In 2007, Sen. Bernie Sanders was working overtime to kill Ted Kennedy’s immigration reform bill. As part of his effort, he appeared on then-CNN host Lou Dobbs’ program for an interview.
Appearing above a graphic reading “FIGHTING AMNESTY,” Sen. Sanders tells Dobbs that pro-reform Senators are “selling out American workers. In fact, they are selling out our entire country.”
In Dobbs’ next comments, we see the truly ugly side of American populism.
DOBBS: These special interests … it is now so blatant that only those who refuse to see could deny that both the Democratic and Republican parties are owned lock stock and barrel by corporate America and special interests, including the amnesty legislation’s socio-ethnocentric interest groups who really have very little regard for the traditions of this country, the values of this country … it is seemingly impossible to awaken our elected officials to their moral responsibilities. I don’t mean to suggest everyone is in this situation, certainly not yourself, only the majority unfortunately ... Is there any hope that we can change that?
While Sanders opposition to the legislation was supposed to be based in (debunked) economic arguments, here is Dobbs attacking immigrants in moralistic, nativist terms. He combines “socio-ethnocentric interest groups” (whatever that means) with corporate interests intent on destroying representative government. And what was Sanders’ response? Did he challenge the hateful rhetoric coming from Dobbs, emphasizing that his disagreement came from a totally different place? Nope. He instead merely answered Dobbs’ last question, saying “I think there is hope.” He then delivers the typical anti-immigrant line that because “middle class wages are declining,” bringing in guest workers will only “drive down wages” further.
“As we know, the principle industries employing illegal aliens, construction, landscaping...” Dobbs begins. Sen. Sanders interrupts, holding his finger up. Maybe, finally, he will call out Dobbs? Point out that “illegal alien” is a dehumanizing term for desperate to support their families?
“I just read something today… a lot of people coming into this country are coming in as lifeguards,” he says, and the two share a laugh.
And there you have it. No pushback as racist anti-immigrant talking points are propagated, no questioning of the term “amnesty,” and instead Bernie Sanders goes along with Dobbs as they smear the motivations and intentions of the people doing the hard work of winning immigration reform — not just the politicians, but the grassroots, who are characterized as an “ethnic interest group” working to sell out the country.
In 2006, Sanders voted for an amendment to prevent the United States from sharing information with other governments about racist vigilante militias at the Mexican border.
In 2013, as Sanders was considering a bid for the Presidency, he changed his position and voted for a bill similar to the 2007 legislation — even as he reiterated the same talking points of opponents in 2007.
On Bernie Sanders’ website, you can find an article in which a Sanders staffer replies to a Newsweek piece calling out the Senator’s “illiterate” immigration views by comparing open-borders advocates to slavers.
Whatever Sanders is saying now, his record makes his position crystal clear: he believes in discredited anti-immigrant rhetoric often espoused by the far-right, and isn’t afraid to act on it.
