Bernie Sanders Slams GOP On Voting Rights: ‘They’re Political Cowards!’

Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, right, talks with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow during a democratic presidential candidate forum at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. ... Democratic presidential candidate, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, right, talks with MSNBC's Rachel Maddow during a democratic presidential candidate forum at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C., Friday, Nov. 6, 2015. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) MORE LESS
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Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) called Republicans “political cowards” for their efforts to restrict voting rights and suggested a constitutional amendment might be necessary to protect the franchise.

“Maybe this is personal because I run for office. Sometimes you lose, sometimes you win,” Sanders said, when Rachel Maddow brought the topic up at Friday’s MSNBC Democratic 2016 Forum.”It has never occurred to me as a candidate to figure out a way to deny the vote to people because they might vote against me. People who do that are political cowards. They’re afraid of a fair election.”

He said the push for voting restrictions was a “a real crisis in this country” and said legislation or “maybe a constitutional amendment” was needed to guarentee that everyone 18 years of age is registered to vote.

“What Republican are doing is so un-American, so outrageous. It is literally beyond belief,” Sanders said. “They’re political cowards and if they can’t face a free election, they should get another job.”

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  1. “What Republican are doing is so un-American, so outrageous. It is literally beyond belief,” Sanders said. “They’re political cowards and if they can’t face a free election, they should get another job.”

    That pretty much sums them up.

  2. Amen, Bernie! Testify!

  3. This was a great forum! I watched on line (NBC programming always effs with my video, so there were more than a few times everything jolted, stilted, dragged, etc.) and I was impressed with the substance and depth. Light moments, of course, but overall it was really good. Rachel Maddow did a fantastic job. Thank you, Rachel!

    I must say that I would be comfortable with any of the three sitting at the desk in the Oval Office, but I my takeaway here is Martin O’Malley made me wonder if at sometime in the future he won’t be back. I don’t think this is his time but I do think he’d make a great candidate.

  4. There really is no other word or phrase to describe the Republicans’ actions today with regards to voting rights, gerrymandering, etc. Sanders is spot-on with this observation.

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