Top Democratic operatives on Tuesday called on Sen. Bernie Sanders to personally speak out against the violence seen in Nevada over the weekend between his supporters and those of Hillary Clinton.
Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz said on CNN Tuesday that Sanders needs to step in. Sanders continues to challenge Clinton, and appears to have narrowly lost to the former secretary of state in Kentucky Tuesday night.
“This is unacceptable behavior, and the Sanders campaign, and Sen. Sanders himself, should not only outright condemn that specific conduct, but they also need to take steps to prevent it and make sure that their supporters understand that the most important and correct way to respond to any frustration they have over process is to be civil and orderly, not respond with violence and intimidation,” she said.
DNC chair: Sanders should “take steps to prevent” violence and threats https://t.co/4GurMKu6eS https://t.co/dFhmYwqNgU
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) May 18, 2016
Wasserman Schultz said earlier in the day that she was “deeply concerned” about the behavior of Sanders’ supporters.
David Axelrod, strategist for President Obama’s campaign, also said Tuesday evening that Sanders needs to “speak more forcefully against threats & histrionics” in the campaign.
.@BernieSanders should speak out more forcefully against the threats & histrionics in NV, which were unworthy of inspiring race he’s run.
— David Axelrod (@davidaxelrod) May 17, 2016
Despite these calls, Sanders refused to apologize, and said the blame for the violence in Las Vegas can’t be laid at the feet of his supporters.
Party leaders in Nevada, for example, claim that the Sanders campaign has a “‘penchant for violence.’ That is nonsense,'” Sanders said in a statement on Monday.
