Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign, said on Twitter this week that he has “never seen” a supporter of the Vermont socialist “being unusually mean or rude.”
“Can someone send me an example of a ‘Bernie Bro’ being bad. Also, are we holding all candidates responsible for the behavior of some of their supporters? Waiting to hear,” Ellison wrote.
Sanders has faced increased scrutiny in recent weeks over online attacks attributed to his supporters, often called “Bernie bros.” During Wednesday’s Nevada debate, Sanders said some of the online behavior might be the Russians attempting to “divide” Americans, The Daily Caller reported.
“Let me say something else, not being too paranoid. All of us remember 2016. And what we meant – what we remember is efforts by Russians and others to try to interfere in our election. And divide us up. I’m not saying that’s happening. But it would not shock me,” Sanders said.
House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA-01), who was shot in 2017 by a Sanders supporter, responded to Ellison on Twitter.
“I can think of an example,” said Scalise, who was shot by activist James Hodgkinson in 2017 during a practice in Alexandria, Virginia for the annual congressional baseball game.
I can think of an example. https://t.co/KwuvyYgyGw
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 20, 2020
Hodgkinson was described by the media as a “firm supporter” of Sanders and volunteered on his 2016 presidential campaign.
Sanders acknowledged that Hodgkinson volunteered for his campaign and denounced his actions as “despicable,” CNN reported at the time.
Others responded to Ellison by noting that the Nevada culinary union said it received “vicious attacks” from Sanders supporters after it criticized his health care policies.
In January, a field organizer for the Sanders campaign was caught on camera saying “MAGA people” need to be “reeducated” in gulags.
Ellison has been campaigning for Sanders in Nevada and South Carolina in recent days, according to pictures and comments posted to social media.
With @BernieSanders buddy @CoriBush in Nevada. Getting the VOTE out. pic.twitter.com/yTymuOXvDW
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) February 16, 2020
Exciting to be in South Carolina talking about health care access, Medicaid expansion, and the SC political landscape. Dem State Party is prepared and ready to win. Focused on critical issue is health care. #MedicareForAll #Medicare4All
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) February 20, 2020
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Anthony Gockowski is managing editor of The Minnesota Sun and The Ohio Star. Follow Anthony on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
