Subject: URGENT - DRAFT CNN OPED ON NV
From: Maria Cardona <[email-masked]>
To: Patrice Taylor <[email-masked]>, "Miranda, Luis" <[email-masked]>
Date: Wed, 18 May 2016 14:21:15 +0000

I want to make sure it is not to heavy handed.  Please let me know asap!  Thanks!!

Hillary Clinton won the state of Kentucky and Bernie Sanders won the state of Oregon. <https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjm7ta15ePMAhVIeD4KHSXGB8cQqQIIHTAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2016%2F05%2F18%2Fsanders-wins-oregon-deadlocked-with-clinton-in-kentucky.html&usg=AFQjCNG2Q7codzFRSovZDM3MNw0sAIi7tg&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw>  They both are to be commended.  But what happened at the Nevada Democratic State Party Convention<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjn8dvH5ePMAhWHrD4KHThJD9EQFggsMAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.washingtonpost.com%2Fnews%2Fthe-fix%2Fwp%2F2016%2F05%2F15%2Fheres-what-happened-at-saturdays-dramatic-nevada-democratic-convention%2F&usg=AFQjCNFZDzOziR7ZD8OB1QfmHkL5X2D9vw&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> 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.

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 State Chair<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjimqjl5ePMAhWJNT4KHa-WA-EQqQIIHTAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nytimes.com%2F2016%2F05%2F17%2Fus%2Fpolitics%2Fbernie-sanders-supporters-nevada.html&usg=AFQjCNHtNfwmU2wbpTsQ2_CbaHyHzh5z_w&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw>.  There were displays of ugly disrespect<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi71qz45ePMAhUIbz4KHWbUCtYQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.realclearpolitics.com%2Fvideo%2F2016%2F05%2F15%2Fbarbara_boxer_to_nevada_democrats_if_you_boo_me_youre_booing_bernie_sanders.html&usg=AFQjCNFwhqWIdzBrhdOxBfxmj6IHCrkTHg&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> towards revered Democratic Party leaders like California Senator Barbara Boxer 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 early on 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, chairs thrown, 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<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiEh46u5uPMAhVDWD4KHV4sDNMQqQIIHDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ralstonreports.com%2Fblog%2Fnv-democrats-file-complaint-against-sanders-campaign-dnc&usg=AFQjCNHJa8huRrKR-CIduvqfqfmY7L5PPQ&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> 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 wanted to give their candidate 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<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwjDnJnd5uPMAhXKbz4KHW2aA7QQFggsMAQ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fabcnews.go.com%2FPolitics%2FwireStory%2Fpall-nevada-fracas-hangs-democratic-contest-39161207&usg=AFQjCNEWUXK1ioPmOlFS6SHSeZ1h5lpLdw&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> in the wake of the Nevada fiasco was inadequate at best, and at worst, could be seen as stoking the fires of discontent among his supporters.  Importantly, he said he does not condone any violence.  But he did little to quell the anger and in fact threw 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,<https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj0uq-H5-PMAhUKcz4KHf6FAOoQFggkMAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politico.com%2Fblogs%2F2016-dem-primary-live-updates-and-results%2F2016%2F05%2Fbernie-sanders-supporters-violence-convention-223295&usg=AFQjCNHEneRL92l_7K3AHWHvNeDy9bKg4g&bvm=bv.122129774,d.cWw> Senator Sanders should 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 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 tell them to dial it down, lay off the violent behavior and threats, and help him see this through with dignity and enough leverage to see real change in the Democratic Party in Philadelphia.

He can still lead his followers to the Promised Land, even if that does not mean the White House.  Senator Sanders can claim he has already won.  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.

He can take the high road, claim this win, stay in the race, continue fighting for progressive change but focus his fire on Donald Trump.

Or he can continue going after Secretary Clinton, making his supporters believe he can still win the nomination, and when he doesn't, make it that much harder for them to unite with other Democrats against our real common foes - the Republicans and Donald Trump - and ensuring they do not step foot in the White House.

This is our most important task at hand and I will bet on Bernie doing the right thing.

Maria T. Cardona
@MariaTCardona
Principal, The Dewey Square Group
Founder, Latinovations
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