Hillary Clinton's team wants to curb expectations about the Nevada caucuses


There are nervous rumblings in the Clinton camp about the upcoming Nevada caucuses on Feb. 20 — nervousness that some think the campaign might be intentionally stoking. "The question is whether their anxiety about the caucuses is real or carefully orchestrated to make sure that Clinton can claim a triumph even if she narrowly wins a state where she has enjoyed a huge polling lead for months," The Hill writes.
Indeed, with Sanders pulling strong support in both New Hampshire and Iowa, some wonder if Nevada — "Clinton country" — could be a tight competition, too.
"A month ago, who would have thought this would be such a competitive race? Nevada will either be a potential firewall or a potential tiebreaker," Sen. Harry Reid's senior strategist Rebecca Lambe told The New York Times.
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.
The demographics of Nevada are starkly different from Iowa and New Hampshire — two states with mainly white voters. In Nevada, approximately 20 percent of the Democratic voters are Hispanic, and 13 percent African-American. Clinton tends to hold a stronger appeal in minority communities.
"For reasons I don't understand, the Clinton campaign seems to be downplaying chances in Nevada. As far as I'm concerned, it's tailor-made for a Clinton victory," another of Reid's strategists, Jim Manley, said.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
Judge: Trump's US attorney in NJ serving unlawfully
Speed Read The appointment of Trump's former personal defense lawyer, Alina Habba, as acting US attorney in New Jersey was ruled 'unlawful'
-
Third judge rejects DOJ's Epstein records request
Speed Read Judge Richard Berman was the third and final federal judge to reject DOJ petitions to unseal Epstein-related grand jury material
-
Texas OKs gerrymander sought by Trump
Speed Read The House approved a new congressional map aimed at flipping Democratic-held seats to Republican control
-
Israel starts Gaza assault, approves West Bank plan
Speed Read Israel forces pushed into the outskirts of Gaza City and Netanyahu's government gave approval for a settlement to cut the occupied Palestinian territory in two
-
Court says labor board's structure unconstitutional
Speed Read The ruling has broad implications for labor rights enforcement in Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi
-
Feds seek harsh charges in DC arrests, except for rifles
Speed Read The DOJ said 465 arrests had been made in D.C. since Trump federalized law enforcement there two weeks ago
-
Trump taps Missouri AG to help lead FBI
Speed Read Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey has been appointed FBI co-deputy director, alongside Dan Bongino
-
Trump warms to Kyiv security deal in summit
Speed Read Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called Trump's support for guaranteeing his country's security 'a major step forward'