Bernie Sanders Snaps When Asked if He Regrets Backing Scandal-Plagued Graham Platner [WATCH]

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., defended his previous support for former Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press” on Sunday, while declining to say whether he regrets endorsing Platner before the candidate withdrew from the race, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

Sanders spoke with NBC moderator Kristen Welker about the Maine Senate contest, including the Democratic Party’s decision to replace Platner with former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson after Platner withdrew from the race last month.

Asked about Jackson’s nomination, Sanders said he was not involved in the process that resulted in the change but expressed support for the new Democratic nominee.

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“I was not involved in that process at all,” Sanders said before describing Jackson as someone he has known for years. Sanders characterized Jackson as a working-class advocate whose policy positions align with his own priorities.

“I have seen his platform. It is a strong platform, standing up for working families, taking on the oligarchs, fighting for Medicare for all,” Sanders said.

“Maine, like Vermont, is an older state. He understands that we have to make sure that we do not cut Social Security benefits. In fact, expand Social Security benefits by demanding the wealthy starting to pay their fair share of taxes.”

Sanders added that he would endorse Jackson if asked to do so during the campaign.

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The interview then turned to criticism Sanders has received from Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., regarding his previous support for Platner.

Welker referenced comments from Fetterman, who recently argued that Democrats should be “frustrated” with Sanders and criticized him for supporting Platner despite allegations that later surfaced against the former candidate.

Sanders responded by criticizing Fetterman’s standing with Democratic voters in Pennsylvania.

“My response to Fetterman is: last time I saw it, he was reflecting the views about 19% of the Democrats in the state of Pennsylvania,” Sanders said. “I think probably lower than any other member of the Democratic Senate. Fetterman does his thing. I think on Israel and many other issues is way out of touch with the people of America.”

Welker then questioned Sanders about whether he regretted endorsing Platner before the allegations became public.

“There were very serious allegations against Platner. As a result of those accusations, I and virtually all of his supporters requested that he withdraw from the race, and he did. Very serious allegations, and he withdrew from the race,” Sanders said.

Welker followed by noting that Sanders had previously remarked that “there are no saints in the United States Senate” before the allegations became public and asked directly whether he regretted endorsing Platner.

Instead of directly answering, Sanders repeated his earlier response.

“A woman made very serious allegations against him. He withdrew from the race. Period,” Sanders said.

Welker pressed the question again, but Sanders shifted the discussion to upcoming political races.

“Okay, that’s, you know,” Sanders said. “I think right now we’re looking at a campaign in Michigan. We’re looking at a campaign in Minnesota.”

He continued, “The people of this country right now are sick and tired of establishment politics and establishment policies. They want change, and I and other progressives are going to do everything that we can to bring about those changes.”

The exchange highlighted continued questions surrounding Sanders’ earlier endorsement of Platner, even as the Democratic Party has moved forward with Jackson as its Senate nominee in Maine.

Sanders did not directly answer whether he regrets making the original endorsement but emphasized that he and other supporters called for Platner to withdraw after the allegations emerged.

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