The Omnibus Crime Bill talking point is frustrating on two levels to me. First, I wish he hadn't voted for it. Second, I understand why he voted for it, and thanks to the magic of video recordings, we know why he did (Violence Against Women Act inclusion) and how strenuously he opposed the rest of it. The latter issue makes it one more disingenuous talking point for Clinton surrogates, especially when using it as a cynical appeal to black and brown voters.

Sanders was against most of its contents, while Hillary went around promoting it and talking about black youth as "super predators" without conscience who must be brought "to heel." It's fine if Clinton supporters want to critique Bernie's vote on the bill. I am critical of it as well, though probably for different reasons. But it's a sad day when they actively distort records of both candidates, and it says a lot about the character of anyone willing to do that, whether that person is a campaign staffer, a surrogate, or a DU member.

EDIT: Here's Hillary talking about the same legislation (~30 sec mark). See if you can spot the difference.

Why does anyone think this?

I've been told right here on DU that whites simply can't understand prejudice. It's been posted that being white is mostly an absence of problems, or some such thing.


Do they think she is black? Have they seen her?

And is "the black community" one thing? Are the blacks Hillary "understands" in AK the same as the ones she "understands" in NYC?

Would anyone be saying such things as "Hillary understands the black community" if the GOP hadn't created the "VT doesn't have a lot of blacks so Sanders doesn't get blacks" meme back in June or July? Why is this ridiculous GOP meme still being championed?

She understands.... they're her firewall!

WHAT has she done for the black community?

I've read all the posts saying how they are her 'firewall', but I just don't understand why?

Marc was saying basically the same thing.

...allows a slick politician like the Clintons to say one thing and do something else completely. People don't hold their feet to the fire. Oh well, people can dig their own grave by voting for the corporate backed candidate that gives zero fucks about the average citizen. It is what it is and there is nothing we can do to stop it. Logic and factual analysis of actual policies clearly does not work.

Why do you attribute that meme to the GOP when we have someone with a stronger motive a lot closer to home?

Because they trotted out the "VT is a white state....and really small! Doesn't represent the US" thing the instant Sanders started running.... back in the summer.

I remember because back then I pointed out that WY was a huge state.... but had even less people than VT... so it's more about the WAY the state is run than it's size or population.

But I go to Occam's razor and claim that the direct beneficiary is the most likely culprit. We've seen the pattern over and over this campaign and it isn't coming out of the GOP.

Not sure why she's not getting raked over for that comment.

An absolutely horrible comment on her part.

....Hillary didn't "understand" blacks enough to get them to vote for her in 2008.