Sanders Campaign Bars Delegates From Picking Fights Online

TOPLINE

The Bernie Sanders campaign is requiring its convention delegates to sign a social media agreement, restricting their online activities in a likely effort to crack down on negative perceptions of Sanders supporters.

KEY FACTS

Key background

In both his presidential runs, Sanders has been dogged with allegations that his supporters, dubbed “Bernie bros,” display hostile and mob-like behavior online. While some commentators on the left have noted that the moniker is a “reductive” way to describe Sanders’ diverse base, most have nonetheless conceded that there are problematic groups within Sanders’ coalition, including in his inner circle. In December, the Sanders campaign fired a staffer for offensive tweets, while another staffer was fired in February for tweets mocking Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg. Sanders also took flak for hiring “Twitter attack dog” David Sirota. Sanders supporters have nonetheless contended that the Bernie Bro narrative is a disingenuous effort to lay the actions of a small group at the feet of the whole campaign.

Tangent

Conspiracy theories have also been a pervasive issue with Sanders supporters. The issue reached a fever pitch during the Iowa caucuses, when Sanders supporters pointed to a cancelled poll and a faulty voting app as evidence that Buttigieg was attempting to “rig” the caucus.

Chief Critic

Sanders himself has frequently denounced and distanced himself from the more unruly elements in his base, including in 2016. “I will condemn absolutely anybody, including my campaign or any other campaign, that makes vicious personal attacks against people,” Sanders said in February, in response to his supporters’ threats towards Nevada’s Culinary Union, “I don’t tolerate ugly attacks against anybody.”