Leaked documents reveal DNC officials wanted to attack Bernie Sanders' faith

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published 22 July 2016

A massive leak of Democratic National Committee internal emails on Friday revealed that DNC CFO Brad Marshall had considered using Bernie Sanders' religious beliefs against him. In an email with the subject "No shit," Marshall wrote:

It might may no difference, but for KY and WVA can we get someone to ask his belief. Does he believe in a God. He had skated on saying he has a Jewish heritage. I think I read he is an atheist. This could make several points difference with my peeps. My Southern Baptist peeps would draw a big difference between a Jew and an atheist. [The Intercept]

Sanders is not mentioned by name in Marshall's email, although The Intercept, which published the leak, points out he is the only candidate from either party who is Jewish. "It is also unclear why the Democratic National Committee, which isn't supposed to favor one Democratic candidate over another until they receive a nomination, would have attempted to subvert the Sanders campaign on the grounds that 'he is an atheist,'" The Intercept adds.

The email was sent May 5 to DNC Communications Director Luis Miranda, Deputy Communications Director Mark Paustenbach, and DNC CEO Amy Dacey, who replied "AMEN." Read more about the leak at The Intercept, and browse the full contents of the leak here.

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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.