Warren: Time To Think More Creatively About ‘Organized Nastiness’ Online | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

Senator Elizabeth Warren talks with Rachel Maddow about the ugliness she saw online from Bernie Sanders supporters and the problem of online abuse broadly in American political discourse, and the need for political leaders to find new creative solutions to put an end to it for the sake of a healthy democracy. Aired on 3/5/2020.
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Warren: Time To Think More Creatively About 'Organized Nastiness' Online | Rachel Maddow | MSNBC

62 comments

  1. Boomer for Bernie: I do not agree that candidates are responsible for the conduct of “alleged” supporters but the candidates do have responsibility to condemn problem harassers.

    1. I wouldn’t condemn “harassers,” AKA justifiably enraged American taxpayers. Are you kidding? 40 years of paying taxes and NEVER EVER getting anything from the government that HELPS US?! 40 years? NOTHING? IN DEBT..ON THE STREETS…Devastated, yet, let me get this straight… our candidate should CONDEMN US? SERIOUSLY? Think about it.

    2. @Troy Stocker how does that negate my comment? Besides, a little fact, the government didn’t “bankrupt” the country. Interference from USA CIA operations in country, pressures from OPEC and market manipulation influenced by the US and Saudi Arabia. But complex realities are a little too much for simpletons like you. Just stick to your Faux News, Breitbart and Putin propaganda.

    3. @Kathy the Writer You literally just told a Warren supporter “stop acting like a woman”. Are you also a paid troll?

  2. The biggest problem in America is a couple of meanies on the internet! Not healthcare, not education, not extreme inequality! Thank you Liz!

    1. @Lettuce Flower if she really cares about important issues, I wonder why she didn’t endorse Bernie and why she’s always missing in action when progressives need help…

  3. There’s a percentage of supporters of every candidate that are mean online. This is a ridiculous conversation.

    1. @yresimdemus were people doxxing Bernie supporters or trying to primary his senate seat while claiming to be for Warren?

      If you have proof of that happening, I genuinely want to hear it. That would be news to me.

    2. No, Bernie Bros are the worst. I volunteered with the Bloomberg campaign and I expected Trump supporters to be the worst but it was the Bernie Bros that were the most nasty.

    3. @Dean F. that’s actually been disproven, and there are now vast archives that house collections of all the nasty negative political posts on various social media that quite demonstrably shows how evenly spread this behavior is over all candidates campaigns.

    4. @Kari F once again, someone unwittingly makes the point that many of the bad actors in this are in fact NOT actual Bernie supporters but people intent on harming the progressive stance; yet you somehow come to the conclusion that even though you think Bernie is a good person with good ideas, it’s his fault these bad actors “support” him. Seriously?

    5. @InverseAgonist  When you talk about doxing, I assume you’re talking about Culinary226’s leadership. This is exactly the kind of thing I was referring to. Both Sanders supporters *and* Warren supporters attacked them over that union scorecard. I know, because I saw the attacks, and even got followed by some Warren supporters afterwards. But, somehow, the news only talked about the attacks coming from Sanders supporters. And I’ve seen NO evidence indicating who it was that doxed them. Not even *they* named a candidate or supporter. So it very well could have been Warren supporters (or Trump supporters or Russian hackers) who doxed them. Neither you nor I know. To suggest that I should have proof it was a Warren supporter, when you don’t have any evidence whatsoever that it was a Sanders supporter, seems like a ridiculous bar to set.

      As for the idea of running primaries against Sanders, are you actually saying that they must have said that exact thing? Or might you be satisfied with equivalent political bs? Assuming the latter, I’d say that trying to have him removed from the presidential primary ballot, even after people have already voted for him, qualifies. And, since they actually *did* it (are actively trying to do it), rather than randomly suggested it online, I’d say it’s worse. Voter suppression is never ok.

      https://twitter.com/LLeikus/status/1231993381552902146?s=19

      https://www.nwfdailynews.com/news/20200226/florida-lawsuit-dont-count-bernie-sanders-primary-votes-hes-clearly-not-democrat

  4. It’s not a particular problem with Sanders supporters. Sanders overwhelming has the support of young people, and the internet is full of young people.

    1. So, your saying being young is a excuse to be rude, ignorant with lack of manners? Not in all worlds my friend.

    2. Honey — if some meanie bo beanies are the reason people don’t vote for a candidate then that is very sad and stupid.

  5. I am trying to figure out why they are ignoring calling out the supporters of others that do the exact same things?
    Twitter is not life, but call them all out, don’t name drop a candidate as if their supporters are the only ones behaving poorly.

