PHILADELPHIA – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) made an effective case Monday night for Democratic presidential nominee and once rival Hillary Clinton from the convention floor. Now the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee believes he could do the same for Democratic senators running down the ballot.
As some of Sanders’ supporters remain on the fence about backing the Democratic Party –especially in light of an email hack that revealed the once chairman of the party had her thumb on the scale for Clinton– Sanders could prove an invaluable asset in swing states, DSCC officials said at a small gathering of reporters Tuesday. The DSCC is charged with electing Democrats to the Senate.
Sadie Weiner, a spokeswoman for the DSCC, confirmed that there are conversations ongoing about how Sanders can help on the trail.
“I think Bernie’s helpful in Wisconsin also for message reasons. The economic populism that he really provided a voice for is something that Russ Feingold is talking about all across the state,” said Christie Roberts, the political director of the DSCC. “I think that beyond just the fundraising help that is a place that he might have a presence.”
When asked where Sanders could have an effect, Martha McKenna, a cofounder at McKenna Pihlaja and former DSCC political director, said “anywhere.”
“I mean anywhere where we are going to be talking about standing up for middle class economic values,” McKenna said.
“These incumbents: Toomey, Ayotte, Portman. They all have a lot of corporate money, a lot of sort of big money in politics problems and, I think Bernie’s really good at bringing those issues to life.”
“I don’t think there are places he’s gonna be a problem,” she said.
If anyone is curious, here’s tonight’s theme and lineup of speakers. Bring tissues, I expect it to be very emotional.
I am not surprised, but Sanders’ generosity after a bitter campaign (and I was an HRC supporter from the git go) deserves notice and reward, especially after what the DNC was doing to him became public. Not that the DNC’s actions made any difference, but they were an astounding show of disrespect for someone who is very popular with Democrats for all of the right reasons. It is ironic the Wasserman Schultz’s and her staff’s efforts to tamp down Sanders and his supporters has only given them more power than they would have otherwise had. Bernie is playing his cards right, and he will have a large chit to cash in when the Senate next sits.
This is how Bernie keeps the revolution alive.
This is how a brandy-new Democrat, who does not plan to stay a Democrat, can assure a Democratic government.
Trying to start a fight again are we. Bernie Sanders isn’t new to the Democratic party. He has caucused with them his entire career. He has actually been selected to be a committee chair in the past. He is a ranking member now. In years past centrist Democrats didn’t want it to be known that he was with them until time to vote. The ignorance of how both the house and senate work is nothing short of astounding.