Left-wing Senator Sanders is increasingly becoming the favorite for the US Democratic presidential candidacy. He also won clearly in the primary in Nevada. The competition: beaten.
By Marcus Schuler, ARD Studio Los Angeles, currently. Las Vegas, Nevada
Problem number one from the perspective of the Democratic Party: Bernie Sanders is not a party member. Party reason is therefore a rather difficult topic. Problem number two: Approval for Sanders is much broader and bigger than expected.
Samantha, for example, is 41. She works as a makeup artist for a stage show in Las Vegas. She has been supporting the Senator for over 20 years. Already in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton, she was involved in his campaign team.
“Nobody addresses the issues Bernie is talking about. Young people in particular have a difficult time. The American dream has become unrealistic for them, they find it hard to find a well-paid job. Many can only afford a house if they are clear are older. “
Union settles dispute with Sanders
Even the influential Nevada hospitality union had recently given up resistance to Sanders and his plans for general health insurance. Its members feared that this would worsen their collective agreements. Monica Smith, a unionist and employee at the Bellagio hotel for many years, voted for Sanders. Her parents are from Mexico.
“My family came here because they wanted a better life, like so many immigrant families. And my union represents a lot of immigrants here. Bernie Sanders has a connection to Latinos. He is particularly committed to the Dreamer, the children born here illegal immigrant.”
Sanders won over not only young voters between the ages of 20 and 40, a group that stayed away from the election in 2016. Even women of white skin tone with a university degree mostly voted for him. Not to forget the Latinos, who make up 29 percent of the Nevada population.
Can Sanders convince Trump voters?
And it goes even further, says David Chalian from CNN. Sanders also has the potential to inspire traditional Trump voters.
“42 percent of male, white, non-college voters voted for Sanders. Only 18 percent for Pete Buttigieg, 11 percent for Biden and Klobuchar, and eight percent for Warren.”
Ex-President Biden, number two in Nevada, was stubbornly combative. Speaking to supporters in Las Vegas, he said: They would win in South Carolina next Saturday and Super Tuesday a week later, with primaries taking place in several states and a third of all delegate positions being allocated.
Observers skeptical about Biden
Many observers already report cautious skepticism. Sanders is building on a good organization that has existed since the 2016 campaign, CNN commentator Van Jones says:
“Bernie Sanders comes to the people and in general, at least here in Nevada.”
The next primaries will be held in South Carolina next Saturday. Sanders has won over many Latinos in Nevada. In South Carolina, almost 28 percent of the population is African-American. Here Joe Biden is the big favorite. And what if not?
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