  6. What about Neera Tanden and all the centrists that attack poor people and working people constantly? Not important, Rachel? Okay.

    1. You’ve got a problem with neoliberal shills, fair enough. That isn’t the topic at hand. Warren’s supporters still got doxxed.

  7. Bernie Sanders has condemned hostile supporters, online or otherwise. Some of the nastiness is a function of the fact that many of them are young and have grown up in a world which is overstimulating and overwhelming and they are very frustrated. That is no excuse but accounts for some of the nastiness. Also, there is no acocunting for anonymous trolling which can very likely be an organized effort by forces that want to undermine Sanders’ campagin. Sanders supporters and surrogates get threatening and vile online messages and they appear to deal with it as part of the current political landscape.

    1. @Brian Walkup in your opinion – was warren lying about bernie when she said the whole “woman cant win” thing?
      I think she was lying.

    2. We liked her in 2016 and would welcome her back into the fold but she lied about her “friend”
      Bernie has only ever supported her

    3. Brian Walkup why would he ever say that to her? What is your reason for thinking that he would say something like that? Seems like you have to completely ignore his 30 year track record in order to believe he would say that.

  8. What is wrong with Rachel Maddow? She’s clearly biased against Bernie Sanders and it’s affecting her ability to do her job as a journalist. Instead of discussing the negative political discourse occurring online in GENERAL, she decides to zero in on Sanders only and make his supporters out to all be vicious online bullies. I, as a true Bernie Sanders supporter, am offended for one. Second, this war the media has waged against Bernie Sanders is getting really tired. For Bernie Sander’s sake, I’d be happy for him even if he decided to step down because the system is clearly rigged against him and his aspirations for the working class and all Americans’ futures. I’m TIRED for Bernie Sanders.

  9. There is a huge assumption being made regarding the nastiness: that it is actual democrats being nasty to each other OR whether is is interloping trolls/trump supporters looking to sow discord.

    1. @Hoang Phong Nguyen not proof – a former Our Revolution employee terminated for anti immigrant remarks in a public forum who later filed suit out of anger does not your point prove

    2. @Samgina Terrell I think someone saying they don’t like someone is very different from people receiving threats.

  10. lol Imagine thinking Bernie, the most polite, non offensive person is somehow responsible for anonymous trolls on the internet.

    1. thePANDEMlC he is directly responsible. Bernie is a notoriously uncompromising micro manager. His constant use of buzzwords to demonize His Enemies is part.
      But at root Bernie’s misogynistic tendencies bring it out in others.
      Of course no Bernie supporters will admit it because just like trump Bernie always blames a Conspiracy. It’s never Bernie’s fault.

  11. So, Sanders’ supporters are awful and need to go away? Will you still be saying that in November if Biden is the nominee and you want their votes? I for one will not be voting for Biden or any other Democrat for president, besides Bernie. I am not a Democrat anyway, I am an independent. The same has been said about Bernie.

    1. That’s nice, tell that to the immigrants at the border, who’ll be distraught because Bernie’s loyalists like you won’t vote against another 4 years of Trump. People’s lives will literally be way worse, and you don’t care because you’re so priveleged and safe that you don’t have to think about the real world.

    2. @Cooler Daniel Obama and Biden did their share of damage at the border. People’s lives will not change no matter if Trump or Biden wins the election.

    3. @Cooler Daniel You can bet that Biden’s border policies will be almost the same as Trump’s policies. Biden is practically a Republican on many of the issues and he wants to work with them and make them happy. He says so himself. This is what happens when you are a low information voter. You think you are voting for something different, but end up with the same person, only with a ‘D’ next to their name.

  12. This conversation is so disingenuous. First, notice how none of these people — Elizabeth Warren, the talking heads — EVER verify the identities of these alleged “Bernie Bros”? So when it’s anything else but Bernie, it’s the Russians, it’s Trump supporters, it’s this and that. But suddenly, when it’s Bernie, it’s definitely Bernie supporters? MSNBC is propaganda. They have false narratives and manufactured consent to sell. This is all in totally bad faith.

    Secondly, if Warren honestly won’t endorse Sanders’ platform — which she allegedly aligns with — and will sell out the working class because of alleged meanies online, then she will finally expose herself for the phony and liar we see her as.

    She has one chance to redeem herself and support this movement. If she doesn’t, we know who she is.

