#IEndorseBernie: Bernie Sanders supporters slam New York Times snub

In a break with tradition, The Times endorsed U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic presidential nomination.

In a break with tradition, The Times endorsed senators Amy Klobuchar and Elizabeth Warren for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Democratic Presidential Candidates Participate In Debate In Atlanta, Georgia
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - NOVEMBER 20: Democratic presidential candidates Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) (L), South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), ormer Vice President Joe Biden, and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) greet the audience ahead of the Democratic Presidential Debate at Tyler Perry Studios November 20, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia. Ten Democratic presidential hopefuls were chosen from the larger field of candidates to participate in the debate hosted by MSNBC and The Washington Post. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

For the first time, The New York Times editorial board endorsed two candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination, snubbing Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. The news sparked an uproar on social media among Sanders’ supporters, prompting #IEndorseBernie to become a trending topic.

The Times’ editorial board is known to stand behind one candidate, however, in a break of tradition chose two: Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar and Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren.

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The Times argues that the Democratic Primary is a battle between moderates and progressives. The editorial board writes that it believes either Warren or Klobuchar would be the most progressive president in decades when it comes to the economy, healthcare and more.

Citing “a time to be open to new ideas,” The Times endorsed the candidates because of their potential paths to get objectives accomplished. The board says Klobuchar is moderate, while Warren is more progressive. But both candidates are worthy of being president of the U.S.

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While Warren’s path to the nomination is full of hurdles, The Times also notes that progressives are looking for change. And supporters “may harbor lingering concerns about a messenger as divisive as Mr. Sanders.” The paper ripped Sanders for denouncing compromise, and arguing that his only his prescriptions can be the right ones. He would be as just as divisive as Trump, the editorial states. Besides his messaging, The Times expressed concern about Sanders’ age and health.

Newsweek reports that Sanders’ supporters responded to the newspaper’s endorsement, noting that the candidate has never has cracked the top four picks for the Democratic nomination. Besides Warren and Klobuchar, “top four” picks include South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker, who recently bowed out of the race.

The hashtag, #IEndorseBernie, began trending on Monday as supporters highlighted their reasons for backing Sanders.

#IEndorseBernie because we need a government that works for all of us and not just those at the very top,” said Congressional candidate Albert Lee in a Twitter post. “B/c need empathy and compassion for all of humanity, b/c we need to end the structures that destroy people & planet for profit.”

While he is not The New York Times’ favorite, Mr. Sanders is not far behind former Vice President Joe Biden in national polls, with Ms. Warren in third.

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