Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) didn’t do Bernie Sanders any favors Friday night. While in Iowa, working as a Sanders surrogate she led a crowd in booing Hillary Clinton (watch above). Slate writes:
Near the end of a panel discussion Friday night alongside Reps. Ilhan Oman and Pramila Jayapal, the moderator, activist Dionna Langford, mentioned Clinton and her recent claim that “nobody likes” Sanders. That led to boos from the audience before Langford cut them off: “We’re not gonna boo, we’re not gonna boo. We’re classy here.”
Tlaib made clear she did not agree with Langford’s plea to the audience. “I’ll boo,” she said. “Boo.” Tlaib laughed and looked at her fellow lawmakers. “You all know I can’t be quiet,” the Michigan lawamker said with a laugh. “No, we’re gonna boo.” Tlaib then said that history would prove them right: “The haters will shut up on Monday when we win.”
Saturday, Tlaib addressed the criticism she received as a result of the boos but stopped short of apologizing.
“In this instance, I allowed my disappointment with Secretary Clinton’s latest comments about Senator Sanders and his supporters get the best of me. You all, my sisters-in-service on stage, and our movement deserve better.”
Some people have said Tlaib pulled the stunt right from Donald Trump’s playbook:
I appreciate your apology but unfortunately, damage is done. This movement from radical Bernie supporters is nasty & mirrors the MAGA cult. Personal attacks, threats & harassment that I & many others face everyday from MAGA cultists & Bernie bro’s are relentless & divisive.
— Jodie Moss (@JodieMoss76) February 1, 2020
And Hillary Clinton’s spokesperson Nick Merrill commented:
“I can’t imagine this kind of behavior is something Iowans want to see from candidates & their surrogates & I don’t imagine the vast majority of voters in Rep. Tlaib’s district, which Secy. Clinton won by over 60 points in 2016, want to see this either.”
On the flip side, Sanders’s campaign manager praised Tlaib.
Rashida, you’re all good. We love your passion and conviction. Don’t change https://t.co/KOFR14dD5e
— Faiz (@fshakir) February 1, 2020
But others are noting that Clinton was equally passionate when she defended Tlaib and other members of the so-called “Squad” after they were subjected to attacks from Trump.
They're from America, and you're right about one thing: Currently their government is a complete and total catastrophe. https://t.co/NvsnFSN8mb
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) July 14, 2019