Following reports that Hillary Clinton’s lead over Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) is shrinking in Iowa, the progressive upstart is getting closer and closer to besting the establishment favorite.
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NBC and New Hampshire’s Union-Leader newspaper would sponsor the February 4 debate, not now on the tight six-debate schedule authorized by the DNC. Clinton’s once-formidable lead in the polls has evaporated in recent weeks, and Clinton and Sanders are now locked in a tight race.
“She can govern and she can start here, Day 1, more experienced than any non-vice-president has ever been who aspires to this office”, Obama said.
Both Sanders’ campaign and the White House said Wednesday’s sit-down has been scheduled for some time.
About 55% of those surveyed said they have locked-in their candidate of choice, according to the poll, with 30% saying they have a strong preference but are willing to consider another candidate and 15% say they only have a slight preference or are undecided. “Now she is asking to change the rules to schedule a debate next week that is not sanctioned by the DNC”, Weaver said.
Although Obama has remained studiously neutral in the Democratic race, as good form demands, the meeting – and its timing – was an opportunity for Sanders to gain credibility and gravitas.
But Weaver laid out several conditions for Clinton. “We’re happy to have a debate in New Hampshire, but we want to have debates going forward as well”.
Symone Sanders, a spokeswoman for Sanders, had initially argued that candidates risked being barred by the DNC from future encounters if they chose to participate in unofficial debates. “I certainly hope in years to come you will be actively involved in the political process”.
Four days before the Iowa caucuses, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders’ campaign has released a doctor’s letter declaring Sander “in overall very good health”.
“The goal is to make sure that all the Democrats, or folks running in the Democratic primary, are focused on continuing the progress that we have made”, Mr Obama said in an interview with an NBC affiliate in Virginia.
Bernie Sanders is leading in the latest polls in New Hampshire, and appears to be a serious contender against Hillary Clinton in Iowa.
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Michael Briggs, Sanders’ communications director, told ABC News in a statement that the campaign planned “all along” to release medical information from his physician before the primaries and caucuses.
