DEMS GO AT IT Joe, Bernie are best of foes over weekend
The last candidates standing in the Democratic presidential primary spent the weekend sniping at each other.
Former Vice President Joe Biden proudly called himself a “lifelong” and “proud” Democrat while speaking to supporters in Dearborn, Mich. — throwing shade at Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a self-described socialist and longtime independent who only caucuses with Dems in the Senate.
Biden also implied his opponent would be too divisive to win the general election against President Trump.
“If you want a nominee who’ll bring the party together, who will run on a positive progressive vision for the future, not turn this primary into a campaign of negative attacks — because that will only reelect Donald Trump if we go that route — if you want that, join us,” the ex-veep said Saturday.
The speech came after a strong showing in Super Tuesday states last week revived Biden’s chances and led other candidates to drop out and endorse him. This coming Tuesday, Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington State hold their Democratic primaries, with 352 delegates up for grabs.
On Sunday, Biden traveled to Mississippi, where he worshiped at a predominantly African-American church.
Meanwhile, Sanders’ supporters tried to depict Biden as low on endurance. The socialist firebrand’s campaign manager made a tweet noting Biden had spoken for only seven minutes at a St. Louis rally, commenting Saturday, “Bernie has three public events just today in two different states, each speaking engagement extending for close to an hour.” Biden is 77; Sanders, 78. “Spreading conspiracy theories online won’t help your candidate” but “will help Donald Trump win in November,” Democratic strategist Guy Cecil tweeted.
Sanders unveiled an ad last week seeking to cast Biden as a bad choice when it comes to Social Security.
“One of us has spent his entire life fighting against cuts in Social Security, and wanting to expand Social Security,” the ad states. “Another candidate has been on the floor of the Senate calling for cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans programs.”
The ad came as Sanders has been trying to put a dent in Biden’s support among older Americans.
But Biden is reportedly catching up on Sanders’ spending. The ex-veep spent $7 million on TV ads in most of the states voting Tuesday.
Mike Bloomberg, who endorsed Biden after being trounced on Super Tuesday, plans to pour much more cash into supporting Biden.