Sanders reshapes debate for Dems
Some observers say he’s nudging Clinton to the left on key party issues
By the time Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton announced last week that she opposed a massive 12-nation trade deal, her major campaign rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, had been prodding her for months to take a position.
The same was true of Clinton’s statement that she opposed the Keystone XL pipeline. Before she revealed her position last month, Sanders, a Vermont independent also running for the Democratic presidential nomination, had repeatedly asked why she hadn’t come out against the project.
The former secretary of State and Sanders have so far avoided attacking each other. But Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, hasn’t missed a chance to highlight his policy differences with the more moderate Clinton on progressive priorities and drive the debate in that direction. That approach will likely continue Tuesday during the first Democratic presidential debate on CNN.
“I don’t see us going in there saying, ‘Here’s the five attacks we’re going to launch today,’ ” said Tad Devine, Sanders’ senior media adviser. “For him, if we can have a debate that is very much driven by issues and not kind of ‘gotcha’ questions or political stuff, that would be his preference.”
Sanders has drawn thousands of energetic supporters to his events, surged in polls and raised millions (mostly in small donations) by calling for a “political revolution” focused on fighting in- come inequality, climate change, “corporate greed” and a campaign finance system that he says allows billionaires to buy elections.
Progressives believe the public’s response to Sanders’ message is reshaping the Democratic presidential debate.
“If it weren’t for Sanders, we wouldn’t know that there’s this level of passion out there in the Democratic base for a bold, progressive vision,” said Ben Wikler, the Washington director of MoveOn.org, which has not endorsed a candidate. “The electorate is speaking, and Clinton is clearly listening.”
Moderate Democrats, however, worry that the grass-roots energy supporting Sanders’ liberal agenda could force Clinton — and the party’s brand — too far to the left to be competitive in a general election.
“To get elected, (Clinton’s) going to have to be more of the middle — moderate,” said Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va. “I’m hoping that she stays there.”
A Clinton spokesman declined to comment on Sanders’ impact on the Democratic presidential debate.
Speaking in Iowa, Clinton said Wednesday she doesn’t believe the trade deal meets “the high bar I have set.” When she announced her opposition to the Keystone pipeline on Sept. 22, she said the project would hurt efforts to curb climate change, the same view adopted by the Democratic Party’s left wing.
“If we can have a debate that is very much driven by issues and not ... ‘gotcha’ questions ... that is (Sanders’) preference.” Strategist Tad Devine