Iowa results alter campaign for Clinton and Sanders
Virtual dead heat in caucuses forcing campaigns to reassess the future.
KEENE, N.H. — As Bernie Sanders rolled into New Hampshire on Tuesday, he found himself playing a role that is new to his campaign: that of the juggernaut.
The opportunity to take up the part may be fleeting for Sanders, the self-described democratic socialist senator from Vermont and Hillary Clinton’s rival for the Democratic presidential nomination. Once he moves past New Hampshire, the primary race gets a lot more complicated for him. But for now, he seems to be delighting in the worries of the Clinton campaign — wounded by its weak showing in Iowa’s caucuses Monday night — as he shores up support here, where most polls show him leading, some quite comfortably.
On the stage of a nearly century-old theater that anchors this quaint down town where the scenery calls to mind the small Iowa cities Sanders got to know well, the Vermonter exuded confidence.
In front of a massive gaggle of press, he mocked Clinton’s sudden eagerness to schedule an additional presidential debate in New Hampshire before its Feb. 9 primary — but he said he’d go along, if only she would agree to later matchups in California and New York.
As Clinton’s campaign struggled to make the case that it won an indisputable victory in Iowa, Sanders patiently pointed out that the race was so close that some deciding delegates appear to have been awarded by coin toss. And Clinton’s renewed pronouncement that she is, like him, a progressive? Sanders shrugged. Sure, he said, on some days. And then there are the others, he said, when she calls herself a “proud moderate.”
Sanders had some pointed words to share with an enthusiastic mix of oldtimer locals, idealistic students and professionals who took the afternoon off to hear him and join in on “Feel the Bern” chants.
“Last night in Iowa, we took on the most powerful political organization in this country,” Sanders said. “We came back from a 50-point deficit in the polls.” He avoided mentioning Clinton by name in his address, but made sharp jabs, putting Clinton on notice that he is going to aggressively protect the gains he has made here.
He quickly took aim at Wall Street speaking fees — whose acceptance has become one of Clinton’s major vulnerabilities with Democrats — and delivered a broadside on the family that runs Wal-Mart, where Clinton sat on the board of directors.
“Wal-Mart is the largest private sector employer in America, yet many of their employees are forced to go on food stamps, Medicaid and subsidized housing you pay for through your taxes because the Walton family refuses to pay their workers a livingwage,” Sanders said.
For her part, Clinton worked through the day to avoid giving the appearance that she is playing catch-up here.
At her morning campaign stop in a gymnasium, she confidently declared herself the winner in Iowa. She spoke as if the momentum were on her side, even as polls suggest otherwise.
Somewhat conversely, she expressed confidence that New Hampshire voters will come to their senses.
“One of the things I love about New Hampshire voters is you sift through it, you give it the once-over, you make up your minds about what makes sense,” she said. “You take a hard look about what people are proposing. You ask yourselves: Does this just sound good on paper or can this get done, and who’s most likely to be able to deliver what you need?”
Her argument is an implicit rebuke of Sanders’ pitch as uncompromisingly liberal. Clinton pitches herself as the candidate most likely to bring about change, even if it’s incremental.
As she did in the days leading into the Iowa caucuses, Clinton portrayed herself as best-suited to preserve the legacy of President Barack Obama, who is popular with primary voters. She raised doubts about Sanders’ commitment to doing the same.
While Clinton is positioned to do well in the primaries that follow New Hampshire regardless of what voters here decide, her path to the nomination would be a lot simpler if she ekes out a win.