RE: URGENT - PLEASE TAKE A LOOK - DRAFT CNN OPED RE NEVADA

From:Maria.Cardona@deweysquare.com To: TaylorP@dnc.org CC: MirandaL@dnc.org Date: 2016-05-18 10:32 Subject: RE: URGENT - PLEASE TAKE A LOOK - DRAFT CNN OPED RE NEVADA

Adding Luis as well. I want to make sure it is not too heavy handed: Last night, Hillary Clinton won the state of Kentucky and Bernie Sanders won the state of Oregon. <http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/18/us/politics/bernie-sanders-oregon-results.html?_r=0> They both are to be commended. But what happened at the Nevada Democratic State Party Convention<http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/bernie-sanders-under-fire-after-nevada-convention-chaos> this past weekend when party leaders and representatives of both campaigns gathered to allocate delegates, with reports of chaos and violence, was a loss for Democrats everywhere. What happened? By all reports, it was a raucous event that descended into uncontrolled anger on both sides and even death threats from Senator Sanders' supporters towards the Nevada Democratic Party State Chair. There were displays of ugly disrespect towards revered Democratic Party leaders like California Senator Barbara Boxer<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj3i_jpzuPMAhXFGT4KHVPgBfUQFggbMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdailycaller.com%2F2016%2F05%2F14%2Fchaos-at-nevada-democratic-convention-as-bernie-fans-boo-barbara-boxer-video%2F&usg=AFQjCNGxOpC-V3HesvDpO8Fqrbo2-ANetA&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> when she showed up to give a speech on behalf of Secretary Clinton. Apparently, Sanders supporters were none too happy with the outcome of the allocations of the delegates. Even though Hillary Clinton won the state some months ago during the Nevada caucuses, and should have been allotted more delegates, the Sanders campaign had planned to out-maneuver the Clinton campaign and emerge from the state convention with more delegates than the Secretary. In the end, the delegates were distributed according to the rules, which had been agreed upon by both campaigns and whose representatives were active in all phases of the convention process. But not before vocal boos, shows of violence, obscenities screamed at the stage, and threats of bodily harm. So much so that security had to shut down the convention because they could no longer guarantee public safety. While there is still no comparison in division, rancor, and acrimony between what is happening on the Democratic side of the aisle and the Republican side, Democrats have become increasingly concerned that what happened in Nevada is a precursor of what could happen at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia over the summer. In fact, in a letter of complaint sent to the Democratic National Committee's Rules and By Laws Committee, the General Counsel of the Nevada Democratic State Party outlined the events during the convention and strongly condemned the actions of the Sanders campaign operatives as well as that of his supporters. The letter warned of similar unrest at the National convention. This cannot and should not happen. The Nevada debacle was the pinnacle of frustration and disillusionment on behalf of Sanders' supporters who have felt the party structure was stacked against their candidate from the beginning and wanted to give him an advantage in delegates even in the face of a win by Hillary Clinton. While this goal is understandable, the tactics and methods reportedly used are inexcusable. This unrest needs to be quelled by party leaders and representatives from both camps, including Senator Sanders himself. Supporters and activists from both campaigns need to respect the rules and be respected for their hard work and commitment. Unfortunately, Senator Sanders' statement in the wake of the Nevada fiasco<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwig47yPz-PMAhWHGz4KHUchAMsQqQIIGzAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fberniesanders.com%2Fpress-release%2Fstatement-nevada%2F&usg=AFQjCNG3_RIUfjVoKHqVLOv2vErvKTyVZA&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> was inadequate at best, and at worst, could be seen as stoking the fires of discontent among his supporters. While he said he does not condone any violence, he did little to quell the anger while seeming to throw gasoline on the fire by accusing Nevada party leaders of cheating. While it was heartening to hear Sanders' campaign manager state unequivocally there would be no violence at the National Convention, it is time for Senator Sanders to step up and disavow this behavior without qualification or pause. Throughout this campaign, Democrats have been able to hold our heads high and inflate our chests with pride at how we were conducting our primary process. It has been robust, passionate, and emotional. But it had not gotten ugly, personal and vile. Those attributes had been reserved for our counterparts on the other side of the aisle thanks to their now nominee and standard bearer Donald Trump, who proudly feeds the flames of hate, division, and blame. Let's keep it that way. We cannot devolve down that rabbit hole of conflict and disunity. If we do, we might as well give Donald Trump the keys to the White House right now. I understand the frustration of Sanders' supporters. As a Hillary Clinton supporter, I was there in 2008. You put your heart and soul into the belief that your candidate is the best equipped to win and then the effort comes up short. It is nothing less than a heart wrenching experience. But real leaders take that raw disillusionment in their supporters and they channel it towards the greater good for the country and for the agenda they have been fighting so hard for up to now. Senator Sanders has a choice to make. He can guide his followers into more productive means of expressing their frustrations and keep them from burning bridges that will help them achieve the progressive changes they had hoped to with Sanders at the helm. He can still lead his followers to the Promised Land, even if that does not mean the White House. He has put key issues front and center and he changed the debate so that it more strongly represents the progressive values he has championed for so long and the new voters he brought in to the electoral process, all of which should be commended. He has already won. Or he can continue to let his supporters believe he can win the nomination. But when he doesn't, it will be that much harder for them to unite with other Democrats against our real common foes: the Republicans and Donald Trump. I will bet on Bernie doing the right thing and helping to ensure real change happens in the country by not allowing Donald Trump to set foot in the White House come January 2017. I hope he doesn't disappoint.