Keith Ellison Denies Bernie Bros Are Mean or Rude, Asks for Examples of Them Being Bad–Steve Scalise, Who Was Shot by a Bernie Bro, Replies
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (DFL), who has endorsed Democrat presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT), sought to defend the reputation of Bernie Bros–aggressive male supporters of Sanders who have come under criticism for their online behavior and real world violence such that Sanders himself mildly disavowed their behavior, saying at Wednesday night’s debate in Las Vegas, Nevada, saying, “We have more than 10.6 million people on Twitter, and 99.9 percent of them are decent human beings. If there are a few people who make ugly remarks, I disown those people. They are not part of our movement.”
Ellison wrote on Twitter Wednesday after the debate, “I have never seen @BernieSanders supporters being unusually mean or rude. Can someone send me an example of a “Bernie Bro” being bad. Also, are we holding all candidates responsible for the behavior of some of their supporters? Waiting to hear.”
Too many Minnesotans have told me the cost of their prescriptions are forcing them to choose between affording their lives and affording to live. Last year. I pulled together a bi-partisan task force to change that. https://t.co/aXLQGOBJCO
— Keith Ellison (@keithellison) February 20, 2020
House Minority Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA) dryly replied to Ellison, saying, “I can think of an example.”
I can think of an example. https://t.co/KwuvyYgyGw
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 20, 2020
Side by side screen capture for posterity:
OH.
MY.
GOSH.
???????????? pic.twitter.com/zy56N0paLZ
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) February 20, 2020
Scalise was shot and grievously wounded by a Bernie Sanders 2016 presidential campaign volunteer, James Hodgkinson, who engaged in a mass shooting attack on Republican congressmen at a softball practice in Aleandria, Virginia on June 14, 2017. Also shot in the attack were U.S. Capitol Police officer Crystal Griner, congressional aide Zack Barth and lobbyist Matt Mika. Hodgkinson died from wounds received from responding gunfire by police.
Scalise, who went through a reported nine surgeries as a result of the shooting but was permanently wounded, posted a video last June on the second anniversary of the attack celebrating his recovery.
Two years ago, my colleagues and I were attacked while practicing for a charity baseball game, simply because we’re Republicans. Thanks to countless heroes, miracles, and prayers, I’m still here today getting to do the job I love in Congress—and play a little baseball. pic.twitter.com/4DWeeFrc76
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) June 14, 2019
There has apparently been no response from Ellison as of publication of this article. Ellison, then a representative from Minnesota’s 5th District, served in Congress with Scalise at the time of the shooting.