After being accused of stealing Hillary Clinton's private campaign data, Bernie Sanders' campaign managed to make it out of a sticky situation relatively unscathed thanks, in part, to the quick thinking of a former comic book store owner. Jeff Weaver — who is serving as Sanders' campaign manager while taking a break from selling issues of Hulk and Batman — threatened to sue the Democratic National Committee rather than apologize during a press conference, a move that The New York Times noted allowed Sanders' team to paint itself "as the victim of the Democratic establishment."
The aggressive maneuver struck many political observers as daring. It caught [Hillary] Clinton's campaign by surprise, which believed the basic facts of what had happened would speak for themselves. […] The campaign "won the day" after the data breach, [senior advisor Mark] Longabaugh said, because Mr. Weaver had made the right call. Mr. Weaver's allies suggested that he had an unflinching ability to detect a rival's weak spot, and pounce.Bill Clinton has privately told friends he was astonished by the Sanders' team's handling of the data breach, and that it risked depicting the Vermont senator as a typical politician and not the political outsider he is seen to be. [The New York Times]
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Will Trump (and Bernie) cut credit card rates?Talking Points Common ground is possible. But there's a catch.
-
Live in a warm climate? Remember to pack these cold weather necessities for your next winter vacationThe Week Recommends Pack accordingly to avoid freezing during your travels
-
'This quasi-coup attempt has baffled most experts'Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump DEA nominee bows out as Hegseth pick stallsSpeed Read Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister withdrew as Trump's pick to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration
-
French government poised to fall amid budget fightSpeed Read Far-right and leftist opposition parties both filed motions of no confidence against Prime Minister Michel Barnier
-
Biden arrives in Angola for historic Africa visitSpeed Read The president intends to strengthen U.S. ties with Africa and counter China's dominance in the region
-
Biden pardons son HunterSpeed Read Joe Biden has spared his son Hunter a possible prison sentence for felony gun and tax convictions
-
Trump says he wants loyalist Kash Patel to lead FBISpeed Read The former federal prosecutor served in senior national security roles in Trump's first administration
-
Israel and Hezbollah agree to ceasefireSpeed Read Both sides accepted an agreement brokered by the United States and France
-
Khan supporters converge on IslamabadSpeed Read Protesters clashing with Pakistani authorities are demanding the release of jailed former prime minister Imran Khan
-
Prosecutor drops federal cases against TrumpSpeed Read Special counsel Jack Smith requested to drop the charges against President-elect Donald Trump for his efforts to overturn the 2020 election
