Bernie Sanders says Dems rigged the 2016 primary against him

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) appeared on the Flagrant podcast in an episode that aired on Monday, where he agreed with criticism directed at the Democratic Party that there hasn’t been a fair primary since 2008, including when he ran in the 2016 primary. He also agreed that the Democrats are a "threat to democracy."

The conversation unfolded during the episode hosted by comedian Andrew Schulz and co-host Akaash Singh. Schulz argued that the party he once supported has “completely removed the democratic process from its constituents.” He said the party leadership has taken decisions out of voters' hands and failed to offer them a real voice in selecting presidential candidates.

“As Democrats, we felt, that we didn’t have a say on who could be president,” Schulz told Sanders. “We talk a lot about the Republicans being autocrats and oligarchs and taking over democracy. But from the Democrat perspective — and I’m a lifelong Democrat — I felt like the Democratic party completely removed the democratic process from its constituents. And I think they need to have some accountability of that.”

Sanders replied, “No argument here.”

The long-time Vermont senator was also pressed on his 2016 endorsement of Hillary Clinton after she beat him in the Democratic primary under controversial circumstances. At the time, Sanders had run a hugely popular campaign fueled mainly by grassroots support and accused the Democratic National Committee of siding with Clinton during the race.

“It felt they stole it from you,” Schulz said. “And I’ll be honest, it broke my heart when you supported them.”

Sanders said he had frustrations but explained why he ultimately felt like he had to back Clinton. “In the world that I live in … you’re down to a choice,” he said. “Is it going to be Hillary Clinton? Or is it going to be Donald Trump? Not a great choice.”

Later in the conversation, Singh asked whether the Democratic Party has held a fair primary since 2008, and whether it could also be seen as a threat to democratic norms.

“Yes,” Sanders answered. “Fair enough. That is… yeah. I’m not gonna argue with that point. And that’s why I’m proudly an Independent.”