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.
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.
-
Bombs or talks: What’s next in the US-Iran showdown?
Talking Points US gives Tehran a two month deadline to deal
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Inside the contested birth years of generations
The Explainer Battles over where Gen Z ends and Gens Alpha and Beta begin remain unsettled
By David Faris Published
-
Art review: Jack Whitten: The Messenger
Feature Museum of Modern Art, New York City, through Aug. 2
By The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump 'not joking' about unconstitutional 3rd term
Speed Read The president seems to be serious about seeking a third term in 2028
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The JFK files: the truth at last?
In The Spotlight More than 64,000 previously classified documents relating the 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy have been released by the Trump administration
By The Week Staff Published
-
Supreme Court upholds 'ghost gun' restrictions
Speed Read Ghost guns can be regulated like other firearms
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published