  13. We can be passionate and yet civil, becoming as deplorable as republicans have been won’t get us anywhere.

    1. Victoria Grayson I think your grasp of language is failing you. “Becoming” meaning not there yet. So no. That’s not what he said. 🤦🏻

    2. What is not getting you and will never get you anywhere is your attitude.
      Calling people names like Hillary did is nothing but divisiveness that is pushing this country over the edge!
      These “deplorables” can be your neighbor, your kid’s friends parents, your co-workers and someone who will help you if you are in trouble when these politicians are not there to help you.

    3. I’m not American and far from partisan but if you don’t see the flaw in your remark you can’t be helped! Calling others deplorable is not very civil friend.

    4. @Ed Yanam “You know, to just be grossly generalistic, you could put half of Trump’s supporters into what I call the basket of deplorables. Right?” Clinton said. “The racist, sexist, homophobic, xenophobic, Islamaphobic—you name it. And unfortunately there are people like that. And he has lifted them up.”
      She said the other half of Trump’s supporters “feel that the government has let them down” and are “desperate for change.”
      “Those are people we have to understand and empathize with as well,” she said.
      If this description fits your neighbors and coworkers then yes they are deplorables. Funny how you choose to attack hillary for ‘insulting’ others with the track record the current president has.

    1. Ryker Uh, what exactly makes you think she couldn’t handle it? She’s handled the criticism with grace as far as I can tell, no need to conjure up more reasons to convince yourself you don’t like her

    2. @Retotion What makes me think she couldn’t handle it??? Oh this entire interview crying over spilled milk and missing the bigger picture? She can’t put her emotions aside and back the candidate whose policy aligns most with hers? Does it not seem petty? This moment calls for strength and resilience, but she is not showing it here. She is showing bitterness and resentment. Bernie told people to stop. He is the guy who keeps calling Biden his friend, despite some people saying that it shows weakness! There’s not a mean bone in his body, so why is she blaming him? Second of all, she was my number two pick so don’t make assumptions. I gave Warren the benefit of the doubt for awhile now, and I’ve decided she lacks strength of character. She’s blowing up the entire progressive movement over some understandably hurt feelings, but come on. I thought she was a fighter, but online bullying broke her so badly that she is willing to take down the only candidate that could make her policy a reality!!! You don’t have to work over time to white knight for her, either. Some criticisms are valid, and it’s best not to jump to conclusions.

      That said, if you don’t agree with me…? Bygones. I’ve said my piece. I would’ve voted for her too had she won. Now we’re gonna end up with Biden who’s policy I can’t even tell you since it’s so status quo. I’m still voting for him, but I have a feeling Trump’s going to win. It’s upsetting because she could’ve made many of her dreams possible under Bernie. Now we’ll be lucky if either of them , or we, live long enough to see it come to pass.

  14. You really think Warren supporters are the polite, sensitive type and never come out against people online?

  15. This nonsense gets more air time than someone raising a nazi flag to intimidate Bernie in a rally

    1. Oh my god, the Nazis support Bernie now? He’s a National Socialialist like Hitler was? I knew he was a socialist. Oh my god, vote for Trump…

    2. Raulph and Paulo ; Sure go ahead and vote for the other two guys Biden and tRUMP, who plan to remove your Social Security retirement supplements you work your whole life paying into?! Your either millionaires or Idiots!!!!

    3. Ralph Buchwitz and Paulo here ;
      Oh Sure, go ahead and vote for the other two guys Biden and tRUMP, who plan to remove your Social Security retirement supplements you work your whole life paying into?! Your either millionaires or Idiots!!!!

    1. I would advise that you dig deeper into Bernie’s “plans” because he has non!

      Free healthcare will cost $60 trillion, not to mention all the “free” stuff he is throwing around.

      He has no good plan to cover the healthcare let alone all the other thing.
      Assuming (never will happen) he managed, how long you think his plan will last?

      Wake up people!
      Nothing is for free!!

    2. @Ed Yanam I live in Brazil and we literally have a pretty good healthcare system here, I think the richest nation in the world can figure this out. C’mon, everybody is doing it!

  16. Senator Warren I love and respect you so much, and Rachel I have admire much of your work but I am disjointed that you would leave out of this discussion important contextual information and history about the sort of issues you are describing which are not just run of the mill political excess but you are talking issues that in both cases are solidly located in the world of Union power grabs which is deadly violent even today and has been worse over the years. She sees that there is a difference between these two examples and the general behavior that gets Bernie supporters vilified maybe that difference in severity is because it is a union member response to actions they do not support in their leadership and it is being played in the way arguments get made and heard in that context.

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