Larry Sabato of the University of Virginia blasted Bernie Sanders supporter Rosario Dawson on Monday's CNN Newsroom for referencing Monica Lewinsky at a recent campaign event for the Vermont socialist: "I think it was stupid. The reason I think it was stupid is because there just aren't many votes in the Democratic primary for invoking the name of Monica Lewinsky." Anchor Carol Costello replied, "So why didn't Bernie Sanders just come out and say, you know what — Monica Lewinsky's name has no place in Democratic politics at this time?" [video below]
Costello led into the segment with Sabato by hyping that "for Bernie Sanders, the weekend brought another high-profile and controversial moment from one of his supporters: actress Rosario Dawson." She played the remark from Dawson, and noted how network colleague Jake Tapper raised the issue with Sanders on Sunday's State of the Union. The longtime senator asserted that he had "no idea in what context Rosario was talking about her [Lewinsky]."
The CNN anchor then turned to Sabato, and underlined that "Dawson was talking about a million-dollar effort by a pro-Clinton super PAC to fight attacks from Sanders's supporters on social media." She wondered, "Was invoking Lewinsky's name fair game?" The guest replied, "Well, almost anything is fair game in war, and politics is war. So, I suppose you could say it was fair game." He continued with his "stupid" label of the actress's mention of Lewinsky.
Costello followed up with her "Lewinsky's name has no place" question. Sabato answered, "I think he should have. He didn't because he didn't want to offend a very prominent backer of his....But sometimes, you have to admonish your friends; and I think Sanders should have done that." The journalist pointed out that Sanders had "admonished...his supporter that intimated Hillary Clinton was a corporate whore. So why not Rosario Dawson?" The guest speculated that "maybe the standard is obscenity. If no obscenity is used, then he doesn't condemn it."
The transcript of the relevant portion of the Larry Sabato segment from the April 25, 2016 edition of CNN Newsroom:
CAROL COSTELLO: For Bernie Sanders, the weekend brought another high-profile and controversial moment from one of his supporters: actress Rosario Dawson.
[CNN Graphic: "Sanders Supporter Invokes Lewinsky In Speech: Rosario Dawson sparks controversy w/ bullying comment"]
ROSARIO DAWSON, ACTRESS; BERNIE SANDERS SUPPORTER (from Bernie Sanders campaign event): We're really fending for ourselves right now. We are literally under attack for not just supporting the other candidate. Now, I'm with Monica Lewinsky with this. Bullying is bad. She's actually dedicated her life now to talking about that. And now, as a campaign strategy, we are being bullied.
COSTELLO: Bernie Sanders talked with CNN's Jake Tapper about Dawson invoking Monica Lewinsky's name.
[CNN Graphic: "Sanders Doesn't Condemn Actress' Lewinsky Remark; Says he has 'no idea' about context of the comments"]
JAKE TAPPER (from CNN's "State of the Union"): Do you think it's appropriate for your surrogates to be talking about Monica Lewinsky on the campaign trail?
SEN. BERNIE SANDERS, (D), PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: We have many, many — Rosario is a great actress, and she's doing a great job for us. And she's been a passionate fighter to see that we see the increase voter turnout; that we fight for racial, economic, environmental justice.
TAPPER: But yes or no: should your surrogates be talking about Monica Lewinsky?
SANDERS: I have no idea in what context Rosario was talking about her. But I would hope that all of our people focus on the real issues facing working people; and the massive level of income and wealth inequality that we have.
COSTELLO: Okay. So joining me now to talk about this and more — Larry Sabato, the director of the University of Virginia Center For Politics. Hi, Larry.
LARRY SABATO, DIR., UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA CENTER FOR POLITICS: Good morning, Carol.
COSTELLO: Good morning. So here's the context, okay? Rosario Dawson was talking about a million-dollar effort by a pro-Clinton super PAC to fight attacks from Sanders's supporters on social media. So, was invoking Lewinsky's name fair game?
SABATO: Well, almost anything is fair game in — in war, and politics is war. So, I suppose you could say it was fair game. I think it was stupid. The reason I think it was stupid is because there just aren't many votes in the Democratic primary for invoking the name of Monica Lewinsky — you know? The general election may be different; but in a Democratic primary, no way.
COSTELLO: So why didn't Bernie Sanders just come out and say, you know what — Monica Lewinsky's name has no place in Democratic politics at this time?
SABATO: I think he should have. He didn't because he didn't want to offend a very prominent backer of his. And, you know, candidates never like doing that. They like to stick with their friends and continue to batter their enemies. But sometimes, you have to — have to admonish your friends; and I think Sanders should have done that.
COSTELLO: Well, he admonished the doctor — his supporter that — that intimated Hillary Clinton was a corporate whore. So why not Rosario Dawson? Is it — is it because he's seeing the end of the line, or — or he wants to gain momentum; or why?
SABATO: Maybe the standard is obscenity. If no obscenity is used, then he doesn't condemn it. I don't know. You'll have to — you'll have to ask Bernie Sanders for more information.
