On his way out of the St. Johnsbury Academy gymnasium last Thursday, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) stopped in the hallway and faced the media.
For all of two minutes. He answered three short questions and hustled on to his next engagement.
Little did I know that this would be my one and only opportunity to ask Sanders a question. I attended five Sanders events in four Vermont towns last week without ever getting another chance.
But that’s just par for the course.
Sanders rarely interacts with Vermont news media. He’s a constant presence in national newspapers and on cable news — the very “corporate media” he rails against at every opportunity — but not in this state’s media, most of it locally owned. I guess if you’re looking for the biggest possible audience, well, principle be damned.It needs to be said that Sanders has accomplished historic things. He captured the imaginations (and dollars and votes) of millions of Americans. And, although he fell short of winning the Democratic presidential nomination last year, he sparked a political movement that may have a lasting impact on the nation.
That’s damn impressive.
In the process, Sanders has become a national figure, effectively transcending his status as the junior senator from Vermont.And that’s the problem. He remains the junior senator from Vermont. But he rarely acts like it.
Sanders did spend two days in the Green Mountain State last week, and bully for him. He attracted loud, boisterous, adoring crowds wherever he went. He held 12 events in seven communities. But he, or his staff, chose not to make time for his home-state media.
Just one event was billed as a press conference, at the Latchis Theatre in Brattleboro. Though the entire point of such an engagement is to answer questions from the press, he did not take a single one and departed before the event was over.
“Bernie has a history of being quite available to us,” says Dave Gram, who spent more than 31 years covering Vermont for the Associated Press before departing in January. “You went from that to almost a cold shutdown during his presidential campaign. I expected that, once the campaign was over, you’d see a reopening with the Vermont media.”
Hasn’t happened yet.
The last time Sanders spoke to anyone from Seven Days was April 30, 2015 — the day he announced he would seek the presidency. That’s right. It’s been 692 days. Since then, the state’s largest newspaper has traveled to eight states to cover his presidential campaign and made dozens and dozens of interview requests, without result.
The closest we came was on July 4, 2015, when Seven Days political editor Paul Heintz approached Sanders during a parade in the rural town of Creston, Iowa. The senator started to answer a question, according to Heintz, but stopped mid-sentence when he realized who was asking it — and then continued marching.
We often call on our congressional delegation. Frequently we score an interview with Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) or Congressman Peter Welch (D-Vt.). At the very least, we get a thorough response from their spokespeople. In my two and a half months in this job, I’ve interviewed Welch three times, Leahy twice and Sanders not at all. More often than not, I don’t even get a response from the junior senator’s staff.
And, look, I don’t care if I ever speak with Sanders — as long as he talks to somebody around here. It’s not about me; it’s about communicating with his constituents through the established conduit of local media. If all he does is national interviews, then when does he address questions that uniquely concern his home state?
For instance, in the salad days of Jay Peak Resort development, Sanders was happy to show up for a groundbreaking and photo op. But he has never commented on the collapse of the Northeast Kingdom projects caused by the state’s massive EB-5 scandal. He hasn’t said boo about the proposed sale of the shuttered Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. And he has never sufficiently addressed his consistent support for basing F-35 jets at Burlington International Airport, which many of his voters staunchly oppose. Only local media will raise those questions.
If we ever get the chance.
“Our access to Sen. Sanders has been zero since he entered the presidential campaign,” says Mark Johnson, senior reporter and editor at the nonprofit VTDigger.org. Johnson’s OK with that; what really gets his goat is the attitude of Sanders’ staff.
“We’ve had a reporter in Washington since early January,” Johnson notes, referring to political writer Jasper Craven. “He has gotten literally no help or support from Sanders or his staff. It’s one thing when Bernie won’t speak to us, but when his staff won’t respond to our reporter, it’s totally outrageous.”
Craven can’t even finagle an answer in the U.S. Capitol.
“When I ask Sanders a question in a Senate hallway, he blows me off,” the reporter says. “Neither of his two press people return my emails. Staffers point out that Sanders is very busy. But not only do I get no Bernie time, I haven’t been able to speak to any Sanders staffer on background. I’ve asked for information on various Vermont issues, from the Veterans Administration to the budget cuts, and have received no help.”
Just as a reminder: These staffers’ salaries come courtesy of taxpayers.
