Posted on 02/07/2020 3:37:58 PM PST by karpov
Sen. Bernie Sanders's (I., Vt.) support for extending voting rights to violent felons such as Dylann Roof, the racist gunman who murdered nine people at a black church in South Carolina, could prove problematic as the Democratic presidential candidates set their sights on the Palmetto State primary on February 29.
Roof, who recently filed an appeal challenging his conviction and death sentence, is a widely despised individual.
So is Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, the Boston Marathon bomber who killed 3 and injured nearly 300 others in 2013. Like Roof, he is on death row. Sanders would not only spare their lives by abolishing the death penalty but would also grant them voting rights in prison.
The subject of felon voting came up during a CNN town hall in April 2019. A member of the audience asked Sanders if he supported "enfranchising people like the Boston Marathon bomber, a convicted terrorist and murderer," as well as individuals convicted of sexual assault.
Sanders confirmed that he would extend voting rights to "terrible people," including those convicted of violent crimes, as part of his mission to create a "vibrant democracy" in America.
"If somebody commits a serious crime, sexual assault, murder, they're going to be punished," said Sanders. "They may be in jail for 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, their whole lives. That's what happens when you commit a serious crime, but I think the right to vote is inherent to our democracy. Yes, even for terrible people."
Days later, Sanders doubled down on his support for giving murderers the right to vote in a USA Today op-ed, offering "no apologies" for his position. "The right to vote is an inalienable and universal principle that applies to all American citizens 18 years and older. Period," he wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at freebeacon.com ...
Wow
Right on time. The DNC is going taking out Bernie. It started in Iowa, now Poofter Pete is even in NH. They will be careful how they do it because if it’s obvious his base stays home.
Which is why we’re NOT a democracy.
With the week Democrats have had, I truly fear we are primed for another mass or school shooting.
Nothing gives the Democrats more bounce in their step than having a bunch of black and/or childrens dead bodies to dance on
Crazy old Bernie strikes again!
Isn’t it nice to know that you were elected by the votes of murderers? Only a democrat would be happy with that.
Too bad they did away with he death penalty but even if they did those folks would still be able to vote for Democrats.
“The DNC is going taking out Bernie.”
They no doubt want the Commie gone but you gotta admit - this one’s such a gift it’s hard to imagine them not exploiting it. They don’t even have to spin it...just quote him.
Like going to bat for Pete Rose. Who cares?
Yet it important to realize that Bernie Sanders does not exist in a political, social or cultural vacuum. He has real support from a significant percentage of the American population. That fact is as frightening and sobering as Bernie himself. Americans no longer share a reasonable consensus of values. Try to imagine the mindset and perspective of people who support a man that supported and identified the most vicious and horrific tyrants and regimes ever to exist on earth.
As any good commie would do, theyll allow prison voting but not the truly terrible people, those who seem to be conservative.
Love it. Pete isn’t loved by blacks but Roof killed them. So wha does it all mean?
I think Sanders is quoting the Soviet Constitution here and not the American one.
He gets confused easily.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.