Manitoba MP Niki Ashton defends door-knocking for Bernie Sanders
Churchill-Keewatinook Aski MP tweets #FeelTheBern photo with Steve Ashton from U.S. campaign office
Niki Ashton is standing by her decision to campaign for U.S. presidential candidate Bernie Sanders.
The Churchill-Keewatinook Aski member of Parliament visited the Vermont senator's office in Fargo, N.D., Sunday with her father and former MLA Steve Ashton.
She talked with Sanders supporters and knocked on doors with his campaign workers.
Off to North Dakota to campaign for <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders">@BernieSanders</a>! We <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FeelTheBern?src=hash">#FeelTheBern</a>! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BernieBus2?src=hash">#BernieBus2</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/noamgonick">@noamgonick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LeahGAZ">@LeahGAZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MakinsonAQ">@MakinsonAQ</a> <a href="https://t.co/6rpRLMv7TS">pic.twitter.com/6rpRLMv7TS</a>
—@nikiashtonAshton said Sanders embodies the kind of leftist politics supported by Canada's New Democrats.
"I believe we can learn from the kind of work that they're doing, the bold ideas they're putting forward, the ways in which they're engaging people and inspiring people," Ashton said.
Ashton made the trip on her own time, but was attacked online for her show of support for Sanders.
<a href="https://twitter.com/nikiashton">@nikiashton</a> I think Canadian politicians should stay out of USA politics, especially sitting MPs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/cdnpoli?src=hash">#cdnpoli</a>
—@TomassoRico<a href="https://twitter.com/nikiashton">@nikiashton</a> are you sure you're allowed to do this as an elected official from Canada? <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders">@BernieSanders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/noamgonick">@noamgonick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LeahGAZ">@LeahGAZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MakinsonAQ">@MakinsonAQ</a>
—@LauraE303B<a href="https://twitter.com/nikiashton">@nikiashton</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BernieSanders">@BernieSanders</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/noamgonick">@noamgonick</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/LeahGAZ">@LeahGAZ</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MakinsonAQ">@MakinsonAQ</a> & on own dime...and not doing anything against law <a href="https://t.co/3uIh6nuPx1">pic.twitter.com/3uIh6nuPx1</a>
—@TOareaFan<a href="https://twitter.com/nikiashton">@nikiashton</a> As a Bernie supporter and Canadian, this is shameful. A sitting Canadian MP should not be getting campaigning in US politics.
—@MalcolmEmbree<a href="https://twitter.com/nikiashton">@nikiashton</a> I'm usually NDP but this is incredibly disappointing. You're an elected MP and should know better.
—@SahandNF<a href="https://twitter.com/nikiashton">@nikiashton</a> Getting involved directly in another countries political process while a member of parliament is inappropriate in every respect.
—@thelastpufAnd more...
"I don't make any apologies for being inspired by the Bernie Sanders campaign, and it's something I've made clear for some time on my social media and as I talk to people," Ashton said.
According to the Associated Press on Monday night, Sanders rival Hillary Clinton had reportedly reached the required number of delegates to clinch the Democratic presidential nomination.