Another nonprofit news outlet, Vermont Public Radio, has had a similar experience.
“Bernie Sanders’ last live appearance on VPR’s ‘Vermont Edition’ was March 13, 2015,” says Patti Daniels, the show’s executive producer. “Listeners have heard taped comments … since then, but he hasn’t been live on ‘Vermont Edition’ to answer questions from a journalist or his constituents in two years.”
According to Daniels, VPR puts in a request “every four to six weeks or so.”
She continues: “I have asked his office to choose any day and any location that works for them, to plan as far in advance as they need to, and I’ve offered to cancel segments we’ve already booked in order to accommodate his availability.”
No soap.
“The last interview we had with Bernie on-air was in 2013,” echoes Chris Lenois, morning host on Brattleboro’s WKVT Radio.
“He just doesn’t need us,” concludes Johnson of VTDigger.
Gram agrees.
“He’s in a pretty unique position because he has such powerful backing in the state,” Gram says. “If he decides to start talking to Vermont media more, it’s going to be just maybe out of the goodness of his heart.”
And if you ask the average Sanders supporter, they’d probably be fine with what he’s doing. They want him spreading the message nationwide. Still, he is one of only three Vermonters serving in Congress. It’d be nice, once in a while, to hear directly from him.
Part of the problem, to be honest, is that Sanders seems to expect positive coverage from his home-state press. “He’s never taken well to criticism,” notes Gram.
If I’d had the chance last week, I would have asked the same thing that’s been on Gram’s mind: “I think it’s a legitimate question for us to ask, if we do get him: ‘Hey, Senator, if you do run for reelection in 2018, are you actually going to be a senator from Vermont or are you immediately going to morph into a presidential candidate again, and we’re never going to see you for another two years?'”
Running for president doesn’t merely keep Sanders away from Vermont. It also keeps him away from, you know, his job: U.S. senator. For a full year, Sanders missed nearly 60 percent of the Senate’s roll-call votes, according to GovTrack.us. In the first half of 2016, he missed more than 90 percent. That’s a greater absentee rate than for any other senator who ran for president last year.
Is that acceptable? To most of his supporters, it probably is. But it would be nice to hear from Sanders directly about why he didn’t show up for his day job.
Despite his disappearance, media organizations still light a candle in the window every night in hopes of an encounter, however brief, with their beau ideal. Seven Days won’t stop asking Sanders’ office for interviews and information; neither will VTDigger or any other media outlet. VPR would desperately love to get Sanders back in rotation.
“During his book tour, Sanders himself told one of our reporters that he wanted to get back into a regular appearance schedule on ‘Vermont Edition,’ but he hasn’t made it happen,” Daniels says.
“Bernie,” she continues, “if you’re reading this, the invitation is always open — just pick a date.”
I want to be fair to a man who has a lot on his plate. We’re not asking for the world; just a little piece would do. So here’s some media-relations advice for Team Bernie. I think it’s reasonable.
First, make the time to hold one press conference a month specifically for Vermont media. In person if possible — by phone if not.
Second, if the office staff is too damn busy to answer media inquiries, then hire somebody else. You can’t offer much time with the senator, but you can respond in a timely way, provide information, point to sources and help us out with the big federal maze.
Third, get back on a regular schedule with “Vermont Edition.” I’d suggest four times a year. If that’s too much, make it twice. “Vermont Edition” reaches all corners of the state — and offers a platform for questions from both reporters and listeners.
I can hear the distant screams from other media outlets. OK, fine: twice a year on VPR and two other interview opportunities — at least 30 minutes apiece — for the rest of us. And if Seven Days doesn’t make the cut, that’s fine with me.
Fourth, check your attitude at the door. The Vermont press corps is not your enemy. The vast majority of our coverage is positive. Indeed, the occasional negative is noticeable because it’s so rare. “Man Bites Dog,” don’t you know.
If you can’t take the infrequent negative piece in stride, well, you shouldn’t be in this business. I’ve written plenty of tough stories about Gov. Phil Scott, but his media operation remains helpful and accessible. The governor himself treats me with professionalism and grace.
Is this too much to ask? I don’t think so. Would it take too much time away from Sanders’ national crusade? No, not really. Would it better serve his constituents? You betcha.
