Exchange of the Day

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) spoke with Sydney Ember of the New York Times:

NYT: In the top of our story, we talk about the rally you attended in Managua and a wire report at the time said that there were anti-American chants from the crowd.

SANDERS: The United States at that time — I don’t know how much you know about this — was actively supporting the Contras to overthrow the government. So that there’s anti-American sentiment? I remember that, I remember that event very clearly.

NYT: You do recall hearing those chants? I think the wire report has them saying, “Here, there, everywhere, the Yankee will die.”

SANDERS: They were fighting against American —— Huh huh —— yes, what is your point?

NYT: I wanted to ——

SANDERS: Are you shocked to learn that there was anti-American sentiment?

NYT: Do you think if you had heard that directly, you would have stayed at the rally?

SANDERS: I think Sydney, with all due respect, you don’t understand a word that I’m saying.