Top Hillary Adviser Mocked, Plotted Attacks on Pro-Sanders Civil Rights Leader

USA – Neera Tanden,  Center for American Progress President, mocked and plotted attacks against the former president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Ben Jealous, after he endorsed Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton.

Hacked emails sent to Clinton Campaign Chairman John Podesta reveal that Tanden wanted to attack Jealous  for his work for Kapor Capital, an investment fund dedicated to helping start-up tech companies owned by women and minorities. She also mocked the “puritanical” beliefs of Sanders supporters. “If he does endorse Bernie, this is the firm he’s part of today. It’s a VC. As they go, not so bad, but still may not be fit the puritanical standards of the Bernistas”. The email marked a departure from the conciliatory approach and seemingly friendly relationship between Tanden and Jealous.

Jealous endorsed Sanders and was a surrogate for him to minority groups throughout the primary. He criticized Clinton for her support of the death penalty and the crime bill that was signed by Bill Clinton.

Tanden also used conversations with Jealous to supply talking points and debate tips to the Clinton campaign. She called on Clinton in March to cut ties with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who served as a top presidential adviser to Bill Clinton, after several police shooting scandals rocked the city. “I got into it w Ben jealous last night and he was all obsessed w how Hillary hasn’t condemned Rahm. I’m sure you guys are all over this for the debate but just thought I’d send in that they may well go there for the debate…my rec is to separate big time.”

Sanders released a critical ad of Emanuel thanking  him for endorsing Clinton.  Clinton snubbed Emanuel during a Chicago trip less than two weeks after the email.