We would’ve asked the senator himself what he thought of our proposal. But — wait for it — neither he nor his staff responded to our request for comment.
Correction, March 22, 2017: An earlier version of this story misquoted Mark Johnson on his last conversation with Bernie Sanders. The quote has been removed.
Correction, March 27, 2017: An earlier version of this story inaccurately described Sanders’ national media appearance schedule. He is no longer a weekly guest on the “Thom Hartmann Program.”
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This article appears in Mar 22-28, 2017.
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I understand that people feel slighted but come on. The USA is in crisis. Of Course he is to busy. Our civil liberties are crashing everyday. Sitting around talking about jets is a waste of his time right now. There are important issues and Vermont should be important but if you really think these things should be Bernie’s priority right now then maybe you need to get out of Vermont for a bit. Big things are going on right now and we need Bernie to be a voice at the national level. Not sitting around talking to Seven Days.
For a while I thought that Walters, Heinz and others were blowing this situation out of proportion but after seeing what appears to be a concentrated effort by Sanders and his staff to avoid Vermont media, I’ve had a change of heart. Walters is spot on that there are issues that he is not speaking to or hearing about by talking exclusively to national outlets, from EB-5 fraud to the future of wind energy in Vermont. Aside from that, it is more important than ever for influential leaders like Bernie to engage in media outlets that serve such a vital purpose in the age of Trump. I volunteered for Bernie and love the work he does for us and the country every day, but the constituents of Vermont should make it known that having a close relationship with local media is part of his job. Give his DC or Burlington office a call- they are all ears & very helpful.
A few quick observations 1st Bernie never had a chance in the Democratic primary because Hillary and her cronies had it rigged the hole time. I think Bernie knew it was rigged the hole time and just saw it as an opportunity to line his own pockets. That is why he never said a thing once the emails came out proving how corrupt the Democrats are. 2nd Bernie is no independent he’s has always walk to the same tune as his Democrat masters. If he walks like and ass and talks like an ass he must be a Democrat. He sat crying at the Democratic convention because he knew that he had sold his followers out. He had sold his own soul to the Democratic Devils long ago. Bernie only thinks of himself and how he can join the 1% he pretends to hate so much. It’s time to vote this lying man out of office, he has profited enough off the hard working people of Vermont.
In response to RamblinRose- I don’t think there’s any question that the work he’s doing on the national level is more important nor do I think Vermont’s issues are more important. But I disagree with the notion that it is a waste of time to talk to your local news outlets. I don’t think you read the article all the way because as Walters mentioned, Bernie’s staff isn’t even responding to emails from the press. Either hire more staff or make sure the ones you have are doing their jobs. And I think that until folks like you and I voice our concerns about this, things are unlikely to change.
I voted for Bernie but don’t think it is right for any politician to duck the media this way. It’s arrogant and does a disservice to his constituents when Vermont journalists are shut out from questioning him. Even more disturbing to me is that his staff also shuts out the Vermont press. What’s up with that? I have been vocal in criticizing Trump for his disdain for journalists but I never expected Bernie to be in the same camp.
“Hey, Superman! Can you stop saving the world to answer some questions I already know the answers to?”
While I have no real idea why Bernie has blown off the Vermont Press Corps, the way Heinz, Walters, Craven and Lindholm have treated him in the past gives me an idea why he might want to avoid them.
Perhaps Bernie gets the feeling that the home folks know him a little too well. Maybe a little difficult to answer questions about EB5, Burlington College, mansion on the lake, etc. Why bother, he’s way to important to deal with Vermonters now. Maybe he will be gone in another 4 years. The tide is turning.
John Walters you hit the hammer right on the nails head..Bernie thinks he’s a big shot , but he’s a sell out..did he give back the donations from the supporters…nawww he had other uses for that money..not much of a Senator when he couldn’t even vote on things, not much of a senator when you can’t even return calls or even answer letters sent to him..He’s never to busy to get on national TV and national newspapers..guess local news aren’t big enough for him..He was HIRED to represent Vermont citizens..not to ignore us..after all we the taxpayers are the ones who pay him ..About his staff, rudest ever, I heard his family are still working for him..These Bernie lovers needs to wake up, Bernie only cares for himself..
Bernie is so done with VT.
He doesn’t need us anymore, laments Mark Johnson.
