Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is asking his delegates to sign a non-disparagement agreement that keeps them from attacks on presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and his campaign.
A copy of the agreement was first obtained by The Washington Post and opened with a social media policy that tells delegates, “Do your best to avoid online arguments or confrontations. If engaging in an adversarial conversation, be respectful when addressing opposing viewpoints or commenting on the opposition.”
The agreement also tells delegates to “refrain from making negative statements about other candidates, party leaders, campaigns, campaign staffers, supporters, news organizations or journalists.”
A non-disclosure agreement was also included.
Some former Sanders staffers joined together to create a Super PAC called “Future to Believe In” that will support efforts toward a Biden presidency. That PAC is led by one of Bernie’s closest advisors, though the Vermont senator has no affiliation with the group.
But other former staffers have blistered at the idea supporting Biden in the presidential race.
Sanders’ former press secretary Briahna Joy Gray said that she will not support Biden and has said that she will not support Biden and is frequently critical of the former vice president.
With the utmost respect for Bernie Sanders, who is an incredible human being & a genuine inspiration, I don't endorse Joe Biden.
— Briahna Joy Gray (@briebriejoy) April 13, 2020
I supported Bernie Sanders because he backed ideas like #MedicareForAll, cancelling ALL student debt, & a wealth tax. Biden supports none of those.
After Gray announced that she is not supporting Biden, Sanders distanced himself from her, saying, “She is my former press secretary — not on the payroll.”
He went on to say that not supporting Biden is “irresponsible,” saying, “I believe that it’s irresponsible for anybody to say, ‘Well, I disagree with Joe Biden — I disagree with Joe Biden! — and therefore I’m not going to be involved.'”
Sanders has predicted that his supporters will turn out in the polls for Biden, saying, “Look, I think at the end of the day, the vast majority of the people who voted for me, who supported me will understand and do understand that Donald Trump is the most dangerous president in the modern history of this country.”