To: Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator and Hillary Clinton, former Secretary of State
Candidates Must Disown Violent Supporters
Candidates must, at a minimum, publicly and explicitly repudiate any supporters who engage in or suggest violence.
Why is this important?
There can be no excuse for failing to disown behavior such as threatening violence or throwing chairs.
In 2008 a supporter of John McCain publicly called on the media to “peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama.” Within hours, McCain said “A person who was on the program before I spoke made some disparaging remarks. … I absolutely repudiate such comments.”
Importantly, McCain called out the offender who, later that day said “Why would John McCain repudiate me? … I've had it with McCain.” And he stopped supporting McCain. That’s exactly what should happen.
Disowning the violent fringe will induce them to change or to leave the Democratic Party. Democrats should at least meet McCain’s standards. Accepting less will only weaken us.
[It will encourage others, if you can leave even a small comment when signing.]
In 2008 a supporter of John McCain publicly called on the media to “peel the bark off Barack Hussein Obama.” Within hours, McCain said “A person who was on the program before I spoke made some disparaging remarks. … I absolutely repudiate such comments.”
Importantly, McCain called out the offender who, later that day said “Why would John McCain repudiate me? … I've had it with McCain.” And he stopped supporting McCain. That’s exactly what should happen.
Disowning the violent fringe will induce them to change or to leave the Democratic Party. Democrats should at least meet McCain’s standards. Accepting less will only weaken us.
[It will encourage others, if you can leave even a small comment when signing.]