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Why Did Bernie Sanders Drop a Hollywood Celebrity From the Speaker Lineup?

May 24, 2016  •  Post A Comment

A Hollywood celebrity who has endorsed the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign was “uninvited” after being slated to introduce Sanders on a campaign stop in East Los Angeles. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Sanders campaign made a last-minute decision to opt out of having Tommy Chong do the honors.

Chong, who was half of the pot-focused comedy duo Cheech & Chong, remains an outspoken activist for the legalization of marijuana. A spokesman for the Sanders campaign said in an email to THR: “We appreciate his support but a scheduling issue came up.”

But Chong had a different take on the snub, calling it “an insult” and telling THR: “It’s lip service to get the votes, but they don’t want to endorse what I stand for and what I’ve stood for all my professional career.”

THR adds: “Chong, who was invited on Sunday to Sanders’ noon rally in Lincoln Park, says he is sure the campaign put distance between himself and Sanders over the marijuana issue, calling the move a ‘weakness’ by the Sanders camp. He joked that his hair and makeup were done for nothing.”

But Chong continues to “feel the Bern,” commenting later on Twitter: “Hope to continue my support, reschedule, and continue activism, political change and promoting peace anywhere possible.”

Here’s a clip Chong posted earlier this year in support of Sanders — with the marijuana issue front and center …

One Comment

  1. I can’t think of a better spokesman for the Bernie Campaign. And now that I think about it…Hillary should have her husband Bill speak on behalf of her…!!

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