The Democratic National Committee (DNC) emails that WikiLeaks revealed show that top DNC officials discussed using Senator Bernie Sanders’ (D-Vt.) religion against him in the West Virginia and Kentucky primaries. On May 5, 2016, DNC Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Brad Marshall emailed Luis Miranda, Mark Paustenbach, and Amy Dacey:
“It might may [sic] no difference, but for KY and WVA can we get someone to ask his belief. Does he believe in a God. He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage. I think I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist.”
Although the message does not name Sanders, there is no question that Sanders was the subject (the subject line actually was “no s**t”). In case his intention wasn’t clear enough, a few moments later, Marshall sent another email to the same people, saying, “It’s these [sic] Jesus thing.”
Amy Dacey, CEO of the DNC, responded, “Amen.”
Sanders Won West Virginia Anyway
This writer has not found evidence that anyone in either state asked Bernie the question after the email exchange. If they did, however, it doesn’t appear to have helped Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton much. Sanders won West Virginia on May 10—51.4 percent to Hillary Clinton’s 35.8 percent. Clinton squeaked by Sanders in Kentucky, 46.8 percent to 46.3 percent.
DNC Staffer’s Responsibility
Marshall initially denied that he had sent such an email about Sanders. He told The Intercept,
“I do not recall this. I can say it would not have been Sanders. It would probably be about a surrogate.”
Later, Marshall “apologized” on Face Book, where he posted:
“I deeply regret that my insensitive, emotional emails would cause embarrassment to the DNC, the Chairwoman, and all of the staffers who worked hard to make the primary a fair and open process. The comments expressed do not reflect my beliefs nor do they reflect the beliefs of the DNC and its employees. I apologize to those I offended.”
He did not apologize to Sanders.
Reaction from Sanders campaign
Not surprisingly, many Sanders supporters were outraged.These and other DNC emails demonstrated hostility to Sanders and belied the DNC’s claims that it was neutral. On July 24, 2016, on Meet the Press, Chuck Todd asked Sanders for his reaction. Sanders told Todd that news of the emails “did not come as a shock” to him or his supporters. He said:
“There is no question but the DNC was on Secretary Clinton’s side from day one.”
Sanders would not blame the DNC for his loss, however. And he still supports Clinton over Trump. Which just might show that the behavior of the Jewish “atheist” is more Christian than Marshall’s.
Perhaps Marshall and Dacey hadn’t seen the South Carolina town hall on February 23, 2016, where the moderator asked Bernie about his religion:
