Lyla Dejesus
In 1988, Bernie Sanders, then the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, travelled to Moscow, Yaroslavl, and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) in the Soviet Union. This trip, which took place shortly after his wedding, has been dubbed by critics as his honeymoon in Moscow. While Sanders himself has described the trip as a “very strange honeymoon”, it was primarily an official visit to establish a sister-city relationship with Yaroslavl. The 10-day trip included various activities, such as touring a decorated subway station, horse-and-buggy rides, and interactions with ordinary Russian citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year | 1988 |
| Honeymoon Location | Yaroslavl, Soviet Union |
| Honeymoon Type | "Strange honeymoon", "not a honeymoon in the traditional sense", "a very strange business trip" |
| Honeymoon Length | 10 days |
| Cities Visited | Moscow, Yaroslavl, Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) |
| Honeymooners | Bernie Sanders, Jane Sanders |
| Honeymooners' Titles | Mayor of Burlington, Vermont |
| Honeymooners' Political Affiliation | Democratic socialist, progressive |
| Honeymooners' Criticism | America-bashing, criticism of the US amid the Cold War |
| Honeymooners' Praise | Soviet housing, healthcare, transportation system, education |
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What You'll Learn
Bernie Sanders' criticism of the US
In the early 1980s, Bernie Sanders, then the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, faced criticism and sparked controversy for his choice to honeymoon in the Soviet Union, specifically Moscow, in 1988. This trip, which occurred during a pivotal period in the Cold War, became a point of contention and raised questions about Sanders' views on communism and his criticism of the United States. While Sanders has clarified that the trip was primarily focused on developing a sister-city relationship with Yaroslavl, it nonetheless attracted negative attention and scrutiny. Here is an overview of the context, the trip, and the subsequent criticism that Sanders faced:
Context:
During the 1980s, the Cold War between the Western bloc, led by the United States, and the Eastern bloc, led by the Soviet Union, was still a dominant geopolitical conflict. Tensions were high, and the two superpowers frequently engaged in ideological battles and propaganda wars. The Soviet Union, with its communist system, was often criticized by the West for its suppression of individual freedoms and human rights abuses.
Sanders' Honeymoon and Sister-City Initiative:
In 1988, Bernie Sanders, already a prominent political figure as the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, chose to spend his honeymoon in Moscow, which was an unusual destination for Western politicians at the time. Sanders and his wife, Jane O'Meara Sanders, had a long-standing interest in the Soviet Union and sought to establish a sister-city relationship between Burlington and the Russian city of Yaroslavl. This initiative was part of a larger effort to promote cultural exchange and improve relations between the two countries.
Criticism and Controversy:
Sanders' decision to honeymoon in Moscow sparked a backlash and criticism from various quarters, including political opponents and the media. Some accused him of being sympathetic to communism and criticized his choice of a honeymoon destination while the Cold War was still ongoing. The trip was portrayed by some as an endorsement of the Soviet regime, despite Sanders' stated focus on cultural exchange and sister-city relations.
One particular point of contention was Sanders' response to questions about the lack of freedom and human rights abuses in the Soviet Union. During an interview on CBS's "60 Minutes" in 1988, Sanders acknowledged that there was "extreme bureaucracy and inefficiency" in the Soviet system but also pointed to issues in the United States, such as homelessness and poverty. He argued that it was important to look at the positives and negatives of both systems. This comparison drew criticism from those who felt he was downplaying the severity of the Soviet Union's shortcomings.
Additionally, Sanders was criticized for his apparent defense of some aspects of communist regimes. In the same "60 Minutes" interview, he mentioned that countries like Cuba and Nicaragua had made great strides in literacy and health care. These comments were seized upon by critics who claimed that Sanders was ignoring the authoritarian nature of these governments and the limitations on personal freedoms.
Impact and Clarifications:
The controversy surrounding Sanders' Moscow trip followed him throughout his political career, and he has repeatedly faced questions and criticism about his views on socialism and communism. Over the years, Sanders has clarified that he is not an advocate for authoritarian regimes and that his criticism of the United States stems from a desire to address social and economic inequalities. He has emphasized that his political ideology is rooted in democratic socialism, which he defines as a system that guarantees freedom, equality, and a strong social safety net for all citizens.
In conclusion, Bernie Sanders' honeymoon in Moscow during the Cold War attracted criticism and sparked debates about his political ideology and views on the United States. While the trip was intended to foster cultural exchange and sister-city relations, it became a symbol of Sanders' controversial stances and his willingness to engage with political systems that contrasted sharply with Western democratic values. This event and the subsequent criticism it generated contributed to shaping the public's perception of Sanders' political career and ideology.
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The trip's purpose
Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, was the mayor of Burlington, Vermont, at the time. He travelled with a 12-person delegation of city representatives and officials, including his new wife, Jane Sanders. The group also included representatives from the city government, the Chamber of Commerce, and other civic institutions.
The trip took place in 1988, shortly after Sanders' wedding, and lasted for 10 days. The group visited Moscow, Yaroslavl, and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Sanders and his entourage walked through Red Square and saw Lenin's tomb. They were treated to nice meals, toured a decorated subway station, took horse-and-buggy rides, and watched professional dancers. Sanders was impressed by the beauty of the city and Soviet officials' willingness to address their problems. He praised the Soviet Union's transportation system, healthcare, and education. He also defended Cuban dictator Fidel Castro for his efforts in these areas.
However, Sanders also witnessed some of the negative aspects of life in the Soviet Union, such as people waiting in line for food and the shabby housing conditions. He acknowledged that the medical technology was far behind that of the United States. Upon his return to the US, Sanders held a news conference in which he criticised aspects of American society, such as the cost of housing and healthcare, while also acknowledging the issues within the Soviet system.
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Sanders' praise for the Soviet Union
In 1988, Bernie Sanders, then-mayor of Burlington, Vermont, travelled to the Soviet Union with his wife, Jane, on what was described as their honeymoon. Sanders and his delegation visited Moscow, Yaroslavl, and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). The goal of the trip was to establish a "sister city" relationship with Yaroslavl, a community along the Volga River.
At the time, the Soviet Union was beginning to open itself up to the world, and Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, had a keen interest in foreign affairs. While in the Soviet Union, Sanders and his delegation were treated to nice meals, toured a decorated subway station, took horse-and-buggy rides, and watched professional dancers. They also observed long lines for food and the country's poor housing conditions.
Upon his return to the U.S., Sanders praised the Soviet Union's hospitality and its efforts to address problems within its society. He applauded their free healthcare system and acknowledged that while the medical technology was behind that of the U.S., it was still impressive. He also praised the Soviet Union's transportation system and the lack of homelessness and hunger he witnessed.
Sanders' comments during the trip and upon his return sparked controversy, with some accusing him of "America-bashing" by criticising the cost of housing and healthcare in the U.S. amid the Cold War. However, Sanders remained unrepentant, arguing that his willingness to criticise the U.S. made the Soviets more receptive to his criticisms of their society.
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The honeymoon label
The trip that U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders took to the Soviet Union with his wife, Jane, shortly after their wedding in 1988 has been labelled as a "honeymoon" by critics, implying that the senator may have pro-Russian leanings. The trip has been described as an "infamous honeymoon in the Soviet Union" and "America-bashing abroad".
Sanders himself has described the trip as a “very strange honeymoon” in his 1997 memoir, 'Outsider in the House', and in a 2015 book, 'Outsider in the White House'. However, it is important to note that the trip was not a traditional honeymoon, but rather a government trip with a delegation of 12 people, including city representatives and officials, to establish a “sister-city” relationship between Burlington, Vermont, and Yaroslavl. The trip was pre-scheduled before Sanders' marriage proposal, and the wedding date was set to coincide with the trip.
During the 10-day trip, Sanders and his delegation visited Moscow, Yaroslavl, and Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). They were treated to nice meals, toured a decorated subway station, took horse-and-buggy rides, and watched professional dancers. Sanders also addressed the poor housing conditions and the lack of food choices in the Soviet Union. He praised the low rent costs, the free healthcare system, and the beauty of the city.
Upon his return to the U.S., Sanders held an hour-long news conference where he criticised aspects of both the U.S. and the Soviet Union, saying that "we also have a housing crisis" and that "our housing in general is better than yours". He also acknowledged that the quality of healthcare in the Soviet Union was not as good as in the U.S. but that it was free.
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Sanders' wife, Jane
Jane O'Meara Driscoll, the wife of Bernie Sanders, has been by her husband's side since the 1980s. Born in Brooklyn, New York City, in 1950, Jane attended Catholic schools, including Saint Saviour High School, as a child. Her family struggled financially, especially after her father suffered an accident when she was two years old. Jane's mother worked hard to support the family, attending secretarial school at night while her father worked as a taxi driver. Jane's older brothers also contributed, dropping out of high school to find work.
Jane moved to Vermont at the age of 24, where she met Bernie in 1981 during his first mayoral debate in Burlington. They married in 1988, and the day after their wedding, they travelled to the Soviet Union as part of an official delegation. This trip caused some controversy, as Bernie was accused of criticising the US abroad, including the cost of housing and healthcare.
Jane has supported her husband throughout his political career, often joining him on campaigns. She has held various jobs, including working in the Juvenile Division of the Burlington Police Department and volunteering for AmeriCorps Vista. From 1981 to 1991, she was the founding director of the Mayor's Youth Office and Department Head in Burlington. She became president of Burlington College in 2004 but resigned in 2011 due to differing visions for the future.
In 2017, Jane founded The Sanders Institute, a think tank that has since stopped accepting donations and suspended operations amid criticism of blurring the lines between family, fundraising, and campaigning. She and Bernie have fostered 13 children together, and she considers his son, Levi, and her own children from a previous marriage as family, with "no halves or steps".
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Bernie Sanders and his wife, Jane, travelled to Moscow shortly after their wedding in 1988. Sanders himself has described the trip as a "very strange honeymoon".
No. The trip was pre-scheduled before Sanders' marriage proposal, and the wedding date was set to coincide with the trip. The main purpose of the trip was to establish a "sister-city" relationship with the city of Yaroslavl.
Critics of Sanders have claimed that he has "honeymooned" in the Soviet Union, implying that the Democratic presidential candidate may have some sort of soft spot for Russia.
