Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders has apologized after a surrogate lashed out at “corporate Democratic whores” during a massive rally in New York City on Wednesday.
The comments from Dr. Paul Song sparked a backlash from Clinton supporters, who suggested that the health care activist was referring to the Democratic front-runner as a “whore.”
He urged the crowd of 27,000 gathered at Washington Square Park to vote against “corporate Democratic whores who are beholden to big Pharma and the private insurance industry instead of us.”
“Please do not believe the bullshit that our health care system is OK,” he also said during his remarks.
Jennifer Palmieri, the Clinton campaign’s communications director, called for Sanders to denounce Song’s comments.
Melissa Mark-Viverito, the head of New York’s city council and a Clinton supporter, called Song’s remarks “simply unacceptable.”
Sanders issued an apology early Thursday morning.
Song, who is married to journalist Lisa Ling, also apologized.
During his speech Song did offer some praise for the Clintons — especially former President Bill Clinton –for helping his wife’s sister, Laura Ling, after she was arrested and charged in North Korea. Clinton made an unannounced visit to North Korea in 2009 and helped secure a pardon for Ling and a colleague.
“I have tremendous respect for the President and Secretary Clinton, and while he helped my family, I feel I needed to help support the candidate that will help every family in the United States,” Song said.
Clinton and Sanders will debate in Brooklyn Thursday night.
WATCH (Song’s remarks begin at 11:00):