Opinion Tad Devine isn’t just connected to Bernie

In everyone’s hast to divide the democrats and progressives, staunch middle of the road democrats 
are poncing on Bernie Sanders because of the new list out on Mueller’s extensive investigation, 
where the name of Tad Devine pops up quite a lot. Devine was Bernie Sanders senior advisor 
during the 2016 Presidental campaign. Let’s look at Tad Devine.

Mr. Devine has a long history in the democratic party as a senior advisor for the campaign of 
John  Kerry 2004 and Al Gore 2000, and an aide to Michael Dukakis on his campaign. News 
reports will selectively focus on the Ukranian campaign of Viktor Yanukovych that Devine 
worked on with Manafort in 2010. Ukraine, not Russia, but news reporters know how to spin
a tail with selective word usage that leads us down rabbit holes of assumptions. Yes, we are all 
guilty of falling for this to feed our anger. Devine working with Manafort is reason for concern 
because of the Mueller investigation into Manafort. But, should we make assumptions?

While this evidence is important, we again have democrats chomping at the bit to attack Bernie 
Sanders. He will have to address these new connections, but I doubt middle of the road 
democrats will care to listen. This juggular reaction will serve to decay any sense of unity 
within the left and middle of the democratic party regardless, and it’s sad. There will be a 
quick, continuing indictment of progressive ideas, that will squash a movement that is ripe to 
make sweeping changes in our country, for the better. Many will suffer, such as the momentum 
of progressive women like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Cynthia Nixon in New York. 
Many democrats will not care when people like Pelosi, Feinstein, and Crowley start their 
take back of the party into moneyed controlled, middle earth. They will encourage Hillary 
Clinton to try it again, which, right now would be a welcome change. 

But, let’s not mistake all this collusion for what was in the hearts of the Sanders movement 
across America that could not be denied. Let’s not forget the people who championed the 
progressive ideas that Hillary Clinton said were impossible, universal healthcare and $15 
minimum wage. Let’s not forget that the Dakota Pipeline, that both Clinton and Obama, 
who both I admire, was a movement that was progressive and passionate, and they should 
have stood up with the protestors. They were silent. BUT, we are arguing apples and oranges 
when we talk about the current Republican President and Republican representatives.

I hope we can reserve the pick forks for the real criminals before us right now who have 
control of our government and not get distracted by what if’s even before Mueller begins 
with his findings. Time will reveal the truth. Until then let’s keep our eyes on the prize and 
get people out of our government who have every intention of changing the rules to serve 
themselves above the country, and are willing to compromise our sovereignty. There is no 
doubt in my mind that Clinton, Obama, Bernie, Ocasio-Cortez, Nixon, Crowley, Feinstein, 
and Pelosi are well meaning patriots. I cannot say the same for anyone in
the Republican party right now, and THAT is what we must focus on.