As the Democratic presidential primary race continues to heat up, CNN claimed this week that Bernie Sanders told Elizabeth Warren in 2018 that he thought a woman running for president could not win. Sanders has bluntly denied this claim — but Warren backed up the CNN report, ducking out at the end of her statement about the issue with an insistence that after lighting that metaphorical match, she would not be commenting any further. Women on Twitter filled in the gap with their support for Sanders, and this Tuesday, the hashtag “#WomenforBernie” promptly rose among Twitter’s trending topics.
Among the top posts as of Tuesday evening was a tweet from Sanders campaign national co-chair Nina Turner, who wrote:
‘True feminism is rooted in humanism. It goes far beyond equal protection under the law. It means society must do its part in affording us the dignity to make critical choices on our own behalves. That is why I and so many other of my beautiful sisters are #WomenForBernie’
True feminism is rooted in humanism. It goes far beyond equal protection under the law. It means society must do its part in affording us the dignity to make critical choices on our own behalves. That is why I and so many other of my beautiful sisters are #WomenForBernie ✊🏾✊🏼✊🏿✊ https://t.co/dTS80nnNpt
— Nina Turner (@ninaturner) January 14, 2020
She made that post as a direct reply to a video that’s been viewed a million and a half times and counting that shows Sanders, in 1988, publicly insisting that he believed a woman could be elected U.S. president. That simply does not square with the Warren camp’s claim of some kind of sexism from the popular Senator.
On Tuesday, the Sanders campaign’s national press secretary Briahna Joy Gray noted:
‘More women have given to Bernie’s campaign than any other campaign. We have the most diverse, least white collation.’
Activist Stephanie Quilao added the more personal perspective:
‘I’m a Filipina woman of color and most of my life I’ve been told you don’t get a seat at the table. @BernieSanders is the first politician whose ever said to me, the system is rigged against you and here’s how we’ll change that. He gave me a seat at the table.’
I'm a Filipina woman of color and most of my life I've been told you don't get a seat at the table. @BernieSanders is the first politician whose ever said to me, the system is rigged against you and here's how we'll change that. He gave me a seat at the table.#WomenForBernie pic.twitter.com/mROesqC8Ug
— Stephanie Quilao (@stephaniequilao) January 14, 2020
And the expressions of support go well on from there. Sanders and Warren are set to meet on a debate stage in Iowa this Tuesday night. It’s unclear whether the simply unfounded allegations of sexism may come up.
Check out more Bernie support…
I’m going to head home from work and text bank for Bernie b4 din.This Latina immigrant stands with the best candidate for the working class. Bernie Bae here 👋 ✊🏽
What are you gonna do today to help elect @BernieSanders ?#WomenForBernie #BernieBae #BaesForBernie #ITrustBernie https://t.co/rwZOSn0QTP
— Zambalez Philly Jawn (@The_lez_bear) January 14, 2020
The #WomenForBernie lead our movement. From grassroots to campaign chairs.
I'm sorry you all face such sexist erasure from the MSM, you deserve so much better.
Know we stand alongside you in this movement to create a better world for us all!#Bernie2020 #ITrustBernie pic.twitter.com/fLq6TAPrer
— Patrick Bruck #NotMeUs (@scott_satzer) January 14, 2020
Here’s the video of my Baby Boomer mom getting hugged by Bernie Sanders. She voted for him in 2016 and is gonna vote for him this year too. #WomenForBernie #BlacksForBernie #BoomersForBernie #Bernie2020 https://t.co/Jj958wmJKw
— Gregory Hardin II 🌹🤘🏾 (@GregoryHardinII) January 14, 2020
I am one of the millions of #WomenforBernie because after being a lifelong Dem, I'm furious seeing Americans always thrown under the bus.
The minimum wage has been $7.25 for over a decade, wealth inequality grows under both parties, and we still don't have health care.
Enough.
— beth, purity test enthusiast (@bourgeoisalien) January 14, 2020
I am one of the many #WomenForBernie and I will not be silenced. This smear campaign of Sanders is shameful yet predictable. They fear a working class movement that brings everyone together and gives us a voice. https://t.co/58M2ZCuBli
— Jenna Walsh (@Jenna_PW) January 14, 2020
#BernieSanders has a 100% lifetime rating from NARAL and Planned Parenthood…#WomenForBernie #ITrustBernie#DemDebate pic.twitter.com/efT1Chw9oq
— TrekkerTeach (@trekkerteach12) January 14, 2020
@BernieSanders told me (& everyone) that we should run for office bc we CAN win. Women, African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, Native Americans, LGBTQ+ folks, all of us. He's building the bench more than any candidate in my lifetime, & it's a diverse bench. #WomenForBernie
— Cari Templeton 鄧凱瑞 🔥🌊 (@cari_templeton) January 14, 2020
@TheView I'm a Black woman and a proud Bernie supporter.
Don't claim to support women or to be a feminist and ignore that Bernie's base is 70% women. Don't claim to be against racism and ignore that Bernie's base has the most POC #WomenForBernie https://t.co/K1dH0w8yQg— Mary Thomas (@fluidcreativiy) January 14, 2020
I am a #WomenForBernie & don't understand the bashing from @TheView. Have these women not listened to Bernie champion women over his entire career? As one of tens of thousands of women who donate and volunteer for #Bernie2020 I wish our voices were heard on your program. https://t.co/MMQKFZgOHT
— WandaBoker (@BokerWanda) January 14, 2020
I’m a Woman for Bernie because, as a single mother, the issues of a living wage, affordable healthcare & college, & cancellation of student & medical debt hit very close to home & @BernieSanders is the only candidate fighting for them without compromise. #WomenForBernie
— Jeanette Gyukeri (@jeankeri) January 14, 2020
We will not be erased again.
Stop with the dishonest smears. #WomenForBernie
— Star Stuff (@BernieBroStar) January 14, 2020
#ITrustBernie because he has always fought for what is right even when it wasn’t popular. He inspires not only my generation but my daughters generation to be more. He is the most honest & trustd politician & I would never doubt his integrity #WomenForBernie
— Julie Smith 🌹 (@JulieSmithM) January 14, 2020
Proud to be a part of #WomenForBernie because healthcare and good union jobs are womens issues. https://t.co/nRslV1lgzM
— Sierra Zambrano (@SierraZambrano) January 14, 2020