed reports of Russia’s preference for him in the 2020 election as “disinformation.” |
| Mike Bloomberg said he would release three women who complained about comments he allegedly made from non-disclosure agreements, after Elizabeth Warren criticized his company’s use of the contracts. | Mike Bloomberg said he would release three women who complained about comments he allegedly made from non-disclosure agreements, after Elizabeth Warren criticized his company’s use of the contracts. |
| A new poll showed Bloomberg’s favorability dropping by about 20 points after his widely panned debate performance on Wednesday. | A new poll showed Bloomberg’s favorability dropping by about 20 points after his widely panned debate performance on Wednesday. |
| The White House is reportedly trying to identify “Never Trumpers” serving in the administration to block them from promotion. | The White House is reportedly trying to identify “Never Trumpers” serving in the administration to block them from promotion. |
| Mario will have more coming up, so stay tuned. | Mario will have more coming up, so stay tuned. |
| In light of the report that Russia is attempting to interfere in the Democratic presidential primary to benefit Bernie Sanders, it’s worth returning to this earlier tweet from the former CIA chief of Russian operations on the Kremlin’s reported preference for Trump: | In light of the report that Russia is attempting to interfere in the Democratic presidential primary to benefit Bernie Sanders, it’s worth returning to this earlier tweet from the former CIA chief of Russian operations on the Kremlin’s reported preference for Trump: |
| Bernie Sanders denounced Russia’s reported efforts to interfere with the 2020 election on the Vermont senator’s behalf. | Bernie Sanders denounced Russia’s reported efforts to interfere with the 2020 election on the Vermont senator’s behalf. |
| “Unlike Donald Trump, I do not consider Vladimir Putin a good friend. He is an autocratic thug who is attempting to destroy democracy and crush dissent in Russia,” Sanders said of the Russian president. | “Unlike Donald Trump, I do not consider Vladimir Putin a good friend. He is an autocratic thug who is attempting to destroy democracy and crush dissent in Russia,” Sanders said of the Russian president. |
| “Let’s be clear, the Russians want to undermine American democracy by dividing us up and, unlike the current president, I stand firmly against their efforts, and any other foreign power that wants to interfere in our election.” | “Let’s be clear, the Russians want to undermine American democracy by dividing us up and, unlike the current president, I stand firmly against their efforts, and any other foreign power that wants to interfere in our election.” |
| Reiterating his claim from Wednesday night’s debate, Sanders suggested some of the online vitriol blamed on his supporters may be coming from Russia. | Reiterating his claim from Wednesday night’s debate, Sanders suggested some of the online vitriol blamed on his supporters may be coming from Russia. |
| “Some of the ugly stuff on the internet attributed to our campaign may well not be coming from real supporters,” Sanders said. | “Some of the ugly stuff on the internet attributed to our campaign may well not be coming from real supporters,” Sanders said. |
| During this week’s debate, Bernie Sanders suggested “vicious attacks” against Nevada’s Culinary Union, which were blamed on his supporters, may be coming from Russia. | During this week’s debate, Bernie Sanders suggested “vicious attacks” against Nevada’s Culinary Union, which were blamed on his supporters, may be coming from Russia. |
| “All of us remember 2016, and what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up,” Sanders said. “I’m not saying that’s happening, but it would not shock me.” | “All of us remember 2016, and what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election and divide us up,” Sanders said. “I’m not saying that’s happening, but it would not shock me.” |
| Twitter responded by saying that it would have disclosed any evidence it collected of a disinformation campaign. | Twitter responded by saying that it would have disclosed any evidence it collected of a disinformation campaign. |
| The news about Russian efforts to aid Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign comes one day after reports emerged that the Kremlin was interfering with the 2020 election to benefit Trump. | The news about Russian efforts to aid Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign comes one day after reports emerged that the Kremlin was interfering with the 2020 election to benefit Trump. |
| The president pushed back against the reports of Russia’s preference for him by suggesting Vladimir Putin would rather have one of the “do-nothing Democrats” in the White House. | The president pushed back against the reports of Russia’s preference for him by suggesting Vladimir Putin would rather have one of the “do-nothing Democrats” in the White House. |
| “Wouldn’t he rather have Bernie, who honeymooned in Moscow?” Trump said moments ago at his Las Vegas rally. “These people are crazy.” | “Wouldn’t he rather have Bernie, who honeymooned in Moscow?” Trump said moments ago at his Las Vegas rally. “These people are crazy.” |
| Bernie Sanders has reportedly been briefed on Russian efforts to aid his presidential campaign. | Bernie Sanders has reportedly been briefed on Russian efforts to aid his presidential campaign. |
| The Washington Post reports: | The Washington Post reports: |
| In his statement addressing the non-disclosure agreements, Mike Bloomberg acknowledged that such contracts can be harmful to workplace culture. | In his statement addressing the non-disclosure agreements, Mike Bloomberg acknowledged that such contracts can be harmful to workplace culture. |
