Bernie Sanders unveils plan to beat Hillary Clinton in the delegate chase
On Monday, Sen. Bernie Sanders' campaign laid out their plan for winning the Democratic nomination, despite Hillary Clinton's lead among pledged and at-large delegates. It mostly involves momentum and persuasion. After beating Clinton by double digits in three caucuses over the weekend — in Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii — Sanders still trails her by about 250 delegates and 440 superdelegates. In a 45-minute phone conference, three top Sanders aides argued that Sanders can make up that gap by June and win the nomination by persuading the superdelegates that Sanders is the stronger candidate. Neither candidate will win with pledged delegates alone, senior adviser Tad Devine predicted.
Sanders campaign manager Jeff Weaver said that Sanders has a "substantial" number of superdelegates up his sleeve, but that they aren't ready to go public yet. "It would be easy for them at this point to be pledged to Hillary Clinton, given some of the media narrative and the establishment support she has," Weaver said. Campaign press secretary Symone Sanders told CNN on Monday that "superdelegates are kind of like football recruits," explaining: "You know, they say they are coming but until they have signed on the dotted line and they're in practice, you don't know that they're all the way with you and that they're on your team." They'll sign with Sanders when they see he's winning, she added.
In a separate call, Clinton chief strategist Joel Benenson said that before Sanders starts talking about winning with superdelegates, he has to earn 57 percent of the remaining pledged delegates to catch up with Clinton. That's possible, but many political handicappers consider it highly unlikely. Sanders has performed best in caucuses, for example, and there are only two of those left — in Wyoming and North Dakota — notes FiveThirtyEight's Harry Enten. Sanders raked in $4 million in contributions over the past two days, "and this has been a crazy year in politics," he adds." But there's nothing in the recent results to suggest that the overall trajectory of the Democratic race has changed."
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.
Benenson said Clinton should sew up the nomination on April 26, when Pennsylvania and several other Northeastern states vote.
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.
-
The unparalleled leader of the gentle parenting movement
In the Spotlight Dr. Becky became the face of a revolution in how we treat our children
By David Faris Published
-
One Great Cookbook: Madhur Jaffrey's 'Vegetarian India'
The Week Recommends The 2015 tome will reshape how you think about both vegetables and Indian food
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
How to find someone you trust to help with retirement planning
Speed Read Prepare for your golden years
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