NEVADA WIN PUTS SANDERS CLOSE TO U.S. PREZ RACE
Bernie solidifies frontrunner status as Democratic nominee for 2020 Prez poll
Las Vegas, Feb. 23: Progressive firebrand Bernie Sanders earned a decisive victory on Saturday in the Nevada caucuses, solidifying his frontrunner status in the race to choose the Democratic nominee who faces President Donald Trump in November's election.
His win is a substantial accomplishment in a state seen as an important bellwether because it is the first diverse electorate to weigh in on the 2020 presidential race.
It also shows that Sanders has been able to broaden a coalition beyond the narrow limits of leftist voters, refuting the argument used by several moderates in the race that he would not be able to bridge the divide between progressives and centrists. By late Saturday Sanders was comfortably ahead with half of all precincts reporting.
Sanders was quick to claim victory. But the centrist Biden, desperate to right a listing ship after miserable showings in the first two states, told supporters he feels “really good” about his Nevada finish.
Las Vegas, Feb. 23: Progressive firebrand Bernie Sanders earned a decisive victory Saturday in the Nevada caucuses, solidifying his frontrunner status in the race to choose the Democratic nominee who faces President Donald Trump in November's election.
His win is a substantial accomplishment in a state seen as an important bellwether because it is the first diverse electorate to weigh in on the 2020 presidential race.
It also shows that Sanders has been able to broaden a coalition beyond the narrow limits of leftist voters, refuting the argument used by several moderates in the race that he would not be able to bridge the divide between progressives and centrists.
By late Saturday with official results slowly trickling in, Sanders was comfortably ahead with some 22 percent of precincts reporting.
The 78-year-old senator from Vermont was leading with about 46 percent, followed by former vice president Joe Biden at 23 percent.
South Bend, Indiana’s former mayor Pete Buttigieg, who scored a shock narrow win in Iowa to start the race nearly three weeks ago, stood at a distant third a 13 percent.
The two female US senators in the running, progressive Elizabeth Warren and pragmatist Amy Klobuchar, were well back, in single digits.
Sanders was quick to claim victory, saying his
“multi-generational, multi-racial coalition” that won Nevada is “going to sweep this country.”
His progressive policies, including universal health care, higher taxes on the wealthy and corporations, and raising the minimum wage have struck a chord with millions of Americans.
“The American people are sick and tired of a government which is based on greed, corruption, and lies. They want an administration which is based on the principles of justice,” he told a raucous rally, which responded with chants of “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!”Sanders was speaking in El Paso, Texas, one of the 14 states that votes on “Super Tuesday” on March 3.
Buttigieg congratulated Sanders on his Nevada victory. But the moderate, 38year-old military veteran offered a stern warning against picking a selfdescribed democratic socialist who sees “capitalism as the root of all evil” to go up against the populist Trump.
“Senator Sanders believes in an inflexible, ideological revolution that leaves out most Democrats, not to mention most Americans,” Buttigieg said in remarks that took on a surprisingly coarse tone.