| “I recognize that NDAs, particularly when they are used in the context of sexual harassment and sexual assault, promote a culture of silence in the workplace and contribute to a culture of women not feeling safe or supported,” Bloomberg said. | “I recognize that NDAs, particularly when they are used in the context of sexual harassment and sexual assault, promote a culture of silence in the workplace and contribute to a culture of women not feeling safe or supported,” Bloomberg said. |
| Compare that to what he said on Wednesday’s debate stage: “They signed those agreements, and we’ll live with it.” | Compare that to what he said on Wednesday’s debate stage: “They signed those agreements, and we’ll live with it.” |
| Elizabeth Warren was the first of Bloomberg’s opponents to raise the issue of the NDAs during the debate, but other candidates quickly piled on. | Elizabeth Warren was the first of Bloomberg’s opponents to raise the issue of the NDAs during the debate, but other candidates quickly piled on. |
| “You think the women, in fact, were ready to say I don’t want anybody to know about what you did to me? That’s not how it works,” Joe Biden said. | “You think the women, in fact, were ready to say I don’t want anybody to know about what you did to me? That’s not how it works,” Joe Biden said. |
| “The way it works is they say, look, this is what you did to me and the mayor comes along and his attorneys said, I will give you this amount of money if you promise you will never say anything. That’s how it works.” | “The way it works is they say, look, this is what you did to me and the mayor comes along and his attorneys said, I will give you this amount of money if you promise you will never say anything. That’s how it works.” |
| It is important to note, however, that Mike Bloomberg is not releasing everyone who signed one of his company’s non-disclosure agreements. | It is important to note, however, that Mike Bloomberg is not releasing everyone who signed one of his company’s non-disclosure agreements. |
| Bloomberg is only allowing three women who complained about his alleged comments to be released from the agreements they signed. | Bloomberg is only allowing three women who complained about his alleged comments to be released from the agreements they signed. |
| A number of political commentators marveled at the fact that it took Mike Bloomberg two full days after the debate to release a statement about the non-disclosure agreements. | A number of political commentators marveled at the fact that it took Mike Bloomberg two full days after the debate to release a statement about the non-disclosure agreements. |
| Bloomberg appeared blindsided when Elizabeth Warren raised the issue on Wednesday’s debate stage, which was surprising considering the former New York mayor’s history of making sexist comments was thoroughly reported in the days leading up to the debate. | Bloomberg appeared blindsided when Elizabeth Warren raised the issue on Wednesday’s debate stage, which was surprising considering the former New York mayor’s history of making sexist comments was thoroughly reported in the days leading up to the debate. |
| Mike Bloomberg responded to criticism over his company’s handling of sexual harassment claims by saying he would release three women who complained about comments he allegedly made from their non-disclosure agreements. | Mike Bloomberg responded to criticism over his company’s handling of sexual harassment claims by saying he would release three women who complained about comments he allegedly made from their non-disclosure agreements. |
| “I’ve done a lot of reflecting on this issue over the past few days and I’ve decided that for as long as I’m running the company, we won’t offer confidentiality agreements to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward,” Bloomberg said. | “I’ve done a lot of reflecting on this issue over the past few days and I’ve decided that for as long as I’m running the company, we won’t offer confidentiality agreements to resolve claims of sexual harassment or misconduct going forward,” Bloomberg said. |
| Elizabeth Warren raised the issue of the NDAs during Wednesday night’s debate, pressing Bloomberg to commit to releasing the men and women who signed them from legal jeopardy. | Elizabeth Warren raised the issue of the NDAs during Wednesday night’s debate, pressing Bloomberg to commit to releasing the men and women who signed them from legal jeopardy. |
| “None of them accuse me of doing anything, other than maybe they didn’t like a joke I told,” Bloomberg said of the NDAs. “There’s agreements between two parties that wanted to keep it quiet and that’s up to them. They signed those agreements, and we’ll live with it.” | “None of them accuse me of doing anything, other than maybe they didn’t like a joke I told,” Bloomberg said of the NDAs. “There’s agreements between two parties that wanted to keep it quiet and that’s up to them. They signed those agreements, and we’ll live with it.” |
| The Nevada Democratic Party is asking site leaders for tomorrow’s caucuses to sign non-disclosure agreements, according to CNN. | The Nevada Democratic Party is asking site leaders for tomorrow’s caucuses to sign non-disclosure agreements, according to CNN. |
| Nevada is the first state to hold caucuses since the disastrous Iowa contest earlier this month, which resulted in a days-long delay in reporting of results. | Nevada is the first state to hold caucuses since the disastrous Iowa contest earlier this month, which resulted in a days-long delay in reporting of results. |
| Democratic leaders in Nevada have said they have taken steps to prevent that sort of chaos, but the NDAs certainly don’t inspire a lot of confidence on that front. | Democratic leaders in Nevada have said they have taken steps to prevent that sort of chaos, but the NDAs certainly don’t inspire a lot of confidence on that front. |