PHILADELPHIA — The former director of Faith Outreach for the Democratic Party “absolutely” condemns an alleged plot by a Democratic operative to undermine Bernie Sanders by questioning his religion.
“I can certainly say from first-hand experience that I was part of a campaign where it was a solemn vow in no way, shape or form to use faith as a wedge issue,” Rev. Dr. Derrick Harkins, who also served as an adviser to President Obama, told the Washington Examiner.
His remarks, which came as he spoke Monday on a “Faith Council” panel hosted as part of the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, were made in reference to his role campaigning in 2012 against former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
“[T]here were some who were trying to raise that specter, you know, the idea that Mormonism somehow represented some ‘other’ that could therefore be attacked, and be used as a weapon against Mitt Romney,” Harkins said. “But I know from the very top of that campaign – the very top of that campaign! – that in no way, shape or form would faith be used in a divisive or a wedge fashion.”
Asked by the Examiner whether he condemned the practice altogether, he replied, “Absolutely.”
A Democratic National Committee reportedly plotted in May to undermine Sanders’ presidential campaign by raising questions about the senator’s faith, according to a trove of hacked emails released last week.
DNC Chief Financial Officer Brad Marshall said in a May 5 email, titled “No s—t,” that they should “get someone to ask” Sanders about his faith.
“It might may no difference, but for [Kentucky] and [West Virginia] can we get someone to ask his belief. Does he believe in a God. He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage. I think I read he is an atheist,” Marshall wrote. “This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist.”
Though his email, which was addressed to several DNC communications directors, does not mention the Vermont senator by name, many have taken the reference to “Jewish heritage” to be a direct aimed at Sanders, who is Jewish.
Marshall apologized later, and said he “regretted” the “insensitive, emotional” emails.
“I deeply regret that my insensitive, emotional emails would cause embarrassment to the DNC, the Chairwoman, and all of the staffers who worked hard to make the primary a fair and open process. The comments expressed do not reflect my beliefs nor do they reflect the beliefs of the DNC and its employees. I apologize to those I offended.,’ he said in a note on Facebook.
