In an exclusive interview with Mother Jones , Nina Turner, a prominent Bernie Sanders delegate and surrogate, explained why she was at the center of the latest storm at the Democratic convention. For the past day, Sanders delegates have been complaining that Turner, a former Ohio state senator, was somehow dissed by the Hillary Clinton campaign.
At first, the talk was that her credentials were revoked and that she was booted out of the proceedings. It was unclear what had transpired. But many Sanders delegates cited this episode as yet another indication that the Democratic establishment was trying to smother the Sanders revolution. At an early evening press conference at the Wells Fargo Center, champions of Turner gathered to express their support for her and display their anger with the Clinton campaign.
They repeatedly asserted that the Clinton camp had insulted Turner and that this was yet another slight of the entire Sanders movement. Once again, they declared, the Clinton crowd was dismissing the Sanders wing and not doing what they could to achieve unity. Reporters asked over and over for details of what had actually happened with Turner, and her high-profile allies declined to provide any specifics.
They continued to assert that Turner was disrespected and that was a blow to all the Sanders delegates. As the press conference was winding down, Turner showed up.
She was immediately mobbed by delegates and reporters. Initially, she only spoke to thank her supporters for their backing and talked about how the Clinton campaign had to demonstrate its willingness to accept more of the progressive agenda. Eventually, security guards appeared to escort her out of the public space in the media tent. As she walked away, she did speak to Mother Jones. Turner said that prior to Tuesday she had been asked by Sanders to be part of the nominating and seconding speeches for Sanders before the roll-call vote on Tuesday.
