As Bernie Sanders makes public push for superdelegates, top aide calls strategy 'ironic'
On Sunday, Sen. Bernie Sanders held a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington, outlining his case for why Democratic superdelegates should abandon Hillary Clinton and side with him. His first argument, which he makes frequently, is that polls show him beating Donald Trump by wider margins than Clinton in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup. "They're going to have to go into their hearts, and they are going to have to ask, do they want the second strongest candidate to run against Trump or do they want the strongest candidate?" Sanders said.
Sanders' second argument was that he is "entitled" to the support of superdelegates in states he won by large margins, using Washington State as an example — he won the caucus with 73 percent of the vote, but 10 Washington superdelegates have backed Clinton while none have backed him. "I would ask the superdelegates from the state of Washington to respect the wishes of the people in their state," he said. Even if he flipped all the superdelegates in the 11 states his campaign listed, plus won the uncommitted ones, The Washington Post noted, Sanders would net 77 superdelegates, barely denting Clinton's current 520-39 lead. There are 719 superdelegates (including Sanders himself, but not Hillary Clinton), and they can vote for either candidate.
In the pledged delegate count, Clinton is leading Sanders by 327 delegates, according to the Associated Press tally, meaning Sanders has to win 65 percent of the remaining delegates to catch up with Clinton in pledged delegates. At Sunday's news conference, a reporter asked Sanders senior adviser Tad Devine if the Sanders plan to win by poaching Democratic Party insiders was "strange," given his anti-Establishment campaign message. "Can I use 'ironic' instead of 'strange?'" Devine replied.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Immunotherapy and hay fever
The Explainer Research shows that the treatment could provide significant relief from symptoms for many hay fever sufferers
By Richard Windsor, The Week UK Published
-
The week's best photos
In Pictures A flooded island, a ballistic missile, and more
By Anahi Valenzuela, The Week US Published
-
Who actually needs life insurance?
The Explainer If you have kids or are worried about passing on debt, the added security may be worth it
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Ukraine cheers House approval of military aid
Speed Read Following a lengthy struggle, the House has approved $95 billion in aid for Ukraine and Israel
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Poland, Germany nab alleged anti-Ukraine spies
Speed Read A man was arrested over a supposed Russian plot to kill Ukrainian President Zelenskyy
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Peter Murrell: Sturgeon's husband charged over SNP 'embezzlement' claims
Speed Read SNP expresses 'shock' as former chief executive rearrested in long-running investigation into claims of mishandled campaign funds
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Mark Menzies: Tories investigate MP after 'bad people' cash claims
Speed Read Fylde MP will sit as an independent while party looks into allegations he misused campaign funds on medical expenses and blackmail pay-out
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Why Johnson won't just pass Ukraine aid
Speed Read The House Speaker could have sent $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine — but it would have split his caucus
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump's first criminal trial starts with jury picks
Speed Read The former president faces charges related to hush money payments made to adult film star Stormy Daniels
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published