Democrat presidential candidate and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is an openly-proclaimed socialist, and it was already well-known that he has touted the virtues of socialist and communist regimes in the past, from those in Central America to the former Soviet Union.
A major media outlet just revealed a much more vivid picture of Sanders’ 1988 “honeymoon” in the Soviet Union that could end up hurting his chances of winning the White House.
Hours of footage unearthed
A reporter from Politico received the opportunity to view hours of old video footage from that trip to Russia, as the then-mayor of Burlington, Vermont led a delegation with the intention of forming a “sister city” relationship with a Russian city known as Yaroslavl.
Brief snippets of the more than three-and-a-half hours of footage from Russia had already been released publicly by someone at Chittenden County’s Channel 17 local access channel, on which Sanders at one point hosted a program.
That footage showed a shirtless Sanders and members of his delegation relaxing in a sauna with their Russian hosts while joking and talking and singing “This Land is Your Land.”
Singing socialism’s praises
But the rest of the footage shows so much more than that, including multiple scenes of Sanders and his entourage seated or standing near the ubiquitous shrines to the Soviet Union’s first communist dictator, Vladimir Lenin.
Sanders, his wife Jane, and members of delegation also sung the praises of the Soviet system and the Russian way of life, and while the Americans did acknowledge a few of the major drawbacks and problems in Soviet society, the overall view was a positive one.
It is worth noting that in terms of creating a “sister city” relationship with Yaroslavl and Burlington, the trip was a success, as the two cities remain in contact and have conducted all sorts of business and cultural exchanges over the years.
Coming back to haunt him?
It is further worth noting that this trip occurred during the era in which the spirit of “glastnost” and “perestroika” was a thing, when the United States and the Soviet Union were tentatively reaching out in order to establish a friendlier relationship between the nuclear-armed superpowers.
That said, some prospective 2020 voters may view Sanders’ overtures toward the communists and his willingness to overlook their grievous shortcomings as rather over the top, or “outlandish,” as Politico phrased it.
While there are currently no plans to publicly release all of the raw footage that the Politico reporter was allowed to view, there is always the possibility that it could happen in the future.
Should that eventually occur, the footage would undoubtedly provide ample fodder for both Republicans and Sanders’ Democrat rivals to use in attack ads, as even many on the left realize that America is simply not ready for a communist-loving socialist to occupy the Oval Office.
702 Responses
Everything is very open with a precise explanation of the challenges. It was really informative. Your site is very useful. Thank you for sharing!
I just could not depart your site before suggesting that I actually enjoyed the standard information a person provide for your visitors? Is going to be back often to check up on new posts
A round of applause for your blog post. Much obliged.
This is one awesome article post.Thanks Again.
Really informative post.Really thank you! Fantastic.
Thank you ever so for you article post. Really Great.
Very good article.Really looking forward to read more. Want more.
Thank you ever so for you article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Thanks so much for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Awesome.
My brother recommended I might like this website. He used to be totally right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t consider just how a lot time I had spent for this info! Thanks!|
Spot on with this write-up, I actually believe this amazing site needs a great deal more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info!
Superb blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I’m hoping to start my own site soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you advise starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely confused .. Any ideas? Bless you!|
Everything is very open with a clear description of the issues. It was definitely informative. Your website is very helpful. Thank you for sharing!
I value the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post.Thanks Again. Really Great.
Great post.Really thank you! Want more.
Thanks a lot for the blog post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
Thank you for your article. Cool.
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article.Much thanks again. Cool.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Very informative post.Thanks Again. Awesome.
I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I’m not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re wonderful! Thanks!|