Jill Stein, the socialist Green Party candidate in the 2016 presidential election, harshly criticized the Democratic Party leadership on Friday for colluding with media sources to undermine Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-Vt.) presidential campaign against Hillary Clinton and for pushing “ludicrous” “conspiracy theories” about Russia.
In a blistering tweet, Stein wrote, “Unlike the Dems, I didn't sabotage Bernie Sanders in the primaries, then try to cover my tracks with ludicrous Russia conspiracy theories.”
Unlike the Dems, I didn't sabotage Bernie Sanders in the primaries, then try to cover my tracks with ludicrous Russia conspiracy theories.
— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) July 21, 2017
Stein’s comments, which have been “liked” more than 27,000 times, sparked outrage from thousands of liberals and Democratic Party supporters.
“Jill, any truth to the rumor that you're checking prices for one-way flights to countries that don't have extradition treaties with the US?” replied Jon Cooper, chairman of the Democratic Coalition.
“Delete your account,” wrote Jon Frosch, an editor for the Hollywood Reporter.
“No need to cover tracks when it is out in the open, dear. Rub more crystals,” wrote Bros4America, a left-wing “resistance” advocacy group.
“Kindly return our $7 million dollars,” [sic] wrote Bill Shapiro, the former editor-in-chief of LIFE Magazine, referencing the $7.3 million in donations Stein received in 2016 to challenge President Donald Trump’s election victories in key swing states.
Kevin Poulsen, a contributing editor for the left-wing publication Daily Beast, simply posted a picture of Stein sitting with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a dinner in 2015.
— Kevin Poulsen (@kpoulsen) July 22, 2017
Stein also wrote on Friday that “Dem elites” are wasting time promoting “conspiracy theories.”
“If Dem elites want to waste their time with conspiracy theories, that's on them. We're busy organizing a grassroots party for the people,” Stein said.
If Dem elites want to waste their time with conspiracy theories, that's on them. We're busy organizing a grassroots party for the people. ✌🏼
— Dr. Jill Stein🌻 (@DrJillStein) July 21, 2017
Stein’s unpopularity with some within the Democratic Party stems from her decision to run in 2016 despite having virtually no chance of winning, taking liberal voters away from Clinton’s campaign. Although Stein’s policy positions are clearly on the far left, they mostly align with the liberal wing of the Democratic Party.
In Stein’s 2016 presidential platform, she called for “Protecting Mother Earth” by transitioning to 100 percent renewable energy by 2030 and ending “destructive energy extraction,” such as “fracking” and “offshore drilling.”
Stein also called for the government to guarantee every American a job, the creation of “free universal child care” and the implementation of a national single-payer health care system.
Stein received a total of 1.44 million votes in the 2016 election, about 1.1 percent of all votes.
Justin Haskins
