Bernie Sanders Booed, Heckled for Pandering at Presidential Forum

Bernie Sanders Booed, Heckled for Pandering at Presidential Forum

Yesterday, at the “She the People” presidential forum in Houston, Texas, Sen. Bernie Sanders was booed by audience members for referencing civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in response to a question about white nationalism.

April 25, 2019
Bernie Sanders Booed, Heckled for Pandering at Presidential Forum

Yesterday, at the “She the People” presidential forum in Houston, Texas, Sen. Bernie Sanders was booed by audience members for referencing civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. in response to a question about white nationalism.

The “She the People” forum is described as “the first-ever Presidential candidate forum focused on women of color.

Fox News detailed how Sanders was heckled by the crowd for pandering to minorities with his MLK reference:

“’I know I date myself a little bit here, but I actually was at the March on Washington with Dr. [Martin Luther] King back in 1963,’ Sanders began, as audible groans and jeers broke out at the auditorium at Texas Southern University. One person apparently shouted, ‘We know!’”

“’And,’ Sanders continued, as he held his hand up to quiet the crowd and apparently to wag his finger, ‘as somebody who actively supported Jesse Jackson’s campaign, as one of the few white elected officials to do so in ’88, I have dedicated my life to the fight against racism, and sexism, and discrimination of all forms.’”

“Sanders faced similar backlash when he responded to an audience question about white supremacy by discussing immigration and the federal minimum wage, as well as his sweeping “Medicare for All” proposal. The audience loudly applauded when Allison reminded Sanders that the “core of the question” concerned violence against minorities.”

According to the Washington Examiner, Sanders was also pressed on how he would attract the support of African American women who voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.

“In response, Sanders said President Trump is the “most dangerous president” in modern history and called for unity among Democrats.”

“His answer prompted co-host Joy Reid to ask: ’Yeah, and for black women specifically?’”

‘”Black women will be an integral part of what our campaign, and what our administration is about. Okay? And that means …’ Sanders said before he was cut off by hecklers in the audience.”

“Once the crowd quieted down, host Aimee Allison asked if Sanders had anything to add, but he said he did not.”

Sanders spoke to a mostly minority audience of roughly 1700 people. During his 2016 White House bid, Sanders had difficulties garnering support from the African American community. As the Washington Post explains, this is an issue that could thwart his 2020 campaign as well:

“The reception reflected Sanders’s struggle to win support from minority voters, a problem that dogged his 2016 primary campaign against Hillary Clinton. Sanders has taken steps since to improve his outreach, including meeting with black leaders and talking more frequently about the difficulties facing minorities, but Wednesday’s event suggested the senator still faces challenges.”