WASHINGTON — Venerated Congressman John Lewis is taking some incoming fire after he publicly announced his endorsement of Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination for the presidency, all while expressing that he was unimpressed with Sanders’ civil rights record.
Some Bernie Sanders backers and members of the anti-Clinton faction have criticized the Civil Rights hero, even going so far as to denounce the Georgia Congressman (D-Georgia) as “an Uncle Tom” and “sellout” for aligning himself alongside his longtime political and personal friend.
Lewis, who was nearly killed during the infamous “Bloody Sunday” on the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Ala., that led directly to the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, has endorsed the Clinton team since the early 1990’s. He also picked Hillary Clinton over Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential campaign. So this corresponds with Lewis’ political modus operandi.
Clinton’s formidable adversary Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who trounced Clinton in the New Hampshire primaries, was an organizer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, and he attended the March on Washington in 1963. The Vermont senator has said his involvement was “a question for me of just basic justice.”
Lewis undermined Sanders’ credibility as an active civil rights worker at the Congressional Black Caucus’ PAC’s press conference Thursday.
“I never saw him, I never met him. I was chair of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee for three years — 1963 to 1966,” he said. “I was involved in the sit-ins, the freedom rides, the March on Washington, the march from Selma to Montgomery. I directed the board of education project for six years. I met Hillary Clinton. I met President Clinton.
“I never met Bernie Sanders,” Lewis said, symbolically dropping the mic before walking away from the podium.
Some in the Sanders camp or supporters had a problem with Lewis and the Congressional Black Caucus’ endorsement choice and resorted to infantile name-calling, totally ignoring Lewis’ vast, consistent and fearless contribution to American democracy.
Take a look at the reasoning behind Lewis’ choice for the Democratic nomination, courtesy of ABC News Twitter account, followed by a social media debate (or referendum) on Lewis. But, according to social media, Lewis has a LOT of backing from all quarters of American society:
This John Lewis video is worth watching, also for the person who exclaims, “Uh oh!” https://t.co/9pdUJKUJNR
— Irin Carmon (@irin) February 11, 2016
The nerve of someone to call John Lewis a sellout. John Lewis. Who was nearly beaten to death in Alabama. That guy. A sellout. Come on now.
— Heisencurved (@TheCoolTeacher_) February 11, 2016
Folks coming for John Lewis had better think twice. He doesn’t owe you or your candidate anything. pic.twitter.com/gR1uwaynWo
— Adriane Farray (@AFarray) February 11, 2016
Some people are really disrespecting John Lewis’ entire civil rights career in order to “take up” for their candidate… ridiculous.
— LizzLocker (@Lizzs_Lockeroom) February 11, 2016
John Lewis has done more for his people than you will ever accomplish in your life. If you don’t respect him, you’re doing it wrong.
— Rugged Amethyst (@GrooveSDC) February 11, 2016
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Rep. John Lewis looks silly implying that if HE personally didn’t see you, you were not fighting for civil rights https://t.co/GCHDgtams9
— Bernie Universe (@BernieVerse) February 11, 2016
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They are talking about John Lewis like he wasn’t on the front lines of Selma and other marches taking beatings.. ?? https://t.co/uiuaeRzqXx
— Mbye Njie (@mnjie) February 11, 2016
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Anyone calling John Lewis a sellout knows nothing about John Lewis.
— jeffpearlman (@jeffpearlman) February 11, 2016
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If you think John Lewis is an Uncle Tom for not supporting your favorite white man smooth unfollow me.
— #BernedOut (@rodimusprime) February 11, 2016
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This is the man who just tweeted that John Lewis is a “bought + paid for establishment uncle Tom.” pic.twitter.com/DXArghzK1V
— Suzanne Munshower (@expatina) February 11, 2016
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People are free to support the candidate of their choice, but you Twitterfingers haven’t earned the right to disrespect John Lewis.
— Antonio French (@AntonioFrench) February 11, 2016
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Also? Me not thinking John Lewis is a sell out doesn’t make me pro-Hillz. I can respect him and still not like her as a candidate.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) February 11, 2016
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Listen, if you feel like John Lewis isn’t in touch with the current movement? Cool. We can have that convo. But “sell out?” GTFOH.
— Elon James White (@elonjames) February 11, 2016
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Disagree with John Lewis? Sure. Mock him. Nah. https://t.co/JJvRkbEa0G
— Joan Walsh (@joanwalsh) February 11, 2016
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I’ve got unending love for John Lewis. A living legend. He’s my congressman.
Hate to see what he tried to do today to devalue Bernie.
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) February 11, 2016