NEW from me: Bernie Sanders was so close to running a primary against Obama for re-election that Harry Reid had to step in to stop him
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
Sanders aides have repeatedly downplayed how serious Sanders was about taking on Obama as a "disappointment," but a conversation relayed by Patrick Leahy had the Obama campaign "absolutely panicked.”
It took Reid two conversations to talk Sanders out of running.
It took Reid two conversations to talk Sanders out of running.
The Sanders-Obama relationship has long been fraught. Another never reported incident: in 2013, when Sanders ripped into Obama for suggesting Social Security cuts in a private meeting with senators.
"I don't need a lecture," Obama told him. Sanders made sure he got one.
"I don't need a lecture," Obama told him. Sanders made sure he got one.
Sanders's position against Obama's proposed Social Security cuts (chained CPI) was supported by a number of Democratic senators.
“I just remember thinking, Whoa, Bernie’s got game,” a senator in the room said. “I also remember thinking, There’s no love lost between them.”
“I just remember thinking, Whoa, Bernie’s got game,” a senator in the room said. “I also remember thinking, There’s no love lost between them.”
Sanders & Obama have both worked to get past differences, but Obama has made clear he's not a fan of Sanders being the nominee. Still, he won't intervene.
“Obama will campaign his heart out for whoever the nominee is, and that includes Senator Sanders," I'm told.
“Obama will campaign his heart out for whoever the nominee is, and that includes Senator Sanders," I'm told.
By 2011, Sanders was ready to move on a feeling he described as "deep disappointment" and which a once & future top aide channeled in a 2011 column as being “eloquent, dissembling, conniving, intelligent and, above all, calm,” “a Bizarro FDR” w/a “hideous & destructive” record
One point on which Sanders and Obama have expressed respect for each other--to each other, and to others: the movements that they've both built. Obama often talks about how impressed he is with how Sanders has connected with voters, and Sanders says similar things about 2008
UPDATE: Sanders's @AriRabinHavt now denying Sanders ever talked to Reid or that "crossed his mind to challenge Obama," despite public comments.
Reid aide says not commenting on private talks but: “Bottom line: there was never a serious or established primary challenge to Obama"
Reid aide says not commenting on private talks but: “Bottom line: there was never a serious or established primary challenge to Obama"
@AriRabinHavt another update: a response from @SenatorReid directly, who is only saying he won't comment on private conversations that the Sanders campaign denies happened at all:
“Bernie was running for re-election in 2012. He would’ve been a fool to run against Obama and Bernie’s no fool."
“Bernie was running for re-election in 2012. He would’ve been a fool to run against Obama and Bernie’s no fool."
In 2011 when he was talking up a primary challenge to Obama, in 2013 when he took on Obama in a meeting w/other senators, & now in 2020, Sanders has been consistent in fighting any Social Security cuts. To some that makes him a hero;to others, unrealistic. theatlantic.com/politics/archi…