That’s right. He doesn’t. Now that the Vermont Senate seat is his for life (thanks to his adoring sycophants in Vermont) the Dear Leader doesn’t even have to pretend to care about Vermont anymore. Nevermind that he is the Senator of and from Vermont. Nevermind that he’s not only too important to talk to the Vermont media, but that he’s also too busy even to show up for his job in the Senate. Don’t you get it? He’s the Savior Of The World! It’s ridiculous and selfish for you to expect him to deal with Vermont issues!
This lack of access could blow up Bernie’s image should it surface nationally. His staff better think twice about how they respond to requests from Bernie’s Green Mothership.
I have to laugh when people refer to Bernie’s “mansion” on the lake. I have neighbors in Burlington with pricier houses! He’s lived a lot more modestly than most politicians. Why can’t he have a home where he can relax with his wife, children and grandchildren? Look at the pictures before you judge too harshly. As “mansions” go, it’s pretty cozy. More like a camp cabin on steroids. http://heavy.com/news/2016/08/bernie-sande…
@Written…Wow you’ll believe anything won’t you.. that story link was so full of it..ole lyin Janey did not inherit the family cabin..there is 4 other siblings ..it was left to ALL of them, she sold her share to them, Sanders has more then 3 homes..they did not trade the place in Maine to get the one in Grand Isle..Amazing how people will believe lies..and the Sanders are good about that..just ask the people who pledged money to the Burlington College, just to find out that she wrote the amounts higher then what they pledged.. Such honest Sanders..
Walters, don’t ever stop writing. You are my only life-line in this smoke and mirrors political climate and we need you to keep this BLUE state grounded.
This is such a non-issue. We’re engaged in an all-out fight over the future of our country and the planet. And Bernie, one of the most popular and respected political figures in the country, continues to lead the charge. Oh, but he should come sit for an interview with you or Mark Johnson? He’s got more important things to do.
“He’s got more important things to do.”
Like what? Like doing his job in the U.S. Senate? He hasn’t been doing that, either. The “more important things to do” that you seem to be referring to are: 1) continuing on his never-ending publicity hunt, and 2) constantly stoking the flames of his own cult of personality.
He was elected to represent Vermont in the U.S. Senate. That’s his only job. He ran for that job. He’s getting paid to do that job. He should do that job. Or quit and let someone else do it, if he’d rather spend his time on national TV magnifying his ego.
Is there any chance local reporters could work on the story of Our Revolution?
It’s a dark money org (something to which Sanders used to be adamantly opposed), and doesn’t have to reveal its donors or the amounts donated. They said they would release this info, but I’ve seen no sign of it. I’ve tried to contact them but gotten no response.
Who is funding them? How much are they getting?
Transparency is needed.
“Meanwhile, Sanders spends a full hour every week on the nationally syndicated “Thom Hartmann Program.”‘
Wrong.
Bernie stopped being on the Hartmann show regularly about two years ago.
Totally understandable, as he is operating on a national/international stage. And we should be glad that he is.
Thanks for pointing that out, @Jimshifty! It’s now corrected.
Best,
Andrea
Without commenting on the entirety of the accusations and implications in this snotty little tirade, let me ask this question: if you were a public figure with a choice in the matter, would you talk to Seven Days? Seven Days performs a valuable public service, but its news staff/editorial writers are pretentious self-important smart-asses, puerile college newspaper wannabes pretending to be adults. As exemplified in this article, they generally think that they themselves are a vital and interesting component of stories, regardless of the ostensible subject. Journalists injecting themselves into stories are charlatans; opinion editors injecting their egos into stories are fools. Senator Sanders’ judgement may be called into question on a number of fronts, but he’d be plain crazy to interact with Seven Days on any level, ever.
“. . . but its news staff/editorial writers are pretentious self-important smart-asses, puerile college newspaper wannabes pretending to be adults. As exemplified in this article, they generally think that they themselves are a vital and interesting component of stories, regardless of the ostensible subject. Journalists injecting themselves into stories are charlatans; opinion editors injecting their egos into stories are fools.”
Um . . . exactly like all of the journalists whom Bernie DOES talk to.
With one vital difference. As the Senator from Vermont (remember?), Bernie’s supposed to talk to OUR pretentious, self-important, smart-ass, puerile, college newspaper wannabes, not the ones from all